If you’re planning to visit this beautiful city I call home, I have quite a few suggestions for you! If you’re hoping for something a bit more detailed, check out my weekend guide here! I share tips on how to get around, where to buy a City Pass, and more!
For a simpler guide, here’s a list of some of my absolute favorite places to visit in Seattle:
- Glo’s Cafe // Amazing breakfast! They serve the best hash browns and the tastiest Eggs Benedict I’ve ever had. (Seriously!) There’s always a wait, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re in the Capitol Hill area! Helpful tip: They don’t take reservations, but you can still call ahead of time and ask to put your name down on the list. When you get there, just check-in at the front desk. You have to wait outside for a table, so if it’s raining, bring an umbrella!
- I recommend: The Eggs Florentine and lots of hash browns.
- Lola // Have you heard of Tom Douglas? He’s a famous Seattle chef who owns quite a few spots around the city. This is his breakfast place, and you’re going to need to make a reservation. If you forget, the wait will probably be one to two hours (not joking), but it’ll be worth it!
- I recommend: The Egg’s Benedict with the Made-To-Order Doughnuts. They’re little bite-sized pieces of sugary heaven!
- Dahlia Bakery // Another Tom Douglas favorite, and my go-to for a quick bite downtown. The shop is itty bitty inside, but I think that just adds to the specialness of it! Their fresh bakery items are all to die for and impossible to stand next to in line without ordering. I have a serious obsession with their breakfast sammies!
- I recommend: The Zesty Kale Sammy and a Chocolate Chunk cookie.
- Silence-Heart-Nest // This is a cute Vegetarian breakfast and brunch spot in Fremont. I love the atmosphere and the story behind it.
- I recommend: The Eggs Florentine. The hollandaise sauce has dill in it (which I love), and it also comes with yummy breakfast potatoes.
- Biscuit Bitch // This place is usually packed, but visiting is worth it if you’re in Seattle and happen to be a fan of delicious biscuits and gravy. Ordering food with some sass is always fun, too. Try ordering a “Straight-Up Bitch” with a straight face. 🙂
- Tilikum Place Cafe // One of Seattle’s most beloved breakfast/brunch spots. The wait might make you crazy, so I’d highly recommend making a reservation. They’re famous for their Dutch Babies and baked beans.
- Humble Pie // If you’re visiting Seattle during the summer months, make sure you head here to enjoy delicious, thin crust pizza outdoors. They have a huge wood fire oven, an outdoor garden, and even a chicken coop!
- I recommend: The Field Roast pizza.
- Kaosamai // THE. BEST. PA’NANG. CURRY. Seriously, it’s so delicious! Everything else I’ve tried is tasty, too. Having this restaurant just around the corner from my apartment is wonderful, but also dangerous. The service is really great, too!
- I recommend: The Pa’Nang Curry (obviously) or Phad See Iew, and a Thai Iced Tea.
- Sichuanese Cuisine // This is the best Chinese restaurant I’ve been to in Seattle. It’s located in the International District and has some of the tastiest dishes! It’s pretty small and usually really packed, but if you have to wait, it’s worth it! (I blogged about it here.)
- I recommend: The Chengdu Noodles and the Dry Cooked String Beans.
- Momiji // My favorite sushi place in Seattle! I love it because they have an entire page full of creative vegetarian sushi, and it’s awesome being able to watch the chefs prepare the food at the bar. The decor is sleek yet cozy and the atmosphere is perfect for an intimate date night.
- I recommend: The Green Decadence Roll.
- Barrio // If you’re in the mood for fancy-style Mexican food, this is the place! Barrio is easy to find on Capitol Hill and has a really nice casual, but classy feel. The staff is also super sweet, so that helps!
- I recommend: The Vegetable Cazuela and Red Sangria.
- Pie // This place sells little sweet and savory pies for one. I’ve never been disappointed here. There’s just something so comforting about a warm and tasty pot pie. They also give a 10% discount to Car2Go users which is pretty awesome. All you have to do is show your card!
- I recommend: The Creamy Asparagus Savory Pie or the Strawberry and Rhubarb Sweet Pie.
- The Masonry // I’m obsessed with this pizza place. It’s one of the only pizza places I’ve been to where I can actually finish an entire pizza by myself. There are two locations in Seattle now, but my favorite is still the original in Queen Anne on Roy Street. The newer location is in Fremont, and it’s much, much bigger, but the pizza just isn’t quite the same!
- I recommend: The Margherita! I can’t speak for any other pizza except this one. Even my meat eater friends regret not ordering the Margherita when they decide to branch out and try something new. It’s just sooo good. It’s light with lots of garlic, salt, and olive oil. Mmm… Also, the meatballs are very popular here, so if you’re a meat eater, give them a try!
- Ristorante Machiavelli // The pasta here is to die for! They don’t take reservations, but the wait is worth it. Take a stroll through the shops nearby, or tour the new Starbucks Reserve while you wait for a table to open up. The service is wonderful and the food is so fresh!
- I recommend: The Penne with Roasted Red Pepper Pesto and a Ginger Mint Lemonade.
- Taste of India // I can’t say enough great things about this place. Not only is the food amazing, but the owner is so nice and the service is speedy, too. If you’re a chai drinker, you’re in for a treat. They keep it coming with free refills whether you order it hot or iced. I will say this is definitely Americanized Indian food which you may pick up on just by browsing through the menu, but it’s delicious either way. Helpful tip: There’s a discount on Yelp if you check-in there on your first visit. Just show your server the voucher!
- I recommend: The coconut curry, garlic naan, and an iced chai.
- General Porpoise Doughnuts // These are hands down the best doughnuts in Seattle. They’re sugary, light, and full of fluffy cream. The shop is the absolute cutest, too.
- Top Pot Doughnuts // While General Porpoise is my personal favorite, Top Pot is one of Seattle’s most famous doughnut shops, so you can’t miss it! There are quite a few locations throughout Washington, but the original shop in downtown Seattle is my favorite. Obama has even been there!
- Borracchini’s Bakery // Amazing Italian bakery serving more great doughnuts. If you’re looking for cheaper, authentic Italian treats without the touristy crowds, head to Borracchini’s! Everyone knows them for their cakes, but trust me on the doughnuts! They also have a coffee shop inside with other Italian goods in the small market section.
- Mighty-O Donuts // Okay, I know, I know. We have a lot of doughnut shops in Seattle and if you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of them. Mighty-O is yet another doughnut shop, but the doughnuts here are unlike Top Pot’s or General Porpoise’s. They’re cake doughnuts which are a bit on the heavier side, and they just so happen to be vegan (though you’d never guess it!).
- I recommend: The Cocoloco, and the Lemon Poppy.
- Molly Moon’s // The most popular, delicious ice cream place in the city. There are six locations scattered around Seattle, and all of them are equally lovely, though my personal favorite is the shop in Wallingford. I worked at Molly Moon’s for a few months when I first moved out to Seattle, so I’ll always have a (sweet) spot in my heart for it. Be prepared to wait in a long line, but it moves quickly, so don’t panic! You’ll need the extra time anyway to peruse the menu and decide which flavors you want to sample.
- I recommend: The Salted Caramel ice cream with hot fudge and homemade whipped cream. (I used to recommend this to people all the time when I worked there and they always loved it!)
- Metropolitan Market // If you’re a fan of giant, gooey, yummy chocolate chip cookies, head to the bakery section of any Metropolitan Market and prepare to be amazed! These cookies are heavenly, mouth-watering, and not to be missed. They’re simply called, “The Cookie,” and you won’t have any trouble finding them!
- I recommend: Calling ahead to make sure they have some cookies left! They’re popular, so sometimes they sell out by the end of the night.
- Hello Robin // Speaking of cookies, Hello Robin is an adorable shop on Capitol Hill serving up all sorts of delicious cookies. There’s even a mini Molly Moon’s ice cream shop inside, so if you’re craving an ice cream cookie sandwich, you won’t be disappointed here!
- I recommend: The Mackles’more (named after one of Seattle’s favorite local celebrities, Macklemore) or an ice cream sandwich using any of the ice cream flavors and cookies from the display. You have endless options!
- Moore Coffee // If you’re an Instagram user, search the #moorecoffee hashtag and you’ll see an endless stream of adorable latte art from the Moore coffee shop. The baristas there are always whipping up new creations. It’s so much fun ordering a drink and seeing what design they’ll come up with next! They also have sweet and savory waffles and lots of sandwiches to choose from.
- I recommend: A Cafe Madrid and the brie & berries waffle.
- Starbucks Reserve Roastery // If you know anything about Seattle, it’s probably how coffee-obsessed this city is! Yes, we do have a Starbucks on almost every corner, and you can find the first Starbucks shop at Pike Place Market. The Roastery on Capitol Hill opened up a few years ago, and it’s like stepping into Willy Wonka’s factory. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, this place is a must-see. You can order specialty drinks here that you won’t be able to find at your local Starbucks.
- I recommend: An Affogato or the Vanilla Crème.
- Pie Bar // Yep, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Have a drink and eat some pie! The space is small, but the owners are so sweet and everyone is always friendly.
- I recommend: The Coconut Cream Pie with a Dark and Stormy.
- Hot Cakes // Okay, I’ll be honest – I’m not crazy about this place. I’ve tried it three times now, but my taste buds just weren’t able to get on board. I think it’s still worth putting on this list though because it’s one of the most popular dessert spots in the city. You’re able to get boozy desserts and steaming hot mini cakes.
- Fremont Coffee Company // One of my favorite study spots in the city. This coffee shop is in an old house, with plenty of nooks and crannies to cuddle up in. There’s also a seating area outside with the porch that wraps all the way around to the back of the house giving you plenty of spots to sunbathe and people-watch from. Their coffee is also amazing of course, and the latte art is some of the best I’ve ever seen!
- I recommend: A soy chai (my favorite), or any latte. The burritos they have available are pre-made from a different company, but they’re pretty good, too!
- Pike Place Market // An obvious no-brainer! Pike Place is a must-see for tourists. You can easily spend a day here, walking around the market and checking out the different vendors. Make sure you sample anything and everything because it’s all delicious! From peaches to apple cider to cheese to olive oil, you won’t be disappointed. The guys in the fish market put on a fun show, so don’t miss it! Visit Rachel the pig, the original Starbucks, and the gum wall. Oh, and don’t forget to take a ride on the beautiful ferris wheel near the waterfront before you leave!
- MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture) // Seattle is known for its music culture and MoPOP brings it to life. See exhibits showcasing Nirvana, Macklemore, Jimi Hendrix, and many other Seattle musicians.
- Jimi Hendrix Memorial // After you’ve visited the MoPop, head to Renton and see the awesome memorial dedicated to Jimi Hendrix.
- Fremont Sunday Market // Lots of vendors line up in Fremont every Sunday on Evanston Avenue, so if you’re looking for cute souvenirs or interesting trinkets, stroll through this market! There are also lots of food trucks parked here each week, though my personal favorite is Falafel Salam.
- Green Lake // A wonderful park that’s perfect for relaxing, walking, running, or people watching. For the past two years, I’ve walked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Green Lake and I’m always in awe of how pretty and peaceful it is there. Grab some frozen yogurt from Zoëyogurt across the street and then stroll through Green Lake while you enjoy it. Be on the lookout for cute mushrooms, too!
- Chihuly Garden and Glass // A beautiful museum featuring the work of one of Washington’s most well-known artists. Chihuly’s pieces are phenomenal. You’ll get a great view of the Space Needle on your way out, too. I recently went to a yoga class here and it was so much fun!
- Theo Chocolate Factory // You can tour one of Seattle’s most popular chocolate shops. You’ll see how this delicious chocolate is made, and get the chance to sample lots of incredible chocolate flavors! There are tons of fun chocolate souvenirs at the gift shop, too.
- Fremont Troll // You’ll find this guy hiding out under the Aurora bridge in Fremont. He has an appetite for Volkswagen Beetles and will be incredibly sad if you don’t visit him!
- Alki Beach // Every time I’m here, I feel like I’m on the California coast. You’ll find skateboarders, longboarders, surfers, joggers, and lots of friendly pups! The views at Alki are spectacular, and the ice cream from Pepperdock is the perfect thing to indulge on while you walk near the water.
- Golden Gardens // Another amazing spot to hang out, build a fire and watch the sunset. But get there early if you plan to build a fire because this place is packed on warm summer nights!
- Discovery Park // A gorgeous park located in Magnolia. It’s an awesome place to take photos, go on a peaceful sunset walk out to the lighthouse, or simply sit on a bench at the Discovery Bluff to enjoy the views.
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