Salmon probably comes to mind when you think of quintessential Seattle food, but there are other dishes you should try that may surprise you. Fried chicken? Teriyaki? Ice cream? Yes, all of these are foods you must get in Seattle.
There’s a joke that it’s rare to meet people originally from Seattle. That’s because people from all areas of the world have migrated here for the temperate climate, beautiful scenery, and tech jobs. As a result, we have a diverse population that brought along with it a melting pot of cuisines.
A few dishes have risen to the top of quintessential bucket list foods all visitors must eat to truly understand what it’s like being a local. So get ready to try life-changing yogurt, the first Fair Trade chocolate in the US, and yes, lots and lots of fish.
Quintessential Seattle Food
Smoked salmon
where to get it: Drifters Fish or a Seattle fish market
I’d be remiss to not start this list with the most Seattle ingredient: salmon. There are five types in the Pacific Northwest: Chinook (also called king), coho, chum, sockeye, and pink. Salmon are abundant as far north as Alaska. But the numerous rivers and lakes in Washington state are prime spawning grounds for salmon.
Salmon is revered by Pacific Northwest Native American tribes, who prepare it in special ceremonies each year to honor their gift and sacrifice. One popular way of preparing it is through smoking, which prolongs the shelf life and creates an addictive sweet and smoky protein.
Smoked salmon is one of the best Seattle gifts you can get online. You can pick it up in Pike Place Market, but my favorite versions are found at local Seattle fish markets.
You can also buy it directly from fisherman-owned Drifter’s Fish. Husband and wife, Michael and Nelly, head to Alaska each year to fish and then come back to Seattle to sell it to locals.
Oysters
where to get it: The Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard (get directions) or Taylor Shellfish in Capitol Hill (directions), Queen Anne (get directions), or Pioneer Square (get directions)
Washington State is the largest producer of oysters in the US. I always thought I didn’t like oysters growing up on the east coast. But once I tried Pacific Northwest oysters I was converted. They’re sweeter than anywhere else I’ve had oysters, and not unbearably briny or large. If you haven’t had oysters before, there’s no better place to try them than in Seattle.
The best places to get this quintessential Seattle food is at an oyster bar. The Walrus and the Carpenter is one of the best fish restaurants in Seattle and serves oysters from Hama Hama Oysters. They have a posh restaurant in Ballard that you won’t be able to stop taking photos of.
Taylor Shellfish Farms grows its own oysters up in Skagit Valley about an hour north of Seattle. Visiting their farm is one of my favorite things to do in Skagit County. But you can get their fresh oysters at their oysters bars in Seattle’s Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Pioneer Square neighborhoods.
Clam chowder
where to get it: Pike Place Chowder in Pike Place (get directions) or Downtown (get directions)
Being from the east coast, there’s nothing I love more than a good bowl of clam chowder. Given our proximity to fresh seafood, Seattle makes a pretty mean version.
The best place to get clam chowder is Pike Place Chowder. It’s a New England-style chowder and has the perfect consistency. I love how it’s bacon-y and a touch spicy, but you can still really taste the clam.
A lot of people line up to get it from their Pike Place Market location. But locals know to skip it when touring Pike Place Market. Instead, order it online for delivery or visit their location inside Pacific Place a few blocks away from Pike Place Market.
Seattle hot dog
where to get it: Hawk Dogs in Capitol Hill (get directions) or any late-night hot dog stand in Capitol Hill or Belltown
I’ll never forget the first time I had a famous Seattle hot dog. I was in my early 20s, a little drunk, and ate it hunched over outside of a bar at 1 am. It was a revelation, and I’m adamant it wasn’t the booze affecting my senses.
A Seattle hot dog consists of cream cheese and caramelized onions. The heat from the dog melts the cream cheese and transforms the flavor from what you’re used to spreading on a bagel. Instead it’s slightly sweeter and goes perfectly with the greasy frank.
The truest way to experience this quintessential Seattle food is from a nondescript hot dog stand outside the bars in Capitol Hill or Belltown, but my absolute favorite version of this is from Hawk Dogs. It’s a hot dog cart between Pike and Pine Street that serves butterflied dogs Seattle-style with all the fixings.
Coffee
where to get it: Any of Seattle’s independently owned coffee shops
Many people go to Pike Place Market to visit the original Starbucks, but let me fill you in on a few secrets. First, the original Starbucks closed. The one in Pike Place isn’t the OG. Second, there is way better coffee than your typical Starbucks reserve roast.
I take my coffee very seriously, so I wrote a whole blog post on the best coffee in Seattle. A lot of them ship, so order a few bags for when you get home! Here is a guide on how to choose the best coffee for French press and brew the perfect cup.
Pho
where to get it: Pho Than Brothers or Pho Bac in the International District (directions)
I never had pho until I moved to Seattle. This Vietnamese soup is the ultimate comfort food, sort of like chicken noodle soup is in the US. You can get “pho ga” made with chicken or “pho bo” with an endless variety of meats like thinly-sliced steak, brisket, soft tendon, tripe, and meatballs. Regardless of the meat base, the mechanics are the same: a deeply flavorful bone broth steeped with star anise and other spices, then served with noodles, Thai basil, jalapeños, bean sprouts, lime, hoisin sauce, and spicy chili sauce.
Wander around Chinatown-International District and you’ll find a lot of options for authentic pho. One of my favorites is Phở Bắc Sup Shop. It’s owned by siblings Khoa, Quynh, and Yenvy Pham who grew up washing dishes in the OG Phở Bắc opened by their parents in 1982 inside the iconic red boat building. They refreshed it and opened up the sup shop with some of the best short rib pho I’ve ever tasted.
My go-to pho for when I want something quick and cheap is Pho Than Brothers. I was crushed when they closed their Ballard location but thankfully they have a handful of locations around the city. I order a small pho ga without even looking at the menu and slurp it up quickly, rushing to get to the cream puff that they serve with it.
Geoduck
where to get it: Any of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle
I’d never heard of geoduck until I moved to Seattle. It’s essentially a big ass clam native to the Pacific Northwest. You’ll find it on menus at seafood and sushi restaurants in Washington state more than anywhere else in the US.
The first time I had it was at Shiro’s Sushi and it was kind of life changing. They’ve since changed to omakase so it’s uncertain if you’ll get it, but I’ve heard Taylor Shellfish has a mean geoduck dish on their appetizer menu.
Black cod
where to get it: Local Tide in Fremont (get directions)
Black cod, or sablefish, is another ingredient I didn’t know about until I moved to Seattle. That’s because it’s found on the west coast, most common in Alaska but also found along the coast of the Pacific Northwest and California.
It’s a very common fish in Asian cuisine because it’s super fatty and goes well with acidic condiments or the umami flavors in miso. Shiro’s makes a beautiful version of this fish, but my favorite was at RockCreek in Fremont, one of North Seattle’s best restaurants, before they swapped it for Chilean sea bass.
Now, I suggest Local Tide for their black cod kasuzuke. It’s black cod marinated in sake lees (yeast from the brewing process) served with a chilled sesame spinach salad, cucumber, pickled lotus root, and pickled daikon. The fattiness of the cod really shines and is perfectly complemented by the vinegar of the pickled veg.
Fish and chips
where to get it: Proper Fish on Bainbridge Island (directions)
Obviously there is more fish to be had on this list of quintessential Seattle food. Given how good our seafood scene is here, it’s not surprise that Seattle is bursting with amazing fish and chip restaurants.
My absolute favorite is actually one of the best Bainbridge Island restaurants: Proper Fish. It used to be a Seattle food truck called Nosh before moving over to this island that’s a 20 minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. They are making some of the best fish and chips I’ve had in the US. It’s always perfectly seasoned and has a really flavorful crust. And it’s served with these minty mushy peas I never knew I needed in my life.
Artisan chocolate
where to get it: Fran’s Downtown (directions), Georgetown (directions), U-Village (directions), or Bellevue (directions)
Another quintessential Seattle food is the salted caramels from Fran’s. They’re making some of the best chocolate in Seattle, including a gray salt and a smoked salt version that you can buy in a combo pack at PCC Natural Market. They are chewy, salty goodness that makes one of the best Pacific Northwest food gifts to bring home as a souvenir.
Cupcakes
where to get it: Cupcake Royale or Trophy Cupcakes
I remember the cupcake craze was going strong when I first moved to Seattle. The first one offering it in Seattle was Cupcake Royale, who made mini cakes a thing like Dunkin’ Donuts made munchkins happen. My dad used to always request we come here every time he visit, and with good reason because this place has a cult following.
However, my favorite cupcake place is Trophy. They have a few locations around the city and also offer Seattle dessert delivery. I find their cakes to be moister and lighter than Cupcake Royale, but visit both and decide for yourself which you like best!
Teriyaki
where to get it: Grillbird in West Seattle (directions)
Seattle has less than 15 McDonald’s, but there are more than 100 teriyaki restaurants within the metro area. That goes to show teriyaki is Seattle’s OG fast food.
Seattle Weekly has a really interesting article on the origin of teriyaki in Seattle. They write how Toshihiro Kasahara opened Toshi Teriyaki in the 1970s and grew it into a franchise that solidified teriyakis presence in the Pacific Northwest.
While Toshi’s isn’t open anymore, Grillbird is a newcomer making excellent teriyaki. I don’t typically love teriyaki because it can be too saucy, but I love how Grillbird makes it light on the sauce. You don’t miss it with how juicy the chicken is, a far cry from the dried out versions I’ve had before. This is one of the best restaurants in West Seattle, so make sure to give it a visit!
Ellenos yogurt
website | where to find it | pro tip: grab a pint at any food store
I don’t really like yogurt. I find it too tangy and, honestly, it usually makes me gag to eat it by itself.
But that all changed the first time I had Ellenos. It’s a super creamy Greek yogurt that isn’t tangy at all. The plain is so good you could get it by itself and likely never find a better yogurt anywhere else. But the must-try flavor is the lemon curd. It’s a lovely version of the sweet and sour dessert that goes beautifully with their yogurt.
While they’ve unfortunately closed their brick-and-mortar, you can still grab a tub of their signature flavors at most grocery stores.
Famous places to eat in Seattle
Along with quintessential Seattle foods, there are Seattle restaurants that are just as iconic. Here are places not to miss.
Hot cakes
website | 5327 Ballard Ave NW (Ballard) or 1650 E Olive Way (Capitol Hill) | pro tip: visit the Capitol Hill location for chocolate dip ice cream
Hot Cakes serves molten chocolate cakes that have such a cult following, lines can be out the door for hours during non-pandemic times, especially once the started making gluten free cakes. In fact, they’ve grown so much since they opened that they now ship their molten cakes nationwide so anyone can get their hands on some of the best dessert in Seattle.
While I love me a good molten cake, my secret favorite item here is the ice cream available at their Capitol Hill location. They serve chocolate dip, which is a hardened shell around soft serve ice cream. I grew up eating these on the east coast and they’re difficult to find in the Pacific Northwest. Hot Cakes’ version has a thicker shell that’s more flavorful than the chemicals I’m sure they use to make the ones from my childhood. If you’ve never had this treat, add it to your list of quintessential food in Seattle!
Molly Moon’s ice cream
website | 1622.5 N 45th St (Wallingford) | pro tip: get a waffle cone
Molly Moon’s is the original artisan ice cream place in Seattle, and many would argue they have the best ice cream in Seattle period. They making funky flavors like earl gray, honey lavender, and the like, all of which are so flavorful you don’t need to add any whipped cream or other sundae toppings.
Their must-get flavor is salted caramel. It’s super flavorful, way more than any salted caramel flavor I’ve ever had before. You can get it from their original Wallingford location, or from their 8 other locations around the city.
Beecher’s mac and cheese
website | 1600 Pike Pl (Downtown) | pro tip: The same group owns The Butcher’s Table, one of the best steakhouses in Seattle, and they sell their mac ‘n cheese
You can watch Beecher’s Handmade Cheese stirring milk into cheese through the large windows of their Pike Place Market flagship location. They use their excellent cheese to make a super creamy mac and cheese that has gained a cult following. It’s become such a quintessential Seattle food that you can find it in most grocery stores, Sea-Tac airport, and even at some restaurants.
Rachel’s Ginger Beer
website | 1530 Post Alley (Downtown) | pro tip: get a float or alcoholic beverage
Rachel got started making ginger beer out of the kitchen of a restaurant she was working at. She had lived in Europe and grew to love the British ginger beers that weren’t too sweet, so she began experimenting to bring that version home.
The bartenders at the restaurants in her inner circle kept asking for more, craving the simple ginger beer with just fresh ginger root, lemon, organic cane sugar, and Seattle tap water. From there she opened her flagship store in Pike Place Market, and has since opened up a few locations around the city and now offers shipping.
Rachel’s Ginger Beer cafes are quite trendy and a great place to throw a few back with friends. You can get the beer “soft” or “hard” with alcohol, or go crazy and have it with ice cream in a float.
Dick’s Burger
website | multiple locations | pro tip: the deluxe cheeseburger is the only way to go
Dick’s is such a Seattle institution, Sir Mix-a-Lot shouted it out in his song Posse on Broadway:
“Now the posse’s gettin’ hungry, and Mix-A-Lot’s treatin’
We stopped at Taco Bell, for some Mexican eatin’
But Taco Bell was closed, the girls was on my tip
They said, “Go back the other way, we’ll stop and eat at Dick’s”
They make super cheap drive in-style burgers, fries, and shakes. They’re on the same level as McDonald’s, but definitely better both in terms of quality and taste. If you want to explore some of the best burgers in Seattle, make sure to visit this place.
Paseo & Un Bien
Paseo website | 4225 Fremont Ave N (Fremont) & 1760 1st Ave S (SODO) | Un Bien website | 6226 Seaview Ave NW & 7302.5 15th Ave NW (Ballard)
Ask anyone for the quintessential Seattle sandwich and they’ll send you to Paseo, a Caribbean sandwich spot with locations in Fremont and SoDo. They make exceptional messy Caribbean roast sandwiches with juicy pork shoulder, grilled onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and aioli. This sandwich is so good, it was voted the #2 most loved restaurant in 2014 on Yelp.
Unfortunately Paseo went through some drama where employees sued the owners for lack of payment. It resulted in a settlement and a huge exodus of its staff to Un Bien. There are a lot of opinions out there that Un Bien now has the best sandwich, and I have to say I agree in a taste test, but Paseo still makes one mean sandwich and is a quintessential Seattle food you have to try. Regardless of which you choose, you’re guaranteed to experience one of the best sandwiches in Seattle.
Sushi Kashiba
website | 86 Pine St (Downtown) | pro tip: if you can’t get in, try snagging a spot at Ltd Edition Sushi or Taneda instead
Chef Shiro Kashiba was the first sushi chef to introduce the sushi bar to Seattle back in 1970, after a grueling apprenticeship under the infamous sushi maestro Jiro Ono from Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Today he’s a three time James Beard nominee with one of the best places to eat dinner in Seattle.
Dinner here is definitely an extravagant experience, but worth it if you want world-class sushi that also highlights the local ocean fare. Each reservation is ~$200/pp, and you can choose between a la carte or the chef-selected omakase tasting menu.
Ezell’s
website | multiple locations | pro tip: the owner sold his name to open up Heaven Sent
Ezell’s has been one of the best fried chicken spots in Seattle ever since they first joined the Seattle food scene in 1984. Today they have over 17 locations across Washington and were even hired to cater Oprah’s birthday party.
Ezell’s is an institution and worth trying at least once. Unfortunately Ezell and his co-founders had a falling out that resulted in him leaving the company and starting a new fried chicken company called Heaven Sent. I love Heaven Sent, and many say Ezell brought the best fried chicken with him to his new business.
You can choose between fried chicken pieces or tenders in original, spicy, or half-and-half. Each order comes with housemade rolls, and you can tack on any of their scratch-made southern sides or desserts. If you’re willing to break out of your comfort zone, try the chicken gizzards or livers. I have yet to feel that adventurous, but I’ll live vicariously through you guys.
Canlis
website | 2576 Aurora Ave N (East Queen Anne) | pro tip: add on the original Canlis salad from their 1950 menu
When you’re looking for the best example of fine dining in Seattle, most will point you to Canlis. That’s because they were the OG fine dining establishment in the Puget Sound when they first opened their doors in 1950. Despite being around for that long they’ve kept the dining room remarkably modern and sleek, with a menu to match.
The tasting menu is $180 pp, and the menu includes three courses you select along with several other surprises. You can even add on a dish from their original 1950 menu that’s prepared tableside for the entire party.
Matt’s in the Market
website | 94 Pike St (Downtown) | pro tip: head there for lunch so you can take in the sites
Matt’s is a Pike Place staple, with the perfect location directly across from the iconic Pike Place neon sign and Elliott Bay. Their menu highlights PNW ingredients with seasonal specialties alongside an extensive wine list.
I usually head here for lunch so I can get an unobstructed view of the water without having to wade through the crowds, and of course, for the amazing food. Their hot bacon caramelized onion dip is the thing dreams are made of, and I love that their fishwich is lightly grilled as opposed to fried so you can actually taste its freshness.
The Pink Door
website | 1919 Post Alley (Pike Place) | pro tip: if they’re all booked, sign up for reservation notifications because people will always cancel at the last minute
The Pink Door is another iconic Pike Place restaurant that offers a little something extra. In addition to a hearty Italian menu and cocktail list, they feature a variety of live entertainment ranging from live jazz to aerial acrobatics. If the weather is cooperating, they also have a lovely outdoor patio area that’s perfect for people watching.
As I mentioned, their menu is Italian-focused, with classic dishes like rigatoni and meatballs, cioppino, and lemon risotto. Unlike some other spots that offer live entertainment, The Pink Door actually has some of the best Italian food in Seattle.
Canon
website | 928 12th Ave (Capitol Hill) | pro tip: they only seat parties of 4 or fewer
If you’re after the epitome of swanky Seattle cocktail bars, Canon is one of the trendiest spots you’ll find. They claim to have “America’s largest spirit collection,” which they proudly use to line the walls of their entire bar.
Expect cocktails with a little something extra, be it a drink encased in smoke or a $305 negroni made with liquor dating back to the 1970s. They also have a small food menu of creative bites like aloo gobi cauliflower, seared scallops, and hangar steaks.
Other famous Seattle foods
Washington state is known for these ingredients, so if you see them on a menu, get them!
- Apples
- Rainier cherries
- Walla Walla sweet onions
- Marionberries
- Huckleberries
- Mussels
- Dungeness crab
- Mushrooms
- Truffles (the savory kind from the ground)
More Seattle food to try
Once you’re done eating through this list of quintessential Seattle food, go on the hunt for some of the other best types of food in Seattle.
- Best Bagels in Seattle
- Best Pizza in Seattle
- Best Pasta in Seattle
- Best Street Tacos in Seattle
- Best Cheap Eats in Seattle
- Best Thai Food in Seattle
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