Jen's Guidebook
My favorite beach
Seals and sea lions show up on the regular, and there’s a playground, beach volleyball, and food and drink (Little Coney has great soft-serve!).
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWFood scene
Best bread around, just a few streets down from our place. We love the multigrain, Baker St. sourdough, and hominy breads, and the cinnamon rolls and cookies!
32 locals recommend
Tall Grass Bakery
5907 24th Ave NWBest bread around, just a few streets down from our place. We love the multigrain, Baker St. sourdough, and hominy breads, and the cinnamon rolls and cookies!
Simple, family-friendly pizza place with gluten-free options, sports on TV, a full bar, and beers on tap.
17 locals recommend
Patxi's Pizza Ballard
5323 Ballard Ave NWSimple, family-friendly pizza place with gluten-free options, sports on TV, a full bar, and beers on tap.
Best candy store in Seattle! Old-fashioned and newfangled candies plus homemade fudge and truffles. One of our neighbors does the beautiful window displays.
Sweet Mickey’s Candy Shoppe
5338 Ballard Avenue NorthwestBest candy store in Seattle! Old-fashioned and newfangled candies plus homemade fudge and truffles. One of our neighbors does the beautiful window displays.
Yummy Cuban sandwiches right across the street from the water and marina.
136 locals recommend
Un Bien
7302.5 15th Ave NWYummy Cuban sandwiches right across the street from the water and marina.
Anchored Ship Coffee Bar
5308 Ballard Ave NWGreat coffee
Terrific upscale Italian food, wine, and craft cocktails in the cozy environment of an old house on central Ballard Avenue. Everything they make seems to be exceptional, from the charcuterie to the Manhattans to the risotto and pasta.
39 locals recommend
San Fermo
5341 Ballard Ave NWTerrific upscale Italian food, wine, and craft cocktails in the cozy environment of an old house on central Ballard Avenue. Everything they make seems to be exceptional, from the charcuterie to the Manhattans to the risotto and pasta.
Gracia
5313 Ballard Ave NWTerrific Mexican food and free kid burritos!
Bookstores
Founded decades ago as an all-children’s bookstore, Secret Garden has blossomed into a full-service shop for all ages, with sellers’ recommendations and a little sitting area for kids. Every book seller here is friendly and happy to help, and there’s also a magazine rack with tons of variety.
Secret Garden Bookshop
2214 NW Market StSightseeing
All things Nordic reside here. It’s a great museum with rotating exhibitions as well as a rich permanent collection. Our neighborhood, Ballard, was the place in Seattle where Nordic folks created community when they immigrated to Seattle, hence the location!
127 locals recommend
National Nordic Museum
2655 NW Market StAll things Nordic reside here. It’s a great museum with rotating exhibitions as well as a rich permanent collection. Our neighborhood, Ballard, was the place in Seattle where Nordic folks created community when they immigrated to Seattle, hence the location!