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12 top date night restaurants in Seattle

A photo of Red logo
by Naomi Tomky and Aarti Virani
Updated February 02, 2023

Seattle’s romantic restaurants show that with market-fresh plates, Northwestern wines, and some mood lighting, sparks can fly in the Emerald City.

Set the stage for a monumental moment with exquisite seafood at a kaiseki spot in Belltown. In Pike/Pine, whisk a date away on a whirlwind trip to not-quite Greece. Or share a plate of hand-cut noodles to celebrate a special occasion at an acclaimed Piedmont trattoria.

Even though most people in town consider fancy flannel dressing up, these places serve you a splash of something sexier. Read on for a guide to Seattle’s 12 most romantic restaurants to book now.

A photo of Single Shot restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1302)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Capitol Hill / First Hill
About the restaurant

Single Shot’s gorgeous marble bar, candle-topped tables, and sophisticated American small plates make it a sought-after first-date spot. As do its attentive servers who offer drink suggestions like they’re letting you in on a closely guarded secret. Sip a gin and limoncello cocktail, share some seasonal flatbreads, and see where the evening goes. If drinks turn into dinner, there are meatier mains to tuck into such as a Salmon Creek pork chop with grits, grilled endive, and gochujang glaze.


Top review
Todd
Dined 1 day ago
Everything was fabulous as always. The owner Rory is wonderful. We’ve been going on a regular basis for about ten years👍
A photo of IL BISTRO restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2211)
$31 to $50
Italian
Belltown / Pike Place Market
About the restaurant

This dim, candle-lit space beneath the iconic Pike Place Market has embraced diners since 1975. Il Bistro’s menu combines Italian classics with area ingredients, such as cioppino with local market fish and garganelli pasta with sausage, corn, and peas in a creamy tomato sauce. Throw in some bold amaro cocktails, and it all adds up to a swoon-worthy evening.


Top review
JoeVIP
Dined on Dec 12, 2024
Thank you for a lovely dinner and very attentive service!
A photo of Bateau restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1217)
$50 and over
Contemporary French / American
Capitol Hill / First Hill
About the restaurant

Aim for an early evening reservation at chef Renee Erickson’s French-inspired steakhouse. That’s when you and your date will have the widest selection of that day’s unique beef cuts—what’s available is listed on a chalkboard in the dining room. Erickson is a torchbearer for sustainability, using the entire animal in her simple but swoon-worthy preparations. Sides include steakhouse standards (mashed potatoes), options with a French spirit (frites and aioli), and unique takes (broccoli fried in squid ink batter). Consider, too, the creative appetizers such as steak tartare with umeboshi and rice crackers. Bright white walls and narrow nooks lend Bateau an especially cozy, date-friendly vibe.


Top review
Shami
Dined 1 day ago
The service and food is exceptional! It is very pricy. Very delicious!
A photo of Sushi Kappo Tamura - Dining Room restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1739)
$50 and over
Japanese
Lake Union / Eastlake
About the restaurant

Sit side-by-side with your special someone at this refined, sustainability-driven spot. An open kitchen lets you watch executive chef Taichi Kitamura create impressive sushi-centered meals with seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients and Japanese techniques. Cozy up over warm sake, let the passionate chefs hand over slices of salmon sashimi and enjoy your intimate night together.


Top review
OzdenVIP
Dined 1 day ago
We loved everything we ate. The sake recommended to us was excellent. I would definitely go back. I love the chef’s cooking and that they try to get sustainable fish. 
A photo of Joule restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1400)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Wallingford
About the restaurant

Add some sizzle to a celebratory evening at this spicy take on the classic steakhouse, infused with Korean flavors and modern, chef-driven techniques. Unlike a typical meat-and-potatoes joint, Joule is splashed with bold colors and offers a large, leafy patio offering plenty of outdoor seating. Chef Rachel Yang serves high-quality cuts of meat paired with innovative sides such as grilled kimchi with short ribs and giardiniera served with a kalbi burger. The versatile menu includes plenty of options for pescatarians and vegetarians, too.


Top review
Rob
Dined 6 days ago
Excellent food and good service. A little slow to take first order, but after that was a great service experience...kept plates flowing to us.
A photo of Spinasse restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3794)
$50 and over
Italian
Capitol Hill / First Hill
About the restaurant

This cozy Piedmont-inspired trattoria, all warm lights and lace curtains, exchanges showiness for precision. Simple dishes such as signature hand-cut noodles with butter and sage and roasted carrots in Barolo vinegar make Spinasse easy to adore. An extensive wine list and excellent cocktails elevate any romantic occasion. Take the pressure off by opting for the tasting menu, which offers a chance to eat through the whole menu without breaking the bank.


Top review
Noelle
Dined 5 days ago
We were able to snag a reservation for Spinasse about one month before our visit-even then, the times available were 5 or 9 PM. We opted for 5 PM, and were seated promptly when they opened. My husband and I ordered the Tajarin Al Ragu and it did not disappoint! Loved watched the fresh pasta in the making, and our server was fantastic. Not local to SEA, but would visit again.
A photo of Pizzeria 22 restaurant
4.6
4.6 (81)
$30 and under
Italian
West Seattle/Alki
About the restaurant

A meal at this locally loved Neapolitan spot is like scoring an invite to a lively Italian dinner party. Take a few friends and host an easygoing double date over top-notch appetizers including veal meatballs and a prosciutto platter. Then make way for the main event: thin-crust pies featuring lesser-seen toppings such as fingerling potatoes, pancetta, and imported tuna. Pizzeria 22 is warm, inviting, and casual in the kind of way that feels like eating at home—but with someone else pouring your Italian wine and doing the dishes.


Top review
Wizard
Dined on Sep 15, 2023
Good food, good service, terrible noise level. So bad I will probably not return.
A photo of Cafe Campagne restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3032)
$31 to $50
French
Belltown / Pike Place Market
About the restaurant

Vibrant colors and soft lighting match the rich food and gentle service at this classic French bistro in Pike Place Market. Cassoulet, escargot, and steak frites trick diners into thinking they’re at the Parisian sidewalk table of their dreams. The wine list completes that journey with simple, intriguing varietals from lesser-known wine regions, such as rosé from Ardèche and pet nat from Bergerac. Order two glasses, share a bottle, and toast to a momentous occasion, be it an anniversary, a third date—or a Friday.


Top review
Mary
Dined 1 day ago
Everything that we ordered was delicious. Some of the favorites were the crab quiche and the cassoulet. The creme Brule and chocolate mouse were the dessert standouts. Would go back again without a doubt.
A photo of The Dressing Room: Bistro and Bar by Can Can restaurant
4.5
4.5 (238)
$30 and under
French / American
Belltown / Pike Place Market
About the restaurant

This cabaret and burlesque venue is a date-night favorite for dinner theater and top-notch bistro fare. The intimate venue seats 120 and presents original productions, which recently included “Zombie Cheerleaders Return,” a delightfully campy horror show. The restaurant, known as the Dressing Room, channels evocative turn-of-the-20th-century Paris and features indoor and outdoor seating, with dishes and cocktails highlighting seasonal produce from Pike Place Market. For a daytime date, go for the excellent Sunday brunch—the fried chicken and beignets are not to be missed.


Top review
Crystal
Dined on Dec 14, 2024
Such a cute spot! Great food. Good vibe. Nice waitress. The Salmon Benedict was delicious!
A photo of wa'z restaurant
4.7
4.7 (446)
$50 and over
Japanese
Belltown / Pike Place Market
About the restaurant

A Japanese kaiseki experience is all about aesthetics, meaning not just a beautiful meal, but also an exceedingly balanced one. Translation: You’ll be poised to pop the question even at the end of a staggering nine courses. Every bite of local seafood, meat, and produce at wa’z resembles a piece of art. For your momentous night together, book a perch at the chef’s counter and watch the culinary magic up close.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Dec 1, 2024
The food was absolutely fantastic. I would definitely recommend to a friend. The experience was phenomenal.
A photo of Salty's on Alki Beach restaurant
4.7
4.7 (9638)
$31 to $50
Seafood
West Seattle/Alki
About the restaurant

The stunning views of Puget Sound at Salty’s are downright proposal worthy. The restaurant’s Northwest-focused wine menu has won Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence several times over. They’re all perfect for pairing with the locally inspired menu that includes applewood-smoked king salmon and saffron potato croquettes. To savor the picturesque panorama (and your life-changing night), stretch your meal with dessert—the white chocolate mousse cake is a fan favorite.


Top review
SarahM
Dined 2 days ago
Great food & views of downtown Seattle at sunset was magical!
A photo of Omega Ouzeri restaurant
4.8
4.8 (870)
$31 to $50
Greek
Capitol Hill / First Hill
About the restaurant

“Let’s pretend we’re in Greece,” urges the menu at this expansive, white-walled restaurant, which feels far from rainy Seattle. Omega’s airy blue-and-white interiors shuttle you to an idyllic Aegean island, and what it lacks in intimacy, it makes up for with verve. Dishes are just as transportive, including grilled octopus and whole sea bass. The Pike/Pine escape is great for sharing a moment and imagining you’re at a romantic seaside dinner in the Cyclades—if only temporarily.


Top review
AndreaR
Dined on Feb 1, 2024
Fantastic! Sorry to see that they're closing. Wishing them all the best in Greece!
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