"Chef-owner Shota Nakajima—a 2017 Iron Chef Gauntlet contender—serves up old-school Japanese in this affordable reboot of his high-end restaurant, Naka. Snuggle up to the reclaimed-wood bar in the lounge, which serves quick bites like shishito peppers and pork-cheddar meatballs. Or reserve a table and curate your own tasting menu, choosing three courses of comfort food that shift with the seasons, including offeringslike sautéed brussels sprouts, miso-braised chicken wings, and sake-steamed Manila clams with fava beans. Wash it all down with a blend of silken Suntory Whisky Toki, lemon, ginger, cloves, and egg white, playfully dubbed the Toki-Mon."

"Steps from Pike Place Market, this fine-dining eatery occupies a grand space with a view over Elliott Bay. It also has a west-facing outdoor patio: a rarity in Seattle , despite the city being drier than Tucson, Arizona , in the summer. Chic touches include an indoor fire table, locally made black-walnut tables and custom votive candles made by Seattle’s Glass Eye Studios. Private dining spaces can accommodate groups. Start with a cocktail—choices range from a barrel-aged old-fashioned to an English milk punch with a splash of Lucid grande-wormwood absinthe. Sustainably sourced and seasonally inspired dishes include duck confit, crispy cauliflower with red-curry yogurt, marinated beets with lemon thyme chevre, and king salmon gravlax served with tarragon crème fraiche."

"This Capitol Hill favorite recently expanded into South Lake Union and the University Village. At each outpost, Chef Eric Banh brings the street food of his childhood in Saigon to Amazon's sprawling tech campus. So expect vermicelli bowls and Vietnamese noodle soups, plus spectacular house-made sweets. Small plates range from spinach-tofu paper wraps to fried yellow-curried frog legs, while the house specials include bánh nậm : banana-leaf-wrapped rice tamales with Carlton Farms pork. But return to the original Ba Bar in Capitol Hill for the mini-chain's crowning glory: a late-night happy hour with discountedIPAs and frites with pho gravy. No reservations."

"Tucked into the Denny Regrade, this sleek new spot contains multitudes: a deli, butcher shop, crudo bar, and steakhouse devoted to Wagyu beef. Lock down your table early to descend the leather staircase—coiling around a 4,000-pound chandelier—into a luxurious, industrial-chic den, dreamt up in part by Kurt Dammeier of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese fame. Here Mishima Reserve meats take center stage: blending the signature marbled beef of Japanese Black Wagyu bulls with juicy, flavorful American Black Angus cows. But spare some love for the unusual appetizers and sides, which range from roasted bone marrow on an English muffin to smoky grits with mushrooms and red Fresno chili pepper."

"Bainbridge Island's culinary mastermind just brought his magic to the mainland. Brendan McGill, a James Beard Best Chef Northwest semifinalist, debuted a café in the glorious art deco Exchange Building downtown in spring 2017. For breakfast, start with cold-pressed juice and proceed to a biscuit topped with cheddar, a fried egg, fennel-onion spread, and ham made from McGill's rare Mangalitsa pigs (dark, earthy pork rich in unsaturated fat). The menu blossoms after 11 a.m., ranging from New York City–style pastrami on rye to a spicy cauliflower salad with a dressing of yogurt and charred lemon. You won't regret trying the crispy Ozette potatoes: a wonderfully flavorful South American variety that Spanish explorers introduced to the coastal Makah Nation in 1791."

"Seattle's most iconic restaurant has earned its laurels, reinterpreting Pacific Northwest classics like bonito with chrysanthemum and sea bean caper, and ricotta dumplings with mustard, rapini, and stinging nettles. in 2015, a young hotshot took the helm: Brady Williams, formerly from the two-Michelin-star Blanca in Brooklyn, New York. He ditched his goal of playing professional hockey to cook—and, boy, has it paid off! Among other distinctions, he was anointed a finalist for Rising Star Chef of 2017 by the James Beard Foundation (the year it won “Best Wine Program”). Reserve ahead and break out the grown-up clothes to check out his masterpieces, served high on Queen Anne hill overlooking the seaplanes and sailboats gliding onLake Union."

"This Georgetown hot spot offers diners an unexpected array of international dishes and a surprise art gallery between its cocktail bar and grill. A vast funky mural spices up an exposed cinder-block wall, and a skylight floods the furnishings' bold pops of orange, scarlet, and turquoise. The menu celebrates the eatery's wood-fired oven, showing off dips and flatbreads from all over the globe. Chimichurri rubs shoulders with mojo verde , burnt honey, and smoked yogurt, while small plates range from falafel to pomegranate-honey chicken wings. Don't miss this terrific collaboration between James Beard Award–winning chef Matt Dillon (Sitka & Spruce, the London Plane) and Marcus Lalario (Li’l Woody’s, Fat’s Chicken and Waffles)."

"This lovely contemporary-American eatery anchors the Ballard Public lofts. Chef Shaun McCrain shows off his time spent in the kitchen at New York City's Per Se with reimagined classics like foie gras layered into a terrine with apple, black sesame, and a gelée of dashi (a Japanese broth). Even the cocktails are innovative—ask for the restaurant's fresh take on a Pimm's No. 1 cup. Reserve ahead for a leisurely dinner, or just belly up to the bar. And if you don't have time for that nonsense, no worries! You can order a takeaway case with goodies like truffled deviled eggs, white bean spread, and lemon-thyme flatbread."

"In 1954, three friends set out to simply "serve fresh, high quality food at low prices with instant service." Bank executives warned they'd never turn a profit selling 100percent beef burgers for 19 cents, but the drive-through was a runaway hit. Among its many honors, this Seattle institution wasvoted America's Most Life-Changing Burger by Esquire readers. Swing by one of its six locations—marked by iconic orange signs harking back to the atomic age—for a meaty epiphany, alongwith hand-cut fries and freshly whipped shakes. Best of all: Dick's offers worker scholarships and even insures part-time employees. So you can feel good about the indulgence!"

"The first Taiwanese restaurant to earn a fancy-pants Michelin star, this steamed dumpling and noodlechain gets rave reviews from Seattleites and reviewers alike. Long a staple of nearby Bellevue, Din Tai Fung has finally crossed Lake Washington to establish a Seattle outpost and and added a second option at Pacific Place shopping center (600 Pine Street). Go for the scrumptious, pillowy xiao long bao (Chinese soup dumplings), of course, but don't neglect the rest of the menu. Standouts include sweet taro buns, vinegar-laced wood ear mushrooms, and sautéed mustard greens with shredded ginger, along with the red bean sticky rice wraps for dessert."

"This humble diner has a rabid following, which often earns it Best Breakfast in Seattle status (it has even made a Zagat's list of the top breakfast spots in the country). The family-owned restaurant has two North Seattle locations, but try the original Ballard one first. It's cozier and has an entire wall of hot sauces. Be prepared to queue on the weekends: A coffee stand, covered pavilion, and space heaters take the edge off on chillier days. You'll be rewarded for the mild inconvenience with fabulousness like the Slacker Especial (eggs scrambled with enchilada sauce, tortilla chips, green chiles, and jack cheese)."

"This terrific nonprofit trains and employs people who have struggled with poverty, addiction, and incarceration. Topping out with four stars on Charity Navigator, FareStart opens its flagship restaurant downtown for weekday lunches and Guest Chef Night dinners on Thursdays. The menu shifts seasonally, spotlighting flavors like five-spice duck cannelloni with panang curry and stinging nettles. But it also maintains a steady heartbeat of classic dishes like grilled salmon, rosemary turkey, and vegetable polenta topped with marinara sauce and a sunny-side-up egg. Thanks in part to Amazon donations, Farestart has expanded into four other locations: Maslow's, Rise, Café @ 2100 and the Café @ PacTower. Reservations are highly recommended at the main restaurant and can be made online."

"Started in 2009 as a humble food truck, this Hawaiian-Korean eatery has expanded to four brick-and-mortar locations (including Super Six, an offshoot in funky Columbia City). Get messy—and delighted—tucking into Spam sliders, kalbi short ribs, and miso-ginger chicken tacos. Vegetarians, don't despair: Marination ladles "sexy tofu" onto four-inch corn tortillas along with its usual slaw; tangy, creamy Nunya sauce (a secret recipe); homemade pickled jalapeños; and a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds. There's also thespicy kimchi fried rice bowl, topped with furikake , green onions, and a sunny-side-up egg. Wash it all down with a Hawaiian Sun tropical juice or shockingly cheap draft beer."

"This Belltown beer bar opened in 2017 and immediately shot to semifinalist status for a James Beard Best New Restaurant in Washington award. The decor remains minimalist—the clean, chic space softened by kitsch like baby dolls, baseball mitts, and a schooner statue made from beer cans. What we like best: the beer menu, a giant matrix of values from approachable to traditional, esoteric, and modern. Expect to be surprised by brews like Reuben’s Passava, a hazy imperial IPA sweetened by guava and passionfruit. The food’s equally unexpected with dishes like crispy veal sweetbreads and beetroot vareniki (Ukrainian pierogies)."

"Off the Rez Seattle's first—and only—Native American food truck brings Blackfeet fry bread to the Emerald City. Top it with veggie chili, chicken chile verde , or 12-hour-smoked pulled pork for an Indian Taco piled high with lettuce and pickled red onions, then drizzled with cumin crema. Or press a meat patty between two slices for a Powwow Burger, paired with hand-cut, double-fried potatoes. Craving a lighter meal? Try the quinoa salad with a succotash of squash, sweet corn, and green beans, all smothered in romesco (a Spanish sauce of almond and red peppers). Finish with yet more fry bread, sweetened for dessert with toppings such as honey, Nutella, and strawberry preserves."

"Seattle's favorite Caribbean grill features fantastically messy grub that catapulted Paseo to number three on Yelp's 2016 list of best places to eat in the U.S. The menu's undisputed star: the slow-roasted pork—garnished with jalapeños, romaine lettuce, and soft-cooked onions—on a bed of pillowy bread. This gooey, drippy deliciousness soaks right through two layers of waxed paper...and no one ever minds. Not feeling the gluten? Go for a bean-and-rice bowl, tofu braised with garlic-tapenade, or a chicken breast grilled over lava rocks.The restaurant also has a Fremont location (4225 Fremont Ave N, Seattle , WA 98103)."

"Extraordinary things are happening at this unassuming hot spot squeezed between a T-Mobile store and a Jimmy John's in a North Seattle strip mall. Pop Pop serves delicious comfort food—including a few rare specialties—all delivered in under 10 minutes and for a reasonable price. Highlights include the larb, a dish of minced pork or chicken with fish sauce, lime juice, fresh herbs, and roasted ground rice, as well as the grilled chicken. The restaurant's name is a take on the Northern Thai dish kai yang : skin-on thigh meat marinated in coconut milk, then rubbed with spices, garlic, and lemongrass. But the Red Sea noodle soup tends to steal the show with its fish balls and fried tofu floating in a broth tinted fuchsia from salted soybean paste."

"This local pick serves some of Seattle 's best Latin food in the hip Ballard neighborhood. Expect Salvadoran and Central American favorites like empanadas, carne asada, and fried sweet plantains. But to be honest, the pupusas hog all the glory: palm-size corn or rice tortillas stuffed with fillings like beans, cheese, chorizo, jalapeño, and loroco (the blossom of the Fernaldia pandurata vine). At under $4 each, two pupusas make an affordable, waistband-bursting meal when topped with hot sauce and curtido : a carrot, cabbage, and onion slaw fermented in a spicy brine rich in probiotics. Wash it all down with horchata, Inca Kola, or a bottle of Port Royal from Honduras."

"A mainstay on lists of the top seafood restaurants and oyster bars in the United States, this Ballard hipster hangout is captained by Renee Erickson, whom the James Beard Foundation named 2016's Best Chef Northwest. Sit at the marble-topped bar and pair expertly shucked bivalves with creative cocktails, like the Ambergris (aquavit, Dolin dry vermouth, and grapefruit oil) or Smuggler's Batida (cachaça, sherry, and lime-piña cordial). Mix in small plates, ranging from roasted carrots to grilled sardines with walnuts. Dairy fans shouldn't miss the cheese plates offered, which combinine the efforts of Oregon's superb creameries, honey producers, and makers of delights like saffron apricot jam."

"Set on the northern shore of Lake Union—a body of water the size of Monaco —this rustic-chic, nautical-themed restaurant offers dazzling views of the Space Needle and downtown skyline. Its menu blends Mediterranean flavors with local bounty: Expect highlights like grilled octopus with taramasalata, charred carrots with cocoa, and a salmon gravlax tartine with za'atar, green apple, and cauliflower labneh . Finish with a rhubarb-pistachio cheesecake or a cheese from Vashon Island's Kurtwood Farms. For extra Northwest credit, arrive in a kayakor on a stand-up paddleboard, or rent a ride from the Center for Wooden Boats (cwb.org)—then moor near the waterside fire pit!"

"Hailed as Seattle's best new Italian spot by many critics, this Chicago-style pizzeria takes orders online (advisable). Dig into a deep-dish delight, graced by bright, tangy tomato sauce and a lighter, brioche-style crust fringed with caramelized cheese. While not gut bombs, these pizzas are quite filling: one pie can feed four hungry adults easily. Build your own or opt for creations like the Popeye (blue cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and Kalamata olives). Note: once a darling of Interbay, Windy City is moving to the Phinney Ridge neighborhood in 2019. Need some ooey-gooey goodness while the restaurant’s settling into the new digs and only offering takeaway? Try its sibling Breezy Town Pizza in Beacon Hill, which mixes in some Detroit flair (breezytownpizza.com)!"

"A stalwart on the “best of” lists, this restaurant blends dynamic global cuisine with comfort food… set against a steampunky-sports bar décor. None of this should work, but it very much does. The industrial touches evoke the city’s heritage as a Western working town, as well as its iconic grunge epoch that swept the globe. (The bottle-cap portrait of local legend Jimi Hendrix is especially endearing.) Don’t miss the chicken khao soi , foraged-mushroom pizza with taleggio, or the sublime Vadouvan-spiced carrots with thin curls of feta smoked in-house. The restaurant’s connected to the Kimpton Hotel Monaco and also delivers a mean breakfast, from malted waffles to duck confit hash with cippolini and dried cherries."