Seattle city guide
Restaurants
From farm-to-table and from tap-to-mouth, Seattle is as particular about its food as it is about its coffee and flannel.
IxD19 Team Favorite
Walrus & The Carpenter & Barnacle
Restaurants Ballard
Oysters & other seafood plus American plates & specialty cocktails in a small, simple space.
Location: 4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
IxD19 Team Favorite
General Porpoise
Coffee Shops & Cafes Restaurants Amazon Campus Ballard Capitol Hill Denny Regrade
Every city has its hallowed doughnut institutions but this one is a step above any other doughnut shop. The selection of filled doughnuts here is something you must try. Get here early though as they disappear fast!
Location: 1020 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
IxD19 Team Favorite
Westward
Restaurants Wallingford
An IxDA Board retreat dinner will be here before the conference, so they must know something... Renée Erickson purchased this gem from another restaurant group last year, and vowed to pretty much leave it intact. That's great, because Westward has one of the freshest seafood menus and most well-curated oyster selections in the city. And that view tho! Sit outside with a blanket (yes! even in February!) on an Adirondack chair as you pregame with cocktails or bubbles and local oysters and take in the glittering skyline as it hovers above Lake Union.
Location: 2501 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
Bateau & Bar Melusine
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Large slabs of beef can be spied through the window of this powerhouse of steak awesomeness. Rene did not disappoint when she unleashed Bateau upon Seattle a few years back. Bateau now offers a tasting menu as well which is well worth it. Some of the best craft cocktails in th city can be had here as well. Bar Melusine is quite reminiscent of the Walrus and the Carpenter. Most dishes are raw or served chilled even if cooked. The usual fine craft cocktails found at every Erickson establishment and some subtle stylish decor.
Location: 1060 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98109
IxD19 Team Favorite
Willmott's Ghost
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
One of the newest jewels in Renée Erickson's crown, Willmott's Ghost puts an Italian spin on her signature Pacific Northwest style with pizzas and antipasti. Located in the Amazon Spheres, this one is hard to get in to.
Near IxD19 Design Dinner Host
Location: 2100 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Dahlia Lounge
Restaurants Belltown
Modern space serving Asian-infused Pacific Northwest cuisine & known for its coconut cream pie.
Near IxD19
IxD19 Team Favorite
Lola
Restaurants Belltown
Just across the street from Tom Douglass flagship Dahlia lounge, Lola is a jewel. The middle-Eastern-cum-cajun inspired breakfast menu features signature made to order beignets, which everyone should experience at least once. Mabye, many times.
Near IxD19
Assembly Hall
Restaurants Denny Regrade
10,000-sq.-ft. food hall features a juice-&-coffee bar, an Asian eatery, a deli market & a florist.
Near IxD19
Bravehorse Tavern
Restaurants
Bustling Tom Douglas tavern with gourmet pub grub, dozens of craft brews & signature pretzels.
Near IxD19
IxD19 Team Favorite
Deep Dive
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Stunningly beautiful underwater-themed bar at the Amazon Spheres in South Lake Union. Excellent cocktails and fancy small plates, including a Renee Erickson–style hot dog.
Near IxD19 Design Dinner Host
Cantina Lena
Restaurants
Mexican eatery for margarita slushies, tortas, tacos & horchata amid a festive ambiance.
The Carlile Room
Restaurants
Hip spot serving up modern American cooking & featuring pre- and post-theater service.
Trattoria Cuoco
Restaurants
Buzzy Northern Italian spot serving handmade pastas in a rustic-chic interior with an open kitchen.
IxD19 Team Favorite
The Whale Wins
Restaurants Fremont
This is the classic that really propelled Renee Erickson to the top of the coterie of Seattle restauranteurs. It's still the great dining experience its always been. Bookish decor and a homey atmosphere make you feel like you're cuddling up with a classic. Spoiler alert: The Whale really does Win!
Design Dinner Host
Ettas
Restaurants
Casual Pacific NW eatery near Pike Place Market serves signature spice-rubbed salmon & crab cakes.
Home Remedy
Restaurants Denny Regrade
Bustling space with seating for deli sandwiches & global eats plus prepared foods & groceries.
Near IxD19
Serious Pie
Restaurants
Cozy restaurant with wood-fired, thin-crust gourmet pizzas, wine & beer served at communal tables.
Near IxD19
Palace Kitchen
Restaurants
Upscale New American cooking & cocktails from chef Tom Douglas presented in a busy bohemian setting.
Near IxD19
Rub With Love Shack
Restaurants
Simple counter-serve destination providing hearty sandwiches prepared with housemade rubs.
SeaTown
Restaurants
Eat-in deli at Pike Place Market with seafood, sandwiches & rotisserie meats, plus an outdoor patio.
Tanakasan
Restaurants Denny Regrade
Stylish spot for new takes on Asian-American fare such as ramen & small plates, plus cocktails.
Near IxD19
IxD19 Team Favorite
Sushi Kashiba
Restaurants Belltown
In a city with a wealth of excellent and innovative sushi, Shiro Kashiba is a cult figure. His Sushi Kashiba inspires pilgrimages among sushi aficionados. Sushi Kashiba doesn't take reservations, so you'll have to wait in line, but you'll forget all about that once you try it.
June Baby
Restaurants Ravenna
Eduardo Jordan's southern (emphasis on) inspired neighborhood spot is the 2018 James Beard award winner for Best New Restaurant. (Not just in Seattle or the Northwest, anywhere.) You'll have to wait in line, but the hype is real. That fried chicken tho!
Salare
Restaurants Ravenna
Eduardo's Jordan's first restaurant sensation just down the street from June Baby, Salare's eclectic menu features nose-to-tail local meats & creative veggie dishes in a contemporary room.
Tilth
Restaurants Wallingford
Tilth is Maria Hines original statment in locavore dining. It blends upscale tasting menu oriented sophistication (you can get an all-vegetarian tasting menu here!) with a cozy atmosphere with an emphasis on environmentally friendly fare. The wine pairings are excellent and highly recommended.
IxD19 Team Favorite
Revel
Restaurants South Lake Union
Korean dishes prepared with French technique in a modern industrial-design space with a hopping bar.
Near IxD19
IxD19 Team Favorite
Joule
Restaurants
Korean-fusion steakhouse offering Asian-Northwest eats amid handmade wallpaper & communal seating.
Design Dinner Host
Trove
Restaurants
Current decor, vibrant walls & a fun concept highlighting Korean street food keep this spot popular.
Revelry
Restaurants
Korean dishes prepared with French technique in a modern industrial-design space with a hopping bar.
Near IxD19
Adana
Restaurants Capitol Hill
This handsome locale serves Japanese comfort food, tasting menus & a wide array of whiskeys.
Location: 1449 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
Plum Bistro
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Organic, sustainable vegan dishes featuring seitan & tofu in an industrial-chic space.
Location: 1429 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
IxD19 Team Favorite
Tacos Chukis
Restaurants Capitol Hill
No-frills pick for counter-serve Mexican street food, including tacos, quesadillas & burritos.
Location: 219 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
The Pink Door
Restaurants Downtown
Italian restaurant with burlesque shows & trapeze entertainment plus terrace with Elliott Bay views.
Location: 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
Coastal Kitchen
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Bright eatery with an American menu ranging from breakfast classics to Cajun twists on seafood fare.
Location: 429 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
Ivar's Acres of Clams
Restaurants Downtown
Local chain dishing up fried fish & chowders in casual quarters with nautical accents.
Location: 1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104
Toulouse Petit
Restaurants Lower Queen Anne
Hip Cajun-Creole spot with a cozy, New Orleans–influenced dining room.
Location: 601 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Black Bottle
Restaurants Belltown
Chic place with a patio serving creative small plates along with cocktails, wine & beer.
Location: 2600 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Monsoon
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Stylish Vietnamese eatery offering contemporary dishes, such as its signature clay-pot catfish.
Location: 615 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
Momiji
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Stylish Japanese restaurant for sushi & upscale cocktails in a serene space with a Kyoto courtyard.
Location: 1522 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Fogon
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Vibrant, informal, family-owned Mexican cantina with homemade corn tortillas & tequila cocktails.
Location: 600 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
Shiro’s Sushi
Restaurants Belltown
Omakase & an à la carte menu prevail in a spartan room. First come, first serve. Get in line early.
Location: 2401 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Pho Bac
Restaurants International District
Chic space dishing up bowls of pho alongside bar snacks, cocktails & a natural wine bar.
Location: 1240 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
Portage Bay Cafe
Restaurants South Lake Union
Daytime restaurant for sustainable breakfasts, lunches & brunches & a nuts-&-fruits toppings bar.
Location: 391 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Taylor Shellfish Raw Bars
Restaurants Capitol Hill Lower Queen Anne Pioneer Square
Taylor Shellfish is the largest shellfish producer in North America. Many of the oysters you find in Seattle's finest restaurants are grown by Taylor. Interaction 19 executive producer Bram Wessel buys oyster seed from Taylor during their annual seed sale for his personal oyster farm on Hood Canal. Taylor features an array of upscale local spots where you can try their Totten Virginicas or Fat Bastards, and it you're there on the right day, you might find the elusive Olympia oyster, the only variety native to Puget Sound. Also teriffic clams, and Dungeness crab. Locations in the Melrose Market between Pike and Pine, and lower Queen Anne are the closest to the conferce. This is the true fresh Seattle seafood experience.
Location: 410 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Heartwood Provisions
Restaurants Downtown
Comfortable, modern space offering posh New American dishes matched with cocktails.
Location: 1103 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
IxD19 Team Favorite
Marjorie
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Modern design & handcrafted decor set the stage for eclectic comfort fare from around the world.
Location: 1412 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
Din Tai Fung
Restaurants Downtown
Wildly popular Taiwanese-based soup dumpling and dimsum chain with 3 locations in Seattle.
Location: 600 Pine St #403, Seattle, WA 98101
Cactus
Restaurants South Lake Union
Local chain serves up Southwestern-Mexican cuisine & margaritas in a colorful, lively setting.
Location: 350 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Mamnoon & Mamnoon Street
Restaurants Belltown Denny Regrade
Modern cafe serving Middle Eastern street foods & drinks in a striking skyscraper.
Near IxD19
Location: 2020 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Lil Woody’s
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Burgers in many combos plus homemade shakes served in a rustic yet lively space that's open late.
Location: 1211 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
Il Corvo
Restaurants Pioneer Square
Lunch-only Italian spot for homemade pastas served in a space decorated with antique tools.
Location: 217 James St, Seattle, WA 98104
IxD19 Team Favorite
Oddfellows Cafe & Bar
Restaurants Capitol Hill Downtown
Linda Derchang's stylish American eatery is perhaps Seattle's best option for a light lunch. (You know, the French kind, which includes maybe a glass or three of wine?) Oddfellows is right next door to Elliott Bay Books (inside of which you'll find "Little Oddfellows" and offers a variety of seasonal fare & craft drinks to a bustling crowd. Once again, nobody captures that special Seattle flavor of laid-back sophistication quite like Ms. Linda.
Location: 1525 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Glo’s Cafe
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Homey diner with all-day breakfasts & late-night weekend hours, known for its eggs Benedict.
Location: 1621 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98102
Seven Stars Pepper
Restaurants International District
Varied menu of Sichuan-style fare at a modest eatery, with hand-shaved noodles & a hot-pot buffet.
Location: 1207 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
Pike Place Chowder
Restaurants Downtown
Local seafood institution serving traditional & specialty chowders in a counter-serve setting.
Location: 600 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
8oz Burger Bar
Restaurants Capitol Hill
Upscale burger joint offering all-natural burgers & craft cocktails amid cowboy-themed decor.
Location: 1401 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
Lark
Restaurants
High quality local ingredients make this creative modern cuisine evocative of the lighter fare of San Francisco.
Chiso
Restaurants
Sushi, Japanese small plates & interesting cocktails keep this minimalist dining room hopping.
Delancey
Restaurants North Ballard
Vying for the best pizza in Seattle DeLancey offers an amazing New York style pizza. The wine selections are solid as well
Location: 1415 NW 70th Street, Seattle WA 98117
Essex
Restaurants North Ballard
Essex is the bar attached to Delancey. Essex offered some of the best craft cocktails in Seattle as well as the best burger in Seattle.
Location: 1421 NW 70th Street, Seattle WA 98117
Bar Del Corso
Restaurants Beacon Hill
Also vying for the best pizza in Seattle is bar Del Corso. Bar del Corso has a solid craft cocktail program and offers amazing dishes such as their polpette (meat balls), and pork shoulder braised in olive oil. The sausage pizza with goat horn peppers is highly recommended as well.
Location: 3057 Beacon Avenue South Seattle, WA 98144
Jade Garden
Restaurants International District
Jade garden has arguably the best dim sum in Seattle. They also have the best all around Chinese food in the city with familiar Americanized favorites as well as more authentic dishes.
Location: 424 7th Ave S Seattle, WA 98104
Señor Moose Cafe
Restaurants Ballard
Señor Moose’s low key environment offers a great sampling of different local dishes from various regions of Mexico. Recommended for brunch.
Location: 5242 Leary Ave NW, Seattle WA 98107
Katsu Burger
Restaurants
A clever burgerfication of Japanese Katsu preparations of chicken, pork, and beef. The nori fries are great. Portions can be huge so make sure you are hungry.
Bastille
Restaurants Ballard
Jason Stoneburner’s homage to French bistro cuisine consistently satisfies that itch for a classic steak frites. The wine program is on point with magnum Tuesdays and daily flight specials.
Location: 5307 Ballard Avenue Northwest, Seattle, WA 98107
Arashi Ramen
Restaurants Ballard
Seattle has a formiddable Ramen game and Arashi is near the top of the heap. Its a small space but it delivers some high quality classic ramen. Get the signature Arashi Ramen and add black garlic oil! The chicken karaage is very good too.
Location: 5401 20th Avenue NW Seattle, WA 98107
IxD19 Team Favorite
Dicks Drive-In
Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Capitol Hill
Emmet Watson, when asked how to make Seattle better, used to say "put it back!" Dicks is a slice of old Seattle that never left. Going strong since the 1950's, your parents used to call it "Ricardo's Club 19" after the 19 cent Dick's Deluxe. You can still get a Deluxe and fries, for cheap, and it makes a delightful fourthmeal after you've been out... carousing and carrying on. The closest one to the Conference Center is in Capitol Hill and was immortalized in Sir Mix-a-lot's hip hop classic "Posse's on Broadway." Others are in Wallingford, lower Queen Anne, and Lake City.
Location: 115 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
IxD19 Team Favorite
Vif Wine and Coffee
Coffee Shops & Cafes Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Fremont
Shawn Mead and Lauren Feldman's Vif is one of Seattle's truly wonderful places. Excellent coffee, Lauren's lovingly crafted breakfast and lunch dishes, and Seattle's best portfolio of natural wines make this wine bar/cafe/wine shop well worth the short trip to upper Fremont. This is where the IxDA Board met for pre-func before it's August retreat dinner at nearby seafood superstar Rock Creek. It's near impossible to buy a bottle of wine from Shawn without getting the story of the site, the winemaking techniques, and the winemakers, who she probably knows personally from her extensive travels working for importer Louis/Dressner. Tell her Bram sent you.
Location: 4401 Fremont Ave North, Seattle, WA 98103
Bar Ferdinand
Coffee Shops & Cafes Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Capitol Hill
Another natural wine bar, this one owned by Matt Dillon with wine curated by sometime sommelier Marc Papineau. Located in one of Seattle's most well-curated food & drink complexes, Capitol Hill's Chophouse Row.
Lady Yum
Coffee Shops & Cafes Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
A cheerful, charming Amazon Campus spot for fanciful macarons, champagne & wine with minimal seating.
Near IxD19
Skillet Regrade
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Hip Amazon Campus spot for locally sourced comfort food plus cocktails, beer & wine from a local food truck team.
Near IxD19
Cinque Terre
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Regional Italian dishes, seafood & upscale cocktails are offered in a minimalist Amazon Campus space.
Near IxD19
Mamnoon Street
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Modern cafe serving Middle Eastern street foods & drinks in a striking skyscraper that happens to be Amazon HQ. Blade Runner-esque.
Near IxD19
Marination
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Cool Hawaiian-Korean spot where Amazonians go for tacos, sliders & kimchi rice bowls.
Near IxD19
Kiki Ramen
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Modern spot offering six types of ramen, Japanese small plates & the largest Amazon-adjacent whiskey selection in the world!
Near IxD19
Great State Burgers
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Washington-focused burger joint serving local organic beef & shakes in hip Amazon Campus digs.
Near IxD19
Anar
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
A modern cafe offering teas, fresh juices & quick vegetarian dishes with an organic focus. Amazon Campus.
Near IxD19
2120
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
Chic, contemporary eatery in the Amazon Campus with a patio serving inventive New American fare, cocktails & local wines.
Near IxD19
IxD19 Team Favorite
Fare Start
Restaurants Denny Regrade South Lake Union
Fare Start isn't just a restaurant. It's a wonderful example of a successful program to combat homelessness and hunger in a durable, sustainable way. This restaurant/culinary academy helps students rise out of poverty and homelessness by training them in the culinary arts. This non-profit also feeds the underserved in the community through it's unique program to deliver Hot, healthy meals for social service programs and schools. And the food is delicious! (No, seriously, it's legit one of the outstanding restaurants in Seattle!) Very close to the conference, check it, and it's sister restaurant Maslow's by Fare Start, out and feel very good about indulging.
Near IxD19 Design Dinner Host
IxD19 Team Favorite
Rock Creek
Restaurants Fremont
Rock Creek is this reviewer's favorite restaurant in Seattle. If you're looking for an artful synthesis of local and international style, and brilliant expression of Seattle and Pacific Northwest Cuisine, this is it. Few prepare seafood with more flair, and the wine list with international and offbeat local selections is surprisingly affordable and calibrated for pairing. Have a glass of wine beforehand at nearby Vif. Not to be missed.
Design Dinner Host
Cortina
Restaurants Downtown
At the base of Seattle's second-tallest skyscraper, the garish Two Union Square, nobody could make this spot work. Until finally local culinary wizard Ethan Stowell set up shop to gvie us his unique take on Italian cuisine. Cortina has finally figured out how to use the odd space well, and become a local favorite.
Design Dinner Host
Nirmal's
Restaurants Downtown Pioneer Square
If Indian food is your favorite... you might have a new favorite after you try unassuming Nirmal's in Pioneer Square. At the foot of Cherry Street adjacent to where Seattle pretty much started, you can take the Underground Tour steps away before or after dinner.
Design Dinner Host
IxD19 Team Favorite
Terra Plata
Restaurants Capitol Hill
If the IxDA Board likes it, that should be a good steer. Pike/Pine's Terra Plata is one of Seattle's best examples of commitment to sourcing ingredients from the rich culture of local growers & artisan producers who practice organic, sustainable farming. Everything is fresh, in season, and you can feel great about eating it. Also features one of the better lists of organic and sustainably produced wines in town, curated for pairing (Domaine Tempier, yum!)
Design Dinner Host
IxD19 Team Favorite
Cafe Flora
Restaurants Capitol Hill Central
Cafe Flora is Seattle's original hi-art vegetarian dining experience. Nestled in the leafy Madison Valley on the far slope of Capitol Hill it's a favorite of Interaction 19 Co-Chair Suya Vanka. Chez Panisse like artistry.
Purple
Restaurants Downtown
Wine bar with upscale small plates in a lofty modern space with a central wine tower & staircase. The tower in the middle is very impressive. Lots of Washington wines available.
Design Dinner Host
IxD19 Team Favorite
Top Pot Doughnuts
Restaurants Belltown South Lake Union
Top Pot is Seattle's home-grown doughnut franchise. Yes, it's become a local chain, but each location is unique and the doughnut are still hand forged. There are many locations, but the one on 5th Avenue under the Monorail is the one President Obama went to. It's also the closest location to the Conference Center. These donuts are... decadent. Excellent coffee and other snacks as well. A true Seattle original.
Near IxD19
Barolo
Restaurants Denny Regrade South Lake Union
Barolo has been in the Denny Regrade/South Lake Union neighborhood since before it was a thing. Right place at the right time, as Amazon decided to set up shop basically across the street. The tastes of magical Piedmonte in northern Italy, where the wine is savory and redolent of the truffles pigs root for under the cork trees. Terrific wine list here.
Near IxD19
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Restaurants Amazon Campus
Retro-style counter-serve chain known for made-to-order toasted sandwiches, salads & baked goods.
Near IxD19
Evergreens Salads
Restaurants Amazon Campus Denny Regrade
All natural restaurant specializing in lunchtime salad bowls & healthy choices for takout.
Near IxD19
Urbane
Drinks & Late Night Restaurants Denny Regrade Downtown
Urban in the Olive 8 hotel complex is yet another local/seasonal culinary wonderland and exemplar of the Farm to Table movement. It also features a sophistocate bar with sleek modern design and great cocktails. They might even tell you the name of your chicken. (You know, like in that Portlandia episode?)
Near IxD19
Jack's Fish Spot
Restaurants Downtown
In the heart of the Pike Place Market you'll find Jack's an unassuming little fish & chips place, where you can also get fresh salmon, halibut and Dungeness crab. Of course it's greasy, and if you like fish & chips, of course you won't care, because it's piping hot and soooo delicious. Try the fried oysters.
Miller's Guild
Restaurants Denny Regrade
In the nearby hipster Hotel Max, where you may be staying, you'll find a steakhouse Seattle style called Miller's Guild. It's pricey and a bit uneven, but if you're into the steakhouse scene, it will more than satisfy you. Decent wine list.
Near IxD19
IxD19 Team Favorite
Wild Ginger
Restaurants Downtown
A Seattle classic in the truest sense of the word, Wild Ginger is the original synthesis of local and seasonal with Seattle Asian fusion cooking. This has been one of Seattle's iconic culinary leaders for around three decades now. Lately the tourist hordes have discovered it, but the food is still outstanding. The attached Jazz Club Triple Door is also top notch. Quintessential Seattle.
