From the classic seafood restaurants to the trendy farm-to-table eateries, Seattle is home to some of the best restaurants in the world.
Seattle has a long history of enjoying fresh, locally sourced seafood.
The city has an abundance of seafood options, from casual fish and chips joints, the top-rated French cuisine, and the contemporary American fare to fine dining seafood restaurants.
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Most Expensive Restaurant in Seattle
The Seattle area is known for its fantastic seafood and produces, as well as a growing number of restaurants that are focused on local ingredients.
In the last few years, several new restaurants have opened in Seattle with price points that rival some of the best restaurants in the country.
Here are 10 of the most expensive spots in town:
1. Altura
Altura is one of the most expensive restaurants in Seattle, and it’s worth every penny. The food is extraordinary, and the service is impeccable.
Chef Nathan Lockwood has created an elegant, modern dining experience that feels like a combination between a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris and an upscale New York steakhouse.
The space is beautiful — high ceilings with exposed ductwork, natural wood tables and chairs, and large windows overlooking the city streets below.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to get dressed up and spend some time there.
The menu is seasonal, with dishes changing regularly to reflect what’s in season at the market or available at local farms.
You can expect to find dishes like smoked pork belly with apple sauce, Brussels sprouts with horseradish cream, or suckling pig with apple cider glaze served alongside fresh produce from nearby farms.
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2. Canlis
Canlis is a restaurant in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood, about two miles from downtown.
It’s one of the most expensive restaurants in the city and serves traditional American food.
The restaurant has been in business since 1950 and is owned by Peter Canlis, who bought it from his parents in 1971.
Canlis’ son Mark now runs the restaurant along with his brother Brian and their father.
The Canlis family has won numerous awards for their food and service over the years.
The restaurant has received multiple awards for excellence and has been featured on various television shows.
The menu consists of seasonal Northwest cuisine with a focus on local ingredients.
The wine list was also voted best in America by Wine Spectator magazine. The restaurant is currently owned by brothers Mark and Brian Canlis.
3. The Herbfarm
The Herbfarm is one of the most expensive restaurants in Seattle, and it’s no wonder why.
The restaurant serves only locally sourced ingredients, and it sources herbs from its own garden.
The food is prepared by chefs who have studied at some of the best culinary schools in the world.
The service staff is well versed in wine and beer pairings, as well as which wines will complement your meal.
The food is seasonal and sourced from local farms, which means it’s often limited to what’s available locally during each season.
The menu changes every three months, so if you visit during February, there might not be any new dishes on the menu.
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6. El Gaucho
The restaurant’s steakhouse menu is consistently excellent, and it’s been named one of the country’s top five steakhouses by both GQ and Travel + Leisure magazines.
El Gaucho offers a number of different cuts of beef as well as seafood options like crab cakes, salmon, and lobster tails.
There are also vegetarian options available for those who want them, including spinach salad with fresh basil and walnuts or grilled vegetable skewers with hummus dip.
The bar at El Gaucho serves up a wide range of specialty cocktails and mocktails as well as wines from around the world.
4. Eden Hill Restaurant
The restaurant serves only three-course meals and is open for dinner only. It is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
The restaurant has an extensive wine list and its own vineyard, which produces award-winning wines.
The wine list is renowned for its rare wines from all over the world, including some that are made by Eden Hill itself.
In fact, you will find many of these bottles on display at the restaurant.
If you are planning to visit this restaurant then make sure that you make reservations at least two weeks in advance as it gets really busy during weekends and holidays.
6. Bateau
Bateau is one of the most expensive restaurants in Seattle, but it’s also one of the most popular.
The restaurant has an airy feel with high ceilings and plenty of natural light coming in through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The interior design is modern and sleek, with lots of hardwood floors and an open kitchen.
You’ll find a variety of tables throughout the restaurant, from small two-tops to long communal tables for groups of friends and family members.
There’s even a large bar area where you can enjoy a cocktail before dinner or after-dinner drinks with friends.
The menu at Bateau features French cuisine like escargots, steak frites, duck confit, and more.
But there are also plenty of vegetarian options if you’d prefer not to eat meat or seafood. For example, there’s a mushroom risotto that sounds amazing!
There are also plenty of seasonal dishes on hand so that you don’t get bored with what’s on your plate week after week (although we doubt that will happen).
The wine list at Bateau is extensive; they have several wines available by the glass as well as by bottle if you want.
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7. Art of the Table
The restaurant is located at Stone Way N Suite A, where you can enjoy a delicious meal while overlooking Lake Union.
The Art of the Table menu has several options for those who are looking to celebrate an anniversary or special occasion. It’s possible to order an eight-course dinner or a five-course dinner along with wine pairings.
The food served at Art of the Table is inspired by French cuisine and it has been described as “deliciously elegant.”
The restaurant has received praise from critics such as Seattle Times critic Laura Reiley, who gave it four out of four stars on Yelp and said that it was worth every penny.
Art of the Table is one of many upscale dining establishments in Seattle that have been named among the best restaurants in America by Zagat ratings.
Some other notable places include Canlis Restaurant, Le Pichet, and Ray’s Boathouse.
8. The Metropolitan Grill
The restaurant is located in the heart of downtown, and it is one of the most exclusive steakhouses in town.
It has a long list of celebrities who have dined there, including Bill Gates and Michael Jordan.
The Metropolitan Grill is famous for its prime rib and seafood, which are prepared with a unique blend of spices that make them taste delicious.
The restaurant also offers an excellent wine selection, featuring some of the best wines from around the world.
The food at this restaurant is so good that people travel from all over the world just to eat here.
It has received many awards for its cuisine, including being named as one of America’s Top 10 Steakhouses by Travel & Leisure magazine.
9. Palisade
Located on West Marina Place in downtown Seattle, there’s no better place to take in the city’s skyline.
The view alone is worth the price of admission, but Palisade also offers an extensive wine list and menu that’s worthy of such a lofty location.
The menu changes frequently, but expect dishes like creamy polenta with braised pork shoulder; roasted chicken with fried leeks and herbs; and grilled lamb with eggplant purée and green olive tapenade.
You can also order from the menu at their bar downstairs called The Conservatory (where they serve some of their dishes) or opt for one of their tasting menus which include everything from oysters to caviar.
10. Six Seven
The restaurant has an elegant setting, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of light during the day.
The tables are spaced far apart so that everyone can have privacy while they enjoy their meal.
The menu at Six Seven changes seasonally so there are always new dishes to try each time you visit the restaurant.
You’ll find an amazing selection of seafood dishes such as crab cakes or tuna tartare as well as steakhouse favorites like filet mignon or rack of lamb.
There are also plenty of vegetarian options available if you’re looking for something different or simply prefer not to eat meat all the time!
If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a nice meal without having to worry about spending too much money,