Best places to eat in Seattle
Seattle is the home of grunge and a major rock scene; having produced some of the most incredible bands throughout history such as Soundgarden, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. But you can’t visit Seattle without trying out some of these incredible restaurants and cheap eats. From the famous Pike Place market to cozy pasta restaurants; let me help you discover some of the best places to eat in Seattle.
FOB Poke
For a taste of what Seattle locals love, head to the intersection of 3rd and Blanchard St, to hole-in-the-wall FOB Poke (220 Blanchard St). Poke is a sushi-in-a-bowl Hawaiian dish that Seattle loves, and at peak hours people line up out the door for FOB’s signature poke bowls.
This restaurant has a setup a bit like a build-your-own sub sandwich shop, but instead of sandwiches, the staff builds unbelievably fresh poke bowls. High demand means that the fish in these deconstructed sushi bowls is exceptionally fresh. Seattle Poke is a little different than its Hawaiian roots. In Seattle, you’ll find more salad-like ingredients added for more volume and texture.
My order: my go-to order consists of a combination of half-and-half spring mix and plain white sticky rice as a base, followed by a double serving of tuna. To top my bowl, I get their house poke sauce, assorted sides, and a double serving of pickled watermelon radish.
Local Tip: You’ll find limited indoor seating. On a nice day, plan to grab it to-go and enjoy it in one of the secret spots in this insider’s guide to Pike Place Market
Biang Biang Noodles
If you’re exploring downtown Seattle and craving some delicious Asian food, consider making your way over to Biang Biang Noodles! This popular Chinese restaurant is known for serving a variety of dishes made with hand pulled noodles that are neither too soft nor too hard.
Of the available noodle dishes, a crowd-favorite is the Mala Spicy Beef Dry Mix, which consists of hand-pulled noodles, some cooked vegetables, and a spicy beef mixture! But, if you aren’t in the mood for noodles, the restaurant also serves handmade dumplings, crispy bao, and a few different side items, such as cucumber salad and yummy popcorn chicken.
In terms of pricing, the restaurant has pretty reasonable prices considering the generous portion sizes. In fact, this is not a bad spot if you’re looking for a place that’s more affordable compared to most restaurants in Seattle!
Lastly, not only is Biang Biang noodles one of the best places to eat in Seattle, the restaurant has pretty great service. It gets a bit hectic during peak hours, so you might have to wait. But, once you’re seated, they are fairly quick with attending to your order! So, if you’re looking for a nice Chinese restaurant that has a homey atmosphere and also happens to serve excellent food, check out Biang Biang Noodles!
Old Stove Brewing Co.
Situated on Western Avenue, Seattle’s Old Stove Brewing Co. has gained popularity amongst locals and tourists alike with its incredible selection of food and drinks. This destination is not only a brewery, but also a great spot to hang out in the heart of Seattle just outside of the iconic Pike Place Market.
With stunning views of Elliott Bay, visitors can pull up a seat, order a flight of their favorite brews and savor appetizing dishes such as the renowned poblano mac and cheese or their mouth-watering wood-fired pizzas (the mushroom and goat cheese is unparalleled in Seattle).
The beer selections are equally tantalizing, with brews that are aromatic in flavor and loved by many from tart sours, such as the cherry and pomegranate options (personal favorites), to some light classics like the Old Stove pilsner.
In addition to its excellent food and drinks, the service is friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the decor is chic and trendy. After a long day of sightseeing in Seattle, from going up the Space Needle to getting some photos at the world’s only first Starbucks storefront, there’s no better spot to kick back and unwind than at Old Stove Brewing Co.
Offering unbeatable eats at a great price and a casual, yet upscale, vibe, Old Stove is easily one of the best places to eat in Seattle.”
Pasta Casalinga
If you are looking for an “out of this world” pasta dish in a cozy, unpretentious setting while in Seattle, you will absolutely love Pasta Casalinga in Pike Place Market.
Pasta Casalinga is open from 11 AM to about 4:45 PM every day. They serve fresh, made-from-scratch pasta that tastes authentic and delicious. You can also order a glass of wine to enjoy with your meal — just be mindful that seating is limited, so snag a seat quickly if you want to stay and enjoy your meal inside the restaurant.
Pasta Casalinga has a rotating menu that changes weekly and includes fresh, seasonal ingredients. They always have a dish “From the Ocean,” which features seafood, “From the Farm,” which features meat, and “From the Garden,” which is vegetarian. Two staple menu items that never change are the Lasagna Casalinga and Pomodoro.
Unless you are sold on one of the rotating dishes, the Pomodoro is a must-try. If you really want to elevate the dish, add fresh burrata on top — it is so delicious! Pasta Casalinga may not be “flashy” or a well-known destination in Pike Place Market, but if you are craving pasta for lunch or an early dinner, you won’t regret stopping by.
Marination
Marination’s location in West Seattle offers one of the best views in Seattle as well as incredible Hawaiian-Korean fusion.
Located on the shore of the Puget Sound, this women-owned restaurant is known to locals as a summer staple. With an outdoor patio overlooking the water and downtown Seattle in the distance, it is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the city.
The food options are as good as the views, with a mix of traditional Hawaiian options as well as Korean influences. Make sure to try the Spam Musubi – it is the perfect mix of salty and savory – and this is coming from someone who does not like spam!
The Kalua Pork is also well-known at Marination, so we recommend ordering it in any form: tacos, sliders, fried rice, or the luau plates.
Of course the cocktails are also worth sipping. With tropical flavor options like lychee and passionfruit, and frozen options topped with cherries, your meal won’t be complete without them.
If you have any room after feasting on this delicious fare at one of the best places to eat in Seattle, head along the water towards Alki Beach to continue exploring all West Seattle has to offer.
El Chupacabra
El Chupacabra is a Seattle staple, mixing Tex-Mex comfort food with Seattle grunge. There’s two locations- one in the Greenlake area to the north of the city and one along Alki Beach in West Seattle. While both locations offer stick-to-your-ribs dishes and a laid back atmosphere, the Alki Beach location should definitely be at the top of your list.
The Alki Beach neighborhood has a funky vibe that’s unique in the city, with lots of cute shops and restaurants and people from all walks of life enjoying its spectacular views. El Chupacabra fits right in in this quirky neighborhood- here, you’ll find chimichangas and Mission-style burritos (with lots of options for vegan and vegetarian folks), being served up by tattooed waitstaff while heavy metal music plays in the background.
And while the food and margaritas are definitely on point, the location right across from the beach makes El Chupacabra even better. You can either sit outside on its patio or, if you’re 21 or older, grab a set on the second floor deck, where you’ll have spectacular views of the beach, the Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains. Snag a Corona and look out for wildlife in the Sound—Alki Beach is known as one of the best places for whale watching in Washington!
Even if you don’t get to spot an orca or other sea creatures, this is hands-down one of the best places to see sunset in Seattle—plus you’ll have as many tacos as you want on standby!
List Restaurant
List Restaurant, located on first avenue in Seattle’s Belltown district, is a great place to indulge in a unique and exotic culinary food experience. The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes that are prepared with high-quality ingredients that are sourced from local suppliers. The extensive menu features a wide range of dishes, wine and cocktails, inspired by international options, including Asian, Italian, French, and Spanish dishes.
A favorite dish at List Restaurant is their signature handmade Gnocchi with black truffle cream. This classic dish is made with fresh potatoes tossed with truffle oil, parmesan cheese, and black pepper. The dish has a creamy texture that melts in your mouth with every bite. Other great options include the seared ahi tuna and the fresh clams, served in a white wine broth.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so it is important to get here early, particularly during happy hour with 50% off all the bar food. List Restaurant features a menu filled with fresh ingredients combined creatively to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your appetite in a sleek, modern setting.
Biscuit Bitch
If you’re looking for places to eat in Seattle with a bit of attitude then look no further… Normally you look for top notch service, but at Biscuit Bitch they serve everything with a (tongue-in-cheek) snarl. The quirky breakfast spot in Seattle has two locations – one close to the famous Pike Place Market, and another up the street in Belltown.
Their fluffy biscuits have become legendary in Seattle. The most popular option is the “Hot Mess” with sausage, two eggs, garlic grits, hot sauce and pickled jalapenos. spicy sausage gravy, cheese and a fried egg. You can opt for a veggie sausage and mushroom gravy if you like.
It’s a good option for families as they have plain biscuits that even the fussiest kids will like. It’s one of the best things to do in Seattle with kids.
You can order online for collection or delivery. Or go there directly. There’s limited outdoor seating at both locations. The business has a cool ethos, focusing on creating a welcoming environment for marginalized people, including women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people.
These are only some of the best places to eat in Seattle, if you have a favourite restaurant or ‘hole in the wall’ you love to eat at in Seattle then leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list!
