I had the chance to attend Guest Chef Night at FareStart and decided to go because they featured Chef Melissa Miranda from Musang and Kilig two of my favorite Filipino restaurants in Seattle. It was such a great evening. FareStart does really meaningful work. These dinners are part of their program to give people who are training to become cooks and chefs real hands-on experience in a professional setting. Many of the students are working toward a fresh start and a new career path through culinary training, and it's inspiring to see the program in action. We were seated on the second floor, which I actually loved because it gave us a great view of everything happening throughout the dining room. The meal itself was excellent. The chicken adobo was outstanding, the asparagus appetizer was fresh and beautifully prepared, and the calamansi cake dessert was a perfect finish. Another thing I appreciated was how they involve different Seattle companies as volunteer front-of-house staff. Tonight it was a team from U.S. Bank serving tables. Several of them mentioned they had never served before but were volunteering their time for the evening, which made the experience feel even more special. Between the volunteer servers and the students in the kitchen, the whole night had a great energy. If you're looking for a unique dinner experience in Seattle that also supports a meaningful cause, I would definitely recommend checking out one of these events. It's a great way to support people working to overcome barriers to employment while enjoying a really memorable meal. read more

FareStart - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I have been here twice in the last two weeks, first alone and then I brought a group from work. Very pleased both times. The menu has alot of GF & Veg options for those in need. Very casual, order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. This is a non profit, mission based, training restaurant helping those learning kitchen & hospitality skills. The staff was very attentive with refills and checking on meals. Orders came out quickly and correctly for a large group of 15. The food was very good. They ask for a donation to the program in lieu of tips. They do not take reservations for tables, but we had no trouble finding a table for 15 on a Thursday at noon. Would highly recommend. read more

I made it for a Chefs Night with the reconfigured interior. Honestly, it feels too casual for me. It felt like the cafeteria at work. The meal was great and our server was nervous, like I was when I filled that role. Still love their mission but I like the previous iteration more. read more

I ate here for lunch on a Friday! I heard and saw that they recently reopened. You pretty much order up front and you get a number. The guy that took my order was running around and had to catch his breath bc he asked me what I had wanted again and he thanked me for being so kind to repeat. (Hey, I get it! It's all good) The crispy chicken sandwich and fries is what I ordered -- and their spices they used were phenomenal, something that is different from a regular plain old chicken sandwich. It was really crispy too and was so fresh, flavorful with the juice coming out. All with pickles on a brioche bun. I wanted the original and glad I stuck with this choice (they also make a Nashville hot one.) LOVED the fries! Soft yet crispy and slightly burnt. They also have kombucha with 4 flavors and I got the jasmine Ginger hibiscus to ease my stomach (time of the month lol.) Refreshing and delicious! They have tables and a long table for single eaters. Two things I did notice: Their plates and such were cute but it was a rectangle so needed to make sure I didn't spill anything. It was a bit hard and they didn't provide napkins upon receiving your order so you need to make sure you get napkins at the front on the side or ask the server for it. Literally didn't think about it until my order was received haha. read more

FareStart - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Its so special to have wonderful good, a special night while still supporting a charity. This was such a special evening and they sang to my daughter. These chefs are learning and growing and it's wonderful to watch! read more

See all

This is one of my favorite events of the year - Guest Chef Night at FareStart (1/9/25). My company was given the opportunity to volunteer as restaurant servers for the first Guest Chef Night of 2025! We also recently remodeled FareStart's space. It was a fun evening enjoying delicious food alongside my co-workers and dining with new and old friends. Zac Reynolds from Cook Weaver was the guest chef. I thoroughly enjoyed each course and wished the servings were bigger. I think it's good to leave wanting more ... read more

See all

What a great experience! People with barriers to employment do a 12-week culinary course working in this innovative restaurant. Guest chef evenings are fun when students get mentioned by a local renowned chef. The venue is tall and spacious and the standard of food is high. A really enjoyable evening. read more

See all

My employer ordered box lunches from Fare Start. The food was really great and fresh. The flavors went together really well, the meal was well thought out. I was full and satisfied from the generous but not exorbitant portion, and felt like I was provided a great balance of protein, carbs, and greens. I hope our employer continues to use their service, it was great! Can't wait to try out the Fare Start restaurant next! read more

FareStart - Sesame Tofu Noodle Salad - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

GUEST CHEF NIGHT WITH ETHAN STOWELL. I have never been to the FareStart restaurant, but my in-laws arranged this dining event. There were six of us! This is a social enterprise non-profit organization recognized by a James Beard award. They typically serve light fare and coffee drinks. Two or three times a month, a featured guest chef serves a full three-course meal in an evening fundraiser, all for $50.00. Wine and beer are extra. Our first course was a Tavolata Salad with a red wine vinaigrette. It was delicious. For our main course, we had a spicy sausage Rigatoni. The pasta was al dante, and the sausage was spiced to perfection with a little bite. It was so good, and I was filled up too soon, probably because I was eating too fast. No worries; a box was provided for take-home. Dessert was an elevated Ice Cream Sandwich. There was a delicious cookie on the bottom and vanilla gelato on top. Excellent. The wait staff were all volunteers from the firm that remodeled the restaurant space for FareStart. It is decidedly modern, with a full view of the kitchen through a large glass window. There is also a balcony-level dining area. All told we all had a wonderful time, with great food worth far more than we paid, excellent service provided by the volunteers, and a pleasant environment. No need to deduct any stars here. You can be sure I will be back for another guest chef experience! If you've read THIS far, you must have enjoyed my review. So please say so, by clicking one or more of those little Useful Funny or Cool buttons. And while you're at it, go ahead and friend me! I Just moved to the Seattle area last October and I need all the friends I can get. So, go ahead, press that button, and never miss even one of my epic reviews in the Seattle area and beyond. Excelsior! read more

See all

Came here for lunch and got the caesar salad. It was pretty good, lots of varieties of leaves inside so it's not just a boring lettuce salad. Chicken was a little dry though but the dressing was pretty good. Croutons were crunchy and they go along well with everything else. Order at the front, and bus your own table. read more

FareStart - Caesar Salad - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

FareStart is back! Reimagined as a gorgeous cafe with chill music and delicious drinks. The cortado was smooth. My vegetarian breakfast sandwich hit the spot. I decided to work here for a while and enjoy the vibe. read more

FareStart - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The food is always delicious! Service is attentive and I can feel great about the organization that I'm supporting.

On May 1st, due to a protest nearby, I had to briefly stop in the public alley behind the restaurant to safely secure my baby in their car seat. As I was preparing to back out, a tall white male employee came out, began shouting at me, took down my license plate, and threatened to call the police. What's most troubling is that he seemed more concerned about clearing the alley than the safety of the pedestrian or the fact that I was a mother with a young child. This behavior wasn't just rude--it was reckless and showed a complete lack of compassion and basic human decency. If you're thinking about having dinner at this restaurant, just consider how their employee treated others--all because they had a business to run. They were willing to completely disregard the well-being of a parent and child in the name of convenience. That speaks volumes about their values. read more

Food and service were amazing. The girl working at the coffee portion was the sweetest!! The place was clean and spacious. We stopped in before heading off to our cruise and it was the perfect passing-thru spot. I got a salad I could eat every day! My whole family loved it. The concept is so great too. read more

What better combination than good food and a great cause?! I joined a friend for lunch and we had the Seattle Dog special and Beet Salad; both of which were amazing. I definitely plan on returning for one of their specialty dinner events and highly recommend you make FareStart a regular stop. read more

Outstanding breakfast, coffee and lunch M-F. Have had most menu items and all are delicious, fresh, made to order and quick! Cool space with lots of windows and great vibe. Best of all, FareStart is a non profit that provides job training to people who have been disadvantaged or struggled so you are helping people and the community when you eat here. Faves are the beet salad, chicken sandwich, soups and all breakfast items. It's all great food. read more

The food was amazing, so was the service as well. I didn't know at the time most of the staff was people who served time in prison and want to turn their life around. At farestart restaurant their giving a second chance working in the food industry and hospitality industry as well. read more

We went here for a quick breakfast on our last day in Seattle. I wish I had found this restaurant earlier. I love the concept of the restaurant and how it is serving its local community. The food was great and reasonable price as well. read more

Every time I walk by this restaurant the smell invites me in. I finally got to check the place out this week for lunch. I ordered the steak frites with the steak done medium rare. The steak was okay. A little rarer than I would have liked, but it wasn't bad. The side of kale was surprisingly good. It had a nice flavor and it wasn't bitter. The fries were my favorite. They were potato fries but I thought I tasted a little bit of sweet potatoes? In any case they were delicious and fried to a crisp. read more

FareStart - Steak Frites - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Had a great dining experience here. And the history was related to us by our waiter. This restaurant was first started in 1992 by David Lee, a famous chef. He started it by first serving hot meals at the various shelters, but then turning it into a business called common meals. As the business grew, he knew that he could TRAIN them and give them sustainable full-time jobs. The restaurant also has multiple adult and child culinary programs to help sustain the community. Yes; there is actually a social mission for this restaurant. I ordered a salad with Gorgonzola cheese, cherry tomatoes and well seasoned vinaigrette. The main course was a finely cut steak, and an order of vegetarian risotto. Dessert shortly followed- chocolate mousse cake with raspberry syrup. Really nice taste! read more

FareStart - Vegetarian risotto - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

The restaurant is open for lunch Monday-Friday and then for dinner on Thursday nights. Add the Thursday night dinner to your bucket list and you won't be disappointed. Honestly, you will probably want to become a regular. The Thursday night dinner experience was fantastic! My husband and I went last week and left happy, full and with a heart filled with joy. Every Thursday night a guest chief creates a three course menu which is then executed by members of the farestart program (providing culinary skills to the underprivileged). And get this, you receive this 5 star meal for only 30 dollars per person!! Service is made up of volunteers and no service charge (at least for dinner). Just a spot for a voluntary donation to the program. I love farestart's mission and the work they do. Always happy to support their cause! This experience is just the icing on the cake--fantastic meal, stellar value and it all goes to a great cause! That's one way to not feel guilty for eating dessert! :) read more

See all

This is a review for FareStart's weekend Kitchen Prep volunteer event. I came here recently with a small group to help some of the chef instructors and regular volunteers prep shelter meals in the community kitchen. After checking in everyone watches a short video on kitchen safety. Hair nets, aprons, and gloves are provided for each volunteer. Volunteers are randomly assigned various duties such as assembling sandwiches, packing sack lunches, and washing/prepping vegetables. A typical shift starts at 10am and goes to about 3pm. The time goes by fast when you're in the kitchen because there's always something to do. There is a short break with lunch provided. Lunch for us that day were leftovers made by students in the adult culinary program. After lunch we swept and wiped down the kitchen before heading out. This is a great volunteer opportunity for those looking to give back to the community and to brush up on your kitchen skills! Things to know: * Wear closed toe shoes, pants, and no sleeveless tops * Lockers are provided with combination locks (it's like being in HS again!) * Parking is free on Sundays downtown read more

FareStart - Kitchen Prep Volunteer Event - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

5 stars for the awesome mission and what they do for the community. Of course I would return because I saw some delicious stuff here! Also 5 stars to the staff that even when they were full, they would keep their best attending, taking orders, etc. I was impressed of the cute simplicity of the place. I liked it :) I would give 4 stars to the process of sitting. It is very easy to get into line because you open the door an the curtain helps you to move to the right place. I found it smart and a nice touch :) So waiting for lunch time WA s 25 minutes which wasn't that bad but what came into my attention were various open tables. They get reservations and of course all restaurants would give 15 mins of tolerance. But people started leaving because of the waiting. At the end, they put me into one of the little tables cause I went by myself and another party left. I think that they would have used those tables and people would have been served. I was there for the Burger Week. So I ordered the one topped with crab. It was salty because of it. Patty was dry. It split in half. Taste was regular. Bread was pressed down :( I liked the little cute pickles. read more

FareStart - Super busy with few open tables. Wait a bit - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

How I heard of this place: It was over a decade ago when I first learned of Farestart, its mission and the reason I often recommend the space to friends and colleagues interested in a lunchtime restaurant suggestion. Type of cuisine: Five star food served in a modern setting and three star prices. Extraordinary and well-known local chefs offer their time and energy to provide training and expertise in crafting beautiful fare for the masses at (more) affordable prices. Ambiance: Chic, spacious and sleek, the tall ceilings, glorious windows casting natural light across the establishment, clean lines and ambient colors make for a truly warm welcome as one enters Farestart. What I ordered: With an ever-changing, seasonal menu, my sister-in-law and I both ordered the Sweet Potato Gnocchi ($14.95 each) with braised Painted Hills beef, lacinato kale demi glaze and horseradish cream. My husband selected a Farestart Favorite, The Farestart Beef Burger ($11.95) for a Painted Hills grass fed beef patty ground in house daily and served on a toasted brioche roll with a side of Caesar Salad. (We shared a side of fries to start!) What I loved: The fries! Perfectly doughy inside, crisp exterior and great until the last bite! Why I loved it: Beautifully prepared and presented meals with rich flavors and a variety of textures enticing the tastebuds at each bite. And a mission worth supporting at every turn. Cost: Average ($10 - $15 per lunchtime entrée) read more

See all

I'm so glad I came here for Burger Week - the burger here was a clear winner! The burger consisted of 2 beef patties, a super flavorful crispy crab cake, and a delicious aioli that tasted almost like a smooth tartar sauce. I have no idea how they came up with it, but it works! Everything meshed together so well and it was pretty much a perfect burger. The sauce especially was amazing and just brought it to the next level. Really the only knock was that the brioche bun was a touch dry, but the other parts of the burger more than made up for it This place was hoppin' at lunchtime on a Wednesday, and I can definitely see why! read more

FareStart - Seattle beef and crab burger stack - Burger week 2019 - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

FareStart is a very clean and well-decorated restaurant. Upon entering, it felt very fancy and up-scale, with two floors of seating and an open kitchen. The restaurant has a great mission and backstory; I think what they do for the community is amazing.The food is a bit pricey, but it's understandable because the money is going toward a good purpose by providing opportunities for those less privileged/disadvantaged. However, the food that we ordered was only okay, but I think it was because I was expecting a bit of a gourmet-style. My friend and I split the FareStart burger and the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with a green bean salad and salmon chowder for sides. The burger wasn't anything out of the ordinary and tasted like your average burger. They had actually messed up our order and forgot to include the cheese, but were more than glad to ensure that we weren't charged extra. The BBQ pork sandwich had a really good BBQ sauce and the pork was tender, but was also not anything extremely unique. read more

FareStart - Half of the Farestart Beef Burger and half of the BBQ pork sandwich with a green bean salad side. - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

My experience eating here was fine, the food just didn't wow me. I sort of had higher expectations maybe from reading other reviews or looking at pictures..but my food was just alright. It wasn't bad, I just didn't feel like it was anything extraordinary.I got a crispy pork sandwich. The soup of the day however was southwest chicken tortilla which is really great! BUT--food aside, the mission of this restaurant is incredible!! They don't serve alcohol in the day, only at night (reason being some of the students here are recovering). I love that this place provides opportunities to those who are disadvantaged & homeless. Their missions is "Great Food. Better Lives." The Guest chef nights seem cool but it's on Thursdays during the week so we missed that. Definitely check it out if you're looking for something different. And all of your tips go to support their organization! Awesome. read more

FareStart - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Team lunches are a quarterly event for my team. For this quarter's team lunch, our team chose FareStart to have the team lunch. I am aware of the positive impact FareStart is having on the community. We arrived on a rainy Wednesday for lunch. I opted to get a red wine and the impossible burger for my lunch with a tomato basil soup. The burger was served with some pickled onions and pickles on the side. The burger itself was juicy and delicious and the chipotle mayo style dressing on the bun was adequate for the size of the burger. The burger is definitely bigger than an 8oz burger and was filling. For dessert we opted for a seasonal mint pie which was a pie in the form of a burger. The ambience of the place is astounding and I will definitely come back or try the other FareStart restaurants in the Seattle area. read more

I've been wanting to try this place for a very long time. My office finally went here for a team lunch event. For some reason i painted this place as a gourmet restaurant. This is not the case... The food is very approachable, sandwiches, burgers, steak, etc... I was expecting something a bit more 'modern'. If you're thinking of going here, lower your expectations a bit and approach it more of a higher end diner then you'll know what you're getting. The food was ok, but nothing memorable. Though the dinner course and menu looked interesting and im very curious to give that a shot. read more

FareStart - Salmon cake sandwich. - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

FareStart gets 5 stars for what it stands for and what it does for those in the community that are trying to build or rebuild their lives. I've been going to FareStart since well before it was known by its current name, when it used to be called Common Meals, back in the very early 1990s. Friends and I would especially dine there often as possible the graduation nights. It was always so awesome to see individuals who had gone through the program of learning culinary skills, gain restaurant business knowledge, and such, to obtain their certificate of completion. They would be given their own personal culinary cooking set too. It was fantastic to know that they were set in a new positive direction.... for many a truly life-changing direction. The food has always been okay. Nothing extraordinary, but decent. The only time I was really disappointed was when their main dinner entree was lentils in a bowl. I've immensely enjoyed dining with friends and colleagues through the years at FareStart. I recommend that you give it a try not just for the food but also for the cause. read more

Ordered the Field Roast sandwich with the soup of the day which was a poblano soup. The sandwich was pretty gross, but I'm also not a fan of fake meat, preferring sandwiches that just accept that they're vegan and don't try to make some congealed mess of flavors as the entree. I didn't really enjoy the soup all too much either, and had to add a decent amount of salt which is something that I never do. The atmosphere was very nice, and the service was friendly, but the food itself was just pretentious and not all that good in my opinion. I'm not a sandwich person so that could be a reason not to come again, but I liked the ambiance so much I may just give this place another try especially since my office is right down the street. Next time, definitely not going for the vegan option though, perhaps I'll try something vegetarian just so that the "meat" part isn't quite so disgusting. Not sure what they put into that hard substance in the center of my sandwich but it was not pleasant. I didn't even like the sauces of the sandwich that much. Why are all the reviews of this sandwich so amazing? Are my taste buds broken? I really am concerned with how little I enjoyed my actual meal here. read more

FareStart - Field Roast Sandwich - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Having been a volunteer regular here for the past 4.5 years I can say that I have seen a lot of their events, met a lot of their staff and board members, got to know many of their students, and have seen the program work. This is one of the best run non-profits I have ever known and really supports a cause and a mission that is not only entirely needed in our community but is helping establish and mentor those in communities around the country. Aside from the positive impact they have on individuals and the community, their food is outstanding. The chefs that attend Guest Chef Night on Thursdays are some of the best in the business. The FareStart students and staff execute a diverse but delicious lunch menu. If you have ever been lucky enough to attend an event at either the FareStart restaurant or the Pacific Tower then you have sampled their catering and that is also some of the best in the city. I try to bring all of my family and friends here while visiting and it is seriously one organization that I just can't help myself from gushing about. I feel lucky to be a volunteer there! read more

Amazing tomato basil soup and bread! I only come to Seattle about once a month for work but this is my favorite place to order lunch from (I've never dined in, only picked up). The first time I ordered the blackened salmon sandwich and a tomato soup. When my coworker and I got back to the office, we realized that they forgot my tomato soup. I called the restaurant and it rang through then went to voicemail, I left a message thinking that they'd probably never call me back to refund the soup. The next day, a really sweet manager named Camry called me back and wanted me to come by for my soup, but I had already returned home to San Diego. My next trip she kept her promise and comped my meal. Great customer service experience! The salmon sandwich is so tasty - I love the aioli. I get the cole slaw as my side but I add it to the sandwich and it's delicious. The tomato basil soup is so thick and flavorful and the bread that comes with it is soft and delicious. As long as I'm visiting Seattle for work I'll be ordering from here! read more

Very nice not for profit restaurant. Food was good and priced well. Bill may surprise you as the tip is built into the total. It also has a space to add a donation. I had the grilled salmon read more

FareStart - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We went for my birthday to the special guest chef night. If you're not familiar, a chef from another restaurant comes in on Thursday's and provides a 3 course meal (no options other than for vegetarian) at a price of $35. We thought it was all amazing and we were happy to sample a good restaurant in a unique way. Instead of tips they also asked for donations which we liked, as it helps fund their community service programs. read more

I went here for career related stuff and I really enjoyed this restaurant experience! I got the grilled salmon with the impression that it's just regular salmon like the dining halls back at my university, but it exceeded my expectations! The salmon was cooked perfectly and the vegetables that supplement it were distinctly flavorful. The color of the vegetables along the presentation of the salmon makes it look extremely appetizing! Service was excellent in context of the situation. The waiter was very friendly and brought us water to start, and didn't come to check on us until we finished eating which was professional of him (in context of the situation), since we are having an extended conversation. If I visit Seattle again, I will definitely return to this place. read more

Came here for Seattle Burger week. Would have to say that this place had the best burger out of all the places tried. The filling including a crabcake, two mini beef patties, and bacon with a lemon aioli sauce. Very good and well thought out. It was awesome that the restaurant participated in Burger week becauase I was able to try out a place that I may have otherwise overlooked on the map. read more

FareStart - FareStart burger for Seattle Burger Week 7/9/2019. $5. Crabcake with two mini burger patties, bacon, and lemon aioli. - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

They are closed. Not sure why companies don't update their Yelp so someone like me doesn't walk a mile to be finally greeted with a closed sign. Hopefully this post will limit the amount of unnecessary exercise early in the morning. I walked to Lola's and waited on a list to finally eat. read more

Good food: check Good atmosphere: check Loads of options: check Friendly staff: check Inspiring story: check Went here with my work team for lunch. This is one of the only restaurants that I've found which can accommodate a team consisting of a vegan, non pork eaters, a carnivore, a low carb diet, and foodies alike. Reservation system makes for a seamless experience getting seated. However wait time for foods can be a little long. Likely a trade off for having such variety on the menu. read more

FareStart - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Affordable, and quite wonderful food combined with great service makes for a wonderful experience. This was before I knew about the concept behind the restaurant, which is definitely worth a read! Went here for lunch with a friend. When you enter, you get the feeling that this place will be on the rich side. Downtown Seattle, great decorations, nicely set tables. All has the vibe of a $30-$50 plate restaurant. I was happily surprised when I got the menu. All of the lunch items were beyond reasonable, especially for location, and ingredients! Most lunch items range from $9-$15. I ordered the blackened salmon sandwich, with a side of tomato basil soup, at the recommendation of my friend who works just a block away. My friend ordered a full tomato soup, and a side salad. Both of our items came out quite quickly, and in the mean time my water was refilled several times, and my coffee was refilled twice as well. Top notch waiting service. The food came, and the salmon sandwich was wonderfully well prepared. Cooked to have just a bit of black on the outside, but still juicy inside, and not dry. It was well seasoned with just the right amount of herbs and spice. The tomato soup was very delicious as well, tasted fresh, and not something just made from a frozen soup block thrown in a pot of hot water. All of the items were presented nicely as well. Definitely had me thinking the whole time that this could go for a much higher price, and people would still happily eat here! After leaving the restaurant, I checked out their website, and began to read about the company and its mission. This made me appreciate and respect the restaurant even more. They provide job training and experience to local people going through hardship, whether homelessness or unemployment. They are helping the community build its skill to have a better equipped, employable population. When you combine this with the fact that in most aspects it presents itself as a high class restaurant, it is really a remarkable feat that FareStart has accomplished. Go here! Give it a try! See if you are as impressed as I am! Find some tasty well made meals, for a reasonable price, while also helping your community build itself! Definitely going back, and would recommend to all! -Cheers! read more