Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
Fresh-roasted Ethiopian coffee and excellent Ethiopian food. Say hi to the host Milen for me!
Kaffa Coffee and Wine Bar
8136 Rainier Ave SFresh-roasted Ethiopian coffee and excellent Ethiopian food. Say hi to the host Milen for me!
Amazing Korean-run Cajun food joint in South Seattle. Order seafood by the pound, put on a bib, and dig in!
24 locals recommend
Crawfish House
9826 16th Ave SWAmazing Korean-run Cajun food joint in South Seattle. Order seafood by the pound, put on a bib, and dig in!
Dubsea Coffee
9910 8th Ave SWGreat little coffee shop in the White Center neighborhood!
This little hole-in-the-wall serves some of the best Thai food in Seattle. Last I checked, it was cash-only.
55 locals recommend
Thai Tom
4543 University Way NEThis little hole-in-the-wall serves some of the best Thai food in Seattle. Last I checked, it was cash-only.
My personal favorite Thai restaurant in Seattle. The Pad Thai is the best around... it's served in a sort of egg pocket... yum!
18 locals recommend
Ayutthaya Thai Restaurant
727 E Pike StMy personal favorite Thai restaurant in Seattle. The Pad Thai is the best around... it's served in a sort of egg pocket... yum!
Cutting Board
5503 Airport Way SGreat little sushi shop in Georgetown!
Don't get distracted by that "other" roastery down the block. Victrola has some of Seattle's most delicious coffee, and it's a homegrown alternative to that other corporate chain you might have seen. :)
78 locals recommend
Victrola Coffee Roasters
310 E Pike StDon't get distracted by that "other" roastery down the block. Victrola has some of Seattle's most delicious coffee, and it's a homegrown alternative to that other corporate chain you might have seen. :)
Moonshot Coffee
9622 16th Ave SWGreat little coffee shop in the heart of White Center.
My personal favorite happy hour, AND an excellent view of the market for people-watching. Get the $5 spicy salmon and chips!
26 locals recommend
Pike Place Fish Market
86 Pike PlMy personal favorite happy hour, AND an excellent view of the market for people-watching. Get the $5 spicy salmon and chips!
Noble Barton
9635 16th Ave SWExcellent spot for brunch in White Center.
Pettirosso Seattle
1101 E Pike StGreat brunch spot in Capitol Hill! Becomes a fun bar at night.
At over 100 years old, Maneki is Seattle's oldest Japanese restaurant. With a group of 4 or more you can reserve a tatami room.
82 locals recommend
Maneki Restaurant
304 6th Ave SAt over 100 years old, Maneki is Seattle's oldest Japanese restaurant. With a group of 4 or more you can reserve a tatami room.
Have a cup of delicious tea and learn about the history of Seattle's Japanese community at Panama Hotel.
20 locals recommend
Panama Hotel and Tea House
605 South Main StHave a cup of delicious tea and learn about the history of Seattle's Japanese community at Panama Hotel.
Harbor City Restaurant
707 S King StGreat for dim sum, or also dinner!
Paseo has the best cuban sandwiches around! During busy times, expect to stand in line for a bit.
200 locals recommend
Paseo Fremont
4225 Fremont Ave NPaseo has the best cuban sandwiches around! During busy times, expect to stand in line for a bit.
Itto's Tapas
4160 California Ave SWWow. This place is amazing. Moroccan tapas have arrived in Seattle!
Proletariat Pizza
9622-A 16th Ave SWGreat pizza in White Center. They deliver too!
Chinese place just a short walking distance from my house. The eggplant is excellent. Good lunch specials too.
xing xing cafe
10850 Myers Way SouthChinese place just a short walking distance from my house. The eggplant is excellent. Good lunch specials too.
Taqueria Mendez
10811 Myers Way SCheap eats at a divey White Center taco truck. It's not fancy, but it's fast!
24 hour diner with mid-century modern flair. Open in the hour of your greatest need.
96 locals recommend
Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge
1505 10th Ave24 hour diner with mid-century modern flair. Open in the hour of your greatest need.
Top-notch French bakery. Stop in for an authentic croissant and a latte. :)
489 locals recommend
Bakery Nouveau
4737 California Ave SWTop-notch French bakery. Stop in for an authentic croissant and a latte. :)
Amazing ice cream. Be sure to ask for all the samples you want!
468 locals recommend
Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream
917 E Pine StAmazing ice cream. Be sure to ask for all the samples you want!
Excellent Italian-style pizza in this little tucked-away house. Worth the trip!
61 locals recommend
Pizzeria Pulcinella
10003 Rainier Ave SExcellent Italian-style pizza in this little tucked-away house. Worth the trip!
One of Seattle's iconic vegetarian restaurants. The brunch here is worth the wait!
150 locals recommend
Cafe Flora
2901 E Madison StOne of Seattle's iconic vegetarian restaurants. The brunch here is worth the wait!
Sisters' Espresso Inc
12805 1st Ave SDrive-through coffee stand! Great for a pit-stop on the way to the airport!
One of my favorite Thai restaurants in a city that has a lot of options. Quite simply, it's excellent.
12 locals recommend
May Restaurant and Lounge
1612 N 45th StOne of my favorite Thai restaurants in a city that has a lot of options. Quite simply, it's excellent.
One of the best brunch spots in Seattle. And that's saying something!
192 locals recommend
Geraldine's Counter Restaurant
4872 Rainier Ave SOne of the best brunch spots in Seattle. And that's saying something!
Portage Bay Cafe - Ballard
2821 NW Market StExcellent brunch, complete with a waffle/pancake bar!
A little brunch spot, perfect for some refreshment before or after a trip to Volunteer Park up the street.
179 locals recommend
Volunteer Park Cafe & Marketplace
1501 17th Ave EA little brunch spot, perfect for some refreshment before or after a trip to Volunteer Park up the street.
Coastal Kitchen
429 15th Ave EFantastic brunch spot with a rotating regional menu.
I heard through a good source that this place has authentic Vietnamese dishes that are uncommon elsewhere, like Rice Paper Salad (banh trang tron).
Che Dessert Lounge
7101 Martin Luther King Jr Way SI heard through a good source that this place has authentic Vietnamese dishes that are uncommon elsewhere, like Rice Paper Salad (banh trang tron).
All City Coffee
1205 S Vale StGreat tucked-away coffee shop in Georgetown.
Plum Bistro
1429 12th AveGreat vegan restaurant in the middle of Capitol Hill!
Want a bowl of chowder but hate the lines at the market? The secret 2nd location of Pike Place Chowder is on the top floor of the mall! The Seafood Bisque is my favorite.
9 locals recommend
Pike Place Chowder
600 Pine StreetWant a bowl of chowder but hate the lines at the market? The secret 2nd location of Pike Place Chowder is on the top floor of the mall! The Seafood Bisque is my favorite.
Square Knot Diner
Iconic retro diner in Georgetown.
Shopping
The antiques here are amazing! Thoughtfully curated furniture and decor abounds. Awesome records in the back room too. Say hi to owner Karl Hackett for me. :)
Jacob Willard Home
5600 Rainier Ave SThe antiques here are amazing! Thoughtfully curated furniture and decor abounds. Awesome records in the back room too. Say hi to owner Karl Hackett for me. :)
Meeples has a great selection of board games, PLUS an excellent cafe. Stop by on a rainy day with a friend, check out a game at the game library, and enjoy some pizza and beer. Highly recommended!
10 locals recommend
Meeples Games
3727 California Ave SWMeeples has a great selection of board games, PLUS an excellent cafe. Stop by on a rainy day with a friend, check out a game at the game library, and enjoy some pizza and beer. Highly recommended!
Seattle's iconic independent bookstore. Say hi to Wes for me!
243 locals recommend
The Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 10th AveSeattle's iconic independent bookstore. Say hi to Wes for me!
When you need a rubber chicken or a gorilla suit short notice, Archie McPhee is the place to be!
55 locals recommend
Archie McPhee
1300 N 45th StWhen you need a rubber chicken or a gorilla suit short notice, Archie McPhee is the place to be!
A huge store with a variety of modern furniture and decor.
13 locals recommend
Ballard Consignment Store
5459 Leary Ave NWA huge store with a variety of modern furniture and decor.
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveYes it's crowded and touristy, but it's worth the visit.
Parks & Nature
My favorite park in Seattle. You could spend all day here. Picnic in the old military district, and then hike down to the beach!
756 locals recommend
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdMy favorite park in Seattle. You could spend all day here. Picnic in the old military district, and then hike down to the beach!
One of Seattle's two old-growth forests. It's a lovely afternoon hike!
64 locals recommend
Schmitz Park
5551 SW Admiral WayOne of Seattle's two old-growth forests. It's a lovely afternoon hike!
This beautiful park is one of the highlights of Seattle. It has a large stand of old growth forest, which is amazing to get lost in.
477 locals recommend
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SThis beautiful park is one of the highlights of Seattle. It has a large stand of old growth forest, which is amazing to get lost in.
There's no better place to be on a hot day than Seattle's own Golden Gardens beach!
728 locals recommend
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWThere's no better place to be on a hot day than Seattle's own Golden Gardens beach!
Kerry Park
211 W Highland DrThis is a great place to get THE Seattle picture. :)
Rattlesnake Ledge is a great King County park in North Bend. It's a decent afternoon hike to the top, but totally worth it for the amazing views. When you get to the top, BE CAREFUL!
73 locals recommend
Rattlesnake Lake
Rattlesnake Ledge is a great King County park in North Bend. It's a decent afternoon hike to the top, but totally worth it for the amazing views. When you get to the top, BE CAREFUL!
Mailbox Peak is a decent day hike, with an actual mailbox at the top you can leave a note in!
9 locals recommend
Mailbox Peak Trail
Mailbox Peak TrailMailbox Peak is a decent day hike, with an actual mailbox at the top you can leave a note in!
One of the most popular mountain hikes in the Seattle area. Plan on spending an afternoon here.
39 locals recommend
Mount Si
Mount Si TrailOne of the most popular mountain hikes in the Seattle area. Plan on spending an afternoon here.
Iconic park that spans the I-5 corridor. Great place to stop and catch your breath between downtown and Capitol Hill.
17 locals recommend
Freeway Park
Iconic park that spans the I-5 corridor. Great place to stop and catch your breath between downtown and Capitol Hill.
A great day hike that ends in a gorgeous overlook, where paragliders jump off.
91 locals recommend
Poo Poo Point Trailhead
11400 Issaquah-Hobart Road SoutheastA great day hike that ends in a gorgeous overlook, where paragliders jump off.
AKA the never-ending stairway. It's a hidden park with a lovely view of Lake Union.
10 locals recommend
Streissguth Gardens
1640 Broadway EAKA the never-ending stairway. It's a hidden park with a lovely view of Lake Union.
One of Ballard's best-kept secrets. You can watch the sunset along with the crowds down at Golden Gardens, or sneak over to this tucked-away neighborhood park for an even better view, and no crowds.
83 locals recommend
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NWOne of Ballard's best-kept secrets. You can watch the sunset along with the crowds down at Golden Gardens, or sneak over to this tucked-away neighborhood park for an even better view, and no crowds.
Iconic Seattle park named after volunteers in the Spanish Civil War. It includes a gorgeous water tower, grassy areas, a wading pool, and a plant conservatory.
563 locals recommend
Volunteer Park
1247 15th Ave EIconic Seattle park named after volunteers in the Spanish Civil War. It includes a gorgeous water tower, grassy areas, a wading pool, and a plant conservatory.
One of Seattle's most iconic parks, and one of the best views you'll get of downtown Seattle. The old gas refinery equipment adds some steampunk ambiance to the park. It's a bit of a hike up the hill, but it's worth it!
860 locals recommend
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake WayOne of Seattle's most iconic parks, and one of the best views you'll get of downtown Seattle. The old gas refinery equipment adds some steampunk ambiance to the park. It's a bit of a hike up the hill, but it's worth it!
Alki Beach
Gorgeous waterfront park in West Seattle.
Drinks & Nightlife
Amazing cask-style ales on tap in an iconic setting. No nonsense, just a quiet place to enjoy an excellent beer. Sometimes they have folk night jams, which are fun to watch.
17 locals recommend
Machine House Brewery
5718 Airport Way SAmazing cask-style ales on tap in an iconic setting. No nonsense, just a quiet place to enjoy an excellent beer. Sometimes they have folk night jams, which are fun to watch.
Check out a weekend show at Seattle's home for competitive improv comedy, ComedySportz!
CSz Seattle - Home of ComedySportz
3509 Fremont Ave NCheck out a weekend show at Seattle's home for competitive improv comedy, ComedySportz!
Voted best burger in Seattle! However, my personal favorite is the salmon sandwich. Worth it!
34 locals recommend
Loretta's Northwesterner
8617 14th Ave SVoted best burger in Seattle! However, my personal favorite is the salmon sandwich. Worth it!
Beer Star
9801 16th Ave SWBeer as far as the eye can see!
The Company Store
9608 16th Ave SWSing your heart out over drinks and bar food!
Old-school Seattle bar with plenty of arcade machines to keep you busy!
45 locals recommend
Zoo Tavern
2301 Eastlake Ave EOld-school Seattle bar with plenty of arcade machines to keep you busy!
What can you say about the Unicorn? It's one of those places you just have to visit to see for yourself. :)
171 locals recommend
Unicorn
1118 E Pike StWhat can you say about the Unicorn? It's one of those places you just have to visit to see for yourself. :)
Bottleworks
1710 N 45th StA little tucked-away beer bar with amazing selection.
This place has expanded a lot over the past 10 years. I remember when it was just a little hole-in-the-wall with incredible beer. Now it's a full-service brew-pub with incredible beer. Try the Fremont Pale Ale or the Interurban IPA. You won't regret it.
277 locals recommend
Fremont Brewing Company
1050 N 34th StThis place has expanded a lot over the past 10 years. I remember when it was just a little hole-in-the-wall with incredible beer. Now it's a full-service brew-pub with incredible beer. Try the Fremont Pale Ale or the Interurban IPA. You won't regret it.
Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub
255 SW 152nd StGreat brewpub in Burien!
German for "Quittin' time!" Chill German bar with classic brews and sausages.
7 locals recommend
Feierabend
422 Yale Ave NGerman for "Quittin' time!" Chill German bar with classic brews and sausages.
College Inn Pub
4006 University Way NEThis is where the graduate students hang out. Cool underground vibe and a full menu.
Arts & Culture
Spend a couple hours browsing books at Seattle's famous library, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
220 locals recommend
Seattle Public Library
1000 4th AveSpend a couple hours browsing books at Seattle's famous library, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
World-renowned research university with gorgeous campus. Check out the Odegaard and Suzzallo libraries. Visit the quad in the springtime for the cherry blossoms.
329 locals recommend
University of Washington
1410 Northeast Campus ParkwayWorld-renowned research university with gorgeous campus. Check out the Odegaard and Suzzallo libraries. Visit the quad in the springtime for the cherry blossoms.
Sightseeing
Take a stroll through the heart of Capitol Hill and enjoy some people-watching!
191 locals recommend
Cal Anderson Park
1635 11th AvenueTake a stroll through the heart of Capitol Hill and enjoy some people-watching!
It's a bit pricey, but the new observation deck is supposed to be cool!
1748 locals recommend
Space Needle
400 Broad StIt's a bit pricey, but the new observation deck is supposed to be cool!
The boat to Bainbridge Island is one of the prettiest views you'll have of the Puget Sound. On the way back, it's one of the best views you'll have of the Seattle skyline, especially at night. Very rarely, you might also catch a glimpse of an orca whale pod frolicking in the water. Not bad for an $8 ferry ride!
138 locals recommend
Bainbridge Island
The boat to Bainbridge Island is one of the prettiest views you'll have of the Puget Sound. On the way back, it's one of the best views you'll have of the Seattle skyline, especially at night. Very rarely, you might also catch a glimpse of an orca whale pod frolicking in the water. Not bad for an $8 ferry ride!
Entertainment & Activities
Great little movie theater showing classics and second-run movies!
128 locals recommend
Central Cinema
1411 21st AveGreat little movie theater showing classics and second-run movies!
Arthouse film theater showing classics and new releases in Capitol Hill.
32 locals recommend
Northwest Film Forum
1515 12th AveArthouse film theater showing classics and new releases in Capitol Hill.
Check out this late-night arcade, filled with dozens of vintage pinball and arcade machines!
55 locals recommend
Add-A-Ball
315 N 36th StCheck out this late-night arcade, filled with dozens of vintage pinball and arcade machines!
The Center for Wooden Boats regularly has sailboat tours of Lake Union. I think it's usually Sunday afternoons, but check their website for details.
101 locals recommend
The Center for Wooden Boats
1010 Valley StThe Center for Wooden Boats regularly has sailboat tours of Lake Union. I think it's usually Sunday afternoons, but check their website for details.
Awesome vintage arcade games and pinball machines at the Seattle Pinball Museum!
57 locals recommend
Seattle Pinball Museum
508 Maynard Ave SAwesome vintage arcade games and pinball machines at the Seattle Pinball Museum!