Where to Eat near Port of Seattle

World-famous mac and cheese made fresh at Pike Place Market. Kids go crazy for it.

Order: The 'World's Best' mac and cheese lives up to the hype. Grilled cheese sandwiches are simple and perfect for picky eaters. Their tomato soup is a great pairing.

Pro tip: Kids love watching the cheese being made through the glass windows. It's a mini science lesson before a meal. Order at the counter and grab a seat if one opens up.

Waterfront seafood feast where you eat off the table with mallets — dinner and a show

Order: The SeaFeast is the experience — a bucket of crab, shrimp, clams, and corn dumped right on your table. Kids get mallets and bibs. Fish and chips for the less adventurous.

Pro tip: Sit by the windows for water views. The SeaFeast is messy and fun — perfect for kids who like getting their hands dirty. There's a carousel and arcade on the pier right outside.

Seattle's waterfront fish and chips since 1938, with seagulls to feed while you eat.

Order: Classic fish and chips with a side of clam chowder. The fish tacos are surprisingly great. Corn dogs for the kids who refuse seafood.

Pro tip: This is the walk-up counter on the pier, not the sit-down restaurant upstairs. Way cheaper and more fun. Kids love tossing fries to the seagulls (it's a Seattle tradition).

A Post Alley pizza spot near the gum wall, easy to miss, turning out brick-oven pies the whole family loves.

Order: Brick-oven pizzas are the star — simple Margherita or pepperoni for kids, more adventurous toppings for adults. Salads are fresh and generous.

Pro tip: Kids love the adventure of finding this tucked-away spot down Post Alley. Walk past the famous gum wall on the way. It stays family-friendly into the evening, and pizza doesn't take long.

Three floors of Pike Place Market views, and a classic breakfast with a panoramic twist.

Order: Pancakes and eggs on the top floor with water views. Their Eggs Benedict is a staple. Simple breakfast plates that even picky eaters approve of.

Pro tip: Ask for the third floor, which has the best views of Elliott Bay and the ferries. Breakfast is served all day. It gets crowded on weekend mornings, so arrive early.

Tom Douglas's artisan pizza spot, doing wood-fired pies with local ingredients in a cozy space.

Order: The mushroom pizza with truffle cheese is a parent favorite. Margherita and pepperoni for kids. Their salads use local greens and are surprisingly kid-approved.

Pro tip: Walk-in only, no reservations. Go at an off-peak hour with kids to avoid the wait. Pizzas come out fast once you're seated.

Build-your-own pizza assembly line — everyone gets exactly what they want

Order: Custom pizzas — kids pick their own toppings Subway-style. The Calexico (spicy chicken) is a parent favorite. Unlimited toppings at no extra charge.

Pro tip: Born in Seattle, so this is the original. The fast-casual format means you're in and out quickly. Perfect for families who can't agree on toppings.

Family-friendly waterfront chain with reliable seafood and great lake views

Order: Award-winning clam chowder, fish and chips, and wild salmon. Kids menu has grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and mini fish and chips.

Pro tip: The South Lake Union location has the best views and the most space for families. Less crowded than downtown spots. Crayons and coloring pages keep little ones busy.

Award-winning chowder in Pike Place Market, where the line moves faster than it looks.

Order: The New England clam chowder has won national awards, but the Dungeness crab bisque is the one people overlook. Get a bread bowl and you won't regret it.

Pro tip: The line at the Post Alley location looks long but moves quickly. Go before the lunch rush if you can. They also have a less-crowded location in Pacific Place mall.

An authentic French bakery right at Pike Place, turning out croissants that rival Paris.

Order: Almond croissant is legendary. Their quiche Lorraine and ham and cheese croissant are perfect for a quick pre-cruise breakfast. Grab a macaron for the road.

Pro tip: Opens early. Get here in the morning if you want the full selection, because the almond croissants can run out. Order at the counter, eat outside overlooking Elliott Bay.

Panoramic Elliott Bay views and fresh Northwest seafood. The pre-cruise splurge.

Order: Dungeness crab cakes, pan-seared wild salmon, and the seafood tower for the table. The brunch menu is excellent — bloody marys with a view.

Pro tip: Request a window seat for unobstructed views of the ferries crossing Elliott Bay. Weekend brunch reservations are a must. The happy hour has great value on oysters.

Belltown's buzziest seafood spot, serving inventive Pacific Northwest plates in a sleek setting.

Order: The whole roasted Dungeness crab is the star. Wood-grilled octopus and the daily fish specials never disappoint. Craft cocktails are worth the splurge.

Pro tip: Located inside the Palladian Hotel in Belltown. Walk here from Pike Place Market in 10 minutes. The bar scene is vibrant if you're looking for a last-night-on-land cocktail.

Tucked below Pike Place and easy to walk right past, an Italian room doing romantic candlelit dinners since 1981.

Order: Order the handmade pasta. The rack of lamb is a long-running favorite, and the wine list is deep and reasonably priced for the quality.

Pro tip: No sign outside — look for the stairs going down in Post Alley near the gum wall. Perfect for a special pre-cruise dinner. Make a reservation, especially on weekends.

Irreverent biscuit joint with massive portions — Seattle breakfast with attitude

Order: The Hot Mess Bitch — a biscuit smothered in sausage gravy with a fried egg. Gritty Scramble is loaded with cheese. Wash it down with a coffee from their in-house espresso bar.

Pro tip: Long lines on weekends but they move. There are multiple locations — the Belltown spot on 1st Ave is closest to the terminals. Portions are huge, so split if you're not starving.

Craft brewery in Pike Place Market with waterfront views, pouring local beer alongside wood-fired pizza.

Order: Their IPAs are some of the best in the PNW. Wood-fired pizzas pair perfectly. The fish and chips use fresh-caught local fish. Pretzels with beer cheese are a solid starter.

Pro tip: Grab a seat on the outdoor patio overlooking Elliott Bay and the Great Wheel. It's the best view in Pike Place Market. It gets crowded later in the day, so arrive early for the best seats.

Omakase from a James Beard-nominated master at Pike Place, and the finest sushi in Seattle.

Order: The omakase (chef's choice) at the sushi bar is the experience — multi-course parade of the day's best fish. If the bar is full, the a la carte menu in the dining room is still exceptional.

Pro tip: Omakase seats are extremely limited — book weeks in advance. This is a once-in-a-lifetime meal. If you can't get a reservation, try walking in right at opening for the a la carte dining room.