Best Restaurants in Seattle

Here’s the Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to ten of Seattle's best restaurants, celebrated for James Beard Awards and other culinary honors.

Plate of Oysters in the Walrus Bar in Seattle

Seattle's Award-Winning Dining Scene

Seattle's culinary landscape is a vibrant reflection of the Pacific Northwest itself: innovative, deeply connected to its terroir, and unafraid of bold flavors.

The city's restaurants are consistently recognized by the James Beard Foundation, often referred to as the "Oscars of the food world," alongside other national and international accolades.

Fresh Fish Neon Sign at Pike Place Market in Seattle

These awards celebrate not just exceptional food, but also outstanding service, atmosphere, and wine programs. From intimate chef's counters to bustling waterfront establishments, this guide lists ten of the best restaurants in Seattle that have earned their place on the national stage through prestigious awards and the consistent admiration of critics and diners alike.

Best Restaurants in Seattle

1. Canlis

A timeless institution perched on Queen Anne Hill, Canlis is more than a restaurant; it is a Seattle legacy. Having won multiple James Beard Awards, including Outstanding Service and Best Northwest Restaurant, its mid-century modern architecture offers breathtaking views of Lake Union and the city skyline.

Canlis Restaurant in Seattle

The ambience is one of refined elegance, with impeccable service that makes every guest feel celebrated. The menu is a modern love letter to Pacific Northwest ingredients, but the signature Canlis Salad, prepared tableside, is a ritual that has remained a constant for decades. The experience is sophisticated, memorable, and truly singular.

From the Canlis website

“In the Spring of 2025, Food & Wine Magazine reached out to more than 400 writers, chefs, and travel professionals to rank the best restaurants in America. Canlis was ranked second!”

Address: 2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 283-3313
Website: canlis.com

2. The Walrus and the Carpenter

This James Beard Award-winning oyster bar in Ballard is the epitome of effortless cool. Hailed as a "National Best Restaurant" and a seminal force in the national oyster bar revival, its ambience is a curated kind of casual—a bustling, noisy, and always-packed space with a warm, convivial energy.

Steak Tartare at the Walrus and Carpenter Restaurant, one of the Best Restaurants in Seattle

Steak Tartare at the Walrus and Carpenter,
One of the Best Restaurants in Seattle

The focus is on impeccably fresh seafood. Signature dishes include a rotating selection of Pacific Northwest oysters on the half-shell, grilled sardines with lemon and olive oil, and the celebrated steak tartare. Securing a spot often requires a wait, but it is an essential Seattle experience.

Address: 4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: (206) 395-9227
Website: thewalrusbar.com

3. JuneBaby

Chef Edouardo Jordan’s Southern restaurant is a James Beard darling, winning both Best New Restaurant in America and Best Chef: Northwest in consecutive years. The ambience is warm, welcoming, and educational, celebrating the rich, complex history of African American Southern food.

Sample Dessert at the JuneBaby Restaurant in Seattle

The smell of freshly baked biscuits fills the air. Signature dishes include the decadent baked macaroni and cheese, crispy fried chicken, and a remarkable oxtail stew. The restaurant is a profound and delicious exploration of heritage and soul, served with genuine hospitality.

Address: 2122 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: (206) 257-4470
Website: junebabyseattle.com

4. Archipelago

Archipelago is a brilliant example of Seattle's innovative dining future. A recent James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant, Archipelago offers a transformative and deeply personal tasting menu that explores co-owner and Chef Aaron Verzosa’s Filipino and Northwest heritage.

Sample Dish at the Archipelago Restaurant in Seattle

Sample Dish at Archipelago

The ambience is intimate and immersive, with only a handful of seats in a beautifully designed, serene space. The menu features stunning dishes like kinilaw (a Filipino ceviche) with pristine local seafood and sinigang, a masterful sour broth. It’s a profoundly creative and memorable culinary journey.

Address: 2234 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 695-3796
Website: archipelagoseattle.com

5. Spinasse

A James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Northwest, Spinasse offers an transportive experience to the Piedmont region of Italy. The ambience is romantic and rustic, featuring hand-carved wood beams and an open kitchen where you can watch chefs hand-cut tajarin pasta.

Grappa Bottles at the Spinasse Restaurant in Seattle

The room is intimate, warm, and buzzing with conversation. The undisputed signature dish is the tajarin (a rich, delicate egg-yolk pasta) served with butter and sage or a simple ragu. It is a plate of pure, sublime perfection that has defined Seattle’s Italian dining scene for over a decade.

Address: 1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 251-7673
Website: spinasse.com

6. Off Alley

Off Alley is a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Northwest that has captured the city's attention. This tiny, punk-rock-inspired eatery in Columbia City offers a wildly creative and ever-changing menu in a minuscule, open-kitchen space. The ambience is intensely personal, edgy, and fiercely dedicated to its craft, with just a few counter seats.

Blackboard Menu at the Off Alley Restaurant in Seattle

Chefs and co-owners Evan Leichtling and Amanda Lipton create bold, hyper-seasonal dishes that often feature underappreciated ingredients, like their signature stuffed chicken wing or stunning seafood crudos. It’s a truly original and ground-breaking culinary experience.

Address: 4919 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: (206) 488-6170
Website: offalleyseattle.com

7. Eden Hill Restaurant

This inventive Queen Anne spot, a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef: Northwest, is known for its creativity and playful yet sophisticated dishes. The ambience is cozy, quirky, and charmingly unpretentious, with a small, bustling dining room and an open kitchen.

Preparing a Dish at the Eden Hill Restaurant in Seattle

Chef Maximillian Petty’s tasting menus are a journey of flavor and texture. A legendary signature dish is the "Big Mac," a gourmet deconstruction of the fast-food icon featuring wagyu beef, special sauce, and a sesame tuile. It’s a perfect example of the restaurant's clever and whimsical approach to fine dining.

Address: 2209 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 708-6832
Website: edenhillrestaurant.com

8. Lark

A cornerstone of Seattle's modern dining scene, Lark has been a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Northwest and is celebrated for its focus on Pacific Northwest ingredients and shared plates. The ambience in its Capitol Hill location is warm, sophisticated, and artistic, with a gallery-like feel that complements the culinary artistry on the plate.

Sample Dish at the Lark Restaurant

The menu is designed for sharing, featuring refined yet comforting dishes. Signature items include the rich and savory Duck Leg Confit and a decadent Wild Mushroom Toast. Chef John Sundstrom’s commitment to seasonal, local sourcing has made Lark an enduring and beloved institution.

Address: 952 E Seneca St, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 323-5275
Website: larkseattle.com

9. The Pink Door

A Seattle icon in Post Alley, The Pink Door may be famous for its hidden entrance and cabaret shows, but its food has also earned James Beard recognition. The ambience is pure bohemian romance—a rooftop patio with stunning Elliott Bay views, eclectic decor, and a lively, theatrical energy.

The Pink Door

The Italian-American menu is robust and comforting. Signature dishes include the linguine alle vongole (with Manila clams) and the lasagna. It’s a place where exceptional food, entertainment, and atmosphere collide to create a truly magical night out.

Address: 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 443-3241
Website: thepinkdoor.net

10. Taylor Shellfish Farms

While not a formal restaurant with tableside service, no list of Seattle's award-winning seafood is complete without Taylor Shellfish. This family-owned institution has been crowned a James Beard America’s Classic and is the definitive source for oysters in the region.

Oysters and Lemon from Taylor Shellfish Farms

The ambience at their various bars and shops is purely Pacific Northwest: casual, no-frills, and focused on the product. The signature "dish" is a shucked-to-order oyster from their own beds, served with a squeeze of lemon. It is the pure, unfiltered taste of the Washington coast, celebrated globally for its unparalleled quality.

Address: Multiple locations, including 124 Republican St, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: Varies by location. Check the website.
Website: taylorshellfishfarms.com

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