SEAGuide
The 28 Best Restaurants & Bars At Pike Place Market
Everyone knows that the most popular attraction in Seattle is Pike Place Market. And even though people call it various incorrect names like “Pike Market,” “Pike’s Place,” and “Hell,” it’s inevitable that you’re going to end up eating and drinking here someday. And, when there are folks flinging 60-pound fish to each other while someone’s playing Lady Gaga songs on the classical fiddle, things get overwhelming fast. But if you use this guide, you’ll see that it doesn’t have to be a spinning vortex of smelly clams, homemade candles, and claustrophobia. We’ve organized this by meal, so you can plan out your entire day (and night) at the market, whether you're looking for seafood, coffee, or sushi.
BREAKFAST/COFFEE
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You’re here for one reason and one reason only: quiche. The delicious quiches here come filled with Dungeness crab, comte cheese, and caramelized onion, and there’s always a daily-rotating vegetable one, too. You might want to forgo the side salad and do a pile of fries with aioli. And a glass of Champagne. And a crock of french onion soup. OK, that's a few reasons.
photo credit: Erin Lodi
A crumpet is kind of like an english muffin with a bunch of holes in it. If you’ve never had one, let your first be from The Crumpet Shop. You can choose from sweet toppings like butter and fruit preserves, or savories like pesto and ricotta. There’s no wrong choice, unless you have trypophobia.
You’re going to need some caffeine to deal with the crowds posing for photos in front of strangers’ used chewing gum. Skip the commercial chaos at a certain coffee chain's "first" location (that isn't even actually the original one) and head to Ghost Alley instead for a quality macchiato that doesn't contain caramel drizzle by default. Here, you’ll find classic coffee drinks and more thrilling ones, like the “salty nut” latte with caramel, hazelnut, and applewood-smoked salt.
photo credit: Nate Watters
On the other end of the market is Anchorhead, which should be at the top of your list if you prefer your coffee on the rocks. Burnt honey, cinnamon, oat milk, and cold brew combine to create one of the most refreshing iced coffees in town: the honey bunches of cold brew. And much like nature’s elements or the Teletubbies, you need all four for things to be just right. With a warm spiced kick, creamy oat milk, bracing cold brew, and caramelized sweetness, we could slurp that frosty creation all day. The cafe has other rotating seasonal beverages to explore as well, like mint-steeped nitro or cold brew swirled with homemade blueberry milk. If you’re not feeling coffee but are still looking to wake the f*ck up, the pistachio matcha latte tastes superb on the rocks.
LUNCH
Located in a quiet corner of the market, this Filipino counter serves the best lunch Downtown, let alone some of the best Filipino food in the city. Everything here is prepared by a woman who is quite kind despite some brash signage (such as, “IF U DON’T KNOW HOW TO EAT OUR SALMON SINIGANG DON’T ORDER IT”) and the food is so good that we’d gladly brave the yogurt-gulping Ellenos fanatics around the bend. Oriental Mart serves excellent tart pork adobo over rice seeped in braising liquid, lumpia wands whose crunch reminds us of a Butterfinger bar, and shiny red longanisa sausage that deserves its own long-form documentary. There’s a reason why this place has been going strong since 1987, and it’s in part thanks to that link of meat.
Maíz is a tortilleria that serves homemade nixtamal tortillas so good that we plan to consume them regularly until we're old enough to always have pocket breadcrumbs just in case a duck comes along. This colorful counter serves a bunch of stupendous Mexican dishes with their freshly ground corn masa at the forefront, from cheesy tamales and quesadillas to phenomenal sopes topped with things like stewed chicken, pickled onion, cotija, and crema. They even make delicious tortilla chips, and they’re so crunchy that you could probably use them to communicate with The International Space Station. If you’ve been coerced into a trip down here to “be a tourist in your own city” by out-of-town guests, and you don’t want your lunch to have come from the ocean, Maíz makes for a perfect stop.
Maybe you’re not at the market to eat a full meal. Maybe you’re just there to stare at the waterfront and shop around. (Those ceramic mugs aren’t going to buy themselves.) If that’s the case, you’ll need a protein boost. Stop by Pike Place Nuts for a little paper bag full of tasty vanilla bean pistachios and cinnamon almonds. Keep them in your pocket and snack while you decide which Space Needle onesie you hate the least to gift to your cousin's baby who will outgrow it in a month.
Maybe you got elbowed by someone trying to snap a picture of the Pike Place Fish Market people throwing a halibut like a football for the 18th time today. Pull up a seat at the counter at Market Grill for some solace in the middle of all the chaos. Someone behind the grill will fire up your blackened salmon sandwich with rosemary mayo and ladle you some herby clam chowder (which is what to order).
There's no need to give in and buy a pound of chocolate pasta to cook at home when there's Pasta Casalinga. This Italian restaurant founded by folks from Italy serves some of the best pasta you'll eat at a food court counter. The menu rotates based on which fresh ingredients they have from the “ocean,” “garden,” and “farm,” with things like rigatoni with lamb and juniper berry ragu or spaghettoni with kale pesto. The real winner here is also the simplest—be sure to try the bright pomodoro topped with a glob of fresh burrata.
Know that this Russian stand is not a secret—a massive line starts to form just before lunchtime, so prepare to wait. Food-wise, they have savory pastries with fillings like smoked salmon pate or beef and cheese. But don’t overlook the sweet ones filled with chocolate and hazelnuts.
Is this a tourist trap? Yes. But they make good clam chowder, and it's too hard to look a sourdough bread bowl in the face and say no thank you. So wait in line, get your creamy soup, sprinkle some oyster crackers inside, and welcome to Seattle. Beware—the Pepto Bismol-looking smoked salmon chowder is heavy on the cream cheese and doesn’t really taste great, so stick to the clam.
Beecher’s is a factory operation that serves incredible mac and cheese as well as grilled cheese sandwiches that are so good you couldn’t possibly make them at home. Sneaking in and grabbing a free cube of their flagship cheddar is a Seattle rite of passage, but buying a bowl of cheesy penne is the law. Don’t break the law.
If you can only do one sit-down lunch at the market, Matt’s should be the one. It’s on the second floor of a building overlooking the iconic “Public Market” sign, and it works just as well for a solo meal at the bar as it does for a big group lunch. Food-wise, you won’t regret their iconic fried catfish sandwich and an order of homemade potato chips with hot bacon dip.
Show up to this dim sum spot at around 11 when the rest of the market is still waking up, and you’ll catch the staff at Mee Sum pinching shumai, skewering meat, and folding potsticker dough. Order a medley, and enjoy them as you walk around the rest of the market. Everything is delicious here, but a steamed BBQ pork hum bao is a non-negotiable.
DeLaurenti is an Italian specialty market that carries a ton of local and imported products like crackers, jams, olive oils, nuts, chocolate, spices, and even potato chips. (The big can of Bonilla A La Vista chips is well worth $38.99.) They also carry the best selection of cured meats and cheese in the entire city. And upstairs, there's a majestic section of hard-to-find wine and beer. We suggest making your own spread as a DIY lunch, or grabbing a cold cut sandwich from their front case. For dessert, don’t forget filled-to-order cannolis. Or the incredible homemade chocolate chip cookie. Or the delicious linzer tarts. Just get all of it.
photo credit: Erin Lodi
There are a lot of sit-down spots in this area that serve fish and chips. But sometimes you just feel like standing while eating fried stuff, and we don’t blame you. (We blame state fairs.) At Jack’s, you won’t wait a long time for breaded fish or grilled salmon with hand-cut fries and dill tartar. Everything smells incredible, too, so you’ll probably make strangers jealous as you walk by with your paper tray.
DINNER
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If you’re looking for good sushi, Kashiba might be the best you’ll find in the city. The upscale space is good for a big reunion, birthday, celebration of getting a new job when you hate your current one, or basically anything celebratory that should entail a pricey omakase dinner. The owner Shiro was trained by Jiro (who you know from Netflix), so yes, this place means business.
The Pink Door has the best Italian food at Pike Place. It’s an upscale space that doubles as a venue for live music and burlesque (think trapeze artists dangling above you and your pappardelle bolognese), and the lasagna here is outstanding. When it’s nice out, take advantage of the patio, which has floral tablecloths and views of the water.
photo credit: Nate Watters
Sometimes you want dinner to feel like a small break from reality as you enjoy excellent food and soak up some limited free time. Sugo is the place to do that. This four-sided sushi counter specializes in handrolls, and it's incredibly exciting to sit here among the soundtrack of Alesso tunes and the blast of a flame as it blowtorches wagyu on a pink Himalayan salt block. Expect a whirlwind of fillings like sesame-forward ahi poke, marinated ikura, and melty chopped otoro that won't set you back too much money or take too much time out of your night. And vegetarians, there are great options for you too—like truffled mashed avocado with tempura crunchies, fried green beans, and crispy battered tofu with sweet onion and pea shoots.
photo credit: Nate Watters
This spot is Permanently Closed.
If you’re planning a last-minute dinner Downtown, you might have difficulty finding something that isn't a hotel restaurant or The Capital Grille. Shama seems to always have availability though, and it should be one of your first choices in the area. The second-floor Moroccan spot works well for a big family meal or a kind-of-healthy tagine feast, especially if you like eating in a greenhouse that’s as tall as the surrounding trees. Make the baked fish your priority—it has a brittle sear, a flaky interior, and sauce made from briny olives and burst cherry tomatoes that tastes even better spooned on cinnamony semolina couscous.
DRINKS/DESSERT
photo credit: Nate Watters
For a very long time, the only frozen yogurt you could get at the market was from an industrial soft serve machine that probably just pumped out regular ice cream. Now there’s Hellenika’s cultured gelato in flavors like lemon curd, dutch chocolate, and coconut ube (our favorite). From the team behind Ellenos, this custardy stuff is well worth almost tripping on all of that cobblestone to get there. It’s textbook frozen Greek yogurt, with a sour tang and subtle sweetness. Watch them churn the probiotic goods in front of your face before a stroll along the waterfront.
photo credit: Chona Kasinger
White Horse Tavern is the coziest bar we know. You’ve probably walked right past it every time you bring an out-of-towner to Pike Place. Next time, stop in for a drink. The walls and ceiling are completely covered in old photos, paintings, umbrellas, dusty shelves, metal decals, and the occasional birdcage with a can of spam inside. After finding a red velvet sofa to lounge on, order from a menu that’s literally just Sharpie written on a slab of cardboard. It lists things like Irish whiskey, lemonade, and a creation called “Bulls Blood” which is 50% port, 50% Champagne, and 100% what you want. Stop in here on a weekend with some friends and it’ll be way more fun than anywhere on Capitol Hill.
We like Rachel’s not just because the ginger beer here is really refreshing, but also because it’s both touristy and “cool” at the same time. The flavors range from classic and caramelized pineapple vanilla to pink guava. And, you can order your drink as-is, in float form with soft serve, or mule-style spiked with vodka. Sorry for making you choose between ice cream and vodka.
Jarrbar reminds us of a galley-style kitchen on a houseboat, but in a charming way. We can’t think of any other cocktail bar we’d rather drink a goblet of fizzy txakoli rosé alongside some jamón Iberico, crackers, tinned fish, and baguette slippery with olive oil and salt flakes. They also have a disco ball and a playlist of funky-chill tunes. If you’re looking for a real escape from the tourists, this is the place.
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The day is done, and now all you want is a drink and a little something to soak it up. Head to Radiator Whiskey. It’s a small, dark cocktail spot that specializes in whiskey (we hope that’s clear) and fun BBQ-leaning bar snacks like tater tots with gravy, cast iron cornbread with honey butter, and pork belly burnt ends. If you plan ahead and order a week in advance, you can even get an entire smoked pig’s head.
If you’re looking for beer, go to Old Stove. It’s a massive waterfront operation with mash tuns on display, plenty of communal picnic tables, and a menu of food pairings that are both tasty and not so heavy, like flatbreads, salads, and soft pretzel bites with beer cheese dip.
You’re going to be tempted by the wine-tasting stands at the market, but do you really want to sample Columbia Valley reds while crowds looking for Chukar Cherries bump into you with their oversized backpacks? Get a bottle of Champagne and some fries at Le Pichet, and if you’re still hungry, order the roasted chicken that takes an hour to prepare. Better order more wine while you wait.
photo credit: Nate Watters
Shug’s Soda Fountain should be your go-to for dessert at the Market. They serve classics like New York-style egg creams and banana splits, as well as more modern creations like prosecco sorbet floats and a s’mores hot fudge sundae made with homemade marshmallows roasted to-order with a blowtorch.
