clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

Seattle Restaurants That Are Perfect for a Romantic Date Night

16 of Seattle’s Most Perfect Bakeries

Where to Get Affordable, Delicious Food in Seattle

More in Seattle See more maps

Updating the Eater SEA Heatmap: Where To Eat Now

by Sara Billups
View as Map
by Sara Billups

It's the answer to many a question: What are the hot new restaurants? Who's the latest chef to open a new place? Where should I eat right now? The Eater Heatmap is a current reflection of the buzziest restaurants and places so new, they might not be on the collective radar yet.

While the Eater 38 is a resource that covers old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not necessarily a chronicle of the "it" places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which changes every month to continuously highlight where the food nerds are flocking. This month, the ushering in of a fresh face and a fond farewell to two seasoned vets:

IN: Chippy's Fish & Drink
OUT: Aragona, Miller's Guild

See any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments.


1/3/2013: IN: Shanik, Agrodolce, Mamnoon
2/7/2013: IN: Kedai Makan, Il Corvo
3/7/2013: IN: Brass Tacks, Bar Sajor, Bar Cotto
4/4/2013: IN: Ballard Annex Oyster House, Miyabi 45th, Rain Shadow Squared
5/2/2013: IN: Radiator Whiskey, Gastropod
6/6/2013: IN: Lost Lake Cafe, Bakery Nouveau
7/11/2013: IN: Le Zinc, Little Uncle, Stoneburner, Tanakasan
8/1/2013: IN: Blind Pig at Eastlake Teriyaki, The Old Sage, RockCreek
9/4/2013: IN: Bar Cantinetta, Percy's, Westward
10/3/2013: IN: Barnacle, Le Petit Cochon
11/7/2013: IN: .mkt
12/5/2013: IN: Altstadt, Roux
1/2/2014: IN: Aragona, Loulay, Miller's Guild, Tallulah's
2/6/2014: IN: Bourbon & Bones, Brimmer & Heeltap, Din Tai Fung
3/6/2014: IN: Mezcaleria Oaxaca, Red Cow
4/3/14: IN Hecho, The London Plane
5/1/14: IN Corretto, Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Bourbon & Bones

Copy Link

Wandering Goose alum Michael Law has opened a fried chicken and smoked meats (locally sourced, of course) oasis in what looks like an old smoke shack on Leary Way. Slaw, cheese grits, mac and cheese and gravy round out a nice selection of "you best not be on a diet" sides.

[Photo Credit]
4350 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 582-2241
(206) 582-2241

Also featured in:

Brimmer & Heeltap

Copy Link

Former Revel chef Mike Whisenhunt has partnered with industry vet Jen Doak to transform the old Le Gourmand space into a neighborhood bistro-pub. The menu spans everything from pork shoulder with kimchi to creamed spinach with rice cakes, braised turnips, and a basket of fried lardo with pickled quince. The staff's family meal du jour is also available on the late-night menu.

[Photo Credit]
425 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 420-2534
(206) 420-2534

Also featured in:

Chippy's Fish & Drink

Copy Link

Ethan Stowell's latest in The Kolstrand Building on Ballard Ave. (next to his Staple & Fancy) is the real deal: Peel away the (very good) breading on any of Chippy's five fish and chips offerings and you'll find a big, flaky filet that eases the sting of paying in the teens for a platter fried fish and (perfectly crispy) fries. Also on the menu: Dungeness crab rolls, shrimp cocktail, and fried oyster sandwiches. Plus, a full bar.

[Photo Credit]
4741 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 257-4390
(206) 257-4390

Corretto Trattoria and Bar

Copy Link

Espresso service by day, Italian comfort food and a solid cocktail program by night in a well-dressed space on Broadway from the owner of Tango and Rumba.

416 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 328-7817
(206) 328-7817

Also featured in:

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House, University Village

Copy Link

The popular dumpling house that already resides in Bellevue now has a home in U-Village. The new DTF not only has a bar twice the size, it's about 1,000-square-feet larger than the 7,000-square-foot Eastside behemoth. The good news here is that when you're told there will be a (long) wait for a table, you'll be notified via text.

[Photo Credit]
2615 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 525-0958
(206) 525-0958

Hecho

Copy Link

Greenwood Ave's Hecho occupies the former Carmelita space, but you'd never know it from the slick new buildout. Go for airy tortilla chips with fresh salsa, albacore ceviche, mole short ribs, and goat cooked for 17 hours. Wash it all down with mezcal mules, $8 house margaritas ($2 off during happy hour) and eight beers on tap.

[Photo Credit]
7410 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 588-1919
(206) 588-1919

Also featured in:

The London Plane

Copy Link

Bakery, flower counter, grocer, and cafe, Matt Dillon and Katherine Anderson's London Plane opened in March across from their “Little London Plane.” Grab lunch during the workweek, or go for weekend brunch featuring biscuits, croissants with fruit preserves, and savories made with bread baked on-site.

[Photo Credit]
300 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 624-1374
(206) 624-1374

Also featured in:

Mezcaleria Oaxaca

Copy Link

The same family behind Ballard’s La Carta De Oaxaca and Queen Anne’s Mezcaleria Oaxaca launched a Capitol Hill Mezcaleria Oaxaca location in what was once an auto repair shop. A central kitchen in the knockout space pumps out piles of tortillas, mole, and salty tortilla chips served with fresh guacamole. This summer, the Mexican spot will open a rooftop seating area for al fresco dining.

[Photo Credit]
422 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 324-0506
(206) 324-0506

Also featured in:

Red Cow

Copy Link

Ethan Stowell’s latest opened in Madrona last month in an 1,800-square-foot space most recently occupied by Restaurant Bea. The meat-centric menu features French brasserie classics like pate de campagne, moules frites, and (of course) steak frites: Red Cow serves its crispy fries with four different cuts of beef paired with any of four sauces, including red wine reduction and horseradish cream.

[Photo Credit]
1423 34th Ave Apt A, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 454-7932
(206) 454-7932

Also featured in:

Tallulah's

Copy Link

Linda Derschang's stylish new restaurant (arguably her most grown-up venue to date) on the "so hot right now" corner of 19th and Mercer is a nod to her daughter, Tallulah, as well as an homage to mid-century design and the vibe of Big Sur in the 1970's.

[Photo Credit]
550 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 860-0077
(206) 860-0077

Also featured in:

Taylor's Oyster Bar Queen Anne

Copy Link

Taylor Shellfish opened its latest oyster bar in April in a part of town that needs more fresh seafood options—Lower Queen Anne. The bright, shiny bivalve spot near the Space Needle will almost double its capacity this summer when patio seating is introduced. Plus, shrimp cocktails and crab legs for the raw-phobic.

124 Republican St, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 501-4442
(206) 501-4442

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Bourbon & Bones

4350 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Wandering Goose alum Michael Law has opened a fried chicken and smoked meats (locally sourced, of course) oasis in what looks like an old smoke shack on Leary Way. Slaw, cheese grits, mac and cheese and gravy round out a nice selection of "you best not be on a diet" sides.

[Photo Credit]
4350 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 582-2241
(206) 582-2241

Brimmer & Heeltap

425 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

Former Revel chef Mike Whisenhunt has partnered with industry vet Jen Doak to transform the old Le Gourmand space into a neighborhood bistro-pub. The menu spans everything from pork shoulder with kimchi to creamed spinach with rice cakes, braised turnips, and a basket of fried lardo with pickled quince. The staff's family meal du jour is also available on the late-night menu.

[Photo Credit]
425 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 420-2534
(206) 420-2534

Chippy's Fish & Drink

4741 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Ethan Stowell's latest in The Kolstrand Building on Ballard Ave. (next to his Staple & Fancy) is the real deal: Peel away the (very good) breading on any of Chippy's five fish and chips offerings and you'll find a big, flaky filet that eases the sting of paying in the teens for a platter fried fish and (perfectly crispy) fries. Also on the menu: Dungeness crab rolls, shrimp cocktail, and fried oyster sandwiches. Plus, a full bar.

[Photo Credit]
4741 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 257-4390
(206) 257-4390

Corretto Trattoria and Bar

416 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

Espresso service by day, Italian comfort food and a solid cocktail program by night in a well-dressed space on Broadway from the owner of Tango and Rumba.

416 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 328-7817
(206) 328-7817

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House, University Village

2615 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105

The popular dumpling house that already resides in Bellevue now has a home in U-Village. The new DTF not only has a bar twice the size, it's about 1,000-square-feet larger than the 7,000-square-foot Eastside behemoth. The good news here is that when you're told there will be a (long) wait for a table, you'll be notified via text.

[Photo Credit]
2615 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 525-0958
(206) 525-0958

Hecho

7410 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Greenwood Ave's Hecho occupies the former Carmelita space, but you'd never know it from the slick new buildout. Go for airy tortilla chips with fresh salsa, albacore ceviche, mole short ribs, and goat cooked for 17 hours. Wash it all down with mezcal mules, $8 house margaritas ($2 off during happy hour) and eight beers on tap.

[Photo Credit]
7410 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 588-1919
(206) 588-1919

The London Plane

300 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104

Bakery, flower counter, grocer, and cafe, Matt Dillon and Katherine Anderson's London Plane opened in March across from their “Little London Plane.” Grab lunch during the workweek, or go for weekend brunch featuring biscuits, croissants with fruit preserves, and savories made with bread baked on-site.

[Photo Credit]
300 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 624-1374
(206) 624-1374

Mezcaleria Oaxaca

422 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122

The same family behind Ballard’s La Carta De Oaxaca and Queen Anne’s Mezcaleria Oaxaca launched a Capitol Hill Mezcaleria Oaxaca location in what was once an auto repair shop. A central kitchen in the knockout space pumps out piles of tortillas, mole, and salty tortilla chips served with fresh guacamole. This summer, the Mexican spot will open a rooftop seating area for al fresco dining.

[Photo Credit]
422 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 324-0506
(206) 324-0506

Red Cow

1423 34th Ave Apt A, Seattle, WA 98122

Ethan Stowell’s latest opened in Madrona last month in an 1,800-square-foot space most recently occupied by Restaurant Bea. The meat-centric menu features French brasserie classics like pate de campagne, moules frites, and (of course) steak frites: Red Cow serves its crispy fries with four different cuts of beef paired with any of four sauces, including red wine reduction and horseradish cream.

[Photo Credit]
1423 34th Ave Apt A, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 454-7932
(206) 454-7932

Tallulah's

550 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112

Linda Derschang's stylish new restaurant (arguably her most grown-up venue to date) on the "so hot right now" corner of 19th and Mercer is a nod to her daughter, Tallulah, as well as an homage to mid-century design and the vibe of Big Sur in the 1970's.

[Photo Credit]
550 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 860-0077
(206) 860-0077

Taylor's Oyster Bar Queen Anne

124 Republican St, Seattle, WA 98109

Taylor Shellfish opened its latest oyster bar in April in a part of town that needs more fresh seafood options—Lower Queen Anne. The bright, shiny bivalve spot near the Space Needle will almost double its capacity this summer when patio seating is introduced. Plus, shrimp cocktails and crab legs for the raw-phobic.

124 Republican St, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 501-4442
(206) 501-4442

Related Maps