Seattle is one of our favorite cities in the United States. It has a diverse selection of delicious international foods, gorgeous weather in the summer, and amazing outdoor areas and activities within a couple hours of the city. After living there for three months, we can’t wait to go back.
Cookies from Hello Robin
Where to Eat
Picking our favorite restaurants in Seattle is legitimately challenging because we have so many. You’re in for a treat at any of the below spots.
Kedai Makan: If we had only one night for dinner in Seattle, you would likely find us at Kedai Makan. This restaurant offers delicious Malaysian food at reasonable prices. The only downside is the ridiculously long wait (i.e., 1-2 hours typically). We’d advise you to get there before they open to line up and make sure you get a table. Once you’re seated, treat yourself to the roti jala (Malaysian net bread) with lamb curry and the nasi goreng kambing (rice dish).
Fogón Cocina Mexicana: Our favorite Mexican food in Seattle. Fogón offers a more modern take than the Tex-Mex dishes we are used to having in Houston, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious. Visit for happy hour to enjoy some great deals and cheap Mexican beers. The street tacos and guacamole are especially delicious.
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market: As much something to do as somewhere to eat, Pike Place Market is a Seattle staple and major tourist attraction. There are a ton of shops and restaurants to enjoy, and the waterfront location makes it great for a nice summer day. Our favorite food in and around the market includes grilled cheese and mac & cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt, and the New England clam chowder from Pike Place Chowder.
Hello Robin: Our favorite dessert in Seattle, narrowly beating out Salt & Straw. The combination of warm cookies (some of the best we’ve had) and locally-sourced Molly Moon’s ice cream is just unfairly good. It is worth however long you need to wait. The chocolate chip cookie and snickerdoodle cookie are both incredible, especially when paired with the birthday cake cookie dough ice cream.
International District: We loved too many restaurants in the international district to name just one. You could honestly just eat in this neighborhood while in Seattle and not be disappointed. Some highlights from this area include dim sum from Harbor City, sashimi from Maneki Restaurant, and Laksa curry noodle soup from Gourmet Noodle Bowl.
Maple Pass Loop
Things to Do
Hiking: We could honestly write an entire post on Washington hiking. There are so many options in the Seattle area. Our favorite hike had to be the Maple Pass Loop in the North Cascades National Park, which is about 3 hours from Seattle. Another great option is the Ira Spring Trail about 1.5 hours outside Seattle. If you’re looking for more beginner-friendly hikes, you can try your hand at Rattlesnake Ledge and Poo Poo Point, both of which are less than an hour from the city. If we had more time in the city, we definitely would have also explored Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park, which are better served as overnight trips.
Alki Beach: If you are visiting Seattle in the summer, then you can’t go wrong spending an evening at Alki Beach. The water may be too cold to swim, but you can enjoy bonfires on the sand and take advantage of the many bars and restaurants lining the coast. You also get a great view of Puget Sound from the beach.
Sea kayaking from Alki Beach
Sea Kayaking: If you want to get even closer to the water, then we recommend taking a kayaking trip. We chose to do the Seattle Sunset Sea Kayak Tour with Alki Kayak Tours, and it was a great time. On a clear day you can get an amazing view of Mount Rainier along with the Seattle skyline, and you may even get to see a seal or two pop out of the water.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Drink Coffee: You might have heard that Starbucks is from Seattle. Tourists routinely line out the door at the world’s first Starbucks, which is located in Pike Place Market. However, if you want to enjoy a more authentic experience, try your hand at one of the many small coffee shops around the city (Sugar Bakery and Victrola, to name two). If you’re desperate for a Starbucks experience, you can also visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, which has a massive menu and a few different serving stations.
Fremont Brewing
Visit Breweries: Fremont Brewing gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so with its huge patio and great beer selection. However, the Ballard Brewery Passport is really where it’s at. There are a ton of craft breweries within walking distance, so you can easily cross a few off the list in a single trip. We visited Lucky Envelope Brewing, Reuben’s Brews, and Stoup Brewing, and all were great.
Kerry Park viewpoint
Kerry Park Viewpoint: Kerry Park is not really a park, as it’s just an over-sized strip of grass. However, it is the best easily accessible view of the Seattle skyline that you can get. Stop here for a great photo opportunity.
Other Tips & Tricks
Public Transportation: Getting around in Seattle is a breeze. The train lines are well maintained and provide easy access to the international district and stadiums. The bus lines are also convenient but tend to get very crowded. You should also monitor live tracking of buses closely on the Seattle transit mobile app because they tend to get off schedule. In addition to traditional ride sharing apps, Seattle also has a few car rental apps like Turo to give you even more options.
Where to Stay: We had an apartment in First Hill in Seattle, so we can’t recommend any specific hotels. However, we can still give some advice on neighborhoods. Capitol Hill is a fun, central area with plenty of going out options and a big LGBTQ community. Ballard and Fremont are great for breweries and a slightly more alternative scene. Belltown is close to the main tourist attractions (Pike Place, the Space Needle, etc.), but there is a pretty big homeless population down there. The international district is great for food, but we would probably recommend calling somewhere else your home base.