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
Bad Albert's
Nobody's bad at Bad Albert's: The staff is friendly, and the regulars are, um, regular. (The real Bad Albert was the former owner's cat.) Bad Albert's was Tail…
5100 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-789-2000
Ballard
206-789-2000
Ballard Loft
Before becoming an event space and sports bar, the Ballard Loft was a machine shop. Its location (right over historic Salmon Bay) helped it fit right into the …
5105 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-420-2737
Ballard
206-420-2737
Ballard Brothers Seafood and Burgers
Pretty much everybody knows about Ballard Brothers Seafood and Burgers. The restaurant, which began as a festival booth in 1987 and took over the old Ballard S…
5305 15th Ave NW
Ballard
206-784-4440
Ballard
206-784-4440
Lock & Keel
Lock & Keel self-identifies as "Ballard Avenue's most regular of watering holes."
5144 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-781-8023
Ballard
206-781-8023
Bramling Cross
The menu at Ethan Stowell’s Bramling Cross runs the gamut from familiar pub fare (chicken wings, burgers, wedge salad) to less expected items like raw oysters,…
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-420-8192
Ballard
206-420-8192
King's Hardware
This western-style bar, brother to Capitol Hill's beloved Linda's Tavern, is a good place to share a pitcher, but be warned that it's almost always crowded. Wh…
5225 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-782-0027
Ballard
206-782-0027
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
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
Mr. Gyros
Mr. Gyros turns out the solid standards of quick Middle Eastern food: falafel, shawarma, kabobs, baba ghanoush, and hummus. The chicken shawarma stands out: It…
5522 20th Ave NW
Ballard
206-782-7777
Ballard
206-782-7777
Li'l Woody's
Li’l Woody’s serves good burgers made with Painted Hills beef, with the basic model starting at less than $5 (and it serves them until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Sa…
2040 NW Market St
Ballard
Ballard
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
8oz. Burger and Co.
Joining its Capitol Hill cousin of the same name and owner, Ballard's 8oz. Burger has proven to be just as popular as its first location. The menu is roughly t…
2409 NW Market St
Ballard
206-641-9184
Ballard
206-641-9184
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
