As someone who has traveled to Seattle over twenty times in the past fifteen years it seems appropriate to share some of my favorite eats. Although I spend more of my time during my Seattle visits at home with my family I try to have one or two meals out when I’m visiting and over the years these have become my essential spots to dine at.

If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, check out the Best Luxury Hotels in Seattle on the blog here!

What to Pack for Seattle in the Summer

Ben Paris Restaurant State Hotel

During my stay at the State Hotel Seattle I fell in love with the Ben Paris Restaurant. This chic, modern restaurant had a great scene, amazing cocktails and very delicious food! Be sure to check it out on your next trip to Seattle.

Bourbon Steak Seattle

The newest culinary hotspot in Seattle I’ve experienced is Bourbon Steak Seattle by my friend, Chef Michael Mina. The sertting is gorgeous. The service top notch and the food is fabunlous. I visited for their happy hour which has a great menu with smaller plates and I hightl recommend their Burger, Truffle Mac & Cheese and cocktails which are SPECTACULAR! 1433 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.

Bourbon & Steak Seattle Photos by Galdones Photography

Pike Place Market

A visit to Seattle is not complete without a trip to Pike Place Market. I love to visit to browse around for a snack, shop and take in the iconic history of this nostalgic Seattle destination. My favorite activity here is watching the fish throwers at the Pike Place Fish Company. Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA 98101.

Mr. West Cafe Bar

During a recent visit to Seattle I had some time after landing before my family picked me up so I decided to explore a new spot downtown hoping to get some work done. After googling charming Seattle coffee shop I found Mr. West Cafe Bar and after seeing images knew I’d love this place. Sure enough I arrived late morning, got a coffee and sat at the bar counter. I love working at a counter it’s so fun to chat with the employee’s, people watch in a setting that’s not rushed like a table. Fast forward and I decided I should enjoy lunch so ordered a Grilled Cheese with ham. The sandwich was divine so was the cool setting, the amazing friendly staff and everything about Mr. West Cafe Bar. This will be a spot I visit again and again on future trips to Seattle and hope you will too! 720 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101

Delancey

Another incredible Greenwood gem both for their amazing food (and pizza’s) clearly, I like pizza judging by all the great pizza on this list is Delancey. This spot has a very casual, unassuming vibe with great food, a chill setting that makes you want to go back and back for it’s charm, great food and low key vibe. They also have a dive bar connected which has various specials on different evenings of the week. Whether you visit Delancey for their food, their bar scene or both it’s great and a spot I adore! 1415 NW 70th Street, Seattle WA. 

Four Season’s Hotel’s Goldfinch Tavern

Just one block from Pike Place Market is The Four Seasons Seattle (read about the hotel here). I’ve stayed here and love not only the amazing hotel, it’s convenient location, their spa (read more about the Spa here) plus their killer Goldfinch Tavern. Whether you enjoy lunch, their awesome happy hour (daily from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.) or dinner you will love this modern setting with stunning Puget Sound views and amazing eats at Goldfinch Tavern from Chef Ethan Stowell.  I adore the burger and their delicious dill french fries, their fish stew and their seasonal cauliflower soup. The Four Seasons Hotel. 99 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101.

Beecher’s Cheese, Pike Place Market

Just across the street from Pike Place Marker is Beecher’s Cheese.  Be sure to swing by there for a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup or their famous Mac’N Cheese an Oprah’s Favorite things item! Their Flagship Cheddar Cheese is also incredible (that’s what’s in their Grilled Cheese). It makes a great hostess gift or take it home with you and enjoy.  Pike Place Market, 1600 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

Tilth

Tilth located in Wallingford is one of the most charming restaurant settings I’ve experienced in Seattle.  It features New American cuisine prepared with certified-organic or wild ingredients sourced from local farmers.  The executive chef and owner, Maria Hines, is a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef of the Northwest, and Food & Wine Magazine’s 10 Best New Chefs of 2005. In 2008, the New York Times deemed Tilth one of the best new restaurants in the country. Tilth received its organic certification from Oregon Tilth, an unaffiliated organization that promotes sustainability. 1411 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Ballard Pizza

Located in my favorite neighborhood in Seattle is Ballard Pizza. This is super casual with a great hip setting, delicious pizzas and a great setting. No surprise it’s from Ethan Stowell (who apparently is my favorite Seattle Chef based on the number of restaurants he ha that I adore!). 5017 Ballard Avenue, Ballard WA. 

select photo’s courtesy of Ballard Pizza Co.

Westward  & Little Gull

To experience one of the most scenic restaurants in Seattle that also has a lively hot setting and great food check out Westward & Little Gull.  I visited on a Thursday evening around happy hour and it was bumping. The food uses locally sourced ingredients showcasing the freshest most seasonal ingredients from local purveyors whenever possible. 2501 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar

One of the coolest wine bars I’ve ever been to is Purple Pig. It has an incredible cool staircase in the center of the downtown Seattle location which also serves as the wine storage. My sister insisted we visit since I’m such a wine lover and I thought the place was great.  1225 4th Ave, Seattle, WA.

Frelard Pizza

Another fabulous Ethan Stowell gem is Frelard Pizza which has a similar vibe and menu to my other favorite pizza spot, Ballard Pizza Company. I went here during a summer of 2016 visit and loved it. They have amazing pizza, a very cool setting with fire pits, lots of open seating, and it’s for sure kid friendly. 4010 Leary Way NW Seattle, Wa 98107

Photos couresy of Frelard Pizza Co.

Herkimer Coffee

Check out Finney Ridge a super cute neighborhood my sister and brother in law used to live in and get some Java at Herkimer Coffee

Red Mill Burger

For those of you burger fanatics like me, check out Red Mill Burger. They have various locations, I typically visit the Finney Ridge location as it’s closest to my sister’s house in North West Seattle.  312 N 67th St, Seattle, WA 98103.

Views of a Cheeseburger, fries and coke at Red Mill Burger Seattle. This is a spot I come almost every trip to Seattle (for almost 20 years) and I love it! Such a must visit for any burger lover.

 Bluebird Ice Cream

Another favorite that my family loves to enjoy in Greenwood is Bluebird Ice Cream. As an aunt with two nieces a great ice cream shop is always necessary for an afternoon with the girls. And great news, this is a block or two away from Herkimer Coffee Shop (their Greenwood location) so you can hit up both with just one stop! 7400 Greenwood Avenue, Seattle.