Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Ballard

Palisade is our go-to place for special occasions for our family and friends. Our besties just happen to have been married on Valentine’s Day so of course we came here for their Valentine’s Day special. The service was outstanding as always…our server treated us like old friends, and every employee we ran into acknowledged us. The food was excellent as always; started out with calamari as we usually do, which is as good as anywhere. The filet(s) were cooked perfectly, the slab of prime rib was enough for two people. The prawns were tasty but just a little tough and hard to get the tail off, but that’s the only criticism I can make of the whole meal. Everything was served hot, it was evident that nothing sat around before being delivered to our table. We’re already planning our next visit.

Wonderful service. Cozy for Valentine’s Day. Great rotating options and solid regular choices.

Grappa Seattle offers a fantastic Italian dining experience, and my recent visit was nothing short of exceptional. The highlight of my meal was the seafood risotto, which was perfectly creamy, rich in flavor, and packed with fresh seafood. Each bite had a wonderful balance of tender rice, briny sweetness from the seafood, and just the right amount of seasoning. It truly transported me to the coast of Italy. Beyond the risotto, their Italian-inspired dishes are equally impressive. From the beautifully plated appetizers to the carefully crafted pastas, everything exudes authenticity and attention to detail. I also appreciated their mocktail selection, which offered a refreshing variety beyond the usual overly sweet sodas. It was a great touch that added to the overall experience. My only critique would be the portion sizes, which felt a bit on the smaller side. While the quality was top-notch, I wouldn’t have minded a slightly more generous serving. That said, Grappa’s warm ambiance, attentive service, and outstanding flavors make it a must-visit for Italian food lovers in Seattle. I’ll definitely be returning!

First time visiting. Food was excellent. The restaurant was nice to sit in. One of our party had dietary restrictions and the manager went the extra mile to accommodate her and make it a very positive experience.

Went for my birthday and loved it so much I took a friend back a week later. Both times I had the Wagyu Bavette and love that you can pick your portion size. The second time they were out of the size I wanted so my friend and I picked a little larger one to share. Sides are a la carte so we picked a few of those too-the crushed potatoes and the shaved Brussels salad were both delicious and seasoned well. For my bday we had the Caesar salad which had a creamy, mustard-forward dressing and the perfect croutons. Cocktails are well made and balanced and they have some good NA options. We only tried the chocolate pot de crème for dessert, and oh my. Perfect to share because it is so rich and decadent, but not too much. This has become my new neighborhood favorite!