Lola
Greek Grapes Meet Pacific Northwest Energy
Pike Place Market · Seattle · Mediterranean, Greek · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Lola doesn't mess around with its identity — Greek varieties lead the charge in a room that smells like wood smoke and charred octopus. It's a Mediterranean list built for a Mediterranean kitchen, and that focus alone puts it ahead of half the downtown Seattle competition. You're not getting the usual California Cab parade here, and that's genuinely refreshing.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans into Greece and Washington State with real conviction, anchored by Assyrtiko and Xinomavro alongside local Syrah that actually makes sense on the same page. Spain shows up with Garnacha representation, and Italy fills in the gaps without overstaying its welcome. The range runs 80 to 120 bottles deep, which gives you room to explore without getting lost. Where it falls short is transparency — specific producers and pricing aren't always easy to track down, which makes ordering feel like a small act of faith.
By the Glass
Ten to sixteen options by the glass is a solid count for a lively dining room doing this kind of volume. The Greek variety representation on the glass pour list is the real draw — Assyrtiko by the glass at a Greek-leaning restaurant in Seattle is not something you find on every corner. Rotation feels more static than active, but what's there is well-chosen for the food.
Washington State Syrah — null
Washington Syrah at a Greek-inflected restaurant is an inspired local call — it has the savory, peppery backbone to hang with lamb and charred vegetables without the markup premium you'd pay for a Rhône import doing the same job.
Xinomavro
Most tables at Lola will default to something familiar and walk right past Xinomavro — Greece's answer to Nebbiolo, with serious tannin and acid that cuts through fatty spreads and rich proteins in a way that crowd-pleasing Malbec simply cannot.
Spanish Garnacha
Garnacha is fine wine, but it's also the easiest default pick on any Mediterranean-leaning list, and you're almost certainly paying a downtown Seattle premium for something you could grab at a grocery store for a fraction of the price. With Assyrtiko and Xinomavro on the same list, ordering Garnacha here is a missed opportunity.
Assyrtiko + Octopus Hash
Assyrtiko's high acidity and saline, citrus-driven profile is practically engineered for charred seafood — it cuts through the smoky richness of the octopus and keeps every bite tasting fresh. This is the pairing Lola's list was built for.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Lola earns its Wild Card badge by doing something genuinely rare in Seattle dining — committing to Greek varieties with enough depth to reward curious drinkers. Markups and limited producer transparency hold it back from being a true Rager, but if you're willing to lean into the list's strengths, you'll drink better here than almost anywhere else near Pike Place.
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