Amazing burger and a good drink selection. The bar tender was awesome. This spot was solid!

Decided on Zig Zag Café as our first Seattle dinner based on its close proximity and delicious looking hamburger. We ordered the olives and both the Zig Zag hamburgers, one with the fried egg and another with the mushrooms. All were excellent. The restaurant is very nice with low lights. The bar is very neat as it wraps around. The location certainly get business travelers and date night individuals, so the dress is a bit nicer (maybe a button down with or a nice shirt). I would definitely go again. Very limited beer selection as they specialize in cocktails. read more

This place has such a cool atmosphere! The drinks were pretty pricey at $13 a piece...but it was a fun experience. Felt like a speakeasy ;)

Awesome ambiance. Great on a hot summer evening and I imagine it would be equally cozy and a fun place to be on a cold winters night. Drinks are of course fantastic here with a lot of options. Service was pretty off sadly. We ordered a few small bites some of which were easy to prepare and bring (olives, almonds) but they completely neglected to bring the hot food we ordered. We were able to get through two rounds of drinks without them bringing it and finally decided they completely forgot. We ended up just ignoring it and grabbing dinner elsewhere. They also prepared some of our second round of drinks but forgot to bring those too. Definitely off that night... read more

My coworkers and I dined at zig zag a couple nights ago and were a little disappointed. We're not from the area and if you've used Google maps in Seattle, you know how bad it can be to find a place. So I after walking in a circle, I called the restaurant to get some help finding the place. The host was kind of rude-I tried asking a question while he was giving directions and in a rude tone he interrupted and said "just listen just listen". Anyway, got to the restaurant and found out that my coworkers also had a hard time finding the place. Aside from that, food was alright and drinks were great BUT service was SUPER slow for a Tuesday night. It wasnt that busy so not sure why it took 20 min to get each drink and 40 minutes for food. read more

Great spot for a nice cocktail. Right behind Pike Place Market but doesn't have a touristy feel. Cute patio. Intimate inside. Good vibe and music. read more

Zig Zag Cafe - Wonderful joint. Sit back. Listen to some jazz. Order a cocktail and enjoy the rest of your day - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I enjoyed a wonderful meal here with a client. We dined on shishito peppers, beet salad, steak, and salmon. Everything was excellent. The serving sizes were very large - too much for two people! I loved the location, off the beaten path and not terribly busy. Cocktails were delicious too. I would definitely come back. read more

This bar has a unique and welcoming ambiance, accompanied with an amazing repertoire of well made drinks! This was my second visit here. The first visit i stuck to whiskey sours and beer. The sours were less fruity than I've had at other bars, but had a well balanced flavor. This time around I got the Spanish coffee which is a strong rum with coffee, served in a wine glass with a burned powdered sugar and cinnamon rim. The drink was a little too strong, but overall had a good flavor. I liked that it was a nice warm alternative. read more

Zig Zag Cafe - Spanish Coffee and great mood lighting - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place was hard for us to find, but happy when we did. We sat at the bar, had great drinks with better service. We only ordered the chorizo plate, it was interesting on their take of it. I personally would not order it again. Being from Mexico, I expected it to be different. read more

Finding Zig Zag is undoubtedly a challenge--you walk down the stairs behind Pike Place Market, get to Western Ave, cross the street, and walk halfway down that set of stairs. However, once you do find it, you're in for a treat. Tucked away beside those stairs is a gem of a restaurant/bar/lounge--it really is a combination of all those things. Happy hour runs until 7 PM on weekdays, and it's a hell of a deal. $4 off house cocktails is no joke, especially since the bartender here whips up some very high-quality concoctions. Be warned that the restaurant is often packed at this time, and you might have to hang out at the standing bar (or even wait for any space at all). There is also delicious food to be had! I've only ever been here for drinks, but I need to make sure I return for actual dinner at some point. Cozy and classy, bougie yet boozy--Zig Zag truly is a special place. As other reviewers before me have also mentioned, the ambiance here really is hard to beat. read more

Good place to hang out Service was a bit rude though so we ended up leaving. Had a big selection though!! read more

Known for its cocktails, Zig Zag Cafe is tucked away down a flight of stairs behind Pike's Market. This is truly a hidden gem! Happy hour is one of the best deals in Seattle, with delicious burgers that my friends and I always order then share some delicious garlic fries! Service has been a consistent downside-- I have had the same server in particular who has, on three separate occasions, made it seem like serving us was the worst part of his day and did not offer help or explanations of the many craft cocktails that makes this bar unique, but we made the best of it! read more

Had the most wonderful date night here! Ambiance is dimly lit and quiet enough to chat without shouting. We got a cozy side-sitting booth and the waitstaff went above and beyond to make our night memorable . The chicken with potatoes entree is top notch (crispy skin) and so is the burger that we split. Would celebrate 9mo date-anniversary again! read more

It took a quarter of an hour for the waitress to take our order, and then 40 minutes for our entrees to arrive. During that time, the service staff essentially ignored us but attended to other tables. After asking for the check, no one returned to run our credit card. We ended up going directly to the waitress to settle our bill. One star is for the food, which didn't deserve the service surrounding it. read more

This adorable bar/restaurant is tucked into the side of the stairs leading from Pike Place Market down to the water. Excellent vibe and great place for drinks, dinner, and conversation. Parmesan fries, the burger, and the harissa fries were amazing. Hummus was pretty good. We also ordered the fried cauliflower which were unfortunately very greasy and too heavy for my taste. Drinks were great as well - the happy hour house wine was quite good, as was the old fashioned (strong!). Definitely recommend coming here but skip the fried cauliflower. read more

Cocktails review: Popped our head in for a quick drink after dinner. Raving reviews and made the "Seattle must" cocktail list. It's located below the market level, above the boardwalk level. Our group of 4 ordered 4 different drinks. All sounded drastically different. They came out all served up and tasting fairly similar. No garnishes. No real variances. Yet, drinkable. Came looking to be impressed, left mildly satisfied. read more

Coolest bar I went to! Loved my bartender and the atmosphere. Very cool spot! Classy joint so leave your crocs and tourist garb at home. read more

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Hard to find, worth finding. Nice collection of craft cocktails and tapas. Really delicious.

Came here after The Rolling Stones concert so here is a quick summery -they were not Properly staffed for the crowd that came into this place post-concert (even though they anticipated a rush) So that's poor on management not the staff team - I only was able to experience the late night venue which was unfortunate -the booze/whiskey selection here is amazing - cheese platter was delicious -zig zag burger was just Okay - I did NOT like the buttermilk fried oysters ( upon biting into them they were essentially liquified in the middle which was not my favorite taste Overall decent option for late night eats but I was not able to review the full menu read more

So yummy, and this restaurant has a great vibe. I had a cocktail, the raw oysters, and the steak frites. It was all to die for. Sit out on the patio if you can! read more

So we were going to the Tap House at Pike & Park or something like that based on the recommendation of the porter at the hotel, but the Yelp ratings were low and as we wanted to sit outside, we came across this place. Really nice. I would rate it 5 stars but I never rate Seattle places 5 stars, so take that for what it's worth. read more

Was the first customer in the door at 7am today and the bacon had some kind of paper baked into it that we had to pull off, plus bacon was rancid with a sour taste. We told server and the cook came over to tell us off. Too bad, this place could be fabulous if the people who owned and work there actually cared. read more

I've only been here a few times for drinks, but this review is mainly for the HH. HH until 7pm is rare in Seattle, but what is even more rare are HH martini specific prices, so that was exciting to discover about Zig Zag! $7 for a good martini is legit! You have to get their house vodka to get that price (or whatever liquor you prefer), but it's local and I found makes a great dirty martini. The HH deviled eggs and House Spread were delicious and made a decent meal for myself and my husband! Overall I love this place for the vintage/romantic ambiance and somewhat lively vibe. You'll usually see some first or second dates going on, mixed in with some after-work drinks among young professionals (30's+ seems to be the average age range of this place). It's a cute little spot that's sort of feels like a hidden gem in the Pike Place stair climb. It's a great date spot for drinks, and now probably my one of my go-to happy hour spots if we feeling like venturing downtown! read more

Finally got a chance to visit this place! My boyfriend and I stopped in for a quick drink, and thought Zig Zag Cafe would be the place to be! The name can be deceiving when you think of a cafe, since this place is more upscale and intimate than I expected. Definitely a swanky bar! It has been a while since I first visited this place, so I don't remember exactly what we ordered, but all the drinks are great and the bartenders are able to customize based on what spirits you like best! The food wasn't too memorable and I remember it being too salty. I think this is definitely more of a place to grab drinks on date night. Although it's a hard place to find - Zig Zag Cafe is worth the trek. read more

Murray is quite simply the fastest bartender, able to sustain high quality service, I have ever seen in my entire life. Ever. He had a bar brimming with people as I walked in, so I foolishly assumed that my wine order would take a moment. I turned to talk to some friends and Murry was standing right next to me within seconds! ! ! Spry is not the word. Startled at his Puma like reflexes, I watched in awe as he poured me a tasting! The bar was packed, and he's not just slamming the glass in front of me? He's actually leaving the bar and making sure I enjoy my wine! He's actually sitting here patiently waiting to see if I approve! Unreal! He turned to an arguing young couple, said some witty comment about never minding the little things, and they smiled. As I blinked in astonishment of this remarkable fellow... HE WAS GONE! A quick glance around the room and there he was at the bar! Smiling away as he expertly crafted a perfectly executed martini! Smoothly conversing, smiling, concentrating, repeat. I was in the presence of greatness. As I was leaving I couldn't resist the urge to tell Murray how amazing I thought he was, and he looked at me quizzically, as if to say, "did I do something special?" I couldn't decide how much to tip him, so I just gave him my wallet. A day later and I'm writing this review... It is now my very strong belief that Murry is supernatural. Probably a vampire, but I'm not ruling out cybernetic construct from the future. read more

This place really contributed to my Seattle experience being so perfect. Super swanky with dim mood lighting, intimate atmosphere, and great service -- they accommodated our group of six pretty quickly even though we lacked reservations and they were completely attentive the entire time. We ended up going to Zig Zag because a member of our group (a professional bartender) had heard about the amazing drinks and wanted us to all go and sample them. And they lived up to their legendary status! All the food items were tasty and went well with our drinks. I got my gin cocktail on all night... and let me tell you, it was an amazing night. Now my theory as to why it is named "Zig Zag Cafe" is that when you leave, you have had so much alcohol that you start walking in zig zag style trying to get back up those stairs. This comes from personal experience. We had a little trouble getting up the stairs after all those drinks! LoL. TIP: Zig Zag is tucked away on the Pike Street Hill Climb. Thankfully we had our trusty Yelp app ready to help us find it. You too can channel the power of the YELP GODS to find this amazing place. Enjoy! read more

Murraaaaaay... *swoon* What can I say about a bartender who remembers you each and every time you're in (no matter how long you've been gone), who allows you to sit at the bar for 5 hours while you nurse your cocktails, has you sampling this and that, and almost looks sad when you finally decide to leave? Best in the city. read more

Okay, okay. I went here yesterday on the encouragement of basically all of Seattle after my 1-star review. Showed up at 4:50. 3rd in line. By open there were already more than the bar could sit waiting. My friends were meeting me later, so I sat at the bar. I ordered 3 drinks in all, the tab was $24. It was definitely worth that. I was basically drunk the rest of the night. I let Murray work his magic, only giving him hints as to the flavors I wanted to taste. He truly is the best bartender in the city. This place is above and beyond 5 stars at the bar, but if you're not at the bar, I wouldn't bother coming here. THERE SEATTLE, I LIKE ZIGZAG NOW, LEAVE ME ALONE. read more

It's a staple of the Seattle drinking scene and for good reason. When you build a reputation like Zig Zag has owned for the last decade plus, you expect a certain something when you walk through the door. I'm happy to report that they don't disappoint. The drinks are boozy and well crafted. The bar staff is one of the better ones in the entire city; if you don't know exactly what you're in the mood to drink, simply ask them to make you something. Whatever they put in front of you it'll be a strong contender to become your new favorite beverage. read more

Best drinks in Seattle hands down!!! Here's a list of my favorite "off menu" cocktails: The Duchess, Old Fashioned, Diamondback, Staggerly, yellowtail, red hook, and Green Pointe. Prepare yourself for some STIFF drinks. The dinner menu changes seasonally. Last night I tried the beef shank which was tender and juicy perfectly seasoned atop creamy like textured barely. And the fried chicken was the crispiest chicken I've ever eaten! I believe the crispiness comes from the rice flour batter. Goodness everything here is good! Service is excellent!!! read more

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I have been here numerous times, but this, my most recent one was the most memorable. We were meeting- a group of 5 people who graduated high school together over 20 years ago and were all in town at once- to catch up, have some quality cocktails and some nosh before heading out on the town. When I arrived, the charming host offered to take my rainsoaked coat and pointed me to the booth of friends already seated by saying " I think I know who you're looking for" with a smile. The bequiling waitress was at the table before I looked up, taking my drink order. Because I'm not only a lover of a finely crafted drink, but an 'off the menu' kind of gal, I just told her what I liked and she and the gifted mixologist came up with a frothy delicious citrus dream of a drink, topped with the hint of eggwhite and cinnamon. It was heavenly. We ordered food: the bruchetta and the stuffed phyllo and both were outstanding. I would say that the stuffed phyllo was some of the best food I've had in a long time, sweet figs, savory cheese and more burst out of the paperthin dough and the balsamic drizzle had me wishing that it wouldn't seem odd to lick the plate clean in public. Of course, then we got down to the serious business at hand and really began drinking. After that first drink intriqued me, I wanted to try more. I don't come out to a place like Zig Zag to drink one thing, so I told her I liked St Germaine and would love something with that in it- she brought me back something so heavenly, I almost didn't want to give my companions a taste as it would keep it from my clutches too long. I can't remember the name of the drink now, nor can I remember our server's name, even though I was far from drunk, I was clearly intoxicated by the experience. And that is why I always seem to float out of the Zig Zag blissfully dazed as if everything that happened was a sweet dream, and the players, the food, the drinks and the bar were created in some imaginary factory of my subconcious, things I didn't know I wanted but are so welcome to find. read more

Having heard the charming stories about a man named Murray, it was a no brainer that we hit this place up last night. Only... Murray wasn't tending bar. Instead, I was introduced to the cocktail stylings of Eric and I was happy as a clam in butter broth. Eric whipped me up a pretty solid rendition of a Corpse Reviver. It was just tangy enough and packed a nice little punch. After hearing that they make their own Ginger Beer, I asked him to surprise me with something and a Penicillin was it. It was rich, smokey, Scotch-heavy and glorious. I really liked the vibe of the place and can see why people set up shop at the bar for hours. It's just one of those places that you don't wanna leave. We easily could have stayed all night, but mass amounts of meatage down the street was calling and we had to go. Can't keep a good steak waiting, right? :) read more

This bar is amazing. I'm almost tempted to write a bad review so I can keep the secret somewhat to myself. After going to Il Bistro tonight my friend and I happened upon a fellow bar-hopper who pointed us in the direction of Zig Zag. I'd heard of it but never been. Without any hesitation we followed and were pleasantly surprised to say the least. First off - I was the DD tonight so I actually had nothing to drink. This is a good thing because it allows me to recount my night in sober detail. My friend sipped on some really fine scotch recommended by the bartender. He really knew his sh*t! Very impressive. Although I wasn't drinking any liquor I was tended to and constantly served more and more ice water. (Thoughtful!). It's nice to go to a bar and not feel invisible because you're not paying to drink. In fact, the bartender was a great conversationalist and it was a great time had by all. The mood was relaxed, the place was clean and the drinks were great. (From what I could tell.) I'm going back tomorrow for sure.. and taking the bus this time! :) read more

Nice atmosphere, wait staff prompt and friendly. Food was good. The fried clams and mussels were great. The whisky drinks even better. I love the red lighting and music. read more

SECRET MENU ALERT. I asked our kind and awesome waitress, "What should I get if a boy, like myself, lean towards the sweet drinks?" She says, "Do you like vodka?" I say, "Who doesn't?" She says, "How about lime juice, peach and apricot liquors?" I say, "You had me with peach." Three of these drinks later, I say, "If a boy like myself were to ask to order this again later on, what do I say?" She says, "The Panty Dropper is what we call it amongst our waitstaff." And here it is, folks, I don't care what people say, but I love me a panty dropper, even if I don't wear panties... This drink is delicious and dangerous. read more

The Zig Zag Cafe constantly gets high marks as one of the best cocktail bars in America (not just Seattle). Murray Stenson bartended there for (years) becoming a cocktail legend, and the future of the place is in great hands with Ben, Erik, and Ricardo. There's a reason this place gets so much press, and you probably ought to go there to check it out for yourself. Food & Drink: You're not here for the food, or if you are, you've made your first rookie mistake. The main courses, like risotto, seafood specials, and pastas are fresh, and taste plenty good (the food is from Pike Place Market) but to my mind are overpriced and not the feature here. You've got better dining options in the area for a full course meal. As best put by a fellow critic, "the best things here come in cocktail glasses, not on plates." You're better off going with the appetizers like bruschetta (excellent), olives, flatbread pizzas, and salads. All are very good, and pair well with the cocktails. In short this is a place to visit prior to dinner or just after. The cocktails on the other hand are out of this world. The menu has a rotating list of different house concoctions, which you'll find to be diverse, unique in taste, and worth a look. That said, if you order off the menu, you're doing yourself a disservice. If you give any of the bartenders a type of flavor or a feature spirit they'll ask a question or two to get your preference and proceed to make you something that will blow you away. I've seen drinks made up, on the spot, that are better than any classic cocktail you could have. If you do want a classic they are mixed/made properly to your tasting when specified--whether it's Manhattans, whiskey sours, martinis, caipirinhas, sazeracs or layered drinks. Heck, they'll use mexi-coke in your rum and coke. No matter what you order it's going to come out tasting just as perfect as it looks. Zig Zag Cafe takes cocktail making to an art form. Ambiance & Service: If you haven't been here before, but walked along the Seattle waterfront or Pike Place Market, you'll be shocked at how many times you've walked by it and not noticed it. Tucked away on the hill climb stairs overlooking the viaduct/waterfront, it's in a prime location to pair with other events--Pike Place Market adventure, shopping at Westlake, an Argosy Cruise, et. Parking can be an issue of course given the location. The inside of the establishment is dimly lit, simple, and centered around the bar. The bartenders are dressed in vests and the whole feel is like a '20s or '30s lounge. It's simple, yet classy and the bar features prominently. Pro Tip: Sit at the bar if possible--it's a heck of a show and you'll be engaged in great conversation. If you do sit at a table, you'll find them well spaced, but because it's such an open layout sound does travel a bit. Ben, the Manager, takes a lot of pride in being in the service industry and it shows throughout the entire operation. The servers here are attentive, polite, and know the menu offering both food and drink suggestions based off your questions and preferences. You will be well taken care of, and can trust them to relay and cocktail/mixed drink instructions preferences you have. At no point will you feel rushed to leave by the staff, and you won't have to wait around long to order or for the bill when you're ready to leave. The bartending is on a whole other level in terms of quality. They know their trade. They are personable. They care about making your time there enjoyable. They'll teach you about different drinks/spirits. They will make a drink to any unique specifications you want, and I mean ANY specifications. If it isn't good, they'll toss it and start over. It's an absolute art-form and illustrates the best in what a cocktail bar can be. The attention to detail is amazing. Your drink is going to be served in the right type of glass and at the right temperature. Your drink won't be under or overpoured. Your drink is going to use house made syrups/mixes. This is one of the few bars that delights in taking the time to do a cocktail right, rather than speeding along with shortcuts and trying to guide patrons to easier cocktails. It's an experience not to be missed and conversation starter for you and your group/party. Pro Tip #2: End a date by sharing a Spanish Coffee--tastes good and you get a bit of a flammable show. Final Thoughts: Zig Zag Cafe has been hyped up in everything from the Seattle Met to GQ, and constantly makes the list of top cocktail establishments. It's earned. Use it as a great first date location, for a bachelorette party starting point, to meet up after work for drinks/appetizers in a mixed crowd, or as a launching point for other Seattle fun. -AC read more

I came to Zig Zag Cafe to get deep in gin, yo! I heard they had the good cocktails and I heard that I could be pleasantly drunk here. I also heard they had food and I got on that idea as well. I good, blitzed time wuz hadz read more

It's been awhile since I've been to Zig Zag. Why? What stops me from going places in Seattle? That's right - hills. Is it worth it? Yes! Every single time. I love the walk down the hill with a group. Everyone is chattering about how they love this place or how they've never been there and have no idea where they're being led. Eventually, upon entering the space, people are immediately at ease. I'm a big believer in low lighting. The ambiance is set; tables are either cozy for 2 or larger for groups. The drinks are the star of the show! No doubt about it. I love perusing the menu, looking for something new to try or an old favorite. The bruschetta is a decent snack with nice pieces of bread topped with healthy chunks of tomato. I'm not a fan of kalamata olives but the preparation here is great! The smoked almonds were subtle but complimentary to any drink on the menu. The sauteed calamari was prepared well but I think I'm just a sucker for fried. Staff members and the owner are ridiculously nice! From the moment I stepped in, I felt like I was important. There was a minor hiccup in the service with regard to my drink but often all I really need is a genuine apology to happily go on my way which is exactly what I got. I always have a great time here! The slow, possibly slumbered walk back up the hill is not pleasant but I'll forget until the next time I have to hike it. read more

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! read more

The service was quick and polite, the food was delicious (I had the burger and a coffee), and the atmosphere was cozy and sophisticated. ZigZag has everything you could ask for, and has late night hours to boot! Highly recommend. read more