Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle

4.6 (5517)

$31 to $50

American

1225 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

Make a reservation

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle

4.6

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 2, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 86 times today

About this restaurant

Great for fine wines
Lively
Good for special occasions

Reservations full? Feel free to call or walk-in!

Purple Café and Wine Bar pairs a global wine selection with a menu that combines classic American styles with seasonal Northwest ingredients.

We feature an expansive menu ranging from artisan cheeses, starters, soups, salads, sandwiches and pizzas to pasta and seafood. We take a great deal of pride in utilizing the most fresh and local ingredients.

On the wine side of things our wine list features over 80 glass and 600 bottle selections. Over the years our wine program has been recognized with various accolades that include an "Award of Ultimate Distinction" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and being named "Best Wine Bar" by Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington Viewers Poll.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Northwest, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Mon 11:00 am–9:00 pm Tue–Fri 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(206) 829-2280
Website
http://www.thepurplecafe.com/purple-seattle/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Keta Newhouse
Catering
We offer a variety of box lunches and a la carte platters; great for corporate events, parties, picnics and other get-togethers! Orders are available for pick up and we ask for 48 hours’ notice on all pick-up orders to ensure availability. Please visit www.heavyrg.com/catering/
Private party facilities
Book our Loft for your next corporate event, holiday party, or celebration! We offer full restaurant buyouts as well, whatever the size of your party we've got you covered! Please fill out a request form at www.heavyrg.com/group-dining/

Location
1225 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood
Downtown
Cross street
University Street
Parking details
Parking is available in the Financial Center Parking Garage located directly underneath our restaurant on the corner of 4th and University. Once on University Street heading East, the garage is on your right hand side just after 3rd Ave and before 4th Ave.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle.

4.6

(5517)

4.5Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Seattle / Eastern Washington
Great for fine wines
Seattle
Great for fine wines
Seattle
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar in Seattle offers a lively atmosphere enhanced by "amazing ambiance" and "fabulous people." Known for its extensive wine selection, the restaurant pairs wines expertly with its creative menu. While service is often praised as "exceptional," some guests note occasional noise levels and menu inconsistencies. Overall, a vibrant spot for wine enthusiasts.

5,517 Reviews

M
Melissa
Seattle40 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Had a 5:30 reservation for Friday night and was seated promptly. The Seattle Restaurant Week menu looked great and the waiter was helpful in choosing a starter cocktail and then the three courses and a wine pairing. Ordered the Half Chop Salad - romaine, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, bacon, avocado chickpeas, all came together with a perfect dressing, Next had the roasted delicata squash and chanterelle dish (rich, complex flavors) and a delicious flat bread that is usually only on the happy hour menu. Everything was wonderful and such large portions I took half of everything home and enjoyed amazing leftovers the next day. Terrific value and great service. Only quibble is that the restaurant is quite dark and moody (bring your flashlight to read the menu) and gets very loud when it fills up - everyone is having a great time but it's noisy. Highly recommend, especially if you can enjoy it earlier in the evening.
Is this helpful?
M
Mary Elizabeth Gold
New York City7 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Trendy upscale atmosphere with excellent flavo rt profiles!
Is this helpful?
D
Deborah Gold
Denver1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Issac, as always, was the best. And great job with the restaurant week menu - offering a glass of wine as a course is clutch.
Is this helpful?
K
Kim
Detroit23 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 25, 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Our first impression was how rudely the host greeted us and told us to wait. I'm not sure if she was just having a bad day, but it was certainly off-putting. Our server and food were both great! I had the pork chop - the sides were massive. My friend had the lobster mac and cheese. She said there was hardly any lobster, but that it was good otherwise. Pretty restaurant, just a bit too loud for us. It was hard to talk without shouting.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - SeattleResponded 6 days ago
Hi, Kim Thank you so much for coming to visit us! We are sorry the host made you feel that way, even though we were extremely busy, we want our staff to hold their composure and treat everyone amazing. You are right, it can get pretty loud here depending on the business levels, so we are sorry if it was a too loud for you. We love feedback, so thank you for writing this, we will look at the lobster mac and cheese and check the ratios.
Is this helpful?
J
Jill
Seattle2 reviews
2.0
Dined on October 25, 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Seated next to a wall and it was so dark, we couldn’t see the menu or the food. It was a very busy evening. Our waiter seemed very rushed. The Buratta was not to my liking. The mixture of vegetables was very strange tasting, and the black cod was very soupy.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - SeattleResponded 6 days ago
Hi, Jill Yes, we had a super busy night, although that does not excuse bad service or bad experience. We will look into either more candles for that side or adjust the lighting so that it is more pleasurable. We just out both of these dishes on our menu, so the chef will look into the seasoning and texture of both dishes. We are proud of them, but if our guests are not enjoying them, then we are happy to make changes. Thank you for visiting us, we hope that next time you will enjoy your time more with us.
Is this helpful?
T
Toma Gold
Seattle6 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 25, 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
I used to love Purple for its atmosphere, great food, and wonderful wine selection. Unfortunately, last night's visit before a show was a huge disappointment. We started with the burrata, which was underwhelming. The accompanying slaw was under seasoned and lacked the balance and freshness I would expect from a dish like this. For my entrée, I ordered the chicken schnitzel. While I appreciated the generous portion (it was huge!), the schnitzel arrived cold, with no detectable hint of the truffle butter advertised on the menu. The accompanying salad tasted almost identical to the slaw served with the burrata, which made both dishes feel repetitive and uninspired. I also ordered a side of fries, hoping they might redeem the chicken dish, but they arrived greasy, soggy, and mushy. What makes this experience particularly frustrating is that I know Purple can do better. I've enjoyed this restaurant for years, and it's disappointing to see such a noticeable decline in food quality. The atmosphere and wine selection may still be appealing, but the kitchen needs some serious attention.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - SeattleResponded 6 days ago
Hi, Toma We are really sorry we bummed you out, but this kind of feedback really does help us. Firstly, thank you so much for dining with us through the years, and although we were not great this time, we hope to see you dining with us again soon. The chicken and the burrata dish are brand new dishes to our menu, and the chef has seen this feedback and will check the seasoning on them. She worked really hard on them, so she wants our guests to taste it just liked she envisioned them. No excuses though, it sounds like it was just not our night. We change our menu quite often, so you can anticipate changes.
Is this helpful?
J
Judy
Seattle49 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 19, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service and good. Arancini app was delicious and do authentic. They let us just hang and enjoy our meal. No pressure.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - SeattleResponded on October 21, 2026
Thank you so much, Judy!!!
Is this helpful?
T
Tony Gold
Seattle11 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 18, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We always love coming here! The food and service is great! Really enjoy the wine pairings and duos/trios
Is this helpful?
S
Steve
Hawaii3 reviews
2.0
Dined on October 18, 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Our server was fantastic friendly and helpful, unfortunately the food wasn't very good. I had the steak frites and for that price it should be excellent. The cut wasn't good, it was overcooked and tasted dry, unseasoned and a little chewy. Paying that kind of money the food should be excellent...it's not even close.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - SeattleResponded on October 19, 2026
Hi, Steve We were bummed to read this review you left, but if we disappointed you, it was not our intention. We agree that the food should be excellent, and we certainly strive for that. It is unfortunate that we were not able to make it perfect for you. If you could send us a direct message with your email, we would love to communicate further.
Is this helpful?
C
Christine
Seattle1 review
5.0
Dined on October 17, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Exceptional service, and food was incredible! Our party of 4 loved it here! I cannot wait to go back again. If you are in the area I highly recommend visiting for dinner!
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - SeattleResponded on October 19, 2026
Thank you so much, Christine!
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Northwest, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Mon 11:00 am–9:00 pm Tue–Fri 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(206) 829-2280
Website
http://www.thepurplecafe.com/purple-seattle/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Keta Newhouse
Catering
We offer a variety of box lunches and a la carte platters; great for corporate events, parties, picnics and other get-togethers! Orders are available for pick up and we ask for 48 hours’ notice on all pick-up orders to ensure availability. Please visit www.heavyrg.com/catering/
Private party facilities
Book our Loft for your next corporate event, holiday party, or celebration! We offer full restaurant buyouts as well, whatever the size of your party we've got you covered! Please fill out a request form at www.heavyrg.com/group-dining/

Location
1225 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood
Downtown
Cross street
University Street
Parking details
Parking is available in the Financial Center Parking Garage located directly underneath our restaurant on the corner of 4th and University. Once on University Street heading East, the garage is on your right hand side just after 3rd Ave and before 4th Ave.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Purple Café and Wine Bar feels stylish and wine‑focused, soaring ceilings and a dramatic spiral wine tower anchor a warm, elegant dining room that’s ideal for date nights or pre‑theater meals.

Yes, the downtown Purple has a patio where guests enjoy sitting, according to reviewers who mention preferring that outdoor spot.

Smart casual is the guide, polished but relaxed, a good fit for the Purple’s stylish, wine‑focused dining room where many guests treat visits as date‑night or special‑occasion outings.

Yes, Purple Café & Wine Bar is often recommended for date night, with guests calling it a good date restaurant and praising its stylish, intimate atmosphere and wine program.

Sunday, several guests mention enjoying lunch at Purple when nearby Benaroya Hall or Sunday lectures are happening, making it a popular choice on that day.

Portions can be generous for some dishes, the Shrimp Frites was specifically called generous, and small plates like the Arancini are served as a portion of three.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a reservation

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle

4.6

$31 to $50

American

Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 2, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 86 times today

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle

Make a reservation

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

Reviews

Loved For

Review summary

Additional information

FAQs

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

Does this restaurant have outdoor seating?

What is the dress code for Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle?

Is this a good pick for date night?

What is the best day to go to Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

Make a reservation

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle

Make a reservation