If you find yourself in Seattle and overwhelmed with the plethora of options, then this guide is for you! These are some of my favorite spots that should NOT be missed. I have eaten my way through Seattle for the last 7 years and have found some of the most delicious dishes and restaurants it has to offer. There may be spots on here that you wouldn’t think to try or that you might not find on other eater guides – but I promise you, my selection will give you a sneak peak into the diverse culture and cuisine that Seattle offers and give you just a little taste of the amazing restaurants there. These are in no particular order!
- Bangrak Market – this Thai spot is hands down the best in the city. If you are looking for vibrant, flavorful food and a fun atmosphere, this is the spot for you! Their menu features traditional thai street food. My top 3 dishes are: Crying Tiger, Kao Soi Chiang Mai, and Pad See Eiw. If you want a sweet ending, try the Mango Sticky Rice or Coconut Rice Cake.
2. Tacos Chukis – this local spot is known for their street tacos, mulitas and baby burritos. My personal favorite is the house taco – it starts with adobada pork and is topped with melted cheese and grilled pineapple. Then it’s topped with their salsa and guacamole and onions and cilantro. All of this piled on corn tortillas and served with lime wedges. They are little perfect pockets of meat and cheese wrapped up in warm, tortillas like little hugs.
3. Bamboo Sushi – if you don’t get sushi in Seattle you are missing out because it has some of the freshest fish you will find in the US! Bamboo is my go to and they are the first sustainable sushi restaurant, which is double awesome. My must haves to order: Chicken Karaage, King Salmon Nigiri, Spicy Salmon Crispy Rice, The Unicorn Roll, and the Full Circle Roll. Check out their happy hour Monday – Friday from 4pm-6pm!
4. Poquitos – located in the thriving Capitol Hill, it is the perfect spot for drinks, food and people watching. Their guacamole is the best I have ever had and their margaritas do not hold back. The signature dishes boast a ton of flavor and unique presentation like their stacked enchiladas. My go to order: chips & guac (large, always), carnitas or shrimp in salsa brava, and an agua fresca or margarita (depending on my mood).
5. RockCreek – Seattle and seafood are practically synonyms and if you want the best of the best, you go to RockCreek. Make sure to plan ahead because this one might require a reservation. Their menu rotates based on what is in season but you will find so many unique fish forward dishes that you will want to try them all. My dish recommendations: Hawaiian Tuna Tartare, Wild Carolina Prawns, Whole Grilled Branzino, and Chilean Seabass. Save room for dessert and get their RockCreek S’mores or Ricotta Apple Beignets.
6. Mama Dough’s – So this spot is a little south of Seattle inside an Asian Market, but well worth the drive. If you have heard of Din Tai Fung, ditch it and go here instead. This is way more authentic and small batch, thus resulting in much better dumplings and dishes. It is also cheaper if you want to save some money. I ate here once a week for 7 years…so yeah it’s delicious. Must Orders: Pork Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), Pork Dumplings with Chives (boiled), Spicy Eggplant, Crispy Chicken, and Pan Fried Lamb Dumplings.
7. Reckless Noodles – the best happy hour in the city from 4-5pm daily (get there at 4). They are asian fusion taking the culinary game to the next level with their multicultural dishes that focus around upscale Asian dishes. Happy Hour offers exclusive options like the ShangHai Spicy Wontons served with balsamic reduction and Jidori Chicken Bao dunked in a creamy coconut curry. Both are magical. From the regular menu grab the following: Roast Duck Crispy Rolls, Crispy Caramelized Prawns, Hokkien Wok Noodle and Lobster Fried Rice. For dessert make sure to grab the Seasonal Creme Brulee – last few times I went it was a Vietnamese Coffee and so rich and creamy with a lovely espresso flavor.
8. Super Six – Local Hawaiian forward dishes with amazing brunch and dinner options and a large patio to enjoy! Their brunch features their famous Chicken & Waffles on a bubble waffle and Loco Moco – a Hawaiian classic. You will find delicious, authentic hawaiian dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. Hawaiian food has a large influence in Seattle due to the proximity and you should absolutely try it at Super Six. The Don’t Skips: Spam Musubi (it will change your views of spam), Aloha Sliders (kalua pork), Huli Huli Chicken, Kalbi Short Ribs and Malasadas.
9. Ba Bar – Vietnamese food at its finest. They opened their first location in 2011 and now you will find locations across Seattle. At first bite you will fall in love with their fresh, light and flavorful dishes. Their restaurants are always busy and have a vibrant energy about them. They have a fun cocktail menu and happy hour from 2pm-5pm daily with some seriously great deals! My Must Haves: Crispy Imperial Rolls, Garlic Butter Prawns, Garlic Lobster Noodles, Lemongrass Rockfish, Combo Vermicelli Bowl and Duck Supreme. Go with a group to share so you can try more!
10. Mbar – A mediterranean rooftop restaurant overlooking the Space Needle and SLU. You will need reservations for this spot, so check before you go! While this spot is one of the more expensive places it is well worth the splurge. Their menu focuses on shareable plates with vibrant colors and flavors to showcase middle eastern cuisine. The majority of the plates are vegetarian forward, but you will find a few non veg items as well. Start your meal with the Mezze Platter and Grilled Halloumi. Then grab a few kebabs for the table to share with sides of saffron rice and crudites. Their menu changes based on the season so they use the freshest ingredients available.
There are so many other delicious Seattle restaurants out there but the list above really highlights some of the best of the best. A few additional honorable mentions because it was so hard to narrow it down to just 10. These spots below are some of my favorite brunch spots that you will want to add to your list!
Best Brunch Spots:
Sabine – a wonderful brunch spot in Ballard. Get there early or you might find yourself waiting in a line down the block – it moves quickly tho! Go on a Sunday so you can walk around the Ballard Market afterwards. My order: Turkish Eggs and Hummus. The Turkish Eggs are unlike anything I have had before. They come with whipped feta that is so light and creamy and an aleppo butter that adds a bit of heat. I wish I could recreate this at home, but I have yet to perfect it like theirs.
Toulouse Petit – a creole brunch staple of Seattle for over a decade. Known for their beignets, benedicts and boozy brunch. They have almost a dozen different benedict options – as if it wasn’t already hard enough to choose! If you plan to go on the weekend, get there early or make reservations ahead of time. Their creole inspired menu is rich, smokey and has so much flavor. My Top 3: Beignets, Benedict, Shrimp & Grits. Weekend Bonus: Banana Fosters Pancakes.
Mr. West – a casual, contemporary plant and coffee shop with a delightful menu of light eats and plates. I prefer their UVillage location since it is bigger and brighter. Their menu changes seasonally which I love so you know they use the best and freshest ingredients. Their menu has toasts, dips, salads, sandwiches and a few breakfast classics (turkish eggs, frittata sammy, yogurt, shakshuka and more). The dishes are light and fresh and can easily be shared. I always grab a toast and a dip – my running favorite is their BLT Toast and the Seasonal Hummus. This spot also serves beer and wine so it is perfect all day – whether you want to study or a casual breakfast.
Aly Eats Food 
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