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Seattle's Most Iconic Restaurants

A photo of Red logo
by The OpenTable team
Updated 19 February 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
4.6
4.6 (5417)
$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
Soren
Dined 2 days ago
Really like their wine list and the ability to buy two half glasses of the same wine grape but from different vineyards
A photo of Wild Ginger Downtown Seattle restaurant
4.5
4.5 (6405)
$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
eileenVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Fantastic meal and great atmosphere....... cannot wait to return!
A photo of Lola Seattle restaurant
4.7
4.7 (4291)
$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
Shaun
Dined 2 days ago
An awesome place to go with friends! Food is excellent, service is quick, and the staff is incredible respectful and nice.
A photo of Shuckers restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2562)
$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
Nicolas
Dined 3 days ago
I enjoyed myself here. The clam chowder was flavorful & creamy. The Lobster Campanella was also very good. The service was great & atmosphere was very inviting.
A photo of The Capital Grille - Seattle restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3973)
$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
Alexandre
Dined 4 days ago
Good food, good environment, highlight for the excellent service of server Christopher Vagn
A photo of Tulio restaurant
4.8
4.8 (4109)
$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
Lincoln
Dined 4 days ago
I loved the fact that my guest and I could carry on a conversation without having to shout or strain to hear each other. The food and service were terrific!
A photo of Cafe Juanita restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3441)
$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
Christine
Dined on 12 Feb 2025
My husband surprised me with a pre-Valentine's dinner at Café Juanita, and it was an unforgettable experience. The service was impeccable, and the wine pairing was spot-on. The steak was grilled to perfection—something I rarely find when dining out, as it's often overcooked or undercooked elsewhere. The romantic ambiance made the evening feel truly special, taking us back to the early days of our 25-year journey together. A night to remember!
A photo of Umi Sake House restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2569)
$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
AlisonVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Fantastic food and service as always! Sushi rolls are top notch and so fresh. They brought us a dessert to celebrate my birthday.
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