As the name implies, there’s a lot to talk about at Thompson Seattle’s Conversation, starting with the seasonal fine dining in a down-to-earth space, with menus that take advantage of the best local ingredients. If you’re stuck on what to say next, the coasters have conversation starters printed on them. Nearby, Ben Paris (benparis.com) in The State Hotel is adorned in Instagrammable wallpaper—don’t sleep on the ricotta pancakes at breakfast or brunch. Serving some of the best seafood in town in a gorgeous waterfront setting, Six Seven Restaurant at The Edgewater offers sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. If you can time it right, a sunset dinner during the golden hour is unforgettable—try the miso black cod, lobster mac and cheese, and seared diver scallops.

The George, in the venerable Fairmont Olympic, is a stately dining room with soaring ceilings, marble floors, and distinctive Palladian windows that have been wowing guests for more than a century. This modern brasserie menu offers refined PNW fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. More historic vibes await at Hotel Sorrento’s Stella on First Hill, which celebrates the flavors of coastal Italy. Eat in the main dining room, the legendary wood-paneled Fireside Room, or outside in The Garden on a nice day. Another purveyor of delicious Italian cuisine, Tulio at Kimpton Hotel Vintage serves up a must-try sweet potato gnocchi along with other classic pastas and grills inside a dark and cozy dining room.

Near bustling Seattle Center, grab a casual bite in the colorful Pineapple Bistro & Bar, inside the Maxwell Hotel, which specializes in shareable starters and handcrafted cocktails. Near the buzzy nightclubs and hip shops of Capitol Hill, Jimmy’s on Broadway in the Silver Cloud Hotel is an appealing spot for a burger, grilled cheese sandwich, or glass of washington wine.