My friends, Darcy & Carolyn, recommended that I stop in this gem of a restaurant at some point during my weekend in Seattle, and the minute I walked through the Oddfellows doors, I said a silent ‘thank you’ for having friends with such incredible taste. Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Oddfellows pretty much represents everything I love about dining out – great food, delicious drinks, spot on branding, thoughtful (and quirky!) decor, and an atmosphere that simply cannot be matched.

It was Friday night and the place was bustling with people, and though I felt a little silly dining at a table alone, I had plenty of sights to keep my mind occupied – 90% of the furnishings & decor are salvaged or re-purposed, which clearly makes for a visually interesting space. I was in love!

While I waited for my Negroni, I continued to people watch and take note of the restaurant’s atmosphere. Unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to take any photos of the actual space with restaurant patrons inside, so you’ll have to take a look at the photos from the Oddfellows site to get a good idea as to how the space is set up, with its many long tables, beautiful bar, and high ceiling. Really, I simply cannot say enough wonderful things about the design and ambiance of this restaurant.

My bibb lettuce salad and spinach & arugula lasagna were just what I expected from a restaurant like Oddfellows – simple, delicious, and comforting – just what I needed after such a long trip from the East Coast. Right before I finished my lasagna, I had the chance to enjoy Oddfellows a bit longer than I’d expected – my friends who’d recommended I stop there, called two of their friends who lived nearby to come and join me for dinner. Not only did I come away from my evening at Oddfellows with two unexpected new friends, but I also enjoyed one of my favorite dining experiences to date.