Seattle has been my home since 2006 when I arrived as a curious and fresh faced 18 year old college student. I've been eating across the city at restaurants ever since and I've finally decided to put all of my favorite restaurants into one place. This is the North East Seattle edition! I hope you enjoy reading about my 19 favorite restaurants on the North East end of the city.
Seattle has some of the absolute best restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries on the West Coast. Dare I say it is one of the best food cities in the US? There are so many different and unique communities and neighborhoods in Seattle. Even within the city limits, the distinct neighborhoods each have a totally different vibe and of course the restaurant scenes can vary across town as well.
Maybe one day I will do a full city roundup of my favorite Seattle restaurants, but for now I'm going to start with the places in North East Seattle, i.e. north of the ship canal bridge and south of Shoreline (minus Fremont & Ballard.) I've lived in North Seattle since 2006 and know this area very well. My family and I like to eat out and small dive places and I love a special date night with friends or Doug at a cute place so hopefully the spectrum of restaurants is covered. Please tell me what I'm missing! I'm sure there are tons of hidden gems and places that we haven't tried yet. These are my 19 favorite restaurants in Seattle - North East Seattle focused.
North East Seattle Restaurant Roundup- My 19 Favorite Restaurants in North East Seattle
** = extra kid friendly
$$ = on the pricier side
In no particular order
- The Maple
One of my favorite places to grab a fancy cocktail and their brussel sprouts are so good! If I recall correctly, The Maple may be a 21+ establishment, but I can't remember for sure..Probably something to double check if you are planning to bring your kiddos. - Kona Kitchen **
Kona Kitchen is the best of the best when it comes to local and authentic Hawaiian food. It was in a solid rotation of our take out places during the pandemic and they have a separate ordering system so that you can pick up food directly and bypass some of the other mainstream order systems. I liked this option a lot, and we also eat in restaurant quite a bit. The kids always find something on the menu - from Mac to hot dogs and the very best kaluha pork, you truly can't go wrong with Kona Kitchen. I might need to convince Doug we need to eat there tonight - my mouth is watering just thinking about their chicken and pork. - Zlyberschteins
Seattle was in desperate need of a Jewish deli and Zlyberschtieins does not disappoint. Serving up the best bagels and sandwiches, "Big Z's" as we call it in our household, is one of our all time Wiest favorites. I used to stop here all the time when I was on maternity leave with Carter and grab a cookie or a special treat. The employees and owners are super nice and it's a great neighborhood joint. If you live in NE Seattle and haven't been, you are missing out. - Pop Pop Thai
I love this street style Thai place that is in kind of a random location but it serves up some great flavor. I really like their off menu specials and you really can't go wrong with whatever you order on the menu. For Thai food, it's a really solid option in NE Seattle. - Elliott Bay on Lake City Way **
Elliott Bay is our solid family dinner choice when we all want something different but are super hungry and the adults could really go for a beer 😉 The kids menu rocks, and our kiddos are always happy. The Lake City Way IPA is pretty solid too and my burger is always exactly how I want it. A solid choice when you want a big burger and fries or some fish & chips. - Mr West Cafe in U Village
A solid Happy Hour option, coffee date, and even a great lunch spot in the village. Mr. West is so cute and it has the best ~ vibes ~. I've met work colleagues here as well as friends to dish over a glass of froze. Yup. Froze. Their gyro lunch sandwich and hummus happy hour plate are also both really good. - Ichi Roll & Wok Teriyaki
Our go to spot for order out teriyaki. It's the best. Our kids love the gyoza and Doug and I usually both order the spicy teriyaki chicken. Did you know that Seattle is known as one of the best places to get Teriyaki? It's a staple in our monthly order out rotation. - Sand Point Grill $$
This is such a random but great little restaurant that Doug and I discovered when we were living off of Sand Point way. Their fried chicken dinner is fantastic and their bartenders (or are they called mixologists now) are equally as impressive. This would be place where I feel like ordering a martini or an old fashion would be an on brand choice. Doug and I have also eaten here (pre kids!) for a Valentines dinner date night which was I remember being really sweet. I haven't been here since the covid pandemic but I'm assuming it still holds up pretty well. It's a "classic." - Don Luchos
YES. Just yes. Peruvian food and great vibes just south of Maple Leaf Park in North Seattle. This is a little gem that Doug and I discovered and it's been another solid date night location ever since. Our kids have done ok here too! - Saltoro $$
Another excellent date night choice! Our neighbors gave us a gift card here once and Doug and I went out for a date night without the kids. I remember it was kind of a la Sand Point Bar and Grille - very classic date night vibes, a place where you'd want to order seafood or the filet and mashed potatoes 🙂 - Aqua Verde
One of my all time favorite places around UW to grab lunch or happy hour or dinner. The margaritas are on point (try the prickly pear one!) and the food is delicious. This reminds me that I should probably go here for lunch sometime soon when I'm on campus. Agua Verde is also right down on the water near the Mountlake cut and there are some great places to explore the shore and walk around in South Campus. Highly Highly recommend (but beware it can get busy during lunchtime during the academic year when everyone is on campus!) - Saint Bread
Saint Bread is also near Agua Verde and it is an excellent bakery with great coffee/tea options. Every single baked good looks mouthwateringly good and their location along the waterfront is so cute. There is a great outdoor spot to hang out and study/work/drink your coffee and eat your delicious bread or baked good. - Mioposto
I came here for a brunch with some colleagues and the food was absolutely delicious! It's a very cute neighborhood Italian place on the edge of Wedgewood and the U District. I would love to come back here for happy hour or for dinner. The pizzas looked (and smelled) amazing. - Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is technically a chain but the soup dumplings are jus so darn good that I couldn't leave it out of the list. Doug and I also love to order the garlic beans and usually a couple of different sides to go along with the stars of the show (i.e. the soup dumplings.) It's kind of a whole fun experience to eat at Din Tai Fung and you can walk around U village while you wait if it's hard to get a table which is kind of common. - Portage Bay -Brunch $$
Portage Bay Brunch has been one of my all time favorite food experiences for many years. The Toppings Bar is pretty much famous, with heaping piles of berries and whip cream that you can have access to if you order one of the pancakes or French toast entree. Everything at Portage Bay is organic and free trade, the quality of food is sooooo good and it's probably one of the best breakfasts you can get in the city. - Blue Star Cafe - Brunch
Another great brunch spot is Blue Star Cafe which is your traditional diner style brunch spot - think great sides of potatoes, and a place where you'd sit over endless cups of coffee recounting stories with friends spreading jam over your sourdough toast. - Bryant Corner Cafe - Brunch **
Bryant Corner Cafe is one of those breakfast places where you can order just about anything and it's going to be delicious - from pancakes to the huevos rancheros to the cinnamon roll, the portions are huge and the prices are right. It's a great place to bring a huge group of family or kids for brunch and you usually don't have to wait too long for a table. Great neighborhood spot. - Casa del Mariachi
The best little family run neighborhood restaurant. We've catered a bigger family dinner from here before and it's been a great lunch take out spot for Doug and I when we get super busy at work and are craving some authentic Mexican food. The location is kind of random - but works out for us because it's convenient to our house. We are lunch to have this place nearby! - Magnuson Cafe & Brewery **
Magnuson Cafe doesn't necessarily have the best food but it's a combination of the location with the brewery and the outdoor seating that makes this place a must for the summer. Our kids love the food options here and get a kick out of ordering tater tots. Mom & Dad love the beer and the chill vibes next to the water at Magnuson Park. It's also accessible by the Burke Gilman Trail so if you are doing a trail ride it can be a fun destination or pit stop along your route.
Let me know what I'm missing! I would love to add some more go to places to my list and I KNOW that I'm missing a ton of really good places. These are just the 19 that I could come up with off the top of my head that are family favorites!
U District, Ballard & Fremont, & Capitol Hill and Shoreline lists coming soon! I think I might also need to do a roundup of my favorite coffee shops/bakeries. What do you think?
