Experts Pick Seattle’s Top New Restaurants of 2018

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 newcomers of 2018?

Jill Lightner, food writer:

Dynasty Room, Good Day Donuts, Breezy Town Pizza, Little Chengdu. Maybe I should go have a salad or something?

Chelsea Lin, dining/lifestyle editor, Seattle Magazine:

I thoroughly enjoyed Sawyer and Homer, both of which feel like true neighborhood restaurants (though neither are in my neighborhood and I’d happily travel for either) with exceptionally talented chefs. Pasta Casalinga was such a delightful find, and close to my office for maximum lunchtime enjoyment. And I’m a major cake snob because I generally bake my own, but I really love Deep Sea Sugar and Salt — the cakes are amazing, and the owner is the kind of wonderful, passionate person it’s a joy to write about.

Allecia Vermillion, deputy editor, Seattle Met:

Homer and Sawyer. Full stop. I haven’t been to Archipelago yet, but I hear wonderful things.

Jackie Varriano, food writer:

I should preface this by saying that I had a baby this year...so getting out and about to the hottest restaurants was a little bit tougher. I loved Westman’s and Salt and Straw. My list of new restaurants to hit is embarrassingly long.

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

At the risk of echoing every other food writer in town, I’d have to say Homer was one of my favorite restaurants to arrive this year. What Logan Cox and Sara Knowles have created on Beacon Hill is downright lovely.

It seems like an old, reliable friend at this point, but Pho Bac Sup Shop opened on the first day of 2018, and I’ve been burying my head in bowls of turmeric noodles ever since. Westman’s also debuted early in the year, yet the Madison walkup window feels like a seasoned mainstay. What else? Reckless Noodles, Sawyer, Archipelago in Hillman City.

Providence Cicero, food critic, The Seattle Times:

I picked eight for my annual “Critic’s Choice” list: Kamonegi, Jerk Shack, Le Messe, Tamari Bar, Sawyer, Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi, Plenty of Clouds, Central Smoke. Homer opened just as that list went to press, or it would have been number nine.

Naomi Tomky, food writer:

Sizzling Pot King (Chinatown-International District location), Pho Bac Sup Shop, and Pasta Casalinga.