Some people make to-do lists. We make to-dine lists. There are a lot of restaurant openings on the horizon in 2023 that we can’t wait to check out — from familiar names making triumphant comebacks to intriguing new kids on the block. Grab your forks as we dig right in.

Loxsmith Bagels

📍 2709 17th Ave. S.
🗓️ Sunday, Jan. 15
After operating as a pop-up for years, this excellent breakfast spot is setting down more permanent roots in Beacon Hill soon. The punny namesake sandwich is legit, but we’re looking forward to more wild experiments like the shop’s sushi bagel with eel. It works, we swear.

Ox Burger

📍 1523 E. Madison St.
🗓️ End of January
An offshoot of Capitol Hill’s Laotian restaurant Taurus Ox, the focus here is on the restaurant’s delectable smash burger topped with cured pork jowl. But expect fried chicken and soft serve on the menu, too — pretty much all you need in life.

Kilig

📍 710 Eighth Ave.
🗓️ Early March
Star Seattle chef Melissa Miranda is following up her hit restaurant Musang with a Filipino fast-casual joint in the Chinatown-International District. It’ll serve two comfort food dishes — bulalo (beef shank soup)and pancit (fried noodles).

Ben’s Bread

📍 7009 Greenwood Ave. N.
🗓️ March
Sharing space with Holy Mountain Brewing and Doe Bay Wine Company, acclaimed baker Ben Campbell promises to deliver pastries, hot sandwiches, sourdough, and deep-dish pizza galore. Beer, wine, carbs? We’re in.

Milk Bar

📍 100 Bellevue Square
🗓️ Spring
Get that Insta post ready. One of the trendiest dessert shops in all the land's first PNW location will be arriving at the Bellevue Square Nordstrom soon. Just looking at the tiered cakes and cookies from famed pastry chef Christina Tosi gives us a sugar rush.

Palace Kitchen

📍 2030 Fifth Ave.
🗓️ Late spring/early summer

Tom Douglas’s bohemian Belltown bistro has been shuttered for almost three years, but will soon be firing up the grill for those popular burgers soon. Seeing the neon sign lit up again will be a sight for sore eyes.

Ms. Helen’s Soul Bistro

📍 2000 23rd Ave. S.
🗓️ November
Two decades after the original Helen’s Diner’s was destroyed by an earthquake, the beloved soul food joint is back. Ms. Helen’s is running its catering operation right now, but the family-run restaurant portion should be ready by the end of the year. Can’t wait for that oxtail.

Ludi’s Restaurant

📍 120 Stewart St.
🗓️ Date TBA
You might remember we told you this famed Filipino diner was on the comeback trail last May. It’s taking a little longer than expected, but the place known for its dreamy ube pancakes is working hard to open soon — save room.