I took a 1981 Seattle Polk directory I found on Archive.org, and spent the last several days going through the list of restaurants. These are the oldest restaurants in Seattle:
Admiral Benbow Inn(1950)
Cafe Allegro(1975)
Athenian Inn(1909)
Ballard Smoke Shop(1971)
Beth’s Cafe(1954)
Burgermaster(1952)
Bush Garden(1953)
By’s Drive In(1965)
Canlis(1950)
Cedar’s(1974)
Chelan Cafe(1938)
College Inn(1909)
Copacabana(1964)
Costa’s(1975)
Crepe De Paris(1967)
Daniels Broiler(1980)
Deluxe Bar and Grill(1962)
Dick’s Drive In(1954)
Duke’s Seafood(1977)
El Gaucho(1953)
Elliot Bay Cafe/Little Oddfellows(1979)
Elliot’s Oyster House(1975)
Five Point Cafe(1929)
The Frankfurter(1975)
Gim Wah(1970s)
Hattie’s Hat(1904)
Ivar’s Acres of Clams(1946)
Ivar’s Salmon House(1970)
Jalisco Mexican Restaurant(1970s)
Jazz Alley(1980)
Jules Maes Saloon(1888)
14 Carrot Cafe(1977)
Kau Kau BBQ(1974)
Kidd Valley(1975)
La Cocina(1980)
La Palma Mexican Restaurant(1976)
Le Bistro(1975)
Lockspot Cafe(1920s)
Lowell’s Restaurant(1957)
Maneki Restaurant(1904)
Maximillien(1977)
Oliver’s/Mayflower Park Hotel Restaurant(1976)
Mecca Cafe(1930)
Merchant’s Cafe(1890)
Mike’s Chili Parlor(1933)
Voula’s Off Shore Cafe(1950s)
Olympia Pizza and Spaghetti House(1974)
Ozzie’s Restaurant(1950s)
Pepperdock’s Restaurant(1977)
Phoenicia(1975)
Paglicaci Pizza(1979)
Ray’s Boathouse(1945)
The Rendezvous(1927)
Rickshaw Restaurant(1976)
Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant(1979)
Shucker’s(1960s-70s)
Spud Fish & Chips(1935)
Original Starbucks(1976)
Sunlight Cafe(1976)
Swedish Club(1892)
Little Red Hen(1933)
Tai Tung Restaurant(1935)
Tarasco Restaurant(1980)
Thirteen Coins(1967)
Torero Mexican Restaurant(1973)
Toshi’s Teriyaki(1976)
Vera’s Ballard(1960s)
Vince’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria(1957)
Wedgewood Broiler(1965)
Please comment if there are any missing
submitted by /u/harryjacoby
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