The Best Things I've EVER Eaten in Seattle

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Updated: 4/3/2024 | The Best Things I’ve EVER Eaten in Seattle

I first moved to Seattle in 2013 when my partner had gotten a job at Amazon. I had no idea what the future held for me.

Fast forward years later, I’ve become a Seattle food influencer, blogger, and photographer. And one of my favorite things to do is feature and encourage others to eat the things I enjoy.

After trying hundreds of Seattle restaurants, I’ve narrowed down my list of favorite things I’ve ever eaten in Seattle proper.

I hope these inspire you to go out and try something new (or familiar)!

The Best Things I’ve EVER Eaten in Seattle

#1 Rice Salad (Nam Khao) from Kin Len Thai Night Bites

Nam Khao (Crispy Rice Salad) from Kin Len Thai Night Bites

LORT this Nam Khao or rice salad from Kin Len Thai Night Bites is phenomenal. I could eat this thing every day.

It comes with lettuce that you can use to create wraps, but I am happy just shoveling heaps of this into my mouth.

Location: 3517 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

#2 The Sourdough Bread with Burrata and Pesto from Von’s 1,000 Spirits

I order this every time I go to Von’s 1,000 Spirits. It’s my happy place when I want some carbs and cheese.

The warm sourdough bread is crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Spread the burrata and pesto onto every slice and enjoy!

They also make fresh sourdough radiatori pasta. The little rippled grooves allow the sauce to soak up into each pasta morsel. It’s some of the best pasta in town.

Locations: Downtown Seattle and Woodinville

#3 Rib Eye Hot Pot Pho from Saigon Drip

Saigon Drip is my go-to for Phở (Vietnamese noodle soup) and bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwiches) in Seattle.

On the weekends, they offer an amazing bun bo hue (a spicy beef and pork noodle soup) that comes with a huge beef rib. I am obsessed with it!

For late night pho, I recommend Phocific Standard Time, a Vietnamese speakeasy located inside the Downtown Phở Bác location. They got a mini-sized Phở bowl in a instant ramen-inspired Phở cup. Don’t ask me questions, just go!

Location: 161 S Washington St, Seattle, WA 98104

#4 Pork Curry Katsu Donburi from Donburi Station

The pork curry sauce at the Donburi Station is amazing. I order it with every katsu dish, doesn’t matter if it’s pork, chicken or mixed. That pork curry is phenomenal and one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in Seattle.

They also have an outpost in Fremont, but it’s not the same because they don’t serve the pork curry. Just skip those and go straight to Georgetown or Bellevue!

Locations: Georgetown and Bellevue

#5 Kerabu Timun Nanas (Funky Pineapple Salad) from Kedai Makan

Kerabu Timun Nanas (Funky Pineapple Salad)

Honestly, Seattle is SO LUCKY to have a Malaysian restaurant in our midst. Kedai Makan serves amazing Malaysian fare.

We love all their dishes, but our favorite has got to be the Kerabu Timun Nanas salad. It’s a tangy and sweet pineapple salad that just radiates flavor with each bite. And it’s only $8!

We also love their chicken biryani, nasi lemak (Malaysia’s national dish), Kerabu Mangga (mango salad), roti jala, and honeycomb cake (ask for an extra shot of coffee to pour over the cake…trust me!).

They also offer a community discount during the weekdays from 12-2 PM (valid ID required), and weekday happy hour specials from 2-5 pm.

Location: 1449 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122

#6 Lao Pizza from Ananas Pizzeria

One of the owners at Taurus Ox opened up a pizza joint Ananas Pizzeria in First Hill and created the Lao Pizza!

Their crust is thin yet crunchy. But honestly, all their pizza combos are great. Try the Magic Mario and Green Pesto too.

AND they sell pizza until closing time (1 AM), which is pretty rare for a restaurant in Seattle. Late night pizza is the answer.

Location: 1106 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

#6 Pasta Huancaina with Lomo Saltado from Don Luchos

You can’t go wrong with Peruvian food. We are obsessed with the Pasta Huancaina with slivers of tender and juicy sirloin steaks (typically in Lomo Saltado, a Peruvian steak potato and rice dish). It’s a creative take on traditional pasta and we’re here for it.

We are super glad it exists at Don Luchos.

Location: 7919 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115

#7 Khachapuri (Georgian bread boats) from Skalka

Khachapuri georgian bread boat from Skalka Cafe Seattle

Khachapuri from Skalka

The Khachapuri from Skalka are bread boats that are filled with cream, and egg and then topped with meat, cheese, and granishes.

You break away the crust and dip the bread into the creamy center. It’s so good and one of the more memorable breakfasts I’ve had in Seattle.

Location: 77 Spring St, Seattle, WA 98104

#8 The Smash Burger from Ox Burger

#9 Shanghai Rice Cakes with Jidori Chicken from Din Tai Fung

Many flock to Din Tai Fung to eat their soup dumplings (xiao long bao), but their real prize-winning dish is their Shanghai Rice Cakes!

It can be ordered with chicken, pork, shrimp, or vegan. I love mixing the chili oil, soy sauce, and vinegar into the sauce to give it more flavor.

Din Tai Fung has many locations throughout Greater Seattle.

#10 Rotisserie Caesar Salad from Victor Tavern

Happy-hour-caesar-salad-with-rotisserie-chicken-from-Victor-Tavern-in-downtown-Seattle

Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad

I am a Caesar salad snob. I make my dressing at home because it was so difficult to find a good Caesar salad around town.

Victor Tavern, however, makes their own juicy rotisserie chicken in-house and then mixes it into a creamy Caesar salad. It’s to die for. If I’m not making my own, I am eating theirs.

#11 The Chester from Smash That Burger Co.

The Chester

Smash That Burger Co. has a double smash patty melt. I am so glad they made me eat one or else I’d have missed out on a masterpiece from this little food truck in Fremont.

#12 ALL THE PASTA from G.H. Pasta

Cavatelli pasta from GH Pasta and Pizza West Seattle

Seriously, all of the pasta from G.H. Pasta is phenomenal. Their sauce combos and freshly made pasta is *Chef’s Kiss.*

They have a location that serves only pasta in Downtown Seattle and a pasta and pizza spot in West Seattle.

#13 Hot Pot from Qiao Lin Hot Pot

We love everything about Qiao Lin Hot Pot. It’s a luxury hot pot spot located in Downtown Seattle.

And we love how affordable Qiao Lin is! You can get affordable lunch sets and happy hour deals.

#14 Chirashi from Japonessa

Chirashi Bowl from Japonessa

Hands down the best chirashi in Seattle is at Japonessa. The fish quality and selection in their chirashi are amazing.

They also have a happy hour portion that is affordable and just as yummy.

Don’t like chirashi, Japonessa also has inventive sushi rolls that combine Spanish and Japanese flavors.

#15 Vietnamese Rice Rolls (Pak Mor Yuan) from E-Jae Pak Mor

I don’t typically find bánh cuon (Vietnamese rice rolls) at most Vietnamese restaurants I frequent.

I am so glad that E-Jae Pak Mor decided to create her street food restaurant and offer these little flavorful rolls of meat and mushrooms for people to enjoy.

Thai people refer to the Vietnamese rice rolls as Pak Mor Yuan.

Location: 504 5th Ave S Unit 118, Seattle, WA 98104

#16 Truffle Gnocchi from List Belltown

List is a must for anyone visiting Seattle. Their truffle gnocchi are little pillows of heaven. We love to order the meatballs and combine the two to create a rosé sauce.

And their happy hour is amazing. Wine bottles are only $26 and EVERYTHING on the bar food menu is half off!

#17 Spicy Cumin Lamb Biang Biang Noodles from Xi’an Noodles

spicy cumin lamb noodle soup xian noodles seattle

Spicy Cumin Lamb Biang Biang Noodles

My favorite spot for hand pulled noodles are from Xi’an Noodles. Their spicy cumin lamb biang biang noodle dish is flavorful yet comforting. The cumin is warming and great for colder months.

They have locations in Downtown Seattle, University Ave, and Bellevue.

#18 Deep Fried Catfish from Rainier BBQ

The deep fried catfish at Rainier BBQ also known as cá nướng is a dish that brings people together. The catfish is fried until the skin is crunchy and golden.

We recommend ordering with a group of at least 6 persons and calling at least 1-2 hours ahead to give them ample time to prepare your fish.

The crispy skin cracks as you dissect it to create flavorful spring rolls with rice paper, vermicelli, and fresh veggies. And please do give their fermented pineapple dipping sauce a try. It’s so flavorful!

Location: 6400 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118

#19 The Hatch Chili Cheeseburger from Hatch Cantina

Hatch Chili Cheeseburger

The Hatch Chili Cheeseburger from Hatch Cantina in Belltown is magical. The perfectly cooked patty stays juicy throughout each bite and the fluffy bun is what every burger purveyor should strive for.

We also loved their house-made hash browns. You can thank me later.

#20 Brûléed Banana Sundae from Flintcreek Cattle Co.

Flintcreek Cattle Co Bruleed Banana Split with tin roof ice cream and chocolate brownie

Brûléed Banana Split with tin roof ice cream and chocolate brownie

I am not a dessert person but this one needs to be shared. I will also come back to Flintcreek Cattle Co. just for their Brûléed Banana Sundae.

We also ordered their mushroom pasta and Delmonico steak. The steak is dry-aged for 21 days and cooked so perfectly it melts in your mouth.

#21 Best Omakase Experience from Shiro’s

Shiros Sushi Omakase Kasugo Dai Baby Sea Bream

Chef Taro brushes a piece of Baby Sea Bream (Kasugo Dai)

My FAVORITE omakase experience in Seattle was at Shiro’s in Belltown!

Their 15-course omakase plus 4 appetizers was only $140. The chefs were very entertaining and that added to the experience.

Read our full Shiro’s review here.

#22 Cream Puff Ice Cream Sandwich from Puffy Pandy

Puffy Pandy toasts the cream puffs and then places the ice cream of your choice to create their cream puff ice cream sandwiches. The exterior is delightfully crunchy. Our favorite combo was the Biscoff ice cream topped with crushed Oreos.

We also love their macarons, pudding, cream puffs, and coffee beverages.

#23 BEST OVERALL – Alder & Ash

And I gotta give an award to the best overall restaurants I’ve ever been to, Alder & Ash.

They’re fairly new but each dish we had was amazing, the cocktails were phenomenal, the ambiance is so lavish, and the service was so attentive.

It almost felt like we weren’t in Seattle. #sorryseattle

Restaurants that ALMOST Made the List

I love these restaurants, I just couldn’t pinpoint a dish I loved the most.

Altura – My favorite spot for a fancy-tasting menu in Seattle. Reservations are required 1-2 months in advance.
Asadero Ballard – One of my favorite spots for Sinaloan steak and Wagyu tacos.
Sushi Kappo Tamura
Oriental Mart – Their salmon sinigang is to die for. It’s a tangy soup made with salmon purchased from a Pike Place Market vendor. If you have a chance, please order this dish. They often run out of this amazing dish.
ROCCO’s Pizza – I honestly LOVE the pizza here, especially the funghi. But what made me a fan was their amazing housemade RANCH SAUCE! Holy moly. It’s the best ranch sauce I’ve ever tasted.
Secret Savory – The curry crab is a must!
Spinasse
Sushi Kashiba
Taurus Ox – We are HUGE fans of Taurus Ox and we love many things on their menu. Our favorite items are the jaew bong (pork jam), nam khao (rice salad), khao poon noodle soup, Lao sausage, Lao beef jerky, and papaya salad.