Restaurants I like

🌱 June 13, 2021.
Last tended June 5, 2026.
evergreen 🌲
5 minutes read ⏱

There are many great restaurants in the Seattle area. These are some that I enjoy, sorted alphabetically.

Latest updates:

  • Communion and homer remain infallible
  • MINATO is an excellent value takeout only spot for chirashi bowls. I like taking them to gasworks for a nice picnic
  • Oriental Mart is probably the most delicious food in pike place market, and it’s hidden well enough that there’s rarely much wait for food.
  • Un Bien and Other coast, both of which are serving up some excellent sandwiches. All 3 un bien locations are good
  • Wayland Mill is a new spot on the Burke Gilman trail with lighter Japanese brunch fare, perfect for before/after enjoying the trail or a pit stop along the way.
Restaurant (A-Z)Type of foodPriceLocationHighlights/notes
AlturaItalian, fine dining$$$$$Capitol HillTasting menu, great for anniversaries
Bottle and BullTapas, cocktails$$$$KirklandCocktails & tapas
COMMUNIONSouthern$$$Central DistrictThe whole menu is excellent
CarelloItalian$$$$Capitol HillSmall bites cart
CanlisFine dining$$$$$Queen AnneFine dining, best views in Seattle
Chicken Supply, theFilipino$Phinney RidgeBest fried chicken I’ve ever had. OG thighs are best
China Harbor restaurantDim Sum$WestlakeGreat dim sum with lake views
Dreamland BarAmerican Brunch$$FremontDisco ball hallway & drag brunch show
Facing EastTaiwanese$$BellevuePork belly
Flint Creek Cattle Co.PNW Farm to Table$$$Phinney RidgeGreat food & cocktails. Lively, upscale vibe
Fuji BakeryJapanese Bakery$InterbayStrawberry cake & Chicken sandos
HomerPNW Farm to Table$$$Beacon HillQueue up at 4:40 to land a seat at this gem
Inside Passage / RumbaCaribbean$$$Capitol HillCoolest speakeasy; great drinks & guac
Isarn Thai Soul KitchenNorthern Thai$$KirklandGo for the curries & Khao Soi
Just the TapPizza & beer$BelltownQuirky beer bar with surprisingly good pizza
KamonegiSoba$FremontHandmade buckwheat soba
La Carta De OaxacaMexican$$BallardAuthentic Oaxacan cuisine
LenoxAfro-latin$$$BelltownThe whole menu is excellent
Meet Korean BBQKorean$$$$Capitol HillHigh end KBBQ meats including A5 Wagyu
MINATOSushi$WallingfordHearty chirashi takeout - picnic them at gasworks
NIRMAL’SIndian$$$Pioneer SquareGreat drinks & curries
NorenSushi$$Capitol HillThe lemon salmon roll is my favorite specialty roll
Oriental MartPhilipino food$BelltownHearty portions and powerful flavors at the market
Other CoastSandwiches$Ballardhalf price Rajun Cajun 3-3:30 is a helluva deal
Ox BurgerBurgers (Laotian)$Capitol HillBurgers so good they got their own restaurant
Pasta CasalingaItalian$$BelltownSeasonal fresh pasta, weekly menu
Pho Bac Sup ShopVietnamese$International DistrictFantastic pho broth, go for ribs & rare beef pho
RasaiModern Indian$$$$FremontAll of the food is delicious
Rupee BarSri Lankan & Indian$$$BallardTapas & cocktails
Secret CongeeAsian fusion soup$BallardSoul food soup/porridge. Goes down real easy
SpinasseItalian$$$Capitol HillThe Butter & sage Tajarin is heavenly
Sushi KashibaSushi$$$$$BelltownOmakase. Try the “kama toro”
Turkish DelightTurkish$BelltownExcellent soups/stews for lunchtime
Umi Sake HouseSushi$$$BelltownBlack cod is amazing. Great happy hour
Un BienCaribbean$BallardDelicious and juicy: grab extra napkins
Wayland MillJapanese Brunch$$WallingfordWestern inspired light brunch on the Burke Gilman
WhiskeySteakhouse$$$BellevueSkip the steaks, great sides/salads/burgers & vibe

At most places, pricing varies by what you order, especially in the mid to high price ranges (~$30-$100 per person). Think of the pricing as a rough grouping - prices with the same number of dollar signs are in the same ballpark. Depending on the order, the price could go up or down by a group. You’re unlikely to eat so much or so little that a restaurant jumps more than 1 dollar sign in either direction. As a very rough ballpark:

  • $ - under $20 per person
  • $$ - $20-40 per person
  • $$$ - $40-70 per person
  • $$$$ - $70-110 per person
  • $$$$$ - Over $100 per person, typically presented as a tasting menu so prices only go up.

Restaurants I want to try:

RestaurantType of foodLocationnotes
Ka WonKBBQLynnwoodRecommended by multiple Korean friends. 1st visit was good.
TakaiSushi OmakaseBellevueOpened by Shiro & his student. Great reviews
the butchers tableSteakhouse
How to Cook a WolfFine diningQueen AnneMultiple recommendations
Little BeastUpscale English pubBallardRestaurant side of Seattle’s best butcher shop, Beast & Cleaver