I’m so glad that the 2014 International Food Blogger Conference was in Seattle this year, I’ve heard so many great things about this city. My food adventures in this awesome town did not disappoint! As a food blogger and overall food obsessed person, I can honestly say that Seattle is by far one of my all-time favorite foodie destinations. When it comes to fine dining in the Seattle area, the Emerald City definitely has its share of amazing restaurants to offer. I’ve never been to a place with more 4 & 5 star rated restaurants on sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon! And for once, the high ratings are overwhelming accurate. In my 4 day, 3 night stay in Seattle, I did not ONCE have a bad meal. It was truly foodie bliss from start to finish. Here’s a rundown of my must eat places in the Emerald City.
This gorgeous Italian-American restaurant and Cabaret lounge is a well-known, yet hard to find place, known for its elegant seasonal menu, titillating trapeze show and breath-taking terrace featuring sweeping views of Elliot Bay. Located in the bustling Pike Market area, it’s easy to walk right past this dazzling restaurant. There’s no sign at the front of the restaurant, just an inconspicuous pink door.
One notable dish is a perfect example of how the Pink Door does simple food so well. You must try their Bruschetta Estiva, featuring grilled ciabatta bread with huge slices of organic heirloom tomatoes, basil, olive oil & Sicilian sea salt, it’s like no bruschetta I’ve ever seen!
Another favorite was the spicy Cioppino (not shown) and the Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia Alla Pescatora, featuring squid ink pasta, tossed with prawns, mussels, clams & calamari in a spicy tomato sauce.
Make sure to make a reservation (via Opentable), this place fills up days in advance!
2. La Panier Very French Bakery
Another gem located in the Pike Market area, this authentic French bakery offers a taste of Parisian elegance with a view of the Puget Sound.
Get here early, this place is always bustling, and long lines can form on weekend mornings. Choose from a selection of savory sandwiches and tarts, as well as French bakery classics like baguettes, croissants, eclairs, and macarons. They also make excellent cups of coffee, and have seasonal menus with treats that highlight locally available ingredients.
Home of Seattle’s award winning chowder, this place does one thing, and that’s chowder! These guys take their chowder VERY seriously, you can’t go wrong with any of the varied options available each day.
I’m partial to the Market chowder, which is chosen by the chef and different each day. Get your delicious chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, or pair it with 1/2 of a scrumptious seafood sandwich, like the Dungeness Crab Roll or fried Oyster Po’ Boy.
Visit their 2 locations, one at the Pike Place Market, and the other in the Pacific Place Mall in Downtown Seattle.
Located on the picturesque Seattle water front, this seafood haven boasts one of the largest oyster menus I’ve ever seen! Seriously, an entire page of their menu is dedicated to this briny treat, it’s like a wine list, for oysters.
On top of the vast array of oysters, Elliott’s boasts a large selection of delectable seafood dishes, some of my favorite include the spicy oyster stew (featuring HUGE oysters), the decadent seafood fettuccine featuring Pacific finfish, bay scallops, prawns, bay shrimp and mussels in a garlic cream sauce, and the luscious Dungeness crab and shrimp artichoke dip.
Don’t miss their progressive happy hour from Monday – Friday 3pm to 6pm, freshly shucked oysters start at $1.00 each and go up in price every hour!
I hope your travels bring you to the wonderous city of Seattle, it’s a place that should be on everyone’s bucket list. This is definitely a place that can cater to every palate no matter how picky. Chances are, if you’re eating in Seattle, you’re in for a treat! Happy travels!
