Man throwing fish at Seattle Fish Market

First-Timer’s Guide to Eating and Drinking Seattle

16/10/2019

In recent years, Seattle has truly transformed its food and beverage game and become a hub to foodies who know a good thing when they eat it. As a port city, you can expect exceptional seafood anywhere you go. With top restaurants and Pike Place Market offering fresh local fare, the hardest job you will have is deciding where to go.

Beverage connoisseurs of all kinds will delight in the wine and beer choices brought to you by Seattle wineries and breweries. Take a tour and tasting to discover which notes will stimulate your senses, and your palate will thank you for the indulgences.

The Seattle Food Scene

Excellent Seafood

Seattle’s seafood is so fresh that you can go to the dock and buy it from the people who caught it. While that’s a great treat for locals, you may want to head to one of Seattle's great restaurants to sample the succulent and savory seafood that is prepared for you. You can find menus highlighting the best oysters, crab, sushi, chowder, and of course, the salmon.

Top Seafood Restaurants

  • Manolin - Reasonably priced with a unique atmosphere where you can watch as your food is prepared on the old-school grill.
  • Pike Place Chowder - One of the only places outside of New England to win the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, Rhode Island - not just once, but many times.
  • The Walrus and the Carpenter - Well worth the wait, their oysters are a must-have.

oysters on ice with lemons
Photo Courtesy of City Foodsters
Puget Pacfic, Shugoku, Olympia, and Kumamoto Oysters

Top Restaurants

With so many to choose from it’s hard to narrow down, but depending on your mood you can check out any of these top restaurants for either a local or international culinary delight.

If you’re looking for more great Seattle eateries nearby the Coast Gateway Hotel, check out Seattle Southside.

Pike Place Market

pike place public sign Well known as the heart of Seattle’s food scene, this nine-acre historic district features a plethora of bakeries, cafes, bistros, take out, and casual and fine dining restaurants.

Each vendor is unique in their offerings but united in their dedication to serving authentically prepared dishes made from high-quality, locally sourced (often from the market itself) ingredients.

There is something for every taste and you could spend your entire trip eating your way around the Pike Place Market. Not sure where to start? You can take a walking tour through the Market with experienced guides who will introduce you to the merchants and let you in on insider secrets, although, this may just make it harder to narrow it down. local fish at pike place market

The Seattle Drink Scene

Fremont Brewing

Renowned for its large patio and Urban Beer Garden, Fremont Brewing is both kid and pet-friendly. Bring the whole crew along to enjoy the amazing ambiance as you taste finely crafted brews. They offer free pretzels and apples to go along with your beer, but if you want to eat you will have to BYOF (bring your own food), which is great because there are many incredible restaurant options nearby! Open daily from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Old Stove Brewing Co.

This is a new addition to the Pike Place Market with over a dozen hand-crafted beers on tap, as well as a rotating cider and wine collection. With booths and long picnic-style tables, this brewery is great for large or small groups. They offer a small but mighty food menu with apps, sandwiches and soups. Kids are welcome and there is a mini-menu for them as well. Watch as an old-school beer can, called a growler, is filled and closed right in front of you to take home. Daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m. stein of beer

Ghostfish Brewing

This first and only dedicated gluten-free craft brewery in the state produces top-notch brew by using barley to get the most out of their hops. Even the gluten tolerant will love these fine gluten-free beers and Belgian style ales. They also offer a full pub-style gluten-free menu with vegetarian and vegan options. Kids are welcome until 7 p.m. and dogs are always welcome.

Memorable Wine Tastings

Bainbridge Island Wineries

For a great wine-tasting excursion, you won’t want to miss the seven great wineries on Bainbridge Island. To see and do everything, you might want to even spend a couple of days here. It’s just a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle and once there you can book a tour, take an Uber or Lyft, or rent a bike to tour the Island’s wineries (all within ten miles of each other). Featuring grapes grown on the island and throughout Eastern Washington, you will love this one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience. bainbridge island dock on the coast

Woodinville Wine Country

Just 30 minutes away from downtown Seattle you will find a wine tasters dream with over 100 wineries and tasting rooms featuring the best that Washington has to offer. Featuring the historic and beautiful Chateau Ste. Michelle, along with other boutique wineries, you will taste the love of wine that goes into each bottle.

Cocktail Bars

Looking for a fun night out with cocktails and light fare? Check out any of these spots for a taste of Seattle’s nightlife.

Where to Stay

Coast Gateway Inn

Located conveniently near the Seattle airport, the Coast Gateway Hotel has everything you need to relax after enjoying all of the fine food and drink in Seattle. coast gateway hotel guest room You will receive free overnight parking during your stay or you can opt for the Park & Stay Rate which includes an additional four days of parking in a monitored lot and a shuttle from your car to the airport. Your stay also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast.

Bring along your furry friends to this pet-friendly hotel in Seattle. Check out the pet-friendly page for more details.

With all of the great dining Seattle has to offer, don’t miss out on the outstanding restaurant at the Coast Gateway Hotel, Sharp’s Roaster & Ale House. Offering over 500 spirits and 26 beers on draft, as well as hearty fare, you will not have to venture very far to experience the great food and dining for which Seattle is becoming known. interior of sharps restaurant

Amenities & Services

With a fitness facility, 24 hours business centre, and a complimentary shuttle to the airport, the Coast Gateway Inn is the easy and convenient choice for accommodations when you are visiting Seattle for business or pleasure.

Visit the Coast Gateway Hotel to make your reservation today.