16 Best Rooftop Restaurants in Seattle

06/28/2024 | by Andy | Bars & Restaurants

When it comes to booking a vacation, we know there are two very important questions: “Where will we stay?” and “What will we eat?”. Our comfortable and conveniently located rentals can take care of the first, and as for the second – we’ve been helping guests explore the Emerald City since 2015, so we have plenty of tips to share with you!

The Seattle restaurant scene is already stunning, but we love a good view! Are you ready to have your head in the clouds? Let’s explore the best rooftop restaurants in Seattle.

1. The Nest at Thompson Seattle

Photo Credit: Lomb

We’re starting off with the chicest of views – The Nest. This bar and restaurant perched atop the Thompson Seattle Hotel. Its sleek interior and stunning views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains complement its stylish small plates and handcrafted cocktails.

2. MBar

  • 400 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA
  • mbarseattle.com
  • Middle Eastern
  • Reservations recommended

MBar boasts a diverse menu with Middle Eastern influences, set against opulent views of the Seattle skyline and Lake Union. The spacious outdoor terrace is ideal for enjoying your meal of elevated regional Lebanese, Syrian, and Persian dishes.

3. Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails

Photo Credit: AmbientShoot

Located in the heart of downtown, five floors above the hustle and bustle of Seattle Frolik offers a vibrant atmosphere with a playful twist (as you can see from the ping pong tables and giant Jenga!). Gather around the outdoor fire-pit bar tables to enjoy elevated American dishes and creative cocktails while taking in the city skyline from their open rooftop deck.

4. Terra Plata

  • 1501 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA
  • terraplata.com
  • Farm-to-Table
  • Reservations recommended

Terra Plata’s mission is to help you stay happy and well fed, and with a menu that gets creative with local, sustainable ingredients, it’s well on its way. The rooftop dining area is an urban oasis. Their lush rooftop helps you have a breezy, open-air dining experience. You can explore their seasonal menu for brunch or dinner, and remember–Monday is paella night!

5. Maximilien

Photo Credit: Shebeko

Nestled in Pike Place Market, French restaurant Maximilien allows you to have a savory dinner and do some sig simultaneously same time. A beloved Seattle staple for a romantic and charming meal, you can explore French cuisine paired with spectacular Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains views. If your visit coincides with fall or winter, you’ll still be able to enjoy rooftop views with Maximilien’s igloos!

6. The Mountaineering Club

Perched atop the Graduate Hotel, The Mountaineering Club adds an air of outdoorsy chic to your meal. 16 floors above the city, you can devour Pacific Northwest-inspired dishes all in a rusticly charming setting. Dig into warm, hearty meals with modern flair, all while taking in some of the best panoramic views of Seattle.

7. The Pink Door

Photo Credit: Visionsi
  • 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA
  • thepinkdoor.net
  • Italian
  • Reservations recommended

Located right in Pike Place Market, the Pink Door is one of Seattle’s most beloved destinations for Italian cuisine. Part of what makes it so special (besides the delicious handmade pasta or the view from the view deck over Elliot Bay) is its eclectic decoration and entertainment. This charming spot values eccentricity, so your meal might come paired with a trapeze artist overhead, a jazz band in the corner, or a roaming tarot card reader.

8. Mercado Luna

  • 422 E Pine St, Seattle, WA
  • mercadoluna.com
  • Mexican
  • Reservations recommended

Capitol Hill’s Mercado Luna offers a vibrant rooftop dining experience with its contemporary Mexican food paired with a carefully selected list of Mexican wines. If the weather cooperates, you’ll want to take advantage of Mercado Luna’s “Patio Cielo”-their patio in the sky- as you explore their taco menu, which has made them a neighborhood staple. Leave room forert so that you can try their Chonchos Churros–rumor has it they’re the best you’ll find north of the border!

9. Fog Room

Photo Credit: Leigh Loftus

Located atop the Charter Hotel, the Fog Room is a modern rooftop bar and lounge that’s all about being sleek and chic. Although it really shines with its extensive menu of craft cocktails, you can indulge in their small plates as you soak up breathtaking views of downtown Seattle.

10. Altitude Sky Lounge

The Altitude Sky Lounge is a rooftop bar with attitude. Perched 16 stories above that offers an enjoy craft cocktails and lighamids amidst high energy while you admire the Space Needle and the rest of the Seattle skyline.

11. Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi

Photo Credit: nioloxs
  • 10400 NE 4th St, Bellevue, WA
  • ascendprime.com
  • Steakhouse/Sushi
  • Reservations required

If you’re looking for an extra luxurious night out on (or above?) the town, then Ascend Prime delivers an upscale dining experience. Located across the bridge in Bellevue, Ascend Prime’s extravagant decor, an imaginative menu of premium steaks, and exquisite sushi will prepare you for an evening of indulgence. It’s perfect for a special occasion!

12. Monsoon

Since 1999, Monsoon has been serving Seattleites handmade Vietnamese cuisine with a Pacific Northwest twist. The family recipes come from Saigon but joyfully embrace ingredients from local farms and fishmongers. Its rooftop patio feels like a hidden gem in Capitol Hill, so you can enjoy a calm atmosphere at the same time as you enjoy its delicious menu.

13. Smith Tower Observatory Bar

Photo Credit: Mehedi’s Photo and Videos
  • 506 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA
  • smithtower.com
  • Classic American
  • Reservations recommended

If there are any history buffs in your party, you’ll surely appreciate dinner and drinks in this 35th-floor lounge in a 1914 skyscraper. Take the Otis elee way up and enjoy your meal amidst a 360-degree view of Seattle. Settle into the prohibition-chic lounge and enjoy craft cocktails and local bites.

14. Charlotte Restaurant and Lounge

This elegant lounge and restaurant is located on the 16th floor of the swanky Lotte Hotel. The menu features contemporary American cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, which you can enjoy while looking out over Elliot Bay. Stop by between 3 and 6 p.m. to enjoy their Happy Hour.

15. The Dressing Room Bistro and Bar

Photo Credit: Ryzhkov Photography

Voted both ‘Best Brunch’ and ‘Best Date Night Spot’ by the Seattle Times in 2023, the Dressing Room Bistro and Bar certainly makes an impression. Go for a classic meal or snag a theater ticket so that you can enjoy dinner and a show. Expect to be dazzled and delighted at one of Seattle’s favorite cabaret venues.

16. Rooftop Brewing Company

  • 1220 W Nickerson St, Seattle, WA
  • rooftopbrew.co
  • Brewery with food trucks
  • Reservations not required

Rooftop Brewing Company is the place to be if you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe that you can enjoy with the locals. Seattle is known for its craft beer scene, and this is where you can fully experience it, and on a rooftop, no less. Everyone in your party is bound to find something to eat when you grab a bite at RBC’s rotating lineup of food trucks.

Where to Stay in Seattle

Seattle is full of fantastic dining options, and these rooftop restaurants are perfect for taking in the spectacular Emerald City skyline. Of course, after a day of sightseeing and a delicious meal, there’s nothing better than returning to the comfort of your home away from home. Book your Seattle Vacation Home today