Seattle Restaurants: Veterans, Newcomers & Dining Trends

Seattle’s Food Scene: Trends, Veterans, and Newcomers

Seattle’s hitting all the trends right now: smash burgers, halal, new wave coffee, sustainable fish, health and wellness. “We have some of the highest menu prices in the country right now; because of that, operators have to go above and beyond offering just great food and even great service—they have to serve a deeper purpose for consumers,” says US Foods Janelle Lhotka, Seattle North VP of Sales. “We’re also seeing a huge culinary movement in the suburbs, especially around the booming Everett waterfront,” she says, thanks to the growing Link light rail system.

Veteran Restaurants Leading the Way

Burgermaster

9820 Aurora Ave. N

An iconic, family-owned drive-thru concept founded by Phil Jensen in 1952 with a newer location in Issaquah and now serving breakfast in Bellevue. Menu faves include the Burgermaster (a grass-fed beef smash burger) with special sauce and all the fixins’ and fish and chips with housemade tartar sauce.

Fun Fact: The University of Washington rowing team came in for breakfast every year for at least 40 years before the university location closed!

Pike Place Chowder and Lowell’s Restaurant and Bar at Pike Place Market

85 Pike St.

Two of Pike Place Market’s most iconic eateries. Pike Place Chowder has been serving award-winning clam chowder and a rotating lineup of seafood bisques in hearty sourdough bowls since 2003. Just steps away, Lowell’s—established in 1957—offers three floors of waterfront views and market-fresh seafood classics, from crab-laced breakfasts to wild salmon and fish and chips. Read more about Pike Place here.

The Crab Pot

1301 Alaskan Way, Pier 57

A waterfront institution on Pier 57 since the early 1980s, The Crab Pot is famous for its “Seafeasts”—steam-boiled spreads of crab, shellfish, corn and potatoes dumped right onto paper-covered tables. With mallets, bibs and harbor views, it remains one of Seattle’s most enduring and delightfully messy dining traditions, with additional locations in Bellevue and Long Beach.

BeachHouse Bar + Grill

6023 Lake Washington Blvd. NE, Kirkland

A longtime Eastside favorite on the Lake Washington waterfront in Kirkland serving Pacific Northwest-inspired seafood, burgers and brunch-friendly plates since opening in 2009 by Maria and Ricky Eng.

Newcomers Making Their Mark:

Toasted

4756 15th Ave. NE

Opened: 2023
Owners: Jaafar Altameemi and Murat Akyuz
University of Washington grads Jaafar Altameemi and Murat Akyuz opened this halal-focused, bagel sandwich shop after building a cult following on TikTok. The friends put a playful spin on “New York bagel culture” with halal salmon, house spreads and overstuffed sandwiches at their flagship U District shop. "We built this place to resemble what we know best—home,” says Altameemi, who was born in Iraq but made his way to Washington with his family (Akyuz is from Turkey). “The Middle Eastern hospitality that's deeply rooted in our culture is the pillar that supports Toasted. The Mediterranean flavors are its signature." Read more about Toasted here.

The Hall on Occidental

589 Occidental Ave. S

Opened: July 2025
Owner/Operator: The Hall Management Group
The newest addition to the Hall family, this SoDo-area gastropub opened right by Lumen Field, quickly becoming a go-to for Seahawks fans and locals alike with its broad craft beer list, elevated pub fare and lively atmosphere. 

Lune Café (University District)

5000 University Way NE Suite E, Seattle

Opened: Spring 2024

Owners: Karrar Hashem and Hamed Mudher

This dessert cafe built a cult following on social media for its playful, colorful menu, with items like the viral Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries, glow drinks, crepes, waffles and specialty lattes. The original Pioneer Square location that opened in 2002 led to this expansion in the U District where the owners met at the University of Washington.

Halal Smash BRGR

Address Capitol Hill: 1525 13th Ave; U District: 5600 Roosevelt Way NE

Opened: October 2023

Owner/Operator: Mohammed Bu Jubarah 

This smash burger concept started out of a Capitol Hill ghost kitchen before expanding to a second Seattle pickup-only location in U District by 2025. Created by a former tech-sector worker, Halal Smash BRGR feature 100% certified halal beef with a variety of house sauces available for delivery or pickup via lockers. Click here to read more about the concept.

Phê

721 E. Pine St.

Opened: Summer 2025

Owner: Vy Le (and family)

A Vietnamese matcha and coffee cafe in Capital Hill that started as a pop-up at the Chinatown-International District Night Market three years ago—now with airy decor, a solid brunch program and lines out the door.

Booming Suburban & Regional Spots

Booming in Bellevue:

Itadaki is a new Japanese steakhouse in Bellevue serving wagyu steaks, sushi, noodle bowls and kurobuta katsu sandwiches with a special omakase dinner experience

Notable Up North:

●      Coconut Kenny’s, a tropical-themed pizza and sandwich concept with eight—and counting—locations

The Way Group plans to open another Tapped Public House location and opened a new concept, The Net Shed Restaurant & Fish Market, in December 2025 at the new Port of Everett waterfront develoment

Veteran Restaurants Leading the Way

Burgermaster

9820 Aurora Ave. N

An iconic, family-owned drive-thru concept founded by Phil Jensen in 1952 with a newer location in Issaquah and now serving breakfast in Bellevue. Menu faves include the Burgermaster (a grass-fed beef smash burger) with special sauce and all the fixins’ and fish and chips with housemade tartar sauce.

Fun Fact: The University of Washington rowing team came in for breakfast every year for at least 40 years before the university location closed!