For my 30th birthday, I decided to choose Seattle as the city I wanted to visit to ring in my next decade. Obviously, I wanted to visit the cafes, restaurants, and bars that were the most aesthetically pleasing and Instagram worthy. I decided to make a guide of the cutest places I was able to visit during my short time in Seattle!
I broke it out by bars, restaurants, and an ice cream shop (a one-off that we came about by random discovery):
Restaurants
JarrBarr: Located right below the Pike Place Market, this cozy space is a great place for either pre-dinner cocktails/a quick snack, or a late night when a big sports game is playing (they have a projector screen that pulls down during game nights). Bryan Jarr, the owner of this restaurant, was simply the most down to earth, passionate host we could have asked for. He sat with us, gave us a cool history of how JarrBarr was born, and introduced us to dishes we honestly would have never tried on our own. (Akshay’s note: Bryan was the most awesome person we met in Seattle. He explained everything, was super personable, and even hung out with us for Happy Hour at a bar. You have to check this place out.)
They are known for their Spanish styled meats, cured seafood, and yummy cocktails. This was an experience that really got me out of my comfort zone, and I could not have been happier about it! All the fish was so fresh and flavorful and beautifully presented. Our favorites were the mackerel from Portugal drizzled in olive oil and the vinegar cured anchovies (I never dreamed those words would ever come out of my mouth! I’ve been missing out!). And on top of it, if you come right when it opens (4pm), you can get some pretty cute photos at the bar or the “wall of mirrors.” This truly was an awesome experience and Akshay and I would agree it was a memory we will cherish. Fun fact: Bryan is one of the co-authors of the book, In the Kitchen with the Pike Place Fish Guys. He even took the time to introduce us to these same fish guys at Pike Place, where I was able to get autographs from all of the authors. And it was fun to end the evening having a drink with Bryan and getting ideas on what to do for the remainder of our trip.
Odd Fellows Cafe + Bar: This rustic restaurant is located in the heart of Capitol Hill, a very colorful district. It’s a large space with wooden picnic style tables in the middle and airy large windows that bring in a ton of light. By 11 am, it was pretty crowded, so I recommend making reservations. We ordered a cold brew and a mocha both with almond milk. We decided to do one cheat and one healthy option for our meal, so we went with the avocado toast and a side biscuit, and a guilt free kale and farrow bowl with chicken. While both dishes were pretty good, the biscuit was to die for and you should consider ordering it! The entire restaurant has plenty of photo opportunities, but the flag is the one I’ve seen many people take photos with. I also think the entrance of the cafe is worth a shot as well!
Queen City: This is actually a sister restaurant to Odd Fellows Cafe + Bar. The owners own quite a few restaurants scattered throughout Seattle, each with its own vibe and atmosphere. We came here for dinner and were really impressed by the homey decor and gorgeous patio. We asked to sit outside because the weather was beautiful and it was a really cozy space. We ended up ordering a Pineaperol Riesling Spritz and a Gin Martini to start our evening. The spritz had pineapple-infused Riesling, aperol, and a couple other ingredients, which made for a perfect summer cocktail! For our meal, we ordered the Smith burger and the pistachio and nettle campanella pasta. The burger was really flavorful with a nice crispy crust and the bacon was nice added touch. I really enjoyed the pasta though because of the nutty after taste.
Bars
MBar: This rooftop is definitely a happening place! We arrived around 6pm, and it was fairly crowded. I recommend making reservations here as well. We ordered two cocktails as well as a Lebanese style broccoli. If you’re looking for something light, this is a must order! I know what you’re thinking – who orders broccoli for an appetizer? The sauce was to die for and the broccoli was so crispy and delicious. We enjoyed our cocktails while taking in the views of the Space Needle and the city.
Little Tin Goods & Apothecary Cabinet: We decided to take a quick trip up to the Ballard neighborhood, about a 25 minute drive from downtown Seattle. Of course I searched “pretty bars” on google and found this little gem. While the service was mediocre (our server seemed to be bothered by our presence), the bar itself was a beautiful green oasis! Its very green and the atmosphere was very light and airy. Unfortunately the patio area was closed off for a private party, but the interior was still nice. I recommend grabbing a quick drink and snapping a photo!
Bar Melusine: I came across this oyster bar through someone I follow on Instagram. The pastel green decor is just so pretty, I had to make time to visit. Unfortunately, Akshay and I are not huge oyster fans, so we decided to just stick to a cocktail. It was entertaining watching the man behind the bar shuck some oysters though. If you’re looking for a photo, I recommend coming here right when it opens (which is at 5pm).
Smith Tower: Looking for amazing views of downtown that are super high up? This is a must go. You pay $20 (I think it goes up a bit at night) and stroll through their museum and then take their 1940’s style brass elevators up to the very top, where you can grab a cocktail and enjoy the views! The outside is caged though, so if that bothers you, then the Space Needle may be a better option. I heard that they replaced the caged look with a glass window instead.
Ice cream Shop
Frankie & Jo’s: We came across this vegan ice cream store by pure chance. It’s also located in the Capitol Hill district. Since Akshay is lactose intolerant with certain milk based products, the sign caught my eye. However, when I walked in, I was sold because of all the pink vibes! I ordered a chocolate date flavor, and I have to say it was really good and reminded me of real ice cream! (Akshay’s note: best vegan ice cream I’ve ever had. I haven’t had much, but this tasted like normal ice cream. Highly recommended.)
I wish we had more time to explore, but these were definitely the highlights of our trip. We were pleasantly surprised by the food and drink in Seattle, especially since it didn’t rain at all while we were there. I highly recommend eating and drinking your way through this charming city!
