Local White Center Recommendations
Coffee
Seattle = Coffee
I cried when I moved away from Seattle. Not for missing my friends, but for missing Fresh Flours. Great coffee and pastries; get the strawberry bun and/or savory bun.
40 locals recommend
Fresh Flours West Seattle
9410 Delridge Way SWI cried when I moved away from Seattle. Not for missing my friends, but for missing Fresh Flours. Great coffee and pastries; get the strawberry bun and/or savory bun.
I rarely made my way to this place, but enjoyed it when I did. Highly regarded in Seattle.
23 locals recommend
Moonshot Coffee
9622 16th Ave SWI rarely made my way to this place, but enjoyed it when I did. Highly regarded in Seattle.
Food scene
It all started here. Years ago this pizza joint got a positive review in the New York Times and put White Center on the map (even to Seattleites). A guy on my hockey team worked here for a time - he never hooked me up with free pizza. This was upsetting.
72 locals recommend
Proletariat Pizza
9622-A 16th Ave SWIt all started here. Years ago this pizza joint got a positive review in the New York Times and put White Center on the map (even to Seattleites). A guy on my hockey team worked here for a time - he never hooked me up with free pizza. This was upsetting.
Chef: Brady Ishiwata Williams.
James Beard winner best chef in NW.
Food & Wine best new chef 2018. #30 in the nation for best new restaurant: it's like “dining inside the Death Star, in the coolest way possible.” This place is fine dining! Before it opened, it had a 15,000 person wait list. Reservations are tough, but they do dedicate some space for walk-ins. Pricey obviously.
8 locals recommend
TOMO
9811 16th Avenue SouthwestChef: Brady Ishiwata Williams.
James Beard winner best chef in NW.
Food & Wine best new chef 2018. #30 in the nation for best new restaurant: it's like “dining inside the Death Star, in the coolest way possible.” This place is fine dining! Before it opened, it had a 15,000 person wait list. Reservations are tough, but they do dedicate some space for walk-ins. Pricey obviously.
Taqueria la Fondita
10050 15th Ave SWNo frills taco truck never disappoints. I came here often.
This was my go-to pho spot in White Center, but there are many great options in the area. Feel free to explore around!
10 locals recommend
White Center Plaza
9646 16th Ave SWThis was my go-to pho spot in White Center, but there are many great options in the area. Feel free to explore around!
Choose your adventure between typical American fare, or Chinese food. When my friends from SF would visit, they always ate lunch here (Chinese food).
10 locals recommend
Young's Restaurant
9413 16th Ave SWChoose your adventure between typical American fare, or Chinese food. When my friends from SF would visit, they always ate lunch here (Chinese food).
This place maaaaay be temporarily closed due to being *too* Seattle grungy. And maybe that’s why it was so good! Assuming they clean up their act and their kitchen, go get a taste of Louisiana here. Oh, and cheap drinks :)
24 locals recommend
Crawfish House
9826 16th Ave SWThis place maaaaay be temporarily closed due to being *too* Seattle grungy. And maybe that’s why it was so good! Assuming they clean up their act and their kitchen, go get a taste of Louisiana here. Oh, and cheap drinks :)
Fried chicken Korean fusion. This place kept me alive during peak Covid lockdown via UberEats.
20 locals recommend
Bok A Bok Fried Chicken
1521 SW 98th StFried chicken Korean fusion. This place kept me alive during peak Covid lockdown via UberEats.
It's nothing special, but it's a burger joint close to home. And sometimes that’s all you need.
7 locals recommend
Boss Drive-In
9061 Delridge Way SWIt's nothing special, but it's a burger joint close to home. And sometimes that’s all you need.
Okay, so technically this isn’t in White Center, but it’s nearby (you’ll need to drive). I came here often for brunch.
95 locals recommend
Endolyne Joe's
9261 45th Ave SWOkay, so technically this isn’t in White Center, but it’s nearby (you’ll need to drive). I came here often for brunch.
Bar-Restaurant
Craft brew spot featuring local beers. There’s a burger joint and pizza place in the building, and you can bring in outside food. I was a regular here. Say hi to L.J. and Brad from Trace.
59 locals recommend
Beer Star
9801 16th Ave SWCraft brew spot featuring local beers. There’s a burger joint and pizza place in the building, and you can bring in outside food. I was a regular here. Say hi to L.J. and Brad from Trace.
This place opened the same weekend as Covid lockdowns started in Seattle and it survived. That’s saying something, right? I frequently ordered the quesadilla.
6 locals recommend
Búho
9640 16th Avenue SouthwestThis place opened the same weekend as Covid lockdowns started in Seattle and it survived. That’s saying something, right? I frequently ordered the quesadilla.
Fun sailboat theme, and lots of can beers (hence the name). I ate brunch here often.
18 locals recommend
Can Bar
9427 17th Ave SWFun sailboat theme, and lots of can beers (hence the name). I ate brunch here often.
It ain’t Texas, but it’s good bbq. They often have live music in the outdoor area.
30 locals recommend
Drunky Two Shoes BBQ White Center
9655 16th Ave SWIt ain’t Texas, but it’s good bbq. They often have live music in the outdoor area.
Looking for a gay bar? This place is highly recommended. When I left Seattle, it was on the verge of a grand opening for their new spot. I assume by the time you're reading this, it's open. Their old place is what's pictured above. Seattle Times review said "stupid good pork nachos."
7 locals recommend
The Lumber Yard Bar
9630 16th Ave SWLooking for a gay bar? This place is highly recommended. When I left Seattle, it was on the verge of a grand opening for their new spot. I assume by the time you're reading this, it's open. Their old place is what's pictured above. Seattle Times review said "stupid good pork nachos."
Fun bar, good food. Became the unofficial gay bar while Lumberyard was closed. I enjoyed their reuben sandwich.
Boombox Bar
9608 16th Avenue SouthwestFun bar, good food. Became the unofficial gay bar while Lumberyard was closed. I enjoyed their reuben sandwich.
Our very own brewery with a beer garden and food truck. Great on a summer day, but plenty of space inside during the rainy season.
7 locals recommend
Future Primitive Brewing
9832 14th Ave SWOur very own brewery with a beer garden and food truck. Great on a summer day, but plenty of space inside during the rainy season.
Are you a nerd and like to drink? 🤓🍺 This place was made for you. They proudly never put sports on their TVs. Even during the Super Bowl. Generous pours (hence 2 Fingers) and super close.
7 locals recommend
2 Fingers Social
9211 Delridge Way SWAre you a nerd and like to drink? 🤓🍺 This place was made for you. They proudly never put sports on their TVs. Even during the Super Bowl. Generous pours (hence 2 Fingers) and super close.
Fun lucha libre theme. I only went a few times because it opened right before I moved away. I think it’s become the place where people end their nights.
Lariat bar
9827 16th Avenue SouthwestFun lucha libre theme. I only went a few times because it opened right before I moved away. I think it’s become the place where people end their nights.
Entertainment
Bar + Roller Skating + People Watching = Great Time. Honestly, it’s kind of a cultural experience. When other Seattleites from trendier neighborhoods visit White Center, it’s usually to come here.
27 locals recommend
Southgate Roller Rink
9646 17th Ave SWBar + Roller Skating + People Watching = Great Time. Honestly, it’s kind of a cultural experience. When other Seattleites from trendier neighborhoods visit White Center, it’s usually to come here.
City advice
Customs and culture
Avoid Car Prowlers
Like any big city, Seattle can be rough around the edges. When parking your car, NEVER LEAVE VALUABLES in the car. It’s not rare to see broken glass on the ground where an innocent window was shattered and precious items stolen.