Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Seattle / Eastern Washington

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Seattle / Eastern Washington? 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!

Joule

4.8

4.8 (1406)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Wallingford

About the restaurant

Joule, the first restaurant from celebrated husband and wife cooking team Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, is re-located in October, 2012 to the innovative, newly developed the Fremont Collective in Seattle’s Wallingford/Fremont neighborhood. From its original opening in 2007, Joule has cultivated a loyal dining fan base and captured the attention of an admiring local and national media captivated by the couple’s unique, modern perspective on Korean cuisine. Joule, the mature sibling to Yang and Chirchi’s restaurant, Revel, highlights Korea’s love of beef featuring unconventional cuts accompanied by distinctive and shareable side dishes.

Joule takes reservations for 1.75-3 hour time slots (depending on party size). We do our best to accommodate as many guests as possible and ask that you are considerate of other diners at the end of your meal. If you feel that your party requires more time, please let us know in the notes and we will get back to you with our available accommodations.

Top review

KathleenVIP

Dined today

First time diner - wonderful food ! Loved the Chinese pancake, marrow bone and rib steak. Everything was yummy !

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4.8

4.8 (111)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Capitol Hill / First Hill

About the restaurant

We always leave ample space for walk-in's so come on over! Party's over 6 people, give us a call or send a direct message on our website.

OOLA Capitol Hill offers craft cocktails showcasing OOLA spirits, elevated bar snacks and PNW casual fine dining, shared plates, driven by the seasons. Executive Chef Elizabeth Blacker creates photo-worthy share plates with the freshest seasonal ingredients with a Pacific Northwest flair.

Nestled in a private courtyard on Union Street between 14th and 15th, OOLA Capitol Hill is a gem of a building with two garage doors opening onto a patio shaded by mature Japanese Maple trees. With 11 seats at the bar and 22 on the floor, it is one of the rare intimate community treasures that make Seattle a marvel.

We also have a Private Dining Room for parties from 8-20.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

We went on the OOLA distillery tour and decided to have dinner at OOLA Capitol Hill afterwards — BEST DECISION, and such a fun way to spend the afternoon. The signature burger and fries are BY FAR the best burger I’ve ever had. My husband and I each had a cocktail, and they were superb. The staff were really nice and the atmosphere was really relaxed and fun. We had a great time! We live about an hour away from Seattle and I’m not exaggerating when I say that we will be driving back for that burger again!

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Experience

Craft Cocktail Hour

Mana

4.7

4.7 (940)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Leavenworth

About the restaurant

We are a locally focused restaurant open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Let us to take you on a truly unique 7-course journey through the senses as we offer a dining experience honoring local, organic, wild foraged, high vibration ingredients.

We have one seating per night. It is at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $118 per person.
(20% auto-gratuity for parties of 6 or more)
Reservations Required.
*Note: A credit card is required to complete confirmation of your reservation.

Limited seating for large groups, parties with 5+ people please call us at (509)-548-1662.

Top review

Janelle

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

We had a fabulous time. Best service, knowledgeable & friendly server, and delicious courses. We were thrilled with everything and it was a highlight to our anniversary trip.

Revel

4.7

4.7 (515)

$30 and under

Korean

Fremont

About the restaurant

Revel is Korean-inspired, creative comfort food served in a hip, urban atmosphere. Chef-owners Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi’s are back to their original Fremont, Seattle address as of 2020.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

We planned a large team dinner at Revel with a set menu and it was incredible! The food was plentiful, they bent over backwards to ensure everyone's dietary needs were met (vegetarian, gluten free, no pork - we weren't a simple bunch), and everything was delicious and so plentiful, we were all beyond stuffed. Highly recommended for a large group - outstanding.

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Experience

Large Party at Revel

The Ballard Cut

4.7

4.7 (639)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Ballard

About the restaurant

The Ballard Cut is a farm-to-table restaurant and whisk(e)y bar specializing in local and seasonal ingredients. Our 1200+ bottle whiskey list ranges from Japanese and Scotch single malts to American bourbons and ryes. The collection is curated to include contemporary and affordable bottles as well as rare and antique vintages. Enjoy a scratch cocktail on our patio as you take in the energetic Ballard nightlife; share a bottle of wine and a tomahawk steak with friends and family; or take a trip around the world with a custom whisk(e)y flight built by our passionate and experienced staff.

Helmed by owner Tommy Patrick and chef Rachael Peebles, The Ballard Cut is the culmination of decades of hard work and dedication in the restaurant industry. We sincerely hope you enjoy your dining experience.

*We have both indoor and outdoor sidewalk seating available. Please call during business hours to confirm any seating requests.*

Top review

RyanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great food and great service. Would return. The pork belly is perfect.

Sophon

4.7

4.7 (153)

$31 to $50

Cambodian

Phinney Ridge

About the restaurant

From the beautifully prepared and exquisitely presented dishes, to the hand crafted local foraged cocktails, it is our goal to bring a homage of gratitude for Khmer cuisine to the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. Every dish is designed thoughtfully, by the owner, Karuna Long for you and your family to share. Our menu and preparations take emphasis on fresh local ingredients that arrive daily with pronounced flavors from all parts of Cambodia.

Sophon is a full-service restaurant and bar located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, WA. We’re open daily; Tuesday - Saturday Serving Dinner from 5p First seating - 9p Last Seating

NEW! Happy hour will be in the bar and patio for Walk in's only from 5-6 on Tuesday- Thursday!

Top review

sueVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Been here a few times and always order the same items. The fried chicken appetizer and pork belly entree has been stellar each time. My husband gets the coulotte steak each time and complains to me every time that it's not barely warm. For a $40 entree, that's disappointing. Doubt he's game to go to Sophon again. Lovely restaurant and great service though

Koko's - Seattle

4.7

4.7 (21)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome To Koko's
Koko's Restaurant offers the best homemade, modern Latin cuisine. We have curated a thoughtful menu including small bites, amazing cocktails and main dishes that represent the best of Latin culture. We pride ourselves knowing we make the freshest, finest made-from-scratch food. Each of our dishes is made fresh to order, from fresh ingredients.

Top review

CassieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Quite noisy on a Friday night. Food and service were great.

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Experience

Happy Hour!

Derby - The Shop Seattle

4.5

4.5 (76)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Derby offers New American cuisine, emphasizing the use of local ingredients from Washington. Enjoy glimpses of The Shop's world-class car collection! The menu caters to a variety of tastes, offering lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch. Don't miss the Bad-Ass Bacon!

Notably, the restaurant provides a comfortable atmosphere for casual dining experiences. Enjoy the bar, indoor dining, and outdoor patio!

For those interested in automotive culture, The Shop also offers tours of its car collection on weekends. This adds an extra layer of interest for visitors, combining a love for cars with the enjoyment of good food.

In addition to its regular dining services, Derby also hosts private events and parties, making it a versatile space for different occasions.

Derby Restaurant presents a blend of culinary delights and automotive enthusiasm, making it a distinctive spot in Seattle's dining scene.

Top review

Amanda

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

I needed a last minute reservation for 14 and they did it and quality of service was outstanding

TOMO

4.4

4.4 (34)

$50 and over

American

White Center

About the restaurant

We serve eclectic Japanese-American cuisine and serious wine in a former adult video store. Since opening, Tomo has received recognition as one of the country's best new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report and has been nominated for Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation.

Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams’ menus are personal, and feature outstanding ingredients prepared simply and with confidence.

Our wine program highlights rare and ephemeral wines made by creative, principled people. We also serve a variety of classic and seasonal cocktails, emphasizing small-batch spirits and quality nonalcoholic options.

We strive to be a cherished part of our guests' lives, providing a warm atmosphere, ever-changing menus, and exclusive events with top chefs and industry experts from around the world.

Top review

Anna

Dined 4 days ago

Great service and amazing food. Very creative and tasted great with good presentation

Taverna Tagaris - Tagaris Winery

4.3

4.3 (462)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Richland

About the restaurant

If you are looking to experience fine dining paired with world-class wine in the Tri Cities, you have found it. Hungry patrons can stop in at the Taverna Tagaris to immerse themselves in our Mediterranean atmosphere. With over 30 different estate wines to choose from, there is something just for you!

Top review

Ricardo

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Great food and service can’t wait to go back again

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