Highest-rated restaurants in Seattle by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Seattle, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#13. Aroy Mak Thai Food
- Rating: 5.0/5 (74 reviews)
- Address: 4611 36th Ave. Southwest Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Yusra & Sabah Restaurant
- Rating: 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 7729 Rainier Ave. South Ste A Seattle, Washington
- Categories: African, Halal, Somali
- Read more on Yelp
#11. The Counter At Old Ballard Catering
- Rating: 5.0/5 (68 reviews)
- Address: 1505 Northeast 65th St. Seattle, Washington
- Categories: New American, Greek, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Sap Sap Lao Deli & Cafe
- Rating: 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 9641 15th Ave. Southwest Ste B Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Laotian
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Jollidaze
- Rating: 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
- Address: 519 6th Ave. South Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Desserts, Pop-Up Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Taneda Sushi in Kaiseki
- Rating: 5.0/5 (256 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 219 Broadway East Ste 14 Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Swagg-N-Wagon
- Rating: 5.0/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 4514 Fauntleroy Way Southwest Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Food Trucks, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Ka Pow Thai On Wheels
- Rating: 5.0/5 (52 reviews)
- Address: 5604 Delridge Way Southwest Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Fast food, Thai, Noodles
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Marimakan Crabhouse
- Rating: 5.0/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Pop-Up Restaurants, Singaporean, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Central Cafe & Juice Bar
- Rating: 5.0/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2509 East Cherry St. Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Alem Restaurant
- Rating: 5.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 4423 Rainier Ave. South Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Ethiopian
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Abuelita's Kitchen
- Rating: 5.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 8552 Greenwood Ave. North Ste B Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Mexican, Salad, Pop-up Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Overcast Coffee Company
- Rating: 5.0/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 312 15th Ave. East Seattle, Washington
- Categories: Cafes, Coffee & Tea, Coffee Roasteries
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.