10 Best Local Restaurants in Seattle

Manolin is a restaurant in Seattle that will remind you of a beach vacation, thanks to its nautical theme and the scent of fresh woodfired grilled seafood. Take in the breezy vibe as you sample fresh, local seafood infused with Latin and Caribbean flavours.

During the day, find a homey offering of bagels, sandwiches, homemade spreads, and fish by the pound. At night, Manolin’s covered courtyard would usually host a beach party, with an assortment of fish prepared fresh on the open grill, together with ceviche and beachy cocktails. If you need an occasion to bust out your favourite Hawaiian print shirt while in Seattle, this is it.

Jack´s BBQ is welcoming with its casual yet eclectic style, wood decor and the mouthwatering aromas of barbeque. Meats are prepared by a slow method in “the pit” – the affectionate name for their kitchen. There, they have massive 20-ft-long smokers, operating all day to produce the variety of succulent meats they serve.

Meats are prepared to juicy, tender perfection with Texas spices and mesquite flavours. Most are served with scrumptious classic sides like cornbread and mac and cheese. Relish the full barbeque experience on their outdoor patio, sipping on one of their innovative smoked cocktails.

The Walrus & the Carpenter by Seattle’s Salmon Bay is lively and stylish and is a great place to enjoy one of Seattle´s local treasures – oysters. This restaurant is located close to the water in Old Ballard, so you will feel the maritime charm of this once quiet fishing village turned trendy neighbourhood.

Enjoy dining on decadently prepared seafood with a fishing pub charm. Try their chubby oysters or their catch of the day and wash it down with a tallboy (a large can of beer). The quality of their preparations, the comfort of the quaint warm space with natural light all adds up to making this among the best local restaurants in Seattle for seafood.   

Plum Bistro is a flavourful experience with everything on the menu is made with wholesome ingredients. Vegan, nut-free, soy-free and gluten-free options make this restaurant a favourite of those with dietary restrictions. Even so, non-vegans will also enjoy their offerings. You may even forget you’re eating vegan once you taste the black pepper ‘chick’n’ burger, or the spicy Cajun ‘mac n’ yease’.

The atmosphere here is welcoming and easy, created by the clean, minimalist decor. You will surely enjoy the lovely drinks which are pretty and beautifully garnished. Sip their cleverly named cocktails like their watermelon mojito called Silly Summers at the Lake.

Quinn’s Pub is a friendly restaurant suitable for many different occasions like family gatherings or a good meal with friends before a night out on surrounding Capitol Hill. This area of Seattle is historic, yet fun, hip and laidback, and Quinn´s Pub fits in perfectly.

In the kitchen, there’s an emphasis on continuous experimentation to offer classic bar foods but with an unexpected gourmet twist. Don´t miss their sloppy joes made with wild boar, and served with a duck egg on top. Wash it down with one from their great selections of beers and cocktails.

RockCreek Seafood celebrates quality seafood, sourced both locally and globally. Seafood is selected from well-managed fisheries, with local harvests like crab and mussels, as well as faraway catches like Hawaiian Ono (wahoo).

RockCreek Seafood is in Fremont, by the Lake Washington Ship Canal – you’ll experience the rustic charm of the area as you dine in this forming fishing lodge. It is beautifully updated with reclaimed resources, including handcrafted pine tables and repurposed farm equipment. This homey setting is simplicity at its finest, with the pairing of seafood just out of the water and fresh ingredients delivered daily.

Honeyhole sandwiches in Seattle are no ordinary sandwiches, as they are carefully made with gourmet ingredients, for a tasty, hearty, melt-in-your-mouth experience. The decor is delightfully eclectic, and there is a definite cool vibe here, very suited to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood where it’s located. Enjoy a robust meal at Honeyhole, then stroll through the surrounding streets lined with hip bars, laidback coffee shops and indie stores.

Adding to the cool atmosphere at Honeyhole is the friendly staff, and the charming menu item names. Try The Dude, a toasted steak and cheese sandwich garnished with greens and spicy mustard, or The Herb N’ Cowboy, a hearty veggie burger served with all the fixings and their in-house barbeque sauce.

Bakery Nouveau is a kingpin in Seattle´s developing dessert scene, catering to your sugar fix and making you want to eat dessert first. You’ll breathe in the sweet scents of fresh baked goods as your eyes widen at the array of goodies lined up in glass cases. There are colourful macaroons, sticky apple strudel, and beautifully garnished cakes. A popular seller is their twice-baked chocolate croissant, made with their very own homemade chocolate.

If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, you can enjoy the savoury offerings here, like sandwiches, fresh bread, pastries and quiches. Casual counter service is available for takeaway or dining in.

Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar is in the cultural hub of Pioneer Square, where you can take in Seattle through the large concentration of art galleries and seafood spots. Taylor Shellfish Farms is one of the most popular producers of oysters in Washington state, and their namesake restaurants offer you fresh catches.

Here you can try Seattle´s famous oysters or geoduck, a large clam with a huge slug of meat, pronounced “gooey-duck”. You will enjoy discovering the light and delicate taste of its meat expertly served with ginger for a pop of flavour. You can trust that the knowledgeable staff here will share their expertise on oysters and seafood, together with tips for excellent wine pairings.

Ba Bar brings you comfort food in the form of pho or the Vietnamese version of chicken noodle soup. The dish rose in popularity as a filling and delicious treat. It has become a staple in Seattle ever since the 1970s when a large population of Vietnamese refugees were welcomed to the city.

The look in this restaurant is sleek and sexy, with dark woods and a bar so high the staff use a ladder to reach the high-end liquors on top. Inside, you’ll enjoy the moody music playing along with the attentive service and the range of Vietnamese delights on offer.