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Readers Vote: 12 Best Places for Solo Dining in Seattle

by Julien Perry
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by Julien Perry
1 comment / new

This week, the table for one has won.

When the question, "What are Seattle's best restaurants for solo dining?" was posed last week, readers divulged their favorite spots, and surprisingly only one was a hotel bar, which seems like a good indicator of Seattle's warm hospitality and the extremes industry staffers will go to make one feel at home when companionship is not at play. It's not just travelers who often find themselves dining alone; dining by oneself is sometimes a very intentional move.

Here now is a crowd-sourced, alphabetized list of 12 spots that make dining solo enjoyable, as supported by reader comments. Is your favorite missing because you didn't vote? Take a seat and make your case in the comments.

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BOKA restaurant+bar

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"You can't lose with hotel bars. I like BOKA because it's usually very lively and there's so much going on that you'll forget you're dining alone."

[Photo Credit]
1010 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 357-9000
(206) 357-9000

Canlis

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"There's always a show going on around you and the service is as good as if you were at a table."

[Photo Credit]
2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283-3313
(206) 283-3313

The Capital Grille

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"The bar at Capital Grille. They layout a nice setting for you (with cloth napkin), have the latest periodicals, and they don't mind you lingering."

[Photo Credit]
1301 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 382-0900
(206) 382-0900

Also featured in:

Citizen Coffee

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"It's small and quiet, with either bar seating or upstairs."

[Photo Credit]
706 Taylor Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 284-1015
(206) 284-1015

Georgian Room

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"Just ate lunch alone at The Georgian during Dine Around week; my first time there. Great service, food, very civilized atmosphere, was offered my choice of newspapers; enjoyed a relaxing moment and was happy I had gone."

[Photo Credit]
411 University St., Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 621-1700
(206) 621-1700

Also featured in:

The Harvest Vine

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"Harvest Vine's counter is my favorite cooking show in town. Lark and Tango as well: Tapas and small plates are great for one, since you can sample more than one delicious item on the menu."

[Photo Credit]
2701 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 320-9771
(206) 320-9771

La Bête

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"Sitting at the counter allows you a great view of the kitchen as the chefs work their magic. Everyone there is so friendly — the chefs, bar staff, and servers. The place is refined and down-to-earth at the same time."

[Photo Credit]
1802 Bellevue Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 329-4047
(206) 329-4047

Locöl Barley & Vine

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"It's a total neighborhood spot. The bar staff is super friendly, but not overly chatty, and just about everyone else at the bar is local and dining solo. You'll be in good company here."

[Photo Credit]
7902 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 708-7725
(206) 708-7725

Also featured in:

Metropolitan Grill

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"Met Grill, Le Pichet Canlis. In my experience, all cozy and delicious places that treat solo diners with extra care and welcome them in with open arms."

[Photo Credit]
820 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 624-3287
(206) 624-3287

Mezcaleria Oaxaca

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"Delicious food, fast service, and lots of bar seats for solo diners."
"Nothing brings strangers together like tequila!"

[Photo Credit]
2123 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 782-8722
(206) 782-8722

Rione XIII

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"Sit at the bar, be nice, and before you know it, the staff will be so cordial you'll never want to leave. Extra splashes in wine glasses have been known to occur."

[Photo Credit]
401 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 838-2878
(206) 838-2878

Steelhead Diner

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"Steelhead is great because you can sit at the kitchen counter overlooking all the action, or you can sit at the bar and gaze at the beautiful view."

[Photo Credit]
17 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 625-0129
(206) 625-0129

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BOKA restaurant+bar

1010 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

"You can't lose with hotel bars. I like BOKA because it's usually very lively and there's so much going on that you'll forget you're dining alone."

[Photo Credit]
1010 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 357-9000
(206) 357-9000

Canlis

2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

"There's always a show going on around you and the service is as good as if you were at a table."

[Photo Credit]
2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283-3313
(206) 283-3313

The Capital Grille

1301 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

"The bar at Capital Grille. They layout a nice setting for you (with cloth napkin), have the latest periodicals, and they don't mind you lingering."

[Photo Credit]
1301 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 382-0900
(206) 382-0900

Citizen Coffee

706 Taylor Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

"It's small and quiet, with either bar seating or upstairs."

[Photo Credit]
706 Taylor Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 284-1015
(206) 284-1015

Georgian Room

411 University St., Seattle, WA 98101

"Just ate lunch alone at The Georgian during Dine Around week; my first time there. Great service, food, very civilized atmosphere, was offered my choice of newspapers; enjoyed a relaxing moment and was happy I had gone."

[Photo Credit]
411 University St., Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 621-1700
(206) 621-1700

The Harvest Vine

2701 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112

"Harvest Vine's counter is my favorite cooking show in town. Lark and Tango as well: Tapas and small plates are great for one, since you can sample more than one delicious item on the menu."

[Photo Credit]
2701 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 320-9771
(206) 320-9771

La Bête

1802 Bellevue Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

"Sitting at the counter allows you a great view of the kitchen as the chefs work their magic. Everyone there is so friendly — the chefs, bar staff, and servers. The place is refined and down-to-earth at the same time."

[Photo Credit]
1802 Bellevue Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 329-4047
(206) 329-4047

Locöl Barley & Vine

7902 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126

"It's a total neighborhood spot. The bar staff is super friendly, but not overly chatty, and just about everyone else at the bar is local and dining solo. You'll be in good company here."

[Photo Credit]
7902 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 708-7725
(206) 708-7725

Metropolitan Grill

820 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98104

"Met Grill, Le Pichet Canlis. In my experience, all cozy and delicious places that treat solo diners with extra care and welcome them in with open arms."

[Photo Credit]
820 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 624-3287
(206) 624-3287

Mezcaleria Oaxaca

2123 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

"Delicious food, fast service, and lots of bar seats for solo diners."
"Nothing brings strangers together like tequila!"

[Photo Credit]
2123 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 782-8722
(206) 782-8722

Rione XIII

401 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112

"Sit at the bar, be nice, and before you know it, the staff will be so cordial you'll never want to leave. Extra splashes in wine glasses have been known to occur."

[Photo Credit]
401 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 838-2878
(206) 838-2878

Steelhead Diner

17 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98101

"Steelhead is great because you can sit at the kitchen counter overlooking all the action, or you can sit at the bar and gaze at the beautiful view."

[Photo Credit]
17 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 625-0129
(206) 625-0129

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