DineSpin

Best Late Night in Seattle

Find the best late night restaurants in Seattle, WA. Scored on what actually matters.

By DineSpin Team·Updated February 2026·10 spots

Seattle's late-night scene doesn't glamorize itself—it feeds you at 3 AM because you're hungry, not because Instagram told you to go. You'll find no neon signs or craft cocktail theater here; instead, a cluster of neighborhood spots where regulars have standing orders and the owners know your name. The trade-off is consistent: authenticity and portion size over ambiance. Parking is rarely easy, waits can stretch past reasonable, and you'll eat in spaces that prioritize function over finish. Worth it.

Recommended:

Best Late Night in Seattle

1.

Mama Sambusa Kitchen

88/100

This is what happens when you prioritize flavor so hard you stop caring about storefront appearance. Mama and her daughter Honey run a small South Seattle operation making sambusas, fettuccine, and cheesecake that diners describe as simply transformative—the kind of food that makes people return at 3 AM not because it's convenient, but because it doesn't exist anywhere else in the city. The catch is logistical: it's genuinely hard to find, parking is tight, and items sell out early because they're cooked to order, not sitting under heat lamps. If you can handle a 20-minute first visit to locate it, you're eating better than most of Seattle at midnight.

Pro tip: Mama closes unpredictably and runs out of items fast—call ahead or you'll drive there for nothing.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its excellent taste and quality, with many dishes, especially the sambusas and cheesecakes, being highlighted as outstanding.

Food is AMAZING, like really, AMAZING!

👋Service85

Service is generally described as warm, friendly, and outstanding, with the owner often singled out for her kindness and hospitality.

Amazing service!!!!

Vibe85

The atmosphere is often described as warm, welcoming, and homey, with a chill and low-key vibe.

The vibe is very low key and chill.

💰Value90

Portions are frequently described as generous and the prices as reasonable, offering good value for the quality of food.

Big portions, very worth the price.

📍 8319 Wabash Ave S Suite C, Seattle, WA 98118, United States
4.8$$SeattleMediterranean
Ideal for
Late-night cravingsThose seeking unique flavorsDiners who appreciate personal service
2.

Paradise Restaurant

88/100

The parking lot has broken cars. The storefront is shabby. There's no menu, only photos, and a language barrier with the family running it. None of that matters once the goat arrives—so tender and flavorful that regulars describe it like eating "out of someone's house." Generous portions, fair prices, late hours, meet-to-order freshness. New visitors often turn around at the curb. Regular visitors can't imagine eating Somali food anywhere else in Seattle.

Pro tip: Go when you're willing to take time and have low expectations for decor—the food will overdeliver.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its excellent flavor, tenderness, and generous portions, particularly the goat and chicken dishes.

Wow, it was amazing!

👋Service75

Service is generally described as friendly and hospitable, though some diners note a lack of professionalism or a language barrier.

Great hospitality definitely coming back

Vibe60

The atmosphere is often described as a no-frills, hole-in-the-wall, or house-like setting, which some find charming and others unappealing.

Hole in the wall

💰Value85

Diners find the food to be very reasonably priced given the large portion sizes and high quality.

Portions were huge

📍 7250 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, United States
4.4$$SeattleAfrican
Ideal for
Adventurous eaters seeking authentic Somali cuisineDiners prioritizing flavor and portion size over ambianceLate-night cravings
3.

Aladdin Gyro-Cery & Deli

88/100

Thirty years of regulars don't lie, but they also don't mention the waits or the occasional forgotten items in their testimonials. Aladdin makes a gyro that people come back for—authentic flavors, generous portions, Aladdin fries that are renowned enough to anchor the reputation alone—but execution varies hard depending on timing and crowd. You might get flawless food, or you might get black fry oil and order mix-ups. The University District location and 2:30–3 AM closing hours mean it's your option when nothing else is open, and the prices make it worth the gamble.

Pro tip: Go off-peak if you care about consistency and reasonable wait times. Peak hours push 30–60 minutes.

🍽️Food92

The food is well-regarded for its authentic, rich flavors, generous portions, and fresh ingredients, with gyros and Aladdin fries being particular highlights.

Best gyros in Seattle.

👋Service75

Service is generally described as friendly and efficient, though some diners have experienced inattentiveness or forgotten items, particularly during busy periods.

The guy was nice to me

Vibe70

The atmosphere is generally described as casual and bustling, with some noting it's a popular hangout spot that can be loud.

Fun vibes

💰Value88

Diners frequently note the generous portions and reasonable prices, making it a good value, especially for students.

Great portions, but I do miss

📍 4139 University Wy NE, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
4.5$$SeattleMediterranean
Ideal for
Late-night cravingsStudents seeking valueGyro enthusiasts
4.

Zobel Ethiopian Cuisine

88/100

Zobel Ethiopian Cuisine is celebrated for its authentic, flavorful, and remarkably well-valued dishes, offering generous portions at affordable prices. While the food quality is well-regarded, some diners note occasional service delays and a few have raised concerns about the restaurant's cleanliness.

Pro tip: Amazing food, generous portions for the price! Great atmosphere will be back

🍽️Food92

Well-regarded for the authentic, flavorful, and well-spiced Ethiopian dishes, with many highlighting the quality of the meat and vegetarian options.

The food is amazing

👋Service75

Service is generally described as friendly and accommodating, though some diners note it can be slow or inattentive, particularly when staffing is light.

Delicious food & great service

Vibe70

The atmosphere is described as relaxed, chill, and sometimes lounge-like, with some finding it cozy and authentic, while others found it awkward or lacking in energy.

Chill, slow-paced, with music

💰Value95

The restaurant is widely lauded for its excellent value, with generous portion sizes and affordable prices, often noted as feeding multiple people.

So much food, great value

📍 1219 E Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98122
4.4$$SeattleEthiopian
Ideal for
Diners seeking authentic Ethiopian flavorsValue-conscious diners looking for large portionsLate-night dining options
5.

Sultan Gyros Grill

88/100

Sultan Gyros Grill is a highly-regarded Mediterranean spot known for its remarkably flavorful and fresh gyros and shawarma at fantastic prices. While most diners celebrate the food and friendly service, concerns exist regarding cleanliness and a dismissive management response to a serious complaint.

Pro tip: BEST lamb gyro platter I’ve ever had. The meat is fresh and hot, perfect portions, fantastic price.

🍽️Food92

The food is well-regarded for its excellent flavor, freshness, and generous portions, with many diners calling it the best Mediterranean or gyro/shawarma they've ever had.

BEST lamb gyro platter I’ve ever had

👋Service85

Service is generally described as friendly, kind, and hospitable, with staff often noted for their positive attitudes and quickness.

Crew has great attitude. Very hospitable.

Vibe60

The atmosphere is typically described as casual, 'hole-in-the-wall,' or 'no frills,' with some appreciating the cozy or authentic feel, while others find it lacking.

Hole-in-the-wall but it's great

💰Value90

Diners consistently find the prices to be very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food received, offering outstanding value.

Fantastic price, you.

📍 4222 University Wy NE, Seattle, WA 98105
4.5$$SeattleMediterranean
Ideal for
Late-night eatsAffordable Mediterranean cravingsQuick and flavorful lunches
6.

Mr. Gyros

88/100

Mr. Gyros is a highly-regarded Mediterranean spot in Seattle, celebrated for its fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned gyros and other dishes. While generally known for friendly and fast service, a few recent signs suggest a potential dip in consistency, and parking is a recurring challenge.

Pro tip: The food is Fresh, delicious, and a big portion.

🍽️Food92

The food is well-regarded for its freshness, flavor, and quality, with many diners highlighting the gyro meat and fries as excellent.

The food is Fresh, delicious, and a big portion.

👋Service85

Service is generally described as friendly, fast, and accommodating, though a few isolated instances of rudeness or unresponsiveness were noted.

Quick and friendly service.

Vibe70

The atmosphere is typically described as a small, clean, and cared-for shop, with some noting it's not particularly bespoke or upscale.

Cute shop with delicious food

💰Value80

The restaurant is considered a good value, offering generous portions at reasonable prices, though some recent price increases have been noted.

Perfect marriage of affordable and delicious!

📍 256 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
4.5$$SeattleMediterranean
Ideal for
Quick and tasty Mediterranean takeoutLate-night food runsDiners seeking generous portions
7.

Sma5h

88/100

SMA5H is a highly-regarded halal burger joint celebrated for its remarkably juicy and flavorful smash burgers and well-seasoned fries. While generally offering good value and friendly service, some diners note inconsistencies in food preparation and a basic atmosphere.

Pro tip: Best halal burger! Super smash burger was easily in the top 3 burgers of all time.

🍽️Food92

Burgers are well-regarded for being juicy, flavorful, and well-seasoned, with many calling them among the best they've had. The fries, particularly the seasoned and loaded varieties, are also frequently highlighted.

Best halal burger!

👋Service78

Service is generally described as friendly and quick, though some diners note inconsistency and a lack of attentiveness or warmth from staff.

Wonderful service, wonderful food

Vibe65

The atmosphere is often described as basic or utilitarian, lacking in ambiance, though some find it cozy or nostalgic.

Pretty utilitarian as far as, the dining room goes

💰Value85

The pricing is generally considered reasonable to affordable, especially given the quality and portion sizes of the food.

Extremely tasty, hard to overstate how good it was for the price.

📍 7101 Martin Luther King Jr Way S UNIT 107, Seattle, WA 98118, United States
4.7$$SeattleBurgers
Ideal for
Halal burger enthusiastsLate-night cravingsDiners seeking good value
8.

Post Pike Georgetown

88/100

Post Pike Georgetown is a highly-regarded neighborhood spot celebrated for its excellent pizza and friendly service. It offers a welcoming atmosphere and reasonable value, making it a popular choice for both casual visits and gatherings.

Pro tip: The pizza is awesome as well as the garlic bread, & the drinks are tall!

🍽️Food92

The food, particularly the pizza, is frequently highlighted as outstanding, with many diners celebrating its taste and quality. Sandwiches and coffee also receive positive mentions.

The pizza is SUPER!

👋Service90

Staff are consistently described as friendly, helpful, and accommodating, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.

The staff is super friendly.

Vibe88

The restaurant is seen as a comfortable and inviting hangout spot with a friendly atmosphere and pleasant decor.

Great ambiance

💰Value85

The pricing, especially during happy hour, is considered reasonable, with good portion sizes for the cost.

Reasonably priced.

📍 5701 Airport Wy S, Seattle, WA 98108
4.7$$SeattlePizza
Ideal for
Casual hangouts with friendsPizza loversLate-night caffeine seekers
9.

Shawarma King

88/100

Shawarma King is a highly-regarded Mediterranean restaurant in Seattle's University District, celebrated for its delicious, fresh, and authentic shawarma and other dishes. While generally offering great value and friendly service, some diners have noted issues with cleanliness and noise levels.

Pro tip: This is probably the best shawarma in U-district and I might even say Seattle.

🍽️Food92

The food is well-regarded for its deliciousness, freshness, and authentic flavors, with many diners calling it the best shawarma or gyro in Seattle. Specific dishes like lamb shawarma, kofta kabab, and Greek fries receive frequent commendation.

Best shawarma in the Seattle area

👋Service85

Service is generally described as friendly, fast, and welcoming, with staff often going above and beyond. However, there are a few older mentions of rude service and one recent complaint about insufficient sauce.

Very charming, wonderful service

Vibe60

The atmosphere is described as average, simple, or small, with some finding it welcoming and others noting it as stressful due to loud music or a chemical smell.

Average …

💰Value88

The restaurant is considered a good value, offering reasonable prices, generous portions, and satisfying meals, particularly for students in the area.

Good price and decent size

📍 4337 University Wy NE, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
4.4$$SeattleMediterranean
Ideal for
Late-night cravingsQuick and affordable mealsAuthentic Mediterranean flavors
10.

Tsui Sushi Bar

88/100

Tsui Sushi Bar is a beloved neighborhood sushi spot in Seattle, well-regarded for its remarkably fresh and high-quality sushi, creative rolls, and reasonable prices. While the food and general atmosphere are consistently lauded, diners should be prepared for potentially long wait times, especially during peak hours, and occasional service inconsistencies.

Pro tip: Best Seattle sushi experience outside of downtown. Chefs and server attitudes were really cool.

🍽️Food92

The sushi is well-regarded for its freshness, quality, and creative rolls, with specific highlights like the seared salmon nigiri and spicy tuna roll.

Best Seattle sushi experience

👋Service75

Service is generally described as friendly and attentive, though some diners note staff seeming shorthanded or prioritizing to-go orders, leading to slower dine-in experiences.

The staff instantly. The server was friendly

Vibe85

The atmosphere is often described as cool, lively, and industrial with fun lighting and music, making it a pleasant neighborhood spot.

Cool vibe. Like the music

💰Value78

While many find the prices reasonable for the quality, a few diners felt portions were small for the cost or that prices were on the higher side for the quality offered.

Reasonable price

📍 6421 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, United States
4.3$$SeattleJapanese
Ideal for
Casual sushi dinnersLate-night sushi cravingsDiners prioritizing fresh ingredients

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