Best Restaurants in Greenlake Seattle
Welcome to the first post on Seattle Couple’s blog! As a longtime Greenlake Seattle resident, it only makes sense to kick this off with the best restaurants in Greenlake Seattle.
Greenlake is a neighborhood in the north of Seattle, between Fremont and the U District. It’s not particularly known for its exciting dining options, which is why I think this post is especially important. We’re searched long and hard for the best restaurants in Greenlake Seattle, and now we’re ready to share them with you.
Note that some of these restaurants in Greenlake might be on the border of other neighborhoods. It’s just going to have to be that way, so don’t throw any maps at me!
Best Fine Dining Restaurants
First, let’s highlight some of the best fine dining restaurants in Greenlake, Seattle. There aren’t very many “fine dining” places, and even these don’t have the most expensive menus. Still, these are places I would consider “upscale” for a nicer meal out.
Tapas Lab
Address: 7012 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $$-$$$
Website
From the renowned chef and artist, Chef Jay introduces his experimental local Washington tapas cuisine. This place was a surprise hit! Though the dishes are small, they’re great to share.
Eight Row
Address: 7102 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $$-$$$
Website
Probably the only place in Greenlake Seattle that offers a chef tasting menu seasonally, Eight Row specializes in panamerican orchard fare. Not only is this in a stunning location, but the food and drinks are well worth the cost!
Nells
Address: 6804 E. Greenlake Way N, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $$-$$$
Website
Nells is unique in that it prints a new menu ever night. Definitely get the cheese plate if you’re here for a celebration, and ask to see the updated wine menu. Though Nells might not look that noteworthy on the outside, this is a hidden gem.
Casual Eats
Next, let’s share some of the best casual spots to eat. These are great picks, but note that they’re not always open at the same time. Most are open for lunch/early dinner, but check the most updated times on the restaurant’s website.
Toast Mi
Address: 7130 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle WA 98115
Price: $
Website
Originally from Tacoma, Toast Mi recently opened in 2022 in its new Greenlake Seattle location. This is the best spot to grab a bahn mi in the area, but don’t overlook their bubble teas. The strawberry cheesecake one is my personal guilty pleasure!
Greenlake Grill
Address: 7200 East Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $$
Website
I’ll be honest and admit that my first few visits to Greenlake Grill were unremarkable. Still, this place has grown on me over the past few months. Both their food quality and service has improved, and you can’t beat the view of the lake. If you can, I highly recommend checking our this breakfast menu on the weekends!
Mykonos Greek Grill
Address: 310 NE 72nd St, Seattle WA 98115
Price: $
Website
Is there anything better than grabbing a gyro and some greek fries and having a sunny picnic at Greenlake? I don’t think so. Family owned and affordable, Mykonos Greek Grill is a Greenlake staple.
Frelard Tamales
Address: 6412 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $
Website
Frelard Tamales is by far one of our most frequented restaurants in Seattle, period. This family and queer-owned Mexican spot is literally a hole in the wall, but you’ll spot a line here any day of the week. They have vegan-friendly options, and you can also grab seasonal specials here.
Bars and Hang Outs
If you’re looking for more of a bar/hang-out vibe, you probably won’t want to stop at any of the restaurants above. Instead, check out these below for all the ambience and drinks.
Shelter Lounge
Address: 7110 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $$
Website
Shelter has a few locations in Seattle, but their Greenlake spot is definitely the most aesthetic. I love that this place lets you order at your table, and their drinks are impressive. If you can, stop by on a sunny day when they open the windows!
Rositas Mexican Grill
Address: 7210 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $$
Website
Rosita’s definitely doesn’t give much away on the outside, so we waited an embarrassingly long time to try this for ourselves. When we finally did, we were pleasantly surprised! Though a bit more expensive than other Mexican spots, the portions are delicious and generous. They even have a full bar!
Coffee or Tea
Finally, Greenlake Seattle, like the rest of Seattle, runs on coffee. Though it’s hard to pick my favorites, these have to be the best in terms of views, service, and quality.
Revolutions Coffee
Address: 7208 East Greenlake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $
Website
Though you might not spot Revolutions at first, it’s worth venturing past the Starbucks for this one. This local coffee shop has delicious homemade pastries, seasonal drinks, and a great vibe
Retreat
Address: 6900 East Green Lake Way N, Seattle, WA 98115
Price: $
Website
Last but not least, Retreat is one of the best places to sit on a sunny day with an iced coffee. Though it’s described as a wellness cafe, it’s mostly known for its coffee and drinks. We’re personally not a fan of Retreat’s food offerings, but the overall vibes are unmatched.
Are you exploring some of the best eats in Seattle? We share a lot of our in-the-minute favorites on Instagram and TikTok, and we’d love your recommendations! Let us know where to try next in the comments.
