The Best Cheap Eats in Seattle

Contemporary decor with a sprinkle of Asian flavor marks the ambiance at Wild Ginger. This downtown restaurant serves up classic Asian flavors updated for the modern palate. Fresh, in-house ingredients are part of the charm of this menu. Gluten-free and vegan options are available for many items. The price point is on the low end for fine dining, so diners can enjoy classics like twice-cooked duck or flank steak on a resonable budget. Happy hour is a great time to visit, with plenty of small plate options that are seriously filling, along with discounted drinks to pair with each portion.

Northwest Italian cuisine served in a trendy, chic restaurant describes Spinasse. With dishes that come straight from Piedmont, Italy, and a wine list from the same area, the food is as delicious as it is inexpensive. For some of the best cheap eats in Seattle, dig into a plate of pumpkin ravioli or lamb risotto. Both are available in small or large portions to fit any size appetite and pocketbook. Shared sides and appetizers make this a great spot for the whole family or fun for just two.

Enjoy fine dining at its best with a reservation at The Metropolitan Grill. This steakhouse serves up prime cuts in a lushly elegant atmosphere. The soft lighting is set off by the plush green booth upholstery and plenty of natural wood tones. To make this top-notch steakhouse one of the best cheap Seattle restaurants, be sure to book for lunch. The soup and salad or salad and half sandwich combinations are inexpensive options that explore the sumptuous flavors that The Metropolitan Grill plates up.

On-site butchers cut up dry aged steaks at The Capital Grille. The award-winning wine list has more than 350 labels. Exceptional service is the norm, and this restaurant offers a great look at what fine dining should be. It also offers some seriously affordable menu options for diners that go for one of the multi-course lunch plates. With a choice of salad or soup to start and salmon, tenderloin, chicken, or shrimp as the main, these plates are both mouthwateringly good and cheap eats. For dinner, head in during cocktail time to enjoy discounts on dry aged sirloin, tuna tartare, or lobster and crab cakes.

A staple in the Seattle fine dining scene, Il Terrazzo Carmine also makes it onto the cheap places to eat list. Multiple sizing options makes this a solid addition, with both large and small plates on the menu. Both pasta and risotto plates come with the option to go big or sample different flavors. Even the large plates are not unreasonable, so enjoy a venison-filled ravioli or smoked salmon pennette, and a moderate bill at the end of the evening.

Celebrity chef and owner Tom Douglas brings his love of quality ingredients and sustainable practices to Etta's Seafood. The fish is always fresh, and the menu includes classic dishes like an oyster po' boy or a fish fry when ordering from the lunch menu. For dinner, head in during "Crabby Hour" for a small selection of big flavors at affordable prices. Crab rangoons, Frisco shrimp toast, and steamed crab are all on the discount menu, along with several cocktails, wines, and beer. There is a mandatory 20% gratuity, so keep that in mind when ordering favorite dishes.

Serving classic Spanish tapas, Pintxo gives each small plate a modern twist on regional cuisine. The intimate dining room features small tables designed to make sharing small plates even easier. The Para Picar selection includes everything from patatas bravas to bacon-wrapped dates, and everything is affordable. Share several pintxos, plates designed to be a single bit, or larger tapas plates for a mixed meal packed with flavor. For a full meal served in a single dish, dive into a big portion of paella. Don't forget to check out the seasonal specials, the chef adds new and interesting plates as the weather changes.

The rustic wood and brick decor of Tilikum Place Cafe contrasts nicely with the upscale and contemporary menu. Enjoy fine dining cuisine in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. All of the food is budget-friendly, with some gourmet options like pate and baked oysters available at family-restaurant pricing. Don't forget to save some room for dessert. Profiteroles, sticky apple and date pudding, or a rich pot de creme are all tempting treats.

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients meet an eclectic but welcoming decor at Shaker + Spear. This seafood restaurant serves a fun and interesting menu at every time of day, so diners can enjoy a big, American breakfast or a hearty international dinner, all at the same location. The entrees can get a little pricey, so to keep this in the cheap places to eat range, shareable plates and starters can be great selections. From the housemade pickles to the smoked trout or grilled prawns, there's a little something for everyone who loves seafood.

Perfect for small groups that want an authentic tatami experience, Umi Sake House has it all. The traditional dining room for last-minute evenings or small groups is just as nicely appointed as the semi-private floor seating for 12. For single diners or small groups, a seat at the sushi bar is a fun experience. Head over to Umi Sake House during happy hour and enjoy deep discounts on a selection of sushi rolls, appetizers, and sake.

Exposed brick and dark wood are part of the rustic decor at Re:public, a 21 and older establishment serving up an eclectic fusion menu. Come in during happy hour to enjoy a plate of Manila clams or garlic chili prawns with bacon lardons. The prime filet bites and duck and rabbit rillette also make it onto the menu, creating a nice selection of gourmet flavors at carryout prices. A wild mushroom risotto or wild boar bolognese are just a couple of the cheap eats options for dinner.

Light and airy, with interesting design choices like the ceiling art, Assaggio is a fun and delicious place to eat. The Tuscan-inspired menu serves a vast number of inexpensive, yet exquisitely prepared, pasta entrees. Hit happy hour for a small plates menu that serves sliders, calamari, orrechiette, and meatballs, all priced to encourage seconds. After a meal made up of different flavors and textures, take a look at the dessert menu for some housemade specialties like the delicate gelato or rich cannoli.

A not so well kept Pike Place Market secret, Cafe Campagne brings classic Parisian flavors to the Seattle food scene. On the weekdays, happy hour is a great time to enjoy small plates of beef brochettes, pork rillettes, or housemade pate sandwiches. All are on the menu for just a few dollars a plate. Affordable dinner entrees include items like the classic steak frites or a tartare de boeuf.

Enjoy an authentic New Orleans culinary experience at Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge. The big, bold Creole and Cajun flavors coming out of the kitchen keep diners happy and smiling for the entire meal. Happy hour includes more than 50 options at decadently low prices, so diners can keep on ordering interesting bites. Sliders, seafood, sides, and soups are just a few of the options on this extensive menu.

Hints of Latin flair show in the decor and on the menu at Japonessa Sushi Cocina. While Chef Billy Beach's menu is full of traditional Japanese dishes, they come out with distinctly Latin flavors as part of the plate. Dragon scallops come out wrapped in bacon and sprinkled with lime pepper. Signature rolls include fun additions like coconut or mango. Order a sampler platter to enjoy a variety of flavors. Come in during happy hour and dig into a big menu of sushi and kitchen items.

For the beer lovers out there, a visit to No Anchor is a must. This 21 and over establishment features a long row of handmade tap handles for the constantly revolving selection of on-draft options. The menu includes everything from cheese by the ounce to smoked and pickled mussels or a seared wagyu zabuton. An extensive list of options at approachable pricing means a visit to No Anchor floats to the top as a fun, adult-only eatery.

At Maslow's, enjoy a good meal and support education and the fight against poverty. This restaurant designed by Farestart helps train workers for skilled jobs in a restaurant setting. With small plates like a single crab cake or jerk chicken skewers, there's plenty of inexpensive options for a mid-day or evening fill up. Sandwiches and mains are just as affordable, making Maslow's a must-try as one of the best cheap Seattle restaurants.