The Emerald City: A Guide to Seattle’s Best
Seattle isn’t just a tech hub—it’s a world-class food city with a culinary scene as breathtaking as its natural landscape. The city’s identity is shaped by the incredible bounty of the Pacific Northwest, a deep respect for history, and a wave of innovative chefs who have collected a stunning number of James Beard Awards. Navigating this scene, from legendary institutions to modern trailblazers, can be a challenge.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve created the definitive list of the top 10 best restaurants in Seattle, a curated pantheon of the most essential dining experiences the city has to offer. Whether you’re looking for the best seafood, an unforgettable fine dining experience, or a historic gem, this is your ultimate guide to eating in the Emerald City.
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Cuisine | Price Guide | Vibe / Perfect For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canlis | Queen Anne | Pacific Northwest | $$$$ | Timeless Elegance & The Best View |
| Sushi Kashiba | Pike Place Market | Japanese / Omakase | $$$$ | A Master’s Omakase Experience |
| The Walrus and the Carpenter | Ballard | Seafood / Oyster Bar | $$$ | A Trendy, Celebrated Oyster Bar |
| Spinasse | Capitol Hill | Northern Italian | $$$ | The Ultimate Pasta Destination |
| Maneki | International District | Traditional Japanese | $$ | A Historic, Living Legend |
| Cafe Juanita | Kirkland | Northern Italian | $$$$ | A Refined, James Beard-Winning Meal |
| Metropolitan Grill | Downtown | Steakhouse | $$$$ | The Classic Downtown Steakhouse |
| JuneBaby | Ravenna | Southern | $$$ | A Groundbreaking Taste of the South |
| Tai Tung | International District | Chinese-American | $$ | A Historic Icon & Local Favorite |
| Altura | Capitol Hill | Pacific Northwest / Italian | $$$$ | An Intimate, Seasonal Tasting Menu |
1. Canlis
📹 Video Source: YosPika
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Cuisine:Pacific Northwest
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Neighborhood:Queen Anne
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Price:$$$$
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Vibe:Timeless Elegance & The Best View
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Location: 2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Canlis is, without a doubt, the most iconic and essential fine dining restaurant in Seattle. A landmark institution since 1950, it offers a truly unforgettable experience. Perched on a hill with floor-to-ceiling windows, it boasts what many consider the single best restaurant view in Seattle, looking out over Lake Union and the city skyline. With a James Beard award-winning wine program, legendary service, and a groundbreaking tasting menu, Canlis is the definition of a milestone-worthy splurge.
Foodie Quote: “More than just a meal, Canlis is a piece of Seattle history, a timeless experience where every detail is flawless.”
Why is it our top choice? For over 70 years, Canlis has been the undisputed standard for luxury dining in the Pacific Northwest. Its combination of historic legacy, James Beard awards, and breathtaking views makes it a true icon.
2. Sushi Kashiba
📹 Video Source: Eater
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Cuisine:Japanese / Omakase
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Neighborhood:Pike Place Market
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Price:$$$$
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Vibe:A Master’s Omakase Experience
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Location: 86 Pine St Suite 1, Seattle, WA 98101
Helmed by Seattle’s sushi pioneer, the legendary Shiro Kashiba, this restaurant is a temple to the art of sushi. Trained by the world-famous Jiro Ono, Chef Kashiba brings a lifetime of mastery to his omakase counter in the heart of Pike Place Market. Securing a seat for the omakase is one of the toughest reservations in the city, where you’ll be served piece after piece of impeccably sourced, perfectly prepared sushi directly from the master himself.
Foodie Quote: “Watching Chef Kashiba work is like watching a master artist. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a masterclass in the art of sushi.”
Why is it our top choice? It is the definitive omakase experience in Seattle. The chance to be served by Shiro Kashiba, one of the original sushi pioneers in the United States, makes it one of the best restaurants in Seattle, period.
3. The Walrus and the Carpenter
📹 Video Source: The Culinary Institute of America
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Cuisine:Seafood / Oyster Bar
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Neighborhood:Ballard
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Price:$$$
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Vibe:A Trendy, Celebrated Oyster Bar
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Location: 4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Opened by celebrated chef Renee Erickson, The Walrus and the Carpenter is one of the most nationally acclaimed and beloved restaurants in the city. This lively, beautiful oyster bar is the definitive spot for the best seafood in Seattle. The menu features a stunning, impeccably sourced selection of local oysters, along with creative, French-inspired small plates. The atmosphere is always buzzing, making it a perfect spot for a fun, delicious night out.
Foodie Quote: “The quintessential Seattle experience: a platter of fresh, ice-cold oysters, a glass of crisp white wine, in a beautifully vibrant space.”
Why is it our top choice? As a multiple-time James Beard finalist, it’s not just a local favorite but a nationally recognized institution that defines the modern Seattle oyster bar experience.
4. Spinasse
📹 Video Source: Washington Grown
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Cuisine:Northern Italian
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Neighborhood:Capitol Hill
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Price:$$$
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Vibe:The Ultimate Pasta Destination
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Location: 1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
For years, Spinasse has been consistently regarded as the best Italian restaurant in Seattle. The restaurant is famous for its exquisite, authentic cooking from Italy’s Piedmont region, with a special focus on handmade pasta. The signature dish, Tajarin al Ragu o Burro e Salvia (hand-cut egg pasta with either a meat ragu or butter and sage), is a transcendent experience and a must-order for any food lover.
Foodie Quote: “The hand-cut tajarin pasta is a legitimate spiritual experience. It’s so delicate and rich, you’ll be dreaming about it for weeks.”
Why is it our top choice? Its unwavering dedication to the craft of handmade pasta and the specific cuisine of Piedmont has made it the undisputed king of Italian food in a city full of great options.
5. Maneki
📹 Video Source: Eater
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Cuisine:Traditional Japanese
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Neighborhood:International District
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Price:$$
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Vibe:A Historic, Living Legend
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Location: 304 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Maneki is more than a restaurant; it is a living piece of Seattle history. Established in 1904, it is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and a cornerstone of Seattle’s historic Japantown. This beloved spot has survived world wars and immense city changes, continuing to serve classic, comforting Japanese food. It’s a treasured institution that offers a direct connection to the city’s past.
Foodie Quote: “Eating at Maneki feels like being welcomed into a piece of history. The food is comforting and authentic, served in a space that has seen it all.”
Why is it our top choice? Its status as a historic landmark was officially recognized when it won a James Beard “America’s Classics” award, an honor given to timeless, locally-owned restaurants that are pillars of their community.
6. Cafe Juanita
📹 Video Source: Seattle Refined
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Cuisine:Northern Italian
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Neighborhood:Kirkland
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Price:$$$$
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Vibe:A Refined, James Beard-Winning Meal
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Location: 9702 NE 120th Pl, Kirkland, WA 98034
Helmed by Chef Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita is one of the region’s most celebrated fine dining restaurants. While technically across the lake in Kirkland, its influence on the Seattle dining scene is undeniable. The restaurant offers refined, elegant Northern Italian cuisine in a beautiful, serene setting. The tasting menu is a showcase of seasonal ingredients and precise technique, making for a truly special dining experience.
Foodie Quote: “A beautiful and sophisticated experience from start to finish. Chef Holly Smith’s cooking is precise, thoughtful, and absolutely delicious.”
Why is it our top choice? Chef Holly Smith is a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef, and her restaurant has long been a standard-bearer for high-end, ingredient-driven Italian cooking in the Pacific Northwest.
7. Metropolitan Grill
📹 Video Source: Knutzen’s Meats
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Cuisine:Steakhouse
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Neighborhood:Downtown
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Price:$$$$
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Vibe:The Classic Downtown Steakhouse
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Location: 820 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
For a classic, old-school steakhouse experience, The Met is the undisputed champion. Since 1983, this has been Seattle’s premier steakhouse and a cornerstone of downtown Seattle dining. It’s a place for big celebrations and business dinners, known for its perfectly cooked prime cuts of beef, classic cocktails, and an award-winning wine list.
Foodie Quote: “The quintessential power-dinner spot. A perfect martini, a massive dry-aged steak, and classic, attentive service.”
Why is it our top choice? It is the definitive Seattle steakhouse. Its decades-long reputation and a prestigious Grand Award from Wine Spectator make it the go-to institution for a classic steak dinner.
8. JuneBaby
📹 Video Source: KING 5 Seattle
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Cuisine:Southern
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Neighborhood:Ravenna
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Price:$$-$$$
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Vibe:A Groundbreaking Taste of the South
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Location: 2122 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115
When Chef Edouardo Jordan opened JuneBaby, it became an instant national sensation. This groundbreaking restaurant celebrates the depth and diversity of Southern cuisine, exploring the foodways of the African diaspora with academic rigor and incredible flavor. The restaurant quickly became one of the hottest restaurants in Seattle and the country.
Foodie Quote: “This is Southern food with a story. Every dish is a lesson in history and flavor, from the incredible fried chicken to the heritage grain cornbread.”
Why is it our top choice? Its impact was immediate and profound. JuneBaby won the 2018 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in America, a massive honor that solidified its place as a landmark for Southern food.
9. Tai Tung
📹 Video Source: Eric David Wallace
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Cuisine:Chinese-American
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Neighborhood:International District
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Price:$$
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Vibe:A Historic Icon & Local Favorite
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Location: 655 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104
Tai Tung is another essential piece of Seattle’s living history. As the city’s oldest Chinese restaurant (since 1935), it has been a beloved fixture in the International District for generations. It’s a classic, no-frills spot serving comforting Chinese-American fare. It also holds a unique place in pop culture history as it was famously a favorite restaurant of martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
Foodie Quote: “Stepping into Tai Tung is like stepping back in time. It’s a comforting, nostalgic spot that has been a family favorite for decades.”
Why is it our top choice? Its incredible history as the city’s oldest Chinese restaurant and its status as a beloved community institution make it an irreplaceable part of Seattle’s culinary fabric.
10. Altura
📹 Video Source: Altura Fresh Talk
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Cuisine:Pacific Northwest / Italian
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Neighborhood:Capitol Hill
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Price:$$$$
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Vibe:An Intimate, Seasonal Tasting Menu
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Location: 617 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
Altura offers one of the most acclaimed and intimate fine dining experiences in the city. This tasting-menu-only restaurant is celebrated for its modern, hyper-seasonal cooking that blends the ingredients of the Pacific Northwest with Italian techniques. The artistry and precision on display make for a memorable and delicious meal.
Foodie Quote: “A beautiful and precise tasting menu that is a true celebration of the seasons in the Pacific Northwest.”
Why is it our top choice? For its unwavering commitment to high-level, seasonal, and artistic cooking, Altura has long been considered one of the top 10 best restaurants in Seattle for a refined tasting menu experience.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
No, Seattle does not currently have any Michelin-starred restaurants. The Michelin Guide does not yet cover the Pacific Northwest region, but many of the city’s top restaurants, like Canlis and Altura, are considered to be of Michelin-star quality.
Seattle is most famous for its incredible seafood, especially salmon, oysters, and Dungeness crab. The city is also the birthplace of Starbucks, so it has a world-renowned coffee culture. The overall cuisine is heavily influenced by the fresh, seasonal ingredients of the Pacific Northwest.
The Walrus and the Carpenter is nationally acclaimed as one of the best oyster bars in America. Sushi Kashiba offers a world-class sushi experience with impeccably fresh fish.
Metropolitan Grill is the quintessential downtown steakhouse and a top dining destination. Sushi Kashiba is also located downtown near Pike Place Market, offering a premier omakase experience.
Seattle has several outstanding options. Canlis offers a legendary fine dining tasting menu with incredible views. Sushi Kashiba provides a masterclass in sushi with its omakase menu. Altura is an intimate spot known for its precise, seasonal tasting menus.
Absolutely. Maneki (established 1904) is a historic cornerstone of Japantown. Tai Tung (established 1935) is the city’s oldest Chinese restaurant. Canlis (established 1950) has been the icon of Seattle fine dining for over 70 years.
For a more casual but still top-tier meal, Maneki and Tai Tung in the International District are beloved historic institutions. The Walrus and the Carpenter has a lively, bustling bar atmosphere perfect for a fun night out.
Spinasse is widely regarded as the best Italian restaurant in Seattle, famous for its handmade pasta. For high-end, refined Northern Italian cuisine, Cafe Juanita is a James Beard Award-winning destination.
It is a prestigious award for locally-owned restaurants with timeless appeal that are beloved in their communities. Maneki is a proud recipient of this honor.
Yes, Canlis is famous for having what is widely considered the best restaurant view in Seattle, with stunning, panoramic windows overlooking Lake Union and the city.
