Seattle and Tacoma Dining Guide
Oysters, salmon, market counters and neighborhood restaurants around Puget Sound.
The Pacific Northwest eats close to home. Shellfish farms around Puget Sound supply a dozen varieties of oysters, the salmon run from spring into fall, and farms east of the Cascades send fruit and wine to city menus. Seattle's large Asian communities add another layer, with dim sum, pho, teriyaki and Filipino cooking all part of everyday dining, and the city's coffee culture, from the market to Capitol Hill, needs no introduction.
The restaurants below are grouped by area. Market counters and casual seafood spots do not take reservations, so go early or late at busy times; the special-occasion restaurants should be booked ahead, especially in summer and on cruise weekends.
Pike Place Market
Eat your way through the market, from chowder to cheese.
An Italian-American restaurant hidden behind an unmarked pink door in Post Alley, with a deck facing the bay and evening cabaret.
A small upstairs dining room looking out at the Public Market clock, cooking with fish and produce from the market below.
A counter in Post Alley known for several styles of chowder and seafood rolls; expect a line at lunch.
A Russian bakery across from the market, selling sweet and savory filled pastries to eat on the go.
Watch cheese being made through the window, then order the rich mac and cheese.
A small, unpretentious Paris-style bistro on First Avenue, a short walk from the market.
Seafood on the Waterfront
Oyster bars and seafood houses along the piers and around town.
A long-running seafood restaurant on Pier 56 with a big oyster bar and views of Elliott Bay.
A Seattle institution on Pier 54 since 1938, known for fish and chips and clam chowder; the walk-up fish bar is quick and cheap.
Oyster bars run by a family shellfish farm on the Sound, serving its own oysters, clams and geoduck.
Neighborhood Favorites
Worth the trip from downtown.
A family-run restaurant open since 1950, in a mid-century building perched above Lake Union; a classic for special occasions.
Chef Renee Erickson's bright, busy oyster bar, with small plates and a long list of local oysters.
Chef Melissa Miranda's warm, community-minded restaurant serving modern Filipino cooking.
A cozy cafe near Seattle Center best known for its baked Dutch baby pancakes at brunch.
A local burger chain open since 1954, with a short menu of burgers, fries and hand-dipped shakes.
Tacoma
Seafood with a view on Commencement Bay.
A waterfront location of a local seafood chain, known for chowder and sustainably sourced fish.
A long-established seafood restaurant on Commencement Bay with sunset views toward the Olympics.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Seattle-Tacoma Dining — FAQ
What food is Seattle known for?
Fresh seafood, especially oysters, salmon and Dungeness crab, plus clam chowder, coffee and Seattle-style teriyaki. Pike Place Market is the best single place to sample them.
Where can I eat at Pike Place Market?
Dozens of places, from counters selling chowder, pastries and cheese to sit-down restaurants such as The Pink Door and Matt's in the Market. Many are on the lower levels and in Post Alley.
Do Seattle restaurants require reservations?
Fine dining and popular chef-run restaurants usually do, especially in summer. Market counters, oyster bars like The Walrus and the Carpenter, and casual spots mostly seat walk-ins.