Sometimes when you’re looking for the best Seattle lunch spots, it’s easy to get trapped in a rut going to the same one or two places. Or when you try to branch out, a lot of fancier sit-down restaurants pop up.
There’s nothing wrong with a fancy lunch, but sometimes you just want something quick and easy, maybe even grab-and-go. Whether you’re craving a salad, sushi, tacos, or a hulking sandwich, there are plenty of lunch spots in Seattle. That’s why I’ve come up with a roundup of Seattle’s best lunch spots that are guaranteed winners.
Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by Beardslee Public House. All opinions are my own and only restaurants I love are included in this list. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me!
Best Seattle Lunch Spots
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’ll add more of the best lunch spots in Seattle as I discover them!
Beardslee Public House
website | neighborhood: Bothell (get directions) | cuisine: American
Beardslee Public House is the perfect spot for lunch if you live on the Eastside or are visiting, say to spend the day at the popular Woodinville wineries. It’s a large gastropub that has an adorable patio lined with hops that make it feel like you’re in a magical garden oasis. But Beardslee isn’t only looks — the restaurant is part of the John Howie Restaurant Group, so you can expect chef-y takes on comfort food classics.
For example, Beardslee is best known for their burgers…and these aren’t just any burger. Instead, Beardslee hand grinds high-quality cuts of beef like Kalbi and Wagyu and pairs it with interesting ingredients. My favorite is their Mushroom-Brie Wagyu Burger served with truffle aioli on a house-made potato bun. The patty is thick and juicy, and the brie is surprisingly subtle in flavor so you can really taste the earthy mushrooms/truffle and meaty beef.
There are a lot of other standouts on the menu. If you want more comfort food, don’t miss the fried chicken with the most addictive country gravy. They also make one of the best clam chowders in Seattle.
If you’re craving something lighter, order their seasonal salad. When I went it was a pear salad with candied pecans. I hogged most of the dish because I couldn’t get over the well-balanced flavors and variety of textures. Similarly, I didn’t want to share their Stout-Infused Deviled Eggs that were so overstuffed I could have sworn each egg half had a whole egg’s yolk inside!
Craving an afternoon pick-me-up?
Besides excellent food that matches whatever you’re craving, Beardslee is one of the best Seattle lunch spots because they also offer a full bar menu. As their name implies, they have a lot of beer options, including their own brews. However, they also have a huge spirit list that includes a carefully-curated selection of global and local brands, including their own sister distillery, Wildwood Spirits.
You can get spirits straight up, or enjoy them in a creative cocktail. Some of my favorites include the Spicy Pear Kamikaze, Blood Orange Margarita, and The Koi Pond — the latter of which comes in a cute fish glass! If you’re not drinking or have kids, Beardslee also makes non-alcoholic mocktails using their house-made syrups and sours.
All in all, Beardslee is one of the best lunch spots around Seattle because they have a little something for everyone and every mood!
Pasta Casalinga
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | cuisine: Italian
Pasta Casalinga is one of the best restaurants in Pike Place Market thanks to their handmade pasta, killer wine list, and chill vibe. They switch up the menu following the seasons, but I’m a sucker for their classic bolognese, lasagna, or wild boar ragu.
Un Bien or Paseo
Un Bien website | Paseo website | neighborhoods: Un Bien’s 3 Ballard locations, Paseo in Fremont, Paseo in SODO | cuisine: Caribbean
Good Caribbean food can be hard to find in Seattle, but Un Bien and Paseo both do an amazing job. The ex-employees of Paseo opened Un Bien, and while this might be a hot take, I think they do a slightly better job with their sandwiches. That said, Paseo is still one of the best Fremont restaurants.
At both spots, my go-to order is the Caribbean roast sandwich. The combination of tender pork shoulder with aioli is unbeatable.
Poke Square
website | neighborhood: Ballard (get directions) | cuisine: poke
Poke Square is one of my favorite poke spots in Seattle for their undeniably fresh fish and the fact they make every bowl fresh to order. I don’t even need to look down when I order. I just start listing off everything one by one until I reach the register.
My go-to order is a large two salmon, one tuna bowl light on the rice with cucumber, medium poke sauce, salt, green onions, corn, edamame, avocado, sesame seeds, and crispy garlic and onion.
Layers Green Lake
website | neighborhood: Green Lake (get directions) | cuisine: sandwiches
Layers started as a food truck in Ballard and, after a ton of success, finally opened a brick and mortar. I always go for the TBR (or CBR with chicken, depending on what’s available), which has turkey, bacon, tomato, arugula, and ranch on toasted brioche.
It sounds so simple, but it’s one of the best sandwiches in Seattle. It’s even better when you tack on a side of their brown butter banana walnut bread. Legit life-changing.
The Boat
website | neighborhood: Chinatown-International District (get directions) | cuisine: Vietnamese
The Boat is the sister restaurant to Pho Bac, the spot next door that serves up some of the best soup in Seattle. The Boat’s menu is totally different. Instead of pho, some of the best fried chicken in Seattle is the star.
If you’ve never had Vietnamese fried chicken, you’re in for a treat. It glistens with an umami-rich, sweet fish sauce and comes served with a light egg noodle soup and rice. Every element balances each other perfectly.
Xi’an Noodles
website | neighborhoods: U-District & Westlake | cuisine: Chinese
When I’m hangry in the U-District, Xi’an Noodles is one of my favorite cheap eats in Seattle. They offer great takeout and fast service. I always get their hand-pulled biang biang noodles, which are massive and super doughy, just as they should be. The spicy cumin lamb flavor especially is my favorite.
Mr. Gyros
website | neighborhoods: Ballard & Wallingford | cuisine: Mediterranean
I’ve been going to Mr. Gyros for years, and they’ve even made it onto my Ballard food tour, which is saying something cause there’s some stiff competition for Mediterranean food in Seattle. They offer all the Greek classics, like dolmas, Greek fries, and hummus. However, my go-to is the beef-lamb gyro or chicken shawarma, both of which always come with a ton of succulent, well-seasoned meat.
BOPBOX or Made in House
BOPBOX website | Made in House website | neighborhoods: BOPBOX in Georgetown & Made in House in Fremont | cuisine: Korean
BOPBOX and Made in House are sister restaurants serving Korean comfort food. Both have a laidback atmosphere and offer Korean classics like bulgogi, bibimbap, and bento boxes.
Made in House is more of a cafe, and I’ve included them in my Fremont food tour. BOPBOX is great for their more casual grab-and-go vibe. Whichever you visit, definitely order the Mom’s Medley, which comes with tons of fresh veggies, a sunny side-up egg, and your choice of protein (get the bulgogi beef).
Local Tide
website | neighborhood: Fremont (get directions) | cuisine: seafood
Local Tide is one of the best fish spots in Seattle, namely for their crab rolls which are only available on weekends. They’re a bit pricey, but they’re honestly the best crab rolls I’ve had on the west coast. They also low key have one of the best burgers in Seattle if you’re visiting another day of the week.
Dahlia Bakery
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | cuisine: bakery
Dahlia Bakery is one of Tom Douglas’ spots and shares a wall with his pizza restaurant, Serious Pie. I’m a creature of habit, so I always get the turkey sandwich and a bowl of creamy tomato soup. Whatever you decide to order, make sure to tack on a few peanut butter cookies. They’re one of the best cookies in Seattle.
Juicy Cafe
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | cuisine: healthy bowls & juice
Juicy Cafe was my favorite healthy food spots in Seattle back when I worked downtown, but people pass right by since it’s somewhat hidden in the Convention Center. They have a variety of fresh juices and bowls, which you can customize with your base and protein.
My favorite is the salmon bowl, which comes with a bright lemon dressing and irresistible baked veggie crunchies.
Aviv Hummus Bar
website | neighborhood: Capitol Hill (get directions) | cuisine: Israeli
Aviv is one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Seattle for their pillowy, stuffable pita, which you can get filled with meats, hummuses, or veggies. My favorite is the sabich sandwich, which comes with hummus, fried eggplant, boiled egg, fresh veg, tahini, and amba. But their hummus bowls topped with interesting accouterments is also a winner.
Bounty Kitchen
website | neighborhoods: Capitol Hill & Queen Anne | cuisine: healthy
Bounty Kitchen is an adorable casual health food spot that services those looking for good vegan and vegetarian cuisine in Seattle. Their menu is seasonally driven and they have a huge key to help customers with dietary restrictions navigate the menu. I suggest getting one of their bowls, which come loaded with fresh veggies and refreshing homemade dressings.
Mainstay Provisions
website | neighborhood: Ballard (get directions) | cuisine: deli
Mainstay is an upscale deli that serves some of the best rotisserie chicken I’ve found in Seattle. You can buy one and take it home or get add it to the kale Caesar salad. They also have a variety of fresh pastries, pizzas, beer, wine, and everyday dry goods.
Sabine Cafe
website | neighborhood: Ballard (get directions) | cuisine: Mediterranean
Sabine is one of the cuter cafes in Seattle serving Middle Eastern brunch items like toasts, Turkish eggs, and za’atar potatoes, along with sharing plates like hummus and beet labneh. I’m a sucker for their mascarpone toast which comes with whipped mascarpone, seasonal jam, and sumac on thick-cut brioche.
Pro tip: The cafe is open from 9-4 pm, then from 4- midnight, it transforms into Bar Sabine, a swanky cocktail spot.
Spice Waala
website | neighborhoods: Capitol Hill & Ballard | cuisine: Indian
Spice Waala has must try Indian food in Seattle thanks to their grab-and-go dishes. The aloo tikki and lamb kathi rolls are perfectly seasoned and filling, though they’re not so stuffed you’re likely to make a mess. They also have some darn good chaat nachos that will be unlike anything you’ve had. Oh, and save room for some soft serve, which is some of the best ice cream in Seattle.
Michou
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | cuisine: deli
Michou is perfect if you ever find yourself hangry in the middle of Pike Place Market. Not only is the food good, but even if there’s a line, it always moves quickly. I like to grab a pre-made salad and a chewy chocolate chip cookie. You know, for balance.
Secret Congee
website | neighborhood: Ballard (get directions) | cuisine: Asian
I can’t recommend Secret Congee enough. For being such a simple dish, Secret stands out with quality ingredients and an intensely flavorful broth that I haven’t seen elsewhere in Seattle.
Their flavors rotate constantly, but I always love the pork belly congee when available. It’s so buttery tender, and the broth is loaded with umami goodness!
Taco Street
website | neighborhood: Mt. Baker (get directions) | cuisine: street tacos
It doesn’t get more no-frills than Taco Street. They’re located discreetly in a strip mall and specialize in Northern Chihuahua-style tacos served with light toppings. The pork carnitas and barbacoa tacos are my favorite, and I can’t get enough of their fresh salsa. They are easily the best tacos in Seattle.
Maruta Shoten
website | neighborhood: Georgetown (get directions) | cuisine: cheap sushi
I mentioned Maruta Shoten in my best sushi in Seattle post for having high-quality, reasonably-priced sushi. Part of the reason it’s so affordable is that it’s located in an Asian grocery store, with pre-packaged sushi lining the cold case by the food counter. It’s grab-and-go nature makes it one of the best lunch spots in Seattle when you’re low on time.
Obviously grab whatever looks freshest, but my favorite is the salmon nigiri. They don’t skimp on the fish so you’re never left with a final bite of plain rice.
CrackleMi or Sizzle&Crunch
CrackleMi website | Sizzle&Crunch website | neighborhoods: CrackleMi Ballard, CrackleMi Fremont, Sizzle&Crunch U-District, & Sizzle&Crunch SLU | cuisine: Vietnamese
CrackleMi is one of my go-to Seattle restaurants when I need a quick lunch and am in-between grocery runs. They’re a Vietnamese grill specializing in generously portioned rice bowls and banh mi sandwiches. Their sister restaurant is Sizzle&Crunch, so you have a lot of location options to get your fix.
My favorite CrackleMi order is the Cookout Bowl, which has marinated short ribs, grilled chicken, and a dark-soy hardboiled egg served with fresh veggies and warm broken rice. I always get it with fish sauce, but there are a lot of options to choose from.
Calozzi’s Cheesesteaks
website | neighborhood: Georgetown (get directions) | cuisine: cheesesteaks
Sometimes you need a big belly bomb for lunch. If that’s you, Calozzi’s is one of the best lunch spots in Seattle for this very situation. It’s a small counter-serve spot owned by a Philadelphia transplant. These cheesesteaks don’t mess around, which is why I included them on my Georgetown food tour.
Their sandwiches are huge and heavy, like, you-could-curl-them heavy. I recommend getting the OG cheesesteak “wit whiz,” a.k.a. with onions, and tons of melty cheese. I also recommend getting a lot of napkins because these bad boys are messy.
Off the Rez
website | neighborhood: U-District (get directions) | cuisine: Native American
Off the Rez is owned by members of the Blackfeet tribe and was the first native food truck to open in Seattle. Today the truck is still roaming around and is one of the best Seattle food trucks. However, they also have a brick and mortar.
They specialize in puffy tacos made on Indian fry bread with an assortment of meats and seasonings. You can also order the fry bread as is or with sweet toppings like jam, Nutella, or lemon curd.
Jackson’s Catfish Corner
website | neighborhood: Central District (get directions) | cuisine: soul food
I’ve always been picky about fried catfish and chips, but Jackson’s does an incredible job making fresh-tasting, cornmeal-crusted catfish with a pleasant earthy flavor. This easily puts them at the top of my list for the best fish and chips in Seattle.
Pro tip: If you’re craving more than just catfish, nearby Emerald City Fish & Chips also does a great job and offers not just catfish but also fried oysters, salmon, halibut, chicken, and more. Put the two together, and you have two of my favorite Black-owned restaurants in Seattle.
Heaven Sent Fried Chicken
website | neighborhood: Lake City (get directions) | cuisine: fried chicken
Run by the previous owner of Ezell’s, Heaven Sent is hands-down one of the best fried chicken spots in Seattle. Their chicken is crazy crunchy, and their spicy fried chicken is particularly fit for the most serious of spice lovers. You can order it by the piece to fit whatever level of hunger.
Spice Bridge Food Hall
website | neighborhood: Tukwila (get directions) | cuisine: various
Spice Bridge is a food incubator dedicated to upstarting food businesses owned by immigrants and low-income families. It’s one of the only places in (or near) Seattle where you can find Congolese, Southeast Asian fusion, and Zanzabarian food all under one roof. Since there are so many options to choose from, it makes one of the best lunch spots in Seattle when you’re rolling with multiple people who all want different things.
Big Max Burgers
website | neighborhood: Queen Anne (get directions) | cuisine: burgers
Previously known as Eden Hill Provisions, Big Max combined dry-aged beef with outrageous toppings on buttery challah buns to make some of the best burgers in Seattle.
My favorite is the classic Big Max burger, which comes with two patties, lettuce, butter pickles, caramelized onion, smoked cheddar, house ketchup, and Max sauce. The kettle corn Brussel sprouts might put you in a food coma, but it’s worth it!
Saint Bread
website | neighborhood: U-District (get directions) | cuisine: baked goods and sandwiches
Saint Bread is a hipster counter-service spot serving baked goods featuring unique ingredients, like their yuzu polenta cake or black sesame bun. Those are both tasty, but I suggest snagging their cheeseburger or fried egg sandwich that put them on my list of the best breakfast spots in Seattle.
Pro tip: Make sure to stop by their not-so-hidden food truck, Hinoki, which serves wood-fired, Japanese-inspired food after 4 PM.
More places for lunch in Seattle
There are so many great places to grab lunch in Seattle depending on your mood. After you make it through this list of the best lunch spots in Seattle, peruse my other guides for more inspiration.
- Where to Go for Lunch in Ballard
- My Go-To Restaurants in SLU
- Best Thai Food in Seattle
- Seattle’s Best Takeout Restaurants
- My Favorite Hawaiian Food in Seattle
- The Definitive List of Seattle’s Best Pizza
- Must-Try Salads in Seattle
- Where to Get Great Nachos in Seattle
- Comfort Food Restaurants in Seattle
- Halal Restaurants in Seattle
