Seattle’s Most Reliable Restaurants of 2017 According to the Experts

As is tradition, Eater closes out the year by surveying local food writers on various restaurant-related topics. Readers, please feel free to chime in with your own thoughts in the comments section below.

What were your top Seattle restaurant standbys of 2017?

Leslie Kelly, Seattle-based food writer:

I'm always happy to pig out at Salumi. (Get the hot meat plate, people, and stop bitching about the line! Killer porchetta and grilled lamb and porky meatballs are worth the wait!) The incredible Southern-inspired brunch at Rockcreek both warms and clogs my heart! Spinasse's hand-cut tajarin is complete perfection, and Le Pichet's chicken liver pâté is so spot-on in its rich, velvety goodness, it causes me to make those slightly embarrassing mmmmm sounds. Sorry, fellow diners, I'll try to keep the moans to a minimum. Oh, also, Li'l Woody's is another of my go-to happy places, with my usual usually landing on the fried chicken sandwich and an order of Crack (fries with small shake on the side for dipping).

Nicole Sprinkle, food writer and critic, Seattle Weekly:

Delancey, Brimmer and Heeltap, and Tavolata.

Allecia Vermillion, deputy editor, Seattle Met:

Another year, another proclamation of my love for Vif. L’Oursin has become a go-to for dinner or a drink; I love the vibe at the bar. If it were my birthday or a bundle of cash should fall from the sky into my lap, I’d head straight to Sushi Wataru.

Jackie Varriano, editor, Zagat Seattle:

The strange thing about our jobs is that we’re always hunting down that new new, which rarely leaves time for us to sit back at our favorite restaurants. Also, I really do cook at home a lot. But even with all that, if I had any “regular” stops it would have to be Delancey, Din Tai Fung, Brimmer and Heeltap, Cornuto in Greenwood, Coyle’s Bakeshop, and Preserve and Gather. Nearly all within walking distance of my house.

Rosin Saez, associate food and drink editor, Seattle Met:

Phnom Penh Noodle House and its brothy offerings forever. Cafe Presse is a go-to for solo breakfasts involving gruyere, lunches involving gruyere, and late-night French wine…and gruyere. Also: Meskel, Ba Bar, and L’Oursin (RIP brunch, we hardly knew you). Also, also: Dino’s Tomato Pie — that crust though....

Angela Garbes, Seattle-based food writer:

I was on hiatus from food writing while working on a book, so I ate out a lot less. But I remain faithful to Peloton, Vif, and the Salvadorean Bakery for daytime sustenance and, for dinner, Bar del Corso.

Tan Vinh, food and drink writer for The Seattle Times:

Ba Bar, JarrBar, Café Presse, Single Shot, Le Pichet, Dough Zone, Bar del Corso