In my four years of blogging, I have never once written about food, which happens to be a popular blogging topic for many people. However, since my move to Belltown in February, I have had the privilege of sampling some of Seattle’s best restaurants. I wouldn’t describe myself as a food connoisseur, but I definitely like trying new foods and I like to think I know good food when I try it! 😀 That said, let me share with you my top five favorite Seattle restaurants/eateries.
5. Sushi Wave
Sushi Wave is a little sushi restaurant on 2nd and Broadway. Despite it being significantly less expensive than trendier spots such as Umi or Shiro’s, it is much better tasting. I always go for their spicy tuna rolls and spicy chicken teriyaki. Not to mention, the miso soup is by far, the best I’ve had in Seattle. The decor may not be as nice as Umi, but Sushi Wave makes up for it in price, taste and friendly staff.
4. Red Mill Burgers
Next to Dick’s Burgers, Red Mill is probably the most popular burger spot in Seattle. GQ voted Red Mill as one of the top 20 burgers you must eat before you die. So, enough said. There always seems to be a long line outside of Red Mill during lunchtime. Everything about Red Mill is awesome – the burgers, fries, and shakes. Red Mill, located right off Phinney Ridge in Greek Lake, has been voted the best burger in Seattle for 10 years in a row.
3. Petra Mediterranean Bistro
Every time I frequent Petra Mediterranean Bistro, it is completely packed – a good sign when choosing a restaurant. Combining the flavors of Jordan, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey and Northern Africa, Petra has some of the best tasting Mediterranean food I’ve ever eaten, especially the Baba ghanoush, hummus, garlic cheese fries, and garlic lemon chicken. Petra has 106 reviews on Yelp with a 4.5 star average. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu!
2. Primo Pizzeria
Everyone loves pizza and there are a ton of great pizza spits in Seattle. However, one stands out more than the others – Primo Pizzeria. The Brutus pizza – sausage, onions, and pepperoncini, is ridiculously tasty and spicy. Combine that with a chicken caesar salad and booyah – awesome dinner, lunch or breakfast! 😛 Their prices are a little high, but the service is excellent and they have never disappointed. Free delivery to First Hill, Capitol Hill, Belltown, Downtown and Madison Valley when you order online.
1. Zeitoon Cafe
What do I love most about Zeitoon Cafe? Taste, price, and convenience. Not only is Zeitoon a two-minute walk from my place in Belltown, the grilled chicken panino, caesar salad salad and rosemary potatoes is the perfect lunch or dinner. For $10, it will completely satisfy your hunger with some of the tastiest flavors in all of Seattle. Zeitoon, located on 4th and Wall, also has awesome happy hour specials – from 3-7pm, $3 specials for hummus, dolmades, falafel, baba ganoush and $6 pizzas.
Bonus – Bang Bang Cafe
For the best breakfast food, check out Bang Bang Cafe. I first heard about them from my business partner, Josh. Bang Bang is famous for their out-of-this-world breakfast burritos. I prefer the original “Bang Bang” breakfast burrito – eggs, potatoes, beans, verde sauce, wrapped in a tortilla. Damn, I’m hungry now! Not to mention, they have 133 reviews on their Google Places Page with a 4.5 star average.
That’s it for my favorite Seattle restaurants. To all my fellow Seattle-ites, what are your favorite restaurants in the Emerald City?
Budda Rhuska’s in West Seattle – Thai
All excellent choices, Nathaniel, but I feel as though you're forgetting a couple excellent restaurants in the area.
Being a southern California native I developed an incredible appetite and love for Mexican food. However, as most native South-westerners know… there isn't that great of a selection of Mexican food in the drippy Northwest. So far, one of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to here in Seattle is El-chupacabra in Phinney Ridge. Great vibe, and great food, although it obviously still doesn't compete with what I'm used to back home 😉
Another all time fav of mine is Cedars on Brooklyn in the U-District. Their chicken butter masala paired with their basmati rice is to die for <3 I can't help but get it every time I go there!
If you say so the Sushi have to be really great there, I'm fond of sushi.
What do you think about Cjinese and Japanese restaurants?
There are a couple Japanese restaurants that I find just amazing. However, they’re not in Seattle at all – Hamada of Japan or Osaka’s in Las Vegas. Your choice of either the hibachi grill or sushi bar. Pure goodness on your plate. If you choose the hibachi grill then you’re definitely in for a treat. You’ll not only get dinner cooked right in front of you, but a show, to boot!
I’m 100% sure there are great Japanese & Chinese restaurants here in Seattle, but I just haven’t experienced them. I’m still relatively new to the area, and haven’t had the opportunity to taste a variety of the Japanese and Chinese cuisine in the area 😉
I haven’t found a favorite locally-owned Chinese restaurant yet, but you can never go wrong with a little PF Changs!
Great additions, Josie. El Chupacabra is probably my favorite Mexican restaurant in the entire realm of the Pacific Northwest. And Cedars is just so damn good, I could close my eyes, randomly flick through the menu, put my finger down on an item, and it would probably be DAMN GOOD! 😀
Oh yeah… Samurai Noodles is pretty damn good too! 😉