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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 (5383)
$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
sheila
Dined 2 days ago
Wonderful food and service. The Brie and Crab cakes were perfect! I will be back.
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A photo of Baked Brie of a restaurant
Popular dish
Baked Brie
A photo of Pasta for Two of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pasta for Two
A photo of Pea Pesto Linguine of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pea Pesto Linguine
A photo of Wild Ginger Downtown Seattle restaurant
Wild Ginger Downtown Seattle
4.6
4.6 (6330)
$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
Joshua
Dined 5 days ago
Always amazing. One of our fav places! We will be back!
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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 (4231)
$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
Marife
Dined 7 days ago
Food at Lola’s is always superb. Today, I had the lamb kebab and it was terrific. I would have loved it to be less sweet, but it was still really good!
A photo of Shuckers restaurant
Shuckers
4.7
4.7 (2542)
$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
Marijovip
Dined 2 days ago
We were greeted very warmly and seated at a quiet table as requested. Jim was our server and he was excellent, both attentive and informative and we never felt rushed. As a result, we thoroughly enjoyed our evening and will always look forward to our meals at Shuckers!
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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 (3919)
$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
Suzyvip
Dined 5 days ago
Great food, exceptional service, and the prices were reasonable.
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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 (4090)
$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
Heather
Dined today
Our server was very knowledgeable. Him and the manager were always checking on us. Excellent service.
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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
4.8
4.8 (3419)
$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
Christina
Dined 5 days ago
Friendly and pleasant staff and the food was excellent! It was a great family dinner experience. Will definitely be back.
A photo of Umi Sake House restaurant
Umi Sake House
4.7
4.7 (2538)
$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
Teresa
Dined 2 days ago
Service (Crystal) was excellent and her recommendations were delicious. It got a little loud by the time we left at 7:45 but since we usually dine on the earlier side it will not deter us from going back. So many choices that we might make it a monthly event!
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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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