Seattle
Seattle boasts an amazing array of food guaranteed to delight, from killer Asian cuisine to baller fish, great Caribbean grub, and more. I highly recommend enjoying all the grub on this list, and each place will provide you with a new atmosphere and avenue to explore in Seattle along the way. The city is surprisingly hilly, and while visiting each of these restaurants will take you on many ups and downs along the way, the food will be consistently amazing. I hope this list will help you explore the Emerald City or, if you are already there, help you find some amazing grub you have yet to experience.
Brunch/The Hot Hitter
Rank: 23
We officially have a new number one in Seattle, and my god, it is a glorious one. Side Piece Kitchen is the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall, which is of course a fan favorite of mine. In addition to resembling the type of restaurant that I hold near and dear to my heart, it is also insanely delicious.
The Hot Hitter is a must at Side Piece. I tried some of the other sandwiches, and they all bow down to the hot hitter. This sandwich has a perfect hint of spice, coupled with an absolutely to die for tomato jam, In addition the cheddar bae biscuit is a necessity on this sandwich. I tried their other biscuits, and they were good, but the cheddar bae biscuit is in a league of its own. It simply is the best biscuit I have had in my life and the fact it surrounds some amazing bacon, eggs, cheese, and jalapeños. Now I highly advise that you get to Side Piece early, they will run out of biscuits! Clearly, with this ranking, you should see this restaurant is a priority if you are anywhere near the Seattle-Tacoma area.
Seafood/Rockfish Banh Mi
Rank: 31
Local Tide is this small hole-in-the-wall seafood restaurant, and my, oh my, does it come through. The whole menu is fantastic, and the salmon BLT was a great dish. However, the Rockfish Banh Mi was the best item on the menu.
As someone who doesn’t typically like fish, when a seafood joint is near the top of my list, you know it will be good. The atmosphere of Local Tide, with an attached bar, is amazing.This sandwich has
Caribbean
Rank: 32
My, oh my, if you are in downtown Seattle, which I presume you will be at some point, Jerk Shack is a MUST! The whole menu was amazing. I was able to try five of the Jerk dishes, and they were amazing.
My favorite, and what has Jerk Shack ranked so highly, is the Jerk smoked ribs which were extremely good. While this dish might not compare to the southern ribs and Texas BBQ, Jerk ribs are their own entity. And it is an amazing entity. If you haven’t tried Jerk smoked ribs, please order them when you stop in Jerk Shack in downtown Seattle. The Jerk ribs are a mix of spice and juiciness, packed full of flavor, and simply must be sampled while in Seattle. You will enjoy amazing food no matter what you choose here, but the Jerk Ribs will surely blow you away.
Malaysian
Rank:40
Here we have a very high-ranking Malaysian, and it is one of those iconic places, like so many in Seattle, where you should order whatever suits your fancy. I tried many dishes here, and each one of them was absolutely fabulous. All of the dishes here have tremendous flavor and are each extremely unique. So please I beg of you to stop in for an incredible array of options that will leave you craving more.
Thai
Rank: 53
Thai Tom is a Thai restaurant that brings you to The University of Washington’s campus if you were not planning to see it anyway. I had the Pad Thai, and definitely recommend it to anyone.
I do advise you to watch out for the spice level when ordering Pad Thai at Thai Tom. Do not go up to 4 or 5 unless you are really accustomed to spice. The Pad Thai at 3 on spiciness was perfect for my personal spice tolerance but also delicious.
This was easily the best Thai food I have ever had. Thai Tom is also my second-highest-ranking Asian restaurant on the list, so I highly recommend it for those who love Asian cuisine. The chicken and noodles are done to perfection and will please your tastebuds every time. Even if you do not typically enjoy Asian cuisine, you need to get some of this amazing Pad Thai.
Deli/Tat’s Italian
Rank: 60
Tat’s Deli is the highest-ranking sandwich in Seattle, and that is saying something. Seattle has some amazing sandwich joints, but Tat’s takes the cake. Every sandwich here is fantastic, but the Tat’s Italian is the best. I know Tat’s is a Philly joint, so the cheesesteaks are highly touted, but as a true Philly man, I have a hard time ordering a cheesesteak anywhere but Philly. But I recommend Tat’s for anyone looking for a sandwich in Seattle; it’s the best there.
That’s Italian is a normal Italian but with the added benefit of lining the sandwich with potato chips. It is the highest-ranking Italian Hoagie I have on the list, and it is with great reason. These sandwiches are perfect.
Italian Deli/Sandwich
Rank: 70
Salumi makes some amazing sandwiches—all three were amazing. The Cubano was my favorite offering, but the porchetta was a close second, with the salami following in third by some distance. As is needed for every fire sandwich, the bread was elite, and the meat-to-bread ratio was ideal.
Salumi is another hole-in-the-wall near the stadiums, so if you are in town for a game, I couldn’t understand skipping Salumi. This restaurant provides killer sandwiches, and I definitely would go back. Expect a wide array of tasty sandwich options here, and enjoy a few if you have the stomach for it, because Salumi makes a plethora of stellar sandwiches.
Vietnamese/Chả quế cớm xan
Rank: 81
Another Asian restaurant in the Seattle area makes the list, as Tamarind Tree served up amazing Vietnamese food. The atmosphere here was amazing, a quaint Vietnamese spot with a unique layout. While it is another restaurant that is out of the way, it wouldn’t be on the list if it wasn’t worth going out of your way for the grub.
My favorite item on the menu was the Chả quế cớm xanh which was an unforgettable cinnamon pork rice ball topped with crunchy green rice. It was fabulous, and I definitely cannot recommend it enough. Additionally, our waiter recommended the rice balls, and they did not disappoint. I definitely think Tamarind Tree is an amazing stop if you have extra time and are looking for more grub in Seattle.
Thai
Rank: 92
Isarn Kitchen is another Thai joint in Seattle that will certainly make you happy that you love Asian food. I came during lunch to Isarn so I had the curry set which gives a nice sample of food here. I enjoyed the Cho Chi Red Curry with chicken a lot. And I would say that was my favorite part of my lunch, however their rice and pad thai was also very good. The curry packs a lot of flavor and is not that spicy at a spice level of 3. If Thai Thom left you craving for more Thai while you are in Seattle, look no further than Isarn Soul Kitchen.
Asian Fusion/spicy rice cake
Rank: 118
My, oh my, Joule - like many of the restaurants on this website and my list - has a fantastic menu. However, Joule is one of those spots that has a specific shining item, and that is the spicy rice cakes. Those spicy rice cakes clearly stood out on the menu. While the other items were good, these spicy rice cakes are all I would order if I came back to Joule. The fact that these cakes are a side item on the menu is simply astounding. They are not too spicy but just have so much flavor!
Joule is located in a nice part of Seattle, near Local Tide, with a few good bars. You could definitely enjoy a night or two in this part of the city. I would definitely recommend it over its sister restaurant, Revel, which was also good and nearby. But these spicy rice cakes are the item to get at either restaurant and over many other options around town.
Bakery
Rank: 122
Zylberschtein’s is an amazing bakery that will make you want to work hard to pronounce or spell the name by heart. Unfortunately, I cannot do either, but I will never forget the absolutely delicious pastries I devoured from this little shop.
The sandwiches were alright, nothing crazy, but you are coming here for the baked goods. The donuts were incredible, but berry + ricotta + cornmeal Danish was absolutely my favorite and was nothing short of a glorious pastry. The croissant and bagels were also good, but that Danish berry was definitely my favorite item on the menu, and my mouth is watering thinking about it right now.
Caribbean
Rank: 154
Though Paseo clocks in a little lower on the list and is, once again, a little out of the way, they make some killer sandwiches. While the whole menu looked amazing, Paseo was sadly one of four dinners I enjoyed that evening, so I could only get one sandwich and some fries. But, boy, Caribbean roast did not disappoint.
The fries weren’t exceptional, so let’s stick to the sandwich, shall we? An amazing Caribbean sandwich in Seattle seemed curious to me, but after taking my first bite, I understood that a little slice of the Caribbean is living in Seattle. The atmosphere at Paseo is very laid back, making it a nice relaxing spot to grub out and have a few drinks. But enjoying this sandwich will be the first order of business every time. While Paseo, like another famous sandwich shop in Seattle, boldly claims to have the best sandwich in America, it does not live up to those lofty expectations. It does, however, not disappoint in delivering a tasty bite. A bit of spice, a lot of meat, and some fine bread earn this sandwich a special place in my heart, and hopefully, it will in yours, too.
Mediterranean/Shawarma
Rank: 169
Bananas Grill is an outstanding Mediterranean restaurant in Seattle, and it posts amazing Shawarma, gyros, and Falafel. The shawarma was my favorite, so I will recommend it over the other options. But those options would not disappoint either. The Shawarma is tasty and very juicy, and the pita bread is, of course, fantastic. The veggies complement the chicken as wonderfully as expected for fantastic Mediterranean food. Check out my live reaction here.
American
Rank: 172
Copine is a stray from my usual “off the beaten path” kinda restaurant. Sometimes a man needs to try the finer things in life, and then remember why he loves his hole-in-the-walls 😊. Copine is an extremely expensive restaurant, I will tell you that up front, so if that is not your style, feel free to gloss over it. However, if a fancy wine and dine dinner is up your alley some evening in Seattle, Copine is a great choice. There is no way you could go wrong here at Copine, and I think you will find everything suiting your fancy at such a glorious restaurant. Ensure that you come ready to eat as these tasting menu options will fill you to the brim.
Italian/Arancini
Rank: 174
The Pink Door is an icionic spot in downtown Seattle. While it clearly is not topping my rankings here, it is a place I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time, and enjoy Pike’s Place Market while you are waiting for your time to eat. While all of the food I tried at Pink Door was delicious, I highly recommend ordering the Arancini. Arancini are rice balls that are fried and placed in delicious Calabrian chili sauce. It is claimed to be spicy, but I didn’t taste any spice, however the sauce was delicious. Additionally the mozzeralla cheese in these balls is probably the highlight. The cheese just pulls apart and melts in your mouth perfectly.
Breakfast/French Toast
Rank: 183
Geraldine’s Corner Restaurant is the highest-ranking breakfast place in Seattle, and it is justified. Geraldine’s does everything on its menu right, and I would say if you are not a big French toast person, you should just order something else from here. But if you like French toast in any way, then I believe you have to order it here. It is absolutely delicious. The toppings will change based on the day, but I have faith that their toppings are amazing every day.
Bakery
Rank: 232
Columbia City Bakery is an amazing bakery in Seattle. This bakery keeps hammering home the bountiful amounts of delicious bread that is abundant in Seattle. The pastries here are delicious, the sandwiches are good, but the best part of Columbia City is just the bread. So, I would just order some bread and call it a day here. It is also right across the street from Geraldine’s so you can snag some breakfast and then bread for the rest of the day.
Bagels/Lox Sandwich
Rank: 235
Bagels are abundant in my overall rankings at this point. However, Old Salt is the only noteworthy bagel I have had in Seattle, making it a great choice when you wake up in a bagel mood. While I have the utmost confidence that all of the bagel offerings here will make your morning, the Lox Sandwich is a must. The Salmon Roe is absolutely delectable, and the cream cheese is fabulous, of course, as well. The highlights of this sandwich, though, are clearly the bagel it is on and the gravlax. The gravlax is simply perfect on this sandwich and I am confident every bagel will suit your fancy here, I simply went with an everything bagel, but I am confident all these bagels will suit your needs.
Hawaiian/Miso Ginger Chicken Taco Salad
Rank: 247
Marination Ma Kai has two locations, and I only went to the West Seattle location so I can only speak to that one. That being said, with an amazing view of the Seattle skyline and a healthy amount of delicious Hawaiian options Marination Ma Kai is a great spot to try. While I tried a few dishes here, the Miso Ginger Chicken Taco Salad was the only noteworthy dish. The chicken on this salad is absolutely phenomenal and is the clear highlight. The sauce they put on top of the chicken compliments it beautifully and is absolutely delicious.
Breakfast
Rank: 274
A literal heartache for breakfast is always a good way to start the day. The omelets are legendary at Beth’s Café, and your heartache after will be just as memorable. The milkshakes are also delicious, but, come on, you are coming to Beth’s to have an absolutely massive omelet with endless hash browns.
I had the triple bypass, and while it was killer, My God, was it a hefty boy. The southwestern exposure omelet was featured on Man v. Food. I mean, the smallest omelet here is made with six eggs, making it the perfect breakfast joint for those into a challenge.
I was told the triple bypass is the best, and it was very delicious. I do not generally enjoy omelets, but when at Beth’s, you are eating an omelet. And, boy, did I love it! There was so much meat and cheese on the omelet that I almost forgot it was even an omelet! I highly recommend Beth’s for a nice, hole-in-the-wall café that serves outstanding breakfast.
Native American/Buffalo Taco
Rank: 281
When I rolled into UW’s campus and realized this café was part of the campus, AND in the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, I was second-guessing if I was in the right place. I honestly lowered expectations, expecting either some university or museum food.
While Off the Rez did not make me question my existence, which has been known to happen with amazing grub, it did give me a pleasant surprise. The Buffalo taco is definitely the highlight, as it was quite tasty. Visiting UW’s campus while having a stomach full of amazing Buffalo is also a quality time, and I definitely recommend it. Maybe stop at Thai Tom first, explore the campus, and then come to Off the Rez before you head out for more food/exploration if you are up for it.
Clam Chowder/Award-Winning Clam Chowder
Rank: 287
Duke’s Seafood is an iconic place in Seattle with many locations. While I was only able to chow down at the West Seattle location, I have confidence that your experience will be similar in each one. I highly recommend getting the Award-Winning Clam Chowder here at never looking back. I personally downed a sampler and was upset that I did not order a bigger amount of just the aforementioned chowder. This chowder is New England style with bacon and is perfectly creamy and tasty. There is a lot of flavor here, and while I have not been up to Boson to obtain their OG chowder yet. I can attest that this chowder won’t leave you upset if that is your standard.
Korean
Rank: 296
Revel is a worthy place to snag an amazing meal in a stellar part of Seattle. Seattle really killed the game with their Asian food, and Revel rounds it out with a baller outing. The short rib rice here at Revel definitely stands out, as it is absolutely fantastic. Coming in at 83 may seem low, but, honestly, making this list is an accomplishment in and of itself. So, while I would MUCH rather go to Local Tide on the same street, Revel does offer a nice meal with plenty of good options. But the short rib rice is the way to go.
Chinese Noodles
Rank: 302
Xi’an Noodles may be the last restaurant on the Seattle list, but that should not be interpreted as an insult. Making the list is not an easy feat, and these noodles killed the game enough to make it. Having them right after Thai Tom definitely made things a little underwhelming; however, the noodles were amazingly delicious.
Xi’an has a few locations around Seattle, so adding it to your food tour is not too hard if you are looking for any extra grub. Though I would not prioritize Xi’an, I would simply never turn it down.
I had the lamb, which I preferred to the rest of the menu. It was quite mouthwatering. Even thinking about it now has me hungry, which should say enough if you are looking for a meal.
Pub/Fish and Chips
Rank: 321
Here is an iconic hole-in-the-wall joint in North Lake, just north of the Space Needle, and it is a definitely an amazing pub to stop in and obtain some delicious Fish and Chips. The tartar sauce here is of course delicious as it must be for all Fish and Chips. Additionally the fish is battered beautifully and the chips are exactly what you are looking for at a pub like this. Of course Pacific Inn Pub does not even compare to some elite Fish and Chips I had in London, however it is definitely worth a stop if the mood strikes you.
Cake Shop/9lb. porter
Rank: 323
If a sweet tooth hits you while you are in Seattle, and you are not in a morning mood for a bakery(see Zylberschtein’s above), look no further than Deep Sea Sugar and Salt for some glorious cakes. While I tasted many of the delicious cakes here, I highly recommend the 9lb. porter specifically. The chocolate was very rich and it was extremely tasty. They rotate cakes often so I am confident you might find something that suits your fancy, and if so, of course plan to devour that, don’t let me stop you. However, the 9lb. porter is definitely what you want if you are undecided when you arrive.
Ramen/Spicy Ayam Goreng
Rank: 325
While Ooink may be a Ramen place, I highly recommend glossing over the Ramen here and focusing on the chicken. The Spicy Ayam Goreng is simply the clear highlight at Ooink. This is some gloriously fried chicken with a little spice, but the skin has a lot of flavor and is perfectly crispy. Additionally, the flavor of the chicken is simply not in the skin alone. The meat itself is extremely tasty down to the bone, and that is a sign of good fried chicken. So if you are craving fried chicken in Seattle in anyway, check out one of 2 Ooink locations for their chicken.
Thai/Fresh Rolls and Pad Thai
Rank: 330
Thai Pepper is another restaurant in Tacoma that I recommend trying out if Thai strikes your fancy while you are in the area. Thai Pepper is one of those locations where I actually have two specific recommendations for you that stand out here. Their fresh rolls for an appetizer are damn good, and I definitely would snag them if I were you. Additionally, their Pad Thai is fantastic. I ordered them at the hot level of spice which was a little spicy, and I definitely would not recommend it for those who are not accustomed to spice. However, if you can handle your spice well, you should not be afraid of ordering the hot, because that extra flavor is definitely worth it.