When you’re in a city for two weeks, of course you have to eat, so why not choose great food? Before my family and I arrived in Seattle, we heard from various people that seafood and Asian cuisine were the way to go, so we found plenty of restaurants that offered both, but we also discovered restaurants that offered other cuisines that were just as tasty. I built our dining itinerary myself, but if you prefer to do an organized tour, you might consider one of these: Before You Go: Plan Your Trip to Seattle Hotels: First-timers should stay Downtown or near Pike Place for walkability. My recommendation is Hotel Ändra for its proximity and chic, comfortable rooms. Book a Stay → Airport transfers: Link light rail runs straight from SEA-TAC to downtown in about 40 minutes for a few dollars, which is my default pick. If you’re arriving with a group or heavy luggage, then a private transfer skips the walk and avoids I-5 rush-hour traffic. Book a transfer → eSIM: If you’re traveling internationally, you'll want an eSIM if you plan to lean on Google Maps and transit apps. I would suggest landing with data rather than roaming or hunting for wifi. Get an eSIM → Travel insurance: Pacific Northwest weather causes more fog and rain related delays than people expect, so this may be worth having if your trip includes a tight connection or a pricier tour you don't want to lose money on. Compare plans → The Hart and the Hunter Not a far walk from Pike Place Market, we had a delicious brunch at The Hart and the Hunter. It is described as an elevated diner, which I would agree, and brunch is served daily, in addition to dinner and cocktails. I ordered the delicious cinnamon french toast and side of bacon, but the butter biscuit and H&H parfait were also highly recommended. I also ordered the house made lemonade, which was fresh and tasty. There are two Biscuit Bitch downtown locations that are open seven days a week, and if you love breakfast biscuits, I would say this is a must. Depending on the day and time you go, the line may be down the street, but if you have the time to wait, it’s worth it. I ordered the sausage Bitchwich that comes with egg, cheddar, pork sausage, and I added bacon, but what really makes the biscuit amazing is the Bitchy sauce. For just about $10, this is a great breakfast before getting your day started in the city. Starbucks Reserve Roastery Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971, so there you’ll see Starbucks literally everywhere in the city. the Reserve Roastery is a more built out version of the typical brick and mortar locations we see, with a full bar and more food options. You can purchase coffee from all over the world and other coffee related items, and you also can book tasting experiences if it interests you to try several of their coffee creations. We tried the lavender blueberry donut, which had a unique and interesting taste, and I also ordered the Prosciutto & Parmigiano-Reggiano on Herb Cornetto, which was delicious. Directly across from Hotel Ändra and attached to Serious Pie, this was one of our top picks. I had the bacon egg sandwich (bacon, fried egg, beecher's cheddar, arugula, smoked paprika aioli, toasted english muffin), which looks like such a simple sandwich, but the taste was exceptional. My brother also recommends the turkey foccacia sandwich. If you're staying at Hotel Ändra and want to grab a quick bite, you're in a perfect spot. As I mentioned fresh seafood is a staple in Seattle, and Luke’s Lobster at Pike Place Market is a quick and easy choice, especially if you’re an east coaster who loves seafood. It’s an East Coast-style seafood shack that serves buttery, perfectly toasted lobster, crab, or shrimp rolls. I opted for the classic Lobster Roll, which was amazing, but you can also do a flight to try all of the rolls they offer. Pike Place Market is worth more than a quick walkthrough, and food tours available on Viator let you try several spots at once. Pike Place Chowder Apparently a visit to Seattle is not complete without trying Pike Place Chowder, a city staple. We wanted to try several of the chowders on the menu, so we ordered the Chowder Flight for about $20. We chose the classic New England Clam Chowder, the Smoked Salmon Chowder, the slightly spicy Seafood Bisque, and the Crab and Oyster Chowder. Each of them was rich and deeply flavorful, but I think the classic New England Clam Chowder stood out as my favorite. The only downside is that the line can be long, but it moves fast, and the chowder is absolutely worth the wait. If you want to explore Pike Place Market more deeply, food tours are a great way to hit the highlights. Cortina serves delicious Italian food in a sleek, modern setting. I ordered the Pufftown Focaccia ($12) as an appetizer, and Wagyu Bavette ($55) with Fried Potatoes ($16) and Brussel Sprouts ($16) for my meal. For a birthday meal, this is the best I could have asked for. The steak was cooked to perfection and the sides were amazing. I should also mention that the sides come in large portions that are shareable between two or three people. The restaurant is a nice vibe for a romantic date, a small group like me and my family, or large parties. Vivienne’s Bistro In the Queen Anne neighborhood, Vivienne’s Bistro is a gem that serves top-tier Chinese food, and when I say top-tier, I really mean that. This was hands down the best general tso’s chicken I’ve ever had—the sauce could not have been more perfect. It’s a must-visit if you’re craving authentic Chinese food in Seattle. Japonessa isn’t your typical sushi spot—it blends Japanese techniques with bold Mexican flavors, creating some unique dishes. Here, we had the belly sampler, which was my first taste of sashimi, the salmon karaage tacos, and calamari Japonessa as starters. There are so many specialty sushi rolls to choose from, but I landed on the Sweet Kiss that had shrimp tempura, snow crab mix and cilantro topped with seared salmon, tobiko, and sweet chili jalapeño citrus. Seattle has plenty of sushi spots, but Umi Sake House was recommended as the best for traditional Japanese flavors, and I can see why. To start, we had the crispy calamari, chicken karaage, and like Japonessa, there were so many specialty rolls, but I chose the Rockstar, a scallop, avocado tempura fried roll topped with spicy snow crab mix, tobiko, spicy aioli, and soy glaze. The atmosphere is intimate and the service was excellent. If you’re in the mood for something light yet satisfying while at Pike Place Market, Wild Fish Poke is a great quick lunch or grab-and-go spot, especially for seafood lovers.

Seattle’s Pho Bac is often named the best pho spot in the city, and after trying it, I can see why. The noodle portion was large, the brisket tender, and the broth perfectly flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth good. It felt well-balanced and surprisingly filling. I would also recommend the limeade to drink. The service left a little to be desired, but if you’re here for the pho (and you should be), it’s worth a visit. Lola is a Mediterranean restaurant attached to Hotel Andra . The chef Tom Douglas is a James Beard Award winner, which guarantees good food and likely good hospitality as well. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we ultimately ended up dining here one evening after a long day of being out and about in the city. We started with the Lola spreads—you can do one for $6 or all six for $34. We chose the tzatziki, blue cheese-feta kopanisti, and roasted sweet red pepper. For my meal, I went with the lamb burger, served with pickled peppers, bibb lettuce, rosemary fries, harissa ketchup and tzatziki. I would also recommend the pomegranate lemonade. I’ve had Mediterranean food before but none as good as this, so if you’re in the mood for it, I would try Lola. Seattle is not known for pizza, which I could tell, but that doesn’t mean Serious Pie wasn’t good. I ordered the Fennel Sausage Pizza that features house-made sausage and a tangy tomato sauce, which hit the spot for the only night we ordered in. Conveniently right across from Hotel Ändra , all we had to do was cross the street to pick up, but there is plenty of room to dine inside if you choose. If you love wood-fired, artisan-style pizza, Serious Pie might be your stop while in Seattle. Din Tai Fung’s was highly recommended, and while we were staying at the Sheraton Grand , it was a hop, skip and a jump to pick up from the mall right across the street. Here we had the chicken spicy wontons, bok choy with scallion-infused oil, and shrimp fried noodles. You should also try the honey lemonade—it’s amazing! Sweets & Desserts Daily Dozen Doughnut Company Doughnuts from the Daily Doughnut Company are a perfect way to start the morning or good for an afternoon snack. I ordered the maple bacon half dozen and kept them in bag to eat while strolling through the market (for a second or third time) during my trip. The doughnuts are perfectly crisp on the outside and soft inside, and they have a variety of other flavors if you want to try several at once. Seattle has a thing for donuts, so if you want to try more than one shop, I would recommend taking a walking donut tour of the city, and yes—that’s a thing. Book a tour here ! Boehm's Candies A bit outside of Seattle, Boehm’s Candies is worth the trip for anyone with a sweet tooth. Their Swiss-style chocolates are rich and indulgent, and the shop itself has an old-world charm. I absolutely fell in love with the handmade truffles and wish I had bought more, but not to worry—you can also order online and have them delivered wherever you are. If you’re curious about Seattle’s chocolate scene, you can take a more comprehensive guided chocolate tour through downtown Seattle. Rachel’s Ginger Beer For a refreshing, non-alcoholic option, Rachel’s Ginger Beer is a Seattle favorite. I tried the passionfruit ginger beer, which had just the right amount of spice and tartness. They also serve fun cocktails using their house-made ginger beer, making it a great spot to grab a drink after a day of exploring. My Final Thoughts Seattle's food scene is far more diverse and exciting than I expected going in, and I left the city seriously impressed. Whether you're there for two days or two weeks like we were, you'll have no shortage of incredible places to eat. I hope this list helps you plan your meals and make the most of your time in the city! If the World Cup brought you to Seattle, you are in for a treat, and I don't just mean the soccer. I spent two weeks exploring this city, and I want to make sure you get the most out of it. Here's everything you need to know to do Seattle right. Seattle offers an exciting mix of iconic sights and time outdoors. This guide highlights the most memorable things I did while visiting, including Pike Place Market, a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, the Seattle Public Library, and a visit to Snoqualmie Falls just outside the city. There’s a bigness about Seattle—the mountains, the space needle, the evergreens, the Fremont troll. Whenever I travel to places like this, I’m reminded that I’m a small person in a big world, and while for some people that means insignificance, for me, it simply means there’s more to life than just me. It’s an invitation to be curious about what I don’t know, including parts of myself. Hotel Ändra is roughly a 25 minute drive from Sea Tac Airport, has plenty of great food options nearby, including Lola immediately downstairs in the lobby, and it’s not far from favorite attractions like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Seattle Waterfront and more. If that hasn’t sold you, it is also incredibly chic and cozy. If you’re visiting Seattle and looking for a natural escape, a day trip to Snoqualmie Falls is something you simply must do. Just a short drive from the city, this majestic 268-foot waterfall is an incredibly beautiful wonder to experience. Before my family and I arrived in Seattle, we all heard from various people that seafood and Asian cuisine were the way to go, so we found plenty of restaurants that offered both, but we also discovered restaurants that offered other cuisines that were just as tasty. Seattle is brimming with locally made goods and internationally sourced items. Pike Place Market is the most ideal place for tourists to shop for artisan items, but you will also find shops all over the city and surrounding islands like Bainbridge that sell stunning, one of a kind pieces. *This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Inside Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum of Art Artisan Shopping in Seattle: Unique, Locally Made Goods