They are amazing!! Best dining experience you will ever have. The food, the stories, the ambience... You have to experience to really understand!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
K S
Simply incredible. Delicious food and amazing experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jackie O'Leary
Beautiful plates, delicious food, outstanding service. This was the best 40th birthday gift my friend could have given me!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Hersey
Amazing experience - some of the best flavors and wonderful story telling throughout the meal. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Garcia
Absolutely beautiful experience. Everyone was warm, welcoming, incredibly accommodating of my partner's dietary needs (vegan+gf), and it felt like we were visiting someone's home. There are thoughtful touches throughout, like family photos and dried wreaths. The food was some of the best I have ever had the gift of enjoying! I loved learning about the important Filipino members of the Seattle community. I cannot wait to come back. Special thanks to Olli, Carlena, and Aaron (I apologize for the spelling). ?Dietary restrictions: The team was incredibly accommodating of my partner's needs- vegan and gluten free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Wakazuru
Wow! I tried for a long time to get reservations, maybe a couple years. I finally set an alarm for the minute reservations became available and I snagged a spot for two on 1/20/24, back in November. The wait was long but I am so happy with everything about this restaurant. Exceptional food, service, atmosphere and did I mention the food? Every one of the 12 courses was spot on. Perfect taste, texture and presentation. Sure, the price is sky high, but if there's one place you must try in Seattle, this is it. If I had to come up with one negative, it would be that the portions are tiny, and most people would leave a little hungry. But don't let that scare you away. I will definitely return, over and over again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Obie King-Bagley
Archipelago might be the best restaurant in Seattle, full stop. Definitely a high-end meal, the tasting course functions as an experience in addition to the meal. Throughout the modern takes on Filipino dishes, you learn about the history of Filipino immigration in Seattle, and the lives of said immigrants. I liked most of the dishes, the only one I wasn't a fan of was the bread course, though I don't like mushrooms to begin with, so it was already facing an uphill battle. The juice pairing was also unique and excellent, and overall I was very impressed with Archipelago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chelsea Otakan
I don’t usually write reviews, but some of the 2-3 star reviews stating they don’t think Archipelago is “worth the money” compelled me to share my perspective.I’m Filipino-American (parents born in the islands) and grew up on Filipino food.As others have mentioned, the service, presentation, storytelling, and atmosphere are all top notch. I had very little knowledge about Filipino culture in the PNW and Seattle area and learned a lot. For example, Carnation condensed milk, a Filipino pantry staple and a brand I few up with, was located in Carnation, WA.For those who are complaining about the ingredients (that they’re common or low quality) are completely missing the point. Most Filipino food is based on what we think of as common staples (chicken, pork, beef, simple fish), and is defined by the unique blend of savory, umami, and tart flavors that come from combinations like garlic and tamarind. To the person who expected more “refined” ingredients like uni and lobster, that would, in my opinion feel less authentic.Archipelago is not Filipino fusion, it is decidedly and unashamedly Filipino. My experience here mirrored that scene in Ratatouille where eating the dish brought vivid childhood memories and feelings of comfort through flavor. Each dish recalled a specific flavor, memory, or event. As a whole, the meal encompassed every flavor and texture I associate with the plethora of Filipino food out there.My single criticism would be that my husband and I are both pescatarian and our main course (usually steak) was scallops, which were very, but was the only dish that didn’t bring back that sense memory experience. Filipino food is very meat heavy, so I was honestly pleasantly surprised that only one dish “missed”. It was still great, just not the level of flavor authenticity as the other courses.To the person finding it awkward that they asked how hungry you were and then changed your answer to one that seemed more “polite”. That is the the most un-Filipino thing I’ve ever heard. At a real Filipino home, they wouldn’t ask you how hungry you are, they’d just keep shoving food at you. The folks at Archipelago have shifted the “Here eat more” ask from your Tita to something more acceptable in fine dining. Perhaps one suggestion would be to explain that aspect of Filipino culture so the less familiar set can understand that the “have you eaten yet” or “have you eaten enough” questions translate to “I love you, I care about you.” No need to be polite, we want to care for you, tell us how.If you want an authentic, unabashedly Filipino dining experience delivered through story and flavor, go to Archipelago. If you want lobster and uni, you might be at the wrong place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan De Sal with Butter and Caviar, Carmelized Squash and Radiccio Soup, Wild Rice with Mushroom, Potato Bibingka with Pumpkin Seed Ice Cream and Fennel Shiso Perlas, Molo Dumplings
Smallu71
Perfection. A truly special meal created by a bunch of special people. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Wilson
Loved this place! The food was amazing and combined with the family-style service the experience was over the top. I loved learning about the local Phillipino experience and culture. Since they only seat about 12 people at a time, the service is intimate and immersive. The story telling uses music, narrative and pictures, and is super interesting and well done!Vegetarian options: You just let them know your dietary requirements and they customize the meal for you. Fantastic!
I typically don't think about service that much when I am considering a restaurant, but considering that service is Archipelago's stand out feature, this will be the focal point of my review. It is really hard to snag a reservation here and you have to do it months in advance. It is Filipino fine dining and you should try to get here a few minutes before your reservation time because the meal begins very promptly. When you go in, there is not much seating, so the majority of the people are seated at this communal table, facing a kitchen so it is kind of like an open concept. Chef Aaron himself personally serves and talks to patrons and he is so humble and unassuming that I didn't even realize he was the head chef. Before every course, there would be a mini history lesson behind important Filipino-American figures with a central focus on Seattle. I loved the thought and intentions behind this, as it made the food and meal more memorable and meaningful. I think this emphasis on community was the best part of the meal. There is a lot of interaction with all of the wait staff so be prepared that there is a social element to the experience.The food itself was good; everything is locally sourced and also has a huge Pacific Northwest influence. The portions are small and some people might still be hungry afterwards although I was full just the right amount. Overall, I had a great time, and I was inspired to learn more about Filipino history after my meal so I appreciated that there was an educational aspect.
S Z
It was quite a journey. As a cultural experience, the meal was well curated. But as a culinary experience, it lacks anything memorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Geoffrey McGrath
Food beautifully prepared and carefully and lovingly served. The wine pairing was perfect, with optional juice infusion pairing.I loved tasting the traditional flavors interpreted with locally sourced produce, combined with the stories of the people.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mimi Li
We LOVED everything! Archipelago was not only delicious and fun, but also intellectually stimulating. So much thought went into every detail of our meal, from a call before our dinner to gather individual food allergies/dislikes to juice pairings for anyone who does not drink alcohol to the stories/slides about Filipino culture that accompanies every course to a game to gauge level of fullness before the main protein course to a beautifully gift boxed dessert presented at the end of the meal. It wasn’t easy getting our reservation on Tock, but well worth the effort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa
Overall, the food was average or good on some dishes. However, DEFINITELY NOT WORTH THE MONEY! For 2 people ($210/person) with 1 wine pairing ($85/person) and 1 juice pairing ($63/person) after tips + taxes + fees ($186) to equal $745!!!!! It was 10 courses total with 1 take-home item. I would not mind paying this much if it was for really high end dishes, but I felt like the food ingredients were mediocre (most expensive ingredients were either the ribeye, the halibut or the king alaska salmon). I waited years to get a reservation, and it did not live up to the hype. This is more expensive than Canlis, which is a very renowned fine dining restaurant in Seattle that has a dress code and is known for their food. I'm honestly, really disappointed because I have filipino friends and have had many home cooked meals, and this restaurant did not even compare to what I've eaten from them! You can go to Musang and eat the same asian fusion filipino food at a fraction of the cost with bigger portions and quality ingredients. I don't usually have buyers remorse, but I do with this meal. I feel bad about writing this review, but I think people need to understand exactly the quality, the amount of food and price before booking! Most reviews I've read did not discuss price!Pros -1) Great ambiance - I liked the layout and the interior design2) Great service - staff was exceptional and paid great attention to detail/dietary restrictions3) Storytelling - great learning about the historyCons -1) Low quality ingredients - if I am paying. $745 I want really high ingredients like lobster, wagyu, crab legs, uni etc etc not noodles or bread!2) Really small portions - 10 insanely small portions that won't even leave you full. They offer the ribeye course where you can eat more, but that still won't fill you up.3) Don't provide any information about ingredients or food - I wish they explained why they chose this dish or why they chose these ingredients or how they made the food.
They are amazing!! Best dining experience you will ever have. The food, the stories, the ambience... You have to experience to really understand!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simply incredible. Delicious food and amazing experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful plates, delicious food, outstanding service. This was the best 40th birthday gift my friend could have given me!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing experience - some of the best flavors and wonderful story telling throughout the meal. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely beautiful experience. Everyone was warm, welcoming, incredibly accommodating of my partner's dietary needs (vegan+gf), and it felt like we were visiting someone's home. There are thoughtful touches throughout, like family photos and dried wreaths. The food was some of the best I have ever had the gift of enjoying! I loved learning about the important Filipino members of the Seattle community. I cannot wait to come back. Special thanks to Olli, Carlena, and Aaron (I apologize for the spelling). ?Dietary restrictions: The team was incredibly accommodating of my partner's needs- vegan and gluten free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! I tried for a long time to get reservations, maybe a couple years. I finally set an alarm for the minute reservations became available and I snagged a spot for two on 1/20/24, back in November. The wait was long but I am so happy with everything about this restaurant. Exceptional food, service, atmosphere and did I mention the food? Every one of the 12 courses was spot on. Perfect taste, texture and presentation. Sure, the price is sky high, but if there's one place you must try in Seattle, this is it. If I had to come up with one negative, it would be that the portions are tiny, and most people would leave a little hungry. But don't let that scare you away. I will definitely return, over and over again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Archipelago might be the best restaurant in Seattle, full stop. Definitely a high-end meal, the tasting course functions as an experience in addition to the meal. Throughout the modern takes on Filipino dishes, you learn about the history of Filipino immigration in Seattle, and the lives of said immigrants. I liked most of the dishes, the only one I wasn't a fan of was the bread course, though I don't like mushrooms to begin with, so it was already facing an uphill battle. The juice pairing was also unique and excellent, and overall I was very impressed with Archipelago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don’t usually write reviews, but some of the 2-3 star reviews stating they don’t think Archipelago is “worth the money” compelled me to share my perspective.I’m Filipino-American (parents born in the islands) and grew up on Filipino food.As others have mentioned, the service, presentation, storytelling, and atmosphere are all top notch. I had very little knowledge about Filipino culture in the PNW and Seattle area and learned a lot. For example, Carnation condensed milk, a Filipino pantry staple and a brand I few up with, was located in Carnation, WA.For those who are complaining about the ingredients (that they’re common or low quality) are completely missing the point. Most Filipino food is based on what we think of as common staples (chicken, pork, beef, simple fish), and is defined by the unique blend of savory, umami, and tart flavors that come from combinations like garlic and tamarind. To the person who expected more “refined” ingredients like uni and lobster, that would, in my opinion feel less authentic.Archipelago is not Filipino fusion, it is decidedly and unashamedly Filipino. My experience here mirrored that scene in Ratatouille where eating the dish brought vivid childhood memories and feelings of comfort through flavor. Each dish recalled a specific flavor, memory, or event. As a whole, the meal encompassed every flavor and texture I associate with the plethora of Filipino food out there.My single criticism would be that my husband and I are both pescatarian and our main course (usually steak) was scallops, which were very, but was the only dish that didn’t bring back that sense memory experience. Filipino food is very meat heavy, so I was honestly pleasantly surprised that only one dish “missed”. It was still great, just not the level of flavor authenticity as the other courses.To the person finding it awkward that they asked how hungry you were and then changed your answer to one that seemed more “polite”. That is the the most un-Filipino thing I’ve ever heard. At a real Filipino home, they wouldn’t ask you how hungry you are, they’d just keep shoving food at you. The folks at Archipelago have shifted the “Here eat more” ask from your Tita to something more acceptable in fine dining. Perhaps one suggestion would be to explain that aspect of Filipino culture so the less familiar set can understand that the “have you eaten yet” or “have you eaten enough” questions translate to “I love you, I care about you.” No need to be polite, we want to care for you, tell us how.If you want an authentic, unabashedly Filipino dining experience delivered through story and flavor, go to Archipelago. If you want lobster and uni, you might be at the wrong place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan De Sal with Butter and Caviar, Carmelized Squash and Radiccio Soup, Wild Rice with Mushroom, Potato Bibingka with Pumpkin Seed Ice Cream and Fennel Shiso Perlas, Molo Dumplings
Perfection. A truly special meal created by a bunch of special people. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved this place! The food was amazing and combined with the family-style service the experience was over the top. I loved learning about the local Phillipino experience and culture. Since they only seat about 12 people at a time, the service is intimate and immersive. The story telling uses music, narrative and pictures, and is super interesting and well done!Vegetarian options: You just let them know your dietary requirements and they customize the meal for you. Fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I typically don't think about service that much when I am considering a restaurant, but considering that service is Archipelago's stand out feature, this will be the focal point of my review. It is really hard to snag a reservation here and you have to do it months in advance. It is Filipino fine dining and you should try to get here a few minutes before your reservation time because the meal begins very promptly. When you go in, there is not much seating, so the majority of the people are seated at this communal table, facing a kitchen so it is kind of like an open concept. Chef Aaron himself personally serves and talks to patrons and he is so humble and unassuming that I didn't even realize he was the head chef. Before every course, there would be a mini history lesson behind important Filipino-American figures with a central focus on Seattle. I loved the thought and intentions behind this, as it made the food and meal more memorable and meaningful. I think this emphasis on community was the best part of the meal. There is a lot of interaction with all of the wait staff so be prepared that there is a social element to the experience.The food itself was good; everything is locally sourced and also has a huge Pacific Northwest influence. The portions are small and some people might still be hungry afterwards although I was full just the right amount. Overall, I had a great time, and I was inspired to learn more about Filipino history after my meal so I appreciated that there was an educational aspect.
It was quite a journey. As a cultural experience, the meal was well curated. But as a culinary experience, it lacks anything memorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Food beautifully prepared and carefully and lovingly served. The wine pairing was perfect, with optional juice infusion pairing.I loved tasting the traditional flavors interpreted with locally sourced produce, combined with the stories of the people.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We LOVED everything! Archipelago was not only delicious and fun, but also intellectually stimulating. So much thought went into every detail of our meal, from a call before our dinner to gather individual food allergies/dislikes to juice pairings for anyone who does not drink alcohol to the stories/slides about Filipino culture that accompanies every course to a game to gauge level of fullness before the main protein course to a beautifully gift boxed dessert presented at the end of the meal. It wasn’t easy getting our reservation on Tock, but well worth the effort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overall, the food was average or good on some dishes. However, DEFINITELY NOT WORTH THE MONEY! For 2 people ($210/person) with 1 wine pairing ($85/person) and 1 juice pairing ($63/person) after tips + taxes + fees ($186) to equal $745!!!!! It was 10 courses total with 1 take-home item. I would not mind paying this much if it was for really high end dishes, but I felt like the food ingredients were mediocre (most expensive ingredients were either the ribeye, the halibut or the king alaska salmon). I waited years to get a reservation, and it did not live up to the hype. This is more expensive than Canlis, which is a very renowned fine dining restaurant in Seattle that has a dress code and is known for their food. I'm honestly, really disappointed because I have filipino friends and have had many home cooked meals, and this restaurant did not even compare to what I've eaten from them! You can go to Musang and eat the same asian fusion filipino food at a fraction of the cost with bigger portions and quality ingredients. I don't usually have buyers remorse, but I do with this meal. I feel bad about writing this review, but I think people need to understand exactly the quality, the amount of food and price before booking! Most reviews I've read did not discuss price!Pros -1) Great ambiance - I liked the layout and the interior design2) Great service - staff was exceptional and paid great attention to detail/dietary restrictions3) Storytelling - great learning about the historyCons -1) Low quality ingredients - if I am paying. $745 I want really high ingredients like lobster, wagyu, crab legs, uni etc etc not noodles or bread!2) Really small portions - 10 insanely small portions that won't even leave you full. They offer the ribeye course where you can eat more, but that still won't fill you up.3) Don't provide any information about ingredients or food - I wish they explained why they chose this dish or why they chose these ingredients or how they made the food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3