Restaurants

The dining scene in Seattle is eclectic, to say the least. From the strong influences of Asian and Scandinavian cuisines, along with the Pacific Northwest’s bounty of some of the best seafood in the country, come a plethora of highly inventive, extremely fresh, and often ethnically fused culinary experiences from which to choose. Many of America’s most talented and talked-about chefs are here, giving the restaurant landscape a definite excitement.

Eating out in Seattle can be pricey, without a doubt. When I first arrived I was shocked at restaurant prices, which are closer to San Francisco figures than other western cities. Part of this comes from the higher grocery costs and prepared-food tax. At the same time, I’ve rarely had a bad meal—even a mediocre one, for that matter—in this city. Seattle is the place to splurge on food, and there are many fine dining icons that will give you the gourmand treat of a lifetime. That said, the city was literally built on inventiveness, and the combination of its youthful vibe and down-to-earth attitude has also produced plenty of amazing choices for eating on the cheap. Oh, and have I mentioned that Seattle has a great street-food scene that is very hipster and “in the know”? Maverick chefs have come together here to build their own creative, authentic, purist food experiences at modest prices.

Overview

The regional specialty, Pacific Northwest cuisine, incorporates coastal flavors with local ingredients and a fresh simplicity in the execution. Catch-of-the-day menu specials take advantage of the abundance from the waters of Puget Sound, the Pacific Ocean, and up in British Columbia and Alaska; while the area’s rich volcanic and forest soils provide robust flavors in earth-bound ingredients. Some of the common foods to be found in Pacific Northwest dishes include salmon, Dungeness crab, shellfish, mushrooms, Yukon Gold potatoes, sweet onions, and herbs. Local organic foods and farm-to-table cooking are highly popular and prized in the Seattle area, and much Pacific Northwest cuisine will have a Pacific Rim influence.

The terrific vineyards in Washington contribute a wonderful wine partnership to the food. Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are common varietals to the area, from the second-largest wine-producing region in the country. Walla Walla, the Columbia Valley, Woodinville, and the Yakima Valley are home to dozens of vineyards, and a large selection of Washington wines is offered at most restaurants to complement the regional dining. And don’t forget about beer—the Pacific Northwest started the craft brewing craze in the 1980s, and many fine microbreweries and pubs are found throughout Seattle.

The Asian influx to the area over the years has also resulted in a high concentration of Thai, Cantonese, Sichuan, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese food, as well as the previously mentioned prevalence of fusion cuisine. And as with any large city, you will also find just about any type of food available in Seattle.