Maneki Restaurant
Japanese restaurant · International District
304 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Highlights
Landmark Japanese spot with tatami rooms, sushi & classic fare
Landmark Japanese spot with tatami rooms, sushi & classic fare
"If you're feeling bummed about aging, at least Maneki is older than you. (Unless you are pushing 120, in which case, kudos.) By texting this Japanese institution in the ID, you can reserve one of their private tatami rooms—and nothing screams "it's my birthday and it's not a big deal!" by absolutely not screaming at all, sitting in socks with some pals, while clinking bottles of Sapporo and snacking on takoyaki, gyoza, and spicy tuna rolls." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"The longest-running Japanese restaurant in Seattle has a quiet dining room, but the real party happens in the back. For the best experience, get a group together and book one of their private tatami rooms—available via text up to two weeks in advance. After you kick your shoes off and get the sake flowing, everything else fades away. It’s just you and some people you hopefully like in a closed-off oasis, occasionally interrupted by a server dropping off excellent nigiri, tempura, and noodles. (We'll allow it.)" - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente
"Maneki opened in the International District in 1904, making it the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle. Try to have dinner in one of their tatami rooms, which is a quiet, private space in the back of the restaurant where you’ll take your shoes off and sit while someone periodically drops in to give you raw fish and beer. Every piece of nigiri you’ll get here is tender, cut perfectly, and has the highest quality-to-cost ratio in the city. Not to mention that there are always exciting specials like four different types of wild salmon or negitoro gunkan maki. Everything is pretty inexpensive for the quality and tastes just as great in the crowded dining area if you can’t get into a tatami room." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente
"You could probably use some time to relax in your socks for a moment, and to be honest, your children probably already kicked off their sneakers hours ago. Whether or not you find yourself in this situation, you should book one of the private tatami rooms at Maneki for some of the best sushi in Seattle. There are also some other cooked dishes that kids would enjoy, like chicken teriyaki, gyoza, and shrimp tempura. The best part is, if someone ends up crying and throwing grains of white rice everywhere, nobody else eating in the restaurant has to know - there are walls separating you from the main dining room." - aimee rizzo
"This iconic Japanese establishment dates back to 1904, was shuttered during WWII, and one of its dishwashers even went onto become a prime minister of Japan. An 'American Classic' according to James Beard, Maneki features traditional tatami rooms, a bar and classic Japanese fare including sushi." - Shore
