This Little South Lake Union Pizza Counter Serves Incredibly Creative Lunches
It’s easy to miss Pizza by Ruffin, tucked away on the bottom floor of one of those big skyscrapers on Fairview Avenue in South Lake Union. But the small pizzeria, open only for weekday lunches, earned an Eater Award this year for its inventive take on Roman-style (i.e. rectangular and focaccia-like) slices.
What to order
- Pizza by Ruffin does offer more traditional topping combinations you can get anywhere else, but its primary appeal — and raison d’être —is its ever-changing specials. Our pick: The doro wat slice, which incorporates the classic Ethiopian chicken stew that adds elements of creamy, warming, and cumin-y flavor to every bite.
- If it’s available, try the West African stew, which is a loaded with a paprika-heavy spice blend and has a generous kick of heat. If it’s not available, you’ll likely find other vegan options.
- Rather than classic tomato or white sauce bases, you’ll find swap-ins of green Jamaican curry or pepper jam on many slices here, giving them unexpected flavor profiles. The pepper jam and goat cheese slice, for instance, has elements of sweetness and tartness you might not see coming.
Best for
Best for: A quick lunch away from your South Lake Union Office — sit down and eat the slices while they’re still hot rather than getting takeout.
Insider tip
Pizza by Ruffin is open until 4 p.m., but it typically sells out of its best slices well before that. Show up by noon to guarantee yourself the widest variety of topping options.
