The Resy Hit List: Where In Seattle You’ll Want to Eat in Summer 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
- Outstanding in the Field: Join Sweet Earth Farm on San Juan Island on Sunday, August 18, for a farm-to-table feast prepared by Coho Restaurant. For $145, enjoy a farm tour at 3:30 pm followed by an 8-course dinner at 4 pm featuring Westcott oysters, smoked pork shoulder, and more. (The final menu will be released closer to the event.) Hosted by Soroptimist Friday Harbor with Shaun and Amy Salamida of Madrone Cellars. Savor the season’s freshest flavors in a magical setting. Save your seats here, and always keep an eye out for more to do on Resy’s Events page.
- Cheers to Fitness, Beer, and Fun: Lace up for the 5k Beer Run x Lucky Envelope Brewing! On August 17, run, walk, or jog through Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, then celebrate with a locally made craft brew at the finish line. Enjoy live music, delicious food trucks, and good vibes. The start time is 11 am. Buy tickets here.
- Sweet Summer Treats: Summer is synonymous with ice cream, so why not learn to bake a soft chocolate sponge and malted vanilla frosting for the perfect ice cream cake? Join The Pastry Project for a fun, hands-on Ice Cream Cakes & Sammies class and master the art of making crispy yet soft ice cream cookie sandwiches. Take home a mini ice cream cake, cookies, and soft serve. Classes are available on August 10 or 24. Tickets are $120.
- Beer, Bands, and Burlesque: Step right up to the Lagunitas Beer Circus, celebrating 15 years of wild fun on August 25, 12-5 pm! For $40, enjoy over 100 performers, burlesque shows, live music, food trucks, and aerialists. Sip unique Lagunitas brews and local favorites while mingling with a crowd in fantastically freaky circus attire. Buy tickets here.
Harry’s Beach House, Lil Pocha, Gasworks Brewing, The Kite 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. Harry’s Beach House Alki
Escape the city’s hustle and dodge downtown’s summer crowds by heading to Harry’s on Alki Beach. With stunning views of the Seattle skyline, this patio is the perfect respite. While everything on the menu is a hit, the raw bar is a real summer treat. Dive into local rockfish ceviche, Hokkaido scallop crudo with cucumber gazpacho, chili, and mint, a punchy shrimp cocktail poached in Old Bay and citrus, and requisite oysters on the half shell ($2 each during Monday to Friday, 3 to 5pm happy hour). Pair your seafood delights with a $10 glass (or two) of rosé.
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. 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.
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. Gasworks Brewing Wallingford
Looking for a dog-friendly spot on the north side of Lake Union? Gasworks Brewing (by Gasworks Park, of course) is your brand-new go-to. Paddle up to their dock on your paddleboard or kayak and settle into an Adirondack chair on their spacious patio. It’s the perfect place to kick back and savor the last glorious days of summer. The menu features simple bites like a turkey club, a grilled veggie sandwich, and a refreshing watermelon and arugula salad with goat cheese. Sip on rotating drafts like the Easy Answer Hazy Pale and Gasworks Helles—both easy quenchers for warm sunny days. Plus, they offer gluten-free options like a fruit punch sour and four-packs to go of your favorite brews.
No reservations. More info here.
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. The Kite Cafe Golden Gardens
In the former Miri’s spot at Golden Gardens Bathhouse, co-owners and Ballard natives Matt Kelly and Torry Meyer have created The Kite Café, a grab-and-go spot for hungry Golden Gardens beachgoers. Think deli-style sandwiches, fresh salads, and snacks like to-go cups brimming with locally grown cherries to fuel beach day adventures. For a light bite, try The Greenwood—a vegan delight with marinated grilled cauliflower, sumac hummus, arugula, tomato, and red onion finished with chimichurri sauce. Also, watch for The Kite Café’s Milkshake Jeep, popping up at Golden Gardens on weekends from noon to 7, with treats like the Coldbrew & Cookies shake featuring Caffe Umbria coffee.
No reservations. 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. Lil Pocha Capitol Hill
Lil Pocha, formerly Imo Pocha, has been renovated and rebranded under new ownership, offering a cozy dining experience with a small but mighty menu. Highlights include perfectly crispy Japanese-style karaage, flavorful rabbokki—a fusion of chewy rice cakes and spicy ramen in gochujang sauce—and an authentic kimchi stew that transports you straight to Korea. Enjoy a window seat to watch the sunset in air-conditioned comfort (a rarity in Seattle). Open until 11 pm on weekdays, it’s perfect for late-night dining.
No reservations. More info here.
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.
