An iconic Seattle restaurant is set to return this fall to the corner of 1st and Blanchard in Belltown.
Queen City, which first opened as a saloon in 1910 and later operated as a beloved restaurant for three decades before closing in 2016, is getting a new lease on life under new ownership.
New owner Jessica Gifford and her team plan to honor the restaurant’s storied legacy while introducing a fresh era of hospitality.
“The idea behind what we’re doing as a team is just focused on honoring and paying homage to the original Queen City and trying to create a space in Belltown that feels familiar and nostalgic,” Front of House Manager Morgan Elizabeth told What Now Seattle. “People who spent so much time in the original, our hope is that they’ll walk through the doors and feel like they’ve kind of transported back here.”
The new team also plans to bring back the original staff, creating a full-circle moment for the employees, the community and the restaurant.
“Working with the old Queen City team from the 90s and 2000s–they’ve been really responsive and they’ve been excited about what we’re doing in the space,” Elizabeth said. “You can tell that the space means a lot to them.”
Queen City will offer ingredients of the Pacific Northwest with starters ranging from a medley of olives, nuts and sardines to decadent crab cakes and tuna tartare. Salads feature seasonal ingredients, including a beet salad with blood orange and candied walnuts and a shrimp louis salad.
Entrees include seared scallops, Frutti di Mare pasta, rosemary-garlic chicken, a minty lamb burger, New York strip steak and zucchini ravioli. Housemade sides such as crispy fries, seasonal vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes complement the main dishes, while desserts including cheesecake, berry crumble and rich ice cream provide a sweet finish.
Queen City Grill’s cocktail menu showcases unique drinks. The Bleu Martini features blue cheese washed vodka, garnished with Castelvetrano olives. Other offerings include the Flatliner, The Josephine, Mr. Darcy, Spiced Lewiston Sour, each crafted to complement the restaurant’s elevated menu.
“It has been fun and exciting to get to know the people in the neighborhood for 40 years,” Elizabeth said. “We’ve made a real point of making sure we’re inviting them into the space and I think building those connections to the Belltown community has been the most exciting part for all of us.”
While an official opening date has not yet been announced, the restaurant’s website reads: “Coming October 2025.” For updates, visit the Queen City website.
[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include an official interview with Front of House Manager Morgan Elizabeth.]
