The Whale Wins
At Renee Erickson’s the Whale Wins, almost everything is wood-fired, and while the menu may seem simple, North African flavors add interest. Of note: marrow bo…
3506 Stone Way N
Wallingford
206-632-9425
Wallingford
206-632-9425
Eltana Wood-Fired Bagel Cafe
Eltana’s bagels are hand-rolled for chewy deliciousness, wood-fired for more handsomeness, and smaller than most, along the lines of the bagels found in Montre…
3920 Stone Way N
Wallingford
206-420-1293
Wallingford
206-420-1293
Grand Central Baking Company
Grand Central has been making high-quality, yummy bread and baked goods for a long, long time, and comes with a presidential seal of approval: Obama ate a turk…
1601 N. 45th St.
Wallingford
Wallingford
Pono Ranch
Pono is Hawaiian for, roughly, “a state of harmony or balance.” Near the north end of the Ballard Bridge, Pono Ranch is, roughly, an organic cafe—one with a “h…
4502 Shilshole Ave NW
Ballard
206-258-2162
Ballard
206-258-2162
Mean Sandwich
This joint near Ballard Bridge serves big, hot sandwiches on Macrina buns, plus fried potato skins and bread pudding.
1510 NW Leary Way
Ballard
206-789-9999
Ballard
206-789-9999
Hattie's Hat
With stiff drinks and good food, Hattie’s is one of Ballard’s most beloved dives. The all-American menu has everything from classic burgers with sweet-potato f…
5231 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-784-0175
Ballard
206-784-0175
The Other Coast Cafe
The “other” coast is the East Coast (get it?!). The meats are thin-sliced and tasty, the lettuce etc. is fresh, and the bread is great (baguette-ish but withou…
5315 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-789-0936
Ballard
206-789-0936
Egan's Ballard Jam House
During the evenings, it's a music venue/restaurant, but during the day, Egan's acts as a community center for jazz education and informal performances. The din…
1707 NW Market St
Ballard
206-789-1621
Ballard
206-789-1621
Vietnam Cafe and Sandwich
The name is pretty self-explanatory. Try any of the tofu dishes, and pick a sunny day to go--they have outdoor seating which is perfect for people-watching.
5701 15th Ave NW
Ballard
206-783-0836
Ballard
206-783-0836
Corner Spot Ballard
Former Zig Zag Cafe co-owner Kacy Fitch is behind this new neighborhood bar in the former space of the Crooked Nail. There's a menu of soups, salads, sandwiche…
1556 NW 56th St
Ballard
206-432-9528
Ballard
206-432-9528
Pink Bee Curry & Sandwiches
A Ballard-based, family-run Thai spot offering sandwiches and curries.
2010 NW 56th St
Ballard
206-466-1650
Ballard
206-466-1650
Ocho
Ocho feels like a tapas bar should: a crowded, informal neighborhood place, stuffed onto a street corner and easy to miss. Get the garlicky gambas, warm plates…
2325 NW Market St
Ballard
206-784-0699
Ballard
206-784-0699
Eight Row
Chef David Nichols, who previously worked as the executive chef at Queen Anne Beer Hall and Rider, now runs Eight Row, his debut solo venture, in the…
7102 Woodlawn Ave NE
Green Lake
206-294-3178
Green Lake
206-294-3178
72nd Street Cafe
Located beside a dog grooming spa, this dog-friendly coffee shop is a prime spot for pooch-watching while you sip coffee from Middle Fork Roasters and savor br…
308 NE 72nd St
Green Lake
206-523-5623
Green Lake
206-523-5623
Freya
Freya at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard has the most authentic smørrebrød in town, and the loveliest. The crown jewel among them features juniper-smoked…
2655 NW Market St
Ballard
206-789-5707
Ballard
206-789-5707
Portage Bay Cafe
A tasty place to go for an all-American, local/organic/sustainable-focused breakfast or brunch, including cage-free eggs from Olympia, hams and sausages made i…
2821 NW Market
Ballard
206-783-1547
Ballard
206-783-1547
Kimchi House
If you want traditional Korean food—the mix-it-yourself rice dish bibimbap or the spicy soup soon dubu jigae—you’re in luck here. If you want some fusiony Kore…
5809 24th Ave NW
Ballard
206-784-5322
Ballard
206-784-5322
Ristorante Picolinos
Picolinos invites you "to enjoy and experience authentic Italian food in the warmth and comfort of the restaurant." They also have a lot of Italian wine, a lar…
6415 32nd Ave NW
Ballard
206-781-8000
Ballard
206-781-8000
Un Bien Shilshole
Un Bien is owned by Julian and Lucas Lorenzo, sons of the original Paseo owner, Lorenzo Lorenzo. (Lorenzo Lorzenzo sold his business, and the Lorenzo family is…
6226 Seaview Ave NW
Ballard
206-420-7545
Ballard
206-420-7545
