Seattle Restaurants: The Themes of 2022

This year certainly had its food-related highs and lows, from some high-profile sushi dinners to beloved restaurants throwing in the towel. But along the way, somewhere in between, we saw a few patterns emerge...
This Year…
Coffee Got Even Better

Image: Amber Fouts
Voi Cà Phê
Georgetown
A counter in Georgetown serves banh mi, plus phin coffee drinks and a memorable latte flavored with pho spices.
Papá Changó Cafe
Ballard
Ballard’s plant-filled ode to Miami’s cafe scene makes a proper cafecito (espresso and sugar) and so much more.
Maíz
Pike Place Market
Technically this Pike Place Market stall specializes in antojitos, but fresh masa also powers coffee drinks like champurrado and atole.
Cafe Avole
Central District
Ethiopian coffee champion Solomon Dubie now pours jebena shots (and pulls a mean americano) in the Liberty Bank Building.
This Year…
Great Spots Opened Second Locations

Image: Amber Fouts
Moto
Belltown, Edmonds, West Seattle
We're still waiting for the Belltown location Lee Kindell promised for his unforgettable Detroit-ish pizza. But online orders for the imminent location in Edmonds should open any day now.
Maíz Molino
Denny Regrade
Aldo Góngora followed his Pike Place Market antojitos counter with a full-on cafe that expands the mission of nixtamalizing heirloom corn. This newcomer, on Sixth Avenue between the Space Needle and the Spheres, serves brunch, lunch, and dinner—and features actual tables and chairs.
Takai by Kashiba
Bellevue
Shiro Kashiba partnered with his former mentee, chef Jun Takai, to bring serious sushi to the Eastside. Shiro makes frequent cameos, but this Edomae omakase is all Takai, full of aged fish and playful moments. Dinner at the sushi bar involves 24 courses; an omakase in the dining room is 12.
Ooink
Capitol Hill, Fremont
One of the town's best ramen destinations (with a side hustle in memorable fried chicken) added a second location on Stone Way.
This Year…
Out-of-Towners Expanded Here

Image: Courtesy Mason's Lobster
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants
Denny Triangle
A counter with just 10 seats (and a Michelin star at its California location) now performs modern sushi theater nightly near the Spheres.
Baekjeong
Lynnwood
This South Korean barbecue chain impressed tough crowds in Southern California and New York. Now it’s bringing tabletop grills to Alderwood Mall.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
Downtown
Born in Maryland, but an homage to Maine, the fast-growing lobster roll chain dropped its first West Coast outpost on First Avenue. Meanwhle, Maine-based Luke's Lobster will also open downtown in January.