Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by visiting these Hispanic-owned restaurants in Seattle!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! From Sunday, September 15 through Tuesday, October 15, we celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic-Americans. This includes those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Here in Seattle we are lucky to have benefited from the Hispanic-American members of our community in many ways—but our personal favorite may be the food.
We can’t think of a better way to support our Hispanic neighbors than by highlighting and visiting some of their Seattle-based restaurants over the next few weeks (and throughout the year, of course).
Here are just a few of our favorite Hispanic-owned restaurants in Seattle:
1. Frelard Tamales, Green Lake
This family-owned Mexican restaurant, Frelard Tamales, in Green Lake specializes in half-pound handmade tamales. In addition to meat tamales you can also get vegetarian and vegan tamales there. They do not have dine-in seating, but you can take your tamales to nearby Green Lake for a picnic meal. They also just opened a new spot in Fremont as well.
📍Green Lake Location: 6412 Latona Ave NE
📍Fremont Location: 106 N 36th Street Seattle WA 98103
2. Cafe Con Leche, SODO
This Cuban restaurant in SODO is one of the best places to get a cubano sandwich. Owner Pancho Chaves and his partner Peprito Vargas opened Cafe Con Leche in 2012 with the aim of providing authentic Cuban food and live music in a warm, welcoming space.
📍Location: 2901 1st Ave S
3. La Palma Family Mexican Restaurant, Upper Queen Anne
The family-owned La Palma Family Mexican Restaurant has been in Seattle since the ’70s. Go here for generous servings of both margaritas and authentic Mexican food.
📍Location: 3456 15th Ave W
4. Tres Lecheria, Wallingford
Owned by Mexican-American Kevin Moulder, this bakery in Wallingford, Tres Lecheria, is beloved for its tres leches cakes in flavors such as horchata, matcha, and pumpkin chai. They have been featured by the Food Network and on Netflix’s Sugar Rush. You can grab a slice to go or even order entire cakes.
📍Location: 2315 N 45th St
5. Rosita’s Mexican Grill, Green Lake
This family-owned Mexican cantina, Rosita’s Mexican Grill, has been in Green Lake since 1979. Their freshly-made tortillas, house-made guacamole, and delicious margaritas have kept this place a solid favorite in Seattle for decades.
📍Location: 7210 Woodlawn Ave NE
6. Don Lucho’s, Maple Leaf
Originally the first Peruvian food truck in Seattle back in 2013, Don Lucho’s now serves authentic Peruvian dishes at its laid-back restaurant in Maple Leaf. Try for patio seating if you can – it’s a vibe!
📍Location: 7919 Roosevelt Way NE
7. La Palmera Mexican Restaurant, South Lake Union
This authentic spot, La Palmera Mexican Restaurant, originally opened in 1991, has been expanded three times by owner Hector Mendoza. Now you can find locations in South Lake Union, Mill Creek, and Everett. Go to the SLU location for their daily all-day happy hour and order one of their margaritas that are made with premium tequilas.
📍Location: 901 Mercer St
8. Asadero, Ballard
Asadero Prime is a family-owned Mexican steakhouse that has a location in Kent as well as in Ballard. Owner and chef David Orozco is “on a mission to introduce the unique smoky and savory flavors of Mexican ‘Norte’ cuisine to the American palate,” according to Asada’s website. They specialize in American, Australian & Japanese Wagyu Beef.
📍Location: 5405 Leary Ave NW