Spinasse
Italian · Pike/Pine, Seattle
Restaurant in Seattle, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Piedmontese Counter Discipline
Chef
Stuart Lane
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Northern Italian kitchen on Capitol Hill focused on Piemonte traditions; agnolotti, tajarin, braised meats paired with a wine list that skews heavily toward regional producers. Book a week out for weekend dinner slots; the OAD Casual in North America Ranked #64 (2025) placement reflects consistent execution at a price point that rewards diners who care about wine depth and regional specificity over broader Italian menus.
About Spinasse
Spinasse is an Italian restaurant in Seattle led by chef/owner Stuart Lane. The essentials are straightforward: dinner hours run Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 5–10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5–11 pm. The dress code is smart casual, making it a polished but approachable choice for an evening meal.
The Italian focus and why it matters
Spinasse is best understood as a Seattle Italian restaurant rather than a catch-all dining room. Plan on an Italian dinner guided by Stuart Lane's kitchen. If you are comparing Italian options, Uncle Dom's Italian Kitchen is another useful point of reference, though Spinasse should be judged on its own identity: Italian cuisine in Seattle with smart-casual expectations.
Open Monday through Sunday, 5–10 pm most nights and until 11 pm Friday and Saturday, the schedule supports dinner plans only. Lunch seekers should look elsewhere. The hours suit evening reservations, whether for an early dinner or a later Friday or Saturday meal.
How to think about booking and the meal
For planning purposes, Spinasse is an Italian restaurant in Seattle, led by Stuart Lane, with smart-casual dress and evening hours every day of the week. Diners choosing between Seattle Italian restaurants can also consider Staple & Fancy Mercantile as another comparison.
For solo diners, groups, or date-night plans, confirm availability directly before going rather than relying on assumptions about walk-ins, counter seating, or peak demand. The schedule gives the clearest planning framework: 5–10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 5–11 pm Friday and Saturday.
Seattle has a wide range of dining options if Spinasse is not the right fit for a given evening. Café Juanita and Uncle Dom's Italian Kitchen are useful comparisons, while diners exploring beyond Italian can check our full Seattle restaurants guide for broader recommendations.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 5–10 pm · Tuesday: 5–10 pm
- Location
- 1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- spinasse.com
- Phone
- (206) 251-7673
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Spinasse presents itself as a neighborhood trattoria rendered with deliberate restraint. The dining room leans into a Northern Italian grammar — close tables, low ceilings and a warm enclosure that shuts the weather out and lets conversation and food take center stage. The service is unhurried and assured, the kind that signals staff who know the menu rather than perform familiarity. Evenings build in energy; the rising noise level reads as convivial rather than chaotic. The overall feel is sophisticated and quietly charming, a place that prizes consistency and the comfort of repeat regulars over flash.
Best For
Spinasse is best experienced at dinner, when the room fills and the neighborhood momentum becomes part of the meal. It’s a Capitol Hill spot that rewards evenings: intimate seating and a cultivated kitchen make it a natural choice for date nights and special occasions where food-driven seriousness is welcome without formality. The restaurant’s sustained recognition and refusal to chase trends make it especially suited to diners who value regional fidelity and technical execution — people who come expecting a thoughtful, composed Piedmontese meal rather than theatrical spectacle.
Ordering Tips
Lean into Spinasse’s Piedmontese strengths when ordering. The Tajarin con burro e salvia is a defining preparation — thin egg-yolk pasta dressed simply in butter and sage, with truffle shavings only in season — and the menu emphasizes precision in technique and restraint in sauce. The Barolo-braised beef cheeks and Cipollini ripieni are signature, hearty options that showcase the kitchen’s command of long braises and classic preparations. Trust the staff’s knowledge of the menu and favor dishes that celebrate the region’s understated but exacting approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm and inviting with candlelight, rustic wood tables, and a view into the open kitchen, creating an intimate Italian countryside feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Tajarin con burro e salvia
- Barolo-braised beef cheeks
- Cipollini ripieni
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 5–10 pm
- Tuesday
- 5–10 pm
- Wednesday
- 5–10 pm
- Thursday
- 5–10 pm
- Friday
- 5–11 pm
- Saturday
- 5–11 pm
- Sunday
- 5–10 pm
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Uncle Dom’s Italian Kitchen, Italian, Italian
- Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Italian, Italian
- Café Juanita, Italian, Italian
- La Quercia, Italian, Italian
- Sunday Sauce, Italian, Italian
Restaurant context
Spinasse competes in Seattle's Italian mid-tier, where regional focus and wine depth matter more than sheer ambition. Café Juanita sits a step above in formality and price, offering a more refined experience with a broader Northern Italian scope, worth the splurge if you want tablecloth service and a longer tasting menu. Staple & Fancy Mercantile delivers a wider Italian regional spread and easier booking, but the wine program lacks the Piemonte granularity that defines Spinasse. For a more casual, Southern Italian angle, Uncle Dom's Italian Kitchen offers tomato-forward comfort food at a lower price point, though without the same wine list depth.
If you care about drinking well alongside food built for those bottles, Spinasse is the clearest recommendation in this. The OAD Casual in North America Ranked #64 (2025) placement reflects steady execution without the formality or price premium of Café Juanita. Booking a week out for weekend dinner slots is standard; Staple & Fancy Mercantile and Uncle Dom's are easier to walk into on short notice. For explorers who value regional specificity and a wine program that matches the kitchen's focus, Spinasse is the stronger choice over broader-stroke Italian options in the neighborhood.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Spinasse guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Spinasse
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinasse | Seattle | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #742026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #642024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #792023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #432023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #100Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Uncle Dom’s Italian Kitchen | Seattle | Italian | No published awards |
| Staple & Fancy Mercantile | Seattle | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4292024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4482023 OAD Casual in North America Highly Recommended |
| Café Juanita | Seattle | Italian | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #852025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #902024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #832023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #92 |
| La Quercia | Vancouver | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7322023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Sunday Sauce | Portland | Italian | No published awards |
How Spinasse Seattle compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spinasse good for solo dining?
Solo dining can work if the available reservation times and seating suit you. Spinasse is an Italian restaurant in Seattle, led by Stuart Lane, with dinner hours every day of the week.
What should a first-timer know about Spinasse?
First-timers should know that Spinasse serves Italian cuisine in Seattle and follows a smart-casual dress code. Review the current menu directly before deciding what to order.
Is lunch or dinner better at Spinasse?
Dinner is the service window. Spinasse opens at 5 pm Monday through Sunday, closes at 10 pm Sunday through Thursday, closes at 11 pm Friday and Saturday. Plan for dinner rather than lunch.
How far ahead should I book Spinasse?
Check current availability directly if you want to dine at Spinasse, especially for Friday or Saturday dinner, when the hours extend from 5–11 pm.
Does Spinasse handle dietary restrictions?
Contact Spinasse directly before booking if dietary restrictions are important to your meal. Diners comparing Italian options may also look at Staple & Fancy Mercantile.
