Jewish delis are all the rage in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. However, only a few people know that Seattle is another city with true hidden gems. Currently it is the 18th largest city in the United States with a decent sized Jewish population.
I was born and raised in the Seattle area and visit regularly. Have to be honest, the deli scene is not anywhere close to what you will find in Los Angeles, Chicago, Florida, or New York, but in the last decade things have improved considerably.
This is great for the city and I hope the Seattle Deli Scene keeps growing!
Without further ado, let’s discuss the top options in Seattle.
Jewish Delis in Seattle
9. Rubinstein Bagels – South Lake Union
Rubinstein Bagels uses high-protein organic flour to make their bagels. The flour comes from Eastern Washington state farms.
The bagels at this store are uniquely flavored thanks to the sourdough leavening agent and long-fermenting process. These special steps bring out the most moist and chewy bagels in Seattle!
Rubinstein’s owner believes in making truly loveable food, which is why they use traditional bagel boards on the stone hearth—which is why these bagels do not flatten out.
Some of their best creations so far are salted rosemary, poppy seed, sesame, plain, garlic, everything, sea salt, and chocolate and cherry bagels.
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8. Loxsmith Bagels
Loxsmith Bagels in Seattle is one of the best places for bagels. The appetizing menu makes people come to this location for fresh bagels. They focus on bringing a mixture of value and quality to their customers at affordable rates.
The bagel store offers take-out, online ordering, and pre-order services. They also ship nationwide, so you don’t have to be in the city to order the mouthwatering Loxsmith bagels.
Bagel sandwiches, smoked lox, and hand-rolled bagels are some of their best offerings.
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7. Roxy’s Diner
Roxy’s Diner is located in Fremont, Seattle. It’s been serving hot pastrami and Reuben sandwiches to the locals and tourists for almost 20 years. Their signature Reuben sandwich is the one that you should try when visiting this restaurant which is a traditional diner, and not a deli.
Their diverse menu includes Latkes, chicken apple sausage, Challah French toast, pastrami Reuben, and even a turkey Reuben.
Roxy’s Diner is a New York style with a relaxed atmosphere, friendly service, and great comfort food.
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6. Gilbert’s on Main – Bellevue
Gilbert’s on Main is in the third decade of its service and located in Bellevue, WA, which is across the bridge to Seattle.
Gilbert’s has an outstanding number of the best sandwiches in the country. Twenty-five of Gilbert’s sandwiches are showstoppers, with #9 Reuben taking the lead.
The sandwiches are a perfect representation of New York-style deli food.
Their #9 Reuben is one of their best items that we recommend, especially for first time visitors. They also offer delivery service and curbside pickup, so you can grab it any time before 3 pm.
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5. Market House Meats
Market House Meats has a significant history, but one thing has remained the same since it was originally established in the late 1940s—corned beef. The establishment offers quality corned beef and sandwiches.
The place has improved its service with each new owner. Currently, Mazen Mahmoud is the one running the business and plans to add better friendly service with mobile ordering and regular Saturday hours.
The place has a compact menu for breakfast and lunch. It’s a fast-paced food establishment that offers delicious corned beef, pastramis, and Reubens.
Some of their best menu items include a Quad sandwich, tripe breakfast sandwich, pastrami sandwich, market house grilled Reuben, and corned beef sandwich.
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4. Tat’s Delicatessen
Tat’s Delicatessen is located in Pioneer Square. It was started by Brian Tatman and Jason Simodejka in 2004 when they decided to sell East Coast-style sandwiches.
Thanks to their dedication, Tat’s deli is now one of the best Jewish delis in Seattle. They bring the taste of their hometown with Tat’s menu.
They offer fresh ingredients for all dishes and diversify their offerings with eat-ins, delivery, and take-outs. Their best sandwiches are monster meatball sub that contains beef, veal, and pork, and Tat’strami, which is a cheesesteak-pastrami mashup.
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3. Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli
Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli started with its first branch in Portland. The plant-based deli treats became so popular that other locations opened up in Seattle, Oceanside, and San Diego.
There’s another one in Portland. Ben & Esther’s is passionate about serving vegan Jewish deli food that’s perfect for people who love deli sandwiches but don’t want to indulge in meat.
Their vegan corned beef Reubens, turkey-bacon club, benny’s brisket, and corned beef New Yorker are some of the best offerings.
All ingredients are 100% vegan at Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli. They serve their deli sandwiches on marble rye. You can choose your own bagels for the bagel sandwiches.
So if you are vegan and in the Seattle area, this is probably the top choice for you.
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2. Zylberschtein’s Delicatessen & Bakery
Josh Grunig, the founder of Zylberschtein’s deli, started the deli in 2019. His dream was to run a Jewish deli where he could offer Jewish deli menu items for his customers.
The Pinehurst neighborhood helped him make the Kickstarter campaign successful. Now he serves some of the best-cured meat sandwiches, bagels, bread, and pickles in Seattle.
The pastrami sandwiches at Zylberschtein’s have thick-cut slices placed carefully on freshly baked rye. Their corned beef sandwich has a similar assembly.
Other popular items on the menu are whitefish salad, bagels, and smoked tofu Rueben.
Zylberschtein’s also has a bagel club where they offer home delivery service for comfort food. They’ll deliver everything from matzo ball soup to bagels, corned beef, and pastrami.
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1. Dingfelder’s Delicatessen
Dingfelder’s is a deli started by Vance Dingfelder. He was raised in New York, where his two grandmothers taught him how to cook using only fresh ingredients.
His parents were restaurant owners, too, so he basically grew up in the food business. He brought this ideology to the kitchen of Dingfelder’s, where he took his time perfecting his skills and bringing glory to the deli. When they first opened, they had indoor seating, but since Covid they have moved to take out only.
The deli prides itself on serving the best meat to the customers. From pastrami and corned beef to bubbies brisket and beef tongue, all meats are hand-sliced at Dingfelder’s. They serve the meat on rye or marble rye with a combo of 2 or 3 meats.
Other dishes famous at this deli are smoked salmon salad, potato salad, and “Grandma” Matzo Ball soup.
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The Jewish-Style Deli Seattle’s Been Waiting For – KING 5 Evening
Zylberschtein’s Delicatessen and Bakery has the schmaltz, pastrami, and more. Watch the video to see what they have on the menu!
Summary
Now you know the best Jewish delis in Seattle. Next time you’re in the city, don’t forget to try Dingfelder’s and Zylberschtein’s pastrami sandwiches.
If you want some vegan options, Ben & Esther’s is always there to serve you. The bagels in Seattle are also worth trying, so make sure to stop by Zylberschtein’s, Rubinstein Bagels, and Loxsmith Bagels.
Jewish Delis in Seattle – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the Most Jewish Sandwich?
Pastrami on Rye is considered the most classic Jewish sandwich. It’s a go-to meal for the lunch crowd making their way to the nearest deli. These sandwiches are overstuffed with pastrami slices and tasty toppings.
Why Are So Many Delis Jewish?
The immigrants from Eastern Europe started food businesses in the US, and these delis or restaurants became the place for the poor. The food establishments were initially for Jewish who were not welcome in fancy restaurants. It’s been more than a century since the Jews established delis in the US, and given the preference for deli meat, they are very popular in the country.
Did Jews Invent the Deli?
Ashkenazi Jews immigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States in the 18th century. They popularized delis in the US with cured meat sandwiches like pastrami, corned beef, and other kosher deli foods. The delis became popular in the 19th century.
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My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
