Refuel at One of the Best Restaurants Near the Space Needle

Whether you’re new to town and trying to get your bearings, just visiting for a short stint, or finally taking the opportunity to get to know the ins and outs of the place you call home, there are all kinds of reasons you might find yourself visiting the Space Needle. While there’s no rule that says you have to eat at a restaurant nearby when you go to see the Space Needle, you never really know when the hunger will strike, so it’s good to know what options are nearby just in case - especially if you plan on making a day of your trip there. Below are some of the best restaurants near the Space Needle.

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But that’s enough with the introduction, lets get right to that list of great restaurants near the Space Needle that brought you here!

1 - The Pink Door

Incredible Italian Cuisine and An Immaculate Wine Bar

📍 1919 Post Alley | Downtown Seattle  | thepinkdoor.net

If you are looking for the absolute best Italian food you can find in downtown Seattle then look no further than the Pink Door. They are one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants anywhere in Seattle and they have so much more to offer than just their incredible food. The Pink Door provides nightly entertainment for its guests every night of the week. So if you are in the mood for dinner and a show then this is definitely the place for you. Just be sure to check their events calendar so you know what the night’s entertainment will be. 

“A must try place in Seattle. Me and my friend got here around 9 pm and it was pretty packed. I'm looking forward to eating here again the next time I'm visiting Seattle!” - Yelp Review 

2 - Toulouse

The Best Cajun Food You Can Find Near the Space Needle

📍 601 Queen Anne Ave N | Seattle | toulousepetit.com

Toulouse is centered around the concept of providing its customers with authentic cuisine, decor, and imagery of the French Quarter and New Orleans. So if you are in the mood to shake up your atmosphere while you are in downtown Seattle then this just might be the perfect place for you. They have some of the best steaks and seafood you can find in the area and you absolutely can’t beat them when it comes to cajun/creole food!

“Babbbyyyy, this place was on point with the cereal food. I honestly felt like I was in New Orleans. The food was flavorful, and the menu had so many options to choose from. I loved the ambiance; it reminded me of medieval times in New Orleans. The waiter was nice and helpful. I always have a lot of questions, and he was patient with me. The restroom was even gorgeous.” - Yelp Review 

3 - Tilikum Place Cafe

Dinner Quality Food For Breakfast

📍 407 Cedar St | Belltown | tilikumplacecafe.com

From old industrial workshops to former homes, we’ve seen some restaurants pop up in some pretty strange places over the years. Up until now, however, we’ve never seen a restaurant take over the space of a former...print shop?

Tilikum Place Cafe might be located in a place that once printed out signs, posters, and even business cards, but these days it serves up some of the best breakfast food in all of Seattle - and it does so while putting in the kind of attention to detail that you usually see restaurants give to dinner over breakfast. 

They’ve turned this restaurant into a bit of a neighborhood hub, so you might meet some locals while you’re here, but it’s located so close to the Space Needle that we think it’s a hard chance to pass up on if you’re in the mood for some breakfast food.

“We came for brunch and everything was so delicious I literally don't think I can recommend just one dish, you need to try them all. The menu rotates seasonally too, which means you will just have to make a visit every season! The service was also great - every person working had great energy and were super knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Good people, good vibes, and incredible food. Not much more you could ask for!” - Yelp Review 

4 - Plum Bistro

Seattle’s Most Beloved Vegan Restaurant

📍 1429 12th Ave | Capitol Hill | plumbistro.com

The Pacific Northwest is pretty well-known for creating menus that are specifically catered to vegan people, but if you’re a tourist, you probably don’t know where to look. 

While most restaurants are willing to modify their recipes a little bit to fit your specific dietary needs, wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about whether you’re accidentally eating something you’ve sworn off amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy day visiting the Space Needle?

Plum Bistro has put together a menu catered especially towards vegan and vegetarian eaters. Even better: it’s super close to the Space Needle. Pop by for one of the most delicious vegan brunches you’ve ever had before your trip over to the site. You might like it enough to just move in.

“One of the best vegan places in Seattle area, where we love the food, service and the ambiance. It has a got a nice vibe to it and the place is a must try” - Yelp Review 

5 - Bangrak Market

The Absolute Best Thai Food Restaurant Near the Space Needle

📍 2319 2nd Ave | Belltown | bangrakmarket.com

If you are looking for out of this world Thai food while you are down exploring by the Space Needle then Bangraak Market is going to be the perfect spot for you. They are one of the highest reviewed restaurants in the whole area and have become a favorite of locals and travelers alike. You simply aren’t going to be able to beat their incredible menu of authentic Thai food. And they even recently started delivery and take-out options so you can just grab some incredible Thai food and head back to the hotel if you don’t feel like sitting down at a restaurant.

“I love bangrak market so much. Great for food or drinks or both. What a fun spot to celebrate any occasions and get a good meal with friends dates or family. One thing is their atmosphere could be pretty loud especially later in the night which makes it fun but if you are sensitive to loudness id be cautious! I think their drinks, food and service have always been consistent. If youre around downtown and need some fun thai food, this is your place” - Yelp Review 

6 - List

One of the Best Small Plates Cocktail Bars Near the Space Needle

📍 2226 1st Ave | Belltown | listbelltown.com

If you are looking for a great small placate styled dinner served up with some amazing cocktails then List is going to be the spot by the Space Needle for you! People absolutely love it since it has thousands of reviews posted and boasts a rating of 4.3 from their customers. I think this is the perfect place for a date night dinner if you are down by the Space Needle with your sweetheart!

“Insane happy hour deals all day Sunday and Monday! No reservations accepted and restaurant fills up fast so plan accordingly. The creamy truffle gnocchi was to DIE for and the clams and octopus salad were so fresh and fragrant. Spicy meatballs had a slight kick to them, $7 wine was crisp, molten lava cake dessert was nutty, music was bumping, and service was amazing!” - Yelp Review 

7 - Black Bottle

Casual Gastro Tavern in the Heart of Belltown

📍 2600 1st Ave | Belltown | blackbottleseattle.com

If the Space Needle is your only intended spot for the day, you might be in the mood for something a bit more on the casual side of Seattle dining. And if that’s the case, well, it doesn’t really get much more casual than the way they serve up food at Black Bottle.

A self-proclaimed “gastrotavern,” Black Bottle serves up a variety of shareable plates that are perfect for people who have a hard time deciding exactly what it is that they’d like to eat. Their unique recipes highlight popular PNW ingredients in a way that is sure to leave you satisfied.

Here at Black Bottle, they specialize in a “no frills” kind of atmosphere. You can expect speedy, attentive service and delicious food - but the best part is that it’ll be served the second that it’s ready.

“Wonderful food! The ravioli and flatbread was amazing. A little loud, but in general the ambiance was lovely. Would definitely return!” - Yelp Review 

8 - Citizen

One of Seattle’s Most Distinctive Outdoor Beverage Gardens

📍 706 Taylor Ave N | Seattle | citizen-collective.com

Beer gardens are popular throughout Germany, but it isn’t often that you’ll find a makeshift one housed on the patio of a restaurant in Seattle that doesn’t even market itself as a German restaurant to begin with.

Here at Citizen, they serve up a variety of dishes with Korean and Mexican twists across breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu items, such as Korean tacos, bulgogi steak salads, and chorizo salsa verde savory waffles.

Out on the patio, you can enjoy a game or two of cornhole while you wait for your food and get to know some of the regulars in the meantime. Swing by before a midday trip to the Space Needle and you’ll only need to walk a short distance to get to your destination!

“I loved the overall design of the place. There's outdoor areas with a fire pit and an indoor area. Overall good vibes and good food. Would definitely recommend.” - Yelp Review 

9 - Tyger Tyger

Family-Owned Sezchuan Inspired Asian Restaurant Near the Space Needle

📍 114 Republican Street | Seattle | tygertygerseattle.com

If you are looking for great Asian style food that isn’t Thai or Chinese food then you should check out Tyger Tyger and try their incredible Szechuan inspired menu. People love their Honey Walnut Bun, Daan Dan Miaan, and their Garlic Fried Rice. But really everything on the menu is pretty incredible and you won’t be able to go wrong picking out something that pops for you that day!

“Tyger Tyger was the perfect spot for a drink and light meal after a show at the Seattle Rep! Delicious, unique cocktails and great vegan options. Service was quick and personable but not overly so (you know what I mean). Prices are reasonable, especially for the location. We especially loved recommendations from our server and attentive sensitivity to preferences. Highly recommend!” - Yelp Review 

10 - Dandylion

Handcrafted Small Plates & Cocktails

📍 532 Queen Anne Ave N | Lower Queen Anne  | dandylionseattle.com

We’ve mentioned that not everyone who’s in the area for a visit is going to want to have their only food options near the Space Needle to be pizza and burgers, and there are a few options to help you explore a little bit.

If you’re the kind of person who wants to experience different cuisines while you’re in the area but aren’t too keen on stepping too far outside of your culinary comfort zone, Dandylion is the perfect blend of traditional American fare and Mediterranean cuisine.

You can enjoy Moroccan meatballs or a burger made out of scallops or even some brussel sprouts tossed with pork belly, brie, and cranberries. Unconventional is probably the word you’ll be looking for when you try to describe this restaurant, but we think it’s just conventional enough to not scare off any tourists in the area to see the Space Needle.

“I love this place. They are family owned and operated. Food and presentation is fantastic and I would heartily recommend to all! Especially recommend the Spanikopita and Mama Sofia's Hummus!” - Yelp Review 

And There You Have A List of Great Restaurants Near the Space Needle!

The Space Needle is quite a sight to behold. If you find that you’ve been staring at it for so long that you didn’t even realize you were starting to get hungry, you’re going to want a restaurant nearby to help satisfy that hunger. Let us know which of these restaurants hit the spot in the comments below.