Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
oChef » Haerfest – Seattle
Haerfest - Seattle
Photo from Haerfest
Haerfest at a glance
Seattle Wallingford
- 🍔 American Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $71–$80
mentioned by 46 of the guests
#374 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#17 American Restaurant out of 38 in Seattle
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
456
Reviews
73.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Handmade Pastas
- Friendly Service
- Cozy Atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- High Prices
- Slow Service
- Loud Environment
The American restaurant Haerfest in Seattle’s vibrant Wallingford neighborhood offers a truly memorable dining experience. You’ll discover a menu where every dish is crafted with care, culminating in a great dessert selection that truly stands out.
This spot combines a trendy, romantic, and cozy atmosphere, making it perfect for an intimate dinner or a special evening out. With its thoughtful offerings and inviting ambiance, Haerfest promises a delightful culinary journey.
Overview: Introducting Haerfest
Haerfest presents a dining experience where the culinary offerings generally impress, particularly the pastas and cocktails, which often receive praise. Guests frequently commend the attentive staff and the inviting atmosphere, making for a pleasant visit.
However, the overall experience at Haerfest can be a mixed bag, especially concerning the perceived value. While the food and service shine, some diners find the pricing steep, with additional service charges sometimes leading to disappointment.
Good
7.7
out of 10
456
Reviews
73.7%
Satisfaction
86
negative
34
neutral
336
positive
Haerfest earns a solid 7.7 overall, indicating a generally good dining experience, with customer satisfaction also strong at 73.7%. This positive sentiment is built on 336 positive remarks out of 456 total customer observations.
The Service (8.2) and Ambience (8.2) are particularly well-regarded, often described as attentive and welcoming, contributing significantly to guests’ enjoyment. While the Food (7.7) also scores well, with many appreciating the culinary efforts, it’s the Value (4.4) that presents a notable area for consideration.
This lower score suggests that while quality is present, the pricing structure, including additional charges, can sometimes temper the overall perception of worth for some diners.
What people like
- Delicious handmade pastas
- Attentive, friendly service
- Cozy, inviting atmosphere
What people don't like
- Steep pricing, surcharges
- Inconsistent service speed
- Loud, distracting environment
Haerfest offers a generally pleasant dining experience, particularly if you appreciate well-crafted pasta and a welcoming setting. With a recommendation score of 7.9, it’s certainly a place to consider for an enjoyable evening out, especially for those who prioritize good food and attentive staff.
However, be prepared for the cost, as the value proposition isn’t its strongest suit. If you’re seeking a more budget-conscious meal or are sensitive to additional charges, you might find the overall experience less satisfying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Haerfest
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.7 and a solid 73.5% customer satisfaction. With 197 positive remarks out of 268 total opinions, many rave about the delicious handmade pastas, creative seasonal dishes, and excellent drinks menu, often highlighting the quality of ingredients. However, 46 negative opinions point to some inconsistencies.
Guests occasionally found the gnocchi texture to be off, some dishes bland or overly salty, and the burrata sometimes fell short of expectations. While generally positive, there's room for improvement in these specific areas.
Food
268
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
46
negative
25
neutral
197
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious handmade pastas
- Creative seasonal dishes
- Excellent drinks menu
What people don't like
- Inconsistent gnocchi texture
- Some dishes bland/salty
- Burrata often disappointing
Often praised
- foodMy experience at Haerfest was truly fantastic. We enjoyed tasty food and really fantastic drinks and wine. The great staff made our night special, especially David, our bartender.
- pastaFor our mains, we had the Rigatoni and the Pork Shoulder, which were nothing memorable. The pasta itself was cooked perfectly, but the flavors were just okay. The rigatoni was made with Njuda, which I felt was barely there.
- burrataWe started with the brussel sprouts and the burrata, and both were excellent. The brussel sprouts were perfectly charred, and the burrata was both refreshing and satisfying. For the mains, I had the orecchiette, and others at my table had the tonnarelli and the scallop capelletti.
- cocktailsThe restaurant offers a delightful selection of shareable plates, including oysters, burrata, beef tartare, grilled vegetables, and an excellent bread service. Their handmade pastas are delicious, complemented by fantastic cocktails and friendly service. The modern, cozy design creates a pleasant atmosphere where you can easily converse with friends across the table.
- pastasThe pastas were homemade and off of the charts.
- snap peasWhile the room was nice, the large window lacked curtains, allowing the sun to beam directly on us. The food was delicious, with standout dishes including the snap peas, Tonnarelli pasta, and campanelle pasta. However, the service was just average.
- charred leeksI've dined here three times, including two take-out orders, and each meal has been exceptional. I've sampled several dishes, including three pastas, the chicken, charred leeks, carrots, burrata, and tiramisu – everything was an A+. Coming from Seattle, where premium prices often mean mediocre food and service, it's clear this restaurant genuinely cares about great food.
- tiramisuI've dined here three times, including two take-out orders, and each meal has been exceptional. I've sampled several dishes, including three pastas, the chicken, charred leeks, carrots, burrata, and tiramisu – everything was an A+. Coming from Seattle, where premium prices often mean mediocre food and service, it's clear this restaurant genuinely cares about great food.
- CampanelleWe enjoyed the bread service, especially the honey butter which was a 10/10. Our main courses included the Conchiglie (dungeness crab pasta), the Campanelle, and the Prime NY Steak, all of which were delicious. We are already looking forward to dining here again soon!
- appetizersThe menu has a variety of appetizers to choose from
Frequently criticized
- foodThe service was perfect, and the ambience was lovely—classy, yet not pretentious, warm, and inviting. It was the food that was underwhelming. We started with bread service and Waygu tartare.
- pastathe pasta included chunks of stuck-together spaghetti.
- sauceThe tonarelli, advertised with beef bolognese, arrived with a thin tomato sauce and chunks of ground beef; the sauce was severely under-salted, and the pasta was clumped together. While the gnocchi's flavor was acceptable, the gnocchi itself was overcooked, and the sauce was over-salted. Initially, I would have rated this 3/5, but the added 22% service charge reduced my overall rating to 2/5.
- BurrataThe burrata tasted one-dimensional with its combination of cheese, meat, and bread.
- CarrotsCarrots were forgettable and surprisingly small portion for $17.
- Gnocchithe gnocchi was overcooked
- PresentationPresentation was lackluster
- Tonnarelliwhat we got was a thin tomato sauce with some chunks of ground beef.
- Wayguchewiest ‘Waygu’ I’ve ever had
- Waygu tartareThat touch of sweetness with the butter was scrumptious! The tartare was a tad too onion-y, and the chips served with it were soooooo salty! Almost inedible.
If you're seeking a dining experience with generally delicious food, especially the handmade pastas and creative seasonal offerings, this place is worth a try. Just be aware that a few items, like the gnocchi or burrata, might be a bit hit-or-miss.
Service (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 80% of the guests
The service at this establishment generally shines, earning a good score of 8.2 and a strong customer satisfaction rate of 79.8%. Based on 79 positive remarks out of 99 total, guests frequently commend the staff and friendly service, often highlighting the GM and their menu knowledge. Many felt truly valued and well taken care of by an attentive team.
However, not all experiences were perfect. With 16 negative comments, some diners encountered slow service and waiting time, leading to confusion and even incorrect plates. A few mentioned feeling ignored or experiencing delays between courses, suggesting some inconsistencies in service delivery.
Service
99
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
16
negative
4
neutral
79
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Knowledgeable team
- Excellent customer care
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Long waiting times
- Order confusion
Often praised
- serviceThe restaurant offers a delightful selection of shareable plates, including oysters, burrata, beef tartare, grilled vegetables, and an excellent bread service. Their handmade pastas are delicious, complemented by fantastic cocktails and friendly service. The modern, cozy design creates a pleasant atmosphere where you can easily converse with friends across the table.
- staffWe enjoyed tasty food and really fantastic drinks and wine. The great staff made our night special, especially David, our bartender. It was a lovely date night, and we will definitely be back!
- bartenderThe bartender orchestrated the night’s events with wit and wisdom
- GMRyan, the GM, checked on us
- ServiceThe fish was perfectly cooked but a bit bland. Service was great and the space is nice, but this price point demands a bit more punch from the food. Overall, it was decent!
- friendly staffI enjoyed the awesome classics, and everything was super fresh and clean with a great presentation. The music vibes were bomb, and the friendly staff made the experience even better.
- hosthost was incredibly kind and said he seat us
- serversThe servers put in extra care
- teamhis team who appeared friendly, attentive, and efficient
- Janee’s sectionseated in Janee’s section if you’re there on a weekend night
Frequently criticized
- serviceOur second visit to this restaurant was as disappointing as the first. After being seated, the service was very slow, with about an hour until we received any food and a total of three hours for our meal. Last time, everything was excessively salted.
- apologiesinexplicably with no apologies
- birthday celebrationindicated that we are celebrating my birthday upon my reservation and nothing was done
- confusionseemed to be a lot of confusion as to who was supposed to be serving whom
- cookWe walked in half an hour before closing, having just flown in and hungry. I asked the cook standing in the kitchen if they were still serving. He hesitated and said yes, but then both guys behind the kitchen area started shaking their heads.
- customersThe host was incredibly kind and said he would seat us. My partner and I definitely didn’t want to be served a meal or even an appetizer by 2 guys who clearly did not want any more customers for the night. There were a few people at the bar and maybe 4 other customers eating.
- drink orderIt might have been because we were in the private room and not easily visible, but it took about 10 minutes to be greeted after being seated. Our drink order arrived before we received any water, and our entrées were served immediately after our plates were cleared without replacements. Additionally, there's a 4% charge added at the end of the bill that goes to the business rather than the staff.
- entréesIt might have been because we were in the private room and not easily visible, but it took about 10 minutes to be greeted after being seated. Our drink order arrived before we received any water, and our entrées were served immediately after our plates were cleared without replacements. Additionally, there's a 4% charge added at the end of the bill that goes to the business rather than the staff.
- greetingHowever, the service was just average. It might have been because we were in the private room and not easily visible, but it took about 10 minutes to be greeted after being seated. Our drink order arrived before we received any water, and our entrées were served immediately after our plates were cleared without replacements.
- guys behind the kitchenI asked the cook standing in the kitchen if they were still serving. He hesitated and said yes, but then both guys behind the kitchen area started shaking their heads. They were visibly pissed off that we walked in 30 minutes before closing.
Overall, you can expect a largely positive service experience, with many guests raving about the friendly and knowledgeable staff. While there might be occasional hiccups with timing, the team often goes the extra mile to make things right, making it a worthwhile visit.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.2 and a good customer satisfaction of 85.2%, its clear guests love the atmosphere. Based on 52 positive remarks out of 61 total, many rave about the pleasant vibe, the open kitchen concept, and how its a perfect date spot with great background music and decor.
However, it's not entirely without its quirks. A handful of 6 negative comments mentioned occasional loud noise levels. Some also found specific design elements, such as a distracting white swinging door or an uncovered window, to detract from the overall experience, making it feel less intimate.
Ambience
61
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Lovely date spot
- Quiet noise level
What people don't like
- Loud noise level
- Distracting door
- Uncovered window
Often praised
- atmosphereAfter visiting a wine bar nearby, we walked in for dinner and were greeted by a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed every dish we tried, and the servings were generous.
- restaurantMy friends and I traveled from Austin to Seattle, and this restaurant was hands down the best restaurant we’ve ever been to. Our server, Monica, was amazing; she was so fun to talk to and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu.
- ambiancewhich provided a nice ambience for a Saturday night out
- aestheticshas the fancy aesthetics and vibes
- ambienceambience was lovely — classy, yet not pretentious, warm and inviting
- background musicbackground music was even great
- best restaurants in SeattleOne of the best restaurants in Seattle by a mile.
- casual visitperfect for a casual visit
- casual yet upscale atmospherewe live the casual yet upscale atmosphere
- chefs barsat at the chefs bar
Frequently criticized
- bathroom doorhaving a bathroom door swinging 40 times next to you
- commercial experienceJust an overall lackluster commercial experience
- noise levelNoise level:Very loud, hard to hear
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- white swinging doorwhite swinging door in the dining area- it is very distracting
- windowI celebrated my birthday at Haerfest and was pleasantly surprised to be seated in a private room we didn't even know existed. While the room was nice, the large window lacked curtains, allowing the sun to beam directly on us. The food was delicious, with standout dishes including the snap peas, Tonnarelli pasta, and campanelle pasta.
If you're looking for a restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere, great music, and a lovely vibe for a date or casual dinner, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that a few minor design elements or occasional noise might be distracting for some.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag. While the overall score for value sits at an average 4.4, many guests rave about the fantastic happy hour deals and excellent price points for specific offerings. With 8 positive remarks out of 28 total opinions, many would happily return for that great happy hour deal.
However, customer satisfaction is quite low at just 28.6%, largely due to concerns around the final bill. Many diners were surprised by an added surcharge, automatic service charge, or high prices on the regular menu. With 18 negative comments, these unexpected fees and the overall cost often left a sour taste, despite some positive experiences.
Value
28
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
18
negative
2
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Excellent deal
What people don't like
- Hidden service charge
- High regular prices
- Unexpected surcharges
Often praised
- happy hourtwo chances to get happy hour
- priceIf you’re willing and able to cover the cost of $100/person
- dealdeal for $25. Which includes a glass of wine, garlic bread and pasta
- happy hour dealamazing happy hour deal
- service chargeadvertise that they include a 22% service charge
Frequently criticized
- pricepay just shy of $400 for two people for a nice dinner out, your expectations are certainly going to be higher
- service chargethe 22% service charge brings it down to 2/5.
- 22% gratuitythey added automatic 22% gratuity
- 4% chargethere's a 4% charge added at the end of the bill
- added surchargedisappointing 4% added surcharge revealed only at bill time
- appetizersappetizers seemed excessively pricey for what you get
- cost of the regular menuThe cost of the regular menu was pretty steep
- food for the priceserve more food for the price
- hidden feenot a hidden fee :-(
- price pointThe fish was perfectly cooked but a bit bland. Service was great and the space is nice, but this price point demands a bit more punch from the food. Overall, it was decent!
If you're looking for a great deal, definitely check out their happy hour; it seems to be a real winner. However, be prepared for potentially high regular menu prices and keep an eye out for automatic service charges or other fees on your bill, as these can significantly impact your overall experience.
How are the prices at Haerfest?
You’re looking at roughly 76 $ per person – reported by 46 diners. That puts it in the $71–$80 category. For an American Restaurant, it’s definitely on the higher-end side: not your everyday casual spot, but aiming for a more premium experience.
Looking at what people actually spend, we see a good spread, with many guests enjoying options well above the average, even into the 101 $+ range, suggesting a focus on premium offerings.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 46 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Considering the price point, wed say the pricing feels fair if the quality and overall experience match this higher-end American dining. Its not a budget option, so expect a premium experience for the price.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Haerfest
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Great Food, Pricey Appetizers
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with objectively good food and superb cocktails. I would definitely return for happy hour. The main reason for a 4-star rating is that the appetizers seemed excessively pricey for what you received.
My recommendation is to go for dinner and skip the appetizers, or visit for happy hour and focus on the drinks. It's worth noting that there were no vegan options outside of bread and vegetables, which was surprising for Seattle, though not a negative point for me personally.
- food8
- cocktails10
- vegan options5
- appetizers3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
6
Underwhelming Food, Excellent Service
I had high expectations for this place, as I love many of the GH restaurants. However, I was unimpressed by our meal. The service was perfect, and the ambience was lovely—classy, yet not pretentious, warm, and inviting.
It was the food that was underwhelming. We started with bread service and Waygu tartare. The honey butter for the bread was divine!
That touch of sweetness with the butter was scrumptious! The tartare was a tad too onion-y, and the chips served with it were soooooo salty! Almost inedible.
For our mains, we had the Rigatoni and the Pork Shoulder, which were nothing memorable. The pasta itself was cooked perfectly, but the flavors were just okay. The rigatoni was made with Njuda, which I felt was barely there.
The pork chop was very fatty, but had good flavors and was cooked perfectly. It was served with these giant beans, which had lackluster flavors. I wish it came with some sort of salad or a nice acid touch somewhere, but it just felt a bit heavy and one-note.
Overall, it was just okay. I appreciate the excellent service, though.
- service10
- ambience8
- honey butter10
- food3
- Waygu tartare4
- chips2
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Creative Food, Top Notch Service!
I recently attended a work holiday gathering at Haerfest and had a creative and delicious food experience. The service was top-notch for our group. I highly recommend Haerfest; don't hesitate to go!
- food9
- service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
A Delicious Surprise Worth Revisiting!
We stumbled upon this restaurant last year after our initial plans fell through, and we are so glad we did! I was just thinking about this meal again – a year later! – and had to write a review.
We sat at the kitchen counter, where we could watch food being prepped and sent out, and really enjoyed that experience. We loved both our pasta dishes: the Italian sausage and the crab. When the appetizer we ordered wasn't available, they subbed in a dish off the menu that was DELICIOUS, and they refused to charge us for it, which was too kind.
The service was wonderful, the food and drinks were great, and we loved the interior.
- pasta dishes10
- Italian sausage10
- crab10
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Fine-ish Dining Lacking Substance
I agree with other reviewers that this restaurant has the appearance of fine-ish dining but is unfortunately lacking substance and uniqueness. The question arises: do we really need yet another restaurant offering burrata salads? I believe a more casual lunch/dining option would be a better fit, or alternatively, a more unique dinner offering.
- fine-ish dining appearance5
- casual lunch/dining option7
- unique dinner offering7
- substance and uniqueness2
- burrata salad2
What Haerfest offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Trendy
FAQs
Do you need reservations to dine at Haerfest in Seattle?
Yes, dinner reservations are highly recommended at Haerfest, especially if you’re planning an evening meal. The restaurant accepts reservations, ensuring you can secure your table for a delightful dining experience in Wallingford.
What are the parking and accessibility options at Haerfest?
Finding parking near Haerfest can sometimes be a bit challenging, though free street parking is available. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests.
How does Haerfest generally rate among diners?
Haerfest receives a good overall score of **7.7**, with customer satisfaction at **73.7%**. Diners particularly appreciate the **Service** (8.2) and **Ambience** (8.2), while the **Food** (7.7) is also well-regarded. The **Value** (4.4) is noted as an area for improvement.
What are some standout food items at Haerfest?
Many diners praise Haerfest’s handmade pastas, with specific mentions of Tonnarelli and Campanelle. Appetizers like burrata and charred brussel sprouts also receive positive feedback, as do their cocktails.
Is Haerfest considered good value for money?
While the quality of food and service is generally high, Haerfest’s value score is 4.4, indicating that some customers find the pricing steep. There are also mentions of additional service charges that can impact the perception of value.