Looking to find out about the freshest new spots in Belltown? From a steakhouse to a spinning studio, read on for a rundown of the newest hotspots to make their debut in this part of Seattle.
Kigo Kitchen
1730 Minor Ave., Suite 101A
Kigo Kitchen is an Asian fusion spot housed in the Metropolitan Building. This is the fifth Seattle location for the chain, which also has an outpost in Boston.
As with its other locations, Kigo offers a build-your-own menu of stir-fries and salads, with protein options like five-spice pork, Sichuan steak or seared tofu. Diners who'd prefer freedom from choice can opt for a pre-selected salad, rice or noodle bowl, or a banh mi sandwich.
Yelp users are excited about Kigo, which currently holds five stars out of one review on the site.
Yelper James-dee R., who reviewed Kigo on May 5, wrote, "Awesome new spot at Metropolitan Building! Wonderful lunch spot with casual, friendly atmosphere. Both inside and outside seating! For lunch, it's basically like Chipotle but Asian fusion."
Kigo is open from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekdays and 12-4 p.m. on weekends.
Connect Lounge
2330 Second Ave.
Connect Lounge is a lounge and cocktail bar founded with the mission of encouraging patrons to put down their phones and connect with each other. It offers conversation starters at its communal tables, and "phone boxes" for keeping devices out of sight.
The cocktail menu includes libations like the Spicy Connection (mezcal, pineapple-habanero shrub, and basil) and the Unknown (gin, lime, and crème de mure). There's also a selection of beer and wine, and small bites like fries, spiced nuts and cheese plates.
Connect Lounge currently holds five stars out of 17 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Nimisha T., who reviewed Connect Lounge on June 6, wrote, "There's something just so positive and inspiring in this place, it's really a nice place to hang out and get some drinks!"
Brendan C. noted, "Connect Lounge is a great new place. I went for happy hour at 4:30 and stayed to 10:30. The owner and staff are super nice. They chat with customers and get you engaged."
Connect Lounge is open from 4 p.m.-midnight on Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, and from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. (It's closed on Mondays.)
Zane + Wylie's Seattle Steakhouse
624 Olive Way
Zane + Wylie's Seattle Steakhouse is a bar and steakhouse owned by Kevin and Terresa Davis, (Steelhead Diner, Blueacre Seafood). Named for the couple's twin sons, the steakhouse emphasizes meat and seafood sourced from the Pacific Northwest, from prime New York strip and ribeye steaks to Neah Bay halibut and Alaskan razor clam chowder.
Zane + Wylie's Seattle Steakhouse's current rating of four stars out of 21 reviews on Yelp indicates the newcomer is finding its way, but it's still early days.
Yelper Latifa S., who reviewed Zane + Wylie's Seattle Steakhouse on June 6, wrote, "Beautiful! Another spot took over this gorgeous space, and it is legit! I love the dark, beautiful bar and massive booths. The bar is probably my favorite feature of this space."
Yelper Tracy M. wrote, "Service was very friendly, if a bit scattered/hectic. They were super busy and I noticed several tables continually trying to flag down servers."
Zane + Wylie's Seattle Steakhouse is open from 4 p.m.–10 p.m. daily.
Marc Blackwell, This Life!
420 Virginia St.
Housed inside the Marc Blackwell design store, Marc Blackwell, This Life! is a cafe offering breakfast dishes, pastries, salads and coffee drinks. Visitors can pop in for a snack or beverage, then explore the shop's selection of dinnerware, glassware and art books. The cafe also offers wine in the evenings.
Marc Blackwell, This Life! currently holds five stars out of one review on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Zachary D., who reviewed Marc Blackwell, This Life! on May 5, wrote, "At first it seems like an art shop with coffee on the side, but turns out they have a nice little menu of tasty food. The tuna sandwich is fantastic."
Marc Blackwell, This Life! is open from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. on Tuesday-Saturday. (It's closed on Monday and Sunday.)
Aburiya Bento House
2100 Western Ave.
As its name suggests, Aburiya Bento House is centered around bento boxes: Japanese meal combos containing dishes like miso soup, dumplings and nigiri sushi. The restaurant also offers sushi and sashimi-only bento, poke bowls and maki rolls, along with a selection of beer, wine and sake.
Aburiya Bento House's current rating of 4.5 stars out of 52 reviews on Yelp indicates positive attention from users.
Yelper Rhianna S., who reviewed Aburiya Bento House on June 6, wrote, "Nice restaurant! Highly recommended! Sake box is so delicate and fresh! Service is great also."
Yelper Thomas R. wrote, "You'll eat with your eyes first at Aburiya Bento House! The sashimi box was a standout. I have never seen anything quite like it. Eight different kinds of fish, plus tamago."
Aburiya Bento House is open from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–9 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–11 p.m. on Friday, noon–3 p.m. and 4 p.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon–7 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.)
Wa'z
411 Cedar St.
Helmed by Japanese-trained chef Hiro Tawara, Wa'z offers an upscale, tasting menu-style kaiseki experience from chef Hiro Tawara, who logged a decade in the Seattle restaurant scene before opening his own spot.
Diners can choose from "mini" or full kaiseki tasting menus of five or 10 courses, respectively. The seasonal selection of dishes might include lotus root buns with braised eel, grilled A5 Wagyu beef with sea urchin or freshly made warm tofu.
Yelp users are excited about Wa'z, which currently holds 4.5 stars out of 18 reviews on the site.
Yelper Ryan Y., who reviewed Wa'z on June 6, wrote, "So good ... went back for [the] second time in two weeks and brought friends. A perfect Japanese oasis. One of the best meals I have eaten in the Seattle area."
Yelper 亮太 wrote, "Great food and service! Went there twice already. Never thought I could have such high-quality Kyoto-style Japanese food outside of the country. They also have some special Sake if you ask."
Wa'z is open from 5 p.m.–10 p.m. on Wednesday-Sunday. (It's closed on Monday and Tuesday.)
Soulcycle South Lake Union
2105 Ninth Ave.
SoulCycle South Lake Union is the latest studio for the burgeoning national spinning chain, which has become famous for its high-intensity cycling classes mixed with positive messages, thunderous music and dark, candlelit atmosphere.
SoulCycle's current Yelp rating of 3.5 stars out of 10 reviews indicates the newcomer is finding its way, but it's still early days.
Yelper Frankie K., who reviewed SoulCycle South Lake Union on June 11, wrote, "Thrilled the SLU location is finally open and I don't have to make trips across the bridge to Bellevue to get a good workout. Great location; centralized enough in Seattle to make it convenient."
Kate A. noted, "This was one of my first cycle classes, except for an occasional spin class at my regular gym which is free. I really loved the vibe they set with the dark candlelit room and loud music — it helps you to feel more comfortable and get in the zone."
SoulCycle South Lake Union is open from 5 a.m.-8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays.
Pandora Fitness
1918 Eighth Ave.
Pandora Fitness is a fitness studio and gym focused on high-intensity group classes, which blend interval training, full-body strength work, and deep restorative stretches to "melt fat, increase muscle tone, and improve conditioning," according to its website.
Pandora Fitness's current Yelp rating of five stars out of four reviews indicates positive attention from users.
Christine M. noted, "Came in during the soft open, so all the weights and mats had new gym smell. Beautiful space, great location right across from the police station in the heart of Amazonia, and there were only about four to eight other people in the class, so it felt like semi-private training, which I loved."
Yelper Chad M. wrote, "Been to a lot of gyms in my lifetime. This one is the most fun I've had, doing some really hard work. Getting stronger and fitter due to this great gym."
Pandora Fitness is open from 6 a.m.–7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. on Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)
