Seattle has food for everyone with an emphasis on natural and local ingredients. Dinner reservations are highly encouraged as restaurants fill up quickly nearly every night of the week. Here are some suggestions, but there are many other great restaurant options so explore at will:
General Eats
Several Locations throughout downtown Seattle. They offer breakfast and lunch pastries, bagels, sandwiches, salads and coffee drinks.
Located next to the Ferry Dock on Alaskan Way (the waterfront), there's a take out fish bar on the front and a restaurant behind. If clam chowder is your thing, make sure to stop here.
Another great place to get chowder. Duke's has an extensive menu and is located on South Lake Union, so you can walk by the lake and see the sail boats.
Delicious sandwiches in Pioneer Square.
Sustainable sandwiches in several locations throughout Seattle.
Mid-range restaurants
American - Local 360
Contemporary American - Terra Plata or Tallulah's
Thai - Wild Ginger
Italian - La Fontana or Tavolata
Brunch - Toulouse Petit or Portage Bay (delicious, but neither takes reservations and wait time can be an hour). Six Seven at the Edgewater Hotel is another great option. It takes reservations and has stunning views as it is on a pier.
Vegetarian - Cafe Flora (too far from downtown to walk, so take a bus or cab)
For a fancy date night - $$$$
Seafood - Aqua (The restaurant is on a pier over the sound and has amazing sunset views. Also fun for drinks)
Steak House - El Gaucho
Sushi - Umi Sake House or Wasabi
Contemporary Northwest - Canlis (Traditionally thought to be Seattle's most upscale restaurant. Make reservations several weeks in advance)
Asian Dumplings - Din Tai Fung (located outside of downtown Seattle in several locations. Does not take reservations and the wait is approximately an hour, but worth it)
Coffee (Of course! This is Seattle)
Downtown/Belltown
Street Bean - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides street-involved youth the opportunity to reclaim their lives through job training as baristas.
Uptown Espresso – 4th & Wall or near the Olympic Sculpture Park
Capitol Hill
Espresso Vivace (One of our favorites. Great lattes and if you aren't a coffee drinker, order the Beautiful Stephanie spiced tea latte)
Drinks
Rob Roy - Cocktail lounge with a hip vibe
Bathtub Gin & Co. - Speakeasy style bar within walking distance of Pike Place Market
Purple - Located downtown on the corner of 4th & University. Wine bar with great atmosphere. Drinks, lunch and dinner.
ZigZag Cafe - Located down the stairs behind Pike Place Market
Cyclops - Bar/cafe located near our house
Pyramid Seattle Alehouse - Local brewery located in the Capitol Hill section of Seattle
Elysian Brewing Co - Another local brewery located in on Capitol Hill