Seattle’s waterfront is about to get a lot more sizzle. Benihana, the teppanyaki chain known for its spatula tricks and flying shrimp, is coming back to the city with a new restaurant at Lake Union Piers. It will be the brand’s first full-scale Seattle location since its downtown spot closed in 2016, and it is slated for one of the prime bays on the south edge of Lake Union, joining a growing lineup of restaurants and entertainment options in the redeveloped complex.
Deal details
The new Benihana will occupy nearly 9,000 square feet at Lake Union Piers, putting the hibachi tables right on the Lake Union waterfront. The deal, which marks Benihana’s official Seattle return and gives it one of the larger dining footprints at the project, was first reported by Puget Sound Business Journal.
Where it will sit
Lake Union Piers is a five-acre waterfront redevelopment at 901 Fairview Ave N that Vulcan Real Estate recently completed. The project totals roughly 60,000 square feet across four buildings, with about 40,000 square feet devoted to food, drink and retail. Marketing materials for the site promote new piers, expanded moorage and terraced seating, all aimed at attracting guests whether they arrive by car, on foot or by boat, according to Vulcan Real Estate.
Company size and timeline
The ONE Group, which owns Benihana, has billed the Lake Union restaurant as a “flagship” and told investors it will be roughly 7,000 square feet, with a target opening by the end of the year. “That location is about 7,000-ish square feet, so it’s almost identical to what we got in San Mateo,” CEO Emanuel Hilario said on an earnings call, according to transcripts published at Investing.com. The company also said the Lake Union space was originally being designed for a Kona Grill, then was switched midstream to a Benihana because executives see stronger revenue potential for the hibachi brand.
Back after a decade
Seattle’s last Benihana location downtown was operating under a different name by spring 2016, leaving the city without a full-service Benihana for roughly a decade. At that point, the former Benihana space had been rebranded as Hamanasu, a change that underscored how fully the chain had disappeared from the local dining map, according to The Seattle Times.
Hiring and the build-out
Signs of life are already visible behind the scenes. Job postings on local and national boards are advertising roles for “Benihana - Lake Union,” including teppan chefs and management positions tied to the 901 Fairview Ave N address. Those listings indicate Benihana is staffing up an opening team while the space is built out and permits are finalized, as shown on platforms such as Harri.
What it means for the waterfront
Lake Union Piers has been steadily filling in with new food and drink concepts, from wine bars to pop-ups. Dropping in a national name like Benihana adds a high-capacity, showy draw to that mix. The project is marketed as an entertainment destination, with public plazas, boat slips and terraces meant to complement waterfront dining options, according to Lake Union Piers.
Looking ahead
The Lake Union move fits into The ONE Group’s broader strategy to grow Benihana after acquiring the brand in 2024, a deal the company has framed as a way to scale experiential dining across the United States. Locals can expect more specific opening details as permitting and interior work progress, with the company publicly aiming for a late-year debut on the lake. For additional background on the Benihana acquisition, see Business Wire.
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