Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in South of Seattle

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in South of Seattle? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

JOEY Southcenter

4.7

4.7 (22)

$30 and under

American

Tukwila

About the restaurant

JOEY Restaurants marries iconic hospitality with a handcrafted, locally and globally-inspired menu from award-winning chefs, to bring an unparalleled guest experience. Instead of just one chef, JOEY has a whole team of celebrated Executive Chefs bringing you an experience you can't get anywhere else. JOEY Southcenter is located in the newly redesigned Westfield Southcenter just south of Seattle, it delivers polished interiors and a sleek scene for eclectic dining.

Top review

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

Very loud for mentioning a business dinner, but service and food were great.

Paolo's Italian Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1289)

$30 and under

Italian

Kent

About the restaurant

For more than 20 years, Paolo’s has been bringing the taste of Italy to Kent. Paul Raftis founded the restaurant after growing up learning to cook along side his mother, Darlene Raftis. He enjoys the open kitchen he can chat with guests as he works. He never tires of hearing "It smells so good in here!" As a marathoner, he is living proof that that you can eat Italian and be healthy. In fact, one of his signature dishes, "Fettucine Paolo" was featured in Runner's World magazine. "It's one of the dishes I developed, it has no cream in it, no butter." It's a delicious pasta dish that utilizes olive oil, garlic, chicken stock, garlic, balsamic vinegar, sundried tomatoes, artichokes, and chicken. So whether it's bruschetta, cioppino, pizza, or spaghetti and meatballs, Paul thanks each of you for choosing to dine here.

Top review

Mary

Dined 2 days ago

We have been coming to Paolo’s since they opened in 1990. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and date nights. Always impeccable cuisine and service is outstanding!

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Popular dish

Fettuccine Alfredo

Duke's Seafood - Kent Station

4.7

4.7 (790)

$30 and under

Seafood

Kent

About the restaurant

Duke's Kent Seafood Restaurant is an upscale casual Pacific Northwest restaurant & bar offering signature, flavorful, 100% sustainable wild seafood, Award Winning Chowder and grass fed burgers in a gathering place that is friendly, comfortable, unpretentious and filled with personality. We only source all natural, healthful ingredients. Duke's food is free of hormones, antibiotics and free of harmful chemicals. Guests sum up their favorable assessment of what Duke's has to offer with three words: It’s so good! Duke's in Kent is a locals favorite, perfect for grabbing a drink at the bar, lunch, dinner, outdoor dining or dinner with the family or group of friends.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

We had aa late afternoon lunch at Dukes today. Our server was amazing. She allowed us to settle in before asking for drink orders and she continued to provide exceptional service during our experience. Today was great!

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Popular dish

Chowder Samplers

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab "Un"Cakes

Duke's Seafood - Southcenter

4.6

4.6 (1094)

$30 and under

Seafood

Tukwila

About the restaurant

Duke's Restaurant Southcenter, located in Tukwila at the south end of The Westfield Mall, is an upscale casual Pacific Northweset seafood restaurant offering signature, flavorful, 100% sustainable wild seafood, Award Winning Chowder, and grass-fed burgers in a gathering place that is friendly, comfortable, unpretentious, and filled with personality. We only source all-natural, healthful ingredients. Duke's food is free of hormones, antibiotics, and free of harmful chemicals. Guests sum up their favorable assessment of what Duke's has to offer with three words: It’s so good! Great Fish Tacos, Wild Halibut & Salmon, Salads and amazing sandwiches.

Please note: We do not accept reservations for the outdoor deck seating. First come, first serve. Please feel free to designate outdoor seating as your preference when making a reservation or checking in and we'll do our best to see you on our patio.

Top review

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

Great lunch with a friend today. Our waiter Kui was outstanding. Lots of fun.

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Popular dish

"Un"Chopped Seafood Salad

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab "Un"Cakes

Popular dish

Dungeness Crab Dip

Smoke & Cedar Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (302)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Auburn

About the restaurant

Located on top of the all-new Muckleshoot Casino Resort tower in the heart of the bountiful Pacific Northwest. Smoke & Cedar is among the country's leading steakhouses, dedicated to providing excellent guest service, fine libations, prime steaks and the best seafood the PNW has to offer. This one-of-a-kind restaurant in Washington commands 270-degree views of Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound and both the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.

Smoke & Cedar's menu is updated seasonally to best showcase ingredients collected by foragers from the farmers markets, regional farms, and other artisan purveyors. The soul of the restaurant quite literally extends through its decor to spectacular views, complimenting a menu that conveys the sentiment that quality procured ingredients-are better appreciated on a beautiful plate in an approachable but elegant setting.

Bon appétit!

Top review

StacyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a great dinner. The ceviche was delicious and fresh, steaks were cooked perfectly, and the service was top notch. The Brussels are meh. The crème brûlée was a perfect end to the meal.

Sharps RoastHouse

4.5

4.5 (181)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Seatac

About the restaurant

Sharps RoastHouse has been voted one of the best Seatac restaurants. We are a local restaurant and bar next door to Seatac Airport (Seattle International Airport), just outside of Seattle. We offer scratch American Cuisine, fine crafted cocktails and Northwest wine and beer. Our custom roasting works showcases our 12-hour Hereford Prime Rib, Applewood Smoked St Louis Ribs and spit fired organic rotisserie chicken. Perfect for a quick bite before a flight or layover or after picking up a hungry friend from a long day of traveling.

Top review

Patti

Dined 1 day ago

Great food! We eat there frequently and have always been happy with the quality and quantity and amazing tastes. Staff is accommodating and kind. Highly recommend.

TOMO

4.4

4.4 (26)

$50 and over

American

White Center

About the restaurant

We serve eclectic Japanese-American cuisine and serious wine in a former adult video store. Since opening, Tomo has received recognition as one of the country's best new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report and has been nominated for Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation.

Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams’ menus are personal, and feature outstanding ingredients prepared simply and with confidence.

Our wine program highlights rare and ephemeral wines made by creative, principled people. We also serve a variety of classic and seasonal cocktails, emphasizing small-batch spirits and quality nonalcoholic options.

We strive to be a cherished part of our guests' lives, providing a warm atmosphere, ever-changing menus, and exclusive events with top chefs and industry experts from around the world.

Top review

Matt

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

The Chophouse themed dinner was simply amazing! The Waldorf Salad - so simplistic but one of the best salad courses I may have ever eaten. And the baked potato cart - I splurged for the black truffle add-on. I may never eat a baked potato again because I know it’ll never be this good. Once again all of the staff were so friendly and accommodating to all of my questions. I truly love the laid back atmosphere - hard to believe as always this gem is hidden in White Center.

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Experience

BONE IN - REEF + BEEF: A TOMO CHOPHOUSE EXPERIENCE

Experience

Daylit Lunch

8 Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (65)

$31 to $50

Asian

Auburn

About the restaurant

A beloved regional destination for Asian cuisine, 8 welcomes guests for lunch and dinner service once again!

Featuring a newly refined dining atmosphere, 8 offers all the menu favorites patrons know and love as well as a few new surprises.

Sourced from New England and delivered fresh throughout the week, live Maine lobster is available for hand selection from saltwater aquariums. Guests can choose one of three preparations – Salt & Pepper, Black Bean or Ginger Scallion.

The delicacy of Peking Duck is also a new addition to 8. Marinated over five days and roasted to perfection, the flavorful, crispy-skinned entrée—served with scallions, cucumber, and steamed buns as well as hoisin sauce—sates parties of two to three.

The number 8 is a symbol of luck and wealth in many Asian cultures.

Top review

Peter

Dined on Oct 13, 2024

Very good service, very good food. Very comfortable atmosphere.

Muckleshoot Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (74)

$30 and under

American

Auburn

About the restaurant

The diverse, flavorful menu of Muckleshoot Restaurant includes favorites like the Seafood Louie Salad and 12 oz. NY Strip Steak.

Carrying on the traditional Muckleshoot ways of cooking salmon, we are proud to offer traditional salmon dinners utilizing locally sourced alder wood and Pacific Coast wild salmon. Cooked over an open flame, the traditional method of low heat and smoke enhances the salmon flavor while preserving freshness and texture. Available in individual (8 oz. fillet with two sides, $29) or family style (2 1/2 pounds with one pound of corn and red potatoes, $95) presentations. Offered Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Plus, don't forget to check out the baked goodness inside our pastry display. Enjoy a wide assortment of pastries, from croissants to brownies, baked fresh daily and available for in-room dining or to-go orders.

Top review

Keone

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

We ordered prime ribs. The prime rib was excellent except for the horse radish and Aji sauce. That could use a lot more flavor and kick.

Market 253

3.9

3.9 (56)

$30 and under

American

Auburn

About the restaurant

Handcrafted. Locally inspired.
Market 253 Restaurant and Bar features delectable dining, classic spirits, modern cocktails, and over 30 local and domestic beers on draft.

Located near smoke-free table games. Service hours are Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Walk-up bar service available.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

The food was excellent. The service was a little slow, but there were a couple big parties. Our server was very good!

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