Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Seattle / Eastern Washington

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Seattle / Eastern Washington? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Stateside - Seattle

4.8

4.8 (364)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Capitol Hill / First Hill

About the restaurant

Chef Eric Johnson cooks casual but elegant dishes at his Capitol Hill restaurant specializing in Contemporary Asian cuisine. Since opening in 2014, he’s won over Seattle diners with dishes like chili cumin pork ribs, fried master stock chicken, and crispy duck fresh rolls. The cocktails feature Southeast Asian ingredients like galangal and lime leaf. Stateside is conveniently located on lower Capitol Hill within a short walk of the Convention Center, the Paramount theater and downtown. Check out Stateside's cocktail lounge next door, Foreign National, for an intimate craft cocktail experience.

Top review

DouglasVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Pleasant blend of French and Vietnamese. Bold flavors. Exceptionally competent staff will assist in navigating the eclectic menu. Small, well curated, wine list. Mainly French selections. Already looking forward to the next visit!

Mana

4.8

4.8 (963)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Leavenworth

About the restaurant

We are a locally focused restaurant open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Let us to take you on a truly unique 7-course journey through the senses as we offer a dining experience honoring local, organic, wild foraged, high vibration ingredients.

We have one seating per night. It is at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $118 per person.
(20% auto-gratuity for parties of 6 or more)
Reservations Required.
*Note: A credit card is required to complete confirmation of your reservation.

Limited seating for large groups, parties with 5+ people please call us at (509)-548-1662.

Top review

Marla

Dined 3 days ago

Interesting, fresh food imaginatively plated. A pleasant experience

Derby - The Shop Seattle

4.8

4.8 (85)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Derby offers New American cuisine, emphasizing the use of local ingredients from Washington. Enjoy glimpses of The Shop's world-class car collection! The menu caters to a variety of tastes, offering lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch. Don't miss the Bad-Ass Bacon!

Notably, the restaurant provides a comfortable atmosphere for casual dining experiences. Enjoy the bar, indoor dining, and outdoor patio!

For those interested in automotive culture, The Shop also offers tours of its car collection on weekends. This adds an extra layer of interest for visitors, combining a love for cars with the enjoyment of good food.

In addition to its regular dining services, Derby also hosts private events and parties, making it a versatile space for different occasions.

Derby Restaurant presents a blend of culinary delights and automotive enthusiasm, making it a distinctive spot in Seattle's dining scene.

Top review

Charlie

Dined 3 days ago

The food and staff were wonderful - will return when in town

Atoma Seattle

4.8

4.8 (39)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Wallingford

About the restaurant

We are a contemporary restaurant that celebrates the diverse and global influences of our team's culinary background. Our mission is to provide a space that fosters and inspires creativity. From this environment comes a unique experience that pays homage to our surroundings. We take pride in the farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and winemakers that surround us in the Pacific Northwest. Drawing on our experiences, childhood, and travels, we aim to invoke a sense of nostalgia and thoughtfulness throughout your dining experience.

Our cuisine is a true reflection of the seasons, drawing inspiration from the bountiful offerings of our surroundings. With a deep reverence for our culinary heritage, we present dishes that marry traditional European techniques and flavors with a contemporary twist. Every plate that emerges from our kitchen is a testament to our commitment to humble yet inspired creations.

Top review

Knight

Dined 4 days ago

We really enjoyed Atoma. Dishes are unique, carefully crafted with detail and flavor! The drink paring was amazing, not your average run of the mill wines/cocktails. If you're looking for a unique yet tasty experience, I would highly recommend Atoma!

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4.8

4.8 (198)

$31 to $50

Cambodian

Phinney Ridge

About the restaurant

From the beautifully prepared and exquisitely presented dishes, to the hand crafted local foraged cocktails, it is our goal to bring a homage of gratitude for Khmer cuisine to the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. Every dish is designed thoughtfully, by the owner, Karuna Long for you and your family to share. Our menu and preparations take emphasis on fresh local ingredients that arrive daily with pronounced flavors from all parts of Cambodia.

Within the first year of opening, They have gathered accolades including but not limited to Best 20 new restaurants via Bon Appetite Mag and became a James Beard Semifinalist. Sophon is a full-service restaurant and bar located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

Top review

Nayiri

Dined 2 days ago

Great intimate place to celebrate my 40th birthday. The food was delicious and interesting. We especially liked the oyster mushroom karaage with dipping sauce. The service was notably good as well. Our waitress helped us navigate the menu, pace dishes, and make recommendations.

Migaku

4.8

4.8 (27)

$50 and over

Japanese (Kaiseki)

Ballard / Fremont

About the restaurant

Migaku specializes in authentic Japanese “Sushi” and “Kaiseki” cuisine, served in the traditional “Omakase” style. Grand Opening on December 23rd 2024 in Seattle, WA, by a Japanese chef, Migaku has quickly distinguished itself in the culinary world.
Chef Migaku Inaba is renowned for his profound dedication to the art of Japanese cuisine. His culinary journey began in the picturesque settings of Shizuoka, where he was deeply influenced by the rich natural resources and the culinary heritage of the region. After honing his skills at the esteemed hotel Kiyomizu, Chef Inaba received the prestigious “Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Award,” a testament to his skill and innovation in the kitchen. Please come on in and enjoy our Japanese dining journey.

Top review

Gavin

Dined on May 10, 2025

One of the best Kaiseki experiences we've ever had, even in Japan. Chef Migaku explained each dish. A lot of creativity, using local and imported ingredients. A nice sake selection as well. Plan ahead, as parking in the neighborhood can be a challenge.

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Experience

Sushi Bar: Migaku Kaiseki Course

Experience

Table: Seasonal Kaiseki Course

Experience

Sushi Bar: Chef’s Special kaiseki Course

Joule

4.6

4.6 (1452)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Wallingford

About the restaurant

Joule, the first restaurant from celebrated husband and wife cooking team Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, is re-located in October, 2012 to the innovative, newly developed the Fremont Collective in Seattle’s Wallingford/Fremont neighborhood. From its original opening in 2007, Joule has cultivated a loyal dining fan base and captured the attention of an admiring local and national media captivated by the couple’s unique, modern perspective on Korean cuisine. Joule, the mature sibling to Yang and Chirchi’s restaurant, Revel, highlights Korea’s love of beef featuring unconventional cuts accompanied by distinctive and shareable side dishes.

Joule takes reservations for 1.75-3 hour time slots (depending on party size). We do our best to accommodate as many guests as possible and ask that you are considerate of other diners at the end of your meal. If you feel that your party requires more time, please let us know in the notes and we will get back to you with our available accommodations.

Top review

Josh

Dined 1 day ago

The rice cakes and short rib steak were both absolutely incredible. Our waitress was wonderful, and we wish we would’ve listened to more of her recommendations! I would send every friend in town here

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4.5

4.5 (51)

$50 and over

American

White Center

About the restaurant

Please note: Friday, April 11th and Saturday April 12th we are only offering out a la carte menu. Our set menu will be back next week. Thank you.
We serve eclectic Japanese-American cuisine and serious wine in a former adult video store. Since opening, Tomo has received recognition as one of the country's best new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report and has been nominated for Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation.

Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams’ menus are personal, and feature outstanding ingredients prepared simply and with confidence.

Our wine program highlights rare and ephemeral wines made by creative, principled people. We also serve a variety of classic and seasonal cocktails, emphasizing small-batch spirits and quality nonalcoholic options.

We strive to be a cherished part of our guests' lives, providing a warm atmosphere, ever-changing menus, and exclusive events with top chefs and industry experts from around the world.

Top review

mande

Dined today

Tomo is the best restaurant in our neighborhood and honestly the best in our area. The staff is kind, the food it better that you can imagine and the price is better than expected. Well worth the money. This isn’t food you could get anywhere else. You definitely can not make this at home. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s not packed every night. It’s delicious, high quality AND come as you are. What more do we want?! I’m so happy to have a high quality restaurant nearby that I don’t have to dress up for. The food is amazing. Thank you so so so much for existing Tomo. 💕

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Experience

BUDS: Corima x TOMO

Mint Progressive Indian

4.4

4.4 (211)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Indian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Modern Indian, fine dining restaurant located at the heart of Downtown Seattle. Executive Chef, Abhijit Sarkar, is bringing regional Indian flavors & innovative, culinary techniques to the Pacific Northwest with a carefully curated menu that has something on it for everyone. Building upon the ever evolving traditions of Indian cuisine, guests will experience a flavorful menu of vibrant, contemporary dishes inspired by the distinct flavors of regions spanning all of India. Complete with an eclectic craft cocktail program, expansive gin selection & extensive non-alcoholic beverage list, guests will have an unparalleled dining experience from start to finish.

Seating options include dining room, private dining, bar and lounge. Happy hour is offered from 3-5pm at the bar and in the lounge Tuesday - Sunday.

Top review

Stacy

Dined 7 days ago

Truly lovely spot for some very tasty and inventive fare!

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