Best French Restaurants in Capitol Hill / First Hill

Great food, great service. Our wait person went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable.

I love Cafe Campagne. Wonderful restaurant, delicious food, good service, welcoming reception. I appreciate that some lunch entrées have a very nice small salad included. My only disappointment was that the (excellent!) vegetable quiche was sold out at 12:15. That does not leave many choices for a vegetarian. But the food and the atmosphere are excellent, and it was not noisy: a big plus.

Violet is consistently one of the top restaurants in Seattle. We were a party of four with two out of town guests. We ordered the American Omakase meal with vegetable, fish, and meat courses but without the foie gras. The chef easily accommodated one guest who does not eat beef. As always at Violet, the fish courses were superb--the chef has a real touch with both crude and cooked fish. Plating was lovely and creative, worthy of a starred restaurant. Service was attentive. Wine list is interesting if a little over priced. The restaurant is very loud and would not be good for anyone with hearing problems. It was perhaps worse this evening because there were some very noisy guests. We return to Violet several times a year because it is so very good. Bravo.

I recently dined at Stateside in Seattle, and it was absolutely phenomenal from start to finish! The ambiance, the food, and the impeccable service all combined to make this one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. A special shoutout to Jessie, the bartender, who went above and beyond to make my evening unforgettable. Jessie crafted an incredible Piña Colada—perfectly balanced, refreshing, and utterly delightful. On top of that, Jessie’s food recommendations were spot on, showcasing both knowledge and passion for the menu. Everything I tried was an absolute masterpiece. The duck rolls were perfectly crispy with an explosion of savory flavor in every bite. The ahi crudo was light, fresh, and beautifully presented—a true testament to the restaurant’s attention to detail. The creamy crunchy prawns delivered on both texture and flavor, a must-try for anyone visiting. And don’t even get me started on the duck egg custard—a truly unique dessert that ended the meal on a perfect note. Overall, Stateside has raised the bar for what a dining experience should be. The food is exceptional, and the staff, especially Jessie, make you feel completely taken care of. I can’t wait to come back and explore more of this incredible menu. Thank you, Stateside!

Very interesting menu, most of it tasted excellent but was a bit pricy. Portions are all the smaller side, great for tapas style eating with a small group. Was a bit on the noisy side.