Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
The Yard Cafe
8313 Greenwood Ave NAwesome patio! And cool secret local spot.
Our favorite "closet" restaurant. Great budget friendly Happy Hour from 4-6pm, great pizzas, wine, salads, and drinks. This is a locals spot, and one place to head if you just want something really close by. We also really love the Vietnamese restaurant two doors down called Bahn Town for a quick bowl of pho or Bahn Mi sandwich.
26 locals recommend
The Alibi Room Greenwood
10406 Holman Rd NOur favorite "closet" restaurant. Great budget friendly Happy Hour from 4-6pm, great pizzas, wine, salads, and drinks. This is a locals spot, and one place to head if you just want something really close by. We also really love the Vietnamese restaurant two doors down called Bahn Town for a quick bowl of pho or Bahn Mi sandwich.
Patty's Eggnest is not a "HIP" spot. It is a diner. But that is exactly why we like it (well, and because it's literally two blocks away!) It is one of the few spots yet to be "discovered" by hipsters, so you can actually get a table for brunch on a Saturday without waiting an hour, yay! They serve huge portions for breakfast. They don't have fancy gluten free toast, or free range eggs (although I wish they had both!) but you will get a nice value, and it's pretty good for what it is.
If you want the fancier option, we also love Portage Bay in Ballard for breakfast which comes complete with a berry bar, but you'll have to wait with the crowds on a busy morning so don't go too hungry. :)
8 locals recommend
Patty's Eggnest
9749 Holman Rd NWPatty's Eggnest is not a "HIP" spot. It is a diner. But that is exactly why we like it (well, and because it's literally two blocks away!) It is one of the few spots yet to be "discovered" by hipsters, so you can actually get a table for brunch on a Saturday without waiting an hour, yay! They serve huge portions for breakfast. They don't have fancy gluten free toast, or free range eggs (although I wish they had both!) but you will get a nice value, and it's pretty good for what it is.
If you want the fancier option, we also love Portage Bay in Ballard for breakfast which comes complete with a berry bar, but you'll have to wait with the crowds on a busy morning so don't go too hungry. :)
This is the fanciest option nearby and boy does it have great cocktails! This place is definitely not cheap, but it's where you go on a fancy date or to celebrate being on vacation. It's even just close enough that you can walk home if you do have too many amazing cocktails.
63 locals recommend
FlintCreek Cattle Co
8421 Greenwood Ave NThis is the fanciest option nearby and boy does it have great cocktails! This place is definitely not cheap, but it's where you go on a fancy date or to celebrate being on vacation. It's even just close enough that you can walk home if you do have too many amazing cocktails.
Best Restaurant in Seattle. Hidden away and cool. Hit happy hour for oysters and cocktails.
246 locals recommend
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWBest Restaurant in Seattle. Hidden away and cool. Hit happy hour for oysters and cocktails.
Drinks & Nightlife
Romantic venue for tapas and cocktails. Good happy hour for the budget minded.
38 locals recommend
Gainsbourg
8550 Greenwood Ave NRomantic venue for tapas and cocktails. Good happy hour for the budget minded.
This place is the quintessential Seattle neighborhood bar for a rainy (or even sunny) day when you just want to cozy up with a pint of beer and your friends.
20 locals recommend
The Cozy Nut Tavern
123 N 85th StThis place is the quintessential Seattle neighborhood bar for a rainy (or even sunny) day when you just want to cozy up with a pint of beer and your friends.
Parks & Nature
Just behind the QFC grocery store a couple blocks away you will find one of the park entrances. This specific entrance leads you on a forested hike all the way to the waterfront. It is a two hour round trip hike. It can be muddy after rains, but it is a beautiful break from the city when you need it. The waterfront has a beach and nice views.
Northwest Carkeek Park Road
Northwest Carkeek Park RoadJust behind the QFC grocery store a couple blocks away you will find one of the park entrances. This specific entrance leads you on a forested hike all the way to the waterfront. It is a two hour round trip hike. It can be muddy after rains, but it is a beautiful break from the city when you need it. The waterfront has a beach and nice views.
Arts & Culture
Tranquil spot to watch the maritime industry, check out the salmon (when in season), and then grab lunch in hip Ballard neighborhood. It's free.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StTranquil spot to watch the maritime industry, check out the salmon (when in season), and then grab lunch in hip Ballard neighborhood. It's free.
Shopping
A must-do for Seattle tourists. If you can, go really early or on a weekday (or both) to avoid the crowds. Make sure to check out post alley also, and buy some local fruits and delicacies (smoked salmon is a must!)
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveA must-do for Seattle tourists. If you can, go really early or on a weekday (or both) to avoid the crowds. Make sure to check out post alley also, and buy some local fruits and delicacies (smoked salmon is a must!)