This is a list of some of my favorite places to eat. Most of them are not, in fact, exclusively vegetarian. If you've been searching for vegetarian-only places in Seattle, you've already probably found the (rather short) definitive list of them somewhere else on the web.
Upon reflection, the places on this list are as much about the atmosphere there as the food...as there are actually approximately one million good restaurants in Seattle now. I have been to all these places many times, and have found them consistently good (except where noted).
Vegetarian Only (vegan noted when I noticed)
Moonlight Cafe. just outside the International District, getting into the Central District near 20th and Jackson, this Vietnamese place has mastered the art of the faux-meat dish (and so, most everything is vegan as well). It's really pretty amazing. There are some amazing dishes here, the likes of which one could never make at home. Try the sesame beef, the fish hot pot, or the salmon. About $7/entree. Make sure you are ordering off the (extensive, must be 100 items) vegetarian menu. Actually, I've never seen anyone order off the real meat menu, I'm not even sure why they have it. In a strip mall, but again, it's the food. No atmosphere. (206) 322-3378 http://www.lostinseattle.com/LIS/restaurant/moonlightcafe.html
Carmelita. In the Phinney Ridge neighborhood, an exclusively vegetarian place, with quite a few vegan entree options. I've eaten here many times, and to be honest, it's really hit and miss. I'm not sure what to point you towards. The pizzas are actually pretty good, and the humus plate is the only substantive meal, order that if you are hungry. Or it would make a great appetizer to share for the whole table. Entrees: about $15 as I recall. Nice atmosphere. (206) 706-7703. http://www.carmelita.net/
Cafe Flora. Probably the largest vegetarian institution in Seattle. Does a great breakfast. Southwest influenced cuisine. It's a little bland for my taste, but some people swear by it. If you are only in Seattle for one or two days, I'd try other places first. Nice atmosphere. http://www.cafeflora.com/
Hillside Quickie. In the U Disrict and also on Capitol Hill/15th. Really, amazingly good sloppy sandwiches and other dishes. Sort of down home/souther kind of a feel. Perfect for lunch, not bad for dinner. No atmosphere, but really great food -- again, not the kind of thing I'd ever even think of making at home. Despite the name, not quicker than a regular restaurant. I believe the vegan options are numerous. http://www.hillsidequickie.com/
Not Vegetarian Exclusively.
A note on the criteria here: as above, there are a ton of good restaurants in Seattle. I find a lot of them to have one or two bland vegetarian options. And they tend toward a corporate blandness in their style and service that I also don't find that appealing. The list below is mainly slightly quirkier places with friendly staffs that have a bit of character and really good, flavorful food. Except for Marco's, they are not convenient to downtown. But they are worth the trip.
Nice Dinner Spots: (ie. a nice evening out/nice atmosphere)
Marco's Supper Club. Italian joint in the near-downtown Belltown neighborhood. Not a ton of veggie variety on the menu, but everything I've ever had there has been superb. And the service has always been impeccable. Also, it really is a superclub, in that the table is yours for the evening, they are not going to try and rush you out. Courses are served slowly, one at a time. So take your time, get some wine, and spend 3 hours here. With wine, about $50 each if you do 3 courses and desert. Stand alone entree: about $15. Well worth it if you have $50 to spend in one place on on one evening. Reservations recommended, and they even have a small outside area for eating in the summer. Great ambiance. (206) 441-7801 http://www.marcossupperclub.com/
Tamarind Tree. Theoretically Vietnamese, but it seems more pan-Asian at times. A few vegetarian items, but the thrill here is those that there are, are terrific. Start with Tamarind Tree roles. Yummy. Also recommended are the mango salad (with lemongrass tofu....to die for), and the Bahn tray: basially, you make your own salad roles. Fun and yummy. Also not very expensive for such a nice place, $8 entrees. It's always busy after 7, any day of the week. Make reservations if you can. On 12th and Jackson, just outside the International District. http://www.tamarindtreerestaurant.com/index.php
Kingfish Cafe. On Capitol Hill/19th, but not near much of anything. Southern cuisine, which as we know is not very vegetarian compliant. Once again, only one or two entrees are veggie, but the salads and desserts and sides are SO good, worth the trip. On the downside: no reservations, and there is often a very long wait on a weekend evening, sometimes even on weekdays. Entrees run about $15. The coconut cake is to die for. (206) 320-8757.http://www.thekingfishcafe.com/
Swingside Cafe. An Italian place in Fremont, though you'd never know it from the name. Very homey, cosy, converted house that seats not many at all. It's been a while since I was here, but they have a couple of signature dishes that are vegetarian -- try the aglio olio. (206) 633-4057. http://seattle.citysearch.com/profile/10774466/#
Slightly less expensive Dinner, more downscale, also good for Lunch:
Seattle has great Thai food. Here are some of my favorites, most have the $8-$10 entree. Ayutthaya (206) 324-8833 (Pike/Pine neighborhood; Harvard and Pike); Noodle Ranch (206) 728-0463 (Belltown, actually more pan-asian, the thai salad is great).
Jamjuree (206) 323-4255 (on 15th Ave/Capitol Hill), I will single out for special mention in the Thai category. Food always good here. There's at least one vegetarian special each week, I usually just get that and am never disappointed. http://www.jamjuree.com/
Agua Verde: cafeteria-esque Mexican, probably my favorite Mexican place in Seattle, in the University District on the ship canal. You can rent a kayak here as well. If you go for lunch, arrive before noon or after 1:30 as it is packed at noon. Evenings (especially weekends) can be bad too. This is because there is absolutely no other place of any merit in the U District. (206) 545-8570; www.aguaverde.com
Lunch:
Venus Cafe: in a nameless neighborhood (S. Lake Union?) north of downtown, this little joint, attached to the Mars Bar, has a bunch of great salads and sandwiches and a nice waitstaff. (206) 624-4516. http://www.cafevenus.com/
Than Bros. Pho: the lunch deal of the century, they have a great veggie pho (a vietnamese noodle soup) for $3.85. Which I should warn you is the sole vegetarian option. On Broadway on Capital Hill. Good for a cheap dinner as well, but completely lacking in atmosphere. (206) 568-7218
Breakfast:
And by breakfast, I mean weekend breakfast/brunch.
Hi-Spot Cafe. In Madrona, at the end of Union street. Great little cafe, with a great staff. Sometimes a wait, especially around 9 or 10am. Everything you might want for breakfast. (206) 325-7905. http://www.hispotcafe.com/
Portage Bay Cafe. In the University District on Roosevelt Ave (also now in South Lake Union), a great place to go for breakfast/brunch. I love the 'pancake bar:' all the pancake toppings you could ever want, all laid our for you to help yourself. They've changed their menu now, there are more veggie items on the lunch and dinner menu, but I haven't had them so can't vouch for them. (206) 547-8230 http://www.portagebaycafe.com/Home.html
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