Original Restaurants
Seattle is home to a variety of restaurants, but some stand out for their visual originality or creativeness. Showcasing impressive interior design, ambiance and architecture, these restaurants are recognized for pushing the envelopes for the Seattle dining experience.
Image
Restaurant
Tags
Description
2808 East Madison Street
Seattle WA 98112
Seattle WA 98112
206-325-7442
Chef-owner Thierry Rautureau, winner of the coveted James Beard award, has been wowing Seattle for over two decades at Rover's. Serving dinner French cuisine in a cozy home, be prepared to be awed. ($$$$)
8.8
4 Reviews
2043 Eastlake Ave. E
Seattle WA 98102
Seattle WA 98102
206-323-0807
Located in Eastlake, Serafina offers amazing Italian and American influenced food coupled with exceptional service. Its neighborhood appeal is a great spot that is sure to leave a lasting impression. ($$$)
8.6
4 Reviews
1101 Fourth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
Seattle WA 98101
206-624-7755
Contemporary Southern inspired cooking comes to Seattle at Sazerac. Located in the Hotel Monaco, the ambiance is both classy and charming, yet unpretentious to chow guilt free on fried catfish.
($$$)
8.6
3 Reviews
425 NW Market St
Seattle WA 98107
Seattle WA 98107
206-784-3463
When you want to enjoy some of the most pleasant French cuisine in town in a relaxing, intimate setting head straight for Le Gourmand ($$$$)
8.5
4 Reviews
1700 7th Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
Seattle WA 98101
206-267-2277
Centrally located in downtown Seattle, The Oceanaire is extremely well known for fantastic seafood, excellent staff and an amazing variety of fresh fish. ($$$$)
8.5
2 Reviews
1036 S. Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98116
Seattle WA 98116
206-860-1404
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine is presented amidst a stylish and classy atmosphere that holds it as one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in town. ($)
8.4
2 Reviews
120A Park Lane
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-889-8601
Tasty and authentic Italian cuisine hides in plain view along this side street in downtown Kirkland. Great for a classy and intimate night out with that special other. ($$)
8.3
3 Reviews
1100 Pike St.
Seattle WA 98101
Seattle WA 98101
206-583-0382
Waltz to this Latin inspired restaurant that serves a delicious mix of tapas and some of the best paella in town. Flashing a rustic, yet modern decor, the urbanites and mojitos flow freely at Tango. ($$$)
8.3
3 Reviews
407 Olive Way
Seattle WA 98101
Seattle WA 98101
206-382-6999
Located at the base of the Mayflower Hotel, Andaluca Chef Wayne Johnson serves a mix of Northwest seafood with Mediterranean inspirations in an environment that is moody, yet warmly inviting. ($$$$)
8.3
3 Reviews
10107 Main St
Bothell WA 98011
Bothell WA 98011
425-398-7800
Fabulously delicious and authentic Thai food from classics to new inventions are crafted at this sleek sister restaurant of Chantanee in Bellevue. ($$)
8.2
3 Reviews
2366 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle WA 98102
Seattle WA 98102
206-324-3160
Chef Antolin Blanco presides over Pomodoro, crafting Italian pastas as well as Spanish tapas in a charming and romantic getaway in the Cascade neighborhood. ($$)
8.2
2 Reviews
800 5th Ave
Seattle WA 98104
Seattle WA 98104
206-264-1789
Dim Sum takes on a new meaning with O'Asian, a chic and trendy spot in Seattle downtown's financial district. Sporting impressive architecture and fine tasting dishes, O'Asian impresses on all levels. ($$)
8.2
4 Reviews
6049 Seaview Ave. NW
Seattle WA 98107
Seattle WA 98107
206-789-3770
Billing itself as a quintessential North West seafood experience, Ray's offers bay-side views and sustainably caught seafood amidst a classically decorated interior reminiscent of the Age of Sail. ($$$)
8.1
3 Reviews
2001 4th Ave
Seattle WA 98121
Seattle WA 98121
206-682-4142
The first of many Tom Douglas restaurants in the Seattle area, Dahlia Lounge proves to be worthy of the reputations of its much celebrated chef. ($$$)
8.1
3 Reviews
18005 NE 68th A-150
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-556-5972
An offshoot restaurant of Lisa Dupar's catering, Pomegranate brings life into an authentic Eastside bistro that draws up seasonal ingredients and recipes into delicious dishes. ($$)
8.0
4 Reviews
555 Aloha St.
Seattle WA 98109
Seattle WA 98109
206-216-0600
(Closed) With its sleek and modern style, Veil exudes taste and image. And while the portions are a bit on the small side, the quality and variety make up for it.
($$$)
7.9
3 Reviews
14603 NE 20th
Bellevue WA 98007
Bellevue WA 98007
425-644-5388
(Closed 1/08) Trendy sushi flows into the Eastside with Koi, a Japanese restaurant featuring classic dishes amidst crafted interiors and a giant flowing koi pond. ($$)
7.9
3 Reviews
16244 Cleveland Street
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-867-1914
Great sandwiches in a historic, restored downtown Redmond house which was once a bootlegging operation during the heydays of Prohibition. ($)
7.9
4 Reviews
14580 NE 145th Street
Woodinville WA 98072
Woodinville WA 98072
425-424-2999
Located in Willows Lodge and situated next to the world famous Herbfarm, Barking Frog gathers local Northwest flavors onto menus and plates in a lodge like retreat in the heart of Woodinville. ($$$$)
7.9
3 Reviews
205 Lake Street South Suite #300
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-822-3553
A classical and charming seafood establishment on Kirkland's lake front that has sweeting views over Lake Washington that will make a night to remember. ($$$)
7.8
2 Reviews
452 Central Way
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-827-8700
Journey ahoy into this old fish house to experience all things crab and seafood in a rustic yet surprisingly charming dining environment. ($$)
7.8
3 Reviews
8936 161st Ave NE
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-558-7666
Bamboo influenced and darkly lit interiors give you an air of seclusion at Typhoon, serving up classic and modern Thai dishes with an impressive tea collection. ($$)
7.7
3 Reviews
15230 N.E. 24th St Suite K
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-564-0888
Featuring uniquely Malaysian dishes that combine Chinese, Thai and Indian influences, the experience is unforgettable and sure to keep you coming back. ($$)
7.7
3 Reviews
12514 120th Ave NE
Kirkland WA 98034
Kirkland WA 98034
425-814-2972
Tasty food and vintage motorbikes come alive at this pizza and Italian hub. Veloce features large, generous portions and an impressive selection of wines in a casual and fun environment. ($$)
7.7
3 Reviews
442 Park Place
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-828-0707
Two decades in the running, this family owned restaurant serves up authentic popular Japanese dishes and sushi in an eclectic and colorful setting. ($$)
7.7
4 Reviews
1112 Fourth Ave.
Seattle WA 98101
Seattle WA 98101
206-264-6060
With its focus on the clashing of sweet and savory flavors, Earth and Ocean has much to offer including an impressive selection of house made charcuterie (a tasty assortment of preserved meats.) ($$$$)
7.6
3 Reviews
89 Kirkland Ave
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-889-9000
Helping to usher in a more grown up and sophisticated Kirkland, Marina Park Grill offers ups some swanky seafood and sandwiches with some great views of the water and Marina Park. ($$$)
7.6
2 Reviews
3820 S. Ferdinand St
Seattle WA 98118
Seattle WA 98118
206-760-7766
Delicious Caribbean and creole dishes are cooked up at Kallaloo, a fairly new establishment in the upward moving area of Columbia City. ($$)
7.6
2 Reviews
14459 Woodinville-Redmond Rd. NE
Woodinville WA 98072
Woodinville WA 98072
425-483-7129
By subtly blending American, Northwest and Mediterranean cuisine themes, the Purple Cafe and Wine Bar promises a great culinary experience set to candles and chic wrought iron furniture. ($$)
7.5
3 Reviews
222 Parkplace
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-889-0200
Once known as Mama Lucia's Kitchen, Lucia has undergone a complete makeover substituting the home cooking look with a more modern, cosmopolitan decor. ($$)
7.3
3 Reviews
16630 Redmond Way
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-883-8407
Frankie serves up fresh pizza, pasta and calzones old fashioned style in a quaint Italian cafe setting with an award winning wine list. ($$)
7.3
2 Reviews
1010 First Ave.
Seattle WA 98104
Seattle WA 98104
206-357-9000
In the heart of downtown Seattle, Boka offers a pleasant blend of urban American entrees in an equally enjoyable setting reminiscent of a 1950's lounge. ($$$)
7.3
3 Reviews
10134 Main Street
Bellevue WA 98004
Bellevue WA 98004
425-688-7613
Charming and intimate Italian dining in old downtown Bellevue, Salute struggles to impress beyond its good looks with a hit or miss consistency. ($$$)
7.2
3 Reviews
7211 166th Ave NE
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-895-1500
Nestled into Redmond Town Center, Desert Fire offers a wide variety of southwest styled plates ranging from bison burgers to their Tour de Mexico multi-course sampler all before a pleasant, open fire. ($$)
7.2
3 Reviews
16564 Cleveland Street
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-284-0670
Eastern cuisines mix through a fusion of Indian and Chinese at this classy setting, including an array of vegetarian friendly dishes. ($$)
7.1
3 Reviews
18218 Bothell Way NE
Bothell WA 98011
Bothell WA 98011
425-486-2677
Serving Bothell since 1959, Ranch Drive In grills up burgers at decent prices along with their impressive selection of malts, sundaes and milkshakes. It's truly the 50s reborn in Bothell. ($)
7.0
2 Reviews
17181 Redmond Way #700
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-883-1828
From the outside, Jade Dragon looks like your typical Chinese restaurant. Surprisingly, its interior sports a very sleek looked that will take visitors by surprise while the food is standard fare. ($$)
7.0
2 Reviews
112 Lake Street South
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-827-4811
Moody with old school style, Hectors drums up live music with American and seafood cooking to make a unique flair for this Kirkland restaurant. ($$)
7.0
3 Reviews
80 Kirkland Ave
Kirkland WA 98033
Kirkland WA 98033
425-739-0033
A variety of every possible burger and a bit of quirkiness is what you'll get at this popular Kirkland waterfront burger joint. ($)
6.9
3 Reviews
7900 E Greenlake Drive N.
Seattle WA 98103
Seattle WA 98103
206-524-3985
Contemporary American bistro along with views of Greenlake Park are served up at this popular local chain.
($$)
6.9
4 Reviews
8125 161st Avenue NE
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-883-7511
Like a blast from our revolutionary past, Neville's British Pantry is a rarity, cooking up genuine British fare in the Northwest. Neville's also includes a bakery and an authentic British store. ($$)
6.7
3 Reviews
7824 Leary Way NE
Redmond WA 98052
Redmond WA 98052
425-883-2855
A stylish interior reminiscent of a gothic inspired Southwestern saloon and an impressive variety of tequilas makes Matador one of the best bars in Redmond, minus the food. ($)
6.5
4 Reviews
2 Lake Bellevue Dr
Bellevue WA 98005
Bellevue WA 98005
425-455-2244
Banging on crabs with mallets while overlooking Lake Bellevue might seem like a novel idea, but The Crab Pot arrives dead on the platter. ($$$)
6.3
3 Reviews
302 108th Avenue NE
Bellevue WA 98004
Bellevue WA 98004
425-646-3371
Perfect for group outings, The Melting Pot's wide variety and style of fondue, including the ever popular chocolate fondue dessert, is sure to have something for everyone. ($$$)
No Reviews
Food and Guides
Want to impress your friends with your sushi knowledge? These
seven quick tips will turn you from sushi amateur to
sushi snob.
Dim Sum can be scary to the uninitiated, but is a delight
with foodies. Learn what to order and where
to go for Seattle's best dim sum.
Chef Seattle Blog
Seattle Restaurants
Sushiya
Sushi plate with rolls
Sushi plate with rolls
Crab Cracker
Crab bisque soup, with loads of unseen crab meat
Crab bisque soup, with loads of unseen crab meat
Nibbana Thai Cookery
Nibbana noodles with peanuty sauce
Nibbana noodles with peanuty sauce
Chef News
Like the rest of the economy, Chef Seattle is feeling the effects of the crunch. As a result, we are operating on a shoestring and will be publishing new reviews and articles will less frequency. Don't fret however, as we are still around to provide reviews for Seattle restaurants!
Cooking Classes & Events
Coming soon