Best Restaurants for Quiet Conversation in Ballard

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodOrganicBreakfastMediterranean

Regions

EastsideSeattle

Areas

Capitol Hill / First HillDowntownGreen LakeKirklandNorthgateQueen Anne

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

10 restaurants available nearby

1. Grappa - Seattle

4.7

Exceptional(1232)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Queen Anne

Booked 32 times today

From the beautifully prepared and exquisitely presented small plates, to the hand crafted cocktails, it is our goal to bring generations of family tradition to your neighborhood. Every dish is designed for you and your family to share, and our space offers the same warmth and passion you would find in our own kitchen. With our traditional Mediterranean small plates, thoughtfully designed cocktails, and extended wine and grappa list, it is our goal to give you the excellent dining experience you deserve!

2. Founders Club

4.6

Exceptional(354)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Downtown

Booked 28 times today

Nestled off the main lobby of Fairmont Olympic Hotel, the Founders Club is an intimate haven with warm lighting, vintage books, sky-inspired art, and polished brass accents. This exclusive space blends 1920s speakeasy charm with modern sophistication, featuring rich crimson interiors reminiscent of a red-light district. Hidden behind a bookcase, the club invites intrigue and curiosity.Specializing in rare, vintage, and limited-edition spirits, the club boasts an impressive Cognac collection and liquor lockers for guests. Signature offerings include Seattle’s most luxurious Manhattan, complemented by indulgent snacks like caviar, Wagyu sliders, and oysters.Ranked #7 Best Hotel Bar in the U.S. by Food & Wine, the Founders Club welcomes walk-ins but recommends reservations. For large party bookings or buyouts, contact PrivateDiningSea@Fairmont.com.

3. Lark

4.4

Awesome(1260)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Capitol Hill / First Hill

Booked 17 times today

Welcome to Lark, Seattle’s beloved fine-dining destination for 20 years, with New American cuisine from Chef John Sundstrom celebrating the bounty of the Pacific Northwest in a luxurious, comfortable atmosphere with impeccable, welcoming service. Visit our elegant space in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, easily accessible from Downtown Seattle, and experience our James Beard Award-winning food and hospitality.

4. Piatti - Seattle

4.5

Awesome(1557)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • U Village / U District

Booked 14 times today

Piatti’s prime location is just north of downtown Seattle in University Village, an open-air lifestyle shopping center which offers a unique formula of locally-owned boutiques and signature national retailers. This rich and vibrant community is the perfect home for Piatti, which features a lively bar scene, engaging activities for the little ones and a market-driven menu that caters to all different tastes.

5. Nell's

4.7

Exceptional(1706)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Northwest • Green Lake

Booked 6 times today

Nell's is an intimate, chef-owned restaurant located in the vibrant Green Lake neighborhood. Open for dinner seven nights a week, Nell's offers European-inspired New American cuisine featuring the finest Northwest seasonal ingredients. If we do not have your desired reservation time available online, please give us a call. Our chef Philip Mihalski's cooking approach unites his classic training in some of the most celebrated kitchens in New York City and France with his passion for freshness and simplicity.Nell's menus are designed to pair beautifully with your wine selection from our large wine list. We also offer vegetarian and vegan options on request.

6. Harvest Beat

4.7

Exceptional(1173)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Vegan • Wallingford

Booked 12 times today

We Have The Passion To Serve You The Best Quality Organic Five Course Vegan Dinner In Seattle. Showcasing Seasonal Vegetables From The North West Woods And Local Family Farmer Friends. We are also offering limited nightly to go dinners.

7. Andaluca

4.8

Exceptional(1775)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Downtown

Booked 8 times today

Seattle's Andaluca Restaurant serves the finest breakfast in town and offers a warm, inviting ambiance with hand painted murals and large paned windows.

A photo of Stanford's - Northgate restaurant

8. Stanford's - Northgate

4.8

Exceptional(796)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Northgate

Booked 6 times today

Stanford's is a classic American restaurant and bar focused on traditional ingredients with complex flavors. Our experienced restaurant team is eager to please and delight you with quintessential grill favorites, plus creative cocktails, local draft beers, and regional wines. Since 2006, we’ve been serving the greater Seattle area as a classic American restaurant and bar focused on traditional ingredients with complex flavors, and quintessential grill favorites. Whether you’re stopping by for a flavorsome dinner, casual lunch with friends, or enjoying our happy hour, guests from Northgate, Lake City, Pinehurst, Haller Lake, and beyond love pairing our delicious appetizers with steak, seafood, and pasta, alongside local beers, regional wines, and creative cocktails. We offer a welcoming atmosphere for both large groups and intimate dining. We look forward to serving you!

9. Hearth

4.4

Awesome(464)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Kirkland

Booked 1 time today

Step into Hearth, where you'll feel the warmth from the Hearth oven and our team as soon as you walk in. We've crafted the best of comfort food, enhancing those classic flavors we all love. Our bar boasts contemporary cocktails, local brews, and wines that pair perfectly with our hearth-fired menu. Experience the vibrant downtown Kirkland as you sit out on our spacious year-round outdoor patio and listen to our throwback tunes. Whether it's a family Sunday brunch or a group of friends looking for a new happy hour spot, Hearth will have it covered.

10. Camp West

4.6

Exceptional(106)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • West Seattle/Alki

Booked 6 times today

Camp West is West Seattle's 21 and up newest neighborhood restaurant. We offer delicious dishes with ingredients sourced locally and fresh.Our craft cocktails will remind you the days you were out in the woods with your friends.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
Portland / Oregon •1 review
4.0
Dined today
Beautiful space. Amazing hanger steaks but sent risotto back - just not risotto! Ono fish was overcooked and very dry. Gorgeous cocktails and dessert.
More info
Nell'sPrice: Expensive• Northwest• Green Lake
•
4.7
A
Anne
Denver / Colorado •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Unique speak easy experience- bar within the walls of another bar. It is pricey, but worth trying! Stylish setting and craft cocktails. Enjoyed a delicious dessert too.
More info
Founders ClubPrice: Very Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Downtown
•
4.6
FD
FranD
Seattle / Eastern Washington •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
All our choices were fantastic! I wish we would have chosen the tasting menu so we could experience more of wonderful food!
More info
LarkPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Capitol Hill / First Hill
•
4.4
S
ScottVIP
New York City •17 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 Mar 2025
Excellent Meal! Great service and good drinks! Recommend highly
More info
Grappa - SeattlePrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Queen Anne
•
4.7
M
Marleen
Seattle / Eastern Washington •2 reviews
4.0
Dined on 23 Feb 2025
The food is quite good; the service is EXCELLENT. We come here for a treat, since it IS rather expensive.
More info
Piatti - SeattlePrice: Moderate• Italian• U Village / U District
•
4.5

Explore OpenTable

Area
Quiet conversation

Ballard

Kirkland
Bainbridge Island
Roosevelt
Pioneer Square
International District
Fremont
Bothell
Northgate
Capitol Hill / First Hill
Victory Heights
Redmond
Fall City
Queen Anne
Mercer Island
Tangletown
Seattle
Downtown
Waterfront / Belltown
Wallingford
Leschi / Madrona / Madison Park