Good Restaurants in Belltown (Seattle)

Fish Club

Inspired by the fishing traditions of the Mediterranean, the Fish Club serves luscious seafood at a stunning waterfront location. A variety of fish and shellfish preparations, such as the restaurant's signature Fish Dancer, constitute the entrees. Remember to save room for a Mocha Raspberry Turnover, drizzled with Raspberry Sambuca Sauce for dessert! Large groups are welcome, and there are plenty of options for kids, teens and finicky eaters. Live jazz in the evening adds energy to the pleasant atmosphere.

Library Bistro & Bookstore Bar

Want to read while you eat? Introduce yourself to books and good food at the Library Bistro. Contemporary American food and a bookstore contribute to the comfortable feel at this restaurant. High backed booths, ten-foot high bookcases, and oiled oak floors will take you back to the 1940's. The drinks list consists of literary-named cocktails and an extensive wine list. The Bookstore Bar features a wide variety of microbrews, imports, wines from the Northwest, and coffee. You can actually buy the books of your choice as you wait for your order to arrive. Visit this place on a beautiful summer day and avail of the outdoor seating.

Shallots Bar & Bistro

Shallots Bar & Bistro, this contemporary little eatery is one of Seatle's best Pan-Asian restaurants. The lunch crowd, primarily businesspeople, tends to swamp the available seating, but try dropping in during non-peak hours. The dark wood and eggshell-white walls contrast nicely, and though things can be noisy during the lunch and dinner rushes, intimate conversation never seems impossible. The food is wonderful, with standard Thai and Chinese dishes peppered with less conventional Korean and Vietnamese items. Favorites include Satays, Coconut Prawns, Kung Pao Chicken and a couple of duck dishes, crispy or pressed.

Cyclops

Just downstairs from the ultra-hip Ace Hotel, this Belltown favorite offers spicy fare and tasty cocktails. It's a great choice for dinner or weekend brunch. Portions are more than generous-an appetizer may provide more than enough sustenance. Entree choices include options for both vegans and meat-lovers, and diners will love the creamy, smoky pepper flavor of the Chipotle Mashed Potatoes. A decent and well-priced wine list presents interesting choices, but the cocktails are simply stellar, with generous pours, great top-shelf selections and fresh juices as mixers.

Le Pichet

No plane tickets, but longing for some joie de vivre? Le Pichet nourishes your inner Francophile without the jet lag. Pop in anytime for a café au lait at the elegantly fluted tin-topped bar, or arrange a luncheon rendezvous for some creamy sweet garlic soup with asparagus and poached egg. For dinner, order the country pate and nibble on baguette while waiting for the signature roasted chicken for two (takes 1 hour). Framed blackboards announce daily specials, cheese selections and desserts. Wine served by the glass, demi-pichet, pichet (pichet=pitcher) or bottle makes it easy to sample several intriguing options.

Brasserie Margaux

This warmly lit, club like dining room has beautiful hardwood floors, soft comfortable chairs and a mural painted on the open, domed ceiling. Located next to the Warwick Hotel, it specializes in French cuisine created with fresh Northwest ingredients. In addition to the daily specials, the menu features a variety of seafood, beef and pasta selections. The restaurant's bar has an extensive wine list that focuses on the Pacific Northwest and, aptly, Marguax wines.

Shorty's Coney Island

It is safe to say that there is nothing in Seattle quite like this hotdog joint, the Shorty's Coney Island. Where should one begin? With the blaring antique pinball and arcade games? The big-top decor? The greasy countertop? No matter where you start, you will be happy you found this friendly place with the faux hotdog stand front. Whether you like hotdogs topped with cheese, chili, onions or saurkraut (or all of the above), you will have your wishes met here. Only cash is accepted.

Jet City Pizza

For top-quality pizza, grinders and calzone delivered to your door with chain-store promptness, the Jet City Pizza is the way to go. Pizzas are available in 13 and 15-inch sizes, with toppings ranging from standard pepperoni to smoked oysters. Unusual specialties include the Brewery Combo, with three spicy meats plus onions, cashews and jalapenos. With salads, hot wings, pasta dinners and and group discounts, this is a fast and tasty way to provide dinner for a crowd. Check website for additional locations.

Lampreia

To truly appreciate this elegant restaurant Lampreia, plan to spend a lot of time and just as much money. Some consider the portions to be on the small side, but if you do it up right and order several courses, you'll leave happy. Start with the Foie Gras, a specialty, then move on to one of the specialty salads, a tempting choice of entrees, and dessert. Chef Scott Carsberg uses only fresh ingredients and opts for simple preparations featuring bold flavors. This isn't just dinner; it's a dining experience.

Buenos Aires Grill

Step into this Argentinean steakhouse and smell the tempting grilled beef all around the place. Savor the Parrillada Mixtra (mixed grill), a selection of meats that include tender short ribs and a thin skirt steak along with spicy tango dances every weekend. The dress code is casual and reservations are a must. Dark intimate booths, high ceilings and a flattering golden glow, make the place romantic and royal.

Saito's Japanese Cafe and Bar

Just two blocks from the renowned Shiro's Sushi Restaurant, chef Yutaka Saito has opened his own Japanese restaurant. While Saito's hasn't yet built up the cult-like following of Shiro's, the restaurant has already proved to be a success, especially with the lunch crowd. With its sleek, blond wood interior and high ceilings, Saito's exhibits the spare minimalism of most Belltown eateries. The menu is similarly streamlined, with traditional entrees like cod kasuzuke and fresh, simple sushi. Many patrons say that flavors and artful presentations are more authentic than other Seattle Japanese restaurants.

Wasabi Bistro

This lively eatery, popular with the hip Belltown crowd, serves up inventive Japanese fusion creations. Purists may be disappointed by Americanized concoctions such as the deep-fried Las Vegas roll (featuring eel, cucumber, cream cheese, and avocado), but sushi novices may find the offerings more approachable than traditional raw bar fare. Entrees include yakisoba, udon and a variety of seafood dishes. Service is generally attentive but some servers seem less than knowledgeable about the menu's more experimental dishes.