Guidebook for Seattle

Orin & Kendra
Guidebook for Seattle

Food Scene

This place is good for locally sourced food, and even better, it's the closest brunch place in walking distance, and it's never disappointed! Pro tip: pancake/waffle topping bar! It's always packed on the weekends. Go very early or make a reservation online ahead of time to avoid a 45-minute wait during weekend brunch.
57 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Portage Bay Cafe - Ballard
2821 NW Market St
57 現地メンバーのおすすめ
This place is good for locally sourced food, and even better, it's the closest brunch place in walking distance, and it's never disappointed! Pro tip: pancake/waffle topping bar! It's always packed on the weekends. Go very early or make a reservation online ahead of time to avoid a 45-minute wait during weekend brunch.
Some of the best coffee in town. If you're really interested in coffee, don't miss the slow bar. You can choose which preparation of coffee you prefer, and your barista will make it and explain the mechanics. You'll definitely notice a difference in flavor, compared with regular espresso. This space is also great for doing some work on your computer or plain old people-watching.
54 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ballard Beer Company
2050 NW Market St
54 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Some of the best coffee in town. If you're really interested in coffee, don't miss the slow bar. You can choose which preparation of coffee you prefer, and your barista will make it and explain the mechanics. You'll definitely notice a difference in flavor, compared with regular espresso. This space is also great for doing some work on your computer or plain old people-watching.
Solid Italian-style espresso. It's slightly less busy than the ever-popular Ballard Coffee Works. The interior is very pleasantly spare and fancy at the same time. Kendra is nerdily very excited that they provide sparkling water on tap.
89 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Caffe Umbria
1201 Westlake Ave N
89 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Solid Italian-style espresso. It's slightly less busy than the ever-popular Ballard Coffee Works. The interior is very pleasantly spare and fancy at the same time. Kendra is nerdily very excited that they provide sparkling water on tap.
They're not open all the time, and they may not have a wide selection, but trust us - sweet or savory, you want their baked goods.
155 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NW
155 現地メンバーのおすすめ
They're not open all the time, and they may not have a wide selection, but trust us - sweet or savory, you want their baked goods.
Quick, cheap, and delicious. Pho in various forms is the only thing on the menu. You can get a small size for about $6, and all the pho comes with a free cream puff. Possibly the best deal for a quick lunch.
42 現地メンバーのおすすめ
PHO THAN BROTHERS
527 Broadway E
42 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Quick, cheap, and delicious. Pho in various forms is the only thing on the menu. You can get a small size for about $6, and all the pho comes with a free cream puff. Possibly the best deal for a quick lunch.
It's a neighborhood favorite. You'll find locals there all the time. They have games and music some nights, and also serve beer, wine, and ice cream.
14 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Walter's
6408 32nd Ave NW
14 現地メンバーのおすすめ
It's a neighborhood favorite. You'll find locals there all the time. They have games and music some nights, and also serve beer, wine, and ice cream.
Skillet serves food that seems to be what northwesterners think people eat in the south. It might seem a bit odd, but we've never had a bad meal there. Great for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
23 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Skillet - Ballard
23 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Skillet serves food that seems to be what northwesterners think people eat in the south. It might seem a bit odd, but we've never had a bad meal there. Great for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
For the oyster lovers out there: this is the only place you need to go. Ever. The decor and service are classy yet unpretentious. If you prompt the servers, you will learn more than you ever imagined about oysters: how does the farming method affect the flavor? Wait, there are different oyster farming methods? We didn't even know we preferred small, briny oysters until after we came here. For those who don't love raw oysters, don't worry: there is plenty of other fancy food on the menu (which changes seasonally). Be sure to check online for what's current. Be prepared to spend some money. This place is not great for vegetarians. Don't even think about it if you're vegan.
246 現地メンバーのおすすめ
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NW
246 現地メンバーのおすすめ
For the oyster lovers out there: this is the only place you need to go. Ever. The decor and service are classy yet unpretentious. If you prompt the servers, you will learn more than you ever imagined about oysters: how does the farming method affect the flavor? Wait, there are different oyster farming methods? We didn't even know we preferred small, briny oysters until after we came here. For those who don't love raw oysters, don't worry: there is plenty of other fancy food on the menu (which changes seasonally). Be sure to check online for what's current. Be prepared to spend some money. This place is not great for vegetarians. Don't even think about it if you're vegan.
Very authentic Thai food - some of the best we've found in the city, and definitely the best within walking distance to our place!
51 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Pestle Rock
2305 NW Market St
51 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Very authentic Thai food - some of the best we've found in the city, and definitely the best within walking distance to our place!
Straight up burgers and fish n' chips. They also serve good milkshakes. It's a nice start or finish to a walk in the Locks across the street.
21 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Red Mill Totem House
3058 NW 54th St
21 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Straight up burgers and fish n' chips. They also serve good milkshakes. It's a nice start or finish to a walk in the Locks across the street.
Ballard is full of bars and restaurants that present as upscale and chic - sometimes it's hard to tell whether you're getting your money's worth. Gracia has certainly delivered, in our opinion. Here, you can get classy, authentic Mexican food in a bustling restaurant with great service. We particularly enjoyed the chicharrones (pork rinds), ceviche, fish tacos, and the flan. It's busiest on the weekends during dinner. While it's not the cheapest place to eat, it is great for a date night, or a nice treat. Hot Tip: if there's a wait, put your name on the waiting list, and grab a drink from one of the many nearby bars. Gracia will text you when your table is ready.
19 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Gracia
5313 Ballard Ave NW
19 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ballard is full of bars and restaurants that present as upscale and chic - sometimes it's hard to tell whether you're getting your money's worth. Gracia has certainly delivered, in our opinion. Here, you can get classy, authentic Mexican food in a bustling restaurant with great service. We particularly enjoyed the chicharrones (pork rinds), ceviche, fish tacos, and the flan. It's busiest on the weekends during dinner. While it's not the cheapest place to eat, it is great for a date night, or a nice treat. Hot Tip: if there's a wait, put your name on the waiting list, and grab a drink from one of the many nearby bars. Gracia will text you when your table is ready.

Drinks & Nightlife

This place serves consistently good Puerto Rican food.f you get a full meal, you will almost definitely have leftovers. What might seem like a pricy meal often turns into 2 or 3 meals. Instant savings! While it's primarily a restaurant, we heartily recommend taking advantage of their happy hours (early and late-night). Their happy hour appetizers are great deals, and their Puerto Rican cocktails are good and stiff.
51 現地メンバーのおすすめ
La Isla
2320 NW Market St
51 現地メンバーのおすすめ
This place serves consistently good Puerto Rican food.f you get a full meal, you will almost definitely have leftovers. What might seem like a pricy meal often turns into 2 or 3 meals. Instant savings! While it's primarily a restaurant, we heartily recommend taking advantage of their happy hours (early and late-night). Their happy hour appetizers are great deals, and their Puerto Rican cocktails are good and stiff.
Great cocktails (on the pricy side, but fancy) in a quirky tiny bar. Good for dates. Sometimes they have a DJ spinning odd music at night.
37 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Hazlewood
2311 NW Market St
37 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Great cocktails (on the pricy side, but fancy) in a quirky tiny bar. Good for dates. Sometimes they have a DJ spinning odd music at night.
This place is one of the oldest businesses in Ballard, and we hope it never goes away. It's a diner on one side, and a bar on the other. Go here for cheap, stiff drinks, service by wonderful women, and play with the cheapest jukebox in town. If you're lucky, you could get free soup late a night. Probably our favorite bar in Seattle.
8 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ballard Smoke Shop
5439 Ballard Ave NW
8 現地メンバーのおすすめ
This place is one of the oldest businesses in Ballard, and we hope it never goes away. It's a diner on one side, and a bar on the other. Go here for cheap, stiff drinks, service by wonderful women, and play with the cheapest jukebox in town. If you're lucky, you could get free soup late a night. Probably our favorite bar in Seattle.
An old Ballard business that serves solid bar food and stiff drinks. Great happy hour specials. Have you ever wanted to eat one barbecue rib? Now you probably can't stop thinking about it. Go here. They also serve brunch.
45 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Hattie's Hat Restaurant
5231 Ballard Ave NW
45 現地メンバーのおすすめ
An old Ballard business that serves solid bar food and stiff drinks. Great happy hour specials. Have you ever wanted to eat one barbecue rib? Now you probably can't stop thinking about it. Go here. They also serve brunch.
It's a fancy scotch bar! Also attached to a fish n' chips place. Nice decor inside. It's a fun place that gets quite lively on the weekends.
19 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Macleod’s Scottish Pub
5200 Ballard Ave NW
19 現地メンバーのおすすめ
It's a fancy scotch bar! Also attached to a fish n' chips place. Nice decor inside. It's a fun place that gets quite lively on the weekends.

Sightseeing

You can watch the unique locks system for boats to move from the Puget Sound into Lake Union. There is a sizeable garden, and during the right season, you can even watch the salmon through glass windows as they make their way to fresh water to spawn. Really, the best part about the Locks is just walking around. You can see trains chugging across the bridge nearby and see a beautiful sunset. Even in inclement weather, it's still a peaceful place to watch some boats and some people. If you're feeling adventurous, walk through the Locks on your way to Discovery Park.
774 現地メンバーのおすすめ
バラード(ハイラム・M・チッテンデン)ロック
3015 NW 54th St
774 現地メンバーのおすすめ
You can watch the unique locks system for boats to move from the Puget Sound into Lake Union. There is a sizeable garden, and during the right season, you can even watch the salmon through glass windows as they make their way to fresh water to spawn. Really, the best part about the Locks is just walking around. You can see trains chugging across the bridge nearby and see a beautiful sunset. Even in inclement weather, it's still a peaceful place to watch some boats and some people. If you're feeling adventurous, walk through the Locks on your way to Discovery Park.
This unassuming little plaza contains a few things: Kendra's favorite fish n' chips from Little Chinook's, an excellent and reasonably priced fish market, a solid pub called the Highliner, and a beautiful view of the water. The piers sometimes house famous fishing boats, as seen on Deadliest Catch.
42 現地メンバーのおすすめ
フィッシャーマンズ・ターミナル
3919 18th Ave W
42 現地メンバーのおすすめ
This unassuming little plaza contains a few things: Kendra's favorite fish n' chips from Little Chinook's, an excellent and reasonably priced fish market, a solid pub called the Highliner, and a beautiful view of the water. The piers sometimes house famous fishing boats, as seen on Deadliest Catch.

Parks & Nature

This is a large park with lots of trails. Follow them around to the sandy beach and find the old lighthouse. It gets busy on the weekends, but if you hit it right, it will feel like you're in the forest in the middle of the city.
756 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ディスカバリー・パーク
3801 Discovery Park Blvd
756 現地メンバーのおすすめ
This is a large park with lots of trails. Follow them around to the sandy beach and find the old lighthouse. It gets busy on the weekends, but if you hit it right, it will feel like you're in the forest in the middle of the city.
Drive down a windy road to find Carkeek Park in a gully. The park has short trails in the woods and around some wetlands, and finally a sandy beach reached by walking on an overpass over the train tracks. There is also a playground and a big field for running around and getting the sillies out.
251 現地メンバーのおすすめ
カーキーク・パーク
950 NW Carkeek Park Rd
251 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Drive down a windy road to find Carkeek Park in a gully. The park has short trails in the woods and around some wetlands, and finally a sandy beach reached by walking on an overpass over the train tracks. There is also a playground and a big field for running around and getting the sillies out.
One of the most popular parks in Seattle. Have a barbecue, build a bonfire, enjoy a sunset, and say hi to the beavers who live at the north end in the wetland area. During the summer, parking is impossible - we recommend just taking the 1.3 mile walk from our place.
728 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ゴールデンガーデンパーク
8498 Seaview Pl NW
728 現地メンバーのおすすめ
One of the most popular parks in Seattle. Have a barbecue, build a bonfire, enjoy a sunset, and say hi to the beavers who live at the north end in the wetland area. During the summer, parking is impossible - we recommend just taking the 1.3 mile walk from our place.

Shopping

Rain or shine, every Sunday. See a selection of local wares, including produce, meat, dairy, and art. Street performers are also a common sight.
220 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
5345 Ballard Ave NW
220 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Rain or shine, every Sunday. See a selection of local wares, including produce, meat, dairy, and art. Street performers are also a common sight.

Arts & Culture

Learn about Ballard's history as a Scandinavian fishing village, and its reluctance to be incorporated into the city of Seattle.
127 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ノルディック文化遺産博物館
2655 NW Market St
127 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Learn about Ballard's history as a Scandinavian fishing village, and its reluctance to be incorporated into the city of Seattle.
The museum is located in beautiful Volunteer Park. Learn about the rich history of Asian-Americans in Seattle. There are constantly fantastic traveling exhibits.
97 現地メンバーのおすすめ
ウィング・ルーク・ミュージアム・オブ・ジ・アジアン・パシフィック・アメリカン・エクスペリエンス
719 S King St
97 現地メンバーのおすすめ
The museum is located in beautiful Volunteer Park. Learn about the rich history of Asian-Americans in Seattle. There are constantly fantastic traveling exhibits.
Seattle's history is fantastically displayed in this museum. The museum features beautifully put-together exhibits. Don't miss the display of Seattle's Great Fire. You won't regret it!
357 現地メンバーのおすすめ
歴史と産業の博物館(MOHAI)
860 Terry Ave N
357 現地メンバーのおすすめ
Seattle's history is fantastically displayed in this museum. The museum features beautifully put-together exhibits. Don't miss the display of Seattle's Great Fire. You won't regret it!

Essentials

10-minute walk from our house. This place will have all your basic needs covered. We like their "under $5" cheese basket.
165 現地メンバーのおすすめ
QFC
11100 Roosevelt Way NE
165 現地メンバーのおすすめ
10-minute walk from our house. This place will have all your basic needs covered. We like their "under $5" cheese basket.