Dinner n Drinx
Collins Pub (Pioneer Square: walkable or bus)
526 Second Avenue
The food is delicious. Beer fans love the Collins, there are around 20 microbrews available, plus a full bar and local wines.
Good for small to medium groups at busy times, but if you have a reservation or it’s off peak they can put tables together for a larger group.
Veg friendly, but not a ton of options: go for the mac n cheese, it’s delicious.
My friend Charla swears she saw Denzel Washington here. Is it true? I donno.
Elysian Brewing Company (Stadium District or Capitol Hill: walkable or bus)
Two locations-
Stadium: 542 1st Ave S.
Capitol Hill: 1221 E Pike St.
The Elysian has three active breweries and produce lots of interesting beers. The menu varies slightly by location, but I’ve had lunch and happy hour at both and enjoyed the food a lot.
The location by the stadium is veg friendly, but it’s super veg-friendly at the Cap Hill location.
Both locations tends to have more seating and be a easier for groups larger than 6 people on short notice, but it doesn’t hurt to call ahead.
Mashiko Sushi (West Seattle: cab)
4725 California SW
This is a cab ride from downtown. It’s more than worth it.
This is the best sushi deal in Seattle, easy. Great quality sustainable sushi with inventive options at a low price.
Way more veg friendly than your average sushi place: go for the vegetarian bento.
Mashiko is just crazy good. Trust me, it’s worth the side trip to West Seattle. Check out Alki point while you’re there.
Nearby:
The Husky Deli is just next door, serving ice cream since 1933. (Husky Deli recdommended by Mike Decuir twitter)
The Swinery is down the street for all your bacon and porcine related needs. They serve sandwiches, cured meats, and have T-shirts for you bacon-ateers.
Szechuan Noodle Bowl (International District: walkable or bus)
420 8th Ave S
Nothing to look at, but the best freaking dumplings in Seattle. Scallion pancake is good too.
Veg friendly: go for the vegetarian dumplings.
No liquor license, but if you’re going to Bush Garden afterward, who cares?
Pho Bac (International District: walkable or bus)
415 7th Ave S
I worked in the ID for quite a few years, and this is where our office went for pho. People in Seattle love pho, which is a Vietnamese soup with noodles and some form of meat or vegetables added.
Pronunciation: Fuhh.
Nobody will be offended if you can’t say it properly, and it’s definitely worth trying.
Basically veg friendly. I think.
Any Tom Douglas Restaurant (Downtown: walk)
Tom Douglas won the James Beard award for best Northwest chef in 1994 and is much loved in Seattle.
His food is rich in local ingredients and is always beyond delicious. He beat Morimoto on Iron Chef. What more could you want?
All of his restaurants are near one another downtown. Check out TomDouglas.com for individual menus and locations.
The restaurant list is:
- Lola (Greek)
- Etta’s Seafood
- Serious pie (pizza)
- Palace Kitchen
- Dahlia Lounge (his first, open since 1989)
Spur Gastropub (Belltown: walkable)
113 Blanchard Street, (206) 728-6706
Recommended by Adam Machanic | @AdamMachanic.
I haven’t been to Spur, but it looks like fun. Belltown is a bit like NYC’s Soho mixed up with the Village and a good dose of Seattle Emo.
Personally, I’d say Spur would be a great stop on an evening walk through Belltown: you could hit this place for a while, then maybe BlackBottle, then circle back and walk through the Market (or vice versa).
Black Bottle Gastro Tavern (Belltown: walkable)
2600 1st Avenue (at Vine), 206.441.1500
I love the food at Black Bottle, it’s great for groups, and open late.
There is a large interior room with a bar that’s available for larger groups: call ahead if you know you want to do that to set it up. There is no extra room fee.
The Zig Zag Cafe (Belltown-ish: walkable)
Pike Street Hill Climb between Western and Alaskan Way, 206-625,1146
Recommended by Adam Machanic | @AdamMachanic.
The Zig Zag is nestled below Pike Place Market. Lotsa lotsa cocktails.
Hattie’s Hat (Ballard: car or the 17 bus to NW Market)
5231 Ballard Avenue NW, 206-784-0175
Aaron Nelson | @SqlVariant brought this place up: I’d forgotten it. Hattie’s Hat is a great place to eat if you’ve gone to a show in Ballard and want to go someplace after for food and drinks with a big group.
Open until 2 am.
The Hi Life (Ballard: car, or the 17 bus to NW Market)
5425 Russel Ave NW, (206) 784-7272
The Hi Life is great for brunch or a pre-show dinner in Ballard. They can handle a largish group for dinner with enough notice.
The Hi Life’s home is a renovated old firehouse with a wood oven, and they use predominantly local ingredients. Good stuff at good prices.
