Best Restaurants in Seattle
The only way to get through the gloomy winters!
I lived in Seattle for a couple years after graduating college, and most of my activities involved trying new restaurants and bars as I am not much of a nature person. Below are the restaurants I had on loop, and still love to go to when I visit for work.
The Pink Door is the most famous Seattle restaurant. It has a great combination of delicious food and cocktails, nice ambiance, beautiful patio view, and terrific service (which is hard to find in Seattle). It is located in Post Alley in Pike Place, and marked by a pink door and nothing else. As soon as you open the door, you descend down the stairs into the bustling restaurant. My favorite dishes include the Linguine Alle Vongole, Papardelle Al Ragu Bolognese, and Tuscan Fries and Fried Herbs (what got me hooked on aioli). Reservations are hard to get, so I would book a month in advance.
I dream about Spinasse all the time. Their pasta is freshly made in-house, and the best that you can get in Seattle. I love to order their Tajarin Con Burro E Salvia and Tajarin Al Ragu. They have an excellent wine and cocktail selection, I especially like their Paper Plane cocktail. In the spring, they have a seasonal dish of onions stuffed with meat and topped with pine nuts (I call them onion dumplings) and it is an absolute must. The last time I went I did not know it was seasonal, and almost shed tears when they said it was only available in the spring. It is an intimate setting, perfect for a date night or cozy night out.
Cinque Terre is a perfect go-to happy hour and dinner spot. They have great appetizers including the heavenly Piatto de Prosciutto e Burrata and fresh local oysters. There is a good selection of pizzas and pastas, I especially love the gnocchi and rigatoni. There is a wide wine and cocktail selection, and was actually where I discovered Cynar cocktails. It is perfect for birthdays and GNO’s.
Ascend is actually located in Bellevue, but well worth the trip. It is one of the very few restaurants that can compare to a trendy LA ambiance. It has amazing panoramic views, great presentation of dishes and cocktails, and aesthetic interiors. I love to order the 1921 cocktail, which comes bubbling with dry ice and a rose petal. You can’t go wrong with any of the sushi dishes, fish, and steak. The Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese is also a great side dish. Don’t forget to order their famous Magic Mushroom dessert, it is divine. This is a great spot for when you are in the mood to dress up for the night.
Canon is more of a bar than a restaurant, but still has some great menu items for a late dinner. The main attraction is their presentation of cocktails, all of which come in a unique glass with a fun garnish or dry ice. Their most popular cocktail is called Canon’s Canon. It has been rated a top 10 bar in the nation, so I can assure you won’t be disappointed. It does not take reservations and is a smaller space, so make sure to plan a wait time. It can only accommodate up to 4 people as well, so not a place for a big group outing.
Cafe Campagne is a great French brunch spot, located in Pike Place. It has an outdoor patio, which is great for people watching on the weekends. The dishes are simplistic yet perfect, and always hit the spot. I was always loyal to one particular menu item, the Oeufs Brouillès. They have a great wine menu, so you can turn it into a Sunday Funday.
The Din Tai Fung’s in Seattle and Bellevue are a different breed from anywhere else. I remember trying Din Tai Fung in Century City in LA multiple times after moving and was so disappointed. Here, the dumplings are full of scrumptious soup, the noodles and rice cakes are coated perfectly with sauce, and the garlic green beans are cooked to perfection. Be ready for a long wait, but it’s so worth it.
Purple Wine Bar is solid across the board, but you mainly come for the wine list. It has an amazing thirty-foot tower of wine smack dab in the middle of the restaurant. I like their creamy basil pesto pasta. The ambiance is great for a birthday dinner party.
Toulouse Petit was such a pleasant find, as it has an incredibly large menu, all of which are top notch. It is a perfect brunch or lunch spot, and has a great cocktail selection. I especially love their scrambled egg dishes, and they make a really great Godiva martini. You absolutely must get their Toulouse Beignets, they are such an amazing treat.
Japonessa is a fusion restaurant, but has great sushi roll options. It has a fun ambiance and there are locations in both Seattle and Bellevue. Definitely come for happy hour, as there are a ton of great deals and it lasts 12-5:30, and 9 to close.
Good Mexican food in Seattle is super hard to come by, but I think Little Water Cantina is as close as you can get. Once you walk through the restaurant to the outdoor patio, you will find a beautiful water view. You can actually walk down as well afterward and take a nice stroll by the water. The chips are thick and crispy, and the the dishes are good portions. They don’t take reservations, so come ready to wait a little bit. You can sit at the bar inside while you wait, and enjoy a fresh fruit margarita. I will give an honorable mention to Cactus for second best Mexican food I was able to find in Seattle.
Mr. West is a great breakfast and happy hour spot. It is probably the only place in Seattle that you can get an avocado toast that is comparable to LA. Their toast is super thick and fluffy, and toasted to perfection. They have great coffee as well, and the interiors are very trendy. There is a lit up outdoor patio which is nice if you have a big group. You will find many people working there, as it has a nice big space. Their happy hour menu includes some good deals on cocktails and snacks.
