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Seattle’s Top Restaurant Standbys of 2019

Which places have stood the test of time?

A bowl of pho at Pho Bac Sup Shop with iced coffee on the side.
Pho Bac Sup Shop’s signature dishes still hold up.
Pho Bac Sup Shop/Official

As is tradition, Eater closes out the year by surveying local food writers on various restaurant-related topics. Here, the experts weigh in on this question: What were the top restaurant standbys of 2019?


Allecia Vermillion, editor-in-chief, Seattle Met: Alas, I don’t get to eat at the same place on the regular, but L’Oursin would be it for me.

Chelsea Lin, editor-in-chief, Seattle Magazine: If I’m home with my family with no time to cook, we rely pretty heavily on Pagliacci and whatever mediocre teriyaki spot delivers. For special occasions — my birthday, wooing out-of-town friends, etc. — it’s always Wataru. When I want a quick date with my husband or nightcap with friends, The Shambles (though I wish it were open later).

Providence Cicero, food writer, former restaurant critic for the Seattle Times: Now that I’m no longer chasing new restaurants for review purposes, I’ve enjoyed circling back to some longstanding favorites: Altura, Brimmer & Heeltap, Café Juanita, Cook Weaver, Copine, The Fat Hen, Kathakali, Spicy Talk, and Union Saloon. None of them disappointed.

Frank Guanco, food and wine writer, Seattle Refined: I found myself returning to Koku, Manolin, King Noodle, GH Pasta Co., and Le Pichet over and over again. So consistently good, interesting, and satisfying.

Rosin Saez, former associate editor, Seattle Met: Eric Rivera’s Addo. Whatever you’re craving he’s probably got a dinner or lunch or brunch that will satisfy it. Carmelo’s Tacos are the best tacos in the city proper (there I said it). Pho Bac Súp Shop, Gourmet Noodle Bowl, Artusi ...

Jill Lightner, Seattle food writer, author, and person who gets asked, “Is it still safe to eat this?” a lot: Super Six, Corte Fino, Breezy Town Pizza, The Comfort Zone, and Good Day Donuts.

Cafe Juanita

9702 Northeast 120th Place, , WA 98034 (425) 823-1505 Visit Website

Manolin

3621 Stone Way North, , WA 98103 (206) 294-3331 Visit Website

L'Oursin

1315 East Jefferson Street, , WA 98122 (206) 485-7173 Visit Website

Good Day Donuts

9823 15th Avenue Southwest, , WA 98106 (206) 503-2898 Visit Website

Brimmer and Heeltap

425 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107 (206) 420-2534 Visit Website

King Noodle

615 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 748-9168

Cook Weaver

806 E Roy St, Seattle, WA 98102

Corte Fino Mexican Cuisine

6721 Martin Luther King Junior Way South, , WA 98118 (206) 665-9672

Le Pichet

1933 1st Avenue, , WA 98101 (206) 256-1499 Visit Website

Super Six

3714 South Hudson Street, , WA 98118 (206) 420-1201 Visit Website

Copine

6460 24th Avenue Northwest, , WA 98107 (206) 258-2467 Visit Website

Addo

6420 24th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 Visit Website

Breezy Town Pizza

4864 Beacon Avenue South, , WA 98108 (312) 884-9527 Visit Website

Artusi

1535 14th Avenue, , WA 98122 (206) 251-7673 Visit Website

Wataru

2400 Northeast 65th Street, , WA 98115 (206) 525-2073 Visit Website

Pho Bac Sup Shop

1240 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 568-0882 Visit Website

Koku

1417 Queen Anne Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109

Altura

617 Broadway East, , WA 98102 (206) 402-6749 Visit Website

The Shambles

7777 15th Avenue Northeast, , WA 98115 (206) 659-0074 Visit Website

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