Seattle has a very varied seafood scene because it sits on top of Puget Sound. Here, you can find seafood from around the world, and Seattle is famous among foodies. Anything from fresh seafood to specialties from Asia, Indian influences, and everything in between. However, Seattle has more than just seafood to offer visitors, and it’s worth visiting various restaurants. To help you with your foodie adventures in Seattle, we’ve put together a list of the top 7 restaurants in Seattle you should visit.
1. Canlis
For those occasions when you need a fancy restaurant, you can’t go wrong with Canlis. This restaurant is famous as one of the fanciest restaurants in Seattle, and it’s for a good reason. With sommeliers always available to pick out the best wines to go with the food, and excellent food to pair it with, Canlis is a great choice for important dates or fancy celebrations. And to make it even better, the restaurant has breathtaking views of the city, which include Lake Union and the Cascade Mountain range. If you want to treat yourself, which is a good choice, as dining out has mental and physical health benefits, consider paying a visit to Canlis. But, of course, remember to bring your best manners with you.
Canlis remains a cornerstone of Seattle's fine dining scene, continually evolving with the city's cultural and culinary landscapes. Recently, the restaurant celebrated its rich history by participating in the Seattle Symphony's Silver Anniversary Gala, showcasing its dedication to community and the arts. Also, Canlis has made significant strides in its wine program by appointing its first female wine director, bringing a fresh perspective and a commitment to diversity . This aligns with their recent hire of Executive Chef Aisha Ibrahim, who brings an international culinary background and a focus on Pacific Northwest ingredients.
2. Meesha
If you’re in the mood for Indian food, this next entry on the list of the top 7 restaurants in Seattle is for you. Here you can find modern Indian dishes which are sure to shock you in the best way. There are also choices you are familiar with, such as butter chicken and pakoras. However, if you do visit the restaurant, we recommend trying out the Amritsari fish, which has left foodies in love with the restaurant. The dish includes pan-fried rockfish with cardamom and fenugreek in either spiced tomato sauce or Bukhara dal. Also, if you’re planning a trip to Seattle, experts from hansenbros.com note that you should think about protecting your belongings ahead of time. After all, you shouldn’t leave all of your things in your hotel room.
Meesha continues to shine in Seattle's culinary landscape, having recently garnered acclaim for its innovative approach to Indian cuisine. Notably, the restaurant has expanded its menu to include a wider array of regional delicacies, showcasing the rich diversity of Indian flavors. With dishes like the fragrant Amritsari fish gaining popularity among patrons, Meesha remains a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking an elevated dining experience.
3. Sushi Kashiba
When you feel like having sushi, there is no better spot in Seattle than Sushi Kashiba. As said by foodies who’ve visited Seattle, this restaurant offers the best sushi in the city. It is unique because the sushi bar has seasonal offerings on its menu. This keeps the experience fresh year-round, and many people enjoy this quite a lot. However, reserving a table is very much recommended, as Sushi Kashiba is so popular that there are rarely seats left open all day long. Remember, if you’re considering going on a culinary trip to Seattle, fish is one of the foods with healthy fats. This means that you won’t have to worry about staying healthy too much since most of Seattle’s cuisine is seafood.
4. Archipelago
If you’re a fan of Pacific Northwest cuisine with unique twists, Archipelago is your choice. This restaurant is famous for adding American twists to Pacific Northwest cuisine in a very inventive way. Any foodie who enjoys unique takes on traditional foods will love the Archipelago restaurant. One of the best parts of the experience is the 9 – 12 seasonal tasting menus. These menus offer dishes that are created with flavors from the chefs’ stories as immigrants to Seattle. When you’re in the mood for something unique, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Archipelago. Additionally, we all know that dining out is a great way to destress, for example, when dealing with a move. And if you’re dealing with a local move in Seattle and wish to have an easy transfer in the city, remember to hire some trusted local movers.
In line with Seattle's vibrant culinary ethos, Archipelago continues to captivate diners with its imaginative fusion of Pacific Northwest flavors. Embracing a farm-to-table philosophy, the restaurant has deepened its ties with local producers, showcasing seasonal ingredients in its ever-evolving tasting menus. Furthermore, Archipelago remains actively engaged with the community, hosting events that celebrate the city's cultural diversity while supporting charitable initiatives.
5. Xi'an Noodles
The next entry on the list of the top 7 restaurants in Seattle is Xi'an noodles. This Chinese food restaurant can be found in the University District, in a very unassuming spot. And if you’re ever in the mood for hand-pulled noodles, this is the best choice in Seattle overall. Xi'an Noodles offers both simple options, such as noodles with just chilly oil, but they also offer much more intricate dishes, such as noodles with stewed pork and spicy cumin lamb. Noodles might not be among Seattle’s famous foods, but sometimes we just need something simple and comforting to eat. And, for this, Xi'an Noodles has your back with the city’s best hand-pulled noodles.
In addition, Xi'an Noodles has launched a new delivery service to bring their signature dishes directly to customers' doorsteps, making it easier than ever to enjoy their comforting bowls of noodles from the comfort of home.
6. Bruciato
Feel like having some pizza? Then you should seriously consider visiting Bruciato, which is known as Seattle’s best pizza eatery. Bruciato has a wood-burning stove on site, which gives their pizzas something a lot of other pizzas are missing. Additionally, they offer pizzas with things such as morel mushrooms (assuming they’re in season), honey, and chorizo. All in all, if you want to have a pizza that will leave you speechless, Bruciato is the place to go without a doubt.
7. Kau Kau
BBQ pork is, all in all, something almost everyone enjoys in Seattle and the US at large. As such, there are plenty of places where you can get good BBQ pork. However, in Seattle, Kau Kau’s BBQ pork is known as the best in the city, and for a good reason. This restaurant has become so famous and packed that the restaurant opened a window service for takeout, which is a glowing review of the restaurant’s performance. All in all, if a restaurant is that famous, it has to be something special.
Top 7 restaurants in Seattle you should visit – closing thoughts
Seattle, all in all, has one of the most varied culinary scenes in the US. This is mainly due to the city’s access to seafood from all over the world. And this is reflected in the city’s culinary scene since most of the cuisine in the city contains seafood. We hope that this list of the top 7 restaurants in Seattle you should visit helps you enjoy the food Seattle has to offer, and we wish you a good day.