Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Seattle

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Seattle? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

FareStart Restaurant

5.0

5 (1443)

$30 and under

American

Capitol Hill

About the restaurant

FareStart's James Beard award-winning model for social change is fueled by our restaurant. We’re located in the heart of Seattle for breakfast/lunch on weekdays (walk-ins only), private catered events, Guest Chef Nights and other special dining experiences.

Our beloved Guest Chef Night pairs premier local chefs with FareStart students to create a three-course meal served by volunteers. These events occur on Thursday evenings, tickets are released a month in advance and reservations are needed. These events generally sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as possible.

FareStart is a social enterprise nonprofit focused on job training and employment. Our restaurant and other food-based businesses serve as classrooms for students to gain culinary skills that prepare them for careers in and beyond the food service industry. Since 1992, we’ve helped more than 15,000 adults and youth work toward stability and economic mobility.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 7 days ago

I love farestart! Great experiences and a great cause and mission.

The Shambles

4.9

4.9 (135)

$31 to $50

American

Roosevelt

About the restaurant

We are a 21+ restaurant and bar. Founded in 2018 by Joel and Matthew and purchased in late 2022 by Becky and Jon, the vision remains the same: Old English pub vibes, high quality food.

We loved The Shambles from the minute we walked in and now we continue the heritage of what was created before us. On the food side: high quality steaks, cut in house. Cooks who have the freedom to create seasonal dishes ranging from foraged mushrooms to house made sausages. To go with your meal, we offer skillfully made, non-fussy cocktails, carefully selected wines, a plethora of beers, sours, and ciders on tap and a a robust non alcoholic selection. We top it all off with warm and knowledgeable service. At the Shambles, you can join us for a lovely date night, get together with friends OR choose to sit at the bar and get an ear full of cheesy jokes and unfiltered chatter We are serious about our service from top to bottom and we can’t wait to serve you!

Top review

Corrin

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

Amazing experience drinking the finest drinks and eating the finest steak and potatoes.

Violet

4.8

4.8 (769)

$30 and under

American

Capitol Hill / First Hill

About the restaurant

Violet, voted Best New Restaurant 2019, by Seattle Magazine, is the newest concept by executive chef William Belickis. Violet offers a unique American Omakase dining experience influenced by French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine.

Chef William Belickis emphasizes a strong dedication to seasonal and local ingredients grown in our own rooftop farm and sourced from trusted farms/purveyors, as well as the finest ingredients the world has to offer.

Our menu is seasonal based on Chef's choice of the freshest ingredients available to create artistic flavors. Put trust in Chef William Belickis's hands and experience the American Omakase, a personalized 5-course seasonal tasting menu. Wine pairing is available and our knowledgeable staff can help you customize your dining experience.

Top review

StacieVIP

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

The scallops were delightful and the service was charming.

Vino At The Landing

4.9

4.9 (497)

$30 and under

American

Renton

About the restaurant

Vino At The Landing is a fun, vibrant wine bar and retail wine shop located at The Landing in Renton. Whether you're looking for dinner and a glass of wine before a movie or after work, a nice bottle to take with you for a dinner party, or interested in tasting the latest vintage from a great Pacific Northwest producer, we hope you make Vino At The Landing your gathering place.

Our tapas style menu features signature items including Bruschetta, Vino Platter, White Truffle Popcorn, various salads, paninis, wraps, and pasta dishes.

We have a strong focus on hard to find artisan Northwest wines, weekly Thursday Night "Meet The Winemaker Tastings" and monthly wine education classes.

Top review

Vincenzo

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

We enjoyed this restaurant and would recommend this restaurant. Food good service prompt and attentive.

Von's 1000 Spirits - Seattle

4.7

4.7 (192)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Enjoy creatively prepared American fare at Von's 1000Spirits Gusto Bistro. This charming spot features various flags draped across the ceiling and an open kitchen where patrons can watch the chefs at work. Owner Merrisa Firnstahl-Claridge and Executive Chef Jason Amador delight in offering delicious food with friendly service in a comfortable atmosphere. Patrons can choose from entrées like salmon cakes with pickled vegetables, homemade meatballs with pasta or a hoisin-glazed prime rib burger at Von's 1000Spirits Gusto Bistro. Sourdough pizza with a choice of toppings, salads, hearty sandwiches and vegetarian dishes also make for fulfilling meals. Von's 1000Spirits Gusto Bistro is featured in publications such as The Seattle Times and The Stranger. It has happy hour with a sizable bar that serves cocktails as well as housemade vodka, gin and tequila. This bistro hosts private events for parties as well.

Top review

KenVIP

Dined on Apr 3, 2025

Nice vibe in this hot spot in downtown Seattle, kitty-corner from the Seattle Art Museum. This place is famous for its sourdough pasta- yes, I said sourdough PASTA not bread. Pics I’ve added are the King Salmon & mushrooms and the Almond Pesto with sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese. Both were outstanding and the portions were too generous to finish since we’d started with the steamer clams in a creamy tomato-garlic vodka sauce with some rustic bread. Delicious. My wife enjoyed her scratch margarita and I had a 9oz pour of their Red Hammer Blend, a very drinkable house wine. But the evening was more memorable by the service provided by Katie. I think she checked back with us 3 or 4 times. We will be back for sure!

Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge

4.7

4.7 (4663)

$30 and under

American

Queen Anne

About the restaurant

Centered around the cuisine, decor and imagery of the French Quarter and New Orleans and creating the feel of the Big Easy, Toulouse is one of the most intricate and ambitiously built restaurants in a generation.

Our expansive menus offer culinary diversity and range from traditional Creole and French Quarter menu choices to traditional Parisian and French countryside preparations to more innovative dishes that are entirely unique to Toulouse.

Top review

Richard

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful spot. Absolutely tremendous bar and happy hour menu.

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Stanford's - Northgate

4.9

4.9 (800)

$30 and under

American

Northgate

About the restaurant

Stanford's is a classic American restaurant and bar focused on traditional ingredients with complex flavors. Our experienced restaurant team is eager to please and delight you with quintessential grill favorites, plus creative cocktails, local draft beers, and regional wines. Since 2006, we’ve been serving the greater Seattle area as a classic American restaurant and bar focused on traditional ingredients with complex flavors, and quintessential grill favorites. Whether you’re stopping by for a flavorsome dinner, casual lunch with friends, or enjoying our happy hour, guests from Northgate, Lake City, Pinehurst, Haller Lake, and beyond love pairing our delicious appetizers with steak, seafood, and pasta, alongside local beers, regional wines, and creative cocktails. We offer a welcoming atmosphere for both large groups and intimate dining. We look forward to serving you!

Top review

Mara

Dined 3 days ago

We love Stanford's! Food is good, not outrageously priced, quick service - always a good dining experience had by all :)

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Experience

Happy Hour Menu for $6, $8, $10, $12

The Whale Wins

4.7

4.7 (945)

$31 to $50

American

Wallingford

About the restaurant

The Whale Wins: A Culinary Oasis in Seattle Located in Seattle's Fremont-Wallingford neighborhood, The Whale Wins is a culinary experience led by award-winning chef Renee Erickson. This James Beard Award-winning restaurant combines rustic charm with modern elegance. Upon entering, you'll find a warm atmosphere and an open kitchen that showcases culinary artistry. The light-filled dining room creates a tranquil setting. The menu highlights the Pacific Northwest's bounty, featuring wood-fired dishes made from the freshest seasonal ingredients. From succulent roast chicken to delectable trout, each dish reflects Erickson's dedication to quality and creativity. Be sure to try the signature butter-roasted zucchini bread, a delightful sweet and savory treat. The Whale Wins also offers an impressive wine list with local and international selections. Whether you're a wine expert or a novice, the knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect pairing. Ideal for romantic dinners, casual lunches, or celebrations, The Whale Wins is a must-visit.

Top review

Susan

Dined 6 days ago

We had a great first time brunch at the Whale Wins; the food was creative and delicious.

Oak

4.8

4.8 (262)

$30 and under

American

International District

About the restaurant

Oak is an independently owned community-minded neighborhood restaurant and bar. Our all-ages dining room welcomes folks and their families from all walks of life. We serve a full menu of delicious vegan and organic burger, and poultry options.

Top review

Kate

Dined on Mar 22, 2025

There were a couple mistakes with our order, but we don’t count that against anyone on a busy Friday night when everything else was great. Service was great, food was fantastic. It’s a bit loud in the main dining area, we’ll check out the bar next time. For Seattle food prices, this was great. We got two cocktails, an app, two entrees and a dessert for $100. In Seattle, it’s really hard to find good gf and vegan options alongside a regular menu and Oak sure hit it out of the park. My husband has a lot of diet restrictions which makes finding really tasty food hard. Great job Oak, we’ll be back!

JOEY University Village

4.7

4.7 (181)

$30 and under

American

Laurelhurst

About the restaurant

JOEY Restaurants marries iconic hospitality with a handcrafted, locally and globally-inspired menu from award-winning chefs, to bring an unparalleled guest experience. Instead of just one chef, JOEY has a whole team of celebrated Executive Chefs bringing you an experience you can't get anywhere else. JOEY University Village features the city's only year round patio and brings approachable upscale dining and cocktailing to Seattle’s vibrant U-Village district.

Top review

PerryVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Good food and drinks, excellent service. My friends and I had an enjoyable evening.

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