Black and Tan Hall is a local success story: a community-owned cultural venue, bar and restaurant. Local jazz, blues, soul, hip hop, folk and latin music performaces grace the stage as well as other events. Chef Tay’s kitchen and bar serve up hearty savory dishes with southern and Caribbean influences… and creative cocktails and mocktails.
5608 Rainier Ave.
Habesha Cafe is many things–a comfortable Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant and cafe, a shop selling spices, wine and selected dry goods, and at its heart, a bakery supplying fresh injera to East African restaurants and shops around Seattle. The cafe stays open through dinner with a takeout menu for nearby bar patrons.
5710 Rainier Ave S
Depends on who you talk to, but the airy, crisp falafel at Mawadda Cafe is likely among Seattle’s top three—and definitely the best in the South End. Also on the menu: shawarma, gyros, spanakopita, baba ganoush, foule, and moussaka among other Mediterranean dishes. Service is not always the fastest, but the wait is well worth it.
4433 S. Graham St.
A Puerto Rican food truck currently in residence at the corner of Rainier and Brandon, tucked behind the teriyaki place. Check their Instagram feed (linked below) for current information.
5416 Rainier Ave.
This stylish. family-owned restaurant lies at the corner of Rainier and Orcas and serves up a full menu of Tibs, Kitfo, Wot dishes and other Ethiopian egetable, meat and fish dishes. They also have a full bar and can provide a formal Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
5701 Rainier Ave.
Family-run place with brisket, pulled pork and chicken barbecue by the plate, in a sandwich, or by the pound.
5303 Rainier Ave.
The flagship location of “Godfather of Poke” Sam Choy’s mission to bring the Hawaiian comfort food experience to the Northwest; it’s where the poke food trucks park when not out and about. Tuna, salmon and tofu poke, rice bowls, musubi, loco moco and sandwiches.
5300 Rainier Ave.
A basic menu of chicken, vegetable, beef and some seeafood teriyaki. gyoza, yakisoba and tempura dishes. Their operating hours seem to fluctuate a bit, but they deliver via the usual takeout services—so checking Doordash or UberEats is a good way to browse their current menu as well as to confirm they’re open.
5400 Rainier Ave.
(206) 723-2489
Situated on the north side of the East African community business hub Al Harameyn Plaza, Massawa’s bar and dining room have the feel of a casual local hangout. The restaurant provides generous, tasty combination plates of the usual range of East African meat and vegetable dishes.
4411 S. Mead St.
Now a neighborhood institution, The Twilight Rainier is the south end sister of the longtime Central District haunt Twilight Exit, and sits where the Union Bar used to be. It’s Hillman City’s basic full-service watering hole: a full bar, comfy, a bit loud, and a solid pub menu.
5609 Rainier Ave
Nationally recognized chef Aaron Verzosa serves progressive Filipino American cuisine at Hillman City’s best-kept-secret restaurant. It’s definitely more fine dining than casual, with two seatings per evening featuring an 8-10 course tasting menu. Archipelago also supports educational and cultural programs connected to Filipino community and traditions in the Pacific Northwest. Reserve well in advance!
5607 Rainier Ave
Famous donuts! Since opening during the pandemic, this fancy donut-focused place reguarly sells out within a few hours of opening. Local and non-local folks routinely line up down the block for the chance to get a few of Flour Box’s creative rotating flavors of cream-filled brioche donuts. (And good coffee and, often, cinnamon rolls).
5520 Rainier Ave
