Best Lunch Restaurants in Ballard

We had a delicious dinner consisting of local food including roasted sturgeon, duck ragu and mushroom gnocchi—definitely not what you would consider PNW standards. That’s what makes this place so incredibly special. This restaurant is the quiet and singular alternative to the many corporate/chain-owned restaurants you find everywhere in Seattle. A gem.

Wonderful French inspired cuisine and great service. And prices that don’t break the bank like some others in the Pike place market. Also no hidden 20% gratuity— again unlike many are now doing in the area.

There were 8 of us seated after the Nutcracker. We had our choice of the dining room or the bar. We chose a high topper in the bar. To put it simply service was excellent from the minute we were greeted at the door to taking our leave. The food was exceptional with a large and varied menu that provided everyone with what they wanted. Ordering came down to trying for as wide a selection as possible which was easy. My food recommendation - get anything that looks interesting to you. We will definitely come back to enjoy again.

Superb, as usual. The carrot sformato was an unusual find and quite delicious. The addition of olives to the blood orange and fennel salad hit just the right acid note, Mama’s meatballs were pure beef with a strong dash of anise seed, and the accompanying marinara had been simmering for ages to pick up that deep complexity of flavors and great balance between sweet and slightly acid.

The food, the ambiance, the drinks, the service, everything is amazing here! One of our favorite places in Seattle.