Seattle - Recommendations

This is a list of my personal recommendations for Seattle that I share with my friends (last updated 6.25.2016) - it has grown quite a bit so it's a little intimidating now :P. That being said, if you have any specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email! I love creating custom itineraries. And when in doubt, yelp is fairly reliable!

To help, I've added these items to a My Map in Google. Feel free to take a look and use as needed!

If you're interested in going to multiple of these locations, you might want to check out this Seattle City Pass that has some pretty good discounts!

DISCLAIMER: this is not an all inclusive list by any means. so many places I have yet to try! use this as a starting point or if you have any you feel should be on this list, let me know! :D I will try them for the sake of science! :P

LEGEND:

S = sight

B = breakfast/brunch

L = lunch

D = dinner

A = afterhours

O = other

!!!!! = recommended

pikes place/downtown:

!!!!! - S - Pikes Place : for the iconic picture, stand at the flower shop at the corner of 1st and Pike

- S - Gum Wall : from the corner of 1st and Pike, head down the ramp on the left to access the gum wall

!!!!! - B - The Crumpet Shop : fresh crumpets and tea with delicious savory and sweet options!

!!!!! - B/L - Piroshky Piroshky : freshly baked bread filled with savory and sweet options (salmon is my fave!) Usually a long line but goes by quick

!!!!! - B/S - Oldest Starbucks : great photo op or for going on a weekday or early in the morning, has special pike place mug that is only sold in this store

- O - Ellenos Greek Yogurt : the best greek yogurt I've ever had and you can get a reasonably priced cup to walk around with (passionfruit is my fave!)

- D - Sushi Kashiba : high end sushi place created by Chef Shiro-san who was the owner of Shiro's before selling and opening here using his last name. Go late or go at least an hour before opening to get a good seat.

- O - Elliott's Oyster House : awesome progressive oyster happy hour on weekdays between 3-5 pm, on the waterfront

- O - Ivar's Acres of Clams : iconic restaurant on the waterfront that was recently remodeled. I've only come for clam chowder but you can also get this at the airport

- O - Pike Place Chowder : chowder with a long line that goes fast. would not recommend bread bowl or lobster roll...SKIPABLE if you're already full with other foods.

- D - Purple - great American restaurant that is a little more pricey and intimate : faves - baked brie, salted caramels

- D - Pink Door - interesting venue with pretty decent Italian food. when i went they were also having burlesque show right next to restaurant. RESERVE IN ADVANCE

pioneer square:

!!!!! - L - Salumi - salami and hot sandwiches owned by Mario Batali's father. you can ask you try and they'll give you a slice of everything :) : i usu go for hot soppressata or agrumi on the ciabatta -ish roll. A LONG WAIT during peak times

- L - Il Corvo - small Italian hole in the wall that has fresh made pasta and sauces

capitol hill:

!!!!! - L/D - Serious Pie and Starbucks Reserve - thin crust brick oven pizza by local celebrity chef Tom Douglas: picked the capitol hill location because I think it's in a cool location inside the Starbucks Reserve! This is also just a few storefronts away from Taylor Shellfish!

!!!!! - O - Molly Moon's - famous local ice cream chain...may see a long line

- L/D - Taylor Shellfish - oyster on the half shell, geoduck sashimi, also can buy and take home to shuck! Creator of the Shigoku oyster (small, big cup, sweet and meaty!).

- O - Pie Bar - tiny hole in the wall with a ridiculous crumble topping, good service, good pie, good dessert drinks!

- L/D - Vostok Dumpling - russian dumplings. freaking delicious and filling.

- O - Kurt Farm Shop - upscale fresh ice cream in a cute alleyway

- O/S - Dick's Drive In - another seattle staple. no in-n-out but will definitely see a bunch of people here after hours

!!!!! - O - Monster Dogs - honestly, you can go to any of the hot dog stands but you should try the famous seattle dog - cream cheese and grilled onions!

international district:

- L/D - Humble Pie : super unique brick oven pizza where bringing a friend is necessary as they only sell whole pies. super fresh ingredients (they have chickens!) and cool experience but I'm not a super fan of the sauce (a little on the sweeter side for me).

- B - Harbor City : pretty decent dim sum! has a long wait so make sure you go early!

- D - Ping's Dumpling House - juicy pork dumplings or xiao long bao or XLB. I also just love the old man that works as the server.

belltown:

!!!!! - B - Dahlia Lounge - amazing brunch by same celebrity chef Tom Douglas - duck hash, french toast, donuts, famous coconut pie (not for the lactose intolerant :P)

!!!!! - D - Tavolata : italian, restaurant by another local celebrity chef Ethan Stowell - some of the best pasta I've ever eaten! recommend going during HH :)

- D - List : tapas style - truffle gnocchi, mushroom soup, spicy meatballs...try to go during happy hour = 50% off food

queen anne:

!!!!! - S - Seattle Center :

- Chihuly Garden and Glass - one of my faves but I'm obsessed with Chihuly (creator of the Bellagio lobby art piece)

- Space Needle - cool on a nice day...but big drawback is that being in it means you don't see it as part of the skyline (see Kerry Park below for additional details)

- Laser Dome at Pacific Science Center - really cool light shows and you can lie on the floor!

- EMP Museum - cool on outside and usually has cool exhibits going on the inside

- Ride the Ducks - one of the best ways to tour seattle! usually pretty funny and informative, though it has gotten pretty tame since the last time I rode

!!!!! - S - Kerry Park - - tiny park but the best skyline view of seattle. Awesome on clear days when you can see Mt. Rainier and awesome both in the day, at night, and even during sunset!

fremont:

!!!!! - L - Paseo - caribbean roast sandwich. LONG LINE so recommend going on off hour on or order to go and pick up. I usually take mine to Gasworks Park when the weather is nice

!!!!! - S - Gasworks Park - awesome view over the lake, awesome place to eat your paseo sandwich! :) also plenty of parking!

!!!!! - S - Fremont Troll - unique photo op that shouldn't be missed!

others:

!!!!! - D - Walrus and the Carpenter - (Ballard) fried oysters, raw oysters, and delicious seafood. more expensive, tasty food with rotating menu, no reservations so get there before 4!

This is also a good place to start restaurant/bar hopping by walking northwest on that street towards Market Street (see Google Map - "Afterhours" section)

- B - Fat Hen - (Phinney Ridge) cute hole in the wall that always has a line and no reservations. as you guessed it, specializes in eggs!

- B - Morsel and Bean - (Ballard) if the line is too long at Fat Hen, try this delicious biscuit joint for a Spanish Fly on cheddar chive

- B/O - Salty's on Alki : (West Seattle) recommend the brunch where there is unlimited oysters and seafood and all the food is on point. one of the few places you can enjoy Fisher's biscuits without going to a fair. Also, the view is phenomenal!