19 Things You Need to Eat in Seattle Right Now

First ingredient? Clouds. Second ingredient? Fairy dust. Seriously, we’ve never tasted anything like these pillowy, sugar-dusted, custard-stuffed yeast doughnuts. All the flavors are fantastic, but we especially love the contrast of the surprisingly tart lemon curd.

1020 E. Union St., 206-900-8700 or gpdoughnuts.com

A restaurant that’s open only at lunchtime on weekdays and serves only pasta seems kind of like a recipe for failure (much as we love a good workday carb coma). But when you serve the best pasta in town (or, arguably, the country), you still get lines around the corner every day. The menu changes daily, but we’ve yet to get a dud.

217 James St.; 206-538-0999 or ilcorvopasta.com

Everyone raves about the short-rib dumplings at this French-Korean mash-up, and an order of those should certainly be on your table. But we really can’t stop thinking about this umami-rich, pleasantly green-hued noodle bowl.

403 N. 36th St.; 206-547-2040 or revelseattle.com

Two things will hit you as you approach this 25-year-old Pike Place Market stand: the line of tourists spilling out the door and the incredible smell of butter-rich Russian pastries. Don’t let the first detract from the second. You’ll want a not-too-sweet cinnamon cardamom braid for breakfast, and probably a smoked-salmon-filled piroshky (or hand-pie) for later.

Multiple locations in Seattle; 206-441-6068 or piroshkybakery.com

This Chilean seafood spot is known for its ultra-fresh, creative takes on ceviche. We particularly love the albacore, which comes with toasted quinoa, almonds, habanero chiles and raspberries.

3621 Stone Way N.; 206-294-3331 or manolinseattle.com 

It’s much lauded as the best oyster bar in the country, and with good reason—the selection of local oysters is unparalleled, and that’s not to mention the killer cocktail menu, the inspired small plates and the gorgeous marble bar itself. 

4743 Ballard Ave. NW; 206-395-9227 or thewalrusbar.com

This outrageously decadent pie (a Seattle favorite since the '80s) is so delicious, rumor has it that even über-healthy President Obama orders a full one every time he’s in town.

2001 Fourth Ave.; 206-682-4142 or dahlialounge.com 

These little slaw-covered Korean-Hawaiian bites will change your feelings on canned meat forever. Plus, the waterfront views are unrivaled. 

1412 Harvard Ave.; 206-325-8226 or marinationmobile.com

The pizza at Delancey is indeed terrific, but most locals know to battle the lines for the addictive, salty-sweet chocolate-chip cookies, too. 

1415 NW 70th St.; 206-838-1960 or delanceyseattle.com

Chef Renee Erickson takes her steaks so seriously, she raises them on her own farm and has an in-house butcher carving each one to order. 

1040 E. Union St.; 206-900-8699 or restaurantbateau.com

A true Seattle classic: Chicken thighs smothered in sticky sweet teriyaki sauce and served over white rice. Add gyoza and salad to make it a lunch special—it’ll still cost less than a Big Mac. 

Multiple locations in Seattle; 425-869-1916 or nasaiteriyaki.com

If you looked up grilled cheese in the dictionary, this would be it: Golden crust on the outside and warm, stringy melted goodness on the inside. Plus, the cheese is so fresh, you can actually pull up a stool and watch it being made as you chow down. 

1600 Pike Pl.; 206-956-1964 or beechershandmadecheese.com

There are excellent Banh Mi all over Seattle, and the secret is always in the crusty baguettes, almost all of which come from one place—Q Bakery. We recommend cutting out the middleman and heading straight there for your sandwich. It doesn’t get any fresher, people. 

3818 S. Graham St.; 206-725-9193 or facebook.com/pages/Q-Bakery-Sandwiches

Hey, we had to get some locally roasted, organic, fair-trade coffee on this list somewhere. When it comes to coffee ice cream, trust us (and the lines that are perpetually out the door): Molly Moon’s is the place.

Multiple locations in Seattle; 206-547-5105 or mollymoon.com

You can’t go wrong with any of the standard chowders at this Pike Place Market favorite. But for the freshest possible flavors, go for the Market Chowder, which is the chef’s choice of whatever was caught that day.

1530 Post Alley; 206-267-2537 or pikeplacechowder.com

A far cry from the gummy tangles of noodles that we’re used to getting with our standard Thai takeout orders. These are the real deal—toothsome and flavorful, and served with peanuts, roasted chiles, and palm sugar, just like on the streets of Chiang Mai.

1523 E. Madison St., Ste 101; 206-549-6507 or littleuncleseattle.com

This sophisticated little French bakery has some of our favorite macarons (in fancy-pants flavors like yuzu and blood orange) and a perfectly crackly pistachio croissant.

1424 11th Ave.; 206-948-2097 or amandineseattle.com

As most sushi nerds know, the only way to go is ordering omakase— the chef’s tasting menu. But if you’re going à la carte, don’t miss the nigiri made from locally caught sockeye salmon.

86 Pine St. #1, 206-441-8844 or sushikashiba.com

Since 1950, Canlis has been Seattle’s most iconic and revered fine-dining restaurant. Set high in the hills in a gorgeous mid-century modern house (we’d kill for those views), it’s a dream dinner location. For 65 years, the eight-course tasting menu has started with the same salad—romaine, bacon, oregano, Parmesan, mint, croutons and the most addictive dressing we’ve ever had. Swoon.

2576 Aurora Ave. N.; 206-283-3313 or canlis.com