Matador Ballard

397

540

1712

16 years ago

This is one of my favorite happy hours, although trying to get a seat in this establishment, is next to impossible because it is so popular. They used to have chorizo quesadillas on the happy hour menu, but it doesn't look like they have those anymore. It was delish, best meal ever (although very rich). They also have pretty spicy chips & salsa. And the prawns were good too. The decor is quite entertaining and there is stuff everywhere. Even the hallways to the bathrooms and the bathrooms themselves have ambiance. Happy hour is from 4-6p.m. and again from 10p.m.-1a.m. everyday. I think all bars should have happy hour daily, even on the weekends! They also have a great outdoor seating area, which is nice to sit during the summers. Although again, very hard to actually get a seat and wait times can be long. read more

Matador Ballard - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Annie R.

569

412

8 years ago

Came in for the fourth time I believe, got seated immediately. Then waited TWELVE MINUTES to get my order taken. I was so close to leaving but my friend really wanted tacos. If I ha seven alone; I definitely would have left. So then we ate, my tacos were dry and that's never happened before. And the waiter cleared my plate WHILE I was eating!! I literally took a bite of my taco, put it back on my plate and then he took he took my plate?! like ????? This made me sad I brought my friend here Bc I've loved coming here but wow I may not come back. read more

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Zak M.

Thank you for your review, Annie! We hope to make your next visit a…

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Laura N.

4 years ago

The restaurant is amazing with great vibes and great food, but what put it over the edge was the great service from Fernando! 10/10 would recommend read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Laura!

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Alessa M.

4 years ago

Love matador - vibe, location, food! Rocco waited on us and he was so patient when we wanted some custom drinks. We asked for a mix of things and he came up with a custom spicy, skinny margarita that was bomb! Can't wait to come back! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Alessa!

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Maria C.

4 years ago

I came in for happy hour with my partner on a Thursday. We'd been here before so we knew what we wanted- the nachos. Do yourself a favor and get them! Angel was our server. She was so kind, patient, and attentive! She added to the good vibes the restaurant had going on. I mean, how could you not love nostalgic early 2000s music playing? This is my favorite place for happy hour. Good food, great service, good vibes! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Maria! We are glad you enjoyed the service,…

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Tommy N.

421

4 years ago

Jess L was so dog dang cool. She might be the best waitress evers. Like I'm super serious. Soooo serious. God dog fantastic.

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Tommy!

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Samantha W.

327

5 years ago

One of the best happy hours around. Giant nachos will feed you and a friend and the new space is gorgeous!

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Zak M.

Thanks for the great review, Samantha! We are glad you enjoyed the…

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Maeve S.

5 years ago

Fantastic atmosphere at their new location! The large indoor eating area is situated so that you still have some some of privacy and the interior still feels cozy. Our server was friendly and timely with taking drink and food orders. The margaritas were great and decently priced! I tried the jalapeño margarita and the house margarita. Both were good but the jalapeño one wasn't different enough to be worth the extra money for me. The food was delicious! Everything you could ask for and more. We were particularly thrilled by the vegetarian and vegan options on the menu and the server's diligence in confirming whether we wanted our dishes vegetarian OR vegan. The impossible meat is a game changer for tacos and enchiladas. Thanks for a great experience! read more

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Zak M.

Maeve,…

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Sasa P.

524

605

500

8 years ago

We went for happy hour - which is the time to go because otherwise I think the food would have been overpriced for what it was. GREAT happy hour specials (ONLY for FOOD). We got the nachos, the shrimp tacos, and the BBQ pork ribs, and I had a house margarita. Honestly the margarita was the most standout - just really well made. The food was good but not great, but hey it wasn't expensive either because of the deals. The service was also really helpful. I hate cilantro and they made extra efforts to make sure none of the items accidentally came with cilantro on them! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for the great star-review Sarah. We like to think we have the…

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Kylie G.

4 years ago

Fernando was awesome!! Great food, drinks, and service. The vibe is also so great, will be back!

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Kylie!

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Bobby S.

4 years ago

Great spot with great service from Cassie! Had the southwest chicken enchiladas! Great flavor and a generous portion size. The margaritas are great here as well and on top of it all, they give chips and salsa on the house read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for the great review, Bobby! We are glad you enjoyed the…

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Shritha G.

107

4 years ago

Matador is one of our favorites in Ballard and Jess L was so sweet and accommodating!! We are return customers and will continue to come back! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Shritha!

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Rich B.

4 years ago

Our first time back to Matador since the pandemic. It was as great as we remembered it. Makena (sp?) was our server and she was fantastic! I had the burrito verde and it was delicious. My husband had the carne asada which was perfect. Thanks for a great impromptu date night. read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Rich! Glad you all had such a great night at…

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Austin A.

4 years ago

Very happy with the service i received on my recent trip to the Ballard location. Gaby was super helpful and made our experience the best ever. Definitely hit it up if your in the Ballard area! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Austin! We are glad you joined us at the…

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Kelsey L.

634

4 years ago

Went last night for a late night dinner and drink. Sat at the bar and Baleigh was so sweet and provided such great service! Definitely will be back! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Kelsey!

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Dianne G.

4 years ago

Had the best experience here tonight! We had a large party (11 people!!!) and they were able to seat us right away at 8pm on a Saturday even though they were obviously busy and had several parties waiting for tables. They really took care of us-- super attentive and timely. The food here was also BOMB. We got nachos and the jalapeños to start and individual dishes all came out hot and DELICIOUS. When it came time for the check, the bill was already pre-split!! Our waitress Paige was amazing. Definitely coming back :)))). read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Dianne! Please join us again soon!

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Rex Q.

4 years ago

Always a great time at The Matador. Tried a new beer an employee named Angel recommended. It was really good. Great service, good food, amazing happy hour. read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Rex!

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Brendan M.

502

5 years ago

Haven't been to the matador in awhile. Was excited to go as I'm a huge agave fan. The service was terrible, the food was worse. Ended up going with the safest bet in the dip trio. It was just not good. It's unfortunate but felt cheated when the server saw that I didn't like it cause I literally ate none but one taste of each and never helped me out. Super disappointed overall, can't say I'll be back unless service changes at some point. read more

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Robin C.

Hi Brendan,…

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Lourdes F.

4 years ago

great food, upstanding service ! Fernando made our visit fun with the best suggestions and service!! Hasta la próxima read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Lourdes!

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Kait H.

Elite 21

298

7 years ago

Rule of thumb: Get the Nachos. Get the Nachos. Get the Nachos!! Great happy hour - really, prices are significantly reduced from regular menu prices. Additionally, very generous portion sizes. Great natural lighting inside, and plenty of TVs to catch a game. read more

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Zak M.

Our nachos are definitely one of our most popular dishes - we're…

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Diana T.

4 years ago

We have to give a HUGE shout out to the staff at The Matador Ballard. We had a rather large party and the hostess, Gaby was very accommodating. Darby our waitress was not only efficient but very attentive and personable who provided us with exceptional service and made our event so special! It was my brothers birthday and we had our parents aunt, uncle, cousin and some friends all at the same table. With it being a Friday we were not sure that it would work-but not only did it work but exceeded all of our expectations. Food of course was amazing, ambiance-on point. We couldn't not have asked for a better place to celebrate! A shout out to the manager, Robin as well in assisting with other staff members in making it a very memorable experience. Thank you all SO much!!! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Diana! Great to read your feedback, and we…

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Ren M.

4 years ago

Friends and I do this thing where we order everything off the happy hour menu and it was really good. Also our server Jess L. was sooooo cool! read more

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Mia B.

239

7 years ago

Grabbed tacos to go at the Ballard location. Regret that choice because the atmosphere in the restaurant looked super fun! The tacos were also incredible. The carnitas street tacos were my favorite, followed by the pork belly! read more

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Zak M.

Hey Mia!…

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Natalie C.

139

4 years ago

Thank you Fernando!!! Best service, great food. Can't wait to come back. Shrimp tacos and the ambiance was great!

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Natalie!

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Imelda F.

4 years ago

We had a great experience at The Matador last Sunday, Oct 16th. Fernando was our server and the service and attention couldn't have been better. We would highly recommend this place for an enjoyable evening. read more

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Zak M.

Hi Imelda, We're delighted to hear about your experience! We look…

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Simon Y.

4 years ago

I've been in the hospitality business for decades and it's rare to come across a true soul that loves to provide incredible service. Jess L. should get a millions stars. Full Stop. read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Simon!

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Charlene R.

290

4 years ago

Love this place! Great ambience, great food, and our bartender, Bailey, was awesome! I come here EVERY time I'm in town and they never disappoint. read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Charlene!

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Hannah F.

4 years ago

Rocco S. was fantastic, such a good cucumber jalapeño margarita, and a wonderful happy hour menu.

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Zak M.

Thanks for the great review, Hannah! We are glad you enjoyed the…

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Alex S.

4 years ago

Karen is amazing, will pick this place over all the other choices in Ballard just for the chance for her to wait my table

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Alex! We hope to see you again soon!

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carla h.

4 years ago

Felt like the server and crew were in a hurry to get us out. We continued to order food and drinks yet they consistently wanted to pack us up and send us in our way. Won't be back. read more

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Zak M.

Hi Carla,…

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Megan K.

109

4 years ago

Love coming here and love how much more spacious the new location is. The nachos are always amazing and Fernando is always the best!

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Zak M.

Hey Megan, We appreciate the time you took to give us such a great…

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Anna M.

4 years ago

The food was amazing and out waiter Fernando was awesome! He was attentive and very helpful. Will be back for sure.

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Anna!

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Maggie H.

119

4 years ago

Fernando was amazing - our server was amazing. Food delicious !! And great drinks ! !!

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Maggie!

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Julia B.

4 years ago

We were looking for food late night and were absolutely thrilled to finally find this spot. Had such amazing service from Fernando, tons of fun. Love the late night hh too! read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Julia!

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Jessie M.

281

4 years ago

we were in last week and Fernando did an amazing job! The food was fantastic, the service was great we will definitely be coming back. Thank you for a great evening Ballard Matador read more

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Jessie!

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Izzy H.

4 years ago

Great happy hour, our server Rocco was the best!!! Was incredibly attentive and sweet, great place!

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Izzy!

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Danny S.

4 years ago

Jess L was a great server! Love Matador's food and margs. Great date spot and friend spot.

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Zak M.

Thanks for your review, Danny!

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Abdullah A.

696

777

1063

7 years ago

The happy hour is still great, but not quite as dominant as I remember (granted I hadn't been to this location, or any Matador for the last three years). The nachos are the best deal in town at $5, with a huge platter of chips well covered in goodies. I especially like the cilantro sour cream. Protein options are extra. The roasted brussel sprouts are a worthwhile add. I tried the habanero shrimp, which came with a creamy hot pepper sauce. Do recommend. The happy hour menu is varied and tasty all around, with most options going for about $5-$7. read more

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Zak M.

Hi Abdulla,…

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Kemuel S.

152

4 years ago

First time at matador and I absolutely loved my experience. Our server Jess L. was amazing, attentive, and provided great service!! 10/10 would recommend and I will be back. Great ambiance as well and it was really nice that it is open late. Food was delicious and delivered promptly, as ordered. read more

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Zak M.

Dear Kemuel, Thanks so much for taking the time to share your…

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Page 7 of 32

5410 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Ballard
Directions
(206) 297-2855
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://matadorrestaurants.com/locations/ballard

Full menu

Hours

What time does Matador Ballard open?

Matador Ballard opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Matador Ballard close?

Matador Ballard closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Matador Ballard closes at 2:00 AM (Next day) on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Next day)Fri-Sat 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Matador Ballard take Bitcoin?

No, Matador Ballard does not take Bitcoin.

Does Matador Ballard take credit cards?

Yes, Matador Ballard takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Matador Ballard have catering options?

Yes, Matador Ballard does have catering options.

Does Matador Ballard have a drive thru?

No, Matador Ballard does not have a drive thru.

Does Matador Ballard have a happy hour?

Yes, Matador Ballard has a happy hour.

Does Matador Ballard serve alcohol?

Yes, Matador Ballard serves alcohol. Full Bar

Services

Is Matador Ballard by appointment only?

No, Matador Ballard is not by appointment only.

Indoor Amenities

Does Matador Ballard allow dogs?

No, Matador Ballard does not allow dogs.

Does Matador Ballard have TVs?

Yes, Matador Ballard has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Matador Ballard have bike parking?

Yes, Matador Ballard has bike parking.

Does Matador Ballard have outdoor seating?

Yes, Matador Ballard has outdoor seating options.

Does Matador Ballard have parking?

Yes, Matador Ballard has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Matador Ballard wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Matador Ballard is wheelchair accessible.

Does Matador Ballard allow outdoor smoking?

No, Matador Ballard does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does Matador Ballard have free WiFi?

No, Matador Ballard does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

At the Matador, tequila is more than a beverage--it's an integral part of our culture. It is who we are. We immerse ourselves in it. We know the landscape and the people who make a difference within it. We love everything about tequila, and we enjoy sharing our knowledge, to help our guests appreciate it as much as we do. Must be 21+.

More Info

Health Score

Matador Ballard Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Matador Ballard

Are dogs allowed in the outdoor seating area?

Hi there! We do allow dogs on the patio :)

Does this restaurant have air conditioning?

Hi Mel, We do have air conditioning. We also get a good cross breeze when we open the big front…

Do they have private room for larger groups?

Hi there! We do rent out our Mezcaleria for private events. It holds up to 40 people comfortably. Please email me directly at rcassidy@ matadorrestaurants.com and I can send…

Coming from out of town, I assumed parking is free after 8 pm. What is the policy? My assumption cost us ...$44 bucks. Hehe.

Parking is free around here after 8...if you can find street parking!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Stumbletown

We came here for the super viral Steak Easy pop up and it did not disappoint! There's a lot of…read morereviews saying that the wait times are long but I don't think it was that bad. We arrived right at the opening time and there was a line, but it moved pretty quickly and we got our food in about 30 min. As for the food quality, these were some of the best steaks I've had in Seattle at this price point. $15 for 4 oz steak frites is a great deal, and they really load you up on the fries so you get full even with just a 4 oz steak. The steak is cooked perfectly edge to edge pink since it's sous vide. They get a nice sear on the outside so you still develop a good crust and deep flavor. It's super tender and I love the fat cap adding a beefier richness. The best sauce by far was the Sichuan Au Poivre. It was creamy, rich, and had a light citrusy peppercorn flavor. The highlight was this sauce with the fries. The sauce soaking into the beefy tallowy frites was amazing. My only complaint is I wish it had a stronger peppercorn flavor. I also liked the duck breast with the au Poivre sauce (maybe even more than the steak).

My friend and I came here midday on a Saturday, hoping to try out the Steakeasy popup. I was…read morehonestly a bit nervous beforehand, as I'd read quite a few reviews that had cited long lines, really long wait times for food, and people's orders getting lost. I can't fault a place for having lines (if you're popular, you're popular) but I was worried that we'd be dealing with both long lines and long wait times for food given that it was a weekend. I even packed a snack just in case, since I can get pretty hangry. Thankfully, the whole process was actually really smooth! My guess is that the expansion of Steakeasy's hours to include both lunch and dinner instead of just lunch has taken the pressure off the lunch service. We only waited in line for about two minutes before ordering, which was super easy given the limited menu. We were given little number signs to bring to our seats and found seats relatively easy. Now I wouldn't come here with a huge group, as most of the tables here are on the smaller side (2-4 tops) but the two of us sat down at the bar and soon after we sat down a couple tables became available. While waiting for our food, I took full advantage of the Stumbletown bar and first got a Blackberry Gin-ger and then a Purple Rain. Can you tell I like gin? I loved the cocktails and they're super quick. Food came out pretty quickly, and we were digging in about 10-15 minutes after we ordered. I got an 8 oz steak frites with chimichurri, and my lunch buddy got a 4 oz steak frites with the Sichuan au poivre. We both got our sauces on the side, which they were happy to accommodate, so that we could dunk the steak and keep our fries crispy. The steak here seems to be generally cooked to medium doneness. My ideal is a medium rare but I can rock with a medium if needed. The cut is a lean one, so this is more of a meaty one where you'll need to use your teeth than a melt in your mouth type of situation. The sauces are great, and I think the meal really benefits from the green freshness of the chimichurri. While the Sichuan au poivre seems popular (and I definitely dunked my fries in my friend's au poivre sauce) there isn't actually much Sichuan peppercorn flavor. The fries were pretty solid and plentiful. Due to having our sauce on the side, most of our fries stayed crispy until we ate them. The steak frites here are a really good value, with a 4 oz steak frites going for $15 and an 8 oz steak frites going for $25. Is this the best steak ever? No, but it definitely scratches that itch and is a good time. Worth trying!

Chilled Corn bisque with radish, Calabrian chili oil and smoked trout (trout optional but HIGHLY recommend)

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Ruby

4.8

(33 reviews)

2.0 mi

excellent cocktails. and they have a ("reluctant") happy hour 4-6 daily. kitchen is actually an air…read morefryer under the bar. come for the drinks. soundtrack: Neo Soul, baby! so chill. A+++ (Hiatus Kaiyote, D'Angelo, Thundercat, etc.)

Best teeny-tiny bar in Seattle! Super drinks, decor and customer service. I always have a good time…read moreat Ruby's.

Inside bar

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Wildwood Spirits

4.9

(10 reviews)

0.5 mi

Love love love this place. It's so tiny but the drinks are good. There's exactly 4 seats at the…read morecounter. There's an indoor garage area with a door that rolls up in the summer. There's also a small patio. The drinks are great. You can order from the menu and they can make other things if they have the ingredients. I had an off-menu Boulevardier for instance. Dogs are welcome here.

This is now one of my neighborhood favs and I would add it to the Seattle tourist trail. It really…read moreis that fun, that distinctive, and that good. I sat in the bar area, which is mellow, elegant, and cozy. I had the classic whiskey flight and each pour was delicious. The $10 price tag was also much appreciated, in this expensive city. The bartender was extremely knowledgeable and kind, answering all my questions. I learned a lot and never felt talked down to. My visit ended with a tour of the distillery, which is beautiful and interesting. Add this one to your list!

Whiskey barrels in the distillery area

A little reflection play

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Alcohol Free Designated Diver

Essex

i know most people come here just waiting for delancey but i might argue this is the better…read moreexperience. beautifully decorated, amazing service. and you can get delancey meatballs here which is the best thing in the menu. cocktails are a touch pricey even for seattle but i'd go back.

A nice little bar (Essex), associated with Delancey. It's clear that the wait for a table at…read moreDelancey is frequently long, and they have wisely separated the bar area, and made it independent, so that waiting at the bar (Essex) wouldn't clog the front entrance of Delancey. We ordered munchies and drinks while we waited for our table at Delancey. The bartender / server knew we would be headed to Delancey in 40 minutes or so, and handled things well accordingly. We got a plate of olives (tasty, great finger food) and drinks. The Yonder cider was good, not too sweet. The Martini was tasty. I had two quibbles: The first was with the pricing: the martini was charged as two separate items: 1) gin (I suppose the charge varies by the kind of gin or vodka in your martini) 2) martini (which is apparently the non-vodka or or non-gin part of your drink) While I'm sure this makes it easier to track for the bartender and inventory, as well as for charging, as a customer, it's a little odd to have a mixed drink be a two-part charge. The second was the included 20% automatic gratuity. I don't object to the concept of a standard service charge, I just wish it had been more prominently displayed so that I wouldn't have added a 20% tip on top of that (and my tip was on the amount that included tax, service charge and drinks / food). So, buyer beware ... the service is good, the ambiance is nice, the food and drinks are good -- but the payment / billing is non-standard, and can cause unexpected surprises.

Cloudburst brew

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Sophon

4.4

(139 reviews)

1.7 mi

Everything was delicious! Lots of flavor in all dishes. We tried two small plates, the seasonal…read moregreens with salted soy beans and shallots and the tuna crudo. For our main course, we went with the pork belly and were not disappointed. Service was attentive. Food came out quickly! Lots of GF/gluten free and DF options! Loved to ambiance! Very cozy.

Dinner from Nov 26, 2025 I have been meaning to dine at…read moreSophon in Greenwood/Phinney Ridge area ever since a Cambodian friend raved about them. I am showing my age by saying the restaurant is VERY LOUD, and our table was in a very dark spot in the restaurant. Oddly, they didn't have enough table lamps for all the dark tables. Our server said they "ran out". How does that happen? I stalked a departing table to take their rechargeable lamp. Anyway, my expectations were likely too high going in, and I was annoyed before even ordering, turning on our cellphone light to read the menu. The food is pretty good, though not mind-blowing good like the reviews suggest, and we had one bad dish. They offer varied Khmer dishes beyond noodle varieties, which is a plus. Go if you are looking for variety, skip the fish, bring ear plugs, and hope you have a brighter table than ours. Parking is street only. 3 Stars for the food, minus 1 star for the restaurant environment (unrelated to staff) The Food: k'tiss dip with crudités, $18 - 4 Stars We chose the marrow stone blue oyster mushroom option - p'set. The mushrooms are sautéed in Khmer seasonings, fermented bean curd, and coconut milk. The veggies are mildly pickled. They paired surprisingly well and a unique dish to try. kroeung kumeraage, $15 - 4 Stars This dish has an option of fried chicken or fried mushrooms. We chose the chicken since we already had mushrooms. Kroeung is the Khmer seasoning. Our server said this dish and papaya salad are amongst the most popular. Since we have a veggie dish, we chose this over the papaya salad (which looks great, too). The chicken is lightly fried, not crispy outside, super tender, and paired well with the kroeung aioli. trei chmouy tuk tei omperi, $40 - 1 Star The menu says serves 2 but not really. The is a pan seared fish, make your own fish wrap. We did not know we ordered a DIY dish, which is ok in principle, just not good to be surprised. The menu doesn't say so; the server didn't mention it. Luckily, by this time of the meal, we have acquired the little table lamp, which enabled me to see the long fish bones that had not been removed. FIVE of them. The noodles are a pathetic overcooked limp pile. The best part is the turmeric sauce. Do not order this dish. Epilogue: I happened to walk by Sophon this past weekend. I was surprised to see a sign saying they are temporarily closed to resolve internal issues. (See photo) That is never a good reflection of management. There is now a GoFundMe for the unpaid staff who had to quit their jobs.

Awaiting its opening back in Sept 2023 (2/2/24)

Excitement galore. Lots of media buzz awaiting Sophon's opening. (2/2/24)

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Exterior back in Sept 2023 when I pulled over. Curious what was going to open in the former Hecho and Martino's spot. (2/2/24)

Roam

4.4

(16 reviews)

0.3 mi

Roam has become my go to neighborhood bar. We watched almost all the Mariners Playoff Games there…read more Great specials and Happy Hour. Currently they have Monday Night Football specials and the HH runs 4-7 with great deals. My go to food wise isn't on the HH menu but doesn't matter I almost always order it. Cocktails it depends what I'm in the mood for sometimes I just do NA options. What really makes Roam special is the team all three main bartenders are friendly and make everyone feel at home. Alex, Trent and Jonah are great, you can tell they care about the establishment they work for. Comfortable non stuffy space we usually sit at the bar but there is a couch and tables with stools available as well on the first floor which is where we usually hang out during the weekdays.

Trent really knows how to create an experience. This place is seriously one-of-a-kind it's…read moreliterally the only spot I know where you can play basketball and shoot pool at the same time. But what really stands out is the mixology. These aren't your typical cocktails they're doing something really creative and unique here. I recommend trying the Hugo, Bourbon St. Fashion. Each drink had its own character and profile. The upstairs area is where it's at. The atmosphere up there just hits different, perfect energy that makes you want to stay all night. Pro tip: if you go on Sundays, up-and-coming house and EDM DJs to perform. It's a great way to discover new talent. I recommend dropping in on the weekend.

Elote cup and chips from HH menu and quesadillas from MNF menu

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Sapa: Empress Gin, St Germaine, egg white, Tonic, Basil and cloud

The Ink Drinker

4.2

(18 reviews)

0.1 mi

I am obsessed with this place. I tend to just show up on the weekend without a reservation and…read moresaddle up to the bar. Cocktails are a bit pricy but that's to be expected at a book bar. In my various visits I have spent no less than 3 hours here reading amongst my people (other book nerds). If you love cocktails and books, this place is perfect for you

Worst experience ever at the Ink Drinker. A friend and I wanted a quiet place to meet up and listen…read moreto high end audio gear and found this spot on yelp. Seemed perfect - cocktails, easily accessible, with tasty looking drinks and snacks. When we arrived at 5:30p on a weekend evening , it wasn't that busy, particularly closer to the bar, so we sat at a table with no people close by. In contrast, there were two groups talking in conversationally norm tones closer the entrance and window. After about 20 Min, a server who didn't originally serve us (apparently the owner) told us it was "quiet reading time" and just repeated the phrase in an annoyed, condescending tone when we tried to ask for clarification regarding what that meant (she seemed to intentionally ignore us despite by friend trying to flag her down 4 times ) . We subsequently asked our original server if our modified whisper level was acceptable. She said "yes" And actually kindly asked us about our hobby. However, the purported owner returned 10 min later , targeting just us (not the people up front who were talking louder than us at this point) , saying we were not complying and needed to close our bill (our drinks were not half-finished at that point). We asked if there was anywhere she could recommend for an alternative to converse quietly, and she bluntly and aggressively stated, "Anywhere but here" to by friend's reasonable question. The onwr then charged me double the cost of my 14 dollar drink ($31) , making not effort to reimburse me and stating that it was my fault for not catching this?!? Huh?!? The owner then proceeded made several concerning, microaggressive, racially concerning statements that left myself and my fellow attendee shocked and sick to our stomachs. I was blown away. I actually recorded part of this on video, but won't post it here unless someone wants a clarification. Next, the owner rapidly escorted us out, though my friend was not asked to pay for his drink. She told Me to "Get out!!!" , and mumbled something that I can't mention, as I am not sure I could believe what I heard. I have lived in Seattle for 24 years and have never been treated as such condescending and insolent manner, let alone by the owner of an establishment that frankly I was excited to check out prior to this debacle. I was looking for a place to gather quietly but apparently they expect you to drink in silence , which was never clarified to me. On top of this, the one person that we could tell was reading, didn't seem bothered when we checked in with her. On top of this, the one person that we could tell was reading, didn't seem bothered when we checked in with her. An older group and separate younger were allowed to carry on despite speaking louder than us (still conversationally , but definitely not whispering as we had been trying to do). Neither of these groups were individuals of color- which I bring up, due to the differential treatment we received despite all of us speaking or whispering in similar tones, and due to the words told to me that I'm having a hard time believing I heard - let's just say I felt "profiled" ... if you know what I mean. In summary , DO NOT come here if you value basic human dignity, kindness, or frankly, sanity. I do not write such negative reviews lightly- Feel free to check my other reviews, which generally are favorable to other restaurants and businesses , as I love to support small, privately owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Further, I've been YELP ELITE in years past , so it's not as if I'm not familiar with how to expect to behave and be treated in this community. Mostly I am truly sorry I ever set foot in such a scary, and hateful space.

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Oliver's Twist

So cute inside! The bartender was so sweet and made delicious drinks. I've been wanting to come…read morehere to try their Cambodian-inspired menu, but their kitchen is closed! Hopefully they can get it back up and running. Then, I will definitely be back!

It's kind of hard to decide what to eat from Oliver's Twist if you look prior before going. The…read moremenu looks quite a bit different if you look at the website online versus what the QR Code has on the menu when you get there. Some things are the same but not many. Oliver's Twist is more like a cocktail bar and while we didn't get any of those and just focused on the food we didn't leave disappointed. I ordered a noodle dish, a vegan version of it. Sorry, the name of the dish escapes me so I apologize. If you like the picture in my review and decide you want it I'm sure the server will know by showing it to them. My noodles were good. The green onions always add a ice touch to these type of noodle dishes. My dish had a lot of soy sauce, maybe just a bit too much actually but it's only really noticeable when you get towards the bottom of the bowl. Much of the food has a fusion approach to it or at least to me it did which always add a new spin to more traditional recipes.

Mirrors by the bathroom

Table by the entrance

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Maylie

Hazlewood

This was a very cool bar with an old-timey feel and great cocktails! The seating was comfortable…read moreand cute, and the pricing of the cocktails was just right. Our bartender, Marquetta, was lovely and was happy to explain the flavors of the cocktails before we made our decisions. The drink I ended up with (Saint Alice) was delicious!

The vibes here are the best between any bar in Ballard (unless you're looking at dives, but that's…read morea totally different category.) Drinks are thoughtfully made, unique, and bursting with flavor every time. One of the few places in Seattle where a 15 dollar drink actually feels worth it. Gorgeous ambience, and they host some really cool events. Bring a friend/date here you won't regret.

Hazelwood Hot Toddy and a Hungover Bartender Special

Trilby & Sazerac

Front bar area

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Brimmer & Heeltap

Cute little place. Patio seating was perfect on a sunny day. Great happy hour and customer service…read more YOU MUST ORDER THE CRUDO. My mouth is watering as I type this. So delicious. I will definitely be back.

Absolutely delicious. Probably one of the best cocktails I've had in Seattle. All around the…read morecocktails were great. I usually don't even like mezcal but this was eliteeee. The service was amazing, our server walked us through the dishes and helped us choose. The chicken came out looking a little unseasoned but it was the table favorite because it had the most flavor out of everything else. Looks can be deceiving lol. That potato's are amazing and a good side dish! They have a little patio as well with heating!

Planning a celebration? Let us make it unforgettable! Intimate sit-down dinners; lively cocktail parties; we'll make it unforgettable

Enjoy our delicious Half Chicken, with creamy mascarpone polenta, caramelized red onion, and topped with a green apple and habanero zhug.

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Winter Salad: Crisp and local purple kale, shaved kohlrabi, Cara Cara orange wedges and a bright sumac crème fraiche dressing.

La Loba

4.5

(153 reviews)

4.1 mi

La Loba was an incredible dining experience and easily one of the most unique meals we had in…read moreSeattle. The menu takes inspiration from Spanish cuisine while incorporating flavors and techniques from a variety of global culinary traditions. Every plate was beautifully presented and full of bold, well-balanced flavors. Here's what we ordered: Tapas: - Patatas Bravas - Scallop Crudo Main dishes: - Pan-Roasted Black Cod - Double R Ranch Braised Beef Cheek Cocktails: - Hendrick's Oasium - Old Fashioned Piracy (not pictured below) The atmosphere was sophisticated yet welcoming, perfect for a date night, celebration, or special evening out. I recommend making a reservation in advance, especially for dinner. The service was exceptional. Our lovely server was attentive, knowledgeable, and offered wonderful recommendations that made our meal even better.

From the moment we walked into the 1 Hotel, we knew we were in for a great experience. The space is…read moreabsolutely stunning--filled with lush greenery, natural rope accents, and such a relaxing, upscale atmosphere. There was a DJ in the cocktail lounge setting the mood, and when we made our way into La Loba, we were welcomed by a warm, friendly hostess. To top it off, three Cuban musicians were playing guitar and saxophone, which immediately elevated the entire dining experience. I started with the Tomato Martini, and it was chef's kiss--absolutely perfect. No notes. Our waitress was incredibly kind, attentive, and made us feel so well taken care of throughout the evening. For appetizers, the scallop crudo is an absolute must-order. It was incredibly fresh and beautifully balanced. The octopus was equally outstanding, especially paired with the masa corn fritters, which complemented the dish perfectly. For our entrées, we ordered the Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe and the beef cheek, and both completely exceeded our expectations. They were hands down the best dishes of the night and some of the best we've had in a long time. Hats off to the chef's in the back! Between the beautiful atmosphere, live music, exceptional service, and unforgettable food, La Loba delivered on every aspect. We'll absolutely be back, and I can't recommend it enough

Vintner Private Dining Room

Best dessert ever! Only on the Sunday brunch menu. Worth postponing my low carb diet. :-)

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Hanger Steak*

Joule

I can't remember what brought me to booking a reservation here for our family, but boy am I glad I…read moredid. I could just tell this restaurant was going to be a great experience from the moment we arrived. Friendly staff greeted us as we arrived and quickly showed us to our table. The atmosphere was warm and energetic, full of diners eating, drinking and enjoying conversation. After a quick scan of the menu, we quickly made our decision to order as many dishes as we could and share. We went for the beef tartare, Chinese scallion pancake, smoked tofu, kimchi trio, spicy rice cake, Chinese broccoli, "that" short rib steak, Kalbi burger, and the kombu cured mackerel. Everything was #brokedamout. The standouts to me were the scallion pancake, short rib, Kalbi burger and mackerel. Parking is available on the street and in private lots. We're already trying to figure out when we can get back here again before we leave. We'll certainly be back.

Service: 5+ stars for Donna who was our server. Ambiance:…read more4 stars- noise about average bit the tables were set far apart which was nice Food: 4.5 stars Street parking but we lucked out right in front. We got ordered the smoked tofu, green tea duck, spicy rice cakes, mackerel. The duck and rice cakes were my favorite. It was just enough for 3 of us (not big eaters). We also got a complimentary dessert for a birthday celebration and we also orders the strawberry potentially cake. We would definitely come back to try more as the burger and short ribs looked good.

Banana Ice Cream Sandwich

The interior

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Outdoor dining at Joule

Noi Thai Cuisine

Women-owned & operated

We came here for lunch, I had seen the reviews on Yelp and wanted to try it out…read more Food: We tried the vegetarian drunken noodles and vegetarian coconut curry. The noodles were absolutely delicious, packed with flavor. They do spicy on a scale through five, we opted for four out of five for the noodles, I thought we could've gone even one spice level higher. For the curry, we did three out of five, and definitely could've done a spice level higher. The spice scale is definitely catered toward people who like less spicy food, so rest assured three or four is still fairly mild in spice. The quantity of the curry was actually quite small, however, the presentation was beautiful. It was also delicious in taste. Ambience: The restaurant is very ethnic and beautifully decorated. It is a great date spot. It's very clean, and food came out quickly. Service: Our server was incredibly professional and very polite. He gave great suggestions. I really appreciated that he went out of his way and got the spice jars for us to adjust the spice level of our food. Something else that I always give credit for is that they pack up any leftover food that you have. Phenomenal service.

We really liked this place. So much we ate here 3 times in a week. Staff was friendly. Food was…read morevery good and quick. Pretty good vibes and ideal location. My wife has celiac so the gluten free dishes were very easy for her to eat. We loved this spot.

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Salty’s at the SEA

Today wasn't the travel day I had planned. While on a work trip, I received some difficult news and…read morehad to cut the trip short and head home. Before my flight, I decided to stop at Salty's for breakfast. I'm a sucker for crab, but I wasn't especially hungry, so I ordered a cup of the chowder with crab. It turned out to be one of the best cups of chowder I've ever had--rich, flavorful, and loaded with crab. I sat at the bar, where Joyce took great care of me. Her kindness, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality made an otherwise difficult day a little easier. Great service can make a real difference, and she absolutely delivered. Salty's isn't the cheapest dining option at SEA, but between the quality of the food, the relaxed atmosphere, and the outstanding service, I think it's well worth it. If you're looking for a great meal before your flight, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

2.75/5 -- Came in with high expectations given the reputation and the prices, and left…read moreunderwhelmed. The good: the seafood chowder lives up to the hype. Rich, loaded with clams, easily the best thing on the table. Fries were also solid. The halibut fish & chips ($46 for three pieces) was the letdown. The fish was over-fried to the point that it fell apart as I ate it -- disappointing for a fish of that quality at that price. Halibut should hold together in firm, flaky pieces; this didn't. But the real issue was the service. What made it impossible to write off as a busy day was that my server was attentive to the table right next to me -- she asked the gentleman beside me how his meal was and refilled his water, while mine sat clearly empty and I was never checked on once. No introduction, no recommendations, no plates cleared. When I asked for something as simple as pepper, I got attitude, like I was putting her out. I typically tip 25%. I left 15% and honestly felt that was generous for what I received. At these prices, the food needs to be executed properly and the service needs to match. The chowder alone isn't enough to carry a $60+ meal. Would I come back? Maybe for a cup of chowder at the bar. Not for the full experience.

Ling cod piccata with white wine cream sauce over spaghetti *seasonal special menu*

Restaurant front

Crab toast

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Bangrak Market

expect a wait if coming for dinner or on a Fri/Sat...however, it is well worth the wait. I usually…read morego for the khao soi, which is the most amazing, flavorful, decadent soup I've ever had. I know some reviewers mention the music being an issue...it's part of the environment. This isn't going to change anytime soon...and IMO isn't bad enough to complain on a yelp review about it. pro tip: order a shot & get a fun sparkling surprise

Seattle's Thai scene is hotter than sticky rice freshly unwrapped at the table and somewhat less…read morelikely to burn one's fingers. Thai cuisines vary depending on the region, but in general Thai food is known for balancing sweet, salty, spicy, and sour flavors. It also features a generous helping of fresh herbs and coconut milk. This results in bold, complex, and often herbaceous dishes. Located on Second Avenue in Belltown, Bangrak Market is named after the most famous market in Bangkok, where we had our first dinner in Seattle. The reservation was easily made via their website. Upon arrival, it was pretty busy and felt like a market when one stepped inside thanks to the colorful streamers and decor. The decorations were so unique, especially the baskets used throughout the space, and the whole vibe instantly transports one to Thailand without actually being there. It has such an energetic and party-like vibe. The music felt like one's in a bar, and the atmosphere was super fun. My partner, his family, our friends, and I managed to get a big table for a party of 14. With so many menu options, one can order with confidence. For starters, some ordered the Fresh Garden Rolls (Tofu), Chicken Satay, and Kao Mun Gai. As the main meal, we ordered Tom Yum Nam Sai (Chicken), Pad Thai, Pad See Eww, Kao Pad, Kao Pad Supparos, and Gang Kari. The food was amazing, full of flavor, and authentic. Everything was beautifully presented and made with fresh ingredients. Portions were decent and the price reasonable. The service was excellent and super friendly. From the wait outside to our meal, this establishment was buzzing, packed with patrons having a great time, food flying out of the kitchen, and that fun, chaotic energy that tells one you're in the right place.

Art work from the ceiling !!!

We are open!!!

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Feast!!!

Kedai Makan

We came here for dinner…read more Food: The dish we got with the chickpea and tofu curry was mind blowing. The flavor profile is a mix of Indian and Asian so if you like that type of food, you will definitely love the different taste of food at this restaurant. The quantity was appreciable, one dish is enough for two people to share, which I really appreciate in this market as a lot of other vendors are decreasing the quantity of food. It came with cucumbers and fried peanuts, both which added another taste element to the dish. We also had the coconut curry noodles, also delicious and would be even more amazing on a rainy day. We got both with tofu and vegetarian options. However, I am confident that with chicken or prawns it would be equally if not more delicious. Service: We were seated quickly, they came to get our orders very fast, and the food came promptly as well. Ambience: It is a Malaysian restaurant and the inside decor is really neat and a fun experience. It's a great day spot or also a great spot for families. If you've never tried Malaysian food, this is a great place to start, and if you're a connoisseur, still recommend giving this place a try!

love Malaysian food, only reason i removed one star is i would have hoped for more flavor. I think…read moreit was tailored to American taste which is probably fine for most people, but as a south asian, I am looking for a higher spice level (and i'm not just taking about heat). Will be back with a big group, more fun to share dishes and try different things! The restaurant can get pretty loud though, so a great spot for celebrating but not great for holding a conversation imo. Parking: street parking in cap hill, recommend walking/public transport.

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Inside and the bar

Nasi lemak

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Sayap Ayam Pedas (GF)

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118 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Jaclyn B.

13 years ago

I live in West Seattle but work near Ballard so quite often my coworkers and I skip over to this Matador (I've only been to W. Seattle once). I've been to my fair share of Mexican places (see my Beloved Mexico review) but as a vegetarian I felt the need to comment on Matador's Mushroom Fajitas. I go to Mexican places and get the veggie stuff and its okay, never awful (well, sometimes) but Matador has the Mushroom Fajitas down to a beautiful, beautiful science. I would stop there, but something happened the last time I was there that blew me away. While dining with a semi-particular co-worker, she was asking our server (Audrey?) questions about the carnitas. The Matador menu is big, so you have a lot to decide when you get there. Not only was Audrey amazingly patient with us, but she even asked if my coworker wanted to try a sample before she ordered. Every table was full and you could see the long wait at the door, but Audrey did not rush us or make us feel like we were taking up her time. I've had several encounters with the weekend manager there (Okay, I go here often) and I've found when my server is preoccupied he acts as amazing backup, getting us drinks or answering questions, even filling our water. It gets INSANE in Matador many a night, so plan to wait a bit for a table, but don't scoff at sitting at the bar because the bartenders are pretty awesome. read more

Brenna H.

11 years ago

My two friends and I went here on Sunday evening. When we ordered I asked our waitress if she could tell the kitchen I was allergic to nuts so when they were making my burger they could be cautious or change their gloves, etc. She literally laughed and said "I hope you brought your epipen". I also asked her if she could find out what oil the fries were friend in. Our food came and she never told me about the oil so I had to ask another server who in turn, found out for me. I put my diet coke class at the edge of the table after about 15 minutes of waiting for a refill. She finally took my glass- I got a refill after we paid our check. Also, one of my friends meal was extremely spicy and when she inquired how we liked our meals, he said so. She said she had gotten a lot of complaints about that dish that day and how the spice was over whelming. My friend literally had two bites. She didn't offer to try to get him something else which I was shocked over. So he sat and watched us eat and his whole dish just sat there. In the end, he had to pay for it too. Just all around horrible service. read more

Tyler M.

4 years ago

it was a beautiful warm evening, close to night.. I had the pleasure to be seated by a young blonde... amazing build.. reminded me of Thor. what a goddess. I didn't quite catch her full name... all I got was "Jess L" confused.. I sat and prepared myself to order. she walked to the table and ask if I was ready for drinks.. taken back I gathered myself and replied ill have whatever you're having.. I ended up having a tall glass of shut the fuck up. never in my day have I enjoyed such a drink. i followed it with a sex on the beach as I prepared my order for queso blanco with chips. delighted. as the food came the shimmering blonde hair struck my focal point with an absolute touch from the heaven.. I felt my stomach turn and immediately rushed to the bathrooms. I left a tip at the sink and hoped she'd receive it. "Jess L... thank you for your immaculate service. I will be back again with pepto bismol for the full experience. almost forgot.. the balcony seating was QUITE delightful. read more

Justin B.

17 years ago

Matador is grating and overpriced. The interior design seems like the disturbing fever dream of a Texas leather fetishist with too much money. The clientele is mostly douchebags and they play lots of appropriately douchebaggy music. However! Come happy hour all is forgiven. A heaping pile of nachos for 4 bucks? Garlic prawns, spring rolls, others, 4 bucks each? Count me in! Plus the waitresses are usually promiscuous (I'd imagine) little sex cats. Stay far, far away from the calimari though. Good calamari is a little slice of heaven, but there are few things worse than really shitty calamari. Matador has really shitty calamari. Anyway, it's not a GREAT place, but get the nachos. Matter of fact, the nachos aren't even really that good, but they are 4 bucks. Actually, fuck Matador, go to Wendys and get a Spicy Chicken sandwich for the same price. Why did I even write this review? Cause I'm bored at work and I just got paid to ramble about some bullshit! God bless America! B- read more

Jesse Z.

209

13 years ago

Disclaimer Vegan. The Food here was great, there was one thing I could eat which was the shrimp salad minus the shrimp plus avocado. This is one of the best salads I've ever had, totally vegan. The service was terrible. The waitress never came back to see if we needed anything, and I was quite willing to pay more money for another drink. I would say I waited 20 minutes. They specifically told me I would not have to pay extra for my substitution of shrimp for avocado. Then charged me an extra two dollars anyway. I felt the staff was basically indifferent to their guests, who for what I could tell saw the people as a source of revenue rather then guests who came to their restaurant. Bottom line, the food is good. The Service at least that time was terrible. Upscale seeming place, with indifferent apathetic staff spoils the experience of good food, and fun. I mean who wants to sit there with an empty glass for 20 mins, not me. read more

Deborah L.

9 years ago

Extremely disappointed by tonight's experience. My friends and I come here often and usually have no problem but tonight was a huge exception. After having to seat ourselves, getting our menus thrown at us and waiting for well over 20 minutes to order, we were eventually told to leave because the waitress decided she did not want to serve us after seeing a vertical ID. We have never run into this problem during our previous visits but apparently they recently had a meeting where they decided that waiters and waitresses can decide which vertical ID's they want to and don't want to accept. I understand that many establishments are adopting this rule of not accepting vertical ID's but the waitresses attitude was unacceptable. We were nothing but patient and polite while she was rude and unapologetic. It was terrifying to see the contrast in how she treated other white customers compared to us. read more

Christine P.

6 years ago

So happy that Matador is open! Our server Karen was everything but the stereotype and was frippin awesome. We got seated outside on the patio in the corner by the main entrance more than 6 feet away from other guests. Karen wore her face mask and gloves the whole time! It was fantastic except the man who tried to sneak a poot on us. While we were enjoying our meals, a man with clenched cheeks stepped away to conceal a fart... I wish I could say this was made this up, but he definitely walked over to our table, turned around, aimed, and really let loose. All in all, 5 out of 5. But if there's any message I could give to all the peeps of the world, clench those cheeks a little tighter. And if there was a message I could give to the man who crop dusted us, own your sh*t. read more

Alice M.

4 years ago

I've been coming in to the matador for years at various locations and have always enjoyed the over-all atmosphere and particularly the food (as a former culinarian myself I appreciate the effort, presentation, and wide array of pallete pleasing options) but I have to say my experience the other night at this location was extra brilliant. Our server (named Karen, ironically I assume lol) was incredibly knowledgeable on all of the menu items I inquired about and made excellent drink suggestions as well as being perfectly attentive without coming across as interlocking. Exactly what I myself always looked for in a server. If I still ran restaurants I'd be trying to poach her without a thought. In total Food - 10 Drinks - 10 Service - 11 Thank you matador! read more

Marion E.

19 years ago

I have to agree with the many-a-statements; this place is a scene, but if you know that and don't go out for amateur night, (that's Friday/Saturday night for those of you who are amateurs), you will find a pleasant environment with good food and awesome drinks. Service can be a little snippy, again on those same nights that you find yourself on the wait list, which is never a surprise because the servers are bogged down by orders and patrons that are ten times more rude then those girls ever could be. I love the happy hour! Such good food for good prices. My favorite dish is probably the ahi tuna, though. omg so good! I definitely suggest a Margarita and a chat with one of the bartenders. read more

Mara C.

1 year ago

We were really looking forward to our visit, but the experience left a lot to be desired. Our food came out before our drinks, and we had already finished eating by the time the drinks finally showed up. To make matters worse, the waitress accidentally spilled the drinks on us -- no apology beyond a quick "oops," and nothing was comped or even acknowledged after that. Service overall was lacking. She only checked in when we flagged her down, even though it wasn't particularly busy. The food itself was decent, but the service really dragged the experience down. Won't be rushing back anytime soon. read more

Cassandra S.

9 years ago

Matador is a very fun and inviting atmosphere. The food is always quick and on point, drinks are strong and beautiful and not to mention the staff is super friendly and engaging. I have never had a bad experience at any of the locations. Even when they have been busy, they always acknowledge that they see you and get to you as soon as they can. Everyone always seems to be having a great time there as well. They make everything from scratch which is nice so at least you know you are getting good quality and not out of the can normal mexican food! read more

Erica M.

13 years ago

The food here is fantastic. It can be a little expensive, so I only come here for happy hour. The happy hour offers are exceptional. I just had the blackened fish tacos along with four other entrees, including the spring rolls. They were all fantastic. The chipotle prawns or whatever they were had this amazing buttery sauce that I will attempt to reverse-engineer one of these days. The drinks are really expensive but not overly so for Seattle. I am not an original Seattlite so I have to stop after one drink. read more

Jordan B.

4 years ago

I never knew what love was until I met Karen. The service she provided was that of an angel sent to atone for the sins of all other servers. I will never use the name "Karen" to describe angry elderly woman whom wish to speak to the manager again. That name is now annointed. I will be back to profess my love for Karen until she grows tired or accepts my offer of marriage. If she ever leaves Matador I will never return. Karen was the Christmas gift I never new I needed. read more

Teri O.

10 years ago

Meh. We wanted to sit somewhere outside since its 80 degree's in April. Ordered the street taco plate. Meat was mediocre at best and garnished with only onions. The waitress was nice and said they had a new person but still it was pretty bad .Served on one ( yes one) TINY corn tortilla. This isn't the first time Ive dis-liked the Matador food. More of a HH place Also they are doing " Top Shelf Tuesday" you get half off any tequila that's normally over $12. read more

Harold B.

2 years ago

One of the Best Mexican we've found in Seattle! The food was amazingly delicious, and the drinks were fantastic too. The portions were generous, and everything tasted authentically Mexican. We especially loved the Street Tacos and Chips and Salsa. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the servers were nice and attentive. My friend and I had a great time and definitely plan to come again. Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Mexican cuisine in Seattle! read more

Joshua S.

4 years ago

The Matador has always been one of my favorite places to hang out locally! Great for groups or even a casual stroll for some nachos alone. Music is constantly popping, and the staff is excellent Debatably the best happy hour nachos in the city and a great happy hour menu in general. I've shared a lot of great memories with friends and family here throughout the years and will continue to be a customer for as long as I'm around read more

jules t.

18 years ago

The food here is only average, while at the same time it is incredibly overpriced. Every single time I have been here (a dozen or so) the server has seemed put out by our presence, it could be that I am 40, not 22, as this place seems geared toward mid twenties buffed and shined people. I will say that happy hour is much better than regular menu, and the second star is only because in the summer, the outdoor seating is nice. read more

Donny B.

4 years ago

My wife and I were visiting from out of town and came across the matador. We sat down at the bar with Joshua and had an excellent experience! He was pleasant and attentive and gave us great recommendations. When we come back to Seattle, we'll be visiting again! Thanks! + Fabulous Happy Hour Menu ++ Steak Fajitas, Brussel Sprouts, Matador Guac Flight, Beyond Street Tacos +++ Smokey & Cucumber Jalapeño Margs Were AMAZING read more

Peter T.

10 years ago

I didn't realize this is the restaurant as the Idaho location! Yet again, it didn't disappoint. Great flavors, incredible environment. I came in here today for lunch. It was the perfect escape to get out of the cold and sit next to the open fire pit. Definitely will be returning.] The food is great, the drinks are fantastic, the service was outstanding. Hats off to you, Matador! read more

Ben H.

17 years ago

Amazing happy hour! their appetizers are good and if they say it's spicy we're talking...it's spicy man. waitresses are stunning...hottest in ballard for sure. and the drinks are exactly how you want em. you want a jack and coke. it's a perfect jack and coke dude. not like barnoff shi* where its all jack. and not kings hardware shi* where it's all coke. read more

Matador Ballard - mexican - Updated August 2026

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