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A collection of dishes from Spice Waala in Seattle
A spread from Spice Waala
Spice Waala [Official Photo]

Where to Get Affordable, Delicious Food in Seattle

Fantastic food at affordable prices

by Jade Yamazaki Stewart, Meg van Huygen, and Eater Staff Updated
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A spread from Spice Waala
| Spice Waala [Official Photo]
by Jade Yamazaki Stewart, Meg van Huygen, and Eater Staff Updated

Seattle is an incredible city to dine in, but too often it’s also an unaffordable one. You can get unbelievable wood-fired pizzas for $30 and imaginative cocktails for $16, but just because these things are “worth it” doesn’t mean you always want to empty your wallet for them. Fortunately, there are still some great places out there that are easy on the credit card and worth plenty of return visits. Below is a list of some of the truly excellent meals in the city that won’t break the bank, with satisfying vegan tacos, kathi rolls, chili-drenched hand-pulled noodles, and more.

As usual, this list is not ranked; it’s organized geographically, south to north. Know of a spot that should be on our radar? Send us a tip by emailing seattle@eater.com.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Spice Bridge

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This food hall inside the Tukwila Village development supports women-owned immigrant businesses with kiosks serving a variety of international dishes for takeout. There are comforting Somali-Kenyan-Tanzanian stews at Moyo Kitchen, Congolese cuisine from Taste of Congo (including wonderfully chewy beignets), and satisfying Gambian and Senegalese food, such as fish yassa, from Afella Jollof Catering.

14200 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 141, Tukwila, WA 98168
(206) 582-1915
(206) 582-1915

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Taco Street

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This taco sensation near the Othello light rail station serves soft tacos Northern Chihuahua-style, naked with a choice of meat, plus burritos, tortas, and breakfast burritos (most under $5). There’s a large selection of sauces, salsas, and toppings to customize these beauties.

7136 Martin Luther King Jr Way S #102, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 659-0583
(206) 659-0583

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Matt's Famous Chili Dogs

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These chili dogs are simple creatures — a basic dog on a basic bun slathered with a decidedly un-elevated chili that is meaty, smooth, with only a little bit of heat. It’s not quite a snack, not quite a full meal, but maybe most importantly it is still five bucks, as if inflation has left this industrial corner of Georgetown untouched. Matt’s serves other styles of hot dogs too, including a Seattle dog of course, all around the same low low price point.

6615 E Marginal Way S (at 4th Ave S), Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 768-0418
(206) 768-0418
A chili dog.
The famous chili dog, in the flesh.
Harry Cheadle

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Emerald City Fish and Chips

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This tiny, bare-bones South Seattle gem has been frying fine Southern-inspired seafood for a decade, with choices ranging from salmon to halibut to catfish to cod. And while fish is obviously the star of the show, the rest of owner Stevie Allen's menu is airtight as well, particularly the gumbo and po’ boys.

3756 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 760-3474
(206) 760-3474
A view of fried fish with fries in containers on top of trays covered in red checkered paper.
Emerald City is a South Seattle gem.
Emerald City Fish and Chips/Facebook

Marination Ma Kai

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On a summer day, is there a better way to spend $20 than water taxiing out to Alki and feasting on some egg-topped kimchi fried rice? Marination isn’t health food — even its salads have plenty of meat and sauce — but it’s mental health food, because their Aloha Fries (double-fried fries topped with kalua pork, kimchi sauce, and other stuff) are the definition of self-care. On rainy days when there’s no view, grab a spam musubi and stick it in your hoodie pocket — blam, you just bought a hand warmer for $4.75.

1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 328-8226
(206) 328-8226

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Saigon Deli

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There are two totally unrelated Saigon Delis in Seattle, and they’re both cheap and fantastic, but the one on Jackson in Chinatown-International District is the REALLY cheap one. For around $5, one can choose a generously sized banh mi from around ten options, with all the pickly accoutrements, on the freshest of French rolls with the freshest of herbs. Meatball and barbecued pork are fun, slightly unusual banh mi options, while the Three Kinds of Ham roll crushes all others as the crowd fave. 

1237 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 322-3700
(206) 322-3700

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Quick Pack Food Mart

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If you’ve never been inside Quick Pack, you might wonder why so many cars are always parked outside this Central District convenience store. Well, it’s not just a convenience store — it’s one of the best fried chicken restaurants in Seattle, serving up juicy, flavorful, delicately priced wings, legs, and breasts. Don’t sleep on the rice-filled samosas either, which are hot and flaky and a $3 savory treat.

2616 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 328-2127
(206) 328-2127
A cardboard takeout box with two pieces of fried chicken inside.
Fried chicken at Quick Pack
Harry Cheadle

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Rojo's Mexican Food - Vegan Taqueria

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Don’t think of this Pioneer Square taqueria as a vegan restaurant, think of it as one of the best lunch deals in town — for $10, you get three tacos and rice and beans. For our money, at least one of those tacos should be the al pastor soy curls, which are crispy and flavorful and cooked with pineapple for a welcome edge of sweetness.

217 James Street, Seattle, Washington 98104
A plate of tacos garnished with lime slices and radishes and rice and beans.
Tacos at Rojo’s Mexican Food
Suzi Pratt

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Spice Waala

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This Capitol Hill restaurant has quickly gained traction as one of the best spots for Indian street food in the city (it also has locations in Ballard and Columbia City). The lamb kebab and chicken tikka kathi rolls are both incredible handheld meals for $7.50, and Waala’s take on masala aloo — fries tossed in spices served with spicy green chutney — is incredibly economical at $3.50.

340 15th Ave E #202, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 466-5195
(206) 466-5195

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Aladdin Gyro-Cery & Deli

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There’s so many things to love about Aladdin’s Gyro-cery: the punny name, the super-late hours (open until 2:30 a.m. on weekends!), the colorful tapestry-bedecked tent room in the back, the interesting beverage options (e.g., blackcurrant-based Vimto soda), and of course, the prices. The best menu item comes in at a luxe $9.55: the lamb shawarma. Wrapped in lavash that’s slathered with hummus AND tahini before all the beautiful roasted lamb is added, this thing’s just dripping with sumac-infused olive oil and lamb fat and pickle brine and tomato juice, making shiny, delicious puddles all over the tray. Better get some fries, too, to soak those puddles up. 

4139 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 632-5253
(206) 632-5253

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Xi’an Noodles

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This no-frills spot on the Ave in the U District has been slinging some of the city’s best Chinese food since it opened in 2016 (it has since expanded to Downtown Seattle and Bellevue). Bowls of hand-pulled, wide biang biang noodles are the main attraction, made from scratch every day. Other must-try dishes include the spicy cumin lamb.

5259 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 522-8888
(206) 522-8888
A closeup view of a bowl filled with lamb cumin noodles and herbs, pulled with chopsticks.
Lamb cumin noodles
Gabe Guarente

Oliver's Twist

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After owner Karuna Long bought this bijou bar and restaurant in 2017, he added his mom’s unique-to-Seattle Cambodian recipes to the menu. The cherry on the Vieux Carré? All these fragrant, gorgeous entrees hover around $16. The Cambodian rice bowls and vermicelli dishes don’t miss, but the braised pork belly (kha sach chrouk) rice bowl, with caramelized palm sugar, coconut milk, soy sauce, bamboo shoots, and a sunny egg on top is just, whew, unforgettable. And every bite of OT’s curry-based hot & sour beef stew (somlaw macchu kroeung sach ko) is like a warm hug from your — or perhaps Long’s — mom. 

6822 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 706-6673
(206) 706-6673
A bowl of braised pork belly with a fried egg on top
Oliver’s Twist’s kha sach chrouk bowl
Meg Van Huygen

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Man'oushe Express

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These Middle Eastern flatbreads (mana’eesh), made in a Wood Stone oven at Goodies Mediterranean Market, are one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets. Gut-bustingly large and wallet-friendly, they’re piled high with za’atar, ground lamb, kefir, bulgur, and mint.

13721 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 362-2694
(206) 362-2694

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Spice Bridge

14200 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 141, Tukwila, WA 98168

This food hall inside the Tukwila Village development supports women-owned immigrant businesses with kiosks serving a variety of international dishes for takeout. There are comforting Somali-Kenyan-Tanzanian stews at Moyo Kitchen, Congolese cuisine from Taste of Congo (including wonderfully chewy beignets), and satisfying Gambian and Senegalese food, such as fish yassa, from Afella Jollof Catering.

14200 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 141, Tukwila, WA 98168
(206) 582-1915
(206) 582-1915

Taco Street

7136 Martin Luther King Jr Way S #102, Seattle, WA 98118

This taco sensation near the Othello light rail station serves soft tacos Northern Chihuahua-style, naked with a choice of meat, plus burritos, tortas, and breakfast burritos (most under $5). There’s a large selection of sauces, salsas, and toppings to customize these beauties.

7136 Martin Luther King Jr Way S #102, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 659-0583
(206) 659-0583

Matt's Famous Chili Dogs

6615 E Marginal Way S (at 4th Ave S), Seattle, WA 98108

These chili dogs are simple creatures — a basic dog on a basic bun slathered with a decidedly un-elevated chili that is meaty, smooth, with only a little bit of heat. It’s not quite a snack, not quite a full meal, but maybe most importantly it is still five bucks, as if inflation has left this industrial corner of Georgetown untouched. Matt’s serves other styles of hot dogs too, including a Seattle dog of course, all around the same low low price point.

6615 E Marginal Way S (at 4th Ave S), Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 768-0418
(206) 768-0418
A chili dog.
The famous chili dog, in the flesh.
Harry Cheadle

Emerald City Fish and Chips

3756 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144

This tiny, bare-bones South Seattle gem has been frying fine Southern-inspired seafood for a decade, with choices ranging from salmon to halibut to catfish to cod. And while fish is obviously the star of the show, the rest of owner Stevie Allen's menu is airtight as well, particularly the gumbo and po’ boys.

3756 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 760-3474
(206) 760-3474
A view of fried fish with fries in containers on top of trays covered in red checkered paper.
Emerald City is a South Seattle gem.
Emerald City Fish and Chips/Facebook

Marination Ma Kai

1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126

On a summer day, is there a better way to spend $20 than water taxiing out to Alki and feasting on some egg-topped kimchi fried rice? Marination isn’t health food — even its salads have plenty of meat and sauce — but it’s mental health food, because their Aloha Fries (double-fried fries topped with kalua pork, kimchi sauce, and other stuff) are the definition of self-care. On rainy days when there’s no view, grab a spam musubi and stick it in your hoodie pocket — blam, you just bought a hand warmer for $4.75.

1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 328-8226
(206) 328-8226

Saigon Deli

1237 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144

There are two totally unrelated Saigon Delis in Seattle, and they’re both cheap and fantastic, but the one on Jackson in Chinatown-International District is the REALLY cheap one. For around $5, one can choose a generously sized banh mi from around ten options, with all the pickly accoutrements, on the freshest of French rolls with the freshest of herbs. Meatball and barbecued pork are fun, slightly unusual banh mi options, while the Three Kinds of Ham roll crushes all others as the crowd fave. 

1237 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 322-3700
(206) 322-3700

Quick Pack Food Mart

2616 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144

If you’ve never been inside Quick Pack, you might wonder why so many cars are always parked outside this Central District convenience store. Well, it’s not just a convenience store — it’s one of the best fried chicken restaurants in Seattle, serving up juicy, flavorful, delicately priced wings, legs, and breasts. Don’t sleep on the rice-filled samosas either, which are hot and flaky and a $3 savory treat.

2616 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 328-2127
(206) 328-2127
A cardboard takeout box with two pieces of fried chicken inside.
Fried chicken at Quick Pack
Harry Cheadle

Rojo's Mexican Food - Vegan Taqueria

217 James Street, Seattle, Washington 98104

Don’t think of this Pioneer Square taqueria as a vegan restaurant, think of it as one of the best lunch deals in town — for $10, you get three tacos and rice and beans. For our money, at least one of those tacos should be the al pastor soy curls, which are crispy and flavorful and cooked with pineapple for a welcome edge of sweetness.

217 James Street, Seattle, Washington 98104
A plate of tacos garnished with lime slices and radishes and rice and beans.
Tacos at Rojo’s Mexican Food
Suzi Pratt

Spice Waala

340 15th Ave E #202, Seattle, WA 98112

This Capitol Hill restaurant has quickly gained traction as one of the best spots for Indian street food in the city (it also has locations in Ballard and Columbia City). The lamb kebab and chicken tikka kathi rolls are both incredible handheld meals for $7.50, and Waala’s take on masala aloo — fries tossed in spices served with spicy green chutney — is incredibly economical at $3.50.

340 15th Ave E #202, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 466-5195
(206) 466-5195

Aladdin Gyro-Cery & Deli

4139 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

There’s so many things to love about Aladdin’s Gyro-cery: the punny name, the super-late hours (open until 2:30 a.m. on weekends!), the colorful tapestry-bedecked tent room in the back, the interesting beverage options (e.g., blackcurrant-based Vimto soda), and of course, the prices. The best menu item comes in at a luxe $9.55: the lamb shawarma. Wrapped in lavash that’s slathered with hummus AND tahini before all the beautiful roasted lamb is added, this thing’s just dripping with sumac-infused olive oil and lamb fat and pickle brine and tomato juice, making shiny, delicious puddles all over the tray. Better get some fries, too, to soak those puddles up. 

4139 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 632-5253
(206) 632-5253

Xi’an Noodles

5259 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

This no-frills spot on the Ave in the U District has been slinging some of the city’s best Chinese food since it opened in 2016 (it has since expanded to Downtown Seattle and Bellevue). Bowls of hand-pulled, wide biang biang noodles are the main attraction, made from scratch every day. Other must-try dishes include the spicy cumin lamb.

5259 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 522-8888
(206) 522-8888
A closeup view of a bowl filled with lamb cumin noodles and herbs, pulled with chopsticks.
Lamb cumin noodles
Gabe Guarente

Oliver's Twist

6822 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

After owner Karuna Long bought this bijou bar and restaurant in 2017, he added his mom’s unique-to-Seattle Cambodian recipes to the menu. The cherry on the Vieux Carré? All these fragrant, gorgeous entrees hover around $16. The Cambodian rice bowls and vermicelli dishes don’t miss, but the braised pork belly (kha sach chrouk) rice bowl, with caramelized palm sugar, coconut milk, soy sauce, bamboo shoots, and a sunny egg on top is just, whew, unforgettable. And every bite of OT’s curry-based hot & sour beef stew (somlaw macchu kroeung sach ko) is like a warm hug from your — or perhaps Long’s — mom. 

6822 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 706-6673
(206) 706-6673
A bowl of braised pork belly with a fried egg on top
Oliver’s Twist’s kha sach chrouk bowl
Meg Van Huygen

Man'oushe Express

13721 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125

These Middle Eastern flatbreads (mana’eesh), made in a Wood Stone oven at Goodies Mediterranean Market, are one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets. Gut-bustingly large and wallet-friendly, they’re piled high with za’atar, ground lamb, kefir, bulgur, and mint.

13721 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 362-2694
(206) 362-2694

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