Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in South of Seattle

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in South of Seattle? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Grazie Ristorante - Southcenter/Tukwila

4.7

4.7 (1928)

$31 to $50

Italian

Tukwila

About the restaurant

We are an authentic Italian restaurant featuring wines and foods from the different regions of Italy. A remarkable aspect that sets our restaurants apart is our employees are taken to Italy for education in Italian food and wine knowledge. Our servers are personable and also educated to help you with your dining selections. We take no shortcuts with our food and make everything on our menu from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients and imported products. When you step inside the door of our restaurant our goal is to take your senses on a culinary journey to Italia.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Most enjoyable evening with great service and great food. With a party of 8 that included 2 small children, we couldn’t have asked for anything better. Will absolutely return on my next visit to the Seattle area.

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Paolo's Italian Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1288)

$30 and under

Italian

Kent

About the restaurant

For more than 20 years, Paolo’s has been bringing the taste of Italy to Kent. Paul Raftis founded the restaurant after growing up learning to cook along side his mother, Darlene Raftis. He enjoys the open kitchen he can chat with guests as he works. He never tires of hearing "It smells so good in here!" As a marathoner, he is living proof that that you can eat Italian and be healthy. In fact, one of his signature dishes, "Fettucine Paolo" was featured in Runner's World magazine. "It's one of the dishes I developed, it has no cream in it, no butter." It's a delicious pasta dish that utilizes olive oil, garlic, chicken stock, garlic, balsamic vinegar, sundried tomatoes, artichokes, and chicken. So whether it's bruschetta, cioppino, pizza, or spaghetti and meatballs, Paul thanks each of you for choosing to dine here.

Top review

Mary

Dined 1 day ago

We have been coming to Paolo’s since they opened in 1990. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and date nights. Always impeccable cuisine and service is outstanding!

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Popular dish

Fettuccine Alfredo

Duke's Seafood - Kent Station

4.7

4.7 (790)

$30 and under

Seafood

Kent

About the restaurant

Duke's Kent Seafood Restaurant is an upscale casual Pacific Northwest restaurant & bar offering signature, flavorful, 100% sustainable wild seafood, Award Winning Chowder and grass fed burgers in a gathering place that is friendly, comfortable, unpretentious and filled with personality. We only source all natural, healthful ingredients. Duke's food is free of hormones, antibiotics and free of harmful chemicals. Guests sum up their favorable assessment of what Duke's has to offer with three words: It’s so good! Duke's in Kent is a locals favorite, perfect for grabbing a drink at the bar, lunch, dinner, outdoor dining or dinner with the family or group of friends.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 7 days ago

We had aa late afternoon lunch at Dukes today. Our server was amazing. She allowed us to settle in before asking for drink orders and she continued to provide exceptional service during our experience. Today was great!

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Popular dish

Chowder Samplers

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab "Un"Cakes

Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (2224)

$31 to $50

Northwest

Seatac

About the restaurant

Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar is a Northwest gathering spot serving seasonally-inspired farm-to-table cuisine. Our team is committed to sustainable practices that bring the season's bounty to your table. We hand select products from small local farms, fishermen, ranchers and artisans to curate all our menus. Arrive early and experience a seasonal cocktail or glass of Washington State wine in Copperleaf Bar! Come see why Copperleaf Restaurant is a quintessentially Northwest experience.

Table reservations for the patio are honored based on request and availability at the time of arrival; due to the frequently changing weather circumstances of the Seattle area and the popularity of our outdoor dining spaces, we are unable to guarantee reservations for the patio.

Top review

Robb

Dined 4 days ago

What a gem, not only great service, great food and a wonderful experience. Sitting by the fireplace enjoying special scallop soup, duck breast dinner and fabulous banana cream pie. Put this experience on your “got to due” list.

Anthony's HomePort - Des Moines

4.6

4.6 (3865)

$30 and under

Seafood

Des Moines

About the restaurant

We are a locally-owned, waterfront restaurant dedicated to giving our guests a truly Northwest dining experience. Anthony’s has earned the reputation for the finest fresh seafood, perfectly prepared and expertly served with an uncompromising commitment to quality and value. We feature fresh seasonal and sustainable fish and shellfish from our own seafood company accompanied by Northwest wines and micro brews as well our "Best of the Season" produce featured in our house-made desserts, salads, entrees, and beverages. Anthony’s in Des Moines features a lovely panoramic view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Open daily for lunch with a casual style no reservation necessary restaurant on the first floor featuring seafood, pastas, salads, burgers and fish tacos.

Top review

ThomasVIP

Dined today

As always, the food was excellent, the service outstanding, we always have a great time.

Duke's Seafood - Southcenter

4.6

4.6 (1094)

$30 and under

Seafood

Tukwila

About the restaurant

Duke's Restaurant Southcenter, located in Tukwila at the south end of The Westfield Mall, is an upscale casual Pacific Northweset seafood restaurant offering signature, flavorful, 100% sustainable wild seafood, Award Winning Chowder, and grass-fed burgers in a gathering place that is friendly, comfortable, unpretentious, and filled with personality. We only source all-natural, healthful ingredients. Duke's food is free of hormones, antibiotics, and free of harmful chemicals. Guests sum up their favorable assessment of what Duke's has to offer with three words: It’s so good! Great Fish Tacos, Wild Halibut & Salmon, Salads and amazing sandwiches.

Please note: We do not accept reservations for the outdoor deck seating. First come, first serve. Please feel free to designate outdoor seating as your preference when making a reservation or checking in and we'll do our best to see you on our patio.

Top review

Bill

Dined 3 days ago

Great lunch with a friend today. Our waiter Kui was outstanding. Lots of fun.

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Popular dish

"Un"Chopped Seafood Salad

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab "Un"Cakes

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab Dip

Sharps RoastHouse

4.5

4.5 (181)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Seatac

About the restaurant

Sharps RoastHouse has been voted one of the best Seatac restaurants. We are a local restaurant and bar next door to Seatac Airport (Seattle International Airport), just outside of Seattle. We offer scratch American Cuisine, fine crafted cocktails and Northwest wine and beer. Our custom roasting works showcases our 12-hour Hereford Prime Rib, Applewood Smoked St Louis Ribs and spit fired organic rotisserie chicken. Perfect for a quick bite before a flight or layover or after picking up a hungry friend from a long day of traveling.

Top review

Patti

Dined today

Great food! We eat there frequently and have always been happy with the quality and quantity and amazing tastes. Staff is accommodating and kind. Highly recommend.

Mama Stortini's - Kent Station

4.4

4.4 (830)

$30 and under

American

Kent

About the restaurant

Mama Stortini’s is home to a delicious blend of Pacific Northwest and Southern and Coastal Italian flavors. Popular pastas, fresh British Columbia salmon, crispy thin crust pizzas, juicy burgers and much more – there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Mama’s. Locally owned, locally loved. We strive to make you feel right at home!

Top review

Norman

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Great food, good sized portions, absolute best service in town. A well managed restaurant. I wish I lived closer but the traffic is a killer. Lots of parking. This is good American/Italian food. Way, way above Olive Garden.

Mizu Steakhouse - Covington

4.2

4.2 (450)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Kent

About the restaurant

Mizu Steakhouse in Covington, WA serves creative Japanese fare. Its welcoming setting features hibachi chefs that are eager to show off their cooking skills right at the table. Mizu Steakhouse serves a large variety of dishes prepared with quality produce, meat and seafood. Fried pot stickers, edamame or tempura make for tasty appetizers. Guests can dine on a main course of filet mignon, New York steak with shrimp or a variety of seafood. This restaurant also serves gluten-free sauces, vegetarian dishes.

Mizu Steakhouse offers a variety of libations to pair with meals. It provides outdoor seating and take-out service.

Top review

Amy

Dined today

This is probably the best Mizu location I have been to. They actually did a real show and the guests were involved. My toddler loved the show. My mother in law has not been a fan of any restaurants in America during her visit but she finally liked the food at this one. Overall it was a great night and we all left with smiles and full bellies with leftovers. We will definitely come back to the covington location.

Muckleshoot Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (74)

$30 and under

American

Auburn

About the restaurant

The diverse, flavorful menu of Muckleshoot Restaurant includes favorites like the Seafood Louie Salad and 12 oz. NY Strip Steak.

Carrying on the traditional Muckleshoot ways of cooking salmon, we are proud to offer traditional salmon dinners utilizing locally sourced alder wood and Pacific Coast wild salmon. Cooked over an open flame, the traditional method of low heat and smoke enhances the salmon flavor while preserving freshness and texture. Available in individual (8 oz. fillet with two sides, $29) or family style (2 1/2 pounds with one pound of corn and red potatoes, $95) presentations. Offered Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Plus, don't forget to check out the baked goodness inside our pastry display. Enjoy a wide assortment of pastries, from croissants to brownies, baked fresh daily and available for in-room dining or to-go orders.

Top review

Keone

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

We ordered prime ribs. The prime rib was excellent except for the horse radish and Aji sauce. That could use a lot more flavor and kick.

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