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October 18th, 2024
Seattle’s dining scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, blending Pacific Northwest traditions with innovative culinary techniques. From cozy neighborhood bistros to upscale dining establishments, the Emerald City offers an unparalleled array of options for food enthusiasts. Here’s a curated list of 10 must-visit restaurants that showcase the best of Seattle’s gastronomic landscape.
1. Ono Authentic Hawaiian Poke
Ono, named after Oahu-born owner Steven Ono, is a seafood haven in Edmonds that serves what is likely the highest-quality poke in the Seattle area. The menu changes based on the freshest catches, with much of the fish sourced directly from the Honolulu Fish Auction. What sets Ono apart is the restaurant’s delicate approach to seasoning, allowing the natural flavors of the fish to shine. Whether you’re savoring salmon dressed with ponzu or enjoying a spicy ahi bowl, each dish highlights the pure, fresh taste of the seafood. It’s a must-visit spot for any seafood lover.
Yelp Profile: Ono Authentic Hawaiian Poke
2. Beast and Cleaver
Beast and Cleaver offers a unique dining experience that blends a butcher shop with a full-service restaurant. During the day, it operates as a bustling meat counter, but in the evenings, it transforms into an intimate dining space. Weeknights feature a steak bistro menu, where underappreciated cuts of beef are elevated to star status. On weekends, the kitchen crafts an elegant tasting menu centered around humble animal parts. Owner Kevin Smith’s philosophy that all cooks should be butchers brings a new level of expertise to the whole-animal culinary approach, making Beast and Cleaver a must-visit for meat enthusiasts.
Yelp Profile: Beast and Cleaver
3. Brimmer and Heeltap
Brimmer and Heeltap combines a charming brick-and-farmhouse atmosphere with a menu that surprises and delights. While the offerings may appear classic at first glance, dishes like clams, cavatelli, and seasonal vegetable plates arrive with unexpected twists. Owner Jen Doak’s background in wine is evident in the carefully curated selection. The restaurant’s garden patio, one of the most charming in town, welcomes diners year-round. For early risers, the hidden-away Red Arrow coffee shop within Brimmer offers morning treats like smoked salmon toast and americanos.
Yelp Profile: Brimmer and Heeltap
4. Cafe Munir
Cafe Munir stands as a testament to Seattle’s once-abundant neighborhood restaurants that delivered personal, high-quality fare worth crossing town for. Owner Rajah Gargour’s Middle Eastern spot in Loyal Heights has been delighting diners since 2012 with its lively atmosphere and authentic flavors. The menu features standout hummus plates, including one topped with lamb and pine nuts, alongside an array of mezze dips, spreads, and kebabs. The intimate dining room, adorned with arched doorways, white tablecloths, and filigree light pendants, creates a warm and inviting ambiance.
Yelp Profile: Cafe Munir
5. Copine
Copine, helmed by chef Shaun McCrain, offers a dining experience that feels unabashedly special. Drawing from his experience at Thomas Keller’s Per Se, McCrain crafts three-course tasting menus that blend classic French elements with global influences. The restaurant’s signature amuse-bouche of tempura-cloaked cured salmon topped with roe sets the tone for an exceptional meal. Jill Kinney, McCrain’s wife and partner, brings her own Per Se pedigree to the front of house, ensuring a seamlessly elegant dining experience from start to finish.
Yelp Profile: Copine
6. Delancey
Delancey, founded by Brandon Pettit, has become a Seattle institution since its opening in 2009. While the pizzas pay homage to New York by way of Naples, the restaurant’s charm is distinctly Northwestern. Seasonal toppings like Zoe’s bacon, cremini mushrooms, and basil showcase Delancey’s commitment to local, high-quality ingredients. Beyond the pizzas, the restaurant offers impeccable seasonal salads, wood-fired vegetable dishes, and their famous chocolate chip cookies dusted with gray salt. Delancey’s ability to elevate simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes has cemented its place in Seattle’s culinary landscape.
Yelp Profile: Delancey
7. La Carta de Oaxaca
La Carta de Oaxaca brings the rich flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico to Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Since 2003, owner Gloria Perez has been recreating the tastes of her native region, most notably through the restaurant’s lush and complex mole negro. The menu extends far beyond this staple, offering everything from tlayudas to ceviche and lamb birria. The restaurant’s atmosphere, with old Ballard brick walls meeting terra-cotta tiles, transports diners to Mexico. Paired with their excellent margaritas, La Carta de Oaxaca offers a true taste of Oaxaca in the heart of Seattle.
Yelp Profile: La Carta de Oaxaca
8. Mean Sandwich
Mean Sandwich, a no-frills counter in Ballard, has gained a reputation for creating truly innovative sandwich combinations. New owner Dan Crookston (husband of renowned chef Renee Erickson) has wisely maintained the fan favorites, including the signature Mean Sandwich featuring corned beef, mustard, pickled red cabbage, and a surprising hint of mint. Other standouts include the steak tartare club and the “skins and ins” – fried chunks of baked potato that serve as a creative alternative to fries. The restaurant’s commitment to unique flavors extends to their dessert offering of bread pudding made from day-old sandwich buns.
Yelp Profile: Mean Sandwich
9. Rupee Bar
Rupee Bar, under the guidance of chef Liz Kenyon, offers a refined take on Sri Lankan cuisine with influences from South India. The intimate, peacock-blue dining room provides a striking backdrop for bold flavors found in dishes like fish curry, mutton rolls, and Kerala fried chicken dusted in chili powder. The cocktail program, which blends Sri Lankan flavors with beach-inspired drinks, is a standout feature often overshadowed by the exceptional food. Rupee Bar’s ability to transport diners to the shores of Sri Lanka through its flavors and atmosphere makes it a unique gem in Seattle’s dining scene.
Yelp Profile: Rupee Bar
10. Cafe Juanita
Kirkland’s Northern Italian fine dining staple offers a range of exceptional seasonal tasting menus, with options for pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans. Under the direction of Chef Holly Smith, the omnivorous menu features innovative dishes like duck breast with charred strawberries and an English pea pignoli tartelette. The pescatarian and vegan tasting menus highlight the kitchen’s creativity, showcasing their expertise with fresh fish and mushrooms. Each meal at this refined spot promises a thoughtful, well-crafted dining experience for all palates.
Yelp Profile: Cafe Juanita
