Discover the Best Fried Chicken in Seattle

Seattle has a reputation for its quaint coffee shops, pleasantly-cool weather, and that iconic space needle. But, what many people don't realize: Seattle kitchens cook up some of the best fried chicken. For diners looking for savory, crispy chicken outside of the South, Seattle has just the spot. Restaurants throughout the city serve up fried chicken in Seattle, making it hard to pick one to try first. Our advice? Check out the Tastemaker 20. We’ve looked at thousands of restaurants to find the favorite restaurants among OpenTable’s expert, seasoned diners. Browse through the list of the best fried chicken in Seattle. Then, head to the one that sounds best for a guaranteed, finger-lickin' good meal.

The OpenTable Team

14 Restaurants

Updated January 10, 2020

Restaurants:	Ben Paris, Terra Plata, Shaker + Spear…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Contemporary American, Farm-to-table, Seafood…
Neighborhoods:	Downtown, Capitol Hill / First Hill, Belltown / Pike Place Market…

Ben Paris

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown

4.5

635 reviews

Ben Paris is a hit in Seattle for its inventive take on classic comfort foods, including the fried chicken sandwich. The sandwich is spicy, topped with Napa cabbage kimchi, pickled cucumbers, and sriracha mayo. The tang of the toppings balances perfectly with the richness of the chicken. The sandwich comes with fries. Diners recommend following it with one of the house desserts (the house-made Ben Paris Cookies are a visitor favorite). Floor-to-ceiling windows in the restaurant give its interior a bright and welcoming feel. The trendy mid-century Modern furniture makes it cozy and comfortable. Ben Paris is in Pike Place Market, which makes it a perfect destination for travelers checking out one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Terra Plata

$$$$

Farm-to-table

Capitol Hill / First Hill

4.6

3074 reviews

For another contender for the best fried chicken in Seattle (on a sandwich), head to Terra Plata to try their buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. The sandwich comes topped with pickled cabbage, aioli, and butter lettuce on a potato bun. The chef of Terra Plata, Tamara Murphy, came up with the concept behind the restaurant—"Earth to Plate"—to celebrate local growers and showcase ingredients inspired by the seasons. The restaurant has an edible garden and a rooftop dining area, and it is a spectacular spot for outdoor dining when the weather is nice. Terra Plata is in Seattle's beloved First Hill neighborhood.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Shaker + Spear

$$$$

Seafood

Belltown / Pike Place Market

4.4

1444 reviews

For some of the best fried chicken in Seattle in one of the most down-to-earth, neighborhood joints in the area, diners can head to Shaker + Spear. This seafood-forward restaurant with a menu featuring fresh, local ingredients is a foodie haven for Seattle locals and visitors alike. One of the most popular options on the menu is the fried chicken sandwich, which has a spicy red aioli on it. The sandwich also comes with fries, so diners can have their fill of potatoes alongside their sandwich. Shaker + Spear is casual, with tablecloth-free tables and a bustling, brasserie-like atmosphere. It is in Belltown, one of Seattle's most popular neighborhoods, also close to Pike Place Market.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Fiasco

$$$$

Italian

Wallingford

4.6

88 reviews

Claret is a popular wine bar in Seattle. Fiasco, a local Italian restaurant, created the food menu at Claret, so visitors can dine on delicious bites while they sip on wine and cocktails. The menu from fiasco has a wide variety of dishes, and it has small bites as well as entrees. At brunch, they serve some of the best fried chicken in Seattle. Diners rave about their Spiced Fried Chicken and French Toast entree, which comes with a side of butter and maple syrup. This dish perfectly rounds out the savory, sweet, salty flavor palette. Claret Wine Bar is in Wallingford, a popular neighborhood due north of the Space Needle. It offers a slew of outdoor seating, so visitors can choose it when they want to enjoy a beautiful Pacific Northwest day.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

D & E Pioneer Square

$$$$

American

Pioneer Square

4.4

47 reviews

D&E is the brainchild of a husband and wife team, Jonathan Fleming and Libby Aker. They aim to foster the sense of community and camaraderie that pervades the restaurant's neighborhood: Pioneer Square. The menu is eclectic with different international influences. Some popular options range from duck poutine to Korean muscles to pimento cheese. A diner favorite? THE Chicken Sandwich, like the restaurant, calls it. Visitors can order it served in a variety of ways, including topped with cheddar, provolone, bacon, D&E hot sauce, or ranch. Diners can also choose from a selection of sides, including fries, salad, or bacon cheese fries. This sandwich comes with an extra perk: a PNW Lager to wash it all down.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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2120

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown

4.7

1018 reviews

In the heart of 2120, is one of Seattle's best new restaurants: 2120. 2120 also has some of the best fried chicken in Seattle. The restaurant's brunch menu features seasonal, local ingredients and contemporary American dishes. Diners can order fried chicken on a biscuit. It features fried chicken, coyote's buttermilk-Aleppo biscuit, black pepper gravy, and honey butter. Lunchtime diners can order the fried chicken sandwich, which comes with napa cabbage, honey-dijonaise, house pickles, and garlic aioli. (there is also the option to add bacon and pepper jack cheese). Oenophiles should be sure to order a glass of wine: the entire menus features the best bottles and glasses from across the Pacific Northwest.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Hearth

$$$$

American

Kirkland

4.3

244 reviews

Located in Kirkland is Hearth: a restaurant focused on Northwestern cuisine and playful interpretations of classic American dishes. At the heart of the restaurant is the traditional hearth oven, where chefs prep most of the restaurant's dishes. One of the most popular dishes of the house? The fried chicken sandwich served at brunch and lunch. The sandwich itself is unique and flavorful with its brussels sprouts slaw and harissa aioli. and the chicken alone is some of the best fried chicken in Seattle and its surrounding areas. The sandwich comes with french fries.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Outlier

$$$$

American

Downtown

4.1

391 reviews

Outlier is a beloved restaurant in the heart of downtown Seattle. The chef, Anthony Sinsay, infuses his native Filipino cuisine with Pacific Northwest influences. One way this plays out creatively is with his spicy/sweet Fried Chicken Sandwich. The sandwich comes with Crystals hot sauce, coleslaw, and pickled Fresno chilis—balancing true heat with the delicate flavor of the slaw. Diners can also have their fried chicken on a salad instead of a bun. Outlier is trendy and artistic inside, with industrial decor accents, eye-catching pieces of art, and creative light fixtures.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge

$$$$

American

Queen Anne

4.7

3276 reviews

For a taste of New Orleans in Seattle, diners can visit Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge, located in the Lower Queen Anne area of town. Toulouse Petit offers one of the most popular brunches in Seattle. One reason for its popularity? The chicken fried chicken, which includes what many consider the best fried chicken in Seattle. The dish comes with two eggs, a homemade buttermilk biscuit, and spicy creole sausage gravy.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Capitol Cider

$$$$

Contemporary American

Capitol Hill / First Hill

4.4

766 reviews

In the heart of Pike/Pine is Capitol Cider, a traditional tavern with two floors. There's a party atmosphere at Capitol Cider, so diners can expect a rowdy, raucous good time. When it comes to fried chicken, the menu at Capitol Cider shines. The fried chicken sandwich comes with a buttermilk-breaded thigh, arugula, tomato, pickle, garlic aioli, and lettuce, all served on a bun. The menu here is huge, so diners with all sorts of palettes will find something to enjoy. Some of the most popular dishes on the menu are the flank steak salad and fish and chips.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Skillet Diner - Capitol Hill

$$$$

Contemporary American

Capitol Hill / First Hill

4.6

535 reviews

The Skillet Diner has been a popular spot for Casual American cuisine in Capitol Hill since 2011. The restaurant attracts a varied crowd: from families with kids to professionals who work in the area and need a lunch break. One of the best things to order? Fried chicken and waffle. The chicken is a thigh crusted with fennel seeds, and the waffle is a cornmeal waffle. For an additional charge, you can add an egg on top. For diners looking for simpler fried chicken, get it as an entree. It comes with a side of roasted carrots and potatoes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Umi Sake House

$$$$

Japanese

Downtown

4.7

1850 reviews

For an ethnic take on fried chicken, head to Umi Sake House, one of the best Japanese restaurants in the Seattle area. This casual restaurant stands out for its sake menu. It also has a great fried chicken dish: the spicy ginger chicken. The dish comes with fried chicken, spinach, and onion, and it's all mixed up with a spicy ginger chili sauce. For those diners who don't like spice, there is the chicken kara-age—fried chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, and soy, served with yuzu aioli. While at Umi Sake House, diners should also try some of the other authentic Japanese dishes, including the sushi rolls or Udon noodle dishes. Umi Sake House is in a convenient location, just minutes from Pier 69 and the Seattle Aquarium.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Barking Frog

$$$$

Northwest

Woodinville

4.7

3617 reviews

Foodies who love fried chicken should check out Barking Frog, technically located in Woodinville. The interior of Barking Frog is romantic, warm, and candlelit, making it a great spot for date night or dinner on a winter's eve. Some of the best fried chicken in Seattle is available here, served at lunch and dinnertime. Order Phil's Fried Chicken, which comes with spicy slaw, horseradish aioli, sliced pickle, and bacon on a potato bun. There are other comfort food options available alongside the chicken, like mac and cheese, a lamb burger, and crab cake sliders.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Yard House - Seattle

$$$$

American

Downtown

4.4

279 reviews

Yard House is a popular sports bar chain located just steps from Pike Place Market. They offer delicious fare—especially for diners who like good fried chicken. The menu features comfort food dishes and traditional sports bar fare, like the fried chicken tenders. They come with maple dijon, ranch, and fries. Visitors can come here to refuel during their explorations of the city. Or, they can sit down to watch their favorite team play on one of the many TVs around the dining room and bar.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Discover the Best Fried Chicken in Seattle

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