The Resy Hit List: Where In Seattle You’ll Want to Eat in July 2024
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in Seattle: a monthly-updated (and now expanded!) guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Seattle Not to Miss This Month
- Sky-High Seat for the 4th: Ascend to great heights — 16 floors to be exact — to the ultimate fireworks experience at The Mountaineering Club’s rooftop bar atop Seattle’s Graduate Hotel. With a 360-degree view of both Seattle and Bellevue fireworks at 10 p.m., you can’t ask for a better spot. From 4 to 7 p.m., imbibe cocktails. Then, book a ticket to stay for the show; $30 gets you rooftop access and complimentary passed treats. Or upgrade to reserved seating for $50.
- Cheers to Liberté: Celebrate Bastille Day at Maximilien on July 14th with an evening of French cuisine and live accordion music by Bonnie Birch. For $115, enjoy a 5-course set menu. Indoor and outdoor seating is available with views of the colorful light show displays of the Great Wheel. Secure your seat here.
- Bites for Change: Join the Bloomberg Green Festival Bar Bites for an evening of exceptional, sustainable cuisine at Seattle’s top spots. Enjoy multiple bar bites from local purveyors like Palouse Pastured Eggs and Preservation Meat Collective. Bar seating only; guests must be 21+. Optional beverages and other items are available for purchase. $75 per guest. Learn more here. Reservations are available for Thursday or Friday.
- Taste The Best: Savor the best of Seattle’s culinary scene at The Bite of Seattle, July 19-21 at Seattle Center. This vibrant festival features 250+ local vendors, beer and wine gardens, cider tastings, and 65+ musical acts. Bring the family for a fun day or treat out-of-town guests to a delicious dive into Seattle’s food scene.
Guillotine, Moto Pizza, Zig Zag Café.
1. Driftwood Alki Beach
Driftwood is the height of waterfront dining, offering a sweet escape that overlooks Alki Beach. Chef Dan Mallahan and his wife Jackie have transformed this seafoam-hued sanctuary into a seafood lover’s paradise, surpassing even the beloved former Alki Beach Pub. Mallahan’s dedication to freshness shines with ingredients sourced from local farmers’ markets and fisheries. From tribal-caught Coho salmon carpaccio to decadent Dungeness crab bisque, each dish celebrates the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Indulge in Grandma Gina’s hazelnut pie for a sweet finale.
2. L’Oursin Central District
“L’oursin” is French for sea urchin, and the pale orange beauty appears throughout the menu at this perfect pocket bistro in the growing restaurant district around Seattle University. But then, owners Zac Overman and JJ Proville have deep enough résumés in great restaurants (Sitka & Spruce, New York’s Gramercy Tavern) to know precisely how to edit a French vibe to fit in here. Their crispy fried veal sweetbreads almost explode with flavor, and if you want something truly hearty, the cassoulet is a meaty delight, bolstered with slow-cooked Rancho Gordo beans. And of course L’Oursin has long operated a market and wine shop, in case you need good stuff to go.
3. Light Sleeper Capitol Hill
Discover Light Sleeper, tucked behind Capitol Hill’s Chophouse Row, where enthusiasts descend on the stellar collection of naturally minded wines. Find something you like? Take home your favorite bottle from the nearby bottle shop, Wide Eyed Wines. Chef Eli Dahlin from Damn the Weather crafts delectable tapas to accompany your choices. The menu frequently changes, but a recent visit yielded bold flavors, like jalapeño, garlic, and peanuts with crispy fried pig skin. Or try roasted carrots with dates, walnuts, tahini, and saffron honey. Save room for dessert, like a sweet and savory corn crème brûlée with salted butter.
4. Sophon Phinney Ridge
Welcome to Sophon, where Cambodian cuisine meets modern flair, brought to life by owner Karuna Long, also known for Oliver’s Twist cocktail bar nearby. Inspired by his Cambodian heritage, Long’s childhood flavors shine in every dish, like the must-try kha sach chrouk — pork belly braised in coconut milk. With a menu boasting vegan and vegetarian options, don’t skip the cauliflower steak drizzled with chili oil. Admire the restaurant’s cultural ambiance, highlighted by a stunning photo of Bayon Temple in Siem Reap. After years of dedication, Long’s dream of sharing Khmer cuisine and culture is finally a reality.
Find more info here.
5. Nishino Washington Park
Whether it’s spring blooms or fall foliage, get lost in the beauty of Washington Park Arboretum. Then, treat yourself to a culinary adventure at this Seattle mainstay. Since 1995, chef Tatsu Nishino has wowed palates with diverse raw and cooked plates, ranging from crispy Brussels sprouts with sweet miso and grilled salmon skin salad to torch-seared Japanese A4 wagyu and exquisite omakase. Don’t miss the refreshing pineapple blossom and cucumber cooler to complement each flavorful bite.
6. Maximilien Pike Place Market
Every seat in the house at this lovely French find tucked into Pike Place Market is a winner with views of Puget Sound. Bistro staples, like French onion soup and Hudson Valley foie gras, evoke more than a bit of Paris flair. Heartier dishes, like a seared pork Tomahawk in a Port wine cream sauce, are in fact the antidote to a Seattle winter. So pop a bottle of bubbly or get a pour of Bordeaux, and enjoy how chef Christian Potvin has matched his classic French training to Northwest vibes.
7. Ananas Pizzeria First Hill
Introducing the latest culinary venture from Khampaeng Panyathong, the creative mastermind behind Taurus Ox and Ox Burger. Prepare to be wowed by 16-inch pies that evoke the legit spirit of New York pizzas, yet boast a unique twist with ingredients sourced from Panyathong’s native Laos. Take the Ananas pie, for instance, featuring smoked ham, pineapple, jalapeños, togarashi, and mozzarella. Or the Lao with khao soi pork and bamboo shoots. Spice lovers, try the Bird’s Eye Honey with red pepper flakes and chile honey. And don’t forget to save room for the Elephant Ear, a tasty fried dough concoction.
Find more info here.
8. ZIG ZAG CAFE Below Pike Place Market
Since 1999, Zig Zag Café has set the bar high in the craft cocktail scene with its luxe, speakeasy ambiance and retro flair. Renowned bartender Murray Stenson, who worked here from 2002 to 2011, reintroduced the Last Word cocktail and crafted the Hot Charlotte (named for famed mixologist Charlotte Voisey). Though Stenson passed away in 2023, his legacy endures. Enjoy live jazz, moody oxblood-hued lighting, and a fantastic mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Pair your cocktail with a Zig Zag burger or duck fat popcorn, and request a spot near the windows or in the back for a true jazz club experience.
9. Moto Pizza Belltown, Edmonds, or West Seattle
Remember the months-long waiting list and time slot system to secure one of Lee Kindell’s frico-crusted, square-shaped pies? Now you can order on the same day. Hit order on the Moto Pizza site, pick your location (Belltown, Edmonds, or West Seattle), and choose your date and time. Made from a century-old San Francisco sourdough starter and Skagit County flour, Moto Pizza’s dough ferments for three days. Try the Mr. Pig with its three-cheese blend, pork belly, and banana ketchup. Don’t miss the black garlic cheesy bread or the handheld pizza available during lunch or at the Mariners games. Bonus: Moto’s vegan options rival its non-vegan offerings.
Find more info here.
10. Banaras Crossroads Bellevue
Skip the usual Indian fare and dive into authentic, beautifully presented vegan and vegetarian dishes that transport you to the streets of Uttar Pradesh. Chef Raju Rawat adds a personal touch to every plate, like roasted wheat dumplings with spicy mashed vegetables and the flavor-packed aloo chaat. And for a sweet finish, the tableside-prepared gulab jamun ice cream is a must-try.
11. Lioness Phinney Ridge
In the Shared Roof development, Renee Erickson’s impressive 10th culinary venture keeps excellent company alongside neighbors Ben’s Bread, Doe Bay Wine Co., and Holy Mountain Brewing. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual aperitivo at the bar or craving a cozy sit-down experience, this jewel box of a space is sleek yet homey, with Murano chandeliers and colorful Puglian splatterware. Sharable bites like smoked black cod mousse with ikura and olive oil crackers await, along with freshly shucked oysters — it wouldn’t be an Erickson spot without them. Salumi, pasta, and carefully crafted cocktails round out the experience.
Call 206-703-2201 for more info.
12. Guillotine Capitol Hill
Meet Guillotine on Broadway, where the former Southern-inspired Witness space gets a stylish French makeover. Seattle food and drink veterans Colin Smith and Andrew Larson, familiar faces from Tavern Law, are bringing a French flair with dishes like trout almandine and foraged mushrooms with Champagne butter. Guillotine’s cocktails are sharp, too, featuring rum, Cognac, and gin creations like the Night Queen, a pricey but worthy indulgence at $18.
Find more info here.
13. FamilyFriend Beacon Hill
Owner Elmer Dulla made his way north from TOMO in White Center to open his own spot, and while he opted for an organic approach, relying on word-of-mouth to spread the news about FamilyFriend since its December opening, we’re ok with broadcasting a bit. Dulla’s offerings of Guamanian comfort foods are adventurous and masterful, from the savory delights of buñelos månglo (a savory sort of beignet) to flavorful bulgogi rice and the intriguing kewpie burger.
More info here.
14. Ray’s Café Ballard
Few views in Seattle can compete with the one at the water’s edge at Ray’s. In its 50th year, it remains an icon of the dining scene, especially for special occasions. Experienced Seattlites know the drill: Settle in with the Dungeness crab dip – decadent and sized to share. Move to the grilled applewood Pacific Northwest sablefish in sake kasu, a signature since time immemorial (or so it feels). And linger over a bottle from the extensive wine list while watching the dusk framed by the peaks of the Olympics.
15. Kamp Social House Madison Valley
Life and business partners Katy Knauff and Marceil Van Camp created a hit with Kamp — the bar that Seattle needed. Half-proof and zero-proof cocktails (try the Slay All Day) are having a moment here, but there’s also weekly rotating soft serve, happy hour —and the spicy boudin egg rolls, which may be the city’s best bar snack. And did we mention drag brunch? Between the stellar breakfast fare (hello, shrimp and grits and carnitas hash!) and the performers, it’s no surprise tickets sell out fast.
16. Bad Chancla Capitol Hill
Seattle chef José Garzón has introduced a Capitol Hill bodega-style street food takeout spot. Known for Lola’s Supper Club and Chifa Baby!, Garzón has brought Latin American street food to life in his own inimitable way. Bad Chancla proudly declares, “Not your abuela’s cooking,” and indeed it’s an homage to millennial immigrants and first-generation Latin Americans, blending tradition with modernity — picture bodega-style sandwiches like the Dominican “Riki Tiki” and Puerto Rican tripletas. Dive into Chepo rice bowls and late-night grilled cheese.
Find more info here.
17. Little Jaye South Park
Service at this warehouse-like spot in South Park is overseen by Dolly Parton, Anthony Bourdain, and Bob Ross (in an “American Gothic”-like painting). This sweet spinoff of West Seattle’s smokehouse Lady Jaye features the same mouthwatering meats in their breakfast sandwiches. Order at the counter and indulge in outstanding biscuits, Shokupan doughnuts, and creative spins on Rice Krispies treats — including fruity pebbles, Ruffles potato chips, and bourbon brown butter varieties. Pro tip: Visit during the week, as these sweet treats sell out on weekends.
More info here.
18. Samara Sunset Hill / Ballard
Discover Eric Anderson’s beloved Sunset Hill special-occasion spot, where wood-fired vegetables and heritage meats steal the show. Samara’s rustic charm shines with reclaimed wood tables and artisan pottery by Akiko Graham. Begin your meal with a smoky halibut dip or oven-roasted cauliflower. Indulge in the signature dish: Dungeness crab meat nestled atop a seasoned rice cake, bathed in butter, and match it to expertly crafted cocktails like the Sazerac or A More Perfect Union. Then wrap things up with a most decadent dark chocolate cake — because you can never go wrong with chocolate.
19. D’ La Santa Capitol Hill
At D’ La Santa, steak reigns supreme. This family-owned Mexican restaurant serves sizzling pans of tender, perfectly cooked beef, like the 25-day dry-aged New York strip with homemade salsa, and the Aguja Norteña, a juicy wagyu steak with cactus salad. Beyond steak, enjoy mouthwatering tacos with options like chorizo and pollo asado. Run by a team of brothers, uncles, aunts, and daughters using family recipes, D’ La Santa blends modern design with a South of the Border take on steakhouse flair.
More info here.
20. Six Seven Restaurant & Lounge Belltown
The Edgewater Hotel has not only been a fixture in Seattle for more than six decades — including, yes, when the Beatles came to town in 1964 — but also a dining destination (and the site of an occasional whale sighting) thanks to its over-water location on the Sound. Its current incarnation includes a menu that’s a delightful ode to local shellfish and sea creatures, featuring Pacific Northwest oysters, followed by exquisite options like seared diver scallops and cedar plank king salmon in a truffle cream and forest mushroom sauce. The extensive wine list showcases bottles from the Northwest and northern California.
