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

Less than a block from the Othello Light Rail, Bang Bang Kitchen brings bold New Mexican flavors to South Seattle by way of Albuquerque-born sisters Miki and Yuki Sodos. Here, hatch chiles are non-negotiable. Find them in everything from red-and-green “Xmas” bloody marys to Frito pie topped with tofu chorizo. The quesadillas come loaded with red chile brisket or green chile chicken, and brunch regulars swear by the cornbread pancakes with green chile butter. Pair it all with a green tea margarita or a mimosa flight, and soak up the sun on the patio like you’ve got nowhere to be.

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.

Robin’s is a quietly ambitious addition to the Fremont neighborhood, breathing new life into the former Art of the Table space. By day, locals queue for the Brazilian BEC — crispy bacon, runny egg, melty Gouda, and avocado on a cheesy pão de queijo bun. By night, the kitchen shifts to dishes like slow-roasted salmon with cabbage escabeche or charred asparagus with duck egg. During happy hour (3-6 p.m.), order the Dockside G&T, infused with seaweed and garnished with pickled kelp.

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.

After 75 years, Canlis still delivers timeless Northwest fine dining with a view — and now, a local in the kitchen. New executive chef Aidan Huffman, a Seattle native who rose through the Canlis ranks, brings a fresh perspective without rocking the boat. The classics remain: the tableside Canlis salad, the polished mid-century design and piano covers that range from reimagined Daft Punk tracks to a moody take on Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.” The $180 tasting menu (with plenty of surprises) is tailored to all diets and tastes, from king salmon to a decadent hazelnut-and-coffee Nula Pie. Dress sharp; this is still a place where big nights happen. 

Book on Tock.

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.

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, and 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.

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.

Behind an unmarked door in Lower Queen Anne, (unlisted) is a speakeasy with serious flair — and one unforgettable hostess. Her name’s Ruby, a life-sized animatronic elephant imported from the 1931 Paris World’s Fair, and her presence sets the tone for this lavishly kitschy cocktail lounge tucked inside the storied Ruins building. Drinks riff on vintage classics (try the Vivarium, featuring gin, rosemary-thyme syrup, elderflower, and a hint of EVOO). The room drips eccentric, old-world decadence. Look for the red glow and follow the alley. If Ruby’s out, you’re in.

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.