The Top Restaurants by Cuisine in Seattle

by The OpenTable team

Updated February 20, 2020

Where’s the best Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, or Indian food in town? Where’s the best steak, the best pizza, the best plate of oysters? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among Seattle’s most expert, seasoned diners, broken down by each type of cuisine.

Spinasse

4.7

4.7 (3809)

$50 and over

Italian

Capitol Hill / First Hill

About the restaurant

ITALIAN: There’s no shortage of great Italian restaurants in Seattle, but Spinasse consistently shines as one of the brightest. Come here for superlative dishes like hand-cut tajarin with butter and sage; lamb agnolotti en brodo; and cavatelli with morel ragu.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Everything we had was outstanding. The new cabbage salad was unusual but refreshing. The pasta and risotto were better than I have had in great places in Italy. The server was knowledgeable, helpful, and clearly loved working there. And the desserts were delicious. Finally I will say they now make their own bread and it was excellent.

The Whale Wins

4.8

4.8 (933)

$31 to $50

American

Wallingford

About the restaurant

AMERICAN: There’s a reason The Whale Wins is one of Seattle’s most acclaimed and talked-about-restaurants: James Beard Award–winning chef Renee Erickson’s food is some of the best in town. This is seasonal, hearth-driving cooking at its finest, with an ever-changing menu that never ceases to delight.

Top review

JeanneVIP

Dined on Jan 9, 2025

Crispy cassoulet and a simple lettuce salad dressed perfectly, topped off with toffee pudding, served efficiently by pleasant waiters, what more could two chilled pilgrims seeking solace in darkest winter possibly desire?

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Experience

Meet the Makers: Fossil & Fawn at The Whale Wins

Sushi Kappo Tamura - Dining Room

4.9

4.9 (1747)

$50 and over

Japanese

Lake Union / Eastlake

About the restaurant

JAPANESE: It’s easy for sushi restaurants to feel serious, quiet, austere. Not Sushi Kappo Tamura. Here, it’s clear that chef Taichi Kitamura and the rest of the staff are having a great time, and you certainly will, too; this is some of the best sushi in Seattle, with ingredients that are prepared thoughtfully and elegantly, blending Seattle’s incredible bounty with Japanese tradition.

Top review

Sally

Dined 3 days ago

We celebrated a birthday tonight. It was our first time here and we read the rave reviews, but I honestly wasn’t prepared for the exceptional quality. Sometimes high-end restaurants present very “precious“ food and this was not the case. The fish was incredibly fresh, the portions were unexpectedly generous, and the exquisite preparation of each dish balanced color, flavor, texture and true umami. I was in awe. The three of us glanced at each other and smiled, shared bites and tried not to swoon too much. Our server was attentive and gracious. The place is beautiful - again, a lovely balance of gleaming wood, clean lines and concrete walls. Attention to detail is definitely their strength. We will be back.

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4.8

4.8 (3062)

$31 to $50

French

Belltown / Pike Place Market

About the restaurant

FRENCH: Smack in the middle of Pike Place Market you’ll find Cafe Campagne, a classic French brasserie that’s been churning out duck confit, beef tartare, and steak frites since 1994. The space is warm and inviting, the banquettes are comfortable, and the waitstaff is always friendly and attentive.

Top review

Raina

Dined today

I have been going here for over 20 years and it’s always an enjoyable experience!

Joule

4.7

4.7 (1410)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Wallingford

About the restaurant

STEAKHOUSE: Yes, Joule has a section of the menu dedicated to steak, but that doesn’t make it your average steakhouse. This is chefs Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi’s take on a Korean steakhouse, with dishes like kalbi with grilled kimchi, chuck flap steak with harissa, and rib eye with spicy peanut oil. The rest of the menu is just as exciting as the beef, especially the crispy eggplant, spicy rice cakes, and black-sesame noodles.

Top review

KathleenVIP

Dined 5 days ago

First time diner - wonderful food ! Loved the Chinese pancake, marrow bone and rib steak. Everything was yummy !

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4.6

4.6 (963)

$30 and under

Middle Eastern

Capitol Hill / First Hill

About the restaurant

MIDDLE EASTERN: It’s hard to make a restaurant that feels both upscale and comfortable, and Mamnoon manages to be both at once. This is modern Mediterranean food that’s as elegant as it is cravable, with dishes like kefta, mujaddara, whole fried cauliflower, and a constellation of dips, ready for dunking.

Top review

Steve

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Great experience. We did the tasting menu and it met our expectations. We will definitely be back.

Harvest Beat

4.8

4.8 (1163)

$50 and over

Vegan

Wallingford

About the restaurant

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN: Whether or not you’re into the “woo-woo” stuff that accompanies a meal at Harvest Beat—yes, they ring a gong before dinner—you will certainly be into the food, which is a set menu of deeply delicious vegetarian cooking. Each dish is layered and complex, with combinations of vegetables and spices and acid that will leave you thinking about your meal well after heading home for the night.

Top review

Brian

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing. A very unique experience that is both intimate but also fosters a sense if community. Staff is very kind and food tastes amazing.