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What Food To Try in Seattle and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Seattle for 2024.

National currency: US Dollar, symbol — $ (international currency code USD).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Seattle cafes and restaurants
$25 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $15
$105 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $78
$12 
Combo Meal
Starting from $10

What to Try in Seattle

Must-try Dishes
Salmon Lox - Lox (smoked salmon) - This delicate, thinly sliced smoked salmon is served on a bagel with cream cheese, capers, and onions. Locals enjoy it as a casual brunch, especially on lazy weekend mornings.

Fish and Chips - Fish ‘n’ Chips (beer-battered fish) - Crispy golden fish, typically cod or haddock, served with thick-cut fries and tartar sauce. You’ll find this classic dish at pubs, often paired with a good chat and a pint.

Bowl of Clam Chowder - Clam Chowder (creamy soup) - Creamy, rich soup filled with tender clams, potatoes, and herbs, often served in a sourdough bread bowl. Perfect for a chilly Seattle day, it's commonly enjoyed as a hearty lunch option.

Teriyaki Chicken - Teriyaki (glazed grilled chicken) - Juicy grilled chicken glazed in a sweet soy sauce, served over rice with a side of steamed veggies. A staple among locals for quick weeknight dinners, it captures the Asian influence in Seattle's cuisine.

Crab Roll - Crab Roll (chilled crab sandwich) - Freshly picked Dungeness crab mixed with mayo and herbs, served on a soft roll, often garnished with a slice of lemon. It's a favorite street food to grab while walking along the waterfront.

Pickled Herring - Sild (marinated fish) - Tender herring fillets marinated in vinegar, onions, and spices, often served with rye bread or boiled potatoes. It’s traditionally consumed during Nordic festivals, but you can enjoy it year-round at many local markets.

Seasonal Halibut - Halibut (pan-seared fish) - Fresh halibut cooked to flaky perfection, often served with seasonal vegetables. Locals look forward to its spring availability, making it a highlight for spring dinner menus.

Pierogi - Pierogi (stuffed dumplings) - Dough pockets filled with potatoes, cheese, or even sauerkraut, usually pan-fried and served with a dollop of sour cream. It’s a delightful blend of flavors, enjoyed particularly during winter gatherings.

Desserts & Drinks
Caffè Latte - Caffè con Latte (coffee with milk) - A smooth blend of rich espresso and steamed milk, often topped with a light layer of foam. You’ll find locals savoring this cozy drink in the morning at cafés, especially on drizzly days (which is pretty much every day).

Cold Brew - Cold Brew Coffee (chilled coffee) - Made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a brew that's smooth and less acidic. Perfect for sipping on patio decks during Seattle's rare sunny afternoons; locals often order it with a splash of cream for added richness.

Hard Cider - Sidra (fermented apple drink) - Fermented from locally sourced apples, this drink can range from sweet to dry, giving it a refreshing kick. Enjoy it at any local festival where it’s often showcased alongside artisan cheeses; many prefer the dry varieties (just don't confuse it with sweet cider!).

Berry Galette - Galette de Baies (rustic tart) - This is a flaky pastry filled with mixed seasonal berries like blueberries and raspberries, baked until golden and bubbly. It's a summer favorite when berries are ripe, often served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream during backyard gatherings.

Snow Cone - Raspa (shaved ice dessert) - Finely shaved ice drizzled with flavored syrups, commonly topped with condensed milk for an extra treat. You’ll find these at fairs and outdoor events, especially during the sizzling summer days, offering a cool, refreshing escape from the heat. By the way, the flavor choices can be overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to ask for local favorites!

Food and Groceries in Seattle

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $4.31
Oranges $5.02
Potatoes $3.33
Apples $5.86
Beverages
Water 1.5L $1.94
0.5L Local Beer $2.66
Imported Beer $3.46
Wine Rating >4.0 $15

Various Groceries
Chicken $10.41
Cigarettes $9.5
Rice $5.68
Local Cheese $16.76

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

Seattle's dining scene pulses with life, especially during lunch hours when many workers flood the local cafes and food trucks. The smell of sizzling food wafts through the streets, mingling with the crisp air, and around 11:30 AM, it’s a race to find a good spot before the crowds descend. Lunchtime rush lasts until about 1:00 PM, just shy of the Seattle freeze (you know, that moment when people decide to brave the rain).

In terms of price, expect to pay between 10,000 and 20,000 for a typical lunch—like a gourmet sandwich coupled with a side salad—found mainly in neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill and Ballard. The same meal might process closer to 25,000 if you head to a more upscale area like downtown or South Lake Union. It’s worth looking out for lunchtime specials to keep your wallet intact; many eateries offer discounts for quick bites between noon and 2 PM.

Payment customs here primarily lean towards card payments, which is great for convenience, but some smaller vendors might accept cash only, so keep some on hand (Oh, and before I forget, always have a few coins for tipping). Tipping norms hover around 15-20%, just like most American cities. While it’s not obligatory, it's common to leave a little something extra for good service, especially at sit-down establishments.

Local dining habits also set Seattle apart. The café culture thrives, so you’ll spot folks enjoying coffee and pastries for breakfast, or perhaps a light lunch of a bagel or a bowl of soup—often shared amongst friends. Flexibility reigns supreme when it comes to meal times, unlike the strict lunch hours found elsewhere; you’ll see many families eating dinner as late as 8 PM or even 9 PM during the weekends, reflecting that easygoing Pacific Northwest lifestyle.

A common mistake visitors make is trying to squeeze into peak dining hours without a reservation. It’s especially true in neighborhoods like West Seattle and Ballard, where places can fill up quickly. It’s always safer to book a table ahead of time, particularly for popular brunch spots on weekends.

In the ever-evolving Seattle landscape, it's interesting to note how food trucks have been gaining momentum, especially in neighborhood parks during summer. Influenced by our beautiful Cascadian summers, outdoor eating is definitely becoming more popular. As the city continues to shift and expand, resident habits, too, follow suit, and that sense of community found around shared meals only grows stronger.