Seattleites don’t just like to eat, we like to eat well. We like to eat out and at any time of day or night. Our town is a fun and interesting place by day, but after 10 p.m., there are plenty of good late-night places to dig your fork into. These are just a few of my personal favorites. They are not in a particular order as I love them all equally.
1. Beth’s Café
If you are craving breakfast, head to the place that has been serving it all day long since 1954. Well-known in Seattle for five decades, Beth’s has now become famous nation-wide thanks to many popular television food shows. While you’re waiting for your 12-Egg Omelet, create a masterpiece with crayons on your paper-covered table and then display it on their walls. Once you have your omelet, join the brave before you by entering the 12-egg omelet eating contest. Of course you will be required to also finish off the side of hash browns to win your title.
Location:
7311 Aurora Ave N (Winona Avenue)
Seattle, WA 98103
Neighborhood: Phinney Ridge
Hours: 24 hours (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Type of food: Traditional American breakfast
Alcohol: No
Price: $
Payment: Visa, Mastercard
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-792-5576
Website: http://bethscafe.com
2. The Five Point Café
“Alcoholics serving alcoholics since 1929.”
When you enter the Five Point, leave your expectations of class and social etiquette at the door, but make sure that you keep your sense of humor handy. The usual complaints by newcomers have been that there is little or rude service and your feet tend to stick to the floor. This last bit has changed slightly since it underwent new ownership this past November. However, the new owners promise not to fiddle with the place too much as they know that those that frequent this long-standing Seattle dive return because of the environment, decent food, live entertainment and strong drinks.
Location:
415 Cedar St
Seattle, WA 98121
Neighborhood: Belltown
Hours: 24 hours
Type of food: Traditional American
Alcohol: Yes
Price: $
Payment: Visa, MasterCard, Debit Card – ATM is available on-site
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-448-9993
Website:www.the5pointcafe.com
3. The Mecca Café
Aptly named, you’ll find regulars that come here for food, drinks and social interaction. This Seattle institution is a fun place any time of day, but the late-night crowd makes it even more entertaining. The staff is friendly and very laid back making this a spot that I like to enjoy with my children during the day and my friends at night.
Location:
526 Queen Anne Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
Neighborhood: Lower Queen Ann
Hours: open 24 hours (bar stops at 2am)
Type of food: Traditional American
Alcohol: Yes
Price: $
Payment: American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-285-9728
Website: n/a
4. Dick’s Drive-In
The bright orange sign welcomes you to juicy burgers, home-cut fries and hand-dipped shakes. Feast in and around your car listening to your favorite Seattle radio station or the station of a fellow diner. This is the only local throwback to the 1950s drive-in, walk-up restaurant in town with cash-only payment and no combos served.
Location:
115 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill (and all around Seattle)
Hours: open daily until 2am
Type of food: Hamburgers, fries, hand-dipped shakes
Alcohol: No
Price: $
Payment: cash only
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-323-1300
Website:www.ddir.com
5. The Wild Ginger Asian Restaurant
For a bit of luxury late-night dining, the Wild Ginger on Third Avenue will definitely fit the bill. With a varied Asian menu, a good place to start is at the satay bar where the food is grilled to order and served with a rice cake and pickled cucumbers.
The dinner menu is ample and well defined. My personal favorite entree is the house specialty, Wild Ginger Fragrant Duck for $18.50. It is enough for two people to share and is accompanied by steamed buns, Sichuan peppercorn salt and sweet plum sauce. I prefer to wash this delectable dish down with a Lychee martini from their knowledgeable bartenders.
Location:
1401 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood: Downtown
Hours: open until 11pm
Type of food: Korean, Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim, Japanese, Asian, Chinese
Alcohol: Yes
Price: $$$
Payment: American Express, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard
Dress: Casual-dress/casual
Phone: 206-623-4450
Website:http://wildginger.net
6. The Chapel
Although it will not immediately be evident that you are eating and imbibing in a re-purposed funeral home, the feeling of peace and elegance of such a place surrounds you. The Alice in Wonderland-size bar stools that surround the white marble bar will make you feel as though you drank from the shrinking potion bottle. The patio on the former hearse turnaround provides a laid back atmosphere where you can enjoy one of their well-made martinis such as a Pallbearer (cucumber vodka, rose and mineral water) or a Stigmata (pepper vodka, lime and raw sugar) and sample one of their many delicious and economical appetizers, salads or sandwiches.
Location:
1600 Melrose Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Hours: open until 2am
Type of food: Upscale barfood
Alcohol: Yes – $5 martinis from 5pm to 8pm and midnight to close.
Price: $$
Payment: Visa, MasterCard
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-447-4180
Website: www.chapelseattle.com
7. 13 Coins
A sense of nostalgia, be it actual or from old films, will envelop you at the 13 Coins. Their high-back booths create a cozy and private ambiance that makes this the perfect spot after a loud concert or long evening. The menu is extensive, full of comforting food with a sophisticated twist. My personal favorite is the Smoked Salmon Benedict with its smoky, creaminess of hard-wood smoked Pacific Northwest salmon and house-made hollandaise followed by the delicate crunch of a perfectly toasted English muffin.
Location:
125 Boren Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
Neighborhood: South-Lake Union
Hours: open 24 hours
Type of food: Traditional American
Alcohol: Yes – “Night Owl” drink specials
Price: $$
Payment: Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-682-2513
Website: http://www.13coins.com
8. Sea Garden
If you’re in the mood of a bit of really good Chinese food late at night, head down to the Sea Garden in the International District. As it is a favorite among the city’s taxicab drivers, there are always several diners keeping the kitchen staff busy regardless of the time of night. The menu, mainly Hong Kong-style seafood, is quite varied and interesting. They have an excellent geoduck selection and the drinks are well made. I personally recommend the Jellyfish Salad as it is light and delicious. However, I do not recommend eating it solo right before downing a few Mai tais and singing karaoke at the bar next door.
Location:
509 Seventh Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
Neighborhood: International District
Hours: Sun until 1am, Mon-Thu until 2am & Fri-Sat until 3am
Type of food: Hong Kong-style seafood, Chinese
Alcohol: Yes – beer & wine only
Price: $$
Payment: Visa, MasterCard
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-623-2100
Website: Menu
9. Louie’s Cuisine Of China
Louie’s is an old-style U.S. American Chinese restaurant in Ballard. The décor is straight from the 1970’s complete with bouncy booths and decent-quality nostalgic Chinese-American fare. This is the place to come to chow down and enjoy time with friends, not to have an authentic Chinese cuisine experience. I love this place when I am in the mood for fun and a decent Mai tai.
Location:
5100 15th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Neighborhood: Ballard
Hours: Monday-Thursday until 11:00pm, Friday until 12:00am, Saturday until 12:00am, Sunday until 10:00pm
Type of food: Chinese
Alcohol: Yes
Price: $-$$
Payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover – No personal checks
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-782-8855
Website:http://louiescuisine.com
10. Charlie’s On Broadway
Charlie’s on Broadway can best be described as the West coast “Cheers”. Nestle into one of their old fashioned high-back booths and enjoy quiet conversation with good, honest bar food and great no-nonsense drinks.
Location:
217 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill – Broadway
Hours: open daily until 2am
Type of food: Traditional American
Alcohol: Yes
Price: $$
Payment: Visa, MasterCard
Dress: Casual
Phone: 206-323-2535
Website: http://broadwaycharlies.com
