Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or tea—these restaurants serve a side of over-the-top décor that’ll wow your kids
To quote Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas, “This really brings Christmas close to a person.” Sure, he was talking about all of the colorful aluminum Christmas trees found on a tree lot, but he could have just as well be talking about the festive atmospheres found in some of Seattle’s best restaurants during this time of year. Some are simple and homey, while other are large and elegant. Some include Santa photo ops or reindeer experiences. And some serve as the perfect starting point for a major holiday odyssey downtown with the kids. But whichever Christmas decorated restaurants on your list you choose, all are sure to impress your kids and
Sit Down to Afternoon Tea During the Holidays
1. Fairmont Olympic Hotel
To find the most elegantly dressed Christmas decorations, head on over to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The lobby and stairwells are festooned with holiday cheer. Every weekend throughout the year, the hotel hosts an Afternoon Tea from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., but during the month of December, they go all out presenting a Festive Holiday Tea every day from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. The Fairmont offers an adult menu and children’s menu. While moms and dads can enjoy cranberry scones, tea sandwiches, and selection of pastries alongside a variety of teas, the kids can indulge in chocolate chip scones, kid-friendly tea sandwiches (ham and cheese on white bread, peanut butter and banana on a honey croissant), pastries, and cereal-flavored milk.
Festive Extras: Stop by the hotel’s Teddy Bear Suite for an ultimate photo opp with dozens of cuddly friends. Open through December 25 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the event is free but donations to Seattle Children’s Hospital are gladly accepted. The Fairmont is also open on Christmas and offers fantastic Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners as well.
411 University St.
Seattle
Online: fairmont.com
Related: Your Guide to Seattle's Must-Do Downtown Holiday Attractions
3. Salish Lodge
The view of the Snoqualmie Falls never gets old and it is even better when you’re all snuggled in with a warm beverage. This time of year, the Salish Lodge is like stepping into a picture postcard. This year they are offering a Holiday Tea in the dining room on December 7-15 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. The adult menu includes Salish biscuits (with “honey from heaven”), Scallion White Cheddar Scones, and a selection of savory and sweet offerings. The children’s menu comes with English scones, French macrons, tea sandwiches (both “adult” and kid-friendly options like Peanut Butter & Jelly served on banana bread), veggies and ranch dressing, chocolate peppermint mousse cake, and more. All served with Salish loose-leaf teas.
Festive Extras: The dining room is also open for brunch, lunch, and dinner complete with kid's menu. Find a last-minute gift at the lodge’s gift shop on your way out.
6501 Railroad Ave. S.E.
Snoqualmie, WA
Online: salishlodge.com
Festive Breakfast & Lunch Spots
4. Swanson’s Nursery
One of the most festive places to enjoy a causal lunch is Swanson’s Nursery. They have a variety of light displays set up all around the nursery features thousands of lights including a model train. While there, you can explore Santa’s yurt and of course, browse through their gift shop to views tons of ornaments and gifts. You can even bring home a fresh-cut Christmas tree. The Swanson’s Café offers breakfast and lunch on Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (The nursery is open until 7 p.m. every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas). They offer an array of breakfast bowls, French toast, specialty sandwiches, soups, salads, and a kid’s menu that is available to everyone. While the weather outside might be frightful, their gelato is still delightful. The Café is also open every day for holiday beverages including pumpkin spice lattes and cold brews (made with real pumpkin spice puree) and peppermint mochas and hot chocolate.
Festive Extras: Special music performances are scheduled throughout the season. Check out Swanson’s Holiday Traditions page to who is playing when.
9701 15th Ave. N.W.
Seattle
Online: swansonsnursery.com
Related: Say Cheese! The City's Best Places for Santa Photos
Don’t Miss These Christmas Dinner & Lunch Options
7. Ray’s Cafe
Tis the season at Ray’s Café, the more casual sister restaurant to Ray’s Boathouse but with the same quality of food. Located upstairs from the Boathouse, Ray’s Café is looking its holiday best, not that it really needs to. The café offers the same fantastic views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Warm up next to the fire at the fireplace and marvel at the wonders to be found on their Christmas tree. Seasonal dishes include Northwest salmon, true cod fish and chips, as well as their signature clam chowder—perfect on a cold, winter day. The food is not too stuffy for the kids either with pint-size portions of house-made chicken fingers, creamy chicken pasta, and grilled cheese sandwiches. If your young one is wanting to try something a little more grown up, they just might enjoy the grilled wild Northwest king salmon or the grilled chicken breast, both served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Festive Extras: Both restaurants are open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. They also make a great destination for a date night sans kids.
6049 Seaview Ave. N.W.
Seattle
Online: rays.com
Related: All the Merry Things to Do on Christmas Day in Seattle
8. Remlinger Farms
You may be familiar with Remlinger Farms as the place to go for u-pick berry-picking, but they are also home of the Railway Cafe and new-this-year Remlinger Farms Brewery. Decorated with holiday cheer, this is a great place to surprise the kids and enjoy a great meal. The restaurant features good, old-fashioned home cooking with their famous 17-Bean Soup, farm-sized sandwiches, deluxe hamburgers, fish & chips, salads, and homemade berry pies. The brewery offers a large variety of beers on tap served in a family-friendly environment. Both are open Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 8 p.m.
Festive Extras: This year, Remlinger Farms is also offering Christmas events including carousel rides, steam train tours, s’mores, hot chocolate, Christmas movie viewings, and Christmas tree sales (through Dec. 18). Their huge marketplace is open as well.
32610 N.E. 32nd St.
Carnation, WA
Online: remlingerfarms.com
10. Seattle Center’s Armory Food & Event Hall
Okay, this one is a bit of a stretch, but in a good way. Instead of one restaurant, Seattle Center’s Armory Food & Event Hall offers a variety of fun food options including Matt’s Fish Basket, Cool Guy’s Fry Bar, Premier Meat Pies, and Skillet Counter (plus a lot more) and during Winterfest, the place is a jolly place to be. Here you’ll find the 19th century model train and village display, a tradition for over 40 years now. Stop here first, then go eat, then head back and participate in the scavenger hunt with items hidden all around the scene. On the weekends, enjoy live music or dance presentations while you enjoy your meal.
305 Harrison St.
Seattle
Online: seattlecenter.com
