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    The Dish Cafe Ballard

    3.9 (564 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 1:45 pm

    Order The Dish Cafe Ballard Takeout or Delivery

    The Dish Cafe Ballard Photos

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    THE DISH CAFE BALLARD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Dish Cafe Ballard

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    Chilaquiles Rojos
    Elizabeth M.

    My friends and I came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning and were seated right away. It's a cozy, no frills spot, which is exactly what I look for in a breakfast restaurant. I got the Chilaquiles Rojos with eggs over medium. It was delicious and the portion size was great - on a normal day, I may not have finished it all, but I was super hungry and cleaned my plate! Would definitely recommend checking it out for some delicious diner-esque breakfast and lunch foods with a few non-traditional additions.

    Roma scramble sub egg whites and chocolate chip pancakes with a side of eggs/bacon/white toast
    Kiyara G.

    Food was amazing! Very small and cute. Service was very fast and the server took care of anything we needed.

    Bathroom

    Amazing moulth watering food i ate it amolst instantly side note the bathrooms a bit strange but ofther than that really good

    Biscuits and gravy 4/5
    Noah B.

    * Biscuits and gravy 4/5 * Omelette 4/5 * Scone 4/5 -Biscuits and gravy was pretty dam good. Tons of gravy and it came out hot. Potion was so-so but potions in general here are a little small for breakfast. -Omelette was cooked perfect and i would say they do eggs very well here in general. -Scone is a must! Order it as a app and push them to bring it out early because they run out. This time i was a little dryer then the last time we were here. Otherwise with the homemade jam its a 5/5

    Breakfast menu July 2025

    We used to come here at least once a month for breakfast. On the weekends you always had to wait for a table and they had a free coffee station outside while you waited. The food back then was delicious. We moved out of state a few years ago and recently came back for a week. The one place we were looking forward to was The Dish Cafe. To say we were underwhelmed is an understatement. We ordered our go-to's and they were both awful. I ordered the Slacker, which had no flavor at all. Hubs ordered Corned Beef Hash and it was swimming in oil. I know places change recipes, but if you have something so successful, why change? Btw, we went at 9:30am on a Saturday and there was no wait and half the restaurant was empty. I could cry how much it went downhill. Sadly we will never go back.

    Eggs Benedict
    Su-jen Y.

    Decent food near my friends place but defo not anything amazing. I liked the potato's and the hollandaise sauce was not tangy sadly.

    Charles S.

    This place is amazing wonderful people great food prices are not going to break. The host is comical and interactive. They just opened a second location in green lake

    Scone from The Dish.
    Gus F.

    I don't like to leave a bad review. First off the service was good & my coffee cup never got empty. Everyone was friendly & cheerful. The biscuits and gravy were so so at best. The gravy appeared to be straight out of a can without hint of spice or sausage. True it is not listed as sausage gravy, at least a hint of spice would be good. The poached eggs were perfect. What they advertise as a scone comes out looking like a slice of corn bread. While tasty it was a far cry from a scone. The food was not good enough for me to want to go back. A nice place that easily could be great.

    Chicken fried steak
    Natasha B.

    4.5 but rounding up! This is the few places in Seattle that serve proper breakfast. Nothing fancy, just perfect breakfast food. Prices are very reasonable and the food is so good. Their Blood Marys are also top notch. The staff is quick and so sweet.

    Breakfast !!! Outstanding!
    Pedro J.

    This is a small restaurant that was in walking distance of our Airbnb. This is an excellent restaurant with a great classic menu. I would recommend this is to anyone in the area! Service was outstanding and we are going back again today for breakfast!

    Veggie bene for brunch today!

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    The vibe is stellar, great service, food is delivered so quickly. Had a variety of options. Will definitely come here again!

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    2 years ago

    The food here was delicious, love the homemade jams, and the people are so nice! My favourite breakfast place.

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    2 years ago

    The hash is fantastic-- why isn't everyone seasoning their hash? And the peeps there are great.

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - The Dish Cafe Ballard

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    The Little Beast - Brussels sprouts (don't recommend)

    The Little Beast

    4.3(40 reviews)
    0.8 miBallard

    The next time I was here, I made sure to get here incredibly early to get the lamb neck korma pie…read more I made a reservation at 5:30 to guarantee it. Based on availability, I probably could've walked in around an hour later and been fine, but didn't want to risk it since they only make like 30 in a day. To my great surprise, the dish came out just a couple minutes after ordering. It seems like the pie is already pre-made and they just pour korma over the top before serving. The server assured me that one would be for one person, so we each got one. From the moment it's presented, this looks like nothing you've seen before. The colors of the beige korma washing over the sturdy brown pastry is just a visually striking image. What's even crazier is there's so much that's obscured by this initial plating - things that you find out as you dig into the dish. After the first layer of pastry, the dish descends into a massive layer of lamb neck meat. And when I say massive, I mean the meat is so densely packed together into this pie you're left wondering how they fit so much into what's not a big shell diameter-wise. So, how is everything? It's amazingly good, at least for the first 3/4ths of the meal. I have to start with the pie crust, or the pastry shell, which is just perfect. The way it retains its shape, refusing to break down until real pressure is applied, is ridiculous. The texture is incredibly sturdy, and the taste is phenomenal. No matter what was placed inside this crust I would still enjoy it. It's crunchy, buttery, the inside wall is flaky, and the absolute highlight here. The korma is also very good. While certainly a westernized version of the sauce, lacking any spiciness and turning way more on the sweet side, it's still got enough flavor to be a great complement to the main pie. I do think a more acidic and spicy would've help offset the fattiness of the center item, but this sauce was still delicious on its own. Lastly, the lamb neck was great. Super fatty, of course, but braised to perfection, resulting in meat that's tender and melt in your mouth. Like I mentioned, there's an insane portion of meat here. Of course, this is all great until about 2/3 to 3/4th through the pie, where you begin to really feel the effects of an insane overload of fat. I can eat a lot of food, but this really started to wear on me. Here's where I have some slight issues - I think a) the inability to counteract the fat present and b) the amount of lamb neck needs to be toned down a bit, as ironic as asking for less meat might sound. One might have the attitude that if they're paying so much, might as well give them the most meat possible - but in my opinion, the best dishes are truly about balance. And when you can't expect someone to eat a dish and feel good about it afterwards, that's not the hallmark of a great dish. This could've been avoided if the server had mentioned that one pie could be split between two people, but that's not what she recommended. This resulted both me and my companion not finishing the meal, which I absolutely hate to do, but I was left with no choice in this case. The other part is the price. Each pie cost $50 each, which is a significant amount. Additionally, there was a 22% automatic tip even for a party of two, which is just way too high. The server didn't even tell us about this automatic tip which resulted in unintentionally tipping more on the tip pad. I would not hesitate to refer to this restaurant as overpriced. Overall, it's a truly inventive dish that's one of my favorite things I've eaten in Seattle, but the price and portion complicate things slightly. 9/10

    We popped in for the new breakfast service at Little Beast - offered on weekends in the…read moremorning/before noon. There is no online sample menu for LB's breakfast that I was able to track down, so from memory they are currently offering: the English Breakfast (standard size), the Full English (which is 2x the English - pics included in post for comparison), steak and eggs, a biscuit breakfast sandwich, the Scotch egg (same as the one on the dinner menu), and an assortment of smaller plates (Bubble & Squeak, English muffin with rhubarb jam, porridge with fixings, etc.). They are also serving Bloodies and a variety of N/A beverages. Overall, we liked the English options - the standard size is plenty of food for the average appetite. I did not care for how strong the warming spices were in the black sausage; the spices were the predominant flavor - I like to taste the minerally undertones of the other ingredients. That's just a personal preference though! Bubble & Squeak was very tasty - a fun vegetarian option, or a good side for the table to share.

    Photos
    The Little Beast
    The Little Beast - Fries

    Fries

    The Little Beast - Lamb Neck Korma Meat Pie & Korma Gravy with Fermented Turnips

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    Lamb Neck Korma Meat Pie & Korma Gravy with Fermented Turnips

    The Ballard Cut - Tommy steak. Get in there!

    The Ballard Cut

    4.4(328 reviews)
    1.1 miBallard
    $$$

    I believe The Ballard Cut seamlessly pairs culinary prestige with a warm, neighborhood atmosphere…read more My appreciation for their kitchen began a few years ago in their previous, smaller Ballard footprint, where I experienced one of my absolute favorite bites of food in the city. Remarkably, it was a side dish--a testament to how Chef Rachael treats every single component on the plate with meticulous care. When community members ask for recommendations that deliver both an exceptional meal and an outstanding beverage program, this is always the first destination I suggest. The menu beautifully balances signature cuts of steak with a thoughtful understanding that other proteins matter, offering expertly prepared chicken, fresh fish, and dedicated vegan main options. I truly believe "the bites" and "the sides" are equally treated as stars, and I always go back for the seasonal salad and crispy potatoes. The beverage program is equally legendary, offering an extraordinary opportunity to try rare whiskies from all over the world and different eras, where every single pour carries its own unique story. When I brought my partner in for his birthday, the owner asked a few questions of his whiskey interests, and customized a flight for him. It is a nicer, upscale restaurant that remarkably retains a deeply grounded community feel, and in my experience local recurring guests are remembered with genuine hospitality.

    Very bad food! I went with my family of four. Every single…read moredish was bad. I don't understand how they got over 4* but I fell for that mistake and expected a fine dinner. Bread and butter, bread crust is over cooked and supper dry. Butter dip : the garlic had burned flavor and the vinegar in it was a bit too unpleasant. Pork belly very under cook and chewy. Clam was okay. Water: I took a sip of my cup and instantly spit it back into the cup, taste like fishy or eggy or disgusting unwashed cup ... Main dishes: supper disappointing steak , supper chewy , not pleasant experience at all for a $200+ single order Pork chop, the sauce was interesting but it was also very chewy and nothing special. We spend over $340 and if it was as low as $20 we would never go back and try it again. I strongly recommend you to not go there for food. Very disappointing and low quality food, nothing as it is rated

    Photos
    The Ballard Cut - Main dining area.  There's outdoor seating.

    Main dining area. There's outdoor seating.

    The Ballard Cut - Dry Aged Steak Frites

    Dry Aged Steak Frites

    The Ballard Cut - Outside signage

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    Outside signage

    Brimmer & Heeltap - Grilled Whole Sardines with lemon and gremolata

    Brimmer & Heeltap

    4.3(689 reviews)
    0.6 miBallard
    $$

    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!

    How I heard of this place: Not having realized how long the establishment has been around, some…read morefriends suggested we give it a go for our Taste Buds Dinner Club, and we made it happen. Type of cuisine: "We never tire of talking to our guests about how we got our quirky name. Inspired by two British drinking terms, Brimmer & Heeltap seeks to celebrate the moments that exist between the first sip of one's libation and the last drops lingering at the bottom of the glass. Since late 2013 we've delighted in creating an environment that is inviting, lively, and comforting. A sense of playfulness is present in everything we do, from the inventive dishes our culinary team prepares, to the friendly, genuine hospitality we provide. We're a bistro that takes pride in being a neighborhood place - the kind you can escape to at day's end for a delicious meal shared among friends." Ambiance: "Located in the former Le Gourmand space in beautiful Ballard, Brimmer & Heeltap offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere complete with an open kitchen, full bar, and multiple sections to drink and dine in. Our garden patio is one of the best-kept secrets in the city, offering a dreamy place to dine outdoors during Seattle's spring and summer months. We also have a tucked-away back studio that offers the perfect setting for special, private gatherings year-round. Just how many pennies does it take to cover a floor? Just ask Brimmer & Heeltap's proprietress Jen who collected tens of thousands of them from family, friends, and the community to help execute the vision of a cool gathering placed dubbed, naturally, the "Penny Room." This dining room, beloved for both its wall of menus and its shining penny floor, is a favorite place to break bread with loved ones, and plays into the restaurant's blend of nostalgic and contemporary design. The restaurant was designed in collaboration with Sean Sifagaloa of KRFTWRK and local builder Mike Marian, owner of Marian Built. Light, texture, metal, wood, and floral elements are all at play here. This historic building possesses a playful, familiar charm that we wanted to preserve in its latest incarnation." What I ordered: Wishing to sample a little of everything, we were served, family style, two orders of Bread ($9 each) - buttered with salt and pepper; Fritto Misto ($12) - assorted, lightly fried and pickled vegetables with tarragon aioli; Smashed Burrata ($19) - snap peas, preserved lemon, mint, basil, sherry reduction; Carrot & Tahini Dip ($16) - caramelized garlic, feta, pistachio, crudite; two orders of Heirloom Tomatoes ($21 each) - melon, chevre, crispy quino, soft herbs; Crispy Potatoes ($16) - whipped feta, hot honey, mint; Mushroom Agnolotti ($34) - roasted maitakes, chanterelles, whipped ricotta, miso butter, thyme; Roast Chicken ($42) - chickpea, berbere yogurt, marinated cucumber, mint gremolata. To finish off our meals, we shared the Olive Oil Cake ($14) - basil yogurt cremeux, strawberry gel, and the Chocolate Tiramisu ($16) - mascarpone, rum, amaretto, candied hazelnuts. What I loved: Oh man, every dish was delightful. I found something to savor and repeat in each of the dishes we were served. From the sweetness of the heirloom tomatoes, to the creamy burrata, from the crispy potatoes, to the fresh peas and everything in between. Our least favorite, at the table was the mushroom Angnolotti, inconsistent from bite to bite. The presentation of the Carrot & Tahini dip was a bit haphazard compared to the rest of the dishes served, but the flavor was still lovely. Why I loved it: The service was unparalleled, comfortable yet professional and quick to offer recommendations for our larger party. The decorations and quaint spaces truly welcoming, and the food, excellent. Cost: High ($40+ per person)

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Stumbletown - Roast parsnips. Coffee rubbed, mole, queso fresco.

    Stumbletown

    4.3(229 reviews)
    1.1 miPhinney Ridge
    $$

    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!

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

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

    The Blue Glass

    The Blue Glass

    4.3(366 reviews)
    1.1 miPhinney Ridge
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    My husband and i walked in tonight unknown and juls the bartender was phenominal. She was funny…read moreand gave us recommendatiotions. We ordered the clams buratta and ceaser, spot on !!!! We look forward to coming back to try the more food. Thank you blu glass door and thanks juls you made us laugh

    We stumbled upon this hidden gem by accident! We originally planned to eat next door, but they had…read morealready sold out of everything. Luckily, we found this place instead, and we're so glad we did. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles. It wasn't busy around 5 PM, so we were seated right away. Our waitress was so sweet! She seemed a little busy, but honestly, we didn't mind because we were starving and excited to eat. We started with wine and beer, and I loved how generous my wine pour was! I ordered the Shrimp Scampi, and wow... it was incredible. The shrimp tasted so fresh, and the garlic butter sauce with the linguine and a hint of lemon was absolutely perfect. I could actually smell the garlic butter coming from the kitchen before my plate even arrived! Fair warning though, the buttery garlic sauce loves to splash, so eat carefully! My husband ordered the burger and couldn't stop talking about how juicy and flavorful it was. And the Parmesan truffle fries? We were completely obsessed. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in the area!

    Photos
    The Blue Glass - Huevos Rancheros cut open

    Huevos Rancheros cut open

    The Blue Glass
    The Blue Glass

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    The Dish Cafe Ballard - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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