IL Bistro

Restaurant · Pike Place Market

IL Bistro

Restaurant · Pike Place Market

5

93 Pike St A, Seattle, WA 98101

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Highlights

Intimate Italian trattoria with craft cocktails & late-night dining  

Featured in Eater
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93 Pike St A, Seattle, WA 98101 Get directions

ilbistro.net
@pikeplaceilbistro

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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93 Pike St A, Seattle, WA 98101 Get directions

+1 206 682 3049
ilbistro.net
@pikeplaceilbistro

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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@eater

The Best Bars in Seattle | Eater Seattle

"When people hear legendary Seattle bartender Murray Stenson’s name, they usually associate him with Zig Zag Cafe. That is the bar where he became famous in the craft cocktail renaissance of the early aughts. However, Il Bistro was his longtime proving ground in the ‘90s. It’s where he found his stride — and it’s a historic Seattle place for plenty of reasons beyond that one. Il Bistro is a cocktail bar from a James Bond movie that has been open since 1975. There’s nothing more essentially Seattle than skittering down the cobblestones of Post Alley and ducking into this red-lit respite from a rainy Seattle night. There’s a whole libretto of craft cocktails and mocktails well complemented by a side of arancini, and the scotch collection is unmatched in town. Plus, it’s so unexpectedly sexy down there." - Meg van Huygen

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-seattle-bars
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Seattle Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for Dinner | Eater Seattle

"If you want to have Christmas dinner in an understatedly swanky space with sexy, bordello-dim lighting (you do, don’t you?), this pillar of Old Seattle is the way to go. Il Bistro has been a mainstay for nearly half a century (it celebrates its 50th anniversary in January), with a bar renowned as the spot where the late, great Murray Stenson rose to prominence before going world-famous at Zig Zag Cafe. From 5 til last seating at 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, it will be serving a three-course dinner for $89. It’s a ticketed event (i.e., pre-paid) through Open Table. Reservations will open in early December, so check Il Bistro’s website for bookings to go live." - Mark DeJoy

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/where-to-get-christmas-meals-in-seattle
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Where to Dine Out on Christmas and Christmas Eve in Seattle

"If you want to have a grown-up Christmas dinner, look into this tucked-away Pike Place Italian restaurant famed for its cocktails. It is serving a three-course meal for $122 that includes Italian dishes like arancini, gnocchi with wild mushrooms, and tiramisu." - Eater Staff, Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/where-to-eat-seattle-christmas-eve-open-restautant
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The Best Places to Eat in Pike Place Market, Seattle | Eater

"A dim, cave-like spot favored by neighborhood restaurant workers that pairs a stellar spirits and cocktail list — including a notable assortment of amari — with a cozy bar atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks." - Lesley Balla

https://www.eater.com/2019/6/5/18643359/best-food-stalls-coffee-pike-place-market
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Crissy

Google
Wow, this place was amazing! It was our first time here. They had a 50-year anniversary specialty menu available. We ordered the chicken parmesan and steak. Food was so good and definitely a sharable portion for the chicken parm. I enjoyed Brut Rose and a new cocktail I hadn't tried before; called Corpse reviver No. 2 Our waitress was great and I can't wait to return.

Deb Escher

Google
This has been a Seattle neighborhood gem for 50 years, right under the Market sign! The second generation, family-owned (and now women-run!) Tuscan restaurant has a neighborhood vibe with market fresh, delicious cuisine, craft cocktails, a wine list to envy and Icicle Brewing Company (Leavenworth, WA) IPA on tap! Leo the bartender, is skilled and so great to visit for a post-show drink in the Market! I’ll see you at the end of the beautiful, curved mahogany bar with other locals while the jazz players play on. This is how going out used to feel.

An G

Google
Restaurant smelled musty and moldy with the air heavy, making me think the ventilation was not good . We ordered a 4 cheese pizza and chicken parm pasta. Cheese pizza was very cheesy, mostly mozza, not so much of the other 3 cheeses. Chicken parm's chicken was just so so, nothing special as the chicken was dry and had too much breading. The lighting was so red and dark, you could barely read the menu and see what you were eating. (early dinner, sun was still out when we left).

Jasmine

Google
My boyfriend and I came here while we were visiting for the weekend. We walked in on a Saturday night around 7:30. The host was so kind and managed to get us a table in the bar. The round marble tables in the bar were so cute with candles and flowers. We shared the arancini and then I had the carbonara and my boyfriend had the steak. Absolutely loved the atmosphere.

Denley Bihari

Google
I was very impressed by this place. I went there because it was the only thing open late for food and I had just flown in. It would be a great place to take a date. The vibe and decor is charming. It really felt like a low key place you’d find in Italy. Food was decent. The staff seemed really good too. There was a drunk guy causing a weird vibe and they handled it excellently, just hinting him to leave and stepping in quickly (in a firm but friendly way) when he would approach people.

Oluwafiropo Fasawe

Google
This is a great Italian spot. The food, service and atmosphere were amazing. I really enjoyed the Rigatoni and Parmesan Chicken were great!

Charlie V

Google
Great late night vibes. The food was delicious and cheap. The atmosphere is low lit chill. Highly recommend if looking for a place to bring friends or a date.

Jeanie M

Google
LOVE this spot! Great vibes for a date night or for a chill hang out with friends. Lighting is low with candles and roses at each table. Food is delish and they have a really good late night happy hour. Wine and amaro selections are fun! Sometimes have live music on the weekends.
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RJ P.

Yelp
Worth getting lost for! Finding IL Bistro in Pike Place Market is a bit of a treasure hunt. The slightly hidden, cobblestone entrance adds to the charm, making you feel like you've stumbled upon a well-kept secret. It's almost worth getting a little lost for. My coworker and I stopped in after work for a bite and a drink. He went with wine, while I stuck with my usual bourbon. We snagged a couple of seats at the bar, which I highly recommend. The dim lighting sets a great mood - perfect for a romantic date or special occasion. If you're looking to create a little ambiance, this is the place. They have a large selection of cocktails, wines, and beers, so there's bound to be something for everyone. My coworker was pleased with the wine list, and my bourbon hit the spot. But the real star of the show? The Rigatoni Bolognese. Let me tell you, this dish was fantastic. It was rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. I'm pretty sure I finished every last bite. If I hadn't been in a public place, I might have licked the plate. It was that good. I think the kids say "Chef's Kiss!" The bartender was also excellent. He was attentive without being intrusive--a skill that seems to be increasingly rare these days. He checked in at the right times, allowing us to enjoy our food and conversation without constantly interrupting. You know how some servers ask how everything is right after you take a huge bite? This wasn't the case here, thankfully. Even though it's in the bustling Pike Place Market, IL Bistro doesn't feel touristy or rushed. It's a welcome escape from the crowds. The noise level was surprisingly low, making it easy to have a relaxed conversation, even while sitting at the bar. If you're looking for an excellent Italian meal in a cool, intimate setting, and you don't mind a little bit of searching to find it, IL Bistro is definitely worth checking out. And whatever you do, order the Rigatoni Bolognese. You won't regret it.
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Jonathan B.

Yelp
Il Bistro is a Seattle institution. Sure, it's in a heavy tourist area but it's got a great vibe, delicious Italian food and top notch cocktails... I mean, the late, great Murray Stenson did have a stint here after all! On our Dec 2024 visit we both got the cocomelon cocktail: Planteray Dark Rum, Midori, Pandan Liqueur, Lychee, Orange Juice, Coconut Cream. We're both on a pandan kick. If you haven't tried it, it has a nutty, vanilla- and coconut-y vibe. We loved it. For dinner we got the rigatoni bolognese and bucatini carbonara. Both delicious but I think the bolognese was the winner. Off season in late fall/winter, you'll probably run into less tourists than the summer months.. Sadly, we didn't get any pics for the review/check in... it is kind of dark after all.
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Navin K.

Yelp
Excellent Italian restaurant at Pikes Place - we stopped by as it was highly recommended by a local restauranteur. We were warmly welcomed and seated right away. I noted that it was kid friendly as there were other families seated near us. We started with ice waters and appetizers - focaccia bread, arancini, and sautéed calamari. The focaccia bread was warm and sweet, and tasted even better when dipped in the olive oil balsamic vinegar dip it was served it. We polished it off in no time! The arancini suffered the same fate - it was delish! The sautéed calamari was perhaps the least popular by comparison, but it was fresh and well made. For our entrées, we could not decide between the pepperoni and Italian sausage pizzas, so we ordered them both! The pizzas were huge and both extremely good. The pepperoni was more popular among the ladies in our party than the Italian sausage, which had an added kick to it from the Mama Lil's peppers and shaved red onion. We could not finish the pizzas so we took them to go. They'll make for a good breakfast in the morning!
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Zwina R.

Yelp
I hadn't been to Il Bistro for literally decades and brought my 2 daughters for a holiday meal. Everything was just as I remembered it and the servers were very kind and professional. The meal was delicious and it was the perfect end to our shopping day. I know it's more for a romantic meal, but to be there so many years later with my children was wonderful. The ambiance, service and food were all fantastic.
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Sharna E.

Yelp
Went for dinner, it was delicious. I got the Carbonara, yum ! Wife got the Prawns and Beet/Burrata salad, Pawns were delicious, and just a little too much cheese on salad, for us . Our sever Koa was very busy, but very attentive to everyone in area. Great, convenient location at Pikes Place, fe back wall outside , IS the gum wall . Will definitely go back .
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Demi B.

Yelp
Had a great time here! Made reservations online and came in the early evening. The reservation process was easy and it wasn't too busy inside, which added to the cozy vibe. It was very dim and romantic inside, I really loved the lighting. I had the lasagna. It was great! I'm not a big fan of game-y meats so this was a bit of a risk for me. Thankfully I enjoyed it so much I even took the rest home. It was a massive portion for me so I definitely couldn't finish the entire thing there. For the price, this was good. The drinks were a bit expensive but the presentation and taste was good so I can't complain. I'd come back!
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Dave K.

Yelp
We came here on a Tuesday night and it had a line out the door. I think maybe because the hostess didn't know how to utilize other people to help her seat people. It's a nice place located on the lower lever of Pike Place Market. However, waiting outside for your table is quite interesting as the market staff or city workers (it wasn't clear which) washed down the steps and streets/flooring within the center with fire hoses to get rid of the urine. It's almost as bad at Bourbon Street in New Orleans. They sat us and immediately took our drinks. Our group ended up drinking four bottles of wine. I had a Moscow mule and they made it exceptionally well. We ordered a number of appetizers for the table: Arancini - these were fabulous and large in size. Focaccia - this came with a garlic oil, but was not over the top with garlic flavor. Truthfully, they shouldn't charge you for this and just bring it to your table. Charging $4 per order is silly. Sauteed Calamari - my friends said this was pretty good, but I'm allergic, so I did not partake. Next, we ordered our meals. It's a hard menu for those with some dietary restrictions. One member of our group needs gluten free options (there was only one pasta dis (though he could have had the gluten-free pasta with any pasta dish). He didn't want steak or chicken as you could get those anywhere. I really like gnocchi, but it came with a heavy cream sauce. I could have asked for the bolognese, but its made with veal and lamb, neither which I'm a fan of. They had some more seafood dishes, again, I'm not a fish person (just basically eat shrimp). So I ordered the chicken parmigiana (I normally don't order a fried chicken breast that is smothered in marinara and covered in cheese and then baked, because there are generally better pasta options, but not here. It's very frou-frou. The chicken parm was fantastic! It came with two chicken breasts and atop a heaping pile of small shell noodles covered in marinara and parmesan cheese. This is easily shared with two or three people. I would have brought it home had I lived there, but reheated in my hotel room the next day would have been gross. We were so stuffed that no one got dessert. Don't misconstrue my 4 stars for a lacking review. The food, drinks, and service were phenomenal. However, my opinion is that the charging of bread for the table is kind of tacky and it's definitely more of a frou-frou Italian place. If you're looking for more staple Italian dinners, this is not your place. However, it is great for groups, and perfect for a nice dinner or date night.
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Michael B.

Yelp
Saw this place on an IG post and made reservations for the following weekend. The ambiance was a whole vibe being lit up by red lights and black walls. Staff were very attentive and fast. The food was delicious and decently priced for being connected to Pike Place Market. Would visit again.
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Kylie R.

Yelp
Went here for a date night with my husband and it was very cute and intimate inside with dim lighting. Their wine was reasonably priced. The menu is higher end so it's not cheap. But everything was delicious. It's a vibe.
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Daria S.

Yelp
Tucked in a corner of Pike Place Market--hard to find but worth the effort! It's around the corner and down the ramp from DiLaurenti, just before entering Bubble Gum Alley. Cozy atmosphere with fabulous cocktails and food. We loved the prawns appetizer, salads. Gnocchi, Lasagna and Clam Linguine. Service was excellent and kept us on time for our theater date. A hidden gem in Pike Place Market!
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Heather H.

Yelp
I went here last night for a romantic date. It did not disappoint. The don't room is intimate, the lighting was perfect! Service was great, not intrusive which is what we wanted. I do like to test the server and give them two choices for wine. And I think I would have preferred the other wine. But they always choose the higher priced one. I had the salmon special with a porchini puree, potatoes, spinach. It was the best salmon I have ever had!!! Thank you for the wonderful evening!
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Nathan V.

Yelp
The service was straight to the point and snappy, the vibes were great for date night and special occasions, the food itself was spot on and we could both have asked for a more well rounded experience!
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Kaitlyn M.

Yelp
Ended up coming here with my husband as the pink door had over an hour wait without reservations and honestly it was super delicious! I like that if the restaurant side is full you can sit in their lounge bar area and still order off the menu. We just missed the evening happy hour for drinks so would definitely come back for that. For drinks we ordered the "say less" and "scraped knee" both very delicious with hints of citrus. We shared the "Burrata di Barbabietola" which was nice a light salad. We also shared the "Gnocchi ai Funghi" pasta. We haven't had pasta that delicious in a while ! Just the smell of the pasta had us salivating. Would definitely recommend coming here if you want a lil intimate dinner with great drinks and even better food.
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Brenda L.

Yelp
We couldn't get in to another restaurant so we found this hidden gem. One of the best Italian meals I have eaten! Our food was delicious. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan which was breaded nice and light and cooked perfectly. The shells were like having an amazing adult alfredo Mac n cheese. I did request Alfredo vs traditional marinara as I have a bit of an intolerance. It did not disappoint! We also split a Cesar salad and it was fresh, crisp and perfect amount of dressing. Our server Nate was outstanding as was the rest of the staff. Our water glasses and ice tea were always refilled without having to ask. Everyone was friendly and the ambiance was a modern romantic hip vibe without being overbearing. Highly recommend to anyone who is seeking a great dining experience.
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N B.

Yelp
For our first time there and for a birthday celebration of 10 people. Slowwww service, Added 20% gratuity on their own plus an added 4% cost of living for their staff. At the very end, without us asking for a dessert. The waiter gave our bday man a small tiramisu with a candle. Very thoughtful, NOT. We got charged $10 for it.
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Emma L.

Yelp
The lighting was amazing! Very comfy and fancy feeling inside! Every dish tasted great and was very well reasonable for the price. I went here around 8 on a Saturday and it was packed, but the service was great! Overall would recommend!!!
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Rikki G.

Yelp
Great alternative to The Pink Door if you can't get a rezzy there. Il Bistro has quality dishes and a great menu for apps, main courses, drinks, and desserts. More pricy than usual but it is a tourist area. Focaccia Bread: appetizer 5/5 stars. Hot and fluffy with a side of oil and vinegar to dip. Great inexpensive app to start ($4). Gnocchi: entre 5/5 stars Really dense and filling gnocci, creamy sauce, with chopped pork and mushroom, and peas. Great dish with a lot of flavor. Definitely recommend for dinner. Rigatoni: entre 2/5 stars This classic dish fell so short. Very acidic from the tomatoes that it took away from the rest of the quality of the dish. Order something else. The service was very attentive. Our waters never went past halfway - constantly coming by and filling. The vibe was underground Italian meets red light district mood lighting - kinda strange, kinda dungeonous. LOL but I'd still return.
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Curtis S.

Yelp
Food was great! Service was great and the ambiance was nice with low lights, perfect for a date night. I had the lasagna and the arancini and tiramisu to wrap it up. I ordered a drink but they were out of one of the ingredients but made me something similar which was great. Next time I want to try the seafood. I wish they had smaller plates or I'll bring a friend or two so we can share dishes.
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Jasmine J.

Yelp
Had a group here for a birthday dinner. Ambiance is a 10/10 but everything else was lacking in my opinion. The appetizers and salads were yummy but the entrees we felt were under seasoned. The protein the bolognese was not tender and a bit tough. Our server wasn't very communicate and I had to stop them multiple times from adding more dishes. Yes we are a party of 9 but if we ask for only one of an item- don't add 3 more. Perhaps not everyone at the table will be eating so we don't need multiples of everything. Ordered a bottle for the table and gave the descriptions to the server. Server didn't discuss the wines at all, didn't describe the wine, and didn't ask at all for price point. If you want me to buy a $100 bottle wine, at least tell me about. I serve at a restaurant with over 300 wines so I have some expectations of a fellow service industry colleague.
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Christine E.

Yelp
Ambiance is very romantic with the perfect touch of lighting to set the mood for any party large or small. They had tables readily prepared for side by side seating or face to face. Service was great. Started with the caprese salad. A layer of aged prosciutto, mozzarella, and tomato with shredded basil overtop and drizzled aged balsamic, The reason this dinner got 5 stars rather than 6 was due to there being no bread served with the cioppino which was a first ever when having this dish. Cioppino was loaded with mussels, crab legs, prawns. Clams, and calamari in a zesty tomato and garlic base. Rigatoni with veal bolognese was perfectly cooked al dente. Sauce was just right - not too meaty or saucey and the veal had a tender texture and delicious flavor that did not disappoint. The final flavor to hit the palate was the Tiramisu, It was extremely moist with layers of mascarpone spread between the deliciously soaked lady fingers.
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Marc T.

Yelp
My friend and I arrived here after a long day of exploring Seattle for my trip around 9:30 pm! This was a great find as other places were already closed or were only accepting take out. Tucked on a street in front of the Public Market Sign and down a street decline. I called ahead to make sure and they could let us in immediately into the lounge with 21+ age identification. AMBIENCE: Classy, romantic atmosphere that sets the mood for intimacy and a great time whether you're with friends, family, or a romantic partner. Loved the cute decor of a lit candle and a single rose vase. SERVICE: Fast, friendly, and fantastic service in recommending her favorites from the menu. ORDERS: I ordered the gnocchi; a pasta dish with bacon lardons, mushrooms, peas, white truffle oil, and white cream sauce. It was absolutely amazing with the gnocchi as pillows of heaven with great char consistency as I bit into them. The extra toppings were a great compliment since the gnocchi was spongy to absorb the other flavors such as the salt from the bacon, and savory from the cream, and umami from the mushrooms. Loved and finished the entire thing! RATING: World class quality with high standards of service and food!
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Terry W.

Yelp
Kinda hard to find this place. If you use navigation it will direct you to a ground level area that has some shops. The restaurant is actually downstairs (or down a ramp if you approach it from a certain angle). Service was slow. Took a long time for them to take our order. The ambiance was a bit more intimate than a lot of places. You could take someone on a date here, or have a clandestine meeting. Both would work. We split a single meal. The rigatoni Bolognese was good. Flavor well balanced. Portion was adequate. But it is very pricey here. When considering the value-for-dollar, I can't go more than four stars.
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Soccer M.

Yelp
Great place to gather in the evening for drinks with friends! Short walk from most hotels and prices are actually really reasonable! Will return!
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Lori R.

Yelp
Never again! There's a reason four if us had no problem getting in at prime time on a Thursday night. We did love the round table in the back where we were seated. Menus were limited and none are online. Guessing they make them based on what they can make the most money out of that day. Food was not bad but way overpriced even by tourist Seattle standards. Two of us shared a pesto pasta with sausage and tomatoes. And pasta with clams. Each were around $29. I guess the small pieces of something other than pasta in the pesto was sausage. The pesto was good but very rich. The pasta cooked just right. Clam dish okay but pasta was a bit too al dented. But what really did us all in here was the rip off wine price. Our host made the mistake of ordering two bottles of house chianti without asking the price and they took full advantage of it. $75 per bottle!! For house chianti!! A 2020 bottle that sells for $13. Yes we know of crazy wine markups in restaurants but that is absurd!! They said it was based off $18 per glass which is again absurd!! They sure didn't care that we all left ticked off and upset. None of which settled well in my stomach either.
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Josh K.

Yelp
Made a reservation via OpenTable to this restaurant, selecting that it was for a birthday. We could immediately get sat at the scheduled time, but nobody mentioned or said a happy birthday, even when checking the ID when an alcoholic drink was being ordered, so that was a little disappointing. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. All in all though, the food was amazing. The service was slow, but because we ordered a lasagna (they communicated with us right as we ordered, it would be 20/30 minutes to prepare.) What I love about this place is right when we got sat the server asked if we were on a time crunch (like if we were going to watch a play, movie, etc.) or if we were there to take our time. We told him we were not under any crunch and can stay for however long. Not once did we feel rushed out the door and when packing the to-go orders, they put it in a bag and even stapled it for us!
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Ally P.

Yelp
Ambience is a 10/10 - we sat at the bar & the lighting is intimate, sexy and you lose track of time in the best way! We had pizza at Alibi room and then had a night cap cocktail here - would recommend to others!
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Kristen f.

Yelp
Fantastic food! The sausage pizza was excellent, some of the best we've eaten. I ordered the chicken parm and it was wonderful. Great breading and cheese. Koa, our server, was so kind and efficient. Drinks were great too!
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Megan T.

Yelp
I came for happy hour and had a Stiegl and the Seasonal Burrata. OMG! So delicious. The service was great and server very helpful picking out my meal. The red light made for a relaxing ambiance to end the day.
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Tuan Q.

Yelp
We went here because we couldn't get into Pink Door, first off the ambience is dimly lit. Not romantic but just minimal lighting. I couldn't see the menu so I had to take out the phone and use the flashlight. Yes, that dark in there. We ordered the charcuterie board and while everything was pretty good, the crackers were straight-up stale. Yes, they were uneatable. My partner ordered the Cioppino, and I ordered the pork chop. Her Cioppino was okay, but absolutely no bread service--nothing to sop up the tomato broth. The portion was slightly small for $40+. My pork chop was delicious and the beans served with them were good. No vegetables with the meal. And also no bread service to start the meal. Service was hit and miss but overall ok. No pictures because of the horrible lighting. Better hope the table next to us are not leaving a review, they hated the pasta and the service for them was slow and avoidable.
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Hiral P.

Yelp
Not a fan of this place at all. Arguably the worst Italian food I've ever had The food was so bland. The cheese pizza was so cheesy, felt like i was just eating melted cheese. The pesto pasta was extremely bland. The chicken Parmesan was also very under seasoned. The only plus was the free bread. One plus is that they keep refilling your water and they're super fast about it. Also not a fan of their pricing. Basically had to pay a 25% surcharge on our meal. 20% tip (which is standard), but then an additional 4.5% employee wages fee. Like I would prefer they increase prices by $2 to pay employees fairly and display the prices correctly to customers.
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Victoria H.

Yelp
Came here before a show at the Showbox. VERY convenient. Definitely a bit hidden within Pike place market, which is really nice. You don't feel like you're in the middle of a big touristy spot. Arancini was up there in the best I've ever had, very large. Pastas were fantastic, very flavorful, and good wine and cocktails. Large portions as well, so having leftovers was nice! Service was fine. Not horrible, not awesome either. Just as we were getting ready to leave around 830ish, it appeared there was live music about to start, which would have been awesome!
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Chris N.

Yelp
Food and service was great. We had a $300 bill and was charged $6 per bottle for water and was not aware of this. We got charged $48 total for water and the waiter did not even notify us that it was $6 per water. Per usual he asked "do you guys want water" as most places water is free.
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Lauren D.

Yelp
I haven't been to Il Bistro in years, but it ruined me for life. No Italian food or cheesecake I have had since is worth my time. The specials recommended by the staff was worth the adventure, because I dream of this restaurant even 11 years later. I cannot wait to return! When I was there I had a pasta with scallops as a special and fresh lemon cheesecake made with marscapone. The correct way. Mucha bella! Mangi mangi!
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Jennifer U.

Yelp
Everything you want in a nice dinner place: from the minute you walk in and see the candlelight, small tables and intimate, fancy tables, you feel relaxed to settle in for a great evening. Our server was amazing, everything I asked her I felt like she had a genuine answer. I asked about wine recommendation and she gave me an honest answer about depending on my preference with details about wine type without being condescending. Then she gave a detailed explanation of dishes and what she would have, really helped us choose our meal. I had the coho salmon special, so delicious. Large piece of salmon on a bed of potato, corn, peas, and asparagus. Ended with a cappuccino, perfect dinner. Friend had pina colada and chicken Parmesan which was huge portion and delicious. Go. Enjoy. Everything.
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Angela P.

Yelp
Are you looking for a dark and secret hideout where you can have a real cocktail? Possibly enjoy some Italian cuisine or a late-night snack? This is my little go-to down in Pike Market for a drink aprés dinner or theater or whatever I'm doing downtown at night, especially when I want a bite and everything else is closed. In fact I've never even been here during "regular" hours. Cocktail menu is extensive. Drinks are legit. Bartenders are skilled. Atmosphere is chill.

Jimmy B.

Yelp
Incredible food, ambience and service. A Seattle classic. We had the lasagna, short ribs and vongole. Portions are huge!
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Chris J.

Yelp
Get. The. Gnocchi. It's so good. My wife and I randomly tried this place out and were blown away.

Bean B.

Yelp
The service was excellent. Food exceeded my expectations. My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary and everybody was very kind congratulating us and made sure we had a good spot in the restaurant. Felt very romantic and secluded from everybody else. Thank you IL Bistro!! Will definitely be coming here again!! The cocktails are great too!
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Michelle V.

Yelp
Decided to give this restaurant a try as it was one of the few open past the hours of the pike market and I'm so glad I did! Their food was delicious and definitely worth every penny. Reason I am giving 4/5 starts is because I'm not a fan of the red lights inside the restaurant itself (hard to see) and also due to the wait on some of the items. Other than that it was a good experience. We got the pepperoni pizza, lasagna, and prosciutto appetizer all three items were a 10/10. MOUTH WATERING! If I am ever in Seattle again I will definitely be back.
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Mr. Jim B.

Yelp
Very happy to see IL Bistro is still around, stopped in for a late night tizer Prosciutto Carprese and a Gamberoni, some bread and wine. Perfect except the bread was just not up to par. However the ambiance of this old establishment is truly romantic in a old part of town. Its worth a trip if you have someone special that you want to romance with, enjoy!
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Jeffry C.

Yelp
I liked the places and the drinks tasted good. But for it being very busy they only have 1 bartender making drinks in which takes forever to get them out so I only ordered 1. The ambiance is ok a bit dark so can't really appreciate the look of the plate but it's all good .. regardless I would come back

Rachel B.

Yelp
I hope your experience here is better than mine. I should preface this with the fact that I have been a server/bartender in fine dining for close to 5 years. I have worked for two different Italian chefs and three of the top-10 restaurants in cincinnati, so perhaps I have high standards. I digress. I'm very sad. Perhaps this was the perfect storm. Perhaps not. After looking at the reviews online, my boyfriend and I were very excited for a nice dinner in Seattle. We sat in the bar area, because the vibes were immaculate. Stunning and exactly what you want for a romantic night out. Candles. Roses on the table. We ordered two cocktails, which came out promptly. We then ordered our appetizers... the Arancini balls were amazing and the focaccia was great. There's a phenomenal spice blend in the arancini, maybe oregano and basil? Mmmm. Delicious. At this point we begun being served by 4 different people. Each person seemed more scattered than the last, and didn't ask us how anything was, or take more than 5 seconds at our table. They were there to do the bare minimum and then run off. We ordered a Ceasar salad to split and our entrees: gnocchi and vongole. The server rushed off before we could add that we wanted another round of drinks with dinner (I'm a sucker for vermentino with vongole). Our entrees came out first... The gnocchi was solid, according to my partner. My vongole came out with a sand-filled clam, which leaked all over the dish. No biggie, that happens... but it took about 10 minutes for anyone to notice I hadn't touched my pasta, and we were at a high-trafficked table. When someone finally stopped, they mentioned "we didn't get our salads?". They took back my vongole to remake and said they'd grab the salads. The salads came out, leaving my boyfriend with an entree in front of him, cooling as he waited for mine to come out. We weren't offered pepper with the Ceasar, even though every other table around us was offered pepper with their insalata. Still, nobody asked if we wanted a refill on our beverages, even though our glasses were empty. My dish came out remade 10 minutes later, and with every clam opened to ensure it didn't have sand. It was pretty decent, not the best vongole I've had but very solid. The server who dropped it left before we could ask for drinks. Halfway through our entrees, we flagged someone down to ask for another round. I was really looking forward to a vermentino. The drinks were made and sat on the bar, not 5 feet from us, for about 7 minutes. People walked past multiple times. We had paused on our entrees, hoping to enjoy them with beverages. When the drinks finally hit the table, I took a sip... the wine poured was either a very oxidized bottle of vermentino, or a glass of moscato. It was sickeningly sweet. Not one person stopped to see why we weren't drinking or eating anymore. For about 15 minutes, we sat waiting with no service. My boyfriend started drinking the wine and gave me his cocktail, hoping to save the experience. He doesn't mind sweet wines. When someone finally came by, it was to drop the check without asking about dessert. They took off the vongole which was nice, but didn't stay long enough for me to ask about the wine. When they came to pick up the check, I finally had 2 seconds to mention the wine. They ended up taking it off the check. All in all, just a confusing and saddening experience. We were looking for dinner, in order, with beverages and a server who we could snag for literally 10 seconds. Very sad evening.
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Vibhusha J.

Yelp
Amazing staff. I felt welcomed here. I loved the ambience and interior decor. Its definiely a place for cozy dinner with your partner or just a girls night out. The food is amazing. The gnocchi is the best I ever had. Its a must try. Arancini were amazing too. It might get crowded on weekends so better to make a reservation before coming.

Siddique F.

Yelp
The service was great. Cozy and cool lighting. Food was good and wine list pretty extensive. Would make a great date spot.

Donald H.

Yelp
Food was low quality, probably comparable to the Applebees in Factoria. It wasn't terrible but I normally go out to eat to experience food I couldn't make myself. All of this food could have come out of my own kitchen and I'm a mediocre cook. Service was beyond terrible, our waiter was rude and not knowledgeable. When asked for menu recommendations we were told "everything is good" which is very unhelpful and after trying the food, very much a lie. At the bare minimum, the ambiance was unique.
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Karen D.

Yelp
Food was amazing. And the customer service was pleasant. The bar had a nice setting! We will definitely visit again.
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Ben F.

Yelp
Really enjoyed the meal. There were 4 of us...the place was busy but quiet. Excellent wine selection, knowledgeable wait staff. It was great. I had the gnocchi and I'd say it was excellent. With tip I ended up paying about $50 for just my meal and a non-alcoholic beverage that the refilled several times. Will go again.
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Brian H.

Yelp
We tried to check out another spot but couldn't and this one was recommended. It's a cool spot with seating outside as well as in the restaurant I'd lounge. We settled on the lounge area and sat at the bar. The bartender was attentive and talented, I enjoyed watching him work while we waiting on our meal. For the meal we ordered Rigatoni Bolognese. It was really good. We also had bread with oil and herbs while we waited, it was okay as well. A cool spot with good food and drinks, I'd def come back.
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Carolina R.

Yelp
Tried IL Bistro located in Pike Place this weekend. Sat near the bar area. Very cute, rustic place. I ordered the lasagna which takes 30 min to prepare. It did NOT disappoint! It was so good!!!! Probably one of the best lasagna. I do wish they would provide bread but other than that good service and good food.