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Seattle's Most Iconic Restaurants

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by The OpenTable team
Updated February 19, 2020

Seasons change, trends come and go, but these restaurants have withstood the test of time—and have become integral parts of the Seattle dining scene. Here are Seattle’s OpenTable Classics: the places that continue to excel after 10+ years. There’s a reason they’re still around: they keep giving us a reason to come back.

A photo of Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle restaurant
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle
4.6
4.6 (5396)
$31 to $50
American
Downtown
About the restaurant
You know the scene in Beauty and the Beast when Belle enters the beast’s soaring, book-lined library? If you’re a wine lover, you’ll feel the same way walking into Purple Cafe and Wine Bar. The walls are filled with bottles of all types and denominations, and the staff is eager to help you navigate the extensive menu. Plus, there are plenty of excellent pizzas and pastas to nourish you on your journey.
Top review
Amy
Dined on Dec 12, 2024
Great atmosphere! Love the wine. Staff very knowledgeable on the wine. Gave a great recommendation to try
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A photo of Baked Brie of a restaurant
Popular dish
Baked Brie
A photo of Pea Pesto Linguine of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pea Pesto Linguine
A photo of Pasta for Two of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pasta for Two
A photo of Wild Ginger Downtown Seattle restaurant
Wild Ginger Downtown Seattle
4.6
4.6 (6352)
$31 to $50
Asian
Downtown
About the restaurant
When Wild Ginger opened almost 30 years ago, the food scene in America was markedly different: there were few sushi bars, few ramen joints, few places to eat Korean barbecue. Wild Ginger, which features dishes from all over Asia, was a trailblazer then, and it’s still relevant—and delicious—today. Make sure to get a few of the offerings from the satay bar, and don’t miss their famous “fragrant duck.”
Top review
Carla
Dined 3 days ago
Awesome food! Awesome waiter - Dragan! Perfect pre-show meal!
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A photo of Siam Lettuce Cups (GF) of a restaurant
Popular dish
Siam Lettuce Cups (GF)
A photo of Lola Seattle restaurant
Lola Seattle
4.7
4.7 (4241)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Downtown
About the restaurant
On its surface, Lola is an excellent Greek spot—dig deeper, though, and you’ll see a Seattle institution, a restaurant with a true sense of place. Chef Tom Douglas uses the best of what’s around him—the bounty of the Pacific Northwest—and then cooks them in the Mediterranean spirit, giving us dishes like sockeye-salmon kebabs, lamb-shoulder tagine, and slow-roasted leg of lamb with oregano, rosemary, and lemon.
Top review
Dimitris
Dined on Dec 11, 2024
Server was wonderful, food was prompt, vibe was nice
A photo of Shuckers restaurant
Shuckers
4.7
4.7 (2554)
$30 and under
Unspecified
Downtown
About the restaurant
Shuckers is a Seattle classic in every sense of the word, from the oak paneling to the gleaming fixtures to the perfect platters of oysters. Come for a martini and a dozen at happy hour, or stay for dinner and dine on some of the freshest seafood the area has to offer.
Top review
Jennifer
Dined 3 days ago
We celebrated my husband’s birthday at Schuckers after not visiting for quite some time. It was just as fantastic as we remembered. From the starters of raw and baked oysters to the mains of Lobster Campanella and Cioppino, every bite was delightful. The food was amazing, and our server was exceptional. If you haven’t been in a while, or if you’re new to the city, do yourself a favor and visit. It’s a Seattle staple for a reason.
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A photo of Baked Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
Baked Oysters
A photo of Pan-Fried Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pan-Fried Oysters
A photo of Fresh Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
Fresh Oysters
A photo of The Capital Grille - Seattle restaurant
The Capital Grille - Seattle
4.8
4.8 (3943)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Downtown
About the restaurant
For a true steakhouse experience—the charred, meaty steaks, the perfectly crisp wedge salads, the rainbow of sides—it’s hard to beat The Capital Grille. The staff knows what they’re doing, and the consistency is always on point. Round out the meal with a martini or two, and you’re in for a luxurious night.
Top review
OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Service was excellent from start to finish. Everyone enjoyed their meal and dessert was a crowd pleaser too!
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A photo of Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese
A photo of Filet Mignon 10oz of a restaurant
Popular dish
Filet Mignon 10oz
A photo of Au Gratin Potatoes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Au Gratin Potatoes
A photo of Tulio restaurant
Tulio
4.7
4.7 (4097)
$31 to $50
Italian
Downtown
About the restaurant
Tulio is a stately, handsome Italian restaurant in the downtown Hotel Vintage Park, where chef Walter Pisano infuses Northern Italian cuisine with the spirit of the Pacific Northwest. We’re particularly fond of the pastas, which include dishes like pappardelle with rabbit ragu, orrecchiete with spicy sausage, and linguine with local clams.
Top review
Brian and ChristineVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Tulio is our go-to anniversary dinner location, we have been there many times and they always remember us, treat us very well, including reserving our favorite table. The food is always so well prepared. The apple granita over ginger cream after dinner was incredible, as were the special of large scallops and the New York steak, for which they adjusted the sides to my husband's requests.
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A photo of Ravioli of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ravioli
A photo of Orecchiette of a restaurant
Popular dish
Orecchiette
A photo of Tagliatelle of a restaurant
Popular dish
Tagliatelle
A photo of Cafe Juanita restaurant
Cafe Juanita
4.7
4.7 (3425)
$50 and over
Italian
Kirkland
About the restaurant
There are few places better than Cafe Juanita for pitch-perfect Italian food—and this Seattle institution has been going strong since 1980. And after a recent renovation, the space is as befitting a special occasion as the food itself; it’s the perfect place for a celebration.
Top review
Annette
Dined 2 days ago
Always an amazing experience at Cafe Juanita. Food is incredible and the service stellar! Our "go-to" special occasion" place.
A photo of Umi Sake House restaurant
Umi Sake House
4.7
4.7 (2545)
$30 and under
Japanese
Downtown
About the restaurant
Umi Sake House is one of the more fun spots to dine in Seattle, with a voluminous menu devoted to sushi and Japanese-American classics and, unsurprisingly, an extensive sake list. They do a particularly great happy hour, which is served on their back porch—lucky for you, those are the best seats in the house.
Top review
Katie
Dined 1 day ago
Food was great, service was good, restaurant was cute and swanky but it was so loud I had to yell across my table to have a conversation and tables were too tightly packed.
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A photo of House Sashimi of a restaurant
Popular dish
House Sashimi
A photo of Crispy Calamari of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crispy Calamari

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