Coming up with a list of the most unique restaurants in Seattle might seem a little redundant since most Seattle restaurants have quirks that make them special. It’s one of the reasons I love this city: No matter your interests, you can always find a fun or creative spot to whet your appetite.
In order to make sense of what I consider a “unique” restaurant, I decided to focus on places with one or more of the following components. They either have to have an exciting take on a style of cuisine, tell a story, have a fun ambiance, or offer food not easily found in the city.
So, consider this my roundup of the most unique Seattle restaurants, what makes them stand out, and how to make the most of your experience when you visit!
Most Unique Restaurants in Seattle
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update this list of the most unique restaurants in Seattle as I discover them!
Carnelian Bay & Dreamland Diner
website | get directions | neighborhood: Fremont | cuisine: diner by day, cocktail bar by night
Dreamland is a unique spot in Seattle’s most quirky neighborhood. On the weekends, it’s a whimsical tiki bar and brunch spot slinging brunch classics like eggs benny, fried chicken and waffles, and bloody Marys. As the day wears on, the vibe transforms into a more psychedelic party sphere when Carnelian Bay’s patio bar opens for business.
Their drag shows are another thing that make this spot unique. House performers host shows at all hours of the day including weekend brunch, and drinks are always flowing. So you’re basically guaranteed to have a blast no matter when you visit.
Archipelago
website | get directions | neighborhood: Hillman City | cuisine: Filipino
Archipelago takes the cake for serving Filipino comfort food with a unique, fancy twist. Only 12 guests can dine at a time, making for an intimate and elevated experience. That said, the husband and wife duo Aaron and Amber still manage to pull off a warm and welcoming atmosphere centered around their Filipino-American heritage.
The menu rotates seasonally, so it’s impossible to say what you can expect. All the ingredients are highly curated, with an emphasis on showcasing local Pacific Northwest ingredients. If you’re fortunate enough to score a spot, it’s one of the best fine dining resetaurants in Seattle.
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants
website | get directions | neighborhood: South Lake Union | cuisine: sushi
Similar to Archipelago, Sushi by Scratch is hard to score a seat since they have a waitlist the length of a CVS receipt. This is largely due to their Montecito, CA location receiving a Michelin star. Still, if you can make a reservation, you’ll be rewarded with a 17-course chef-curated menu of nigiri, mini hand rolls, and dessert.
Despite the worldwide acclaim of this small chain, the Seattle location couldn’t be further removed from its other locations. Chef duo and co-owners Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee have fun with their menu. Ingredients like bone marrow and corn pudding sneak their way into the menu and somehow find a place at the table, making the menu tie together perfectly.
Dinner at Sushi by Scratch isn’t cheap. The menu starts at $165/person, which means you’re likely to pay a pretty penny for the full experience. But honestly, if you’re looking to splurge on some of the best sushi in Seattle, this is it.
Made in House
website | get directions | neighborhood: Fremont | cuisine: Korean comfort food
Made in House is one of my favorite Fremont restaurants, especially for their delicious interpretation of Korean comfort food. When you walk in, it exudes a millennial cafe vibe, especially considering their lengthy list of lattes featuring homemade hemp-cashew mylks.
But one peek at the menu, and you’re looking at authentic Korean food at its finest. With classic dishes like bulgogi beef bibimbap, daily bento boxes, and spicy kimchi, it’s like a Seattle coffee shop died and went to heaven.
Pro tip: If you’re in Georgetown, check out their second location BOPBOX. It’s a bit more fast-casual spot than cafe, but they offer many of the same popular dishes.
Peasant
website | get directions | neighborhood: Loyal Heights/Ballard | cuisine: fine dining with meat-focused menu
Peasant is a fun spot because it’s discreetly located in my local butcher shop, Beast & Cleaver. Beast operates by day as a nose-to-tail butchery with sandwiches available Thursdays and Fridays. Then, after hours, it transforms into one of Seattle’s best steak restaurants.
As for the menu at Peasant, it’s constantly rotating based on what’s seasonally available. As a result, everything has a Pacific Northwest flare. While the meat is definitely the focal point, it by no means distracts from the high-quality seafood and fresh produce.
Peasant is tasting menu only, starting at ~$165/person. It comes with an optional wine pairing with refills so it feels like an intimate dinner party.
Harvest Beat
website | get directions | neighborhood: Wallingford | cuisine: vegan fine dining
You may be surprised to see a vegan restaurant on this list of the most unique restaurants in Seattle, but nonetheless, I have to give credit where credit is due. With hyper-local ingredients, a waste-free menu, and a story behind each dish, it’s easily one of the most unique dining spaces in the city.
The menu alone is cause for attention. Being a self-proclaimed poke expert, this was my first experience with “beet poke,” and I can honestly say I was impressed.
Harvest Beat is tasting menu only, though, as you can probably imagine, they make every effort to accommodate food sensitivities. In addition, they also offer both wine pairings and non-alcoholic juice pairings for each course.
Spice Bridge
website | get directions | neighborhood: Tukwila | cuisine: various
Spice Bridge is not so much one restaurant, but rather a food hall incubator designed to support emerging BIPOC restaurant owners. Each vendor has a wholly unique menu ranging from Cambodian to Congolese and East African. It’s unassuming from the outside, but the inside is teeming with some of the most unique and hard-to-find dishes around.
I can’t recommend this place enough if you’re looking to try new things and want to support small BIPOC up-and-coming businesses. They keep a calendar on their website so you can see which vendors are open and hit many or all of them in one go.
Willmott’s Ghost & Deep Dive
Willmott’s Ghost website | Deep Dive website | get directions | neighborhood: South Lake Union | cuisine: Italian & speakeasy
These are two of Renee Erickson’s restaurants. Willmott’s especially has made its way onto many of my “must-visit” spots, including the best restaurants in South Lake Union and best pizza in Seattle. It’s also one of the most Insta-worthy Seattle restaurants for precisely the reason it’s on this list: its unique location in the Amazon Spheres.
Being in this Seattle staple gives you special access to the unique architecture, all while eating delicious Roman-style pizzas. Personally, I can’t get enough of their white pizza or meatballs.
In addition to delicious pizza, Renee has a sorta hidden speakeasy in the same building called Deep Dive. It’s the opposite of Wilmott’s color scheme, creating an intimate and moody atmosphere. You can get a nightcap or start your night here with their upscale tasting menu, which is a unique offering from a bar.
Communion
website | get directions | neighborhood: Central District | cuisine: soul food
Communion is one of my favorite restaurants in the Central District, but I’m by no means alone in that opinion. They’ve received national recognition from the likes of James Beard and numerous foodie magazines.
They’re one of Seattle’s black-owned restaurants focused on soul food, yet they have a unique Asian influence that weaves its way into their menu. Dishes like fried catfish banh mi, pho, and seared pork belly with pinto beans mesh together to create a cohesive, fun, and lively dining experience.
Oriental Mart
website | get directions | neighborhood: Pike Place Market | cuisine: Filipino
It’s easy to waltz right past Oriental Mart since it’s located smack dab in the center of Pike Place and looks to be a bustling convenience store. Still, locals love it for their authentic Filipino cuisine at a very reasonable price point.
Don’t sleep on their soup, which is some of the best soup in Seattle. My favorite is the salmon sinigang. It’s got a subtle tangy flavor from the tamarind and pairs perfectly with the tenderly-cooked fish.
Oriental Mart is open for takeout, though if there’s any room you’re welcome to dine inside along the counter. Personally, I like to take it to go and eat it street food style as I putz around the market or stroll past the waterside on my way to Pioneer Square.
Milk Drunk
website | get directions | neighborhood: Beacon Hill | cuisine: Ice cream and comfort food
Milk Drunk combines fried chicken, soft-serve ice cream, and fancy cocktails. And if that couldn’t get any weirder, it’s owned by the same people that own nearby, Homer, one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Seattle. In fact, Milk Drunk began as a side operation at Homer before moving down the street to show off its eclectic ice creams and best fried chicken in Seattle.
Today, Milk Drunk encompasses the more fun-loving side of owners Logan and Sara. With rotating flavors, some of my favorites have been the more chef-inspired ones, with turmeric, rosewater, and figs playing the starring role.
Whatever ice cream you choose, don’t forget to get it dipped in the magic shell if you want a real dose of childhood nostalgia. It’s some of the best ice cream in Seattle!
The Pink Door
website | get directions | neighborhood: Downtown | cuisine: Italian
The Pink Door is one of my go-to restaurants in Pike Place Market for its Venetian Carnival theme and evening performances. The schedule rotates monthly, but you’ll be entertained most nights by aerial acrobats and live jazz music.
Beyond the aesthetics, The Pink Door is also one of the best Italian spots in Seattle, with classic dishes like lasagna and bolognese to pair with an extensive wine and cocktail menu. If the weather’s nice, they also have outdoor seating on a beautiful covered patio.
MariPili
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | cuisine: Spanish tapas
Believe it or not, I’ve actually had a hard time finding authentic Spanish tapas in Seattle. Luckily MariPili stepped into my life and has quickly become one of my go-to date night restaurants in Seattle.
It’s located in the old Cafe Presse spot and specializes in Galician tapas served in a cozy setting where intimate lighting and the constant hum of conversation make for a lively ambiance.
Since it’s a tapas bar, you should plan on ordering a ton of small plates. Everything is a winner on the menu, though some standouts are the paella and croquetas. They also have a huge wine list and a menu just for gin and tonics.
The Boat
website | get directions | neighborhood: Chinatown-International District | cuisine: Vietnamese fried chicken
One building over from the famous Pho Bac is its smaller sister restaurant, The Boat. Cleverly named for the building’s boat-like shape, it features a hyper-focused menu centered around Vietnamese fried chicken.
In addition to the overall layout of The Boat, the vibe is different from Pho Bac. The interior is a bit more trendy and youthful. Keep in mind service can sometimes take longer than expected, but I promise it’s worth it.
Off the Rez
website | get directions | neighborhood: University Place | cuisine: Native American fry bread
Off the Rez began as Seattle’s first Native-owned food truck and soon after was able to open a brick-and-mortar cafe inside the Burke Museum. The food truck is still alive and well, usually stopping at the Ballard breweries.
While the food truck serves a more limited menu of Indigenous tacos, burgers, and salads, the cafe has brunch, lunch, and dinner almost every day of the week. Fry bread is definitely a starring player on the menu, with topping options ranging from jam to bacon and eggs for brunch or piled high with braised bison for lunch.
More fun Seattle restaurants to try
After you make your way through this list of the most unique restaurants in Seattle, check out my guides to more great eats around the city.
- Hidden Speakeasies in Seattle
- Seattle’s Cutest Restaurants
- Mouthwatering Nachos in Seattle
- Restaurants in Seattle with Great Views
- Seattle Street Tacos to Seek Out
- Restaurants Worth the Drive from Seattle
Want more unique Seattle experiences?
Check out my guides to other ways to have fun in Seattle.
