Owned by Uyen Nguyen, who came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam at eleven years old, Nue is a restaurant that creatively integrates local ingredients with diverse global techniques and flavors in its frequently rotating menu. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, Nue is a hip but unpretentious spot for an indoor or outdoor date night or family style meal on Capitol Hill. Signature items include pineapple cornbread, Burmese laphet thoke (fermented tea leaf salad), and Szechuan chicken and waffles.

Address:

1519 14th Ave., Seattle, WA, 98122

Filipino husband and wife team Chera Amlag and Geo Quibuyen (former OA Celebration performer Prometheus Brown!) opened Hood Famous Cafe + Bar in 2019 as the savory-centered sibling of the Hood Famous Bakeshop that they established in 2014. Currently takeout-only due to the pandemic, the Chinatown-International District spot still boasts a mouthwatering array of Filipino baked goods and specialty coffee for a satisfying meryenda (the meal between breakfast and lunch). The cheesecakes, with flavors including ube, pandan, and guava, are indeed famous--and not to be missed.

The mission of Chef Kristi Brown's Communion is to foster community through the cultivation of fresh food and fine cooking. Located in the Central District's Liberty Bank Building--the historic location of the Pacific Northwest's first Black-owned bank--Communion brings forth Seattle Soul, a cuisine that embraces the cultural cross-pollination present in Seattle and the legacies of Black cooking in the U.S. Menu items include cornmeal crusted catfish "Hood Sushi," black eyed pea hummus made famous by Chef Kristi's catering enterprise, That Brown Girl Cooks!, banh mi-po boy "Po-Mi" sandwiches, and an array of delectable veggies and sides. Opened in late 2020, Communion has already received considerable critical acclaim: it was even named one of Conde Nast Traveler's 12 Best New Restaurants in the World.

Located in Seattle's Pioneer Square, Nirmal's is the intimate, elegant restaurant that owners Oliver and Gita Bangera long dreamed of opening after immigrating to the U.S. from India. With a deep commitment to both food itself and the community it can create and serve, Oliver is known for his warm, welcoming personality, a perfect complement to the multi-regional Indian culinary expertise of Executive Chef Ashish Bagul. Since its opening in late 2015, Nirmal's has become a downtown favorite for its daily lunchtime thali, as well as its also frequently-rotating menu of dinnertime starters, soups, curries, biryani, and interpretations of street foods from across India. Amongst the recent offerings--which feature numerous vegetarian and halal options--are delectable vegetable kofta, Misal Pav (sprouted moth bean and white pea curry with crisp and soft buns), and slow-roasted Nizami goat curry.

With locations in Kent and Seattle (Ballard), Asadero Prime--which began as a food stand in Kent in 2014--is a pair of restaurants run by chef/owner David Orozco and family. Orozco, who was raised in Mexico, is driven to bring the smoky and savory flavors of the Mexican Norte to the U.S. A self-taught chef, Orozco has earned great acclaim for his mesquite-grilled carnes asadas (featuring American and Japanese USDA Prime and Wagyu beef), tacos and tortas. Meat eaters will rejoice at the up to 24-ounce asadas, cotija-filled bone marrow tuetanos, and smoked bacon and wagyu-loaded "Papa Loca." Dine indoors or outdoors, or opt for a to-go "Family Style" taquiza or steak dinner package and enjoy the Asadero experience within your own home.

asaderoprime.com