Food & Culture
Top of the Class: 50 Best New Seattle Restaurants in 2019
It’s been a boom year for new restaurants. Here, we break down the best 50 (yes, 50!) of the bunch, plus the latest dining trends worth chewing on
By Chelsea Lin & Naomi Tomky September 10, 2019
This article originally appeared in the September 2019 issue of Seattle Magazine.
This article appears in print in the September 2019 issue and is part of our Best New Restaurants cover story. Click here to subscribe.
If you had spent the past year eating each of your three meals a day at a different recently opened restaurant, you’d only get through about a third of the eateries that have opened in Seattle during that time—and that doesn’t even count new restaurants in neighboring suburbs. That should give you some perspective on how difficult it’s been to whittle down this roundup of the area’s best new restaurants to 50. It’s also why we know that it’s entirely possible that we may be missing some diamond in the rough. (Feel free to tell us what we’ve missed on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.)
Because this has been a year of both quantity and quality when it comes to restaurant openings, it takes a lot to stand out from the competition, and we’re seeing restaurants get creative on their paths to success. There’s been a rise in micro restaurants, such as Archipelago, By Tae and Taneda, which have very few seats and very carefully curated menus. Wood-fired cooking continues to be a strong trend in standouts like Homer and Samara. And we’ve seen an uptick in global cuisines, from Eastern European–inspired Jewish delis to high-end Chinese hot pot restaurants.
With locations ranging from Pinehurst to Hillman City, Bellevue to Mountlake Terrace, our top 50 are the new restaurants that scored the highest in quality of food, atmosphere, customer service and value. Now, start eating.
The Best New Seattle Restaurants in 2019
5 Best New Seattle Bars in 2019
5 Best New Seattle Lunch Spots in 2019
Welcome to High-end Hot Pot Mania
9 Best New Desserts in 2019
Is Jewish Food Here to Stay?
Readers’ Choice Poll Results
Join The Must List
Sign up and get Seattle's best events delivered to your inbox every week.
Follow Us
Best New Seattle Restaurants 2019: Is Jewish Food Here to Stay?
One of the biggest trends of the year is (finally!) bringing good pastrami to Seattle
BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD: The house-made pastrami sandwich and matzo ball soup from Zylberschtein’s Delicatessen & Bakery illustrate the best of what’s come with this increase in Jewish delis
9 Best New Seattle Desserts in 2019
At some of the year’s best new restaurants, dessert—for breakfast, midday or late night—is king. Check out our slideshow for our favorites
This article appears in print in the September 2019 issue and is part of our Best New Restaurants cover story. Click here to subscribe. Mango bingsoo from Snowy Village (University District) Gold-covered soft serve from Matcha Café Maiko (Downtown) Buko pie from Hood Famous Café and Bar (Chinatown-International District) Entremets from Lady Yum (Pioneer Square) Stuffed cookie from Lowrider Baking Company…