Top 25 Restaurants in Seattle 2016
Posted on November 14, 2016 by
Xploritall announces the 1st annual list of the 25 Best Restaurants in Seattle. We sorted through several key diner and critic ranking lists to determine the overall winners. This "poll of polls" balances the opinions of dining critics with ratings of actual diners. The winners represent a diverse offering of cuisines and ranging from casual to fine dining.
Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a visit to Seattle. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around Seattle, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
1531 14th Ave
Italian
$$$
Chef Stuart Lane and his team create simple, refined dishes grounded in authentic techniques from Piedmont, while incorporating the products of artisans and small farmers from the Pacific Northwest.
2
407 Cedar St
New American, Modern European
$$
Chef Ba Culbert's European inspired bistro earned our #2 spot after in the top 10 on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
3
2576 Aurora Avenue North
New American, Seafood
$$$$
Going strong since the 1950's and in its 3rd generation of family owners, Canlis focuses on wine and Northwest cuisine.
4
820 2nd Ave
New American, Steakhouse
$$$
A classic steakhouse that is part of the Consolidated Restaurants family (Elliott’s Oyster House, Wing Dome, Steamer’s Seafood Café, and Quincy’s). The Met was #4 on TripAdvisor and #5 on Zagat, meaning it ranked high with critics and diners alike.
5
Pike Place Market, 1530 Post Alley
American (New), American (Traditional), Seafood, Soup
$
Their flagship location is inside the Pike Place Market -- where they famously throw fish. Owner Larry Mellum sets the standard for his chowder dishes, which have won him national cook-offs and induction to the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall-of-Fame. Made our list by being ranked #3 on Yelp and #6 on TripAdvisor.
6
1508 Melrose Ave
Middle Eastern, Syrian
$$$
Contemporary fusion of Middle Eastern cuisine. Ranked #3 on Zagat.
7
3506 Stone Way N
Fusion, Korean, Steakhouse
$$
The menu at Joule is an eclectic compilation of foods inspired by Asia, France, Germany and many other places around the world. Ranked #10 on Zagat, and #2 on Foodable WebTV.
8
1600 Pike Place
Cheese, Comfort Food, Sandwiches
$
Handmade cheeses, soups, and sandwiches in the Pike Place Market. Was ranked in the top 18 on several lists, including TripAdvisor, Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon), and Zagat.
9
1415 NW 70th St
Pizza
$$
Wood-fire pizza from project of owners Brandon Pettit and Molly Wizenberg. Delancey made our list from being ranked #3 on Zagat and being included on the Eater 38 list.
10
2701 E Madison St
Spanish, Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Basque/Spanish seasonal tapas, which was ranked #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
11
1060 E Union St
French, Steakhouse
$$
French style farm-to-table steakhouse run by Chef Renee Erickson, the 2016 James Beard Award winner (Best Chef: Northwest) who also owns Xploritall #18 Walrus & The Carpenter, and The Whale Wins.
12
1919 Post Alley
Italian, Vegetarian, Wine Bar
$$
Since 1981, owner Jacquelina Di Roberto has sought to provide a surreal experience for her patrons, both tangibly in the Italian cuisine, and through other senses.
13
217 James St
Italian
$
Il Corvo Pasta, all handmade by Chef Mike Easton. A tiny lunch spot serving handmade pasta accompanied by market fresh produce, antipasti and charcuterie.
14
2621 NE 46th Street
Dim Sum, Shanghainese, Taiwanese
$$
Soup dumpling and noodle restaurant currently ranked #1 on TripAdvisor.
15
411 1st Ave S
Italian
$$$
Since opening in 1984, Il Terrazzo Carmine has remained an iconic bastion of soulful and authentic Italian cuisine. Was ranked #1 on Zagat when e compiled our list.
16
4225 Fremont Ave N
Caribbean, Cuban, Sandwiches, Seafood, Vegan, Vegetarian
$
I have never been to Seattle, but this may be the first place I head to when I get the chance to visit. Caribbean sandwhich stand that has been a favorite for 21 years, and currently #1 on Yelp.
17
611 Summit Ave E
New American
$$
The Seattle Times calls Single Shot "sophisticated yet comfortable food." Don't be fooled by the simple self-description of "Kitchen and Saloon," this Capitol Hill establishment has chic decor and elegantly prepared dishes.
18
4743 Ballard Ave NW
Seafood, Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Opened in 2010, The Walrus and The Carpenter marries restaurant to fishing pub. Run by Chef Renee Erickson, the 2016 James Beard Award winner (Best Chef: Northwest) who also owns Xploritall #11 Bateau, as well as The Whale Wins.
19
425 NW Market St
American (New), Cafe
$$
Asian-influenced, New American neighborhood bistro in the Ballard district. Ranked #7 on Foodable ebTV and included on the Eater 38 essential restaurants list for Seattle.
20
6804 E Green Lake Way N
American (New), American (Traditional), French
$$$
European-inspired New American cuisine featuring the finest Northwest seasonal ingredients headed by Chef Philip Mihalski. Ranked #2 on Zagat.
21
309 Third Ave South
Sandwiches
$$
Cured meats, sandwiches, and prepared meals with limited lunch only hours and (usually) long lines. #7 on Zagat, and included in the Eater 38 list.
22
2604 1st Ave
Gastropub
$$
Local, seasonal gastropub currently holding #2 on Yelp.
23
2230 1st Ave
Japanese, Sushi
$$
A slightly more sophisticated take on an Izakaya style restaurant, modeled to even appear like a traditional Japanese country house.
24
94 Pike St, Ste 32
American (New), Seafood
$$$
A small but popular seafood spot in the always busy Pike Place Market. Currently #8 on Zagat and included in the Eater 38 essential restaurants.
25
159 Yesler Way
American (Traditional), Buffet, Delicatessen, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches
$$
A little bit of Philadelphia flavor in Pioneer Square. #3 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
Advertisement
Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a visit to Seattle. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around Seattle, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
Cascina Spinasse
1531 14th Ave
Italian
$$$
Chef Stuart Lane and his team create simple, refined dishes grounded in authentic techniques from Piedmont, while incorporating the products of artisans and small farmers from the Pacific Northwest.
2
Tilikum Place Café
407 Cedar St
New American, Modern European
$$
Chef Ba Culbert's European inspired bistro earned our #2 spot after in the top 10 on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
3
Canlis
2576 Aurora Avenue North
New American, Seafood
$$$$
Going strong since the 1950's and in its 3rd generation of family owners, Canlis focuses on wine and Northwest cuisine.
4
Metropolitan Grill
820 2nd Ave
New American, Steakhouse
$$$
A classic steakhouse that is part of the Consolidated Restaurants family (Elliott’s Oyster House, Wing Dome, Steamer’s Seafood Café, and Quincy’s). The Met was #4 on TripAdvisor and #5 on Zagat, meaning it ranked high with critics and diners alike.
5
Pike Place Chowder
Pike Place Market, 1530 Post Alley
American (New), American (Traditional), Seafood, Soup
$
Their flagship location is inside the Pike Place Market -- where they famously throw fish. Owner Larry Mellum sets the standard for his chowder dishes, which have won him national cook-offs and induction to the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall-of-Fame. Made our list by being ranked #3 on Yelp and #6 on TripAdvisor.
6
Mamnoon
1508 Melrose Ave
Middle Eastern, Syrian
$$$
Contemporary fusion of Middle Eastern cuisine. Ranked #3 on Zagat.
7
Joule
3506 Stone Way N
Fusion, Korean, Steakhouse
$$
The menu at Joule is an eclectic compilation of foods inspired by Asia, France, Germany and many other places around the world. Ranked #10 on Zagat, and #2 on Foodable WebTV.
8
Beecher's Handmade Cheese
1600 Pike Place
Cheese, Comfort Food, Sandwiches
$
Handmade cheeses, soups, and sandwiches in the Pike Place Market. Was ranked in the top 18 on several lists, including TripAdvisor, Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon), and Zagat.
9
Delancey
1415 NW 70th St
Pizza
$$
Wood-fire pizza from project of owners Brandon Pettit and Molly Wizenberg. Delancey made our list from being ranked #3 on Zagat and being included on the Eater 38 list.
10
The Harvest Vine
2701 E Madison St
Spanish, Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Basque/Spanish seasonal tapas, which was ranked #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
11
Bateau
1060 E Union St
French, Steakhouse
$$
French style farm-to-table steakhouse run by Chef Renee Erickson, the 2016 James Beard Award winner (Best Chef: Northwest) who also owns Xploritall #18 Walrus & The Carpenter, and The Whale Wins.
12
The Pink Door
1919 Post Alley
Italian, Vegetarian, Wine Bar
$$
Since 1981, owner Jacquelina Di Roberto has sought to provide a surreal experience for her patrons, both tangibly in the Italian cuisine, and through other senses.
13
Il Corvo
217 James St
Italian
$
Il Corvo Pasta, all handmade by Chef Mike Easton. A tiny lunch spot serving handmade pasta accompanied by market fresh produce, antipasti and charcuterie.
14
Din Tai Fung
2621 NE 46th Street
Dim Sum, Shanghainese, Taiwanese
$$
Soup dumpling and noodle restaurant currently ranked #1 on TripAdvisor.
15
Il Terrazzo Carmine
411 1st Ave S
Italian
$$$
Since opening in 1984, Il Terrazzo Carmine has remained an iconic bastion of soulful and authentic Italian cuisine. Was ranked #1 on Zagat when e compiled our list.
16
Paseo Caribbean Restaurant
4225 Fremont Ave N
Caribbean, Cuban, Sandwiches, Seafood, Vegan, Vegetarian
$
I have never been to Seattle, but this may be the first place I head to when I get the chance to visit. Caribbean sandwhich stand that has been a favorite for 21 years, and currently #1 on Yelp.
17
Single Shot
611 Summit Ave E
New American
$$
The Seattle Times calls Single Shot "sophisticated yet comfortable food." Don't be fooled by the simple self-description of "Kitchen and Saloon," this Capitol Hill establishment has chic decor and elegantly prepared dishes.
18
The Walrus And The Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NW
Seafood, Tapas/Small Plates
$$$
Opened in 2010, The Walrus and The Carpenter marries restaurant to fishing pub. Run by Chef Renee Erickson, the 2016 James Beard Award winner (Best Chef: Northwest) who also owns Xploritall #11 Bateau, as well as The Whale Wins.
19
Brimmer & Heeltap
425 NW Market St
American (New), Cafe
$$
Asian-influenced, New American neighborhood bistro in the Ballard district. Ranked #7 on Foodable ebTV and included on the Eater 38 essential restaurants list for Seattle.
20
Nell's
6804 E Green Lake Way N
American (New), American (Traditional), French
$$$
European-inspired New American cuisine featuring the finest Northwest seasonal ingredients headed by Chef Philip Mihalski. Ranked #2 on Zagat.
21
Salumi
309 Third Ave South
Sandwiches
$$
Cured meats, sandwiches, and prepared meals with limited lunch only hours and (usually) long lines. #7 on Zagat, and included in the Eater 38 list.
22
Some Random Bar
2604 1st Ave
Gastropub
$$
Local, seasonal gastropub currently holding #2 on Yelp.
23
Umi Sake House
2230 1st Ave
Japanese, Sushi
$$
A slightly more sophisticated take on an Izakaya style restaurant, modeled to even appear like a traditional Japanese country house.
24
Matt's In The Market
94 Pike St, Ste 32
American (New), Seafood
$$$
A small but popular seafood spot in the always busy Pike Place Market. Currently #8 on Zagat and included in the Eater 38 essential restaurants.
25
Tat's Delicatessen
159 Yesler Way
American (Traditional), Buffet, Delicatessen, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches
$$
A little bit of Philadelphia flavor in Pioneer Square. #3 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
Advertisement
