Head to Stone Way North on the western side for a second food corridor, or drop down to North Northlake Way for lakeside spots right by the water. North of North 50th Street, the Tangletown and Meridian area is often treated by locals as the northern end of Wallingford, though a map and a resident may not always agree on exactly where those edges fall.
Ten Wallingford Restaurants to Plan a Meal Around
The Wayland Mill
Settle into this bright, all-day cafe on Latona Avenue NE in the Northlake corner, where Japanese cooking meets Midwestern diner comfort. Go for lunch dishes like chicken karaage and seared black cod nanban, which draw most of the attention, then finish with something from the strong pastry case. It is a relaxed fit for solo diners, remote workers and a laid-back weekday brunch at the outdoor seating.
Hushy's Sandwiches
Grab lunch at Hushy's on Stone Way North, where focaccia sandwiches lead the menu and hold their own in a city full of them. The mortadella, pistachio and burrata combination covers the classics, while the fried pork Milanese with kimchi slaw shows more personality. Round it out with natural wine, thick potato chips and a hazelnut side salad, and take it all to a seat outside.
Joule
Book a table at Joule, a long-standing Korean steakhouse on Stone Way North best known for its charred kalbi-marinated short rib steak. Beyond the signature, explore smoked tofu, chewy rice cakes with chorizo and a kalbi-seasoned burger with horseradish sauce. Bring the group here for birthdays, big gatherings and date nights.
Korochka Tavern
Step into this Eastern European bar on North 45th Street for pelmeni, the small boiled dumplings served here with sour cream and a house hot sauce. Pair them with the signature beet-infused vodka. It makes an easy setting for a casual first date or a comforting dinner at the bar.
Hamsa
Stop by Hamsa, a friendly Palestinian counter on North 45th that brings a cuisine the neighborhood has few other options for. Sandwiches are the draw here, from za'atar dusted akawi cheese with labneh to beef kufta and crisp falafel with hummus. Order a side of tahini for dipping and settle in for an easygoing lunch, alone or with friends.
Sisi Kay
Plenty of Thai restaurants line 45th, and Sisi Kay is one of the most talked about. Browse a menu of wok-charred noodles, rich curries and black pepper fried rice, then make room for the signature roasted duck curry with apple, lychee and pineapple. It is a handy pick for takeout, too, and for vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free diners.
Harvest Beat
Save Harvest Beat on North 45th Street for a special occasion, when its plant-based set menus really shine. The chef opens the meal with stories about the farmers and foragers behind each ingredient. Choose between a wine pairing and a fresh-pressed juice pairing, and be sure to book ahead and confirm the current format on its website.
Westward
Spend a sunny afternoon at Westward, set right on the water along North Northlake Way with a patio facing Lake Union and Adirondack chairs made for lounging. The team behind The Walrus and the Carpenter took it over in 2018, and the menu now leans into oysters and coastal small plates like scallop tostadas and chips with spicy clam dip. Bring a first date or visiting family for dinner by the lake.
My Friend Derek's
Head up to Tangletown, at the northern end of the neighborhood, for Detroit-style pan pizza at My Friend Derek's. Its thick, crisp-edged pies have earned a loyal following. Make it a stop while you explore the blocks north of 50th or on your way toward Green Lake.
Dick's Drive-In
Pull up to the original Dick's Drive-In on North 45th Street, a Wallingford institution since it opened in 1954. A quick order of burgers and fries is part of many locals' neighborhood routine. Swing by for late cravings, a budget meal or a taste of Seattle food history.
Make a Day of It
Many of these spots pair beautifully with a walk. Since Westward and The Wayland Mill sit near the lakeshore, you can combine a meal with a visit to Gas Works Park and its old gas plant towers, and read the story behind the site in our Gas Works Park landmark guide.
Stroll along North 45th to Wallingford Center, a 1904 school building that now holds shops and dining. The Wallingford Branch library is on the same street, and the neon WALLINGFORD sign at 45th and Wallingford Avenue is a favorite photo stop. For more ideas nearby, browse our Seattle neighborhood guides or the wider list of things to do in Seattle.
