10 Restaurants You Can't Miss In Seattle Right Now

Seattle is home to a thrillingly vibrant and diverse dining scene, with new spots popping up all the time. And its prime location — the Emerald City is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and mountains galore — certainly helps, supplying local chefs with an abundance of top-notch meats, seafood and produce. Here are 10 buzzy restaurants you can't miss during your next visit to Seattle.

Scout

It may be located in Seattle Thompson, the city's poshest new luxury hotel, but the design — imagine wool plaid booths, reclaimed Douglas fir wood tables and linen pendant lights — echoes all the easy, laid-back vibes of the Pacific Northwest. Fittingly, the menu (under chefs Josh Henderson and Derek Simcik) also pays homage to its locale, with a strong showing of hearty but artfully plated seafood dishes (like Dungeness crab chowder and roasted trout). Save room for pastry chef Kate Sigel's whimsical desserts, and after your meal, zip up to Nest, the refined rooftop bar, for a well-crafted nightcap and glittering views of the city. 110 Stewart St.; 206-686-9234; scoutpnw.com

Tarsan i Jane

No detail goes unnoticed at this Valencian-leaning restaurant, a true labor of love co-owned by partners Perfecte Rocher and Alia Zaine that's located in Frelard, as some locals call the micro-hood between Ballard and Fremont. And because Tarsan i Jane only offers a 12-course menu (priced at $140 per person), when you are seated, all you have to do is trust Rocher's very capable hands going forward. While courses change from week to week, expect to find locally sourced seafood, meat and produce transformed into eclectic, delicate-looking, but surprisingly filling plates. And on Sundays, Tarsan i Jane offers paella. Rocher's version is practically legendary, subtly smoky and marked by socarrat, the prized crispy crust at the bottom of the pan. 4012 Leary Way NW; 206-557-7059; tarsanijane.com

Vestal

Chef Joshua Henderson continues his winning streak with his newest restaurant in South Lake Union. The space is undeniably handsome, with a wood-fired hearth, walnut paneling, and marble-topped dining tables. (It all evokes hanging out in a midcentury living room.) As for the food, it's pretty, imaginative and thoroughly delicious. No visit, though, would be complete without an order of the umami-packed lievito e pepe. The sauce sounds deceptively simple — it features three types of yeast — but the end result is otherworldly. It may haunt you for days. Another reason to love Vestal? Gratuity is included, as with the rest of Henderson's establishments. 513 Westlake Ave. N.; 206-456-2660; vestalseattle.com

Salare

It's Edouardo Jordan's deeply heartfelt and personal approach to food that's had both locals and critics humming with happiness since day one. From lip-smacking house-made charcuterie — Jordan apprenticed under a sixth-generation salumist in Parma — to a toothsome Trompetti finished with Dungeness crab, leeks and fennel, the menu successfully draws inspiration from all over the globe. Unlike so many buzzy spots, budding epicureans are wholeheartedly welcome here, as evidenced by original menu items created specially for kids (hello, duck hash). Seattleites are also eagerly anticipating Jordan's second restaurant, Junebaby, which is slated to open in a few months. 2404 NE 65th St.; 206-556-2192; salarerestaurant.com

Bateau

Could this be the prettiest steakhouse ever? With chevron wood flooring, bright white walls and a tiny marble bar, the latest venture by celebrated chef Renee Erickson feels decidedly, well, feminine. But don't be fooled by appearances, because the food is deeply soul-satisfying. All the beef is butchered and dry-aged in house, and no piece is wasted. Beyond the standard strips and rib eyes, you'll discover lesser-known cuts like Denver and Gracilis. (The day's available cuts are listed on the chalkboard and crossed off as they're sold.) And there's no better companion to the steaks than the house fries, which are cooked in, what else: beef tallow. 1040 E. Union St.; 206-900-8699; restaurantbateau.com

Flintcreek Seattle

Co-owners Eric and Christy Donnelly (they're also behind another Seattle hot spot, Rockcreek) set their sights on leaner, less familiar proteins — think bison, venison, and wild boar — for this newly opened restaurant in the Greenwood neighborhood. Though meat abounds, Flintcreek is thankfully a far cry from a stodgy, stuffy steakhouse. Vegetables also shine, in crisp, bright salads — I'd eat the gem lettuce with radishes and lemon poppy seed vinaigrette every day — and savory vegetable plates, like grilled baby eggplant with fermented black beans and oven-roasted cauliflower with hazelnut romesco. 8421 Greenwood Ave. N.; 206-457-5656; flintcreekseattle.com

Shaker + Spear

After putting in her dues as the executive chef at Chateau Marmont for 10 years, Carolynn Spence ditched Los Angeles for Seattle. Now, at this charming, seafood-centric restaurant located adjacent to the hip Palladian Hotel, Spence continues to make her mark with her charred octopus with hazelnut romesco, crispy whole snapper with basil and lime, and beer-steamed clams. (If you're a carnivore, go for the Taleggio, caramelized onion and aioli–topped Shaker Burger.) Cocktails change with the seasons and take cues from popular movies. (Currently you'll find Toy Story–themed libations, including the The Claaawwwww and Falling With Style.) 2000 2nd Ave.; 206-826-1700; shakerandspear.com

Bok a Bok Chicken

Inspired by his trips to Asia, chef Brian O'Connor (along with partners Jael DeLeonardis and Alex Prindle) opened this wildly popular Korean fried chicken joint last summer. What makes Bok a Bok's chicken so unique and addictive is the preparation: the meat is thoroughly air-dried and double-fried to ensure a super crunchy and craggy crust. Mix and match parts (thighs, wings, drumsticks, and strips), and go to town with the assorted dipping sauces. Make a meal by adding a Korean-inspired side. (The kimchi mac and cheese is especially fun.) You can also get all this goodness delivered, in case you're having an especially rough morning. 1521 SW 98th St.; 206-693-2493; bokabokchicken.com

Upper Bar Ferdinand

Like its sister bar, Lower Bar Ferdinand, this cozy, discreet nook by chef Matt Dillon in Capitol Hill's Chophouse Row focuses on small-production, lesser-known gems in the world of wine. But here, there's also small plates that are aesthetically pleasing and vaguely primal — you'll see a lot of pickling, preserving and curing. And all of it is finished with fire and smoke in the wood-burning oven, fireplace and Japanese binchotan. Pairings are offered Wednesday through Saturday, so let the capable, affable staff take you on a funky yet wonderful culinary journey. 1424 11th Ave.; 206-693-2434; barferdinandseattle.com

The Butcher's Table

Equal parts bar, restaurant, butcher and sandwich shop, this swanky, two-level spot — it's decked out with a massive chandelier, burgundy leather chairs and steel-topped bar — by the team behind Beecher's Handmade Cheese does a bit of everything, and does it well. As the name implies, steaks take top billing. From the famed "Mishima Reserve" beef to juicy rib eye caps, there's a cut for every appetite. Lighter palates will enjoy the well-stocked raw bar, loaded with pristine local sea urchin, oysters and king salmon. Rather indulge at home? Then head to the shop near the main door, where you can grab expertly trimmed steaks, sandwiches and salads to go. 2121 Westlake Ave.; 206-209-5990; thebutcherstable.com