Circa

Reviews

• Rick K.

  star star star star star 12 June 2026

  I had another excellent experience at Circa, as this small, quaint, bistro has become one of my favorite restaurants. The Creole-Chicken Fried Steak is simply phenomenal. The steak is cooked perfectly, the eggs were cooked over easy as requested, and the hash browns were well-seasoned and crisp.
  
  The "feeling" that Circa currently has is much different than when I had I first visited them twelve years ago. The food has always been good...but now it is even better since Gretchen and Bill assumed ownership a few years ago. Now, the real difference is the hospitality that is present everytime I visit Circa. Today, the bartender was incredible. Always checking to see if I needed anything. Even when I asked for the hash browns and the fried steak to be put in different to-go boxes, (hash browns for my vegetarian wife), the bartender replied sincerely "no problem" with a genuine smile, and even wrote on the boxes with a smiley face. So impressive. Everytime I step in to Circa, I am greeted with a smile and a hello. That doesn't happen everywhere. Great job Circa

• Dwayne S.

  star star star star star 2 June 2026

  Two words...
  A mazing! (I know it should be one word, but a restaurant this good deserves extra emphasis.)
  
  A small, local, neighborhood place. We waited for about 15 minutes for a table, but it was well worth the wait.
  
  My two friends ordered the 10 oz ribeye special with mashed potatoes and I ordered the shrimp and grits with vegetables.
  
  Both of my friends said it was the best steak they had ever eaten. One accused the cook of putting drugs in the meat because he didn't want to stop eating it. The steak was cooked to perfection. Juicy. Tender. Flavorful. At one point he was contemplating ordering another meal to eat.
  
  My shrimp and grits were fantastic. The owner is from New Orleans and I can tell. It was bursting with that New Orleans flavor, but not at all overwhelming. The grits were smooth and flavorful. The shrimp were tender.
  
  And then the desert. Yeah. We got one of each. And there wasn't a crumb left on any of our plates. Don't judge. I feel great about my choices.
  
  I don't give 5 stars very often, but Circa deserves it. I'd give 7 stars if I could.
  
  I'll be in Seattle for three more weeks and I plan on going back quite often during my stay.

• Jennifer O.

  star star star star star_border 30 May 2026

  Hubby and I recently relocated to Seattle from LA (previously SF), so suffice it to say we are food snobs. And what we've discovered about Seattle thus far is that it's hit or miss in terms of restaurants here. But, thank God Circa is a hit!
  
  Food: My husband and I ordered the "best things on the menu" per the waiter's suggestions. I got the steak and potatoes and my hubby got the meatloaf. I absolutely loved my steak - it was cooked to tender perfection and the sauce/glaze it came with paired perfectly. The potatoes were also a match made in heaven. Even the greens on my plate were bomb! I tasted my hubby's meatloaf and thought it was just okay, but I'm not really a fan of meatloaf generally speaking. My dish was great, but I'll likely get the steak salad next time as the meal was very filling.
  
  Ambiance: Dimly lit, kind of this grunge, divey feel. It's a pretty casual spot with booths and a well stocked bar. Certainly not a place that requires you to dress up at all. Just come as you are and enjoy.
  
  Service: Our waiter was so nice and lovely. She made great recos and checked in with us often. We felt valued as patrons, which is how it should be.
  
  Overall: Best steak at a casual restaurant in seattle. you'll only need a butter knife. get the salad if you want to still fit into your pants afterward, or go all in with the mashed potatoes on the side.

• Kelsey H.

  star star star star star_border 17 May 2026

  Our favorite neighborhood restaurant closed last month so we have been on a mission to support other west sea restaurants and find a new favorite. We have been to circa a few times before, but not for awhile. We visited on a Thursday evening and it was packed!
  
  Their dinner menu has not changed much if at all since the last time we visited. Tbh- there isn't much on their menu that sparks my interest. They have chicken picatta -which is always a favorite but it's served with mashed potatoes, which unfortunately I do not like. They can sub rice, but meh. Anyways, they do have specials every day! Their was a crawfish pasta on the special board and I went with that. My husband ordered the lamb burger, which he has had before. Both were great.
  
  Some items on the menu seem pricey (like the $10 Brussels sprouts) , and others seem very well priced ($14 lamb burger).
  
  Overall a great spot for a weeknight dinner, friendly service, good beer list. We will definitely make it a point to visit again soon.
  
  Follow along @theseafoodies

• Monica D.

  star star star star star_border 15 May 2026

  I really like this neighborhood restaurant, there are menu items I love and others not so much, but that is more my personal taste than their execution. My favorites are the steelhead with mashed potatoes and veggie of the day and I really enjoy the lemony kale Caesar topped with their crispy on the outside juicy on the inside fried oysters!
  
  Friendly service, good food, great happy hour but it only goes to 5 pm, also be careful that what you order at happy hour vs. after 5 pm, is charged correctly I have been overcharged.