Best Lunch Restaurants in Ballard

We’ve only had great experiences, bringing friends and family before we attend Kraken hockey games. Both the gumbo and jambalaya are second to none…. Will keep coming back for more. 

Tilikum Place Café offers a cozy, European-inspired brunch experience. I had the savory Dutch baby with duck and goat cheese—rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. My partner opted for the eggs benedict, which was equally delicious. The warm ambiance, friendly service, and great coffee make this spot a must-visit. Be sure to make a reservation—it’s popular for a reason!

Best Mediterranean meal I've had in a long time! Also, the decor of this location is outstanding, which should be considered part of the experience. Lastly, their cocktails are incredibly creative and inspiring.

We had such a special holiday tea. Each person gets to make their own selection of tea and gets their own pot. We got to take home a box of the special anniversary tea and make some extra holiday selections from a roving cart. We loved the special treat at the end to celebrate our anniversary- really sweet considering this was not something we directly communicated to the restaurant. Amazing service!

Superb, as usual. The carrot sformato was an unusual find and quite delicious. The addition of olives to the blood orange and fennel salad hit just the right acid note, Mama’s meatballs were pure beef with a strong dash of anise seed, and the accompanying marinara had been simmering for ages to pick up that deep complexity of flavors and great balance between sweet and slightly acid.