9 Hidden Gem Restaurants In Seattle, Washington
When people picture Seattle, they either picture the squeaky-clean tech mecca of billionaires' dreams, or they picture what many of us locals see: a seaside city built on art, coffee, the great outdoors, and a deeply held sense of rebellion. It seems to me that the Seattle restaurant scene reflects this dualism, with one arm holding the pricey eateries and the other holding the locally loved hidden gems. It's the latter that I'd encourage everyone to explore.
This side of the Seattle dining sphere includes fish and chips bars with a punk rock vibe, gritty sailor hangouts, Danish bakeries serving Washington State food favorites, Himalayan fare purveyors, and, among other things, offbeat coffee shops that miraculously still fly under the radar of Starbucks-obsessed tourists. These hidden gem restaurants in Seattle are trailblazing, authentic, or both. And it should be no surprise that in a city that can be home to both the rugged REI flagship and sleek Amazon headquarters, the best neighborhood eateries likewise run the gamut.
As a local, I've considered my favorite hidden gem restaurants in Seattle for this story. I've personally eaten at all of these spots. As the title suggests, each establishment is off-the-beaten-path, affordable, and underrated while being well-loved by the locals who have discovered them. At these nine hidden gem Seattle restaurants, you can chow down on everything from West Coast comfort food to Scandinavian pastries to the best curry of your life.
Kathmandu MoMoCha
Himalayan cuisine happens to be my favorite, so I'm always on the hunt for eateries that make it well. I'm an especially big fan of Tibetan and Nepali dumplings, and before this, the best I'd ever had were served in Madison, Wisconsin, of all places — it was actually this dish that cemented the lakeside capital's status for me as one of the best American college towns for dining. However, Kathmandu MoMoCha, an understated joint in Seattle, might be home to even better dumplings.
This Seattle hidden gem restaurant serves a lot of great fare, not just dumplings. Start with the classic paroka and one of the fried ball appetizers (pick between a potato and mild cheddar or black lentil). The spicing on all of these dishes is so warming. And if you're a soup person like me, don't miss the yellow lentil soup, which is cooked to order with a nourishing medley of garlic, ginger, onion, and cilantro. But the true star here is, as mentioned, the dumplings, or momocha.
Here at Kathmandu MoMoCha, the namesake dish is huge and comes in seriously generous portions. I recommend getting the electric green steamed vegan momocha, which comes with 10 dumplings and a choice of either mild (roasted sesame tomato), medium (chili garlic), or hot (cilantro serrano) dipping sauce. I'm partial to the hot rendition due to its herbaceous flavor profile and heat, but the medium is quite good too. I love that these are topped with loads of chopped scallions and carrots, and that the perfectly chewy pockets get their color from the spinach-infused dough. It pairs perfectly with the fillings, which are Himalayan-spiced, locally grown, and seasonal produce such as potato, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions.
(206) 397-4980
520 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Falafel King
I didn't know anything about this Seattle hidden gem before first trying it about 10 years ago, having followed my nose from the Seattle Art Museum down the block on a rainy day. There was no line, and I hadn't heard of it before, but Falafel King smelled way too good to ignore. Upon receiving my order, I tried some of the best Middle Eastern food I'd ever had. The perfectly crisp falafel is still what I compare all falafel to now, and I've yet to find something that even remotely matches it in quality. Meanwhile, the ultra-lemony hummus and bright salads offer such a lift to the fried, idyllically golden spheres of chickpeas, onions, garlic, spices, and herbs.
It will be hard to determine what to order, but let me make a few suggestions. First off, if you're even remotely a fan of pita or you want something portable to eat as you wander around Seattle, get the wraps. They're served on warm pita bread and stuffed with your choice of protein with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sauce. These could easily run with the more famous Pacific Northwest sandwiches, and they'd likely cost you a lot less. But my favorite thing on the Falafel King menu is, aptly, the falafel plate. The namesake garbanzo balls sit atop the crispest and freshest lettuce ever, and everything is bathed in copious amounts of life-changingly good tahini. It's just impossible to beat.
If you've got any room for more food, don't skip the homemade baklava for dessert. The soup of the day is also worth checking out if you hit Falafel King on a classic Seattle rainy afternoon.
(206) 381-0857
1509 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Moto Pizza
I love a good Detroit-style pie, and I've never had a better one than at Moto Pizza. This hidden gem restaurant in Seattle is one of the few Emerald City spots that specializes in square pie. While locals in the know like me are obsessed, it remains underrated in the face of more famous and longstanding Seattle pizza places that slice up traditional offerings.
Known for its "odd pizza," Moto Pizza will delight imaginative diners like me. Think vibrant pies topped with goodies like Dungeness crab, pickled cabbage, calamansi lime sauce, or black sesame seeds. For example, the dill and lemon-loaded Dungeness crab pizza is a favorite and will impress any Pacific Northwest seafood connoisseur. And with outstanding plant-based cheese available, Moto is among the best places for vegan pizza in Seattle. I personally love to order the shrimp pizza.
Piled high with spicy shellfish, pineapple, Moto cheese blend, Parmesan, chives, chili oil, calamansi lime sauce, and yellow pepper sauce, it might just be the best slice in the entire city. I'm a lifelong fan of pineapple pizza, a variety that usually ranks pretty low on the most popular types of pizza. That said, I usually swap ham for mushrooms — I never thought to add seafood, but when I tried Moto Pizza for the first time last year, it rocked my world. The combination of the delicate yet savory seafood and the sweet and punchy fruit is revolutionary, and specifically confirms Moto Pizza as one of the best hidden gem restaurants in Seattle for me.
Multiple locations
Mama Sambusa Kitchen
Tucked away in Dunlap, a neighborhood that, in my experience, rarely sees tourists, Mama Sambusa Kitchen is the epitome of a Seattle hidden gem restaurant. There's very much a "locals only" vibe about this place, but not in a pretentious or unwelcoming way — between the residential location and understated exterior, Mama Sambusa Kitchen just isn't a tourist magnet. However, the dining experience here is deeply inclusive and communal, and all feel welcomed at the table at this women-owned eatery. Everything is Halal, companion animals are allowed in, and if you're a sustainable diner like me, you'll appreciate the compostable containers and plastic-free packaging. To eat here feels meaningful and conscientious, and that's even before you've tasted the impeccable food.
As the name suggests, Mama Sambusa Kitchen serves deliciously crisp sambusas (think Indian samosas in concept but extra crispy and featuring African spices) and an eclectic mix of other dishes like gyros, tacos, salads, desserts, and pasta. But it's the eponymous snack that makes this joint one of the best hidden gem restaurants in Seattle. The East African veggie sambusa is outrageously good because it's so packed with flavor. It's filling and stuffed with warming lentils, garlic, onions, and a generous amount of spices. These sambusas are now one of my favorite snacks in the entire city, and I think everyone (tourists, included) needs to enjoy them immediately.
mama-sambusa-kitchen.restaurants-world.com
(206) 356-2911
8319 Wabash Ave S Seattle, WA 98118
Kitanda
I have many loved ones who are either from Brazil or former residents, and I also lived in the country in 2016. Since moving back to the United States, I've been on a constant hunt for authentic Brazilian food. I never thought I'd find it in the Pacific Northwest, but Kitanda, an underrated snack shop sprinkled around Seattle, has proven me wrong.
Rather than overpriced platters of carved meat, expect foods that are actually on the average Brazilian's plate. Perhaps it's for this reason that Kitanda has seemed to fly under the radar for American locals, who expect luxurious steakhouses when they picture Brazilian food and not modest cafés. However, I nearly cried when I first visited Kitanda, spotting true vegetarian Brazilian snacks rather than Americanized steak or overly sweet ice cream. Here, I can enjoy foods again that I had daily while living in the Atlantic Rainforest region and, briefly, the metropolitan Brazilian hubs of Santos and São Paulo. I love that the açaí (pronounced "ah-sigh-ee" — as a Portuguese speaker, I can't stress just how often I correct people) isn't too sweet or creamy, instead taking on the icy and refreshing quality of those I used to cool off with routinely.
My favorite is Kitanda's Tradicional, which comes with the best açaí toppings, including granola, condensed milk, and banana. Otherwise, the impeccable pão de queijo is served warm. Try ordering it as a sandwich with a guava paste and white cheese combination known in Brazil as Romeu e Julieta, or simply filled with requeijão (a milder and thinner version of cream cheese). Meanwhile, the coxinha, a fried, teardrop-shaped dumpling, looks identical to the Brazilian street vendor staples I enjoyed weekly in the land of "Ordem e Progresso."
Multiple locations
Freya Café
Washington has a really strong Nordic community. In fact, at one point, a quarter of all residents were of this northern heritage. So there are plenty of Nordic eateries, shops, and events to choose from. Perhaps this is why Freya Café, tucked away in the National Nordic Museum, manages to fly under the radar. However, whether it's due to its location or because it must compete with numerous other Scandinavian establishments, Freya Café is a hidden gem, and a fabulous one at that.
Everything on the menu here is as beautiful as it is authentic, and I say that as someone with Norwegian, Danish, and Icelandic heritage. The Scandinavian dishes on offer remind me so much of the pescatarian, pickles-heavy, herbaceous plates I grew up with and continue to eat daily as an adult. My Freya Café favorites include the rugbrød (a rye bread spread with whipped butter, dill, and pumpkin seeds), warm potato and pickled herring salad, fiskesoup (a cod and shrimp soup fit for any rainy day), baby lettuces (the contrast between the zingy pickled carrots and sweet cherries is sublime), cheese and charcuterie board, smoked trout smørrebrød, and Jarlsberg grilled cheese.
My partner and I like to order both a warm and a cold beverage for variety. I love the warmth of the cardamom latte with oat milk, and it reminds me so much of the coffee drinks served in the best Icelandic bakeries. Meanwhile, the Nordic Meadows cocktail's aquavit, vodka, honey, lemon, and thyme concoction is bright and tastes like the Midnight Sun, liquefied.
(206) 789-5707
2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107
Taste of India
Housed in what looks like a simple yellow house (but with a little neon sign above the door), Taste of India is actually such a great hidden gem restaurant in Seattle. Situated in the University District, it might just be home to the best curry in the entire city. But you'll also find other Indian and Mediterranean delicacies here, such as masalas, naan, vindaloo, and stuffed grape leaves. And they're all just as good as the next. My only problem with Taste of India is that it's extremely difficult to narrow down what to get, because the menu manages to be huge without sacrificing quality.
Despite the understated, residential-adjacent venue, you should expect luxurious dishes. If you aren't sure what to order at this Seattle hidden gem, I recommend starting with the dressed-up hummus and aloo paratha, an unleavened and whole-wheat naan-esque bread that's stuffed with potatoes, onions, and spices. For your main, the tandoori salmon, tadka dal, or coconut curry are the best things on the menu. Get the first if you want something meaty and smoky, the second if you're craving something nourishing and peppery, and the third if something rich and spiced is calling your name. Whatever you choose, make sure to ask for a side of mango pickle for a little extra kick.
(206) 528-1575
5517 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
George Coffee & Pastries
If you picture what a neighborhood café looks like, it's George Coffee & Pastries that you're picturing. This is another Seattle hidden gem that's tucked away in the University District and is old-school in the best way. It's a BIPOC and women-owned business, and it's housed in a century-old brick building. I love how this establishment feels like a secret between locals, as George Coffee & Pastries seems to fly deeply under the radar compared to larger Seattle coffee shops, cafés, and lunch haunts.
This is one of the best Seattle hidden gem restaurants because of the high-quality goodies and beverages that you can secure here. George Coffee & Pastries roasts all of its own small-batch espresso and bakes its own goods every day. In my opinion, the result is some of the best breakfast sandwiches, lattes, and European-quality pastries in the city. Keep an eye out for fun poetry events and seasonal croissants that are topped with fruit. Meanwhile, the everyday breakfast sandwiches are stuffed with loads of egg and delectable cheese that create such an unctuous bite. If you come for lunch, you'll find equally great sandwiches stuffed with meats, cheeses, impeccable sauces, and more.
instagram.com/georgecoffeeandpastries
1317 NE 47th St, Seattle, WA 98105
King Noodle
Within walking distance of one of the best American food halls sits King Noodle in the International District. Both the inside and the outside of this Seattle hidden gem are simple, with the exterior featuring a battered green awning with yellow calligraphy. From the outside, it looks unassuming enough that you might walk right past without giving it a second thought. The only reason I even discovered it was because I happened to be hanging out in the park across the street with my sisters as we killed time before a concert — King Noodle smelled great, and we were hungry. I was completely blown away and totally unprepared for it.
As the name might hint at, King Noodle serves the best noodles in Seattle. You'll want to try the ultra-savory bok choy with oyster sauce and the customizable noodle soup. It might feel overwhelming at first to design your own, but here's what I do: original fish soup broth, udon noodles, bean sprouts, leeks, tofu skin, and seaweed. It's packed with umami, bright, and earthy flavors that are just meant to be enjoyed on a rainy afternoon. Otherwise, order the customizable congee with minced fish and enoki mushrooms for a heartwarming yet nautical flavor profile. But if you're in a hurry and don't want to try to eat soup or porridge on the go, the mixed noodles are the best I've ever had due to their strong flavors and perfect chew.
This is definitely a Seattle hidden gem restaurant with a beverage menu worth sampling. Sip on Hong Kong-style coffee, taro milk tea, and honey-sweetened lemonade for authentic, versatile, and unique drinks that are perfect for any meal.
(206) 748-9168
615 South King St., Seattle, WA 98104
Methodology
I was thrilled to take on this story, as I'm not only a local but also deeply passionate about finding the best hidden gem restaurants wherever I go. This desire has only intensified since becoming a professional food and travel writer over a decade ago, as it's these places that best showcase the true culinary and cultural heartbeat of a locale. I aimed to highlight Seattle hidden gems that bring that to the table, so while it was tough to narrow down, I loved picking restaurants that are not only underrated but also spread across the city's cuisines — for example, I wasn't going to highlight solely places that served well-known trademarks of Seattle, but spots that better represent the people who call it home. It's not all smoked salmon and Seattle dogs. It's also Hong Kong coffees and East African pockets of fried dough and Danish rye bread. To ensure this diversity was represented, I avoided selecting two eateries of the same cuisine.
I've personally eaten at all of these restaurants. Each, as the title suggests, is a hidden gem, as they're virtually undiscovered by tourists, are housed in small or under-the-radar spaces, are beloved by some in-the-know locals, and, of course, serve fantastic food. When assessing their quality, I considered the food's flavor, freshness, and consistency. As these are all Seattle hidden gems, the beauty or vibes of the venue didn't play a part in my considerations. There weren't bonus points for gorgeous décor, as this story concerns spectacular food that's off the beaten path.