• Ivar's Salmon House, north of Lake Union. Various seafood entrees served in a neo-longhouse replete with totem poles and various other carved cedar adornments. Meals can be moderately expensive (~$25).
 • Ivar's Acres of Clams, north of Lake Union, attached to the outside of Ivar's Salmon House. Smoked salmon plate-lunch and fish-n-chips served outdoors (with a small indoor eating area) at a scenic downtown waterfront location -- share your meal with the seagulls! Ordering at the walk-up counter outside is inexpensive (~$7).
 • Jack's Fish Spot, found in Pike's Place Market. One of the best place to get Dungeness crabs in Seattle. If you have a kitchen buy them live and cook them yourself!
 • Crab Pot Restaurant & Bar, located on Seattle's Historic Waterfront, whose specialty - The Seafeast - is what makes it unique! They take a variety of crab, clams, mussels, shrimp in the shell, salmon, halibut, oysters, potatoes, corn on the cob and andouille sausage steamed with mouth watering spices and pour it right on your table!

Asian

 • Upmarket Asian fusion food at Wild Ginger (just north of the Symphony Hall at 3rd and Union) and
 • Monsoon (obscurely located on 19th E, on the far side of Capitol Hill from downtown).
 • Authentic Bangkok-style Thai food at Thai Tom on University Ave and 47th.

For the best variety, head to the International District.

Mexican

Seattle is not known for Mexican food, but...
 • Agua Verde, (Boat Street) on Portage Bay between Lake Washington and Lake Union, just south and west of the University of Washington is a standout, attractive but informal, with creative, contemporary Mexican cooking, including a lot of great vegetarian and seafood options.
 • Mama's Mexican Kitchen in Belltown
 • Gordito's Healthy Mexican Food has huge servings, a fast, but sometimes long line, way-cheap prices, amazingly tasty burritos that most folks can't finish in one sitting, lots of homemade salsas (on the salsa bar), an outdoor patio, and always nice service. If you ask most people in Seattle where the good Mexican food is, they'll say Gordito's or the Taco Bus that drives around town (good luck finding it). 213 N 85th St, 98103, (206) 706-9352
 • Tacos Guaymas at several locations - closest to downtown is on Broadway near Pine - offers authentic Mexican meals (like you find in the Oaxaca market). Try the Sopa de Tortilla or the Wet Green Burrito.
 • La Carta De Oaxaca, in Ballard is well-known for amazing small plates (tapas-style) of Oaxacan food. Usually crowded, but there are excellent margaritas to pass the time.

Vegetarian

 • Cafe Flora, (2901 E. Madison) in the Madison Valley neighborhood offers upscale all-vegetarian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Menus change weekly. Closed on Mondays.
 • Carmelita, is where you go to celebrate a special event or impress a date: exquisite vegetarian fare with excellent service in a elegant but unpretentious atmosphere. The chef Dan Braun is back in charge in the kitchen after a few years away, with a menu that changes more often than the seasonal menu they had been following. It's enough of a top-notch eating experience that you can even take meat eaters there to have a wonderful meal.
 • Teapot Vegetarian House, is an all-vegan restaurant, serving delicious, exotic Pan-Asian vegetarian dishes.
 • Bamboo Garden serves up delicious food from the rich tradition of Chinese vegetarian cooking. With a menu that boasts over 120 items, there's a lot to choose from, and the servings are generous. Located on 364 Roy Street.

Other

 • Lots of good Ethiopian food with entertaining names ("Yemisser Wat," "Atakilt Aleecha," and "Niter Kibeh") in the Central District.
 • Grand Central Bakery offers hearty sandwiches (on their signature artisan breads!), soups, salads, modest breakfasts, fabulous pastries, and of course coffee -- at two locations: Pioneer Square and Eastlake (near Lake Union).
 • The Red Mill Burgers has really tasty beef and veggie burgers. Two locations: Phinney Ridge 312 N 67th St and Interbay 1613 W Dravus St
 • Truly Mediterranean makes wonderful falafel, shawerma, and other delights. In a surprisingly quiet corner of the University District: 4741 12th Ave NE.