Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

North Seattle

Map 34

Like its NW counterpart, NE Seattle is a smattering of obscure neighborhoods and a horrid blight (Lake City Way). The neighborhood’s defining monstrosity, Northgate Mall--the nation’s first--should probably be avoided unless you’re nostalgic for Forever 21. On the upside, the residential areas are quaint and hide a few gems. The libraries are good, the parks clean, and it’s…um, a nice place to raise kids? If it’s any consolation, it gets worse in Shoreline.

✵ Bark! Espresso ✵ 11335 Roosevelt Way NE

206-364-0185

Great for those who don’t enjoy leaving your dog tied up outside while they drink their coffee.

✵ Cloud City Coffee ✵ 8801 Roosevelt Way NE

206-527-5552

Great coffee and quiche. Better still, Darth Vader is nowhere in sight.

✵ Kaffeeklatsch ✵ 12513 Lake City Way NE

206-462-1059

Bakery and coffee the German Hausfrau way.

✵ Spotted Pony Espresso ✵ 12539 33rd Ave NE

206-457-4187

A little taste of Vashon in NE Seattle.

✵ Treehouse Coffee Company ✵ 12303 15th Ave NE

206-365-3224

For those who prefer their treehouses heated, coffee-equipped and on the ground.

✵ El Norte Lounge ✵ 13717 Lake City Way NE

206-954-1349

Mr. Villa’s equally Mexican lounge.

✵ Fiddler’s Inn ✵ 9219 35th Ave NE

206-525-0752

When Wedgwoodies can find a babysitter.

✵ Dick’s Drive-In ✵ 12325 30th Ave NE

206-363-7777 ✵ $

A local obsession, specializing in cheap burgers and shakes. Perfect at 1 am.

✵ Enat Ethiopian ✵ 11546 15th Ave NE

206-362-4901 ✵ $

Best Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle.

✵ Five Guys ✵ 311 NE 103rd St

206-729-5028 ✵ $

Chain burgers & fries that are actually good.

✵ Jebena Cafe ✵ 1510 NE 117th St

206-365-0757 ✵ $$

They’re practically giving away their enormous platters of deliciousness.

✵ Judy Fu’s Snappy Dragon ✵

8917 Roosevelt Way NE

206-528-5575 ✵ $

Sopping-greasy Chinese—and still, mysteriously, a Seattle favorite.

✵ Kaffeeklatsch ✵ 12513 Lake City Way NE

206-462-1059 ✵ $

Bakery and coffee the German Hausfrau way.

✵ Patty’s Eggnest ✵ 1000 NE Northgate Way

206-364-3463 ✵ $

Fat omelets and fresh-squeezed OJ make this the best breakfast in town.

✵ Tengu Sushi ✵ 301 NE 103rd St

206-525-9999 ✵ $$

Three words: Conveyor belt sushi!

✵ Toyoda Sushi ✵ 12543 Lake City Way NE

206-367-7972 ✵ $$$

Trend seekers go elsewhere: the sushi here is simple, fast, affordable.

✵ Tub’s Gourmet Subs ✵ 11064 Lake City Way NE

206-361-1621 ✵ $

It ain’t no Subway. Five stars for the “Hawaiian.”

✵ Fred Meyer ✵ 13000 Lake City Way NE

206-440-2400

Just like Target but with groceries too!

✵ Grass ✵ 14343 15th Ave NE

206-367-1483

Keeping things pricey while the market is sparse.

✵ Math ‘n’ Stuff ✵ 8926 Roosevelt Wy NE

206-522-8891

Brains get a workout at (unaccountably) an actual math store.

✵ Northgate Mall ✵ 401 NE Northgate Way

206-362-4778

Large indoor shopping mall. Ugh.

✵ Party @ Display & Costume ✵

11201 Roosevelt Way NE

206-362-4810

Go here if you are throwing a party or need a costume.

✵ Silver Platters ✵ 9560 1st Ave NE

206-524-3472

No, it wasn’t named after The Brady Bunch’s band.