Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in South of Seattle

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in South of Seattle? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

JOEY Southcenter

4.7

4.7 (22)

$30 and under

American

Tukwila

About the restaurant

JOEY Restaurants marries iconic hospitality with a handcrafted, locally and globally-inspired menu from award-winning chefs, to bring an unparalleled guest experience. Instead of just one chef, JOEY has a whole team of celebrated Executive Chefs bringing you an experience you can't get anywhere else. JOEY Southcenter is located in the newly redesigned Westfield Southcenter just south of Seattle, it delivers polished interiors and a sleek scene for eclectic dining.

Top review

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

Very loud for mentioning a business dinner, but service and food were great.

Duke's Seafood - Kent Station

4.7

4.7 (790)

$30 and under

Seafood

Kent

About the restaurant

Duke's Kent Seafood Restaurant is an upscale casual Pacific Northwest restaurant & bar offering signature, flavorful, 100% sustainable wild seafood, Award Winning Chowder and grass fed burgers in a gathering place that is friendly, comfortable, unpretentious and filled with personality. We only source all natural, healthful ingredients. Duke's food is free of hormones, antibiotics and free of harmful chemicals. Guests sum up their favorable assessment of what Duke's has to offer with three words: It’s so good! Duke's in Kent is a locals favorite, perfect for grabbing a drink at the bar, lunch, dinner, outdoor dining or dinner with the family or group of friends.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

We had aa late afternoon lunch at Dukes today. Our server was amazing. She allowed us to settle in before asking for drink orders and she continued to provide exceptional service during our experience. Today was great!

Discover more

Popular dish

Chowder Samplers

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab "Un"Cakes

Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (2224)

$31 to $50

Regional American (Northwest)

Seatac

About the restaurant

Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar is a Northwest gathering spot serving seasonally-inspired farm-to-table cuisine. Our team is committed to sustainable practices that bring the season's bounty to your table. We hand select products from small local farms, fishermen, ranchers and artisans to curate all our menus. Arrive early and experience a seasonal cocktail or glass of Washington State wine in Copperleaf Bar! Come see why Copperleaf Restaurant is a quintessentially Northwest experience.

Table reservations for the patio are honored based on request and availability at the time of arrival; due to the frequently changing weather circumstances of the Seattle area and the popularity of our outdoor dining spaces, we are unable to guarantee reservations for the patio.

Top review

Robb

Dined 5 days ago

What a gem, not only great service, great food and a wonderful experience. Sitting by the fireplace enjoying special scallop soup, duck breast dinner and fabulous banana cream pie. Put this experience on your “got to due” list.

Duke's Seafood - Southcenter

4.6

4.6 (1094)

$30 and under

Seafood

Tukwila

About the restaurant

Duke's Restaurant Southcenter, located in Tukwila at the south end of The Westfield Mall, is an upscale casual Pacific Northweset seafood restaurant offering signature, flavorful, 100% sustainable wild seafood, Award Winning Chowder, and grass-fed burgers in a gathering place that is friendly, comfortable, unpretentious, and filled with personality. We only source all-natural, healthful ingredients. Duke's food is free of hormones, antibiotics, and free of harmful chemicals. Guests sum up their favorable assessment of what Duke's has to offer with three words: It’s so good! Great Fish Tacos, Wild Halibut & Salmon, Salads and amazing sandwiches.

Please note: We do not accept reservations for the outdoor deck seating. First come, first serve. Please feel free to designate outdoor seating as your preference when making a reservation or checking in and we'll do our best to see you on our patio.

Top review

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

Great lunch with a friend today. Our waiter Kui was outstanding. Lots of fun.

Discover more

Popular dish

"Un"Chopped Seafood Salad

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab "Un"Cakes

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab Dip

Smoke & Cedar Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (302)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Auburn

About the restaurant

Located on top of the all-new Muckleshoot Casino Resort tower in the heart of the bountiful Pacific Northwest. Smoke & Cedar is among the country's leading steakhouses, dedicated to providing excellent guest service, fine libations, prime steaks and the best seafood the PNW has to offer. This one-of-a-kind restaurant in Washington commands 270-degree views of Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound and both the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.

Smoke & Cedar's menu is updated seasonally to best showcase ingredients collected by foragers from the farmers markets, regional farms, and other artisan purveyors. The soul of the restaurant quite literally extends through its decor to spectacular views, complimenting a menu that conveys the sentiment that quality procured ingredients-are better appreciated on a beautiful plate in an approachable but elegant setting.

Bon appétit!

Top review

Pamela

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding 5 star all the way don't change nothing

The Restaurant at Alderbrook

4.5

4.5 (1449)

$31 to $50

Regional American (Northwest)

Union

About the restaurant

Our location brings out the best in fresh local seafood, dry aged beef, world-class wines and waterfront views - making The Restaurant at Alderbrook a destination in itself.

The interior setting of The Restaurant at Alderbrook takes its inspiration from the outdoors with warm colors of chocolate brown and sage green representing the gardens and lawn of the resort. Floor-to-ceiling windows and multi-levels amplify views of the brilliant shore and snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains.

The cuisine showcases local seafood harvested from Puget Sound and Hood Canal. After all, our shores are encrusted with oysters, our docks lined with mussels, and our sea teems with salmon.

Top review

Armand

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent Manilla clams for appetizer and a nice 8oz. Filet mignon. Our server Charlie was very attentive and the food arrived without a rush.

Discover more

4.5

4.5 (181)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Seatac

About the restaurant

Sharps RoastHouse has been voted one of the best Seatac restaurants. We are a local restaurant and bar next door to Seatac Airport (Seattle International Airport), just outside of Seattle. We offer scratch American Cuisine, fine crafted cocktails and Northwest wine and beer. Our custom roasting works showcases our 12-hour Hereford Prime Rib, Applewood Smoked St Louis Ribs and spit fired organic rotisserie chicken. Perfect for a quick bite before a flight or layover or after picking up a hungry friend from a long day of traveling.

Top review

Patti

Dined 1 day ago

Great food! We eat there frequently and have always been happy with the quality and quantity and amazing tastes. Staff is accommodating and kind. Highly recommend.

TOMO

4.4

4.4 (26)

$50 and over

American

White Center

About the restaurant

We serve eclectic Japanese-American cuisine and serious wine in a former adult video store. Since opening, Tomo has received recognition as one of the country's best new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report and has been nominated for Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation.

Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams’ menus are personal, and feature outstanding ingredients prepared simply and with confidence.

Our wine program highlights rare and ephemeral wines made by creative, principled people. We also serve a variety of classic and seasonal cocktails, emphasizing small-batch spirits and quality nonalcoholic options.

We strive to be a cherished part of our guests' lives, providing a warm atmosphere, ever-changing menus, and exclusive events with top chefs and industry experts from around the world.

Top review

Matt

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

The Chophouse themed dinner was simply amazing! The Waldorf Salad - so simplistic but one of the best salad courses I may have ever eaten. And the baked potato cart - I splurged for the black truffle add-on. I may never eat a baked potato again because I know it’ll never be this good. Once again all of the staff were so friendly and accommodating to all of my questions. I truly love the laid back atmosphere - hard to believe as always this gem is hidden in White Center.

Discover more

Experience

BONE IN - REEF + BEEF: A TOMO CHOPHOUSE EXPERIENCE

Experience

Daylit Lunch

Mizu Steakhouse - Covington

4.2

4.2 (451)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Kent

About the restaurant

Mizu Steakhouse in Covington, WA serves creative Japanese fare. Its welcoming setting features hibachi chefs that are eager to show off their cooking skills right at the table. Mizu Steakhouse serves a large variety of dishes prepared with quality produce, meat and seafood. Fried pot stickers, edamame or tempura make for tasty appetizers. Guests can dine on a main course of filet mignon, New York steak with shrimp or a variety of seafood. This restaurant also serves gluten-free sauces, vegetarian dishes.

Mizu Steakhouse offers a variety of libations to pair with meals. It provides outdoor seating and take-out service.

Top review

Amy

Dined 1 day ago

This is probably the best Mizu location I have been to. They actually did a real show and the guests were involved. My toddler loved the show. My mother in law has not been a fan of any restaurants in America during her visit but she finally liked the food at this one. Overall it was a great night and we all left with smiles and full bellies with leftovers. We will definitely come back to the covington location.

Muckleshoot Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (74)

$30 and under

American

Auburn

About the restaurant

The diverse, flavorful menu of Muckleshoot Restaurant includes favorites like the Seafood Louie Salad and 12 oz. NY Strip Steak.

Carrying on the traditional Muckleshoot ways of cooking salmon, we are proud to offer traditional salmon dinners utilizing locally sourced alder wood and Pacific Coast wild salmon. Cooked over an open flame, the traditional method of low heat and smoke enhances the salmon flavor while preserving freshness and texture. Available in individual (8 oz. fillet with two sides, $29) or family style (2 1/2 pounds with one pound of corn and red potatoes, $95) presentations. Offered Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Plus, don't forget to check out the baked goodness inside our pastry display. Enjoy a wide assortment of pastries, from croissants to brownies, baked fresh daily and available for in-room dining or to-go orders.

Top review

Keone

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

We ordered prime ribs. The prime rib was excellent except for the horse radish and Aji sauce. That could use a lot more flavor and kick.

Explore Diners' Choice best of South of Seattle

Explore more Diners' Choice lists