we’ve been here for over a decade
Looking for details before you dine? You’re in the right place. This FAQ covers everything from where to park in Ballard to how late we seat (15 minutes before closing), to whether we welcome kids (yes) and everything in begtween. Stoneburner is all about relaxed, leaning into hearth cooked dishes, house-made pasta, and a space that works for date nights, group dinners, or an impromptu drink at the bar. We also added an entire section on our interior design since we receive a lot of inquiries of where we found the one-of-a-kind salvaged pieces guests enjoy around the restaurant. We’re located on the ground-floor of Hotel Ballard, facing Ballard Avenue, with both indoor and covered (and heated) outdoor seating. Skim the FAQ for quick answers, or just show up. We’re here for a relaxing visit, from start to finish.
architectural salvaged interiors
Every room at Stoneburner tells a story that started long before we opened our doors on Ballard Avenue in Spring 2013. Our dining room, bar, and even a small part of our rooftop event space are built from salvaged architecture, pieces pulled from banks, embassies, shipyards, and schoolhouses across the country and reassembled into something entirely our own. It's part of what makes dining at Stoneburner feel unique, truly stepping into a room with history in every corner. Despite the newer exterior of our building (which has its own story), walking into the restaurant was designed with beautifully selected artifacts from the past, making the space a truly unique piece of history, right here in North Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.
The Bar
Our bar is where Stoneburner's collected character comes to life. Above it hangs a tin ceiling salvaged from a 1902 Amish schoolhouse in Wisconsin, paired with wood paneling lifted from the old Italian Embassy in Buenos Aires (no joke). Flanking the room, glass panels once lit a Sherman tank factory floor in New York City, while a large white porcelain finial — once part of a 1960s government building in Washington, D.C. — anchors the space with gravitas. Overhead, our signature spider light fixtures were handmade locally by a Ballard metal worker, a nod to the neighborhood that we call home.
Above the Booths and Chef's Counter
Look up while you're seated in one of our dining booths and you'll find a set of galvanized pendant lights shipped over from Amsterdam, dating back to 1960 — hanging just above pillar sconces salvaged from a San Francisco shipyard. At the chef's counter, the swivel stools once served travelers passing through a New York City railroad station, and the maple floor beneath them began its life as a park bench and flooring inside a Ballard schoolhouse, keeping a little bit of neighborhood history underfoot.
Around the Dining Room
Our dining room is anchored by a large mirror from 1906 Tuscany and cement tiles custom-made in a style drawn straight from Sicily, alongside chairs that once filled a 1950s New York City schoolhouse and iron gates sourced from Boston. Above the kitchen pass, an old fan from a NYC warehouse still does its quiet work, while nearby, halophane light fixtures once illuminated the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It's a mix of materials and eras that shouldn't work together on paper and yet, somehow here we are.
Entry, Alcove, and Private Event Pavilion
Guests are welcomed through an entry crowned by the barrel-vaulted ceiling of Ballard's own Dolce Vita Building, with sconces from the original New York Times Building lighting the way in. In our alcove, mirrors from Paris add a soft, old-world glow, while our Olympic Rooftop Pavilion — home to private events and celebrations atop our neighbors at Hotel Ballard — is lit by chandeliers also sourced from Paris, France. Above the bar arches, black torpedo light fixtures once served as San Francisco street lights, and above the bar is a Rolex clock salvaged from a 1940s New York City bank. If anyone knows a good clocksmith, we’re in the market.
STONEBURNER FAQS
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Where can I park when visiting Stoneburner?
Street parking is available along Ballard Avenue and surrounding streets, with paid lots nearby. Car services like Uber and Lyft can drop guests off at the front of Hotel Ballard for easy access, although Stoneburner has a separate entrance and is not associated with the hotel. Public transit is available through King County Metro.
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What kind of food does Stoneburner serve?
Mediterranean-inspired hearth cooking with a strong emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. Pacific Northwest cuisine, some may say, has a heavy emphasis on our menu, more through each ingredient more than the full plate. House-made pastas, pizza, heavy vegetables, greens, grains, and large and small plates all designed for sharing (or not). We hope our food is soulful, both familiar yet interesting enough to inspire another visit.
What makes Stoneburner work is the attention to ingredients and the willingness to let them drive the menu rather than forcing them into predetermined concepts. It's cooking that couldn't happen anywhere else, shaped by Seattle's seasons and the specific things that grow well here.
Stoneburner's place-based cuisine draws from sun-soaked traditions while celebrating the ingredients that make Seattle's food scene exceptional. Each dish tells a story of technique, seasonality, and the kind of creative confidence that transforms neighborhood restaurants into culinary destinations, which is one of the reasons we’ve been here for over 13 years.
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Is Stoneburner owned by the hotel?
No. Stoneburner is a separate business owned by Chef Jason Stoneburner and a few long-time Seattle-based business partners. Stoneburner and Hotel Ballard work together to optimize all the guest’s experience and share a few of the amenities on site. Stoneburner is the sole operator of the private event space atop Hotel Ballard, managing all bookings and events, and acts as the exclusive caterer. It’s a great relationship.
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Tell me about the wine program? How serious is it?
Glad you asked! Stoneburner’s wine program is curated with the same intention and curiosity that drives the kitchen. Built to complement the bold, to the subtle, the list leans heavily on old world wines from Italy, the Mediterranean, Washington, Oregon, California and small pockets of other new world territories—think small thoughtful producers who work with restraint and character. You won’t find overworked bottles here. Instead, the selection highlights balance, food-friendliness, and stories worth telling.
Whether you’re a casual sipper or a serious collector, there’s something intriguing to explore—orange wines, grower Champagnes, alpine reds, and plenty of under-the-radar gems that match the the menu. The by-the-glass list rotates regularly, and the knowledgeable staff are always ready to help you discover something new.
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Do you have a corkage fee?
Want to bring your own? : $35 PER 750ML BOTTLE, $60 PER MAGNUM — limit two 750 ML bottles, or one MAG. The corkage policy is generous, but chances are you’ll be tempted to let the team guide you through a bottle from the cellar instead. Like the restaurant itself, the wine program is warm, worldly, and built to turn any night into an occasion. Whether you're pairing with handmade pasta or just hanging out at the bar, the bottle in front of you will always be worth opening.
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Do you offer gluten-free pizza or pasta?
We do not offer gluten-free pizza or pasta. We DO, however, offer a ton of other dishes that are gluten free. Although it’s not a GF house (to note for celiacs) we do our best to prevent cross contamination. We have some folks on staff who are celiac, and we are acutely aware of the needs. However - every person is different! If you have any allergies, whatsoever please always share them with your server so we can prevent cross contamination.
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Is Stoneburner kid-friendly?
Absolutely. We welcome families and offer a kids' menu with approachable options like pasta, wood-fired pizza, and seasonal vegetables. The kids menu is paired down simplicity, but if you want something specific for your kiddo, just ask. We know part of what makes the dining experience enjoyable is being hospitable to all guests - not just the adults. ALSO - don’t let the kids miss the dessert menu. It’s typically a big hit.
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Can I bring my dog to Stoneburner?
Good dogs are welcome on our front patio. Need some water for them? Just ask! We may even have a few treats…
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Where do you source your ingredients?
For the last 13 years, we source our ingredients from Pacific Northwest farms, fisheries, and producers who prioritize quality and responsible practices. Many of the people we work with are the same vendors you’ll find each Sunday at the Ballard Farmers Market, just a short walk from the restaurant—farmers and makers we’ve built real relationships with over years. Some are no longer in the market, but they’re still on our menu, which warms the heart. Our menu follows the seasons, so what’s on the plate reflects what’s growing, being harvested, or produced at its best right now. When needed, we supplement with thoughtfully chosen regional and international ingredients that support the integrity of the dish. The goal is simple: start with excellent ingredients and serve food that feels rooted in Seattle and the broader Pacific Northwest.