Best Places for Dinner on Capitol Hill

Photo Credit: Outdoor terrace at Terra Plata

Cafe Suliman

The brainchild of chef Ahmed Suliman, a Sudanese native raised in Abu Dhabi, Cafe Suliman pays homage to the casual eateries of the Levant, Egypt, North Africa, and the Arabian Gulf. Dishes like shakshuka with lamb merguez, hummus topped with braised lamb, and seasonal toasts on Ben's Bread showcase the depth and warmth of Arabic cuisine, A collaboration with Marc Papineau of Cantina Sauvage, a natural wine bar co-located in the same space, brings together thoughtfully curated wines and Suliman's flavorful dishes. Cafe Suliman was honored with the "Best Counter" award by Eater Seattle in 2024.

Visit at: 1531 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Terra Plata

A celebrated "earth to plate" restaurant founded in 2012 by the late James Beard Award-winning chef Tamara Murphy, Terra Plata offers a seasonal menu that blends Pacific Northwest ingredients with Mediterranean and Spanish influences. Signature dishes include the roasted pig with Manila clams and house-made chorizo, as well as popular items like the charcuterie plate and blistered shishito peppers. Diners also love its lush, year-round rooftop garden terrace, which not only offers a unique dining ambiance but also supplies herbs used in the restaurant's dishes.

Visit at: 1501 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Violet

Violet offers a unique "American Omakase" dining experience, blending French, Italian, and Spanish influences. Chef William Belickis emphasizes seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, some of which are grown on the restaurant's rooftop farm. The menu features a personalized five-course tasting menu, with wine pairings available to complement each dish. Violet also offers a Wine Omakase club, where Chef Belickis selects exceptional wines from around the world for monthly tastings.

Visit at: 1734 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Spinasse

Spinasse has been long-renowned for its dedication to the traditional cuisine of Italy's Piedmont region. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Stuart Lane, who trained at the Italian Culinary Institute in Piemonte, the menu emphasizes handmade pastas and seasonally inspired dishes. A standout dish is the Tajarin al Ragu, featuring thin, hand-cut egg pasta served with a rich meat sauce. This dish has been recognized by the Food Network as one of the top five Italian dishes in the United States. The restaurant also offers a seasonal tasting menu for dinner, "Menu Degustazione," which includes every antipasto, primo, and secondo on the menu, served family style.

Visit at: 1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Donna's

Helmed by Chef Peaches (formerly of Vito's), Donna's is a 21+ pasta bar and cocktail lounge that's known for its lively, retro atmosphere—complete with a gold disco ball—and its late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. to midnight, offering $10 pasta bowls. The menu features comforting Italian-inspired dishes like creamy bolognese mafaldine and cacio e pepe, complemented by inventive cocktails such as the tomato-basil martini. Open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., it's a popular spot for a full evening out.

Visit at: 1355 E Olive Wy, Seattle, WA 98122

Single Shot

Opened in 2014 by owner Rory McCormick, Single Shot is an elegant 21-and-over restaurant and bar housed in an 1920s-era brick building. The intimate, jewelbox space seats approximately 40 guests and boasts a gorgeous marble bar, vintage globe lighting, and a distinctive 12-foot antique rifle mounted above the bar—a nod to the building's history as a photography gallery. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Antonio Palma, Single Shot offers a seasonally inspired menu that emphasizes Pacific Northwest ingredients with global influences. Signature dinner dishes include housemade agnolotti filled with ricotta and wild mushrooms, margherita flatbread with San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella, and a duck confit flatbread featuring hoisin sauce, roasted pineapple, and jalapeños.

Visit at: 611 Summit Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102

Biang Biang Noodles

Specializing in traditional Xi’an-style hand-pulled noodles, Biang Biang Noodles the restaurant draws inspiration from founders Alison Deng's and Sia Zheng's immersive training in Xi’an, China, where they learned the art of noodle-making from Sia's grandmother. The name "Biang Biang" reflects the onomatopoeic sound of the noodles being slapped against the table during preparation. Standout dishes incude the Mala Spicy Beef Dry Mix Noodles, known for its complex blend of 24 spices, and the Curry Chicken Dry Mix Noodles. Complementary offerings include handmade dumplings, crispy bao, and green onion pancakes. Vegetarian and vegan options, such as the Mapo Tofu Dry Mix Noodles, are also available. Also check out the upstairs speakeasy, Paper Fan which offers tea-infused cocktails in a setting inspired by 1960s Hong Kong.

Visit at: 601 E Pike St Unit 100, Seattle, WA 98122

Ooink Capitol Hill

Located in Harvard Market, Ooink Capitol Hill is a tiny-yet-utterly-delicious ramen shop founded by chef Chong Boon Ooi and his wife Jiaxin Wang. One of Seattle's top ramen spots, Ooink (and its sister location in Fremont) blends traditional Japanese ramen with Malaysian influences, reflecting Ooi's culinary heritage. The name "Ooink" is a playful nod to Ooi's surname and the restaurant's pork-centric menu. Signature dishes include the Mala Kotteri Ramen, known for its rich, garlicky, and numbing spicy pork broth, and the Spicy Ayam Goreng, a Malaysian-style fried chicken appetizer. Vegetarian options, such as the Spicy Vegetarian Miso Ramen, are also available.

Visit at: 1416 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Ltd Edition Sushi

An intimate omakase-only restaurant, Ltd Edition Sushi offers a traditional Edomae-style sushi experience, limiting service to 32 guests per evening to ensure the highest quality and freshness. Founded by Chef Keiji Tsukasaki , this acclaimed spot features a seasonal omakase experience, with signature offerings that can include uni hand rolls and meticulously prepared sushi courses. A curated vinyl soundtrack reflects Chef Keiji's past life as a DJ in the 1990s, while the sake pairing program has been a James Beard semifinalist. Reservations fill up quickly to the restaurant's limited seating and acclaim, including being named one of The New York Times' 50 best restaurants in the United States in 2023.

Visit at: 1641 Nagle Pl Suite 006, Seattle, WA 98122

Carmelos Tacos

Operating out of a small counter inside Hillcrest Market since 2018, this family-run spot is known for its Mexico City–style street food, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and tortas. The menu features flavorful options like al pastor, carne asada, and campechano (a mix of steak, chorizo, and potatoes), as well as vegetarian choices such as hongo al ajillo (garlic and guajillo-seasoned mushrooms) and nopal (grilled cactus with potatoes and onions). Despite its modest setup with no indoor seating, Carmelos Tacos has garnered a super-loyal following of foodie fans. A delicious on-the-to option.

Visit at: 110 Summit Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102

NUE

A globally inspired street food restaurant etablished in 2015 by co-owners Chris Cvetkovich and Uyên Nguyễn, NUE offers a diverse menu that brings together authentic dishes from around the world. Rather than fusing cuisines, Nue distinguishes itself by offering a menu that features authentic street foods from various countries, rather than fusing cuisines. The colorful interior is adorned with artifacts and decor collected from the owners' travels. Adventurous menu items include everything from Trinidadian Goat Curry (slow-roasted goat seasoned with Caribbean spices, accompanied by pineapple cornbread) to Chengdu Chicken & Waffles (crispy fried chicken wings with Szechuan peppercorns, served atop a waffle with maple syrup).

Visit at: 1519 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Kobuta & Ookami Katsu and Sake House

Established in 2021 by Sue Phuksopha, Kobuta & Ookami Katsu and Sake House draws inspiration from the warm and inviting, casual dining spots found in Japan's alleyways. The menu centers around katsu—crispy, breaded cutlets—with options like Iberico pork, jidori chicken, and mozzarella-stuffed pork. Notable dishes include the Iberico pork katsu served with a rich, chocolate-spiked curry, and the mozzarella pork katsu topped with tangy tomato miso and parmesan. Traditional accompaniments such as miso soup, rice, shredded cabbage, and pickles round out the meals.
Complementing the food is a selection of premium sakes and draft Sapporo beer. This popular spot operates on a first-come, first-served basis for parties under six, with reservations available for larger groups booked at least eight hours in advance.

Visit at: 121 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112

Bateau

Created by James Beard Award winner Renee Erickson, Bateau is a modern steakhouse focused on whole-animal butchery and sustainable sourcing—featuring grass-fed, grass-finished beef raised on its own Whidbey Island farm. Under Executive Chef Taylor Thornhill, the team dry-ages and butchers in-house, with a daily-changing lineup of cuts listed on a central chalkboard. Beyond steaks, the menu includes thoughtful dishes like tongue escabeche, sautéed heart, and classic sides like twice-fried frites and mashed potatoes. One of the best-kept secrets? A highly sought-after off-menu burger topped with caramelized onions and aioli. Bateau also offers a chef’s tasting menu that showcases seasonal and foraged ingredients in five carefully composed courses.

Visit at: 1040 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122

MariPili Tapas Bar

Galician culinary traditions are celebrated with a modern twist at MariPili Tapas Bar, where acclaimed chef and owner Grayson Corrales draws inspiration from her family's heritage and her training in Spain. The menu presents a variety of thoughtfully prepared tapas, such as the Bacallau á Mariñeira—pan-seared lingcod accompanied by herbed manchego gnocchi and a tangy fish broth—and the Paella Tahdig, which combines crispy rice with chorizo-spiced shrimp and a rich garlic aioli. Other highlights include the Croquetas de Jamón, Patatas Bravas, and the indulgent Manchego Cheesecake for dessert. The charming interior is adorned with Galician art and keepsakes. Also check out the "Tapear Tapearei" menu, a seasonal chef's selection that provides a deeper exploration of Galician flavors.

Visit at: 1117 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Taurus Ox

Taurus Ox is a Laotian restaurant known for its bold, umami-rich, and herbaceous flavors. The menu features dishes like thom khem (caramelized pork belly stew), phad lao (wok-seared rice noodles), and Lao pork sausage, all complemented by traditional condiments such as jaew bong and jaew tomato. A standout item is the Lao Burger, which combines pork and beef patties with taro stem, cilantro, pickled onions, and jeaw bong mayo, earning acclaim as one of Seattle's best burgers. Due to its popularity, the original location was transformed into Ox Burger, a dedicated burger spot that's also in Capitol Hill at 1523 E Madison St.

Visit at: 903 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112

Kedai Makan Capitol Hill

A staple in Seattle's culinary scene, Kedai Makan Capitol Hill is a beloved Malaysian restaurant that originally launched as a pop-up by Kevin Burzell and Alysson Wilson and transitioned to a brick-and-mortar establishment in 2013. After closing in October 2022, the restaurant was revitalized under new ownership. Now helmed by Chef Lucy Zheng, a 2020 graduate of Seattle Culinary Academy, the menu blends traditional Malaysian flavors with influences from Chinese, Indian, and Eurasian cuisines. Chef Zheng honed her skills under the mentorship of Chef Khampaeng from Taurus Ox.

Visit at: 1449 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122

Monsoon Seattle

Established in 1999 by siblings Eric and Sophie Banh, Monsoon Seattle is a staple in the Seattle dining scene, known for its refined take on Vietnamese cuisine that blends traditional flavors with Pacific Northwest ingredients. Popular items include the Drunken Chicken—crispy Washington-grown chicken served with yu choy and sesame—and the Catfish Claypot, which includes caramelized Idaho catfish in fresh coconut juice with green onion. Vegetarian options are also available. Also check out the popular weekend dim sum brunch, featuring items like shrimp dumplings, pork buns, and mushroom congee.

Visit at: 903 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112