Insider's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Pike Place Market

It always shocks us to hear that some think Pike Place Market is just flying fish and flower bouquets when it's so much more! Particularly a food mecca that has literally something for EVERYONE! We decided to put our favorites down in a blog for locals and tourists to reference when they are thinking about food and need a place to go. 

Breakfast

Seatown Seabar 

We've said it before and we will say it again - the hashbrowns at Seatown are crack nuggets. Their Dungeness Crab Benedict is delectable and their Fried Egg Sandwich takes it up a notch with the dahlia bakery english muffin that is so fluffy you'll want to die. And for the love of god, don't get any other side besides the hashbrowns. 

The Crumpet Shop

The Crumpet Shop isn't the spot you would give a second glance to if it was your first day at the market - but if you make the mistake of missing out on these british buns of joy it is going to haunt you for the rest of your life. Kristina loves the savory pesto, fresh tomato, and ricotta. Sarah obviously goes for the sweet with chocolate hazelnut and ricotta. Oh - and this place isn't a secret, so prepare for a line on the weekends! 

Storyville Coffee

Guess what? We like this place for their food, not their coffee - shocking we know. Storyville is tucked away on the upper level of the Corner Market building and they make some legit breakfast fare, including the Tillamook Breakfast Sandwich (the bun has sea salt on it) and the cinnamon roll that has sugar crystals that burst on your tongue as you eat it, 2,000 calories and all (just kidding - it isn't that many calories, but it tastes so good you'll feel that guilty).

Lunch

El Borracho

We've talked about El Borracho plenty before this post. Well, when something's good it deserves accolades, so stop hating. This spot has our favorite tacos and burritos, and when you throw in their chips and guac you have yourself a meal made in Mexican heaven! Check out our 8 Best Mexican Spots in Seattle for more on our obsession. 

DeLaurenti 

Italians are crazy amazing people. They learned how to put together things like carbs, cheese, and wine to create pure beauty in this world. DeLaurenti is an Italian market in The Market (yes, a market in the market - nuts!) that we love for many things, one of which is lunch. Head here to get a delicious Italian sandwich - the Arrosto and Grinder are our personal favorites. If you need a side, head over to the deli counter and grab some dolmas or a stuffed pepper to top it all off! 

Pike's Pit BBQ

Kristina is a Missouri native, so she has a little bit of a thing for BBQ. Pike's Pit offers a place to get a hit of that good stuff - pulled pork coated in a delicious, sweet/spicy bbq sauce. Like a true BBQ joint they offer giant portions, so we would recommend getting the "Mini-me" with your favorite meat and "Wickle it." :) 

Honest Biscuit

They aren't lying when they say their biscuits are the best. Get it? Honest Biscuit aren't lying?! This spot got a new location in the new Waterfront Market Building, so you can enjoy your biscuit with great views of the Puget Sound! If you're hungry hungry we would recommend the Fried Chicken Butterhole Biscuit. If you're not that hungry or hate fried chicken (which is basically a sin) we could say the Pimento Cheese Biscuit is your best bet! 

Piroshky Piroshky

Prepare to have your nose try to break off of your face to chase the scent of these pastries down the street. Once you get a whiff all the rest of our suggestions will be out the window. We love so many different types, the smoked salmon pate, the chicken, rice, and mushroom, the potato and cheese... the list continues - go grab the one that speaks to you! The only thing about Piroshky is, at least to us, it's an awkward amount of food. Do we get one, and still have room for more after, or do we get two and have to take a nap after because we are too full? Probably the nap...

Dinner

Steelhead Diner

Steelhead is a market staple and for good reason. They have a unique spot that truly feels like a diner, but offers upscale food that embodies the pacific northwest to a T. Their view of Post Alley and Puget Sound make it a great place to spend a couple of hours eating. Start with the clam chowder and charred broccoli, move on to your favorite seafood, and then finish it all off with one of their many mouthwatering desserts! 

The Pink Door

It's best in the summer, but if you want some amazing traditional Italian, most likely served with some live entertainment, then head to Pink Door any night of the year! If it's warm, make sure to wait for a table on the patio - it's worth it! Our favorites are the risotto and the lasagna, because...well that doesn't need an explanation - risotto and lasagna are the two best Italian inventions outside of pizza.

Place Pigalle 

It's going to cost you, but Place Pigalle offers one of the best dining experiences in The Market. Their quaint, french restaurant is perched on the edge of the back of The Market and their menu is stacked with amazing and rich food to swoon over. We love their mussels and french onion soup, all their entrees are seasonal, but they usually have an incredible salmon and lamb dish to knock your socks off.  

Sushi Kashiba 

Hot damn, Shiro's done it again. Sushi Kashiba is the second restaurant from famed sushi chef, Shiro Kashiba. Just go prepared to get the Omakase and drop like $200, they will put dish after dish in front of you that melts in your mouth and showcases flavors you didn't even know existed. It's an experience everyone should have before they die. Yes - we are that serious about this, we mentioned death.

Drinks

Jarr Bar

Head to Jarr Bar to get amazing cocktails. The El Cochino is our absolute favorite and goes perfectly with their food offerings. 

The Athenian

This is the best happy hour spot in The Market! Head to the back of the restaurant, grab a booth in the bar, and enjoy a cold, local beer in a frosty mug. The views don't hurt the experience either. 

Radiator Whiskey  

This is one of those dark bars where you go to sip whiskey and brood about life. Brooding isn't required though - head up to their spot to experience some great selections of whiskey and also you can eat a pig head if you want... so there is that. 

Alright folks - go forth and conquer! These are the best spots as of today, but the market is ever changing and evolving so we will be sure to report back with any new amazing, drop dead they make you feel so alive, spots to grab a meal in Pike Place Market! 

50 Things to Eat in Seattle Before You Die

A few years ago, Thrillist posted an article about a Seattle Food Bucket List calling out 50 things you must try in the Seattle food scene. We like the list, but thought it was missing some lesser known spots so we decided to take a stab at the list from our point of view. I mean you can never really have too many lists of food to consult on nights when the fridge is running low.

After making our own list three things are apparent. 1. We have a sweet tooth, 2. We love carbs, and 3. We have a (justifiable) truffle addiction. 

FYI: The list is not in any particular order.

1. Cha Ca La Vong at Stateside - The Cha Ca La Vong at Stateside is actually way better than the real dish in Vietnam...maybe because they use black cod, which is so fresh it melts like butter in your mouth? That plus the turmeric and dill? Just trust us. 

2. Hashbrowns at Seatown Seabar - Tom Douglas can do no wrong. The thought in our mind is, "How do you take the average hashbrown and make it SO GOOD!?" It has this crispy top layer that simply turns them from ordinary to extraordinary. 

Pimento Cheeeeeeeese

3. Pimento Cheese at Honest Biscuit - Everything on Honest Biscuit's menu is fantastic, but the pimento cheese, which is technically a side dish, makes our hearts swoon. Smear it on a buttermilk biscuit and go to town!

4. Anchovy Pasta at How to Cook a Wolf - After eating anchovy pasta in Italy, we have been on the hunt for something as perfect. How to Cook a Wolf is the closest thing we have found to that simple Italian dish. It's delicious. Oh, and get the burrata while you're at it.

5. Molton Lava cake at Saltoro - You have to wait around 30 minutes for this dessert, but one bite of this oozy, chocolaty goodness and you would happily wait longer.

6. Pizza at Northlake Tavern - The opinions on "best pizza" are vastly different, but the pizza at Northlake Tavern is an old favorite. It has been around since 1954 (!) and serves pizza with an "old Italian recipe." Not only is it incredible, but it's also a dive bar with cheap pitchers and a laid back attitude.

7. Everything at Bongos - Bongos has amazing Caribbean cuisine with an outdoor patio perfect for warm weather. We thought and thought about what item to suggest and finally decided you should just get everything.

The many flavors of Sweet Lo's

8. Cookies and Cream from  Sweet Lo's Ice Cream - We interviewed the owner of Sweet Lo's (here) and had the opportunity to sample all of her flavors. We aren't biased, though. It simply is the best ice cream we have ever tasted.

9. Meatball sub at Dot's Delicatessen - We love a good meatball sub, and this one is top notch, with large, grass-fed meatballs and homemade marinara. 

10. Portabella sandwich at DeLaurenti - You'll have to catch this sandwich when it's in rotation, but if you do you'll feel like you've won the sandwich lottery. Grilled portabella mushrooms with cheese melted down into almost a spread makes this sandwich unique and savory. If it's not on the menu the day you go choosing the Grinder is a nice second choice.

11. Twice baked almond croissant at Bakery Nouveau - The chef, William Leaman, has won 1 million awards for his baked goods, and the almond croissants are over-the-top. He dips them in simple syrup, fills them with almond cream and tops them with slivered almonds and powdered sugar. And if that isn't enough, he also does it with chocolate. 

12. Sauball at Grinders Hot Sands - We told you we had a thing for meatball sandwiches, but the Sauball at Grinders combines both our beloved meatballs WITH a sausage grinder, and, to us, that is just genius.

13. Chicken Pho at Than Brothers - Simple pho with quality ingredients! This soup hits the spot every time (they also give you a cream puff for dessert, so A+ for that).

Dumplings with Garlic Dipping Sauce at Fu Man 

14. Dumplings (and garlic dipping sauce!) at Fu Man Dumpling House - There is only one kind of dumping here (pork and veggie) but the real star is the garlic dipping sauce that we would eat with a spoon if it wasn't frowned upon (luckily, they do sell the sauce by the bottle).

15. Shrimp and grits at Restaurant Roux - People from the South might throw shade since these might not be considered "traditional" shrimp and grits, but the fresh shrimp in a spicy, creole sauce is simply too good to care. 

16. Chorizo gravy at CJ's Eatery - You might walk right past this diner and never go in, but on the weekends something magical happens. Chorizo gravy can be ordered over biscuits or chicken fried chicken. We have never tried anything else here because we can't NOT order the chorizo gravy. Get a Rose Mimosa while you're at it.

Both Shaved Ice versions win at Bambu

17. Korean Shaved Ice at Bambu - Who knew Korean shaved ice was a thing? It is and it's delicious! We can't decide between the strawberry or the chocolate, so you should probably try them both.

18. Pork or Chicken Adobo at Oriental Mart - Joy and Leila make the best Filipino food in the city! If you are new to this cuisine, start with the adobo, which is perfectly tangy and tender.

19. Tacos from El Camion - There are a few El Camion locations, but we like the food truck in the Home Depot parking lot. This little truck serves up meat with a lot of flavor and the salsa bar is legit. It's quick, affordable, and authentic. Just the way we like it.

20. Chin-up Donuts - With flavors like Sriracha Cha-Cha (Sriracha glaze in cinnamon and sugar) and A'hoy Captain (Vanilla with Captain Crunch cereal) there is some weird and unique flavor for everyone. They are fun, different, and delicious!

Iberico ham at Jarrbar

21. Iberico Ham at JarrBar - JarrBar is one of the few places in the city you can get Iberico ham, which is made from Spanish pigs who feast on acorns and olives. It is expensive but 100% worth it.

22. Ramen at Aloha Ramen - Japanese ramen with a Hawaiian twist? Why not! This tiny spot in Lake City is always packed, but it's worth the wait. The broth has lots of flavor depth and the noodles are perfect. We like the spicy garlic miso which is packed full of garlic flavor.

23. Spicy Ponzu Albacore at Pokeworks - It kinda feels weird to include this place since it's a chain, but we looove their uber fresh poke bowls. The spicy ponzu albacore is that perfect mix of sweet and savory with a touch of spice!

24. The Fig and the Pig at Lil' Woody's - We are always on the search for a perfect burger, and Lil' Woody's is it. They serve only NW grass-fed beef, and we love the sweet/savory combination of the Fig and the Pig, which adds pickled figs, blue cheese, and bacon. Maybe get the house-made onion rings, too.

25. Chili ver jalapeno mac n' cheese at Slim's Last Chance - Slim's has four chilis to choose from, but we love all the additions you can get such as having it over jalapeno mac n' cheese or white cheddar grits (both which seem to take it to the next level).

26. Chorizo tacos at TNT Taqueria - Because tacos are SO good it needs to be on this list twice. TNT is a cute little taqueria in Wallingford that has their street tacos down pat. The chorizo has enough flavor to leave you wanting another order. Add the avocado salsa to it and enjoy!

27. Lunch from Il Corvo - The owner studied in Florence. He makes the pasta by hand every day. We know a REAL Italian and she says this place is legit and she is fairly outspoken about how crappy she thinks the Italian offerings are in Seattle. Just go. It's amazing.

28. Cheeseburger and a shake from Dick's Drive In - You can't live in Seattle without knowing the taste of a Dick's cheeseburger and chocolate shake. You just can't, ask Macklemore.

29. Salted Caramel Cupcake Ice Cream Cone from Cupcake Royale - They might have a name that says cupcakes, but the cupcakes IN ice cream is where the real magic happens. 

30. Coconut Cream Pie from Dahlia Lounge - This is Kristina's favorite dessert in all of Seattle. And we eat a lot of dessert. They sprinkle it with sugar spiked with crack or something because even with the $10/slice price we keep going back over and over again. 

31. The Big Moses from Ballard Pizza Company - You have to trust the pizza chef when you order The Big Moses (because it is a mystery pizza), but lucky for us the chef at Ballard Pizza Company has never made a bad decision when it comes to pizza. 

32. Omakase Course Menu from Shiro's Sushi - No one in Seattle knows sushi better than Shiro. So why would you get anything other than the Chef's choice when you visit his restaurant? Trust that they know best, sit back, and enjoy piece after piece of delicious sushi as it appears in front of you.

33. Clam Chowder from Steelhead Diner - On a cold, rainy day nothing hits the spot better than a warm bowl of chowder from Steelhead. They put amazing truffle oil on the top that really makes it the best. 

34. Risotto from The Pink Door - The Pink Door usually has a seasonal risotto on the menu. Our all time favorite is the sweet corn and dungeness crab risotto. Everything except the corn melts in your mouth and then the corn pops that sweetness in! 

35. Churro Ice Cream at Chavez - Chavez is semi-new to the restaurant scene in Seattle, but they have already become a staple in our dining rotation because of their churro + salted caramel ice cream dessert. Full disclosure we are usually full of tequila by the time dessert hits, but MAN it tastes good!

36. Truffle popcorn from Big Picture - Again, truffle. It's amazing. We go to Big Picture not for the movies, but for the truffle popcorn. The movies are just icing on the cake. Oh, and the wine. 

37. Pumpkin Pie Yogurt from Ellenos - This is only around in the fall, but when it is everyone MUST eat it. It takes the guilt out of eating pumpkin pie. Even though it shouldn't because it's literally pumpkin pie smashed into greek yogurt. If you're here other times of year you can't go wrong with the Marionberry or Passionfruit either.

38. Cauliflower Fritters at Black Bottle - This appetizer combines our love of asian cuisine with our love of cauliflower. This trendy spot in Belltown takes cauliflower flourets, deep fries them, and then covers them in a spicy Asian sauce. This is one of those sharable dishes that you won't want to share. 

39. Fish & Chips from Nosh - This giant, perfectly coated piece of cod is what British dreams are made of. The breading will melt in your mouth with the buttery fish and you find yourself thinking how great tea and corgis are. God save The Queen. 

40. Handmade Gnocchi with Black Truffle Cream from List - The only thing this dish is missing is about 30 more gnocchi. The pillowly potato pasta is drenched in truffle cream sauce. You'll have to fight to keep from licking the plate clean. Go on Sunday or Monday for their half price all day happy hour and you can justify getting two plates!

41. Cinnamon Roll from Storyville Coffee - You can taste the sugar crystals when you bite into this cinnamon roll. They even make it fairly small because I think if it was the size of a "normal" cinnamon roll you would go into a sugar coma. 

42. Oysters on the Half Shell from Elliott's Oyster House - If you want fresh, seasonal oysters Elliott's is a great place to go. They have an amazing patio on the water and their oyster wine pairs incredibly with those slimey, delicious little guys! 

43. Burrata at Tavolata - Burrata literally translates to butter in Italian and this dish from Seattle chef Ethan Stowell's Tavolata will make you realize why. This soft cheese is served on a board with salty or sweet pairings. 

44. Smoked Salmon Pate from Pirosky Piroshky - There is always a line wrapped around the premise of Piroshky Piroshky and there is a pretty obvious reason why -- their stuffed pastries are worth standing in the cold, rain, heat, or hurricane for. Get a little mix of Russian and PNW cuisine with the Smoked Salmon Pate! 

45. Fried Chicken from Ma'ono - This Hawaiian spot in West Seattle serves up the best fried chicken in town. Make a reservation and let them know you want to reserve your bird because they can run out on busy nights. When you arrive, wait anxiously for your entire chicken to come out. It will be golden, crunchy, and delicious. We love the chili sauce as an added punch of flavor.

46. B.L.T.G.A. from Napkin Friends - This food truck is getting its own brick and mortar restaurant. Want to know how they can afford it? Well they thought to switch out buns for latkes and then shoved bacon, lettuce, tomato, gouda cheese, and aioli in the middle. That stuff sells. 

47. Chocolate Marshmallow Donut from General Porpoise - Renee Erickson gained traction as a restauranteur in Seattle who knew good Northwest cuisine. Who knew she had some seriously amazing donuts in her arsenal too. General Porpoise serves stuffed donuts with creams, custards, and jams inside. 

48. Rub with Love Salmon from Etta's - This salmon is covered in a yummy rub and then perfectly grilled and served over a cornbread pudding with a shitake relish. Sounds fancy, but the basics are all there -- it's the best salmon in the city.

49. Aloha Sliders from Marination Ma Kai - Yes, they have SPAM in them. BUT, Hawaii knows how to do SPAM. So just trust the list and order these guys. Because they are delicious. Promise.

50. S'mores Sundae from Shug's Soda Fountain and Ice Cream - They toast the marshmallows right in front of you and then drizzle the whole thing with syrup. Need we say more?