It's always hard to make restaurant recommendations for people you don't know very well. The following list contains restaurants that I have eaten at and enjoyed, and that I feel most people would enjoy. If you have a bad experience at one of these restaurants, please let me know. I have added and removed restaurants over the years based on guests' recommendations.
| Price | Type | Restaurant | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| $-$$ | Sushi Takeout | FOB Sushi Bar | Belltown. Sushi sold by the pound where you get tongs and go down a short buffet line. Excellent quality. Good price performer. Lunch only. |
| $$$$ | Sushi Eat In | Shiro's Sushi | Belltown. Excellent sushi. Restaurant started by Shiro Kashiba and taken over by Masaki Nishioka. Prices are listed on their menu. Omakase is $85. |
| $$$$$ | Sushi Eat In | Sushi Kashiba | Belltown. Shiro studied under Jiro Ono. This is Shiro's latest project. Host to dignitaries and celebrities from around the world, he serves as Japan's Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine. Prices are not listed. Omakase for two runs around $550 including tip. It is presumably a superlative experience and it is expensive. |
| $$$ | Japanese/Sushi | Maneki | This is where I go for sushi and traditional Japanese food. Opened in 1904, it is Seattle's oldest sushi bar. With a group, we reserve a tatami room. But, for two it is a traditional table. I just get a good feeling here compared to the executive feeling of Shiro's restaurants. It is in the International District. |
| $ | Creole | Toulouse Petit | Fantastic creole restaurant, though a bit pricey. It's a walk across the Seattle Center to the Uptown neighborhood. Can be long lines, make a reservation if you go. |
| $ | Dive Bar | The 5 Point Cafe | Half a block a way and within stumbling distance. Seriously Divey. But, a great place for after hours, happy hour, and breakfast |
| $$ | Cocktail Bar | List | Belltown. Considered to be one of the best happy hours in the area. |
| $$ | Vietnamese | Meekong Bar | Half a block away for family run Vietnamese food. Some of the best Pho in the city in my opinion |
| $$ | Vietnamese | Ba Bar Green | South Lake Union. Very fresh Vietnamese food that is a cut above most Vietnamese restaurants. There are a number of vegan dishes here. |
| $$ | Italian | Cotto | Guests recommended. |
| $$-$$$ | Italian | The Pink Door | Pike Place Market. The house is divided between half walk in and half reservations. Make a reservation if possible. Open, light-filled and boisterous. |
| $$$ | Italian | Il Terrazzo Carmine | Pioneer Square. This popular Italian restaurant seems to hit all the right notes or at least pretty close. Intimate, romantic, and good food. |
| $$$ | Seafood | Matt's In The Market | Pike Place Market. Although on the expensive side, this small, romantic artisan restaurant has rarely disappointed me. |
| $-$$ | Fish and Chips | Ivar's Acres of Clams - Fish Bar | Waterfront. Walk up bar only. Not a big fan of the restaurant inside, but the takeaway is still good after many decades. |
| $$ | Thai | Bangrak Market | Tasty Thai food with a few unusual dishes that you don't see often in American Thai restaurants. |
| $$ | Vegan Thai | Kati Thai | South Lake Union. Thai food that is entirely vegan and tasty. |
| $$$ | Pizza | Rocco's | Belltown. Very large and unusual pizzas. Hip joint. Not a chain restaurant. |
| $$ | Pizza | Moto PIzza | Belltown. Small, local chain serving Detroit style pizza. Crispy focaccia crust and a little greasy with some interesting fusion options. Very popular. |