The Resy Hit List: Where In Seattle You’ll Want to Eat in Spring 2025

“L’oursin” is French for sea urchin, and the orange beauty appears throughout the menu at this perfect pocket bistro in the growing restaurant district around Seattle University. Owners Zac Overman and JJ Proville have deep résumés in great restaurants (Sitka & Spruce, New York’s Gramercy Tavern) — their crispy fried veal sweetbreads almost explode with flavor, and the cassoulet is a meaty delight bolstered with slow-cooked Rancho Gordo beans. And as an added bonus, L’Oursin has long operated a market and wine shop, in case you need good stuff to go.

Tucked in a darling 1910 Madrona home, Bottlehouse is equal parts wine bar and bottle shop, making it a prime spot for a casual date night or small get-together, with a cozy interior and a dreamy patio for alfresco sipping. Oenophiles will swoon over the carefully curated selection of small-production labels — available by the taste, flight, glass, or bottle — and pair your pour with cured meats and artisan cheeses thoughtfully chosen by the in-house cheesemongers. Be sure to catch special events like Oysters + Bubbly, the Beaujolais Soirée, or join the Thirsty Wine Club’s quarterly selections.

Now under new ownership, this Bellevue spot has been wowing raw fish lovers with fresh flavors in the former Flo Sushi space. Start with an uni shooter featuring Momokawa sake, ponzu, and a quail egg, or indulge in the Heartbreaker roll: Alaskan snow crab topped with seven-spice tuna and jalapeño. There’s something for everyone, from $60 omakase to hearty teriyaki, katsu, udon, and bento boxes. Bonus: The space is street-facing with easy parking — a rarity in Bellevue.

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, and heartier dishes like a seared pork Tomahawk in a Port cream sauce are the antidote to a Seattle winter. 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.

Opened by siblings Lindsay and Josh Herschlip (the “L” and “J” in LJ’s), this neighborhood bistro is tucked into an unassuming shopping plaza. Inside, a sleek dining room sets the stage for hearty dishes like braised oxtail with herb risotto, crispy brussels sprouts, and a 10-ounce wagyu flat iron steak from Washington’s RR Ranch. Pair your meal with a Washington red or a perfectly crafted Manhattan, and you’re golden. Sunday brunch is a local hit, too, featuring comfort classics like biscuits and gravy. For a sweet finale, don’t miss the dark chocolate crème brûlée topped with candied pumpkin seeds — perfect for sharing.

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 contributed to the menu during his stint from 2002 to 2011, popularizing the Last Word cocktail and his own 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.

Chef Elmer Dulla’s Beacon Hill spot is the best kind of secret — one you want to keep to yourself but can’t stop raving about. This cozy, no-frills gem serves up Guamanian comfort food that just hits. Think airy, golden buñelos månglo, deeply satisfying bulgogi rice, and the Kewpie burger is an absolute must. And then there’s the corn and chicken soup — rich with coconut milk and kissed with chile oil — the kind of soul-warming dish you’ll be craving long after the last spoonful. Want to snag a seat? Weeknights are your best bet — go early and settle in.

Find more info here.

Loretta’s in South Park is the kind of cozy dive bar locals can’t stop raving about — and for good reason. Known for its no-frills vibe, friendly staff, and legendary burgers, it’s a go-to spot for affordable and reliably tasty eats. Grab one of the six coveted booths or settle in at a back patio table, but whatever you do, don’t miss the Tavern burger. The thin patty on a toasted white bun topped with melty American cheese, pickles, onions, and a touch of special sauce, is perfection. Not a meat eater? The fish and chips are an equally worthy choice.

Find more info here.

Lil’ Brown Girl, the latest from James Beard-nominated chef Kristi Brown, brings bold, soul-packed bites to Métier Brewing Company’s Cherry Street taproom. The menu riffs on favorites from her other projects, Communion and That Brown Girl Cooks: Black-eyed pea hummus, smoky berbere wings with a hit of Uncle Nearest whiskey, and a blackened catfish sandwich stacked with remoulade and pickled jalapeños. Paired with Métier’s craft brews, every bite is a love letter to the Central District.

Find more info here.

In the former Miri’s spot at Golden Gardens Bathhouse, co-owners and Ballard natives Matt Kelly and Torry Meyer have created a grab-and-go spot for hungry beachgoers. Think deli-style sandwiches, fresh salads, and snacks like to-go cups brimming with locally grown cherries. For a light bite, try The Greenwood—a vegan delight with grilled marinated cauliflower, sumac hummus, arugula, tomato, and red onion finished with chimichurri. Also, watch for the Milkshake Jeep, popping up at Golden Gardens on weekends from 12 to 7 p.m., with treats like the Coldbrew & Cookies shake featuring Caffe Umbria coffee.

No reservations. More info here.

Few views in Seattle can compete with the one at the water’s edge at Ray’s. In its 50^th 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, then move to the grilled Pacific Northwest sablefish in sake kasu, a signature since time immemorial (or so it feels). Linger over a bottle from the extensive wine list while watching the dusk framed by the peaks of the Olympics.

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 Campari-based Kamp Croquet) 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.

If the Caribbean feels out of reach, Bongos Café delivers island vibes right in Green Lake. Housed in a revamped gas station, this lively spot features a sand-strewn patio and year-round piña coladas. The menu bursts with bold flavors — spicy shrimp with Cuban rice and beans, slow-cooked pulled pork sandwiches, crispy cheese-filled yucca balls, and a standout jerk chicken plate. Big portions, vibrant flavors, and a breezy, beachy charm — what’s not to love?

Find more info here.

Perched on the 16th floor of The Charter Hotel, this rooftop retreat delivers spectacular Elliott Bay views and cocktails to match. The Pink Pony Club — a gin-forward, floral, and minty delight — makes for a dreamy nightcap, while the Fog Sazerac keeps things classic. Nibble on a spicy ahi tuna tostada or baked oysters with mushroom-miso aioli as the sun melts into the water, making every moment (and every post) unforgettable.

This beloved woman-owned treasure in Madison Valley perfectly captures the essence of Basque cuisine, earning its place as a neighborhood favorite. While the secluded back patio is a charming spot in warmer months, the real draw is the renowned 11-seat copper bar. Landing a seat here is a major win — it’s first-come, first-served for counter seats, while reservations ensure regular seating. Start with grilled figs and Serrano ham in a cold soup brimming with bread and almonds as a delightful prelude to seared prawns with saffron bomba rice and chorizo. And don’t miss the fluffy tortilla española, paired with a glass of verdejo for a refreshing aperitif.

Call 206-320-9771 for reservations.

Plenty of Clouds channels the bold flavors of Sichuan and Yunnan with a menu that’s equal parts fiery, fragrant, and deeply satisfying. Start light with chrysanthemum leaves tossed in soy vinaigrette, then dive into the heat with fried chicken crackling with Sichuan peppercorns and chiles. The twice-cooked pork belly, slicked with spicy bean sauce, is an undeniably addicting dish. Pair it all with a baijiu flight or the playful If You Give a Kid a Pony cocktail — vodka, zippy ginger and turmeric syrup, a squeeze of lime, and a splash of soda.