Seattle Dining Headline Predictions for 2020

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 was the biggest dining surprise of 2019? (Here are the top standbys of the year, the standout newcomers, the best dining neighborhoods, the biggest surprises, the biggest grievances, and favorite meals.)

Allecia Vermillion, editor-in-chief, Seattle Met: A punishing string of restaurant closures due to expired leases, redevelopment, and this generally wackadoo Seattle restaurant economy.

Chelsea Lin, editor-in-chief, Seattle Magazine: Boom in Interbay means there’s finally somewhere decent to eat between Ballard and Belltown.

Frank Guanco, food and wine writer, Seattle Refined: How about, ‘Wine! It’s like natural wine, without the indignant preciousness!’ or ‘David Chang to open a Seattle waterfront restaurant’’ (although that’s probably more a 2021 headline).

Rosin Saez, former associate editor, Seattle Met: Musang will be one of, if not the, best restaurant of 2020 and the year hasn’t even arrived yet. Anyway, I’m calling it early.

Jill Lightner, Seattle food writer, author, and person who gets asked, “Is it still safe to eat this?” a lot: November Shipment of Romaine Poisons the Nation Yet Again.