Claire’s Guide to Getting Out of the Tourist Traps
Quick bites
Inexpensive, delicious mexican food. This spot features lots of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as options for kids. The queso is amazing!
COVID (as of 7/17): Open for outdoor seating and take-out. Call to confirm, though.
16 residents recomanen
Rocket Taco
602 19th Ave EInexpensive, delicious mexican food. This spot features lots of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as options for kids. The queso is amazing!
COVID (as of 7/17): Open for outdoor seating and take-out. Call to confirm, though.
This is one of the best coffee and breakfast places in the city, full stop. The baked goods are incredible, definitely get a roly-poly or a chocolate croissant when you stop in. They also have salads, sandwiches, and (my favorite) quiche. Not to be missed!!
COVID Update (7/17): Open for take out.
283 residents recomanen
Macrina Bakery & Cafe
2408 1st AveThis is one of the best coffee and breakfast places in the city, full stop. The baked goods are incredible, definitely get a roly-poly or a chocolate croissant when you stop in. They also have salads, sandwiches, and (my favorite) quiche. Not to be missed!!
COVID Update (7/17): Open for take out.
Awesome burger place. Great for a quick, casual bite. Options for kids. Options for vegans/vegetarians. Gluten free option available too! So yummy with lots of local beer.
COVID Update (7/17): Open for take out.
27 residents recomanen
Two Doors Down
2332 E Madison StAwesome burger place. Great for a quick, casual bite. Options for kids. Options for vegans/vegetarians. Gluten free option available too! So yummy with lots of local beer.
COVID Update (7/17): Open for take out.
Food scene
Delicious, high-end Vietnamese food. This restaurant is on the pricier side but worth it. A great spot for a cocktail, or glass of wine. Perfect for a date night. Highly recommended!
COVID Update (7/17): Limited seating in restaurant. Limited outdoor seating. Open for take out.
115 residents recomanen
Monsoon Seattle
615 19th Ave EDelicious, high-end Vietnamese food. This restaurant is on the pricier side but worth it. A great spot for a cocktail, or glass of wine. Perfect for a date night. Highly recommended!
COVID Update (7/17): Limited seating in restaurant. Limited outdoor seating. Open for take out.
If you are a foodie, check out this restaurant that has garnered a lot of local and national attention. Be sure to make a reservation (during COVID times), or get there right when they open to snag a table.
246 residents recomanen
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWIf you are a foodie, check out this restaurant that has garnered a lot of local and national attention. Be sure to make a reservation (during COVID times), or get there right when they open to snag a table.
How To Cook A Wolf - Madison Park
4200 E Madison StNeighborhoods
Ballard is an old Seattle neighborhood that has it's roots in Scandanavian fisherman. It used to be pretty industrial, but is now a beloved Seattle hangout. There is a lot to do there, but here are a few ideas:
1. Get a beer passport and tour the breweries. Start at Ballard Beer Co. for an intro to local Seattle beer. Once there, you will be able to walk to 10 different local breweries and taprooms all within a mile. Our favorites are Stoop, and Reuben's (an award winning local brewery - great patio!)
2. Shop: There is lots of great local shopping along Ballard Ave, and NW Market.
3. Farmer's Market: If you go on Sunday, there is a big farmer's market that sells local produce and goods. Also has a big selection of food trucks that show up. Tandoozy is our favorite!
4. Eat: Some favorite Ballard restaurants include San Fermo (amazing, upscale Italian), Moshi Moshi (delicious, fresh, sushi), and El Borracho (local Mexican bar with friendly staff, cheap drinks and huge burritos).
261 residents recomanen
Ballard
Ballard is an old Seattle neighborhood that has it's roots in Scandanavian fisherman. It used to be pretty industrial, but is now a beloved Seattle hangout. There is a lot to do there, but here are a few ideas:
1. Get a beer passport and tour the breweries. Start at Ballard Beer Co. for an intro to local Seattle beer. Once there, you will be able to walk to 10 different local breweries and taprooms all within a mile. Our favorites are Stoop, and Reuben's (an award winning local brewery - great patio!)
2. Shop: There is lots of great local shopping along Ballard Ave, and NW Market.
3. Farmer's Market: If you go on Sunday, there is a big farmer's market that sells local produce and goods. Also has a big selection of food trucks that show up. Tandoozy is our favorite!
4. Eat: Some favorite Ballard restaurants include San Fermo (amazing, upscale Italian), Moshi Moshi (delicious, fresh, sushi), and El Borracho (local Mexican bar with friendly staff, cheap drinks and huge burritos).
Capitol Hill is a large area of Seattle encompassing our quiet part of the neighborhood, as well as some of the best nightlife the city has to offer. Head down to 12th and Pine to start, and wander the streets for shopping, bars, and restaurants. This is also Seattle's Gayborhood. There are lots of great gay-bars such as R-Place, that have fun drag shows, and great drinks and dancing!
344 residents recomanen
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is a large area of Seattle encompassing our quiet part of the neighborhood, as well as some of the best nightlife the city has to offer. Head down to 12th and Pine to start, and wander the streets for shopping, bars, and restaurants. This is also Seattle's Gayborhood. There are lots of great gay-bars such as R-Place, that have fun drag shows, and great drinks and dancing!
Sightseeing
Alki is part of West-Seattle, and showcases sunny California vibes. Head to the strip of sidewalk behind Alki Beach for beautiful views, and delicious restaurants. El Chupacabra and Cactus are both favorites for Mexican food. Salty's for even more beautiful views (although it is pretty $$), or Duke's is also a good option for seafood.
865 residents recomanen
Alki Beach
Alki is part of West-Seattle, and showcases sunny California vibes. Head to the strip of sidewalk behind Alki Beach for beautiful views, and delicious restaurants. El Chupacabra and Cactus are both favorites for Mexican food. Salty's for even more beautiful views (although it is pretty $$), or Duke's is also a good option for seafood.
Discovery park is a huge park in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. If you want to experience a PNW hike without getting out of the city, this is your place. Beautiful views, big fields to play in, and a leg-burning stair climb down to a lovely beach and back. Highly recommended. Bring a picnic!
756 residents recomanen
Parc Discovery
3801 Discovery Park BlvdDiscovery park is a huge park in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. If you want to experience a PNW hike without getting out of the city, this is your place. Beautiful views, big fields to play in, and a leg-burning stair climb down to a lovely beach and back. Highly recommended. Bring a picnic!
Just down the hill from us, all the way down East Madison, it’s a great place to see Lake Washington and close to neighborhood restaurants.
Madison Park Beach
Just down the hill from us, all the way down East Madison, it’s a great place to see Lake Washington and close to neighborhood restaurants.
Shopping
Super fancy outdoor shopping mall with many options for food, drinks, and shopping for anything you might need. This mall has 5 (yes 5!!) Starbucks, a Tesla store, and more! If you are into shopping, I highly recommend checking this area out!
403 residents recomanen
University Village
2623 NE University Village StSuper fancy outdoor shopping mall with many options for food, drinks, and shopping for anything you might need. This mall has 5 (yes 5!!) Starbucks, a Tesla store, and more! If you are into shopping, I highly recommend checking this area out!
Nordstrom's flagship store. Check out the top two floors for pop-up shops, like Nike (current). Not-to-be-missed if you are into shopping!
21 residents recomanen
Spa Nordstrom - Downtown Seattle
500 Pine StNordstrom's flagship store. Check out the top two floors for pop-up shops, like Nike (current). Not-to-be-missed if you are into shopping!