Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Gaucho

    4.2 (1.5k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSteakhouses, Seafood, Bars
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order El Gaucho Takeout or Delivery

    El Gaucho Photos

    Business Info

    EL GAUCHO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Loud
    Romantic
    Classy

    Recommended Reviews - El Gaucho

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Wagyu poutine
    Michael B.

    This was my first time visiting this location. I usually go to Tacoma or Aqua but decided to do something different. Service and food were excellent just like every El Gaucho establishment. Only complaint was the valet. Upon arriving valet was nowhere to be found so I left my Porsche in-front of the restaurant and gave my keys to the host. My car was moved up about 5 feet up from where I was originally parked. After dinner valet was still nowhere to be found. Checked in with the host again and you could see valet practically sprinting from down the street to give me my keys. Felt bad for him and gave him an $8 tip. If valet is struggling someone needs to help them!

    Leonard Jack ..

    This is a personal favorite for me! I've been to the old location almost 20 years ago, and it was time to revisit them in the new location. The atmosphere is amazing, with the dimly lit dining room and wine bottles displayed in towers and walls throughout the restaurant. The wait staff is beyond top notch. The very knowledgeable staff was ever present and able to assist with any questions we had. The meal was incredible, but the drink of choice was a blood orange old fashioned. I can say it might have been the best old fashioned I've drank in my adult life. The steak was cooked to perfection and worth every penny! I enjoyed the peppercorn NY cut. This steak was about $89, but they do have less expensive cuts like the baseball, which comes in at $57. The cost will be understood when having this dining experience. You can plan to spend $300 plus for a good date night. Again, worth it. 5 stars.

    Interior
    Harry M.

    It had been a few years since we last visited El Gaucho-Seattle! The restaurant is now in a new location in the Union Stables building. This is a vintage brick building facing Elliot Bay on Western Ave. a few blocks from El Gaucho's former space. Gone is that funky blue facade and El Gaucho sign. The new space is amazing with high ceilings, an energetic bar area, an open visible kitchen, a large primary dining area, and several private dining spots. From the valet and front of the house to the waiters, El Gaucho provided a welcoming environment! There was only one valet personnel working this Friday night so we had to wait a bit before he returned from the parking area to take our key. Once inside, we were seated immediately. Our server, Sarah and colleagues, were very personable and welcoming, and provided us with exceptional service which made our experience great! El Gaucho sets a romantic mood with its dimly lit interior, white table cloths, tailored waiters, and pianist playing in the background. We started our dinner with glasses on sauvignon blanc and blood orange old fashioned, and a dozen local oysters which were delicious! Next up were our entrees. My wife chose a couple of appetizers, the Wicked Shrimp (which had a nice spicy sauce) and the Diver Sea Scallops which included pommes puree, picatta topping, and lemon beurre blanc. Both of these dishes were excellently prepared and tasted great! Before arriving, I had already decided I was going to try the Canadian Lobster Tail (for those who have followed my reviews are aware, we are pescatarians). At El Gaucho there are several opportunities to enjoy a tableside presentation (caesar salad, flaming sword, Steak Diane, Chateaubriand, baked potato, and a couple desserts). So, the 18 oz Lobster Tail (accompanied with drawn butter and lemon) and baked potato were excellent prepared and presented tableside! We didn't do dessert on this occasion but definitely will on our next visit. We were presented with an after dinner ensemble of grapes, pears, and crackers. I must say the execution in the kitchen for our dinner was excellent as each entree was seasoned appropriately and not overcooked. Kudos to Executive Chef Joe and his team!! The only disappointment is that those wonderful views of Elliot Bay are no longer viewable from inside the new location but that's okay because the food, service, and inside ambiance are first rate.

    these potatoes were to die for
    Meredith F.

    We celebrate my birthday most years here. I love their OLD FASHION way of greeting you at the door and big, giant table side service. It is a blend between nostalgic, traditional and classic and it always feels like a celebration whenever you visit. The valet is always exceptional. They hired the nicest people to run the valet. They are a great hello and an awesome thoughtful goodbye as well. They helped my young daughter locate her Uber home. I really appreciate this added touch as parking is quite difficult and they make the experience quite lovely. The New York steak was, OF COURSE, out of this world. The potatoes --- when I asked my waiter -- "What is the secret you make them with?" He said so cutely, " Butter and then some more butter!" OMG, he is not lying and they are heavenly! I road that butter train hard. The wine menu while expensive, and expansive is worth talking about. My hubby and I know wines and love wines and have drank many a good wine -- we scoured the menu ... and to our surprise we found something absolutely delicious that did not break the bank. We ordered a bottle of their house signature wine... especially when we found out that it was made by Long Shadows out of Walla Walla. We about died. We thought they should advertise the wine maker. What a treat. What a beautiful Long Shadow wine is hiding in that El Gaucho bottle. We will get this every time. Look for it on the menu. I was surprised that we could find our price point on that fancy list, but we did. It was advantageous to buy the bottle rather than the $25 dollar glasses of wine. SO don't despair. I was a bit bummed that we sat in the far back extra room (that was not decorated or special in any way -- next year they should pour some love into the ambiance back there)... it's more our style to sit by the Christmas tree near the piano, but it was busy and my birthday is near Christmas -- so it often times doesn't work out. We moved to the bar later and got to have our ambiance and listen to the piano player play beautiful holiday music. We loved that moment of our evening and made it special. The young man who is the bartender made a fanstastic lemon drop - and he was talented at pouring good drinks, but I think he must have been serving on an off night -- as he seemed annoyed and grumpy. I don't usually experience that kindo f service at El Gaucho - so we are chalking it up to an unusual night for him. I have been a regular at El Gaucho since 1999 and I LOVED the "famous" bartender JOE at the original place. When you walked in he made you feel so special... so EXTRAORDINARY! You knew bartending was his LIFE and he lit the place up with his amazing over the top joy and happiness. He truly celebrated people and loved his regulars. He loved serving people with his generose spirit at the bar. We mostly ate at the bar, because he was so fun. I go to El Gaucho still today, because OF HIM back in the 2000's! I wish his energy and spirit still filled the place! He is irreplaceable I am sure, but his sweetness is surely missed. We came home with leftovers. The steaks were perfection. My daughter loved her "fancy-pants" meal and it was a giant splurge -- but well worth it and another night filled with incredible memories. Thank you El Gaucho.

    Chateaubriand, half lobster tail and scalloped potatoes.
    Charles C.

    Your service is impeccable and your food incredible. Always a great experience and each visit leaves us anxiously anticipating the next.

    Bread pudding
    Arizona P.

    2025 Christmas Eve family dinner. Enjoyed the service, food and fellowship. Reservations were easy, valet and check in were seamless. The food was as we remembered: good.

    Steak Diane
    Emi G.

    Customer service was amazing, the atmosphere is delightful, and every bite of food was mouth-watering. For starters, I tried the tenderloin Diablo and fried calamari, both of which were delicious. I highly recommend the Steak Diane, which you must split with another person. It was the best steak I've had, with a delicious sauce including mushrooms. It also comes with mashed potatoes and asparagus. In addition, the Guacho Mac & Cheese is delectable, as well as the scallops potatoes. Overall, a 10/10, and perhaps my new favorite steakhouse!

    Wedge salad
    Richard S.

    Now, 3 stars for the night we went, but make no mistake: this is a top shelf kind of place with a tremendous atmosphere and service. Just this night, their execution in the kitchen lacked in spots: Disappointment #1: The steaks. The steak pictured is not the one I sampled. But that steak pictured is a rare steak with a sear effect. The one I sampled was from a steak done medium and seared. Now, I've eaten thousands of steaks - and been to about any top tier place around the US. This steak was done with a majorly bitter burn taste. Not a "kinda going bitter....but way way way bitter taste. - Miss #2: The risotto. Not too recognizable as any risotto version I've ever had. Not sure what happened to this batch - but it was actually awful. Now for the good: Salads: with the Caesar or the wedge: both excellent. The bacon on the wedge was an excellent bacon. Scalloped potatoes: Probably the best dish of the night. However they make those - those are a best version of scalloped I've had most anywhere. French Onion soup: a very good French onion. Crab cakes: you're in Seattle and fresh seafood...they got this one right. Crème brûlée: an excellent traditional take on a classic dessert. All and all....this place will be a great restaurant option in Seattle...despite their major misses.....they had plenty of great execution on other dishes. But do be prepared to pay and it's not a budget friendly place: - I did (not) get an entree; I had a soup and salad. No alcohol on our tab. And the risotto was taken off the bill even though we didn't ask for that. Then, they added the tip: (3) people: $411. There's how come I go with 3 stars. For that kind of money; you shouldn't miss (or you should notice how burned the steak is) on something like a steak. Something they are preparing hundreds and hundreds of a week. Then the risotto - should be about their most popular side. Shouldn't miss on that one either.

    Macaroni and cheese was incredible
    Steve S.

    If 10 stars were possible, El Gaucho would receive that rating. My wife and I have crazy busy schedules and we were not able to go out and celebrate Valentine's Day. We did manage to book a reservation for the Tuesday after and we were really looking forward to our visit here. I had been to the old El Gaucho many years ago and learned that they have a new location since 2020. They relocated to a new downtown home in the union stables building. This historic site once housed 300 horses who had the job of pulling Seattle's street cars and fire engines. The building has retained many of its distinctive features and the inside is laid out very well. There is plenty of parking nearby. Our waiter, Back/Boch, warmly greater us, and gave us a rundown on the history of this location. We scouted out the menu in advance and decided on fried calamari for our appetizer. It was the perfect size portion and the calamari was tasty. For our entrées, I had the bone in ribeye, which was 18 ounces of perfectly grilled medium rare. My wife enjoyed grilled scampi pasta, which was a generous portion and the shrimp were perfectly done. Throughout the meal, the servers kept our glasses topped off And appeared quickly when we had a question. For dessert, we enjoyed the crème brûlée, which was anointed with fresh berries and mint. As with the rest of the meal, it was incredible. We watched as they prepared bananas Foster table side for an adjacent table.Outstanding presentation and it looked amazing. Have to remember to try that next visit. The food was outstanding, and the ambience was incredible. What truly made this meal special was our server. He was extremely kind and considerate and took the time to visit with us. He's been working for El gaucho for a number of years and really enjoys what he does. The entire staff has to be complimented for their outstanding customer service. We very much look forward to our next visit and highly recommend this to anyone looking for a special night out.

    Our steak arrives
    Charles C.

    I have eating countless times at the Portland location, first time at the Seattle for a memorable bday Dinner. Ambience and service is first rate plus. Abundant menus of great drinks, amazing sides and a made at table Caesars can't be missed of course you come for the steak! Must have sides are the sweet corn, Mac cheese and mash potatoes and every steak here is first rate. The after dinner cheese and fruit plate has shrunk considerably but given the quantity of food we often never were able to finish it. For BDay they offered us a wonderful dessert to go. Most certainly one of my favorite steak places in the US

    Maria E.

    Great service, great filet, the steak tartar was just ok. Sort of bland. The escargot was fine. The béarnaise was AMAZING! There is a service charge which is not called for when it's a small group of 3 people! Very expensive.

    Ribeye

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gary W.
    144
    674
    1829

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 minutes ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emi G.
    2
    9
    17

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Reis B.
    0
    106
    5

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Rob F.

    Rob F.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Man E.
    3
    195
    23

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    The food is beyond amazing and the staff is even more! Our favorite restaurant in Seattle!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Thanks for the great review, Mike! We hope to see you again soon.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria P.
    0
    35
    113

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason G.
    4677
    3625
    8831

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Wow! Such a beautiful cozy restaurant. The service was outstanding and the food was excellent!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bin D.
    0
    130
    301

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ryan A.

    Ryan A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 38

    Ask the Community - El Gaucho

    What is the usual attire for women in the summer?

    While El Gaucho strives to maintain *standards*, the fact is: Seattle doesn't. I have apologized for dressing less than formal and they shrug, as if to say: "Times have changed". *They* won't make you feel out of place; *I* encourage you to dress… Read more

    Where do customers usually park?

    Valet is best

    Are reservations NEEDED for lunch?

    No, because there only open for dinner ;-)

    Is there happy hour on dec 24?

    I would call them.

    Are you open Christmas eve?

    Website say that happy hour is not available during holidays. Is Mother's Day one of them, does anyone know?

    We have happy hour all night this Sunday! 4pm to close at 10pm. Happy Mother's Day!

    View All 8 Questions

    Old Stove Brewing - Pike Place

    Old Stove Brewing - Pike Place

    4.3
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Adé was our waiter and he was wonderful!! He was everywhere and he was just fantastic!!read more

    Came in on a Friday night and learned that Old Stove Brewing gets busy for a reason! All the…read moreoutdoor tables were full when we arrived at 6, so we put our name on the list for inside and waited about 30 minutes. The oysters were the main draw for me, and they were totally worth the visit. Old Stove serves them with a savory watermelon sauce in addition to a traditional cocktail sauce--eaten together, it's a flavor explosion that I can't quite describe. We also enjoyed the garlic everything fries, which were delicious! We just had to try a flight to sample the brews. There are some really good beers available here, especially the Belgian blonde, citra pale ale, and the stout. I did not really care for the seasonal sour (grapefruit, I think)--to me, it just tasted like a sour and nothing more, but someone with more interest in sour beers would probably enjoy it just fine. Despite the busy night, our server checked on us regularly and was very personable, stopping to chat with us about the local sports scene. There's plenty to look at, inside and out. If you can snag a seat outside, you'll get to enjoy the waterfront. Inside, the decor is industrial but fun. Not sure if this runs all the time, but when we were there, the tvs were playing vintage beer ads, which was quite fun. They also sell some pretty good t-shirt designs. Overall, Old Stove Brewing is the perfect combo of good location, good food, and good beer. Definitely recommend a visit when in the Pike Place area!

    Photos
    Lively Interior at Old Stove
    Lively Interior at Old Stove
    Poblano Mac n cheese
    Poblano Mac n cheese
    Outside patio

    See all

    Outside patio
    Half Shell

    Half Shell

    4.3
    (201 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I'd have to start by saying this place have the best and freshest oyster selections anywhere! It's…read morethat good that we ended up coming here for 3 days straight during our short stay in Seattle. We ended up trying 5 different kind of oysters all sourced locally and they're all just spectacular! Creamy, umami and oh so fresh! Hammersly, Eld Inlet and Cliff point among others. BTW their roasted oysters are also really good - larger size, fresh and juicy not overcooked. Pro tip: The best part is during happy hour from 3-6pm (and also maybe during lunch hours?) they're only $2 each which is a steal! Other than the oysters we also had the smoked black cod which is out of this world and a MUST GET in my book. The seafood assortment called the Pearl Platter if I remember correctly - it is a good way to sample a little bit of everything. It has the smoked black cod, snow crabs, scallops aguachile, shrimps, and oysters. Service is always prompt and friendly. They have cozy indoor seating as well as a patio seating with nice view of the waterfront area. My favorite drink here is the dillenger which is smooth and balanced with a hint of dills. Can get busy at times so book ahead if possible. Located in the quieter section between Pike Place Market and Belltown. Highly recommended. 15 minutes walking from Pioneer Square area.

    Half Shell is a delightful seafood joint near Pikes Market and they have a solid happy hour. $2…read moreoysters, even if tiny, are fresh and tasty (mignonette is light on the shallots). $4 roasted oysters are delish and definitely worth getting a couple - the nduja adds a punch of flavor. The mini lobster roll ($14) has a good bit of lobster and right balance of lemon aioli. burger is a fair, meaty burger done well; may not be the most remarkable but good for the price. Service is nice and it's a sleek and inviting vibe inside with a view of the water.

    Photos
    Bar side with local sports
    Bar side with local sports
    I can eat oysters all day
    I can eat oysters all day
    $2 happy hour

    See all

    $2 happy hour
    Shaker + Spear

    Shaker + Spear

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    While visiting Seattle for a few days, I made reservations at Shaker + Spear and wasn't quite sure…read morewhat I wanted to order. I noticed the salmon on the menu and decided to give it a try since I was looking for something a little lighter. I am so glad I did. Without exaggeration, it was the best salmon I've ever had. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the sauce and accompanying ingredients brought everything together beautifully. Every bite was outstanding. Beyond the food, the atmosphere was fantastic, the service was friendly and attentive, and the bar offered a great selection of cocktails and spirits. If you're visiting Seattle or looking for a great dining experience, I would absolutely recommend Shaker + Spear. The salmon alone is worth coming back for.

    Nice and easy restaurant attached to a hotel. Service was rather slow this evening as there was…read moreonly one cook in the kitchen. It's nice to watch the staff cook because it tells you that the food is fresh. I have high expectations for seafood in Seattle. However, I was disappointed with the scallops as it tasted raw and cool to the touch in the center. I'm not a scallop expert but this one missed the mark - the flavors were off with the sauce (tasted earthy). Presentation and color looked good, but this didn't taste good. Also came here breakfast several times. I don't have pictures, but each time the breakfast was amazing!

    Photos
    Welcome note..
    Welcome note..
    Mussels
    Mussels
    Grilled Tiger Prawns*

    See all

    Grilled Tiger Prawns*
    The Capital Grille

    The Capital Grille

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$$

    On Monday, June 8th, 2026, I celebrated my birthday at The Capital Grille with my son and his…read moreamazing girlfriend. From the moment we entered and my son gave his name for the reservation, I was greeted with happy birthday wishes by the hostesses. His girlfriend met us there, and she was already seated. The table had confetti in celebration of my birthday. I was so impressed and truly honored that someone from The Capital Grille took the time to write me a personal birthday card from the restaurant. WOW! Our server, Antonio (Tonio), was professional, attentive, kind, patient, and fun. He was incredibly accommodating, especially to the member of our party who had a gluten and red bell pepper allergy. He was a major part of making sure our experience was a very memorable one. The food was absolutely delectable! I had the surf and turf with lobster tail and medium-well steak, which was topped with jumbo lump crab meat and rich béarnaise sauce. The other guests dined on Cooper River salmon with risotto, along with seared scallops and lobster risotto. The night ended with the most beautiful surprise, which included a well-decorated plate with "Happy Birthday," a cheesecake topped with burnt sugar, and fruit compote, also a chocolate espresso cake that had my taste buds dancing. Thank you to the management and staff at The Capital Grille for making my actual birthday dinner a night to remember. The restaurant is beautiful and very clean. This is so important to me, because I check the health inspection score to determine whether or not I will dine at a restaurant.

    We stopped in at lunchtime for a cup (or bowl!) of clam chowder after reading so many great…read morereviews. We were on our way to MOPOP and definitely weren't dressed for a place this nice. The moment we walked in, we thought, "Uh-oh, maybe we should turn around!" But nope--the hostess greeted us immediately with a warm welcome and made us feel completely comfortable. Even without a reservation, we were seated right away. Our server came by quickly, and I ordered an Arnold Palmer because I'd been drinking way too much all week and needed a break. Let me tell you--that was hands down the BEST Arnold Palmer I've ever had! For lunch, I ordered the clam chowder and the NY Strip Frites, served with fries and two dipping sauces. Do I remember the names of those mysterious green sauces? Absolutely not. But what I do know is that I'm not usually a sauce person, and by the end of the meal, I was scraping every last bit off my plate. They were that good! Everything was delicious, the service was fantastic, and the atmosphere was welcoming despite our very casual appearance. I'll definitely be back on my next trip so I can experience even more of the menu. And one last thing: as we were leaving, they handed us these tiny candies that packed a surprisingly huge punch of flavor. I'm still kicking myself for not getting the name of them--or any of the sauces, for that matter. If the staff happens to read this, just know that when I come back, I'm heading straight for that candy bowl. No shame whatsoever!

    Photos
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

    See all

    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.
    Zig Zag Cafe

    Zig Zag Cafe

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    It's the night before FIFA and the city is alive with the pulse of summer. Zigzag Café tucked away…read moreon a terrace right beneath the Pike Lake Market is probably one of the best secrets of Seattle. When you come to town you want to visit this place... Maybe because of the vibe, maybe because of the mood lighting which is a sultry red, maybe because of the fresh signature roses, maybe because of the outstanding bartenders... Maybe because there's a patio outside under the stars and the lights, but the outstanding cocktails are always past of the experience. But you never get less than outstanding service when you walk into the ZigZag Café. Starts from the top with the owner and filters all the way through the bartenders, servers, and the hostesses. I tried the passionfruit colada and shifted to a whiskey sour with egg whites. Outstanding was the Burrata with yummy fried garlicky lentils, sweet heirloom tomatoes garnished with a generous springy of micro greens and drizzled with a glorious balsamic reduction...and chewy, thick slices of grilled sourdough. Perfection. Bartenders Eli and Ricky were top-notch de rigueur-- this place only has the best bartenders (including the legendary Murray ruled the bar for an era ) -- and Hannah was the hostess with the mostest. Every time I left my seat at the bar I would come back to the folded napkin. Simply amazeballs when the place is so packed. Because it was a Sunday night there was an amazing jazz trio. They started at eight and went through 1030. Not too loud so we couldn't speak but sultry and rich and soulful with joy. No cover charge -- just all part of the extraordinary hospitality that exemplifies the iconic ZigZag.

    Way too expensive. A tiny bowl of popcorn costs $8, and they added a 21% service charge for all…read morebills... definitely not paying their employees enough :( Drinks were yummy but ridiculous prices and mid-service do not draw me back.

    Photos
    Bartender mixing drinks
    Bartender mixing drinks
    Burrata salad
    Burrata salad
    Pretty bottles

    See all

    Pretty bottles

    El Gaucho - steak - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...