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oChef » Cora – Seattle
Cora - Seattle
Photo from Cora
Cora at a glance
Seattle First Hill
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 43 of the guests
#171 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#5 Italian Restaurant out of 32 in Seattle
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
601
Reviews
86.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious pizza
- Attentive service
- Welcoming vibe
Frequently criticized
- Takeout gratuity
- Service inconsistencies
- Ambiance issues
The Italian restaurant Cora in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood welcomes you with its cozy atmosphere. This casual spot offers a delightful dining experience, perfect for dinner with friends or family.
You’ll find a range of delicious Italian dishes, including small plates, alongside a full bar featuring hard liquor, wine, and beer. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed evening out or a quick bite, Cora Italian Family Restaurant provides a comfortable setting.
Overview: Introducting Cora
Cora offers a generally pleasant dining experience, often highlighted by its well-regarded food and a particularly attentive approach to customer care. Many appreciate the inviting atmosphere, which often includes fun elements like board games, making it a comfortable spot for various occasions.
However, some experiences suggest occasional inconsistencies in service and certain aspects of its value proposition.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
601
Reviews
86.4%
Satisfaction
62
negative
20
neutral
519
positive
Cora achieves a solid overall Restaurant Score of 8.2, reflecting a largely positive reception. This is further supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction rate of 86.4%, indicating that most diners leave content.
These figures are based on over 600 customer observations, with more than 500 positive remarks against just over 60 negative ones, providing a robust foundation for these assessments. The individual aspects also fare well, with Service leading the way at (8.6), often described as friendly and accommodating.
The Food (8.2) also receives high marks, particularly for its pizza, while the Ambience (8) is generally found to be welcoming and laid-back. Value (7) is considered good, often boosted by appealing happy hour deals and reasonable pricing.
What people like
- Delicious pizza offerings
- Friendly, attentive service
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Mandatory takeout gratuity
- Inconsistent service moments
- Occasional ambiance issues
If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely friendly service and a comfortable setting, Cora is certainly worth considering. Its well-regarded food, especially the pizza, combined with a welcoming vibe, makes it a solid choice for a casual meal.
The 8.5 Recommendation Score suggests many find it a place they’d happily return to or suggest to others.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Cora
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to food, this place really shines! With a strong score of 8.2 and an impressive 86% customer satisfaction, its clear diners are happy. Based on 300 positive remarks out of 349 total, guests consistently rave about the delicious wood-fired pizza, often praising its fresh ingredients and perfect thin crust.
Many also appreciate the excellent gluten-free options available. However, not every dish hits the mark. Some found the pizza a bit oily or noted the small pizza size for the price.
There were also comments about certain items being flavorless, like the carrots, and a few mentions of undercooked pasta. These points, from 36 negative opinions, suggest theres a little room for consistency.
Food
349
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
36
negative
13
neutral
300
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious wood-fired pizza
- Fresh, quality ingredients
- Excellent gluten-free options
What people don't like
- Pizza can be oily
- Small portions
- Some dishes flavorless
Often praised
- pizzaThe atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it perfect for a date-night casual setting. We were impressed that a James Beard award winning chef is making reasonably priced pizza. We shared a delicious duo of appetizers: a pear salad with arugula, radicchio, hazelnuts, and Oregonzola, and a warm artichoke and white bean dip with crostini & grana padano.
- foodMy boyfriend and I visited last week for the first time and had a great experience. The place is very cute, and we enjoyed the great food and service. Our server, Julian, took excellent care of us.
- pizzasMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a true gem with a nice wine selection and absolutely delicious pizzas. The service was friendly and helpful, making the overall dining experience very pleasant.
- crustMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic, primarily due to the pizza. It was cooked to perfection with a crisp and thin crust. I was particularly impressed that it wasn't greasy, especially considering it had pepperoni and sausage.
- Verde pizzaa Verde pizza (excellent crust, interesting flavors
- winenice wine that you can taste before committing
- great foodThe desserts were also good. I'm looking forward to returning for their half-price wine on Wednesdays, which offers great food and lovely service. Thank you!
- ingredientsingredients that could be noticed and combined well
- saladMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. I enjoyed an impeccable cocktail, a delicious salad, and a fantastic pizza. The dessert was also a highlight.
- slicesThe atmosphere was cozy and they even had a big screen, which added to the overall experience. The food was very tasty, and it's a good place to get a couple of slices for about five bucks for lunch. The staff was friendly and wonderful.
Frequently criticized
- pizzakinda flavorless and unimpressive pizza
- pizza sizelarger pizza available
- Ian'sbetter than Ian's which makes their money off of just having the wildest combinations
- Romaine heart saladRomaine heart salad: Is from a bag most likely not fresh
- Sizzle Piemuch better than Sizzle Pie, which is all hype
- VerdeVerde was very very sad
- available toppingsso few available toppings that you can't get that creative
- breadit was bready
- carrotsCarrots were under seasoned
- cheese pizzaThe cheese one was too cheesy
If you're craving fantastic wood-fired pizza with fresh ingredients and great gluten-free choices, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some dishes might lack flavor or be a bit oily, and portion sizes for certain items could be smaller than expected.
Service (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.6 and a fantastic 88.7% customer satisfaction, it's clear guests are happy. Out of 115 total opinions, a whopping 102 praise the friendly staff, attentive staff, and incredible service, highlighting their genuine hospitality and accommodating nature.
However, a few of the 9 negative comments point to minor hiccups. Some experiences mentioned issues with the ordering system or waiting time, and unfortunately, there were isolated concerns about ethnic profiling or an unaccommodating waitress. These seem to be rare exceptions to an otherwise stellar experience.
Service
115
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
9
negative
4
neutral
102
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Incredible service
- Accommodating team
What people don't like
- Ordering system issues
- Perceived profiling
- Occasional waiting time
Often praised
- serviceWe stumbled upon this restaurant by chance and are so glad we did! The experience was fantastic, with great food and super friendly attentive service. I was on crutches at the time, and they were very accommodating, getting us a table where I could comfortably put my leg up.
- staffMy experience at Cora was exceptional in every way. The restaurant boasts a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff, contributing to a truly great evening. The food was incredible, with a menu so enticing that I wanted to order everything.
- friendly service⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Opened just in time for spring eating, @coraseattle is the baby sister of @larkseattle. The neighborhood restaurant follows the family ethos of using seasonal and local ingredients to create approachable and delicious food, delivered in a laid-back atmosphere with friendly service. Check, check and check!
- ownerThe owner is usually there and is very welcoming
- ServiceService was great!
- employeesemployees are all super friendly
- ownersWe happened upon them on a busy night and were fortunate to get a table right away. We were served by one of the owners, who seemed surprised by the crowd. While she wasn't as familiar with the ordering system as the usual staff and initially forgot to submit our order, she was very apologetic when she realized her mistake.
- wait staffreally thoughtful wait staff
- JMShe is the nicest person you will ever have help you
- JulianJulian was our server and took great care of us
Frequently criticized
- checkask if we’re ok and need the check making our stay feel expedited
- ethnic profilingethic profiling
- ordering systemwasn't as well versed in the ordering system
- serviceno one attended us up until we almost made our way down to the kitchen area
- staff attentionthe waitress & I believe her boss or the owner just had eyes locked on us the entire time
- staringthe older woman just starring directly at our table making it fairly uncomfortable
- submit our orderWe were served by one of the owners, who seemed surprised by the crowd. While she wasn't as familiar with the ordering system as the usual staff and initially forgot to submit our order, she was very apologetic when she realized her mistake. To make up for it, she comped us another round of beer and even gave us a free pizza, which I believe was due to a kitchen error.
- waiting timeThey arrived about 10-15 mins after we did and yet we were served our lunch after them
- waitressI was forced to pay 20% gratuity for takeout. To make matters worse, the waitress was not accommodating, and the meal was simply not worth the almost $30 for one small pizza.
Overall, you can expect a truly pleasant experience here. The service is overwhelmingly praised for being friendly and attentive, making it a great choice if you value excellent hospitality. While minor issues occasionally pop up, they don't seem to detract from the generally positive vibe.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8 and an impressive 89.9% customer satisfaction, guests consistently praise its welcoming atmosphere. Based on 89 positive remarks, many appreciate the relaxed vibe, family-friendly setting, and cozy space, often noting the fun board games and dog-friendly options.
However, a few points could use a little polish. Out of 8 negative comments, some found parking a bit difficult and mentioned it can get noisy when crowded. A couple of guests also felt it had a college bar-like atmosphere, which might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Ambience
99
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
89
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Family-friendly vibe
- Cozy, relaxed space
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Can be noisy
- College bar vibe
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at Cora was exceptional in every way. The restaurant boasts a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff, contributing to a truly great evening. The food was incredible, with a menu so enticing that I wanted to order everything.
- ambianceambiance of the restaurant is very laid back and open
- placeThe place is clean and dust free, moistened table woods and overheads
- board gamesIt's a very good pizza restaurant with good pizza, salads, and beer. The availability of board games added a fun element, and the soft serve for dessert was a big hit with the kids. It's a very family friendly atmosphere.
- ambienceambience was great
- locationThe restaurant is in a nice location
- restaurantJM even picked up a dairy-free cheese specifically for our group. My friends all had good things to say about the restaurant, food, and service. I enjoyed this lively, cozy spot (as well as the pizza and rigatoni).
- settingMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed some of the best pizza in Seattle, served in an awesome setting. The happy hour deal for a 1/4 pizza is possibly the best deal in the whole city.
- vibeMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the very good pizza and the great vibe, especially on nice evenings when they open up the front wall. The excellent soft serve, which is homemade, was also a highlight.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
Frequently criticized
- CoraIt was empty when we went at 6pm and it made me so sad.
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- ambianceThe ambiance isn't great
- atmosphereCollege bar-like atmosphere
- hoursThe hours seem to be incorrect though
- interesting odorthe restaurant had an interesting odor
- seatingWouldn't mind softer seating
- spaceThe space can be quite noisy when it's crowded
If you're looking for a lively, welcoming, and family-friendly spot with a cozy feel, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and a potentially noisy environment, especially during peak hours.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
This spot generally offers a pretty good bang for your buck! With a solid score of 7 and customer satisfaction sitting at a healthy 73.7%, many diners found the value here quite appealing. Based on 28 positive remarks out of 38, guests frequently praised the decent value, affordable options, and fantastic happy hour deals, especially for reasonably priced food and drinks.
However, not everyone was thrilled, with 9 opinions noting some downsides. A few felt certain items, like wine or the salad price, were a bit overpriced, and there were specific frustrations about gratuity for takeout. So, while generally good, a few areas might not quite hit the mark on value.
Value
38
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Affordable food
- Reasonably priced wine
What people don't like
- Overpriced pizza
- Forced takeout gratuity
- Expensive drinks
Often praised
- priceThe atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it perfect for a date-night casual setting. We were impressed that a James Beard award winning chef is making reasonably priced pizza. We shared a delicious duo of appetizers: a pear salad with arugula, radicchio, hazelnuts, and Oregonzola, and a warm artichoke and white bean dip with crostini & grana padano.
- happy hourMy experience at the restaurant was pretty darn good. I came for a quarter during happy hour and enjoyed playing some of their board games. The pizza was good, and the happy hour deal was a nice bonus.
- pricesSuper reasonable prices
- happy hour dealI enjoyed some of the best pizza in Seattle, served in an awesome setting. The happy hour deal for a 1/4 pizza is possibly the best deal in the whole city.
- Parking optionsParking options:Free street parking
- affordablethey were great affordable
- decent valueI have a very short list of reliable restaurants these days, as my husband and I don’t get out much. But when we do, we want a place that’s consistently tasty with a welcoming atmosphere, plus one that provides a decent value for our money. We also love sharing, so a menu with a small diversity of interesting options—mains, apps, sides and salads—is always appreciated.
- easy, affable and affordableAll 👍👍. On top of the memorable food, altogether dining at Cora felt like a pre-pandemic experience: easy, affable and affordable—just like old times at a new place. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
- food and drinksfood and drinks offered excellent value for money
- half-price wineThe desserts were also good. I'm looking forward to returning for their half-price wine on Wednesdays, which offers great food and lovely service. Thank you!
Frequently criticized
- priceI was forced to pay 20% gratuity for takeout. To make matters worse, the waitress was not accommodating, and the meal was simply not worth the almost $30 for one small pizza.
- fizzy watercharged me $3 for fizzy water with lime
- gratuity for takeoutforced to pay 20% gratuity for take out
- pizzaFor $19 a pizza, you can find much better pizza
- salad price12$ - the bag cost 6$ at Whole Foods
- tipyou don’t need to tip 20 % gratuity is already included. As if tip was deserved.
- wineI had the rigatoni with some wine, and my partner had a type of spaghetti-puttanesca. I wish the wine was cheaper, but it’s a quaint place with a nice atmosphere for a date near the Hill on 12th.
If you're hunting for great deals, especially during happy hour or for lunch, this place is definitely worth a visit for its affordable options. Just be aware that some specific items, like certain wines or salads, might feel a bit pricey, and keep an eye on takeout gratuity.
How are the prices at Cora?
You’re looking at roughly 32 per person – reported by 43 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Italian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits at 32, the majority of prices actually cluster slightly lower, primarily in the $21–$30 range, with a significant number also in the $31–$40 bracket. This suggests a good mix, leaning towards mid-range options, with only a few venturing into the very budget or premium ends.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 43 most recent reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, for an Italian restaurant in Seattle, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Cora
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Amazing Service and Unique Amaretto Sour!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. I was impressed by the amazing service and the great pasta. The restaurant offers both a cute little table outside and a cozy space inside, providing pleasant ambience options.
A unique twist I enjoyed was the amaretto sour, which contained a hint of bourbon. I will absolutely be back.
- service9
- pasta8
- table outside7
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Hidden Gem with Great Food & Service
Cora is an unexpected hidden gem on 12th Ave! I experienced well-made food, friendly staff, and quick service, all within a comfy enough atmosphere. We ordered two pizzas: cheese and funghi.
The funghi pizza was awesome and perfectly balanced. My only feedback is that the cheese pizza was too cheesy, which affected the integrity of the pizza base and made it quite soggy. I hope they can consider a flatter plate/dish to improve the serving mechanism and prevent this.
This is the only reason 'Food' received 4 stars instead of 5. The dark chocolate tiramisu sandwich cookie was not very tiramisu-like, but it was sooo yum regardless! It's definitely worth a try.
I look forward to coming back and trying more items!
- food8
- staff10
- service10
- cheese pizza4
- pizza base4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good Verde Pizza, a Bit Pricey
My experience at the restaurant was centered around their Verde pizza, which I found to be good. However, I felt it was a bit overpriced for what was served.
- Verde pizza7
- price4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Quaint Italian Gem with Great Food
It’s nice to have a joint nearby with some Italian bite options since Italian is not as common here compared to elsewhere. I had the rigatoni with some wine, and my partner had a type of spaghetti-puttanesca. I wish the wine was cheaper, but it’s a quaint place with a nice atmosphere for a date near the Hill on 12th.
- Italian bite options8
- rigatoni8
- spaghetti-puttanesca8
- wine4
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Pizzas and Friendly Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a true gem with a nice wine selection and absolutely delicious pizzas. The service was friendly and helpful, making the overall dining experience very pleasant.
I highly recommend this place for its great food and welcoming atmosphere.
- wine selection8
- pizzas10
- service10
What Cora offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dietary options and beverages are available at Cora Italian Family Restaurant?
At Cora Italian Family Restaurant, you’ll find a diverse menu catering to various preferences, including both vegan and vegetarian options. To complement your meal, the restaurant offers a full selection of alcoholic beverages, including hard liquor, wine, beer, and expertly crafted cocktails.
What service options does Cora Italian Family Restaurant provide, and is it suitable for children?
Cora Italian Family Restaurant offers convenient service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. It’s also a great choice for families, as the restaurant is good for kids and provides high chairs to ensure a comfortable dining experience for your little ones.
How does Cora generally rate?
Cora holds a strong overall score of 8.2, with customer satisfaction at 86.4%. Its Service (8.6) and Food (8.2) are particularly well-regarded, complemented by a pleasant Ambience (8) and decent Value (7).
What do customers enjoy most about Cora's food?
Many patrons praise Cora’s pizza, noting its excellent crust and interesting flavors. Appetizers like the pear salad and artichoke dip also receive positive remarks for their quality ingredients.
Are there any common complaints about Cora?
Some customers have expressed concerns about a mandatory 20% gratuity for takeout orders, and a few experienced inconsistent service, including feeling rushed or observed.