The Zig Zag Café

They don’t call it the Zig Zag for nothing! I had some trouble finding this spot, but at a friend’s recommendation I pursued it. Fun drinks, didn’t try any of the food. Place was a bit TOO dark but overall a fun little spot!

We love this cozy cocktail bar. Great place to grab a drink and a snack while you wait out the after-​work traffic crush and an equally cozy place to grab a drink at the end of the night. The shady patio is great on a really hot day (chilly otherwise). Service is prompt and friendly. Have never eaten an entrée but the small plates hit the spot nicely. The spanish coffee is a guilty pleasure (and made with such flare!). The Sarah Law made with firewater bitters is no longer on the menu but tasty. The house drinks change frequently so ask the knowledgeable staff for a suggestion if you get a little lost in the depths of the menu.

Hidden jem! I’ve never in my life ordered anything TWICE! Must try the Saganaki. Sexy sizzling healomi cheese with orange marmalade. We also got the chicken kebab, came with Greek yogurt. Amazing Beet Salad with garlic mash potatoes which I’ve never had together!

This place can be tricky to find. You have to take the stairs towards the waterfront, which is located under a bridge from Pike Place Market. It’s then down two flights of stairs, and tucked away to your right. This place is definitely a cool lounge place. I only got drinks and an appetizer here, but I like the atmosphere of this place. I will definitely be coming back to try more food and drinks here.

I am a frequent visitor to Seattle and this is my favorite place. Coming from San Francisco, I am very impressed with the quality of food and creativeness of their cocktails. The rich dark, intimate vibe is very fun and the service is top notch.

The basic Manhattan is great.
Great food, ambience, and cocktails.

I have been here twice now. The first time was after midnight on a Saturday after watching improv nearby. We grabbed a drink only that time. Second time was for happy hour last Friday. They’ve got happy hour till 7 pm! (I feel like a lot of places in downtown only have happy hour till 6 pm on the weekdays).
I ordered a drink off the cocktail menu the first time, it was in martini glass, a bit strong, and around $ 12.
Happy hour I ordered sparkling wine, I think it was $ 6 – 7, and an order of fried pig skin (aka Chicharrón) for $ 5 and it was delicious. Huge portion too.
Overall, this place is a tad pricey, but great spot and both times not overly crowded.

Loved this place! Delicious cocktails with an amazing eclectic ambience! You must try the old-​fashioned, and their Mezcal drinks. If you’re not into cocktails they have a great selection of local brews. However, don’t leave without having the food, its delicious! The lamb meatballs, the selection of spreads with an abundant amount of pita bread, and other delicious apps are simply would make this place is just over-​the-​top!

Great bartender who knows his liquor and can mix a proper drink. Happy hour prices are decent but food menu is limited.
This is a really cool little place off the beaten path. I like it. Enough said.

Read about this restuarant in a magazine and had to check it out.
You gotta get the Old Fashioned!

Adorable restaurant and our waiter was so sweet! It had this old-​fashion wine bar feel to it. Dark and mysterious ambiance.
We ordered The lamb lasagna and gnocchi were great dishes as well, The gnocchi was delicious.
My friend ordered the burger and it was fantastic! Juicy and perfectly seasoned. A must get! Drinks were delicious, unfortunately forgotten the names of them by now.
The reason why I docked off one star is because we waited for at least 30 – 45 mins for our entrees.
Our waiter recommended other areas to check out while we were in town!

First dinner in Seattle during my trip this weekend and we were not disappointed. When it came time to ordering, I was at a loss while my friends finished ordering.
Before I knew it.
it’s my turn. I guess I’ll just order a burger.
To all of our surprises, the burger ended up being THE best dish on the table and THE BEST burger I’ve had in a while. The party was perfectly cooked and seasoned, super juicy, and complimented by a delicious aioli. The lasagna and gnocchi were great dishes as well, but my burger blew us all out of the park. The drinks were all great, my favorite being the ginger snap. It was like a martini version of a Moscow mule.
Our server was friendly too, he recommended a lot of neat places for us to check out while we’re in town. Now I’m just bummed that I can’t get this burger in San Diego!

Excellent place for an evening drink.
Got a «Barnum Was Right,» a gin cocktail which was very refreshing and a tiny bit sweet. Not cheap at $ 12 but worth it.
Bartender was humorous, helpful (talked through the kind of cocktail I was after I depth to land at the right one), and offered a bunch of restaurant recommendations around the city.
Great ambience as well — more low key than many other bars downtown.
Would visit again.

Suuuuuuper hard to find but so worth the finding. Cross Western from the Pike Place side of the street and go down the stairs a couple flights – Zig Zag will be on the right side of the staircase. The long story short for this place is amazing drinks and amazing service. I can personally recommend the Say No More. They’ve got a really well stocked bar, and really inventive and awesome drinks for whatever your taste in alcohol is. They are really friendly and nice and if you don’t know what to order, they’re pretty good about recommending drinks based on your taste. It’s a good atmosphere for catching up with close friends, and I could see it being a great second/​third date spot.

I’ve come here before for their great happy hour (goes until 7pm) and lovely outdoor seating so we came here for happy hour on a rare, gorgeous Seattle day hoping to sit outside. The hostess was very rude when we were asking when the patio would be open. I’m not sure if she thought we were out-​of-​towners or what but she rudely dismissed our questions and just answered «when it gets warm out». Being legit curious I asked again and finally a different server had to answer that typically the patio is open starting in May.
Despite the rude hostess we did enjoy happy hour. It’s $ 4 off their house drinks, which are great! I had the ginger snap and it was delicious. I would definitely recommend it! It is served in a martini glass, it’s refreshing, not too strong, gingery and has some warmth to it. Their happy hour appetizers are good as well. We had the tzatziki with warm pita and the deviled eggs. I’d recommend both. Overall, this is a great happy hour spot for cocktails and the patio is nice when it’s actually open! Mind the pretentious hostess.

Any time I have friends visiting Seattle from out of town, this is where I go to show them the best cocktails the city has to offer! The bartenders are so knowledgeable, and the drinks are mixed to perfection. Plus, the environment is cozy and the food is delicious.

If you can find it you will love it! Hidden gem by the water, great staff & atmosphere. Food was exceptional. This will be my go-​to when in Downtown Seattle.

Checked this spot out on a Friday night. It was cute and cozy for date night, red lighting, jazz music in the background, booth seating. Ordered the Southpaw, was well made and delicious. We didn’t have to wait for a table, which was nice. Ordered some hummus to balance out our drinks, it was good. It was a low key gem, tucked away from other choices, glad we stopped in.

Came here on Valentine’s Day and expected a long wait but we just sat down right when we walked in! I was kinda worried since it was completely empty on a popular holiday haha. This place is definitely hidden. We got lost for awhile and finally found it down the stairs of a plaza.
We got the deviled eggs as appetizer and it turned out pretty good. For the entrée, I got the lemon seared chicken. It was delicious! I also loved the veggies on the side. Customer service was great. Our server kept coming up to check on us.

Just walked up on this café, it is excellent, the atmosphere in the restaurant is wonderful — relaxing! The food was delicious, the help is very caring and attentive, definitely recommend to all! It’s a must visit when you’re downtown at the market!

Good food. Fair prices. Excellent ambiance. SMOKING HOT waitress!
Truly, a hidden gem in Seattle.

Great hidden spot underneath Pike’s Market.
I saddled up to the bar and ordered from a fantastic happy hour menu. The Fried Pork Skins were amazing, and the generous portion of Deviled Eggs — with peppers and scallions, almost filled me up. I kept going with the Grilled Octopus, which may be the best I’ve ever had.
It looks like a dive bar, but this place is putting out some serious food.

So, when we first arrived we were quite skeptical of the place. We have heard great things about Zig Zag but the first impression was not so great. We, along with about 15 – 20 others had to wait outside for tables and standing tables to open up, however every time the host opened the door there seemed to be so much room. We only ended up waiting for about 10 minutes, but it definitely made sense as to why they made us wait. The bar is very small, but AWESOME. We probably would have had a different experience if it were to be jammed packed, so we were appreciative that they make people wait until there is available room. The décor was great, the vibe was great, and the bartender was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made impressive drinks.

We had a wonderful time a Zig Zag… the drinks were EXCELLENT and our bartender Ian was awesome, he really kept us entertained. I would go again when visiting Seattle.

Delicious cocktails. The server we had was super attentive and the host was as well. The burger was so good! Order the Last Call drink and you’ll be glad.

What a cool/​unique bar hidden underneath a set of stairs by Pike Place Market! My friend was in town visiting and we wanted to check out a cocktail bar near downtown Seattle — and now I understand why this place has so many great reviews: it really is an awesome spot with great service, crazy unique drinks, and delicious food (their kitchen is open until 1am!).
When we first arrived the place was PACKED (which I felt was a good sign), and this was around 8pm on a Friday night. We had to wait outside for only a minute (there’s no waiting area inside — the place is pretty small) before being taken inside to wait for drinks at a standing table. We immediately put our name on the list to be seated at a table, since we were expecting to order dinner, and we only waited maybe 15 minutes and were seated at a cozy table against the wall. Our waitress was very friendly and very helpful in going over some of the menu items with us. I ordered the butternut squash gnocchi (HEAVEN), and my friend ordered the beet salad (wow — I never thought I’d like beets, but this salad was scrumptious). As for the drinks I ordered an Apricot flavored margarita, and my friend ordered a Raspberry-​Lime Martini. Both were some of the best drinks I’ve ever had. We even saw a bartender lighting a drink on fire for someone! I want to try that one next time: D Anyone looking to try a cool new bar with awesome cocktails — look no further than Zig Zag!

Fantastic spot. Nice ambiance some seriously good food. I got the boar and it was phenomenal.

We’re visiting from LA and have been carted around town by family members to breweries, diners, pike place market, phở and a handful of other places to eat. We didn’t come to Sesttle with anything particular in mind so I guess where we were taken was ok.
We split off from everything and everybody last night and went to the waterfront to ride the Ferris wheel (worth it!) and then grab a bite to eat. This place was the closest and the food looked great. What a wonderful surprise!!! It was warm, cozy and intimate — just what we like. Great drinks, awesome food, and a wonderful atmosphere that supported intimate conversation. The servers were nice (though very busy) and the manager (?) was nice enough to move us when someone at a near table began to impede on our personal space. It’s places like these that I feel really make a city great — gems that are a little off the beaten path that have so much more to offer than everything else that’s enshrouded in a bunch of hype and always leaves you wanting a little more.
We would def come here again.

Really loved this spot!
Our server was really awesome.
Lamb Meatballs — these were amazing, packed full of flavor and beautifully moist
Fried Pork Skin — yum, these were sinfully delicious and were the perfect conduit for the spicy aioli
Octopus Salad — nicely cooked octopus
Love the vibe in here, and the food was just amazing.

Very impressed with the drinks menu amazing choice. first time here and loved it. food was good too.
Great atmosphere and staff where friendly would visit again.

The cocktails are really good, and everyone knows that. The service is also pretty efficient considering how packed it gets on weekends. If you are feeling indecisive, just tell the bartender what liquor and flavors you would like and they’ll make something for you. Chances are it’ll be good, and if not they’ll make you something else.
Try to get a table of you can’t sit at the bar. The standing tables can be uncomfortable if you plan to stay a while, and you’ll constantly get bumped.
It’s located on the west side /​back side of pike place market, down the stairs almost to the waterfront. Keep an eye out if you’re a female or walking alone at night after a few drinks as the area can be a bit sketchy.

Great drinks and food. Changed to a greek style menu which isn’t quite as good as the last one but the food is still great.
To correct one review here complaining about the brisket, when they have it, it’s not Texas BBQ brisket, isn’t marketed as such and so if you hear people whining about it then ignore them.

Sick of all the hubbub at Pike Place Market? Make your way down the stairs from inside the market to the street below. Cross the street to continue down the stairs and within a couple flights, you’ll notice a hole-​in-​the-​wall Latin music store. Tucked between that and the staircase you’re coming down is The Zig Zag Café.
It feels just as hidden, quirky, and discreet on the inside as it looks on the outside, if not more so. It’s a great place for a romantic dinner and/​or drinks, as well as a quirky place to hang out with your friends. I’ve been twice now, and the service was impeccable, the food was delicious, and the drinks were on point! It’s a tad on the pricey side, but well worth it.

We came here because it had good reviews. I was disappointed.
My first drink was OK, my second was really bad. Go to Vonn’s 1000 spirits just minutes walking distance for much better cocktails. (and better food).
For food I ordered the brisket after the waitress raved about it. It wasn’t really brisket, it was more like a stew. I even asked the waitress if they use a smoker to make real brisket similar to Kansas City or Texas style and she assured me they did. Nope, not even close. She should have been honest — I would have ordered something else. The coleslaw that came with it was good. The cornbread and honey butter were ok, I’ve had better.
My companion ordered the tuna dish. He wasn’t crazy about it, said it tasted too fishy.
Don’t waste your time or money at this place as there are much better options walking distance from there with similar pricing and significantly better everything: Vonn’s, Elysian Bar, the Whiskey Bar, Matt’s in the Market, Pink Door etc.

Nice little place, very tucked away. For a non-​local, it was quite hard to find, but I think that helps it not get overcrowded. We came in on a Saturday evening and there was lots of room. The atmosphere was relaxing. We got two cocktails and the Smoked Trout Dip. Very satisfying as a pre-​dinner snack.

Recommended by a gentleman I met recently while having dinner in Ballard. He raved on about the cocktails and service, persistent that this was the #1 place to try if I wanted a quality drink… Sometimes, people make such an effort to boast about «the best ever» place and insist you go, but to often, I’ve found myself wondering what they were thinking.
This recommendation, however, was spot on and i can see what the fuss was about now!
Best service, AMAZING cocktails, perfect ambiance…
My point is: YOU HAVE TO GO, it’s the #1 place to go for good drinks. Trust me. :)

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE WINGS ONLY
GUEST REVIEW BY ALI ASKARI A very interesting Asian twist on wings at the Zig Zag café in Seattle. The highlight of these wings were its savory sauce– I would liken the sauce to more of a glaze as it was thicker. Tasted hints of honey, soy sauce, ginger for a tropical and complex flavor. The texture was not crispy at all– probably due to the glaze. Pretty big sized wings. The richness of the sauce was balanced with the sesame seeds and the papaya slaw underneath. Overall a sophisticated flavor profile, but too many things going on for my liking, combined with a weakness in texture renders a 3 out of 5 finger licking goodness for me.
Follow @ImJustWingingIt on Instagram for more wing reviews.

The Zig Zag, kind of hidden and tucked away on the stairs below Pike Place Market, serves pretty awesome cocktails! The décor was dark with red lightings, but it was comfortable and spacious. I went here for dinner, so I’m sure the lighting here is different during the day.
I ordered the BBQ Beef Brisket. It came with cole sole and a cornbread. Lets just say, I relished and savored every bite until my plate was empty! It was super yummy, savory, and just a sensation in my mouth!
It wasn’t crowded when I came here, so it was really nice and peace with latin music playing in the background. The bartenders were great, and the drinks were superb. The staff is friendly and customer service is on point. I will definitely come back here again when I visit Seattle!

Okay, I’m not much of a bar/​fancy place person. I can’t justify paying $ 24 for a «large» plate of food. I think this may have been the equivalent of «French large», which maybe covers the entirety of a salad plate. Maybe. I don’t drink, so food that is both filling and delicious is integral. Food was tasty, yes, but I do not have the capacity to appreciate good food the way that rich people can. I’m not exactly poor anymore, but old habits die hard.
They did have an excellent, proper ginger ale, which was spicy and had actual ginger in it. This place was nice, but it made me realize that I’m really not cut out for fancy places. If you like your alcohol, though, my other table mates were very pleased with their beverages, so do give it a try!
Oh…also, the sign is totally nonsensical and doesn’t really function as a sign at all, because it doesn’t say «Zig Zag Café» on it. It’s basically a lady holding a drink, which is fine, but if you’re running down the steps looking for the place, you have to make sure you’re looking at the one place where it says «Zig Zag Café» in tiny neon letters behind a large bush. If my party weren’t so eager to come here, I would’ve just went somewhere else instead.

If you’re on foot looking for Zig Zag from Alaskan Way or Pike Pl, you’ll need to zig zag up or down a few flights of stairs to find this cozy little restaurant. It’s tucked away off the beaten path right near the Pike Street Hillclimb. It’s definitely worth seeking out and huffing a few flights of stairs.
The Caesar salad was fantastic. The house made croutons are soaked in olive oil which makes them slightly chewier than crunchy. Although the softer bite was unexpected, the croutons were perfectly seasoned and I really enjoyed the delicious flavor throughout.
The braised rabbit was outstanding with perfectly cooked gnocchi. The meat was tender and deliciously salty which was nicely complemented by the sweetness of the pearl onions.
The deviled eggs were beautifully presented with a tasty yolk mixture inside each egg half which was then balanced on a circle of the same creamy yolk mixture.
Overall, ZZ is worth checking out for a quiet sit-​down meal, especially if you’ve been walking through the crowded public market.

This is pretty upscale, bougie place and if you’re feeling fancy or if you’re loaded, this is a good place to come for drinks. I will say that their drinks are spot on, but they’re a bit expensive so you get what you pay for. The servers who attend to you also know what they’re talking about, and they seem to have pretty good communication with the bartenders. Their food is also pretty expensive as well, the cheapest food item was $ 18 I think, or at least everything is above $ 12 easy.
It’s a pretty cool place and it’s dimly lit so I can see how it can be a date night thing. This place does get crowded so be sure to make reservations, or you’ll be waiting for a long time. I like this place, but I think it’s a little too expensive for me. I’ll probably come back and give it another try.

* Review just for drinks
While on our visit to Seattle, this was one of the places we went to while we were bar-​hopping, as it was recommended to us from my boyfriend’s friend who used to live in Seattle. It was a bit tricky to find near a set of stairs but when we finally got there, there was a wait for a table but they had some stand up tables near the bar we could wait at. I have to say, it was extremely stuffy and hot on the inside which made all of us feeling sticky and just gross lol. The drink menu had a good amount of specialty drinks for each type of spirit.
I tried the Penndennis: gin, apricot, lime & paychaud’s bitters. I really loved this drink, it was actually the first apricot drink I had! Really sweet and super easy to drink. Definitely memorable and one of my favorites I had in Seattle.
My boyfriend had the Spanish Monk: gin, green chartreuse, lemon juice, sugar & egg white. He really loved this one too. I had a taste and I had to agree. It reminded me off a ramos gin fizz but without the fizz lol Super smooth.
When we received the menu, we weren’t really feeling any of the options they had like frog legs, and chicken liver tartine so we decided to head out after the drinks. But overall I would give the drinks 5 stars but the atmosphere 3 stars, soo 4 stars!