The Pacific Northwest is known for its delicious and fresh foodstuffs, from salmon and shellfish to berries and apples. It is also a place that has drawn folks from around the world, all contributing to the local food culture. Downtown Seattle offers many opportunities to enjoy both local and international cuisine in elegant or casual settings. Your dining options are many and are constantly changing. Here are my personal recommendations for downtown Seattle restaurants where I know you'll enjoy a quality dining experience.
One of Seattle's most consistently acclaimed restaurants, the Dahlia Lounge serves Asian cuisine with a Northwest twist. This is one of local celebrity chef Tom Douglas's many dining establishments.More »
This downtown restaurant and bakery, part of a West Coast chain, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in authentic Italian style. Both the food and the service are delightful. It is located inside the Pacific Place shopping mall.More »
This downtown Seattle dining establishment claims to serve the best steak in town, and most people seem to agree. The Metropolitan Grill is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant and is a favorite with local celebrities and athletes.More »
This working brewpub serves some amazingly tasty food along with a range of microbrews. Located within Pike Place Market, Pike Brewing Company Pub's menu includes pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of unique appetizers and specialties.More »
Located in downtown's City Centre building, Palomino serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes ranging from pizza and pasta to meats and seafoods. They also serve from an extensive cocktail menu.More »
Located in the heart of Pike Place Market, Lowell's has three floors of seating. You can order at the first floor counter and then find a seat on the first or third floor, or go to the second floor for the menu-and-waitress experience. Depending on where you sit, you'll have spectacular views of Elliott Bay and West Seattle, or into the Market. Lowell's can be extremely busy at peak times, so try to go early or late.More »
Located in Post Alley in Pike Place Market, Kell's is a traditional Irish pub and eatery that is so cozy and friendly that you always leave with a smile on your face. For extra fun, visit the pub at night, when they always have live (and lively!) traditional Irish-style music.More »
Pan-Asian cuisine is offered at this popular destination restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.More »
This counter-service restaurant serves award-winning chowder hot and ready to eat, or packaged for you to take home. The menu also includes salads and sandwiches. The smoked salmon and traditional clam chowders are both excellent.More »
•Dahlia Lounge
One of Seattle's most consistently acclaimed restaurants, the Dahlia Lounge serves Asian cuisine with a Northwest twist. This is one of local celebrity chef Tom Douglas's many dining establishments.More »
•Il Fornaio - Seattle
This downtown restaurant and bakery, part of a West Coast chain, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in authentic Italian style. Both the food and the service are delightful. It is located inside the Pacific Place shopping mall.More »
•Metropolitan Grill
This downtown Seattle dining establishment claims to serve the best steak in town, and most people seem to agree. The Metropolitan Grill is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant and is a favorite with local celebrities and athletes.More »
•Pike Brewing Company
This working brewpub serves some amazingly tasty food along with a range of microbrews. Located within Pike Place Market, Pike Brewing Company Pub's menu includes pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of unique appetizers and specialties.More »
•Palomino Restaurant & Bar
Located in downtown's City Centre building, Palomino serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes ranging from pizza and pasta to meats and seafoods. They also serve from an extensive cocktail menu.More »
•Lowell's Restaurant
Located in the heart of Pike Place Market, Lowell's has three floors of seating. You can order at the first floor counter and then find a seat on the first or third floor, or go to the second floor for the menu-and-waitress experience. Depending on where you sit, you'll have spectacular views of Elliott Bay and West Seattle, or into the Market. Lowell's can be extremely busy at peak times, so try to go early or late.More »
•Kells's Irish Restaurant & Pub
Located in Post Alley in Pike Place Market, Kell's is a traditional Irish pub and eatery that is so cozy and friendly that you always leave with a smile on your face. For extra fun, visit the pub at night, when they always have live (and lively!) traditional Irish-style music.More »
•Dragonfish Asian Cafe
Pan-Asian cuisine is offered at this popular destination restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.More »
•Pike Place Chowder
This counter-service restaurant serves award-winning chowder hot and ready to eat, or packaged for you to take home. The menu also includes salads and sandwiches. The smoked salmon and traditional clam chowders are both excellent.More »
Seattle's Dynamic Dining Scene
The list above focuses on restaurants that are a well-established part of the Seattle dining scene. Hot new places come and go. I certainly haven't tried them all! For comprehensive coverage of the most up-to-the-minute downtown Seattle restaurants, I recommend the Seattle Metropolitan Magazine website.
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