Japanese sushi$$$$pike-place-market
Sushi Kashiba in Seattle's Pike Place Market is Shiro Kashiba's bar: the chef who opened Seattle's first sushi counter in 1970, now back behind glass at 86 Pine since 2015.
Signature: Omakase nigiri, Geoduck sashimi, Toro
Order: The 14-piece omakase at the bar with Shiro Kashiba himself if you can get the seat.
Tip: The omakase is bar-only and takes 90 minutes; book the 17:00 seating on a Wednesday for the chef and a quieter room.
Pacific Northwest$$$pike-place-market
Matt's in the Market in Seattle is the Pike Place Corner Market room with windows over the clock: a Pacific Northwest kitchen sourcing five floors down at the stalls every morning.
Signature: Catfish sandwich, Salmon plate, Half-pound mac
Order: The catfish sandwich at lunch, on Macrina sourdough with house remoulade.
Tip: Lunch counter seats walk in at 11:30 and turn quickly; dinner needs a reservation, especially for window tables.
Italian American$$$pike-place-market
The Pink Door in Seattle's Pike Place Market is the unmarked Post Alley Italian room: a 1981 institution with Elliott Bay views, nightly cabaret and proper red-sauce cooking.
Signature: Lasagne alla Bolognese, Ricotta gnocchi, Cioppino
Order: The Bolognese lasagne with a glass of Sangiovese on the deck overlooking Elliott Bay.
Tip: The deck takes reservations only April through October; aerial cabaret runs Thursday to Saturday at 21:30.
French bistro$$$pike-place-market
Cafe Campagne in Seattle's Pike Place Market is the city's foremost French bistro since 1994: zinc bar, Post Alley address, croque madame at brunch and cassoulet at dinner.
Signature: Cassoulet, Steak frites, Croque madame
Order: Cassoulet on a rainy night; the croque madame at brunch with a glass of Sancerre.
Tip: Brunch from 09:00 weekends fills first; walk in at 08:30 Saturday for a window table.
French bistro$$$pike-place-market
Le Pichet in Seattle near Pike Place is the unhurried French bistro since 2000: tile floor, zinc bar, slate boards, a kitchen that does poulet roti and tartines as well as anywhere.
Signature: Poulet roti, Tartine de jambon, Cassoulet
Order: Poulet roti for two, ordered on arrival; it needs 60 minutes from the oven.
Tip: The bar is first-come first-served from 16:00; ask for the corner two-top in the window.