Sunset Hill landed this stellar pizzeria in 2020, focused on both Detroit-style square and 12-inch round pies served from a Wood Stone hearth oven. But the smash burgers are sensational as well, topped umami ketchup and frizzled onions (don’t forget about the waffle fries). And the seasonal spritzes make for a refreshing cocktail best enjoyed on the comfortable back patio.

With influences from owner Rajah Gargour’s Lebanese background, this restaurant is a true gem. The small plates of lentils ground with roasted garlic, house labneh, and sweet pears in savory tahini always impress. Patrons should also check Instagram for seasonal items that keep the menu vibrant, and the romantic dining room recently reopened.

At this hybrid butcher shop-restaurant from London native Kevin Smith, customers can find premium cuts of pasture-raised meat from local farms, as well as terrines, porchetta di testa, and pâté en croûte. There are also fabulous tasting menu dinners under the moniker Peasant that include well-crafted seasonal plates and plenty of beer and wine pairings. 

A rare fine-dining establishment in a generally casual neighborhood, Copine is still approachable with its mix of American, Italian, and French fare. Recent items on its thoughtfully planned three-course tasting menu have included a terrine of Hudson Valley foie gras, a delightful ricotta gnudi with been mushrooms, and poached halibut with shrimp mousse, white bean raviolo, and squash.

Chef Eric Rivera’s space in Ballard is more of a lab for different dining ideas than a standard restaurant. After experimenting with ambitious to-go options, the Addo is back to offering a few sit-down tasting menu dinners, which are usually full of surprises. In a move that’s not unheard of (but still a rarity), Rivera requires that all guests be vaccinated for those meals.

Set in a lovely space on NW Market Street, complete with a darling patio, this neighborhood bistro hasn’t been afraid to reinvent itself. The food here is always fun, with bites like Manila clams in a cider broth and pork chops with fermented greens, all of which pair well with the top notch cocktail list. There’s also a wine club and a small cafe called Red Arrow Coffee in the backyard.

Pestle Rock features Thai food from the Isan region of the country. Highlights include the crispy fried chicken wings, an excellent kao soi, and the memorable Dungeness crab fried rice. Quality preparations also make deft use of local ingredients, such as the Carleton Farms pork spare ribs marinated in rice whiskey.

Ballard denizens frequent this lively Mexican restaurant from the Dominguez family to sample the pools of rich, savory-sweet mole over chicken, the hand-crushed guacamole, pozole, and a spirits list with more than 40 types of mezcal. The friendly atmosphere and an expanded outdoor patio with colorful decor are bonuses.

Sawyer has been an inventive addition to the neighborhood since opening in the summer of 2018, putting its unique spin on homey classics, including a fun take on Choco Tacos. Most of the dinner and brunch items are available to-go still, and the restaurant recently opened its expansive dining room and patio once again.

Each savory morsel of carne asada at this wonderful offshoot of the Kent steakhouse is a testament to the kitchen’s mastery of mesquite grilled meats. Winners include tacos such the doradito, a fresh corn tortilla that’s been smoked and then fried to perfect crispiness, but one can’t go wrong ordering up any one of the large steaks on its own.

The deli from popular food truck Napkin Friends serves pastrami, corned beef, lox, and latke-pressed sandwiches in the Frelard area. There are also satisfying breakfast sandwiches served all day, with egg and applewood smoked bacon on challah buns, and the Flavor Bomb with tri-tip, spiced tomato jam, and chimichurri. And it recently opened a cozy new patio out front.