Price Categories
Prices for a three-course dinner per person with half a bottle of wine:
$ = under $20
$$ = $20–45
$$$ = $45–60
$$$$ = over $60
Chinese
Green Village
516 6th Avenue S. Tel: 206-624 3634. Open: L Mon–Sat. $ 1 [map], C2
It doesn’t get any quicker or cheaper for authentic Chinese cuisine than at Green Village. Ordering is from the counter, fast-food style. Servings are large and meals hearty.
Jade Garden
424 7th Avenue S. Tel: 206-622 8181. Open: L & D daily. $$ 2 [map], D3
The dim sum is hands down the best in all of Seattle, and the price is decent, too. Regular menu items are also tasty and fresh; in fact the seafood is so fresh it’s likely to be swimming in the restaurant’s tanks until an order comes in.
Sea Garden
509 7th Avenue S. Tel: 206-623 2100. Open: L & D daily. $$ 3 [map], D2
Though some find the flavors a tad Americanized, this is a reliable spot with some standout dishes, including salt and pepper-seasoned deep-fried calamari and crab in black-bean sauce.
Seven Stars Pepper
1207 S. Jackson Street, Suite 211. Tel: 206-568 6446. Open: L & D daily. $–$$ 4 [map], E2
This second-floor restaurant has a huge menu of authentic food guaranteed to please the palate. Seven Stars Pepper features cuisine from Szechuan province, known for its spicy cooking. Don’t miss the hand-shaven noodles, green-onion pancakes, and the excellent twice-cooked pork.
Shanghai Garden
524 6th Avenue S. Tel: 206-625 1688. Open: L & D daily. $$ 5 [map], C2
Hot-and-sour soup and black fungus are among the authentic Chinese offerings. The less adventurous need not shy away; tasty dishes like the hand-shaven barley green noodles and pea vines are divine.
Sichuanese Cuisine Restaurant
1048 S Jackson Street. Tel: 206-720 1690. www.sichuaneserestaurant.com Open: L & D daily. $ 6 [map], E2
This hole-in-the-wall restaurant has the best and most affordable Szechuanese cuisine in Seattle. The special hot beef chow mein, dried-cooked string beans, and Szechuanese-style chicken are all must-haves. The spice quotient reaches truly authentic levels. Be sure to order the homemade dumplings to start.
Live music at the legendary New Orleans Creole Restaurant.
Tim Thompson/Apa Publications
Creole and Cajun
The New Orleans Creole Restaurant
114 1st Avenue S. Tel: 206-622 2563. neworleanscreolerestaurant.com Open: L & D daily. $$ 7 [map], B1
In the historic Lombardy building, this restaurant serves up live music and good Louisiana cooking. Musicians play jazz, blues, and more as patrons enjoy Creole and Cajun favorites like jambalaya and gumbo.
Irish
Fado Irish Pub
801 1st Avenue. Tel: 206-264 2700. www.fadoirishpub.com Open: B Sat–Sun, L & D daily. $$ 8 [map], B1
Step into a Pioneer Square pub filled with Irish memorabilia. Relax with a ‘perfect pint’ (a 20oz glass shaped to fit the palm) and traditional fare such as shepherd’s pie and bangers ’n’ mash. Irish bands and dancing are also a draw.
Pioneer Square café-bar.
Nathaniel Gonzales/APA Publication
Italian
Café Paloma
93 Yesler Way. Tel: 206-405 1920. www.cafepaloma.com Open: L Mon–Sat, D Tue–Sat $ 9 [map], B1
Light Mediterranean fare such as hummus, baba ghanouj, and Turkish pancakes can be had in this eatery that feels like a hideaway from bustling city life.
Salumi
309 3rd Avenue S. Tel: 206-621 8772. www.salumicuredmeats.com. Open: L Tue–Fri. $ ) [map], B2
Lines at lunchtime are long at this Pioneer Square eatery, and meat lovers swear by Armandino Batali’s (yes, Mario’s papa) house-cured meats and sandwiches. There’s a cramped eating space; most people take food to go.
Il Terrazzo Carmine
411 1st Avenue S. Tel: 206-467 7797. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Open: L Mon–Fri, D Mon–Sat. $$$$ ! [map], B2
Despite the office-building location, this romantic Italian restaurant has been a Seattle favorite for nearly 30 years. Expect great service and classic Italian specialties like rigatoni Bolognese, linguine alla vongole, and osso bucco. The alley patio is surprisingly intimate.
Japanese
Maneki
304 6th Avenue S. Tel: 206-622 2631. www.manekirestaurant.com Open: D Tue–Sun. $$ @ [map], C2
Locals have long raved about Maneki’s divine sushi and traditional Japanese dishes, as well they might. With over 100 years of service, this is the oldest Japanese restaurant in town, and the large menu has reasonably priced treats.
Samurai Noodle
606 5th Avenue S. Tel: 206-624 9321. www.samurainoodle.com Open: L & D Tue–Sun. $ £ [map], C3
For a reliable bowl of fantastic Japanese ramen in the International District, make a beeline for Samurai, which is attached to the Uwajimaya building. Try a steaming bowl of tonkotsu (pork broth) soup with thin wheat noodles, mushrooms, and green onions.
Uwajimaya Village
600 5th Avenue S. Tel: 206-624 6248. www.uwajimaya.com Open: L & D daily. $ $ [map], C3
Kill two birds with one stone at this Asian grocery store: shop for delicious treats and interesting cookware, then head over to the food court for a variety of Asian fast-food cuisine ranging from Chinese to Japanese to Vietnamese.
Malaysian
Malay Satay Hut
212 12th Avenue S. Tel: 206-324 4091. www.malaysatayhut.com Open: L & D daily. $–$$ % [map], E2
This cozy little strip-mall restaurant serves delicious Malaysian cuisine in a faux-tropical atmosphere. The decor most often passes unnoticed as the delicious roti canai dips into the curry, or the scent of the mango tofu wafts across the table.
Vietnamese
Green Leaf
418 8th Avenue S. Tel: 206-340 1388. www.greenleaftaste.com Open: L & D daily. $ ^ [map], D2
Heaping servings of authentic Vietnamese food are on offer at this warm, casual two-level eatery in the heart of the I.D. Green Leaf is famous for its spicy pho soups, fresh spring rolls with a variety of fillings, spicy short ribs, and lemongrass chicken.
Tamarind Tree
1036 S Jackson Street, Suite A. Tel: 206-860 1404. www.tamarindtreerestaurant.com Open: L & D daily. $$ & [map], E2
Vietnamese dining in Seattle rarely gets as fancy as this, even if it is tucked in the back of a parking lot. The interior radiates with a contemporary warmth and style, and the patio is lovely. The food itself is very pretty, always tasty, and affordable. Try the halibut tomato dill soup and the delicious banh xeo.
Bars and Cafés
Bush Garden
614 Maynard Avenue S. Tel: 206-682 6830. 1 [map], C3
Though it’s a bit cheesy, Bush Garden is a good spot in the I.D. for a stiff drink to help you unwind for some karaoke.
Caffè Umbria
320 Occidental Avenue S. Tel: 206-624 5847. www.caffeumbria.com 2 [map], B2
This authentic Italian café-bar offers lovely pulled espresso, pastries, wines, and more. Follow the scent of roasting coffee beans.
Central Saloon
207 First Avenue S. Tel: 206-622 0209. 3 [map], B2
Sidle up to the bar at Seattle’s oldest saloon, with more than 115 years of history to dwell on. A great happy hour complements the historical character.
Sluggers
539 Occidental Avenue S. Tel: 206-654 8070. 4 [map], B3
Sure, it’s a sports bar, with all that title entails, but for Mariners and Seahawks fans, this spot is a dream: the place is plastered with memorabilia.
Zeitgeist Kunst & Kaffee
171 S Jackson Street. Tel: 206-583 0497. www.zeitgeistcoffee.com 5 [map], B2
Art lovers exploring Pioneer Square galleries should stop by this beloved coffeehouse, which with its strong commitment to the arts, challenges you to think as you sip your perfect cup of coffee.