Pioneer Square is booming with new restaurants
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Pioneer Square is seeing a restaurant boom as dozens of new businesses take root in Seattle's oldest neighborhood.
Why it matters: The area, which struggled during the pandemic with declining foot traffic, empty storefronts and visible homelessness, is rebounding amid new restaurant openings, pedestrian upgrades and the city's waterfront overhaul.
State of play: More than two dozen businesses have opened in Pioneer Square since January — most of them restaurants and bars — with another dozen on the way, said Lisa Howard, executive director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square.
- The neighborhood saw more businesses open in the first quarter of 2025 than in all of 2024, which had 14 openings total.
- "It's going a little crazy right now," Howard told Axios.
Zoom in: New additions this year include Parlour, a coffeeshop and wine bar at the corner of Yesler and Occidental; Mirabelle by Orphée, a Parisian-style cafe on First Avenue; and the new Populus hotel, which includes two restaurants, Firn and Salt Harvest.
- In the coming months, Chef Renee Erickson's restaurant group, Sea Creatures, is set to open three restaurants in Pioneer Square's Railspur development, where renowned cocktail bar Death & Co. also plans to open a Seattle outpost.
- Meanwhile, Gordo Steak — a project from David Orozco, who owns Asadero in Ballard and Kent — will soon move into the vacant corner formerly occupied by Bar Sajor and Copal.
What they're saying: John De Leo, co-founder of DeLeo Bros Pizza, which recently opened by Occidental Park, said public investment in the waterfront and neighborhood walkability "allowed all of us to feel comfortable putting our money here."
- "Good things are happening in Pioneer Square," De Leo said.
Brendan Casey, owner of Parlour, said that ahead of opening earlier this year, he "could see a clear upswing" in the historic district, with more people — including tourists and office workers — strolling through.
- "Now all of a sudden, we have a flood of people who hit Pike Place Market, they walk south on the waterfront and where do they go? They're in our neighborhood."
- He said the return of downtown workers is driving strong lunch demand, prompting Parlour to expand its midday offerings this month.
- Casey added that he was drawn to the neighborhood's history, architecture and "real urban downtown feel," as well as its proximity to the stadiums and the renovated waterfront.
Jeremy Price, co-owner of the Sea Creatures restaurant group, pointed to the broader momentum.
- "With the waterfront revamp and all the new openings, there's a real sense of renewal and energy in the area," he wrote in an email to Axios.
- "We're excited to be a part of that and to contribute to the vibrancy."
What's next: The neighborhood continues to host events, such as its free First Thursday Art Walk and pop-up markets.
- De Leo said he and other business owners expect a major surge in foot traffic next year when six World Cup matches are held at nearby Lumen Field.
