75+ favorite Seattle area restaurants recommended by Puget Sounds' top chefs
Where the Chefs Eat, the Full List: Tom Douglas, Renee Erickson, Ethan Stowell, and more than 20 other top local chefs show off the best eats in the area.

The options are endless when it comes to restaurants in the Seattle area and beyond. However, all these options can make it hard to decide where to go.
To help choose your next dinner date spot, we hit up the best of the best in Puget Sound. Below, you'll find 75+ restaurant recommendations from nearly 30 of Seattle's top chefs -- not including their own restaurants, of course!
Scroll through "CHAPTERS" to uncover eateries in your nearest city or neighborhood.
Seattle > Ballard/Phinney Ridge Restaurants
Red Mill Burger | Recommended by Taichi Kitamura | The Red Mill Deluxe burger comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion, and Mill Sauce. You can order the deluxe with cheese, two patties, bacon or and combination of the three. | 3058 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107 | (206)784-1400
La Carta De Oaxaca | Recommended by Ericka Burke | The memelitas come with thick tortillas topped with pork gravy, black bean sauce, queso fresco, guacamole, and salsa. | 5431 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 | (206) 782-8722
Pestle Rock | Recommended by Maria Hines | The Isan Barbeque combo comes with barbeque all-natural chicken or grilled Carlton Farm pork shoulder served with sides of papaya salad and sticky rice. Includes sweet chili and jaew dipping sauces. | 2305 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107 | (206) 466-6671
Essex | Recommended by Renee Erickson | The World-Famous Essex burger includes 8 ounces grass-fed Skagit River beef, 2 secret sauces, and iceberg lettuce. You can add cheddar or dill pickles, and Zoe's bacon. | 1421 NW 70th St, Seattle, WA 98117 | (206) 724-0471
Delancey | Recommended by Rachel Yang | The Margherita pizza comes with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and basil. You can add housemade pork fennel sausage, Zoe’s bacon, La Quercia prosciutto, Zoe’s pepperoni, onions, Zoe's hot salami, anchovies, and kalamata olives to any pie | 1415 NW 70th St, Seattle, WA 98117 | (206) 838-1960
Stoneburner | Recommended by Chester Gerl | The Yukon Potato Gnocchi comes with cheese and pepper. | 5214 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 | (206)-695-2051
Seattle > Beacon Hill Restaurants
Bar Del Corso | Recommended by Scott Staples | The Suppli al Telefono includes fried risotto balls and mozzarella. | 3057 Beacon Ave S Seattle, WA 98144 | (206)-395-2069
Seattle > Capitol Hill Restaurants
Crumble & Flake Patisserie | Recommended by John Sundstrom |The croissants are made in traditional French fashion and are indeed flakey. | 1500 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 329-1804
Wandering Goose | Recommended by John Sundstrom | The Bubble & Squeak includes braised beef brisket, veggies, potatoes, and poached eggs.| 403 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 | (206) 323-9938
Cafe Presse | Recommended by Josh Henderson | The Gâteau aux foies de volailles comes with smooth chicken liver terrine, and dried cherry compote. | 1117 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 709-7674
Luc | Recommended by Tom Douglas | The Croque Madame sandwich includes toasted como bread, Zoe's ham, béchamel, a soft fried egg, and a simple salad. | Madison Valley. 2800 E. Madison Seattle, WA 98112 | (206) 328-6645
Monsoon | Recommended by Taichi Kitamura | The grilled lemongrass pork shoulder comes with a fried egg, pickled carrot, cucumber, and broken rice. | 615 19th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112 | (206) 325-2111
Ba Bar | Recommended by Holly Smith | The Pâté Chau comes with puff pastry with pork, caramelized onion, carrot, and celery. You can also add a fried egg. | 550 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 628-2030
Cook Weaver | Recommended by Julien Perry | The beer-battered nori dumplings include kimchi and tahini sauce. | 806 E Roy St, Seattle, WA 98102 | (206) 324-0599
Jae's Asian Bistro and Sushi | Recommended by Thierry Rautureau | The Phad Thai includes spicy Thai rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, tofu, bean sprouts, green onions & peanuts. You can order this with either chicken or shrimp. | 2801 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112 | (206) 323-0171
Nishino | Recommended by Ericka Burke | The signature dish is the hamachi jalapeno. | 3130 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112 | (206) 322-5800
Single Shot | Recommended by Jason Stratton | The handmade agnolotti comes with butternut squash, roasted chanterelles, brown butter, hazelnuts, and sage. | 611 Summit Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 | (206) 420-2238
Sweet
General Porpoise | Recommended by Rachel Yang | Doughnut flavors include; Vanilla Custard, Chocolate Marshmellow, Lemon Curd, Date Shake Cream, and Blood Orange Jam. | 1020 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 900-8770
Hot Cakes | Recommended by Maria Hines | The Dark Decadence cake is made with Theo chocolate, dry burned caramel, nib toffee, and vanilla ice cream. | 1650 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98102 | (206) 258-259
Bakery Nouveau | Recommended by Kevin Davis | The carrot cake is a delicately spiced cake with minced carrots and dates, filled and finished with cream cheese icing and garnished with shredded coconut. | 137 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 858-6957
Seattle > Central District Restaurants
L’Oursin | Recommended by Brendan McGill | The sea urchin is served on the half shell with cherry valley butter and brioche. | 1315 E Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 485-7173
Red Cow | Recommended by Thierry Rautureau | The grilled half chicken is served with rapini, hubbard squash, and roasted sunchokes. | 1423 34th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 454-7932
Seattle > Columbia City/Rainier Valley Restaurants
Sam Choy's Poke to the Max | Recommended by Heather Earnhardt | The rice plate comes with mixed greens, namasu, pickled ginger, and seaweed salad. You can then choose from a variety of salmon or tuna poke. | 5300 Rainier Ave S Seattle, WA 98118 | (206) 310-1979
Seattle > West Seattle/Delridge Restaurants
Bok a Bok Fried Chicken | Recommended by Eric Donnelly | The soy-sesame garlic chicken sandwich is served on a toasted bun and comes with crispy onions, kale, lemon aioli, and sesame vinaigrette. | 1521 SW 98th St. Seattle, WA 98106 | (206) 693-2493
Buddha Ruksa | Recommended by Brian Clevenger | The swimming Rama comes stir-fried with your choice of meats on a bed of spinach, topped with homemade peanut sauce. | West Seattle. 3520 SW Genesee Street, Seattle, WA 98126 | (206) 937-7676
New Luck Toy | Recommended by Brian Clevenger | The salt and pepper shrimp is served with fried garlic, jalapeno, yellow onion, and scallions. | West Seattle. 5905 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98136 | (206) 971-0698
Seattle > Downtown Restaurants
Big Mario’s Pizza | Recommended by Brendan McGill | The Macho Man pizza includes pepperoni, salami, and sausage - a meat lover's dream. | 1009 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 922-3875
Il Corvo | Recommended by Holly Smith | The Cresti di Gallo includes basil, mint, parsley, and pesto. You can add either almonds or walnuts. | 217 James St, Seattle, WA 98104 | (206) 538-0999
Market House Meats | Recommended by Scott Staples | The Market House Grilled Reuben includes hot corned beef piled high on rye bread & covered with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut & Thousand Island dressing & hot horseradish on the side. | 1124 Howell St Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 624-9248
Mamnoon | Recommended by Eric Donnelly | The man'oushe includes Arabic bread baked with toppings, served wrapped with soup, slaw, or fries. | 1508 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 906-9606
Pasta Casalinga | Recommended by Daisley Gordon | The Lasagna Boscaiola includes sausage, sweet peas, and mushrooms, made in house besciamella. | 1930 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 443-1387
Turkish Delight | Recommended by Daisley Gordon | The Chicken Borek includes deliciously spiced chicken breast with fresh mushrooms and parsley in a filo pastry. | 1930 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 443-1387
Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar | Recommended by Makini Howell | The carne asada includes grilled spiced skirt steak, roasted pepper and onion rajas, pico de gallo, fried jalapeño, habanero salsa, and corn tortillas. | 1420 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122| (206) 588-8105
Din Tai Fung | Recommended by Rachel Yang | Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao are stuffed with Kurobuta pork marinated in a blend of carefully-selected seasonings. The dumplings are paired with the piquant aromas of fresh ginger and green onion. | 600 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 682-9888
Goldfinch Tavern | Recommended by Brian Clevenger | The ricotta ravioli is served with squash, brown butter, hazelnuts, and sage. | 99 Union St., Seattle WA 98101 | (206) 749-7070
Rider | Recommended by Julien Perry | The local steelhead includes grilled spot prawns, Dungeness crab and spot prawn shell bisque, foraged mushrooms, pickled beech mushrooms, and fire-roasted fennel. | 619 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 859-4242
Ristorante Machiavelli | Recommended by Jason Stratton | The linguini alle vongole is served with clams in marinara with plenty of garlic. | 1215 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 621-7941
Spinasse | Recommended by Kevin Davis | The Tajarin con burro e salvia includes fine hand-cut egg pasta with butter and sage. | 1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 251-7673
Stateside | Recommended by John Sundstrom | The master stock crispy chicken includes free-range chicken poached in aromatic stock, then fried crispy, shallot-ginger crunchies and master stock for dipping. | 300 E Pike St #1200, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 557-7273
Sushi Kashiba | Recommended by Ethan Stowell | The crispy rex sole includes crunchy fried rex sole served with grated white radish and ponzu dipping sauce. | 86 Pine St #1, Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 441-8844
Tankard & Tun | Recommended by Daisley Gordon | The risotto includes delicata squash, port infused cranberries, and fontina cheese. | 1415 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 812-6619
Seattle > Eastlake Restaurants
Revel | Recommended by Maria Hines | The brick chicken is served with KBBQ sauce and duck fat potatoes. | 513 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 | (206) 547-2040
Sushi KappoTamura | Recommended by Eric Donnelly | The black dragon roll includes shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber topped with grilled black cod, black tobiko, yuzu gosh, and tsume sauce. | 2968 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 | (206) 547-0937
Seattle > Fremont Restaurants
Vif | Recommended by Renee Erickson | The chicory lettuces come with parmesan, fennel, and croutons. | 4401 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 | (206) 557-7357
Frelard Pizza Company | Recommended by Chester Gerl | The whole hog pizza includes sausage, pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto di parma. | 4010 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA 98107 | (206) 946-9966
Joule | Recommended by Makini Howell | The spicy rice cake is served with chorizo and pickled mustard green. | 3506 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103 | (206) 632-5685
Rockcreek Seafood & Spirits | Recommended by Kevin Davis | The whole roasted Tai snapper is served with warm roasted eggplant puree, pickled onions, mint, and sumac. | 4300 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 | (206) 557-7532
Manolin | Recommended by Renee Erickson | The black cod pibil is served with salsify, grilled leeks, and cilantro. | 3621 Stone Way N Seattle, WA 98103 | (206) 294-3331
Seattle > Georgetown Restaurants
Fonda Le Catrina | Recommended by Scott Staples | The tamales include gluten-free cornflour masa filled with your choice of pork or chicken or rajas con queso. Topped with black beans, cilantro, white onion, cream, and queso fresco. | 5905 Airport Way S Seattle, WA 98108 | (206) 767-2787
Hitchcock Deli | Recommended by Heather Earnhardt | The Jerk sandwich includes Walkerswood jerked chicken, braised collard greens, slaw, and fermented pepper aioli | 6003 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 | (206) 582-2796
Seattle > International District-Chinatown Restaurants
Mike's Noodle House | Recommended by Taylor Hoang | The top chef special is minced fish with bokchoy congee | 418 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 | (206) 389-7099
Pho Bac | Recommended by Tom Douglas | The pho bo includes beef soup, steak, well-done brisket, meatballs, tripe, & tendon | 1314 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144 | (206) 568-0882
Huong Binh | Recommended by Chef Taylor Hoang | The Banh Hoi Thit Nuong includes seasoned ground shrimp wrapped around a sugar cane that is steamed then lightly fried. It is served with their famous grilled pork. | 1207 S Jackson St #104, Seattle, WA 98144 | (206) 720-4907
Fort St. George | Recommended by Brendan McGill | The doria is Japanese-style risotto/casserole dish, simmered in your choice of white or tomato sauce. | 601 S King St #202, Seattle, WA 98104 | (206) 382-0662
Maneki | Recommended by Heather Earnhardt | The variety ozen includes sushi, tempura, and chicken-kuwayaki arranged on a tray. | 304 6th Avenue South, Seattle WA 98104 | (206) 622-2631
Tai Tung Chinese Restaurant | Recommended by Tom Douglas | The combo #1 includes soup, pork chow mein, sweet & sour spareribs, egg foo young, and plain rice. | 655 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104 | (206) 622-7372
Seattle > Queen Anne Restaurants
How to Cook a Wolf | Recommended by Josh Henderson | The Sea Wolf Sourdough comes with fennel-honey butter, roasted garlic, and balsamic. | 2208 Queen Anne Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 | (206) 838-8090
Seattle > University District Restaurants
Thai Tom | Recommended by Makini Howell | They offer 23 different entrees with a choice of chicken or shrimp | 4543 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105 | (206) 548-9548
Seattle > Wallingford Restaurants
Kisaku | Recommended by Holly Smith | 2101 N 55th St Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98103 | (206) 545-9050
Westward | Recommended by Ethan Stowell | The suchi combo #1 includes a lunch California roll and 7 pieces of nigiri sushi: tuna, salmon, shrimp, yellowtail, white fish, surf clam, & octopus. Served with miso soup. | N. Lake Union. 2501 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103 | (206) 552-8215
Yoroshiku | Recommended by Taichi Kitamura | The fried soft shell shrimp comes with garlic miso, yuzu sriracha, or QP mayo. | 1913 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103 | (206) 547-4649
Bellevue Restaurants
JuJubeet | Recommended by Jason Wilson | The Northwest Harvest Bowl includes bbq tempeh, roasted brussel sprout, caramelized onion, squash, cabbage, rainbow quinoa, microgreen, thyme, and maple dijon balsamic dressing. | 10246 A Main St, Bellevue, WA 98004 | (425) 454-0747
Rice & Spice | Recommended by Jason Wilson | The Zion Chicken includes stir-fried crispy chicken in delicious sweet Thai chili sauce and served on a bed of lettuce. | 1101 106th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 | (425) 635-9474
Broiler Bay | Recommended by John Howie | The cheeseburger combo comes with onion rings or fries & a drink. | 10636 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98004 | (425) 646-3474
Kedai Makan | Recommended by Jason Stratton |The Malay style roasted peanuts include crispy anchovy, lime leaf, almost burnt chilis. | 1802 Bellevue Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 | (206) 556-2560
Peony | Recommended by Jason Wilson | The Ma Po Tofu includes tofu, dover sole fillets, pickled mustard roots, garlic, green onions, and dried chilies, braised with chili bean sauce | 10317 Main St #100, Bellevue, WA 98004 | (425) 502-7652
Kirkland Restaurants
Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen | Recommended by Lisa Dupar | The Northern style sweet curry includes certified Angus beef chunks slowly braised for 4 hours in an earthy fragrant sauce with pickled garlic and fresh ginger slices. | 170 Lake St S Kirkland, WA 98033 | (425) 298-4429
Little Brother | Recommended by Lisa Dupar | The Chef's Granola is served with yogurt, seasonal fruit and honey. | 456 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033 | (425) 522-4076
Redmond Restaurants
65 Café | Recommended by John Howie | The pad khana includes fresh Chinese broccoli, Thai chili, and house oyster sauce. | 7026 Avondale Way NE, Redmond, WA 98052 | (425) 658-7890
The Guilt Trip | Recommended by Lisa Dupar | The Lamb Trikone includes paratha pockets stuffed with Tandoor Lamb & caramelized onions and mint gremolata. Served with sriracha Raita | 8440 160th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052 | (425) 608-8788
Issaquah Restaurants
Naan N Curry | Recommended by Taylor Hoang | The tikka masala is served in a sweet creamy tomato and fenugreek based sauce, available in chicken or paneer | 1420 NW Gilman Boulevard Suite N3, Issaquah, WA 98027 | (425) 392-4725
Bainbridge Island
Bruciato | Recommended by Greg Atkinson | The Focaccia di acciughe is served with anchovies, castelvetrano olives, garlic oil, chili flakes, and parsley. | 236 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 | (206) 201-3462
Sweet
Blackbird Bakery | Recommended by Greg Atkinson | The Winterberry pie is made with cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, and has orange zest. | 210 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 | (206) 780-1322
Mora Ice Creamery | Recommended by Greg Atkinson | The marron glace flavor is a traditional French flavor made with whole French chestnuts and a twist of Anise liquor extract. | 139 Madrone Ln N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 | (206) 347-0721
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