The 1907 public market that anchors the city's food story. Fishmongers, piroshky stalls, oyster bars, French bistros and a chowder counter, all on cobblestone.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ivar's Acres of Clams in Seattle on Pier 54 is Ivar Haglund's 1946 waterfront fish house, a wood-walled dining room over Elliott Bay with pan-fried oysters.
Signature: Pan-fried oysters, Clam chowder, Alderwood-smoked salmon
Order: Pan-fried Olympia oysters with the alderwood-smoked salmon plate at a window table.
Tip: The Pier 54 fish bar to the side is the cheap counter: same clams, lower price, ferry views.
The Pink Door in Seattle's Pike Place is the unmarked Post Alley Italian since 1981: red-sauce kitchen, Elliott Bay deck, nightly cabaret on Thursday.
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 Resy only April through October; aerial cabaret runs Thursday to Saturday at 21:30.
Matt's in the Market in Seattle is the Pike Place Corner Market room with windows on the clock: a Pacific Northwest kitchen sourcing five floors down.
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 fast; dinner needs a reservation for window tables.
Cafe Campagne in Seattle's Pike Place is the city's foremost French bistro since 1994: zinc bar, Post Alley address, cassoulet and croque madame.
Signature: Cassoulet, Steak frites, Croque madame
Order: Croque madame at brunch with a glass of Sancerre; cassoulet on a rainy night.
Tip: Brunch from 09:00 weekends fills first; walk in at 08:30 Saturday for a window table.
Le Pichet in Seattle near Pike Place is the unhurried French bistro since 2000: tile floor, zinc bar, slate boards and a kitchen that does poulet roti.
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.
Ivar's Acres of Clams in Seattle on Pier 54 is Ivar Haglund's 1946 waterfront fish house: a wood-walled dining room over Elliott Bay with institutional.
Signature: Pan-fried oysters, Clam chowder, Alderwood-smoked salmon
Order: Pan-fried Olympia oysters with the alderwood-smoked salmon at a window table.
Tip: The Pier 54 fish bar to the side is the cheap counter: same clams, lower price, ferry views.
The Showbox at the Market on 1st Avenue opened July 1939 and ran Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters and the grunge era's Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Mudhoney; landmarked in 2019 at 1,150 capacity.
Tip: Tickets via AXS. Doors typically 19:00 with show at 20:00. The Art Deco ballroom keeps the original oak dance floor.
The Triple Door on Union Street is the 250 seat dinner theater across from Benaroya Hall, with table service, an Asian small plates menu and bookings across jazz, soul, world and cabaret.
Tip: Reserve a table at booking; the Mainstage runs two sets nightly with seated dining. Musicquarium Lounge in the lobby is free.
The Nest at the Thompson Seattle hovers above Stewart Street with 360 degree views of Elliott Bay and the Olympics, a geodesic Rain Drop dome and seasonal couches around fireplaces.
Tip: 21 plus, cashless. Check in with the host downstairs at the hotel lobby for the elevator key. Happy hour 16:00-17:00 and 21:00-22:00 Sun to Thu.
Frolik on the 5th floor of the Motif Seattle is the largest year round rooftop in downtown, with a 4,000 square foot terrace, fire pit bars, ping pong and curling lanes in winter.
Tip: Igloos and curling open from November. Walk in friendly weekdays; reserve via OpenTable for weekend brunch and Thursday to Saturday evenings.
Goldfinch Tavern at the Four Seasons opens its terrace bar alongside the hotel's infinity pool, looking out over the Great Wheel and Puget Sound. Live jazz with Brian Nova Thursday through Saturday.
Tip: Reserve dinner via OpenTable; the bar runs the same hours and is the easier walk in. Sip Champagne after sunset from the pool side.
Bookstore Bar at the Alexis Royal Sonesta on 1st Avenue is the library style hotel bar with floor to ceiling bookshelves, an award winning bourbon list and quiet cocktail service.
Tip: Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations via OpenTable; the bar holds the dark wood, the smaller dining room sits one step up.