Space Needle and Seattle Center: Best Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes
Price Categories
Prices for a three-course dinner per person with half a bottle of wine:
$ = under $20
$$ = $20–45
$$$ = $45–60
$$$$ = over $60
American
Five Point
415 Cedar Street. Tel: 206-448 9993. www.the5pointcafe.com Open: B, L, & D daily. $ § [map], B4
A local 24-hour legend, the Five Point has been serving cheap, tasty diner food since 1928. It really comes to life after the bars close at 2am.
Mecca Café
526 Queen Anne Avenue N. Tel: 206-285 9728. Open: B, L, & D daily. $ ¶ [map], A2
For a true dive bar in Seattle, try the Mecca. It’s popular with the late-night crowd for its stiff pours and round-the-clock classic American fare.
Chinese
Bamboo Garden
364 Roy Street. Tel: 206-282 6616. www.bamboogarden.net Open: L & D daily. $ • [map], B2
Though the menu includes familiar dishes such as kun pao chicken, everything at the Bamboo Garden is vegetarian; all of the ‘meat’ is made from vegetable protein – some of which tastes remarkably meaty. It’s often crowded, but the wait for a table isn’t long.
Creole
Toulouse Petit
601 Queen Anne Avenue N. Tel: 206-432 9069. www.toulousepetit.com Open: B, L, & D daily. $$ ª [map], A2
Recreating the feel of New Orleans, Toulouse Petit brings traditional Creole cuisine of chicken gumbo, gulf shrimp with rémoulade, and spicy fried alligator to Seattle. The bourbon cocktails are a hit, too. Stylish, hip, and fun.
Fish and Seafood
Waterfront Seafood Grill
2815 Alaskan Way, Pier 70. Tel: 206-956 9171. www.waterfrontpier70.com Open: D daily. $$$$ q [map], A1
On the waterfront side of the Olympic Sculpture Park, the views are the main attraction here, but the well-prepared seafood is a close second. There are also steaks, as well as desserts worth saving room for.
French
3131 Western Avenue, #301. Tel: 206-632 4602. www.boatstreetcafe.com Open: B, L daily, D Tue–Sat. $$$$ w [map], A4
Tucked under street level, just a few blocks north of the Olympic Sculpture Park, Boat Street Café serves simple, ingredient-focused French food in a stripped-down, lovely little respite of a café.
Japanese
Sushi Land
803 5th Avenue N. Tel: 206-267 7621. www.sushilandusa.com Open: L & D daily. $ e [map], B1
Sit at the counter and grab what you want as it glides by. This is conveyor-belt sushi at its best – fun, delicious, and cheap. Sure, it’s not top-notch sushi, but considering the price, it’s darn good. There are seasonal specials like Copper River salmon.
Northwest
Crow
823 5th Avenue N. Tel: 206-283 8800. Open: D daily. $$–$$$ r [map], B1
This restaurant, in a converted warehouse near the Seattle Center, features shared plates. Fish-of-the-day specials, good cured meats, and the house lasagna make the wait worthwhile for those without reservations.
SkyCity
400 Broad City. Tel: 206-950 2100. www.spaceneedle.com Open: Br Sat–Sun, L & D daily. $$$$ t [map], B3
It takes 47 minutes for your seat to rotate around the restaurant (the center core where the kitchen is and the outer wall remain stationary), but you’ll want to linger at least that long for the view. Prices are high, but the food is better than locals claim.
Thai
Racha Noodles and Thai Cuisine
23 Mercer Street. Tel: 206-281 8883. Open: L & D daily. $$ y [map], A2
Fresh and tasty Thai food is served in this well-established neighborhood restaurant. There are lots of noodle dishes to choose from, but the hot and sour soups and stir-fry dishes are also recommended.
Bars and Cafés
Caffe Ladro
600 Queen Anne Avenue N. Tel: 206-282 1549. www.caffeladro.com @ [map], A2
One of the city’s favorite chains has outdoor seating for sipping an iced latte on a warm afternoon.
Citizen Coffee
706 Taylor Avenue N. Tel: 206-284 1015. www,citizencoffee.com £ [map], B2
Citizen Coffee is a good place for a cappuccino and a savory crepe or breakfast sandwich.
Hula Hula
106 1st Avenue N. Tel: 206-284 5003. $ [map], A3/4
If karaoke is your thing, head to kitschy Polynesian-themed Hula Hula, next door to Tini Bigs.
Tini Bigs
100 Denny Way. Tel: 206-284 0931. www.tinibigs.com % [map], A4
You can relax with martinis and spicy chips at Tini Bigs.