Fogo de Chão
Inside the buildingThe all-day happy hour menu is a great deal. Try the beef rib and filet mignon, but there aren’t many good vegetable options.
Yiwen's personal restaurant list
Welcome to Seattle
Restaurant recommendations beyond Japanese cuisine, from easy walks downtown to destination dinners worth planning ahead.
Within one mile
Walking distance
Carmine’s, 5th Avenue
Down the streetRavioli di ossobuco, duck, and tomahawk veal rib. Ask to be seated in the main dining room. Make a reservation at least two weeks ahead to secure a table.
Open map ↗Olympia Coffee Roasting
Same plaza as Carmine’sA good place to buy freshly ground beans; they’ve won many roasting awards. Or simply stop by for latte art and interesting seasonal flavors.
Open map ↗Vivienne’s Bistro
A block awayWe had the duck with its unique lemon glaze and the short rib; both were good. This location doesn’t serve Dong Po pork, though the Mercer Island location does.
Open map ↗Barolo Ristorante
South Lake UnionMy neighbor friend’s favorite. We had a good time a few years ago, though our last visit wasn’t as impressive.
Open map ↗Meat Moot Seattle
South Lake UnionGood for groups, with a large dining area. Everything is good as long as it is served hot. Ask for extra salad and sides.
Open map ↗Supreme Dumplings
South Lake UnionI liked it, and the pork chops were surprisingly good.
Open map ↗La Loba
South Lake UnionA new and popular place. Check the menu to see what interests you; I only really liked the eggplant Parmesan.
Open map ↗Paju
Modern Korean food. I loved the short rib bugak, but there are only two per order.
Open map ↗The Pink Door
Pike Place MarketA lovely romantic atmosphere. Reservations are hard because it’s so popular, so book well ahead. Read how to find the door before going :)
Open map ↗Artly Robot Coffee
Near Pike PlaceA robot makes latte art. Very cool! Order a hot drink if you want the latte art. This location closes at 3 PM.
Open map ↗SELEUŠS Chocolates
Near Pike PlaceVery delicate chocolate truffles. You can also ask for samples.
Open map ↗Neighborhood picks
Capitol Hill
Meet Korean BBQ
They grill it for you, which is a win.
Open map ↗Biang Biang Noodles
Wide northwestern Chinese noodles. Pretty good!
Open map ↗Tacos Cometa
I first tried their tacos when they were just a food stand, and I am so happy that they now have a permanent storefront. Their menu has only a few items, but they serve the most satisfying carne asada tacos you can get in Seattle.
Open map ↗Cheese Room Seattle
A cute Italian place with some interesting dishes.
Open map ↗Cafe Suliman
Middle EasternIt can get noisy, but the food was delicious.
Open map ↗Too far to walk
Driving distance
Spinasse
Reservations are released monthly and disappear quickly, so plan ahead.
We go quarterly for the tajarin noodles. We both prefer the non-vegetarian version, but try both on your first visit. In winter, they usually serve sausage-stuffed cipollini onions: labor-intensive, super delicious, and a must-try.
Open map ↗Ramie
A super-interesting Vietnamese restaurant with many creative dishes. They serve both brunch and dinner.
Open map ↗MariPili Tapas Bar
The tasting menu can be disappointing, so skip it. Go for the suckling pig and lamb, quail lollipops, and urchin flan.
Open map ↗Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge
A popular Cajun place serving brunch and dinner. It appears to be the only Cajun restaurant in the Seattle area.
Open map ↗Steakhouse
Asadero Ballard
More to comeI think we’ve been to all the steakhouses in the Seattle and Bellevue area, but this is the only one I really recommend.
The steak arrives on a hot stone, so order it less done than you like and continue cooking it at the table. It comes with Mexican sauces and looks festive, unlike a lonely steak on a plate that gets cold too quickly.
A reservation one week ahead is doable, but two weeks ahead is better.
Open map ↗