Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
oChef » La Medusa – Seattle
La Medusa - Seattle
Photo from La Medusa
La Medusa at a glance
Seattle Columbia City
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $61–$70
mentioned by 52 of the guests
#647 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#27 Italian Restaurant out of 32 in Seattle
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
421
Reviews
64.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality Food
- Cozy Atmosphere
- Helpful Staff
Frequently criticized
- High Cost
- Service Lapses
- Noisy Setting
The restaurant La Medusa, an Italian Restaurant in Seattle’s vibrant Columbia City neighborhood, invites you to a truly memorable dining experience. You’ll discover a cozy and romantic atmosphere, perfect for an upscale yet casual evening.
Known for its great dessert, you can anticipate a sweet ending to your meal. This spot offers a blend of trendy vibes and classic Italian charm, making it a standout destination.
Overview: Introducting La Medusa
La Medusa offers a dining experience where the food often shines, with many appreciating its distinctive flavors and fresh preparations, particularly the pasta. The overall ambience also contributes positively, providing a warm and intimate setting that many find appealing for various occasions.
However, guests frequently note concerns regarding value, with some finding the pricing quite steep for what’s offered. While service generally receives praise for attentiveness, there are instances where it falls short, impacting the overall experience for some patrons.
Good
6.8
out of 10
421
Reviews
64.1%
Satisfaction
118
negative
33
neutral
270
positive
La Medusa achieves a respectable Restaurant Score of 6.8, indicating a generally good experience, though Customer Satisfaction sits at a mixed 64.1%. This slight divergence suggests that while many enjoy their visit, a notable portion leaves with reservations.
Based on 421 customer remarks, with 270 positive and 118 negative, there’s a clear split in perceptions. Looking closer, the Food (7.2) and Ambience (7.3) are definite strong points, often praised for quality and atmosphere.
Service (6.9) also performs well, with staff frequently noted for their helpfulness. The primary area for improvement appears to be Value (3), which significantly impacts the overall impression for some diners, often due to perceived high prices.
What people like
- Strong Food quality
- Warm, intimate Ambience
- Attentive Service
What people don't like
- High prices
- Inconsistent Service
- Noisy environment
La Medusa holds a Recommendation Score of 7, suggesting it’s worth considering if you prioritize excellent food and a pleasant ambience. Be prepared for a potentially higher price point, as the value aspect is a common concern among guests.
If you’re seeking a spot for a special occasion where the culinary experience and setting take precedence, La Medusa could be a good fit. However, if budget is a primary factor or you expect flawless service, you might want to manage your expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on La Medusa
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
Overall, the food here earns a solid 7.2 score, indicating a good culinary experience, though customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 69.2%. With 166 positive opinions out of 240, many rave about the excellent food, quality ingredients, and house-made pasta, often highlighting seasonal flavors and delicious, authentic Italian dishes. However, 56 negative comments point to some areas for improvement.
Concerns frequently arise around portion size, with some finding them too small. There are also mentions of salty or undercooked pasta and occasional lack of flavor, suggesting an inconsistency in execution.
Food
240
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
56
negative
18
neutral
166
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent food
- House-made pasta
- Seasonal variety
What people don't like
- Small portions
- Inconsistent quality
- Undercooked pasta
Often praised
- foodFrom the atmosphere to the service to the food.
- pastathe pasta is foremost - and fresh
- menuThe kicker is the menu. Sicilian leaning dishes with distinctive flavors
- dessertsnapping pics of dessert, everything was phenomenal
- chocolate torteDessert was the chocolate torte (GF) and a welcomed way to end the meal
- AranciniArancini, chocolate torte, and roasted carrot salad were the standouts
- Italian foodA fantastic choice for Italian food
- cocktailsWe enjoyed their cocktails
- dinnerThis restaurant is a perfect spot to grab dinner for a special occasion. During COVID, they've also been running a little farmers market stall out front on select days.
- olivesPossibly the best olives I've ever eaten
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was extremely poor. Our meal was forgotten, and the food was both overpriced and under-tasty. I will not be returning.
- pastaPasta with wild mushrooms, great ingredients, but lack of taste again
- menumenu is oversold and under delivered.
- pasta dishesI tried four different pasta dishes, each priced around $30 for a small plate. Unfortunately, all of them were too salty, and two were served swimming in a ladleful of pasta water. Given the high price for small pasta plates, I expected them to be flawless.
- AranciniArancini - saffron risotto croquettes , quite weak some sort of emptiness
- Italian foodnot benign "Italian" with Spaghetti
- Italian restaurantOverall not a great Italian restaurant
- LambruscoExcited to see Lambrusco on the menu! Unlucky, they were fresh out.
- Mozzarella CapreseMozzarella Caprese did not come with bread
- Sardine pastaSardine pasta and it was the most awful pasta
If youre seeking authentic Italian with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and dont mind potentially smaller portions, it's definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences have noted inconsistencies in dish execution.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 79% of the guests
The service here generally hits a good note, with a score of 6.9 and a 64.1% customer satisfaction. Many guests rave about the attentive and friendly staff, often highlighting excellent recommendations and smooth wine pairings. Special shout-outs go to specific waiters like Jackson, and the accommodating hosts and chefs, ensuring a delightful experience, based on 59 positive remarks.
However, it's a bit of a mixed bag, as some experiences point to significant issues. Concerns, noted in 27 negative remarks, include slow service, long wait times for appetizers and main courses, and problems with reservations, including tables being given away or rude hosts. Water refills and overall pacing also sometimes fall short.
Service
92
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
27
negative
6
neutral
59
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Excellent recommendations
- Accommodating hosts
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Reservation problems
- Rude hosts
Often praised
- serviceI had a very delicious dinner at La Medusa. I absolutely loved the ambiance, and the service was excellent. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and pastas, and everything was awesome.
- staffThe staff are amazing, patient, and give great recommendations
- peoplethe people themselves were incredibly nice as always
- JacksonJackson checked on us frequently
- Luca and ZarLuca and Zar were both exceptional
- Service was timelyService was timely and friendly.
- advicefull of good advice on what we should get
- attentive knowledgeable waitersvery attentive knowledgeable waiters
- chefscompletely accommodating chefs from before
- excellent recommendationsmade excellent recommendations
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was a little bit slow
- hostFor my birthday, I made a reservation and requested an ADA accommodation to sit away from the door due to experiencing significant pain when cold. Unfortunately, the host was extremely rude and unaccommodating, leaving me to shiver and endure pain instead of enjoying my dinner. I deeply miss the lovely, welcoming, and accommodating hosts, staff, and chefs from the previous era.
- tableI made reservations for a Friday night for out-of-town guests. We arrived 5 minutes early and were told, “sorry, we gave the table to someone else, we are full for the night. ” It was very disappointing!
- waiting timestill waiting 30 min after our reservation time
- ADA accommodationThe host was inaccommodating
- ServiceService was lacking a bit
- appetizer pacethey brought them out individually one by one and each at least 10 to 15 minutes apart
- drinks menuSharing one drinks menu between 6 is inconvenient
- food menureading the food menu off a board across the room
- gratuityadded gratuity to a four top table without telling us
If you value friendly, knowledgeable staff and dont mind a potential wait, youll likely have a great time. But be prepared for possible pacing issues or reservation hiccups, especially during busy periods.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
Stepping into this spot, youre often greeted by a delightful atmosphere, earning a 7.3 score for ambience. Many guests, about 44 out of 59, rave about the cozy, intimate vibe, often highlighting the rustic style interior and unique touches like the record player playing old school jazz. Its frequently described as a homey and warm place, perfect for a date night or special occasion, contributing to a good customer satisfaction of 74.6%.
However, not everyone finds the ambience entirely comfortable. Around 12 guests mentioned concerns, primarily about the noise level and table proximity. Some found the space cramped and loud, making conversations difficult.
While charming, the chalkboard menu was also occasionally hard to read, adding to a less-than-ideal environment for some.
Ambience
59
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
12
negative
3
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy intimate vibe
- Unique music selection
- Rustic Euro charm
What people don't like
- Cramped seating
- Loud environment
Often praised
- atmosphereThis is a cute place where all the pasta is handmade. The menu is always changing, and the atmosphere is very warm with a rustic style interior. The service is adequate, and they charge an auto 18.
- ambianceWe love the ambiance and the fresh, updated menu
- date nightIt's a snug and intimate interior that's great for people watching if you get a window seat. While we've even brought the kids here a few times, I'd say it's more ideal for date night. And because it's close to home, we often sneak in a sweet treat at Molly Moon's, and/or adult beverages at Lottie's or Flying Lion after dinner.
- Capitol Hill spotfeel like a capitol hill spot away from the hill
- attention to detailMy experience at this restaurant was marked by its rustic euro vibe and impressive attention to detail. The menu offers a diverse selection and is quite veg friendly.
- casual vibeThe food and service were great at both locations. Both places had a nice casual vibe. Persephone specifically had the record player going with old school jazz.
- chalkboard menuThe chalkboard menu was delightful
- comfortable atmosphereenjoyed the comfortable atmosphere
- cute placeThis is a cute place where all the pasta is handmade
- entire experiencepure pleasure of the entire experience
Frequently criticized
- atmospherebeautiful atmosphere. It was just a bit too noisy
- crampedit was a bit cramped
- ambienceI wanted to enjoy my dinner, not shiver
- chalkboard menuIt was a Friday night, but the restaurant was also not full – maybe they were short-staffed? The chalkboard menu was delightful but hard to read; paper menus to augment would be helpful.
- environmentthe poor loud environment, I just did not have that great of a time there.
- loudIt is also very loud
- noise levelyou can hear EVERY SINGLE CONVERSATION. Everyone was talking all at once.
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- spaceUn espacio muy pequeño
- table proximityI was uncomfortable close to the tables next to me.
If youre seeking a cozy, intimate spot with a unique, rustic charm and dont mind a potentially lively (or loud) atmosphere, this place could be a great fit for a date night. However, if you prefer ample personal space and a quiet environment for deep conversation, you might find it a bit too snug and noisy for your liking.
Value (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to value, the feedback is pretty clear, and unfortunately, its not looking great. Out of 30 customer opinions, only 1 had something positive to say about the cost, while a whopping 23 pointed to issues. The overall score for value sits at a rather low 3, indicating a poor performance, and customer satisfaction isnt far behind at a mere 3.3%, which is also considered poor.
While one diner did feel the price was justified for their delicious meal, this sentiment is largely overshadowed. Most guests found the experience quite expensive, with many feeling the food was overpriced and the meal cost a pretty penny. Common complaints revolved around fixed tipping rates, mandatory service fee or gratuity on the bill, and a general feeling that the value for money was low.
Many felt they paid more than expected, especially for items like pasta or a small entree, leading to an expensive meal that simply wasnt worth the money'.
Value
30
Reviews
3%
Satisfaction
23
negative
6
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Mandatory service fees
- Poor value for cost
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. The food was delicious and worth the price. I also enjoyed the cozy and comfortable atmosphere, which was complemented by the exceptionally friendly service.
Frequently criticized
- billConsequently, we ended up double-tipping on an already expensive meal. I advise others to beware and look closely at the bill.
- gratuityautomatically charged a gratuity for 2 people seemed a bit strange
- overpriced4 overpriced options for the main course
- priceA bit pricey
- pricesthe prices are super high
- Canadian credit cardsWe ordered a bunch of appetizers and pastas, and everything was awesome. The only downfall of the meal was that none of our Canadian credit cards worked on their machine. My parents are still there working off the meal in the kitchen.
- breadcomprar el pan por 7$
- entreefor a full entree we expected more
- expensive mealan already expensive meal
- fixed tipping ratespolicy of fixed tipping rates is a real turnoff
If youre looking for a place where your money stretches far, this might not be the spot for you. The overwhelming sentiment suggests that the value for cost is a significant concern, with many feeling the prices are too high for what you get. Proceed with caution if budget is a priority, as you might find yourself paying more than youd like.
How are the prices at La Medusa?
On average, you’ll spend around 62 $ per person – from 52 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $61–$70 category. For an Italian Restaurant, that’s comfortably higher-end mid-range.
Looking at what people actually spend, it’s quite a spread! While the average is 62 $, many guests spend less, with the most common price point being $41–$50. However, a good number also opt for a more premium experience, spending $71–$80 or even over 101 $.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 52 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in Seattle.
Considering the average spend and the variety of price points, we think the pricing feels fair for a quality Italian dining experience, especially if you’re looking for something a bit more special than a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about La Medusa
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Italian Pasta Gem
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of the best places in Seattle for real made-in-house Italian-style pasta. The service was usually extremely friendly and great, and the food was also great.
It’s a small place, so make sure you call them first for a reservation.
- Italian-style pasta10
- service9
- food9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Best Sicilian in Seattle!
My experience at La Medusa was fantastic! It's the best Sicilian restaurant in Seattle. They consistently deliver with their ever-changing menu and quality.
The staff was incredibly kind and accommodating, and the atmosphere was great. It's one of my favorite places to grab dinner.
- Sicilian restaurant10
- menu9
- quality9
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
La Medusa: Sicilian Soul in Columbia City
My experience at La Medusa was pure Sicilian soul in Columbia City. I've returned more than five times because it never misses. The squid ink pasta is a masterpiece: briny, silky black strands layered with fresh herbs and ocean depth.
The grilled sardines appetizer is delicate, citrus-kissed, and simply unforgettable. Adding the salt cod fritters—crispy, golden, and rich—created a lineup that's world-class. While the tables are close, it's part of the charm, contributing to the good vibes, smiles, and laughter echoing through the room.
The wine list is stunning, and the staff serve with pride, warmth, and guidance, making you feel like family. La Medusa is the heart of Columbia City's energy. This isn't just dinner; it's a memory worth repeating.
- squid ink pasta10
- grilled sardines appetizer10
- salt cod fritters9
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Italian for a Cozy Date Night
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely delicious and authentic Italian. I especially loved the tiramisu! It was a really fun experience for a cozy and enjoyable date night.
- Italian food9
- tiramisu10
- date night9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Best Italian Experience in Montreal!
Visiting Montreal from the SF Bay Area, we were searching for Italian food and stumbled upon this gem of a place. Given our dietary restrictions, we were pleased to see the menu posted outside and decided to go in. We were seated right away, and Nino, the owner, made us feel incredibly comfortable.
He engaged in conversation about the weather and our home in California, and brought us cold water. He was very helpful with our dietary needs, suggesting a wonderful pasta for my wife and a delicious risotto for me, along with a salad. All three dishes were wonderful, which is a significant achievement considering the challenges of being vegetarian and gluten-free.
Nino was a gracious and wonderful host, chatting, joking, and sharing stories. David and Paulo, the other two gentlemen who assisted us during the meal, were equally wonderful and fun to interact with. This was hands down the best experience with food and service we had in Montreal!
We loved it! Thank you, Nino and Team!
- pasta10
- risotto10
- salad10
What La Medusa offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Vegan options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Onsite services
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Upscale
- Cozy
- Trendy
- Romantic
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at La Medusa in Seattle?
At La Medusa, you can anticipate a dining experience that blends casual comfort with an upscale, romantic, and trendy atmosphere. It’s a cozy spot perfect for dinner, offering table service and known for its great dessert and extensive wine list. You’ll find it ideal for a special evening out in Columbia City.
Does La Medusa offer options for specific dietary needs or preferences?
Yes, La Medusa caters to various dietary preferences with a range of healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and organic dishes available on their menu. You can enjoy small plates, coffee, beer, wine, cocktails, and hard liquor, ensuring there’s something for everyone to savor.
How does La Medusa generally perform across key dining aspects?
La Medusa achieves an overall Restaurant Score of **6.8**. Its **Food** (7.2) and **Ambience** (7.3) are highly regarded, while **Service** (6.9) is generally good. However, **Value** (3) is a notable area where many customers express dissatisfaction.
What do customers particularly enjoy about La Medusa's offerings?
Guests frequently praise La Medusa for its distinctive and fresh **pasta** dishes, along with other menu items like the **chocolate torte** and **Arancini**. The warm, rustic **atmosphere** is also a highlight, often described as ideal for a **date night**.
What are some common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by diners at La Medusa?
Many customers find La Medusa to be **overpriced**, with concerns about automatic **gratuity** and the cost of entrees. Some also report issues with **service**, including slow pacing, unaccommodating hosts, or reservations being given away.