These Were Seattle’s Best Dining Neighborhoods in 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 was the best Seattle dining neighborhood of 2018?

Jill Lightner, food writer:

White Center. Is that part of Seattle yet?

Chelsea Lin, dining/lifestyle editor, Seattle Magazine:

It’s hard to beat Capitol Hill and Ballard, but I feel like Beacon Hill gained some traction this year with Breezy Town and Homer, and I hope we continue to see restaurants move into and support that neighborhood. Now at least there’s some backup when you can’t get a table at Bar Del Corso. Central District, too (with Raised Doughnuts and Central Smoke and that big new Tacos Chukis), is changing so quickly.

Allecia Vermillion, deputy editor, Seattle Met:

Amazon Balls-ville probably has the highest concentration of good new restaurants.

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

This may be an odd choice but I think it’s Belltown. Perhaps not entirely in terms of dining — we saw the rebirth of Babirusa and Charles Walpole’s ambitious tasting menus in the old Kushibar space, then we saw its closure. But, speaking of rebirths, Linda Derschang did revive Queen City, an atmospherically hip spot for good food and great cocktails. Speaking of great cocktails, Navy Strength took home Best New American Cocktail Bar, which is a huge honor from Tales of the Cocktail. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy’s was a lovely addition to Belltown’s long stretch of watering holes. Ditto Black Cat. It’s been a great year for bars.

Providence Cicero, food critic, The Seattle Times:

Edouardo Jordan has made formerly sleepy Ravenna “woke.”

Naomi Tomky, food writer:

Pike Place Market! What? No, really. It got Pasta Casalinga, Miss Cafe, Jarrbar’s Little Fish pop-ups...I actually thought it had a great year. (Beyond the usual faves — Le Pichet, Matt’s, Ellenos, Mee Sum, etc.)