Best Casual Restaurants in Lake Union / Eastlake

Ian our server was super attentive and knowledgeable about the food....most impressive service because he was able to accommodate my buddy who is vegan....the food was super delicious....and the tiramisu is to die for! Also kudos to the food runner Markus - very friendly and always smiling!

I had family here from California, and we arranged to meet at this restaurant, which I had been to once previously. I remembered that it was good, and also that it was near Seattle Center, and I had a hunch these two would want to poke around over there once our meal was done, so it was a perfect location. The service was warm and friendly, but never intrusive, and the food was divine. I ordered the "sweet stuff" French toast with caramel and strawberries; nobody else makes it like this, and it was mouthwatering! I also ordered (to go) some "soft scramble" eggs with asparagus and Dungeness crab. It's so hard to get real, fresh crab anymore, what with the overfishing, but my eggs had actual leg segments of crab in them, a perfect ratio of filling to egg. The eggs came with their amazing potatoes, and my husband and I had that dish, along with a small amount of leftovers from my French Toast, for dinner that night. This may be my favorite Seattle restaurant right now! The cherry on the sundae, so to speak, was that when we were finished, we sat and chatted and nobody seemed anxious to kick us out of our booth. Oh hell yes.

Breakfast was wonderful, loved the farmers hash and the French toast. We always enjoy going to the French toast bar and oh the giant mountain of whipped cream is amazing. We did ask for an extra plate that never did come, but it was very busy, so I’m sure the waitress just forgot.

A Seattle Favorite – Republic Never Disappoints For my colleagues and me, a trip to Seattle isn’t complete without a meal at Republic. It’s become a tradition—no matter how packed our schedules are, we always find time to come back. The food, the atmosphere, and the hospitality keep us returning again and again. For me, the highlight is always the pork chop—perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and paired with some of the best grits and collard greens I’ve ever had. It’s the kind of meal you think about long after you’ve left, counting down the days until you can have it again. Republic isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a staple of our Seattle visits. If you’re looking for a spot that consistently delivers incredible food and a warm, welcoming experience, this is it. Already looking forward to my next visit!

The oysters and fisherman’s stew were incredible. My only regret was I didn’t get a bowl of bisque to go. Highly recommended.