Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
Brunswick & Hunt
1480 NW 70th StNew American. Local fare. Great atmosphere. Great for brunch.
Damn fine neapolitan pizza and salads. Always busy, so expect to wait. Luckily, essex is right next door, and operated by Delancey, so they will come get you when your table is ready, just let them know that you are headed next door.
123 locals recommend
Delancey
1415 NW 70th StDamn fine neapolitan pizza and salads. Always busy, so expect to wait. Luckily, essex is right next door, and operated by Delancey, so they will come get you when your table is ready, just let them know that you are headed next door.
Frankie & Jo's Ballard
1411 NW 70th StPlant based ice cream who’s flavors push boundaries.
Authentic, northern Thai style dishes where they actually use Bird’s Eye chilis.
51 locals recommend
Pestle Rock
2305 NW Market StAuthentic, northern Thai style dishes where they actually use Bird’s Eye chilis.
San Fermo
5341 Ballard Ave NWItalian food in a transportive, restored porch-house setting.
Seafood, esp. Oysters and crudos with serious cocktails - like a fisherman in a three piece suit.
246 locals recommend
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWSeafood, esp. Oysters and crudos with serious cocktails - like a fisherman in a three piece suit.
Sen Noodle Bar
2307 NW Market StStraight-up, unctuous noodle soups and stir frys.
Some of the best food we’ve had in the past 12 months. Get the halibut. We’re serious.
72 locals recommend
Brimmer & Heeltap
425 NW Market StSome of the best food we’ve had in the past 12 months. Get the halibut. We’re serious.
Veraci Pizza
500 NW Market StJust really good pizza to-go or by the slice from a brick oven.
The most undeniably snobby place for coffee but, admittedly, the coffee is really good, especially if you like single origin varietals and espresso.
49 locals recommend
Slate Coffee Bar
5413 6th Ave NWThe most undeniably snobby place for coffee but, admittedly, the coffee is really good, especially if you like single origin varietals and espresso.
Milstead & Co.
754 N 34th StGreat coffee. Good place to work.
Best tea house. Great vibe. Perfect spot for hanging out and sharing a pot of tea.
28 locals recommend
Miro Tea
5405 Ballard Ave NWBest tea house. Great vibe. Perfect spot for hanging out and sharing a pot of tea.
BEST FRENCH PASTRIES!!!! On the weekend, it’s mad busy after 9am. To beat the line, go early between 7 and 8am. Weekdays, it’s not nearly as busy.
155 locals recommend
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWBEST FRENCH PASTRIES!!!! On the weekend, it’s mad busy after 9am. To beat the line, go early between 7 and 8am. Weekdays, it’s not nearly as busy.
The owners of Paseo have moved on, to Un Bien. Better sandwiches than you'll find at Paseo now....
136 locals recommend
Un Bien
7302.5 15th Ave NWThe owners of Paseo have moved on, to Un Bien. Better sandwiches than you'll find at Paseo now....
Drinks & Nightlife
Rotating craft beer on 12 taps in the comfiest neighborhood gathering place
35 locals recommend
The Dray
708 NW 65th StRotating craft beer on 12 taps in the comfiest neighborhood gathering place
Essex
1421 NW 70th StCocktails and amaro. Next to delancey - great place to wait for a table.
Scotch and the best fish ‘n chips - like eating cod wrapped in a fried pillow.
19 locals recommend
Macleod’s Scottish Pub
5200 Ballard Ave NWScotch and the best fish ‘n chips - like eating cod wrapped in a fried pillow.
One of the best breweries in town. If you only go to one brewery, go to Holy Mountain.
36 locals recommend
Holy Mountain Brewing Company
1421 Elliott Ave WOne of the best breweries in town. If you only go to one brewery, go to Holy Mountain.
One of our beloved regional breweries. Rotating hazy IPAs and really good stouts.
277 locals recommend
Fremont Brewing Company
1050 N 34th StOne of our beloved regional breweries. Rotating hazy IPAs and really good stouts.
Tractor Tavern
5213 Ballard Ave NWLocal favorite for small concerts.
Cool vibe. Tiki drinks. Personal favorite is the Pain Killer.
Often has small bands or musicians.
23 locals recommend
Hotel Albatross
2319 NW Market StCool vibe. Tiki drinks. Personal favorite is the Pain Killer.
Often has small bands or musicians.
Sightseeing
Watch the boats travel through the locks and spot blue herons and occasionally a seal. Also a nice place to walk, or have a picnic.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StWatch the boats travel through the locks and spot blue herons and occasionally a seal. Also a nice place to walk, or have a picnic.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., year round. Local produce, food, arts and crafts from local artisans. A ballard staple for locals.
220 locals recommend
Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
5345 Ballard Ave NWSunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., year round. Local produce, food, arts and crafts from local artisans. A ballard staple for locals.
Fremont Troll
Troll Avenue NorthFeatured in the much-loved classic 10 Things I Hate About You.
Take a ferry to Bainbridge. A ferry ride alone is a MUST. Beautiful views of the city and a unique way to travel.
Take a bus or uber downtown, then walk on the ferry. Taking a car isn't necessary.
138 locals recommend
Bainbridge Island
Take a ferry to Bainbridge. A ferry ride alone is a MUST. Beautiful views of the city and a unique way to travel.
Take a bus or uber downtown, then walk on the ferry. Taking a car isn't necessary.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful park with nice sandy beaches. Great for watching the sunset.
41 locals recommend
Golden Gardens Park Road
Golden Gardens Park RoadBeautiful park with nice sandy beaches. Great for watching the sunset.
Our favorite park in Seattle. So many trails, wonderful views from the bluff, beaches and the Daybreak Star Center Native American Cultural Center.
756 locals recommend
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdOur favorite park in Seattle. So many trails, wonderful views from the bluff, beaches and the Daybreak Star Center Native American Cultural Center.
Greenlake is nice place to hang out and have a picnic, or walk all the way around the lake for some leisurely exercise. Or rent a bike and ride around.
624 locals recommend
Green Lake
Greenlake is nice place to hang out and have a picnic, or walk all the way around the lake for some leisurely exercise. Or rent a bike and ride around.
Essentials
Ballard Market
1400 NW 56th StLocal produce stand that has many of the basics: bread, eggs, cheese, milk.
18 locals recommend
Top Banana
6501 15th Ave NWLocal produce stand that has many of the basics: bread, eggs, cheese, milk.
Entertainment & Activities
Majestic Bay Theatres
2044 NW Market StBest arcade around. A great rainy day or evening activity.
Just bring some cash to exchange for quarters, and have a few hours of budget-friendly play!
55 locals recommend
Add-A-Ball
315 N 36th StBest arcade around. A great rainy day or evening activity.
Just bring some cash to exchange for quarters, and have a few hours of budget-friendly play!
Shopping
Lucky Vintage
5424 Ballard Ave NWBest vintage finds!
Tides & Pines
5410 22nd Ave NWA cross between PNW ruggedness and concert-goer vibes.
Modern. Great modern/contemporary jewelry by local artists. Funky clothes, and great gifts.
15 locals recommend
Prism
5208 Ballard Ave NWModern. Great modern/contemporary jewelry by local artists. Funky clothes, and great gifts.