Dick's Drive-In Broadway ★ 4.4
Dick's Drive-In Broadway in Seattle's Capitol Hill is the 1955 walk-up burger window: the Deluxe burger, fries and a hand-dipped milkshake for under $10, open until 02:00.
Try: Deluxe burger with fries and a milkshake
Eat well in Seattle for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
Paseo Fremont ★ 4.6
Paseo Fremont in Seattle is the Cuban pork sandwich counter since the early 1990s: caramelised onions, aioli, marinated pork on a ciabatta roll, the city's best lunch under $15.
Try: Cuban Roast sandwich
The Boat ★ 4.7
The Boat in Seattle's Little Saigon is the original Pho Bac since 1982: the city's first pho restaurant, still in a red boat-shaped building, bowls from $13.
Try: Pho tai with rare flank
Mike's Noodle House ★ 4.4
Mike's Noodle House in Seattle's International District is the city's most enduring Cantonese noodle counter: wonton soup, brisket noodles, congee, every day until 21:00.
Try: Wonton noodle soup
Tacos Chukis Capitol Hill ★ 4.3
Tacos Chukis Capitol Hill in Seattle is the upstairs Broadway taco counter: al pastor off the trompo, adobada mulitas, salsas built fresh until 22:00, all under $5 each.
Try: Al pastor tacos, three for under $10
Piroshky Piroshky ★ 4.5
Piroshky Piroshky in Seattle's Pike Place is the 1992 Russian bakery: salmon and cream cheese, cabbage and beef, hand-folded buns under $8 sold from the alleyway window.
Try: Salmon piroshky or cabbage and onion
Phnom Penh Noodle House ★ 4.4
Phnom Penh Noodle House in Seattle's International District is the Sam family Cambodian kitchen since 1987: hu tieu, bai sach chrouk, cha houy teuk, all under $18.
Try: Bai sach chrouk grilled pork rice plate
Salumi ★ 4.5
Salumi in Seattle's Pioneer Square is the Armandino Batali sandwich counter since 1999: house-cured charcuterie, braised porchetta with Calabrian chimichurri, around $16.
Try: Braised porchetta sandwich
Daily Dozen Doughnut ★ 4.4
Daily Dozen Doughnut in Seattle's Pike Place is the Economy Building counter: hot mini doughnuts off the conveyor, dusted in sugar, sold by the dozen for under $9.
Try: Bag of mini powdered sugar doughnuts
Biscuit Bitch Pike Place ★ 4.2
Biscuit Bitch in Seattle near Pike Place is the Southern-style biscuit counter: buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, jalapeno cheddar grits, all platters under $16.
Try: Hot Mess biscuits and gravy
Budget Eats in Seattle, FAQ
When is the best time to eat in Seattle?
Peak food season in Seattle is year-round.
What time do people eat in Seattle?
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
How does tipping work in Seattle?
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
What is the one dish to try in Seattle?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Seattle rewards trust.