Welcome to La Medusa
La Medusa, located in Seattle's vibrant Columbia City, offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of Sicilian dining. This charming restaurant prioritizes seasonal, simple ingredients, showcasing dishes like pan-roasted sockeye salmon with Greek lentils and saffron risotto Arancini, all thoughtfully prepared to meet diverse palates. Guests rave about the attentive service and expertly paired wines, enhancing the dining experience. La Medusa excels in creating a communal feel, perfect for family-style meals. Notably, their olive oil cake with lemon curd stands out as a must-try dessert, ensuring every visit is memorable. Indulge in La Medusa for an enchanting culinary journey.
- 4857 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, United States4857 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, United States Hotline: +1 206-723-2192
Welcome to La Medusa, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Columbia City, Seattle. This charming eatery delivers an inviting ambiance that immediately draws you into its warm Sicilian-inspired charm. Just a stone's throw away from the bustling neighborhood, La Medusa artfully combines sophisticated culinary techniques with the essence of family-style dining, making it the perfect spot for friends and loved ones to gather over a shared meal.
The menu at La Medusa celebrates simplicity while showcasing the elegance of seasonal ingredients. Standouts include the wild panini with mushroom and soft-cooked egg, a delicate marriage of flavors for just $14, and the grilled flat iron steak, accompanied by vibrant baby turnips and a rich romesco for $31. Vegetarian options like the roasted broccoli with bagna cauda ($11) and the delightful arancini ($6), embody the spirit of comfort food without overwhelming your palate with heaviness. Each dish sings with layers of flavor, inviting you to savor every bite.
An integral part of the La Medusa experience is the unmatched service. Many visitors, such as Natalee Lopez, have praised not just the delectable food but the attentive staff who enhance the experience with their knowledge of the wine pairings. Imagine enjoying a glass that perfectly complements your meal as you sit among friends, sharing stories and laughter.
For dessert, be sure to try the famed Olive Oil Cake with lemon curd. It has captivated the hearts of many diners, leaving them with sweet memories long after the last bite. As you dine, don’t forget to take in the lively atmosphere, even if it can get a bit busy as noted by heartsrk. In moments of enjoyment, the exhilarating energy of the room can amplify the pleasure of sharing a meal.
La Medusa isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a neighborhood staple where culinary dreams come to life. It’s perfect for date nights, family gatherings, or simply indulging in good food. If you stop by, consider grabbing a drink at next door's Persephone while you await your table, as the two establishments work hand-in-hand to provide a seamless dining experience.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, La Medusa promises a delightful culinary journey that you won’t soon forget. Make your reservation today, and prepare to be embraced by the flavors of Sicily!

Everything about La Medusa was fantastic. From the atmosphere to the service to the food. Any questions we had were answered knowledgeably and quickly. When asked about wine pairings with our food items, Meredith was spot on. Service was timely and friendly. When we asked about a drink our friends had when they visited Italy last year, their bartender made it special for them. I am not joking when I say everything we had was delicious. If you’re coming here for heavy comfort food that is full of salt, you won’t find it here. If you want to share in a family style meal, with delicious drinks light and delicious foods that have multiple layers of flavor cooked with seasonal, simple ingredients THIS IS YOUR NEW SPOT. And then dessert. WOW! Everything was delicious but the Olive Oil Cake with lemon curd was the table’s favorite. Thank you for a lovely evening, we will be back.

Delicious food, beautiful atmosphere. It was just a bit too noisy for my family. Water refills were a little slow, especially given the saltiness of the food. Food was amazing though.

Very homey and warm place with delicious food and very attentive knowledgeable waiters. Arancini, chocolate torte, and roasted carrot salad were the standouts for me, sadly they were out of the whole fish by the time we ate. Will be back to try that. They were able to accommodate GF - though not sure that it would be celiac safe - a lot of the starters are GF and two of the desserts were. Call to make a reservation and/or have a drink next door at Persephone while you wait, you can bring it with you when your table is ready as they’re owned by the same people.

A wonderful neighborhood dining spot that really captures the Sicilian essence when it comes to gathering over delicious and uncomplicated cuisine. Service was knowledgeable and friendly, food was served at the appropriate temperature and pacing with the meal - we never felt rushed and enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere. Only snagged a pic of the Arancini since we could wait for a photo to dig in to the next dish! Definitely making this a go-to spot for date night and taking friends out.

amazing food and experience the staff were attentive and friendly luca and Zar were both exceptional, would definitely reccomend!

Amazing food. We found few vegetarian options. Great service. Donna was amazing in explaining us each and every menu item in detail.

Always a hit and never a miss. I didn't add any pictures of the food because they are already all out there to see. The quality and taste of this food remains the same each time I have it. Outstanding! Equal to the food is the customer service. Here it is New Year's Eve and our servers are not making us feel rushed to eat and get out so another group could be served. Pulled up and parked right outside the front door. The atmosphere is quaint and cozy. You can pick anything off the menu and it's going to be great. Will continue come back again and again. The food is fresh and simple and most of all...delish!

I’ve had many return trips to La Medusa and there will be many more. The rotating menu has seasonal flavors for all tastes including vegetarian and pescatarian options. The service is always exceptional and the atmosphere is warm and homey. A fantastic choice for Italian food in Columbia City!