These neighborhoods take in a huge swath of downtown Seattle. Belltown is a hip and youthful neighborhood with great food, bars and clubs. With its views of Elliott Bay, the Waterfront is loaded with things to do and see from great restaurants, the Seattle Aquarium, the Seattle Art Museum, Benaroya Hall, and ferry rides to outer islands. And then there's Pike Place, everybody's favorite urban market. Dining options are endless. Locals and visitors love the marina Maggie Bluff's. The restaurant is a bit out of the way, but that's why it's cool. The food is good and views of Elliot Bay are spectacular. For something fancier, Palisade restaurant offers great food and views as well. Etta's Seafood, Pintxo and The Pink Door will get you started.
Italian.
A modern Italian restaurant in Seattle, Branzino offers expertly crafted cuisine in a warm, stylishly casual setting. The menu offers a broad selection of unique and flavorful dishes, such as roasted fennel soup, classic linguini and clams, ricotta gnocchi, duck confit, savory polenta and specialty pizzas. The approachable wine list offers an affordable selection of global vintages with an emphasis on Italian and Northwest wines.
Cutters Crabhouse
2001 Western Ave., Seattle WA 98121
Seafood, Sushi.
More than just your average Seattle seafood restaurant, Cutters Crabhouse rises to any occasion by using the finest seasonal Northwest ingredients and fresh, top-quality seafood to create dishes ranging from ahi sashimi and oysters on the half shell to smoked salmon penne and grilled Alaskan king crab. This Pike Place Market dining favorite also boasts several “turf” options, as well as a popular happy hour menu and a choice wine list.
Etta's Seafood
2020 Western Ave., Seattle WA 98121
Northwest, Seafood.
Another hit from chef-impresario Tom Douglas, Etta’s restaurant offers a menu of standout seafood near Pike’s Place and Seattle’s downtown waterfront. The specialty of the house is spice-rubbed grilled wild salmon with sautéed asparagus, cornbread pudding and a shiitake relish. There are oyster on the half shell, of course, but a larger list of small plates like tuna sashimi, Penn Cove mussels with green garlic, romesco sauce, and sherry and a unique take on grilled octopus with a honey-harrisa glaze, cucumber, and yogurt.
Il Bistro
93A Pike St., Seattle WA 98101
Italian.
A cozy restaurant with Tuscan style, Il Bistro is a romantic, candlelit hideaway down a narrow cobblestone alley in Pike Place Market. The menu of authentic, regional Italian cuisine boasts expertly crafted dishes prepared with the highest quality local ingredients and market fresh meats and seafood. The beautiful bar also impresses with an extensive wine list, hand-made cocktails, single-malt scotches, ports and grappas.
Japonessa
1400 First Ave., Seattle WA 98101
Japanese, Fusion.
A stylish and vibrant restaurant next to Pike Place Market, Japonessa impresses a Japanese menu with hints of Latino flair. This restaurant—home of renowned Chef Billy Beach—features a full service sushi bar offering both traditional and innovative creations, as well as inspired Japanese tapas that are sure to tempt any palate. Japonessa also boasts a lengthy selection of sakes, wines and specialty cocktails.
Maximillien
81A Pike St., Seattle WA 98101
French.
A charming Pike Place Market restaurant in the heart of downtown Seattle, Maximillien offers excellent cuisine and a beautiful setting that is perfect for romantic dinners. Picture windows yield panoramic views of Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, West Seattle and the Olympic Mountains, and the menu showcases fine French cuisine that highlights fresh, local ingredients prepared with French techniques.
Petra Mediterranean Bistro
2501 4th Ave., Seattle WA 98121
Mediterranean.
Petra Mediterranean Bistro is a casually elegant Seattle dining spot offering a full range of Mediterranean fare. Presenting a wide range of flavors, the lunch and dinner menus highlight the authentic cuisines of Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, North Africa and Turkey. Petra Mediterranean Bistro features belly dancing performances and music nights, as well as cooking classes that focus on fine Mediterranean dishes.
Pintxo
2207 2nd Ave., Seattle WA 98121
Tapas, Small Plates.
A lively Seattle restaurant and bar, Pintxo is a hip choice for everything from happy hour bites to chic dinners and late night cocktails. Locally sourced ingredients make up the Spanish-inspired tapas selections that line the extensive menu, and the extensive wine and signature cocktail lists encourage guests to linger either at their intimate, candlelit tables or out on the patio (a hidden hotspot tucked between two exposed brick walls).
Place Pigalle
81 Pike St., Seattle WA 98101
Northwest, French.
Proudly reemerging in the Seattle dining scene after completing extensive renovations in January 2011, Place Pigalle is even more beautiful than before. This critically acclaimed restaurant is known for seasonal menus of artfully crafted local fare highlighting local ingredients and a variety of culinary influences. An award-winning wine list and stunning Elliott Bay views contribute to the already excellent dining experience.
Six Seven Restaurant & Lounge
2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle WA 98121
Seafood, Northwest.
Pier 67 is home to The Edgewater Hotel and Seattle's fine dining establishment, Six Seven. The hotel isn't technically located on the edge of Elliot Bay: it's directly on top of it. The on-site Six Seven restaurant features unmatched views of the water with floor to ceiling windows and unbeatable Pacific Northwest cuisine using fresh regional seafood, native herbs and local produce. This restaurant is perfect for special occasions and romantic outings whether inside the beautifully appointed dining room or outside on the deck.
Spur Gastropub
113 Blanchard St., Seattle WA 98121
Gastro Pub.
A hip, urban Belltown pub and restaurant, Spur Gastropub is a critically acclaimed destination that has earned the praises of renowned publications like Food & Wine Magazine, Gayot, Conde Nast Traveler and Wine & Spirits Magazine. The seasonally driven menu changes monthly to offer the most unique and flavorful creations like tagliatelle with duck egg and oyster mushrooms, veal sweetbreads, Wagyu sirloin with quinoa and truffles, and savory lamb tartare.
Tavolata
2323 2nd Ave. Seattle WA 98121
Italian.
From the cozy booths to the pendant lamps to the 30-foot communal table (tavoláta) that acts as the the focal point of the dining room, Tavolata offers a chic, urban setting for casual dining in Belltown. The menu showcases house-made pastas and seasonal Italian cuisine, and the wine list impresses with a lengthy selection of Italian wines.
The Pink Door
1919 Post Alley, Seattle WA 98101
Italian.
The Pink Door is a one-of-a-kind Italian restaurant that has been serving the community in style and with flavor since opening its doors in 1981. Since then, the restaurant has maintained its commitment to fresh and local ingredients, with seafood and produce that's made it the star of Pike Place Market for over thirty years.
