9 Best Restaurants in Phinney Ridge and Greenwood, Seattle

Crispy rice-based batter keeps the fried chicken at this tiny spot impressively tender. The kitchen experience of the accomplished chefs behind this simple concept shows in the quality and intriguing Filipino flavors of side dishes such as coconut collard greens and garlic rice. Order ahead of time to make sure to get your chicken, as they sell out most days.

One of the city’s neighborhood charmers, this beloved bakery churns out the best of French, British, and American pastry traditions, as well as their own unique treats. Mornings mean the espresso bar is busy and the croissants are flying off the shelves, while midday offers light salads, quiches, and their savory signature, the cretzel—a buttery, crisp, pretzel-knotted treat. Loose-leaf tea in the afternoon goes perfectly with their beautiful cakes, such as the stunning Victoria sponge. 

Ethically sourced meats, from steak cuts to gamier dishes such as bison, wild boar, and duck, headline the menu at FlintCreek, where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a busy corner of Greenwood. A small-plates section features a cumin-dusted lamb tartare as well as mussels bathed in charred jalapeño-lime butter, while main-dish standouts include a brined pork chop on grits and a hanger steak topped with onion marmalade. The industrial-chic two-story lofted space, which has double-high ceilings and a lovely bar backed with modern yellow tile, is usually lively but not too loud, and the service is reliably solid.

Welcome to the year-round beach party at this Caribbean barbecue and sandwich shop located in an old gas station—even though the water is only Green Lake and it's across a six-lane highway. The neon-green building with hot pink and blue graffiti sets the tone and the enormous covered patio drives the message home that no matter the weather in Seattle, Bongos brings the island sunshine. The menu of sandwiches and casual plates includes Jamaican, Cuban, and Trinidadian flavors, like the Desi with citrus braised pork and caramelized onions, or the shrimp po'boy with chili sauce and mango slaw, while plantains and yuca fries are must-order sides.

Herkimer Coffee's Greenwood outpost is a favorite of coffee connoisseurs, with baristas who know their stuff but won't give you side-eye for dumping sweetener in their creations. The coffee shop has some seating, but it's also a great spot to grab a cup to go.

The deli counter at Ken's turns out surprisingly good sandwiches, like an Italian stuffed with cured meats and a chicken banh mi loaded with pickles, all made on fresh bakery rolls, and a smash burger on Thursdays. The small, nicely stocked neighborhood grocery store also offers a good selection of baked goods and pre-made foods from local restaurants, plus coffee, beer, wine, and canned cocktails—it's a great place for picnic supplies before heading to the nearby Woodland Park Zoo or down the hill to Green Lake.

A neighborhood favorite, this artisan shop isn’t quite a trip to Italy but the gelato is the real deal, including stracciatella, pistachio, and other classic flavors, all with high-quality ingredients. The namesake-for-a-reason Nutty Squirrel swirls salty peanut butter with dulce de leche caramel and chocolate chips. 

An ode to Khmer heritage and the culinary traditions that Cambodian refugees carried with them to America, this restaurant serves excellent upscale modern cuisine imbued with lessons on history and culture. Bold spice pastes and fragrant herbs fill the plates here, and even carry over to the cocktail menu. The mix of small and large plates makes it easy to stop for an afternoon snack or to sit down to a Cambodian feast amid the owner's family photos and traditional weavings hanging on the walls.

If you visit Valhalla for lunch, be sure to bring a Viking-size appetite. The sandwiches are enormous, like the piled-high house BBQ pork with chipotle sauce, or El Duderino, which features chicken topped with chorizo, avocado, and jack cheese. The sides are hearty as well: macaroni salad, tots, and slaw. If you want to save a few calories, you can order the sandwiches bowl-style. You’ll still leave stuffed.