Restaurants with the Best Value in Seattle

Sometimes, when the mood strikes, nothing else will do. If you have a strong urge for great pizza, head to one of dozens of Pagliacci's locations, where you can walk up to the counter and order a pie topped with everything from sun-dried tomatoes to goat cheese and roasted garlic. With more than 30 toppings to choose from, the pizza menu is sure to have something you'll love, whether you're a vegetarian, an omnivore or simply an eater with quirky tastes. In addition to great pies, the impressively extensive menu features fresh salads and calzones. Leave room for the locally made gelato! The eatery deliveries to some locations, too. Make orders online at order.pagliacci.com.

Featuring a vibrant, neon exterior and an intimate, welcoming interior, Taste of India offers a delightful dining experience from start to finish. The food, service and ambience make this a wonderful spot for enjoying Indian and Mediterranean dishes ranging from rich curries and creamy masalas to tasty vindaloos. Other highlights include the chicken tikka masala, spinach naan and homemade mango pistachio ice cream. Vegetarian diners enjoy dishes like the Madras chili masala with crisp-cooked squash and peppers. The large portions (easily shared) make this an affordable option, and the bottomless chai pours will leave you feeling warm, full and satisfied.

In Upper Fremont, RockCreek Seafood & Spirits offers great value on seafood-centric small plates and drinks during its daily happy hour that takes place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The popular restaurant and bar welcomes diners to its airy, inviting space and patio, the venue's newest draw. Here Chef Eric Donnelly perfectly prepares unexpected fish alongside the classics. Donnelly does a great job of transitioning fish between warmer and colder seasons; for example, take the Monkfish Bourguignon, which proves comforting hearty with parsnip puree and red wine jus. Other great dishes include the whole grilled Sea Bass with roasted cauliflower and Marcona almond romesco or the Icelandic Char with bacon and lentil ragout and a poached egg. Loyal guests return regularly for the friendly vibe, the savory stew dishes, the creative cocktails plus the cozy-chic decor inside this urban-industrial, two-story 'fishing lodge.'

Pronounced "Gow sa mai," this Thai eatery delights diners from near (the Fremont neighborhood) and from far. An immigrant-, women- and family-owned establishment, Kaosamai has been a Fremont staple since 2001, when they first opened with a small family-based staff and much ambition. In 2004, the company opened its first mobile catering truck. Chefs use fresh ingredients to create delicious curry and noodle dishes, and sides range from fresh rolls with prawns or tofu to Giow Tawt, a crab meat and cream cheese mixture wrapped in a won ton and deep fried. Standout takeout dishes include Tom Yum soup, Pa'Nang Curry and some of the best Phad See Iew found in the entire Northwest. (Although prices have gone up slightly in recent years, the portions are generous and can be split.)

At Upper Fremont's Uneeda Burger, a classically trained chef brings a fine-dining approach to this fast-causal burger joint. The eatery serves some of the city's finest burgers plus seasonal salads, sides, hand-dipped shakes and more. Offerings range from the traditional to the creative, but all items consistently feature hormone- and antibiotic-free meats and fresh, local ingredients. Specials rotate regularly, and unexpected meats like elk, bison and Chinese water buffalo appear alongside beef, chicken, pork and fish offerings; vegetarian options include the housemade Veggie Burger and Vegetarian Chili.  For a true bargain, try the signature Uneeda beef patty; other fan favorites include: the Buddha Bowl ($15) that consists of kale, spring mix and romaine, tomato, apple, sweet potato, chili-lime pepitas, feta, miso-clementine vinaigrette and your choice of chicken or a veggie patty; the Seasonal Tempura ($4.50, fried mushrooms or green beans); and hand-dipped Shakes ($7) made with Snoqualmie gourmet ice cream (flavors include salted caramel, Oreo and huckleberry).

It won't take much time here in Seattle before you hear about this popular Pioneer Square outpost. For great Italian sausages, salamis, meatballs or pork, try Salumi, whose name means "dry-cured meat" in Italian. Meats can be purchased individually as an entree or by the pound as deli take-away. If you prefer a lighter, less meat-intensive meal, order a half-sandwich (try the salumi banh mi or veggie melt), salad, vegetable dish or one of their pastas. A comfortable interior with tin ceilings and wooden floors makes guests feel at home; outside tables are available too (on a first-come, first-served basis). Check hours ahead of time (currently open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Pioneer Square D&E, a neighborhood bistro with laidback, friendly vibes, offers "creative yet comforting, from-scratch fare." Founded by Seattle hospitality industry veterans, husband and wife Jonathan Fleming and Libby Aker, D&E opened in the fall of 2018 and quickly became a welcoming neighborhood staple. With previously scaled-down offerings, the restaurant is now fully re-open for dine-in (in an airy, light-filled space), patio seating, as well as takeout. The recent addition of the talented Anthony Tran as Head Chef, paves the way for a new menu that will still feature the classic fried chicken selections known and loved by the regulars. For the best value, check out a $10 sandwich and beer combo, offered during happy hour between 3 and 6 p.m.

What was formerly known as Bimbo's Bitchin' Burrito Kitchen toned down its name, gained a little more space and became a 21+ only establishment. What never changed, however, are the eatery's well-proportioned tacos and quesadillas, not to mention unbeatable guacamole and a famous herb-roasted chicken burrito plus, cumin-lime sour cream makes everything even tastier. The laid-back restaurant also features an array of hot sauces for you burrito (from mild to smoking' hot), and the funky hangings on the wall will keep you entertained while you await your food. Add a house-made margarita or a Negra Modelo, and you've got a great (and affordable) meal. Vegans will be thrilled to find great options here as well.

In West Seattle, Marination Ma Kai brings the delectable flavors and happy vibes of Hawaii to a stunning beachside setting (near Alki). The venue's Hawaiian-Korean cuisine "melts delicate heat and the flavors of aloha together in [diners'] mouths," while the expansive patio offers to-die-for skyline and water views. As the owners put it, "it started with a truck, some exquisite marinades and a lotta love," and now, more than one million tacos and five years later, Marination has expanded to three separate venues and "one big aloha family." Loyal fans rave about the Kimchi Fried Rice Bowl, spicy pork tacos, award-winning Pork Katsu Sandwich, the boozy shave ice bowls, hibiscus-tinged cocktails, the special tangy "NUNYA" sauce and so much more. At Marination, life is good!

Stepping foot into Spice Waala, with locations in both Capitol Hill and Ballard, sets future travel dreams in motion, thanks to the space's welcoming vibes and mesmerizing aromas that waft down nearby sidewalks. Owners Aakanksha Sinha and Uttam Mukherjee aim to create, what they call: "Authentic (to us) Indian Street Food," bringing the magical flavors of India directly to Seattle diners. The eatery's meat offerings get marinated for 36 hours and then grilled, and a signature green chutney makes everything taste especially delightful. When ordering your takeaway treats, be sure to try the papdi chaat (Indian nachos), aloo tiki and lamb kebab rolls ("Calcutta-style," A.K.A. with an egg on top), and mango lassi or masala chai beverages. New soft serve dessert additions mean that Indian-inspired flavors will now be in constant rotation, too.