Travelers
Chef has lived in India and speaks fluent Hindi, offering distinct home cooked food. Monthly themes, unique home style "thali," a platter much more indicative of the food eaten by native Indians served Sa-Su 1PM-7PM $12 "full thali". Wide selection of bulk herbs, essential and perfume oils, grocery products, and many other imported items. Give it a try on a weekday when it's quieter, and be sure to try the famous masala chai, brewed with the best quality spices and tea, and served hot and fresh with your choice of milk.
Byzantion
Greek food is hard to find on the Hill, but this excellent little place serves up Spanakopita, gyros, lamb, seafood dishes, fresh vegetables, baklava and more. Good wine selection and the staff is quirky, but attentive.
Cafe Flora
2901 e madison, (http://www.cafeflora.com), closed mondays. in the madison valley neighborhood. upscale, all-vegetarian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. menus change weekly.
Cafe Lago
Established Italian restaurant popular for vegetarian lasagna, apple-wood fired pizza, and fresh hand-made pasta they have an employee dedicated solely to making pasta.
Coastal Kitchen
A casual restaurant that serves excellent food at a reasonable price. It has specials that change monthly, as they explore the cuisine of a new coastal region every three months. Very popular for brunch on weekends, with long waits at peak times, but excellent food.
Crush
Rated among the best 10 new restaurants in the U.S. after it opened. Under Chef Jason Wilson's stewardship it continues to be one of the more well respected haute cuisine houses in the country. Has received countless awards, the food is good, an adventurous twist on traditional American cuisine. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Broadway Grill
The Broadway Grill is a casual restaurant and bar that serves its full menu at all times. Prices are very reasonable. The Sunday brunch buffet is great. Try the Absolut Mandarin Kamakazi.
Hot Mama's Pizza
Classic New York style pizza by the slice. You cannot go wrong here and the pesto is particularly popular.
Julia's On Broadway
Juliaâs serves Northwest cuisine along with good ol' American food, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Average quality, expensive meals and cocktails are prepared in a charming old building that used to house a seriously divey bar Eileens's until they gutted it and put in a tasteful interior in 2001. On sunny days offers ring-side seating to the throngs of passers-by. The location is excellent, but the service can be less than stellar.
Cactus
4220 e madison st multiple locations, +1 206 324-4140â (http://www.cactusrestaura...). a local favorite. a creative mix of mexican, southwestern and spanish cuisine complemented by great cocktails. always full, outdoor seating in the summer.
Lots of good Ethiopian food in the Central District. Panafrican in the Pike Place Market is also pretty good. Try Mesob on 14th and Jefferson.
Ezell's Famous Chicken
This Central District mainstay gained wide renown when Oprah Winfrey declared it her favorite, but it really needs no celebrity endorsements; it's hands-down the best stuff around. This flagship location sits directly across from Garfield High School. There's no seating, but they recently started accepting credit cards. Spicy and original. The spicy is not too spicy but you can get a side of hot sauce for 11 cents extra. Daily specials vary based on forecasted surplus of unsold chicken. You can sometimes get thighs for $1/each.
Than Brothers Pho
Complimentary cream puffs and frighteningly large portions make this an always busy spot. There is plenty of seating though and a nice clean environment, be sure to try the French style coffee. Other locations on Aurora Ave N and the University District.
Pizzeria Pagliacci
Serves unique Seattle style pizza, reminiscent of thin crust, by-the-slice New York pizza, but with an imaginative collection of toppings that change with the seasons. Walk in and ask for two slices of primo and you won't be disappointed. The Pagliaccio salad is a good starter. There are branches in the University District and Queen Anne, plus delivery throughout the City.
Tacos Guaymas
. Offers authentic Mexican meals like you find in the Oaxaca market. Try the Sopa de Tortilla or the Wet Green Burrito.
Dick's Drive-In
Where the cool hang out according to Sir Mix-a-Lot's song "Posse on Broadway". Gloppy Dick's Deluxe cheeseburgers, hot fries, and tasty hand-dipped milkshakes. Drive up or walk up, this place will be hopping on a Friday or Saturday night, even if it's cold and rainy outside. Get in line by 1:45AM because they slam the order windows shut promptly at 2AM. Dick's cashiers have an amazing ability to instantly add up your bill in their head. There are other branches throughout the city Lake City, Wallingford, Lower Queen Anne, but because the Capitol Hill one is easiest to walk up to, it's also the best for people watching.
Thai food
Ayutthaya
Inexpensive Thai and the quality is very good.
Jamjuree
Quieter and more upscale than Siam, with excellent specials -- try the Lime Light Chicken if you have a chance. On request they can make truly vegetarian Thai food i.e., without fish sauce.
There are an outrageous number of Thai restaurants in Capitol Hill. Occasionally one goes out of business and like a head of the Hydra, is immediately replaced by another one or more.