Seattle is home to some of the country’s top dining spots. Here are the 7 best restaurants and must-try places to eat in Seattle, listed in no particular order.
Brothers Kit and Jesse Schumann opened Sea Wolf in 2014. They started by baking in borrowed kitchens before moving into their own space a couple of years later—conveniently just a bike ride from Justin’s apartment. The bakery’s kitchen is completely open, so as soon as you step in, you’ll spot the bakers prepping dough and pulling fresh loaves from the oven. Natural light pours in from four skylights, and you can’t miss the giant cinnamon rolls near the entrance—made from croissant pastry scraps (!) and filled with butter, cinnamon, and raisins.
Ellenos says its yogurt “starts with pure, pasteurized whole milk sourced directly from local farms, giving it our signature creamy texture and a hint of sweetness.” But their real secret is the family’s own blend of probiotic cultures, making for ultra-thick, standout Greek yogurt. Ellenos has a small stall at Pike Place Market with many flavors: lemon curd, passionfruit, marionberry—and parfaits layered with nutty granola, fruit, and oats.
Porpoise does donuts and coffee—nothing more, nothing less—and they do both exceptionally well. The donuts are yeast-raised and sugar-dusted. Expect classics like vanilla custard and lemon curd, or surprise flavors from chocolate marshmallow to peanut butter and jelly.
Country Dough specializes in guo kui, crispy stuffed flatbreads perfect for eating on the go. We had ours with chicken, but you can also get pork, beef, or mushrooms and young bamboo shoots. We also tried their Chinese crêpe and the hand-shaved noodle soup.This spot may have closed permanently due to the pandemic.
At The Walrus And The Carpenter, between 100 and 140 dozen oysters are shucked each night. Opened in 2010, this cozy, lively spot has a fully open kitchen at the center, ringed by a bar—like courtside seats at a basketball game. Oysters are served ice-cold as if just plucked from the sea floor. The menu lists them from mildest to briniest, and selections change with local farmers’ supply. Each comes with freshly grated horseradish, shallot-champagne mignonette, and lemon.
6. Barnacle Bar
What to do while waiting in line at The Walrus and the Carpenter? Step next door to sister spot Barnacle, where they’ll call you when your table’s ready. Barnacle celebrates the Italian aperitivo bar in a jewel-box space, offering by-the-glass wines and an array of canned, pickled, smoked, and cured bites. Treat yourself to a sharp spritz, hand-sliced jamón serrano, or silky chicken mousse with tart pickled cherries.
7. Molly Moon
Ask anyone for food tips in Seattle, and you’re bound to hear you must go to Molly Moon. Founder Molly Moon Neitzel opened her first scoop shop in 2008, and the brand now has seven more locations. Look for favorites like strawberry (made with local fruit), chocolate (using melted chocolate, not just cocoa powder), and a boldly salty caramel (“dares to be the saltiest!” as the website claims). You’ll also find creative flavors like Earl Grey, honey lavender, and yeti (a combo of granola, vanilla caramel, and chocolate bits).
