Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

West & South Seattle

Map 35

Many Seattleites believe West Seattle is on the other side of the world. The monstrous West Seattle Freeway Bridge connects this area with the rest of the city. The California Avenue and Alaska Way intersection--known as The Junction--feels like a small, hip town of its own, littered with fabulous restaurants, shops, and historical landmarks. Similarly, west-facing Alki Avenue feels like a California beach town--with little sunshine, snow-capped mountains, and ferry boats.

✵ Alki Beach Park ✵ Alki Ave SW & Bonair Dr SW

206-684-4075

The closest Seattle gets to SoCal for two months a year.

✵ Birthplace of Seattle Monument ✵

Alki Ave SW & 62nd Ave SW

Includes a piece of Plymouth Rock transported on the first cross-country road trip to Seattle.

✵ Schmitz Preserve Park ✵ 5551 SW Admiral Way

206-684-4075

Old-growth forest paths wind along a creek.

✵ Statue of Liberty ✵ Alki Ave SW & 61st Ave SW

In honor of the little New York that Alki never became.

✵ Whale Tail Park ✵ SW Lander St & 58th Ave SW

Families come from all over Seattle to this little gem of a park. Close to the beach too!

✵ Alki Juice & Java ✵ 1619 Harbor Ave SW

206-938-0153

Delicious organic smoothies and coffee. Why not get both enjoy the view?

✵ Alki Mail and Dispatch ✵ 4701 SW Admiral Way

206-932-2556

Come for the fair trade espresso, stay for the notary.

✵ C&P Coffee Company ✵ 5612 California Ave SW

206-933-3125

Lighthouse Roasters and wine tastings.

✵ Cafe Osita ✵ 7349 35th Ave SW

206-932-4299

Coffee and Mike’s Famous Chowdah. It’s not as weird as it sounds.

✵ Caffè Fiorè ✵ 2206 California Ave SW

206-588-0708

Makes the bold claim of being Seattle’s first organic coffee.

✵ Coffee to a Tea with Sugar ✵

4541 California Ave SW

206-937-1495

Brewing Vashon Coffee Company beans.

✵ Cupcake Royale/Verite Coffee ✵

4556 California Ave SW

206-883-7656

Cupcakes and coffee go well together.

✵ Easy Street Records & Cafe ✵

4559 California Ave SW

206-938-3279

Jacked up record shopping is a Seattle tradition.

✵ Freshy’s ✵ 2735 California Ave SW

206-937-4316

Plus beer, wine, food and arcade games.

✵ Hotwire Online Coffeehouse ✵

4410 California Ave SW

206-935-1510

Small-batch roaster.

✵ Pearl’s Tea & Coffee ✵ 4800 Delridge Way SW

206-937-6036

THE place for boba and crepes in West Seattle.

✵ Portside Coffee Company ✵

6720 W Marginal Way SW

206-762-7509

Coffee’s not bad, though the quality matters less when it’s served out of a big silver barge.

✵ Red Cup Espresso ✵ 4451 California Ave SW

206-913-0230

Some of the best chai around and a convenient drive-thru.

✵ Uptown Espresso ✵ 4301 SW Edmunds St

206-935-3753

Self-proclaimed “Home of the Velvet Foam”, but the coffee underneath is just so-so.

Park free in lots around The Junction and start roaming. Get caffeinated before the in-store appearance at Easy Street Records. Stock up on potato guns, slingshots and other wholesome toys for the child in your life at Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boy’s Shop-O-Rama. Head downhill and west to Alki Beach for a Guinness at The Celtic Swell and explore what’s referred to as the birthplace of Seattle.

✵ Bamboo Bar & Grill ✵ 2806 Alki Ave SW

206-937-3023

The location and hours (‘til 2 am) are the best thing they’ve got going.

✵ Bang Bar Thai Restaurant & Lounge ✵

4750 California Ave SW

206-935-8888

A little bit of Belltown in West Seattle.

✵ The Benbow Room ✵ 4210 SW Admiral Way

206-922-3313

A secret pirate ship bar inside a family restaurant.

✵ The Celtic Swell ✵ 2722 Alki Ave SW

206-932-7935

Children and fiddles welcome, just like Ye Olde Country.

✵ Elliott Bay Brewery Pub ✵ 4720 California Ave SW

206-932-8695

Top-notch beers and organic local beef.

✵ The Matador ✵ 4546 California Ave SW

206-932-9988

Loud. Dark. Fifty kinds of tequila.

✵ OutWest Bar ✵ 5401 California Ave SW

206-937-1540

A cozy little bar for the gays who have gone west.

✵ Poggie Tavern ✵ 4717 California Ave SW

206-937-2165

Not for the timid drinker.

✵ West 5 Lounge & Restaurant ✵

4539 California Ave SW

206-935-1966

Hip yet homey, but always crowded.

✵ Yen Wor Village ✵ 2300 California Ave SW

206-932-1455

Known round the hood as the Young Whore. Karaoke seven nights a week.

✵ Angelina’s Trattoria ✵ 2311 California Ave SW

206-932-4550 ✵ $$

Affordable, cozy, and consistently delicious Italian food.

✵ Bakery Nouveau ✵ 4737 California Ave SW

206-923-0534 ✵ $

World Cup-winning baker crafts inexplicably perfect croissants.

✵ Cactus ✵ 2820 Alki Ave SW

206-933-6000 ✵ $$

Pretend you’re in SoCal, straight chillin’ with a margarita by the beach.

✵ Christo’s on Alki ✵ 2508 Alki Ave SW

206-923-2200 ✵ $$

Family friendly with Greek gusto.

✵ Circa ✵ 2605 California Ave SW

206-923-1102 ✵ $$

Exquisite food makes you forget the uncomfortable booths.

✵ Coastline ✵ 4444 California Ave SW

206-743-8027 ✵ $$

Quality burgers and beers served fast food style.

✵ Duke’s Chowder House ✵ 2516 Alki Ave SW

206-937-6100 ✵ $$

The chowder truly is what it’s cracked up to be.

✵ Easy Street Records & Cafe ✵

4559 California Ave SW

206-938-3279 ✵ $

Coffee, breakfast, and music. This place rocks.

✵ El Chupacabra ✵ 2620 Alki Ave SW

206-933-7344 ✵ $$

Frighteningly delicious Mexican munchies and margaritas.

✵ Elliott Bay Brewery Pub ✵ 4720 California Ave SW

206-932-8695 ✵ $$

Ice cream floats made with stout. C’mon, you know you wanna try it.

✵ Heartland Cafe ✵ 4210 SW Admiral Way

206-922-3313 ✵ $$

A little midwestern hospitality, doncha know.

✵ Jak’s Grill ✵ 4548 California Ave SW

206-937-7809 ✵ $$$$

Both the food and atmosphere are upbeat.

✵ La Rustica ✵ 4100 Beach Dr SW

206-932-3020 ✵ $$$$$

Escape the beach buzz. Meat, seafood, and pasta in a seemingly remote setting.

✵ Lee’s Asian Restaurant ✵ 4510 California Ave SW

206-932-8209 ✵ $$

The Seven-Flavor Beef will haunt your dreams.

✵ Ma’ono Fried Chicken & Whisky ✵

4437 California Ave SW

206-935-1075 ✵ $$

They sell other dishes, but the star attractions are in the name.

✵ Mashiko ✵ 4725 California Ave SW

206-935-4339 ✵ $$

Sit back and let the chef choose for you. Good luck.

✵ Mission Tapas and Bar ✵ 2325 California Ave SW

206-937-8220 ✵ $$$

Expensive and inviting atmosphere. Appetizers outdo the entrees.

✵ Pagliacci Pizza ✵ 4449 California Ave SW

206-726-1717 ✵ $$

Local favorite pizza chain makes crispy-chewy delights with seasonal ingredients.

✵ Pailin Thai ✵ 2223 California Ave SW

206-937-8807 ✵ $$

Gigantic fish tank and fresh food makes for peaceful dining.

✵ Pegasus Pizza & Pasta ✵ 2770 Alki Ave SW

206-932-4849 ✵ $$

Starved? Generous salads and loaded pizzas will do the trick.

✵ Pepperdock’s Restaurant ✵ 2618 Alki Ave SW

206-935-1000 ✵ $

Tasty, cheap beach food.

✵ Pho Than Brothers’ ✵ 4822 California Ave SW

206-937-6264 ✵ $

Cheap, fast, and filling, with a free cream puff to boot.

✵ Pizzeria 22 ✵ 4213 SW College St

206-687-7701 ✵ $

Actual Neapolitan-style pizza forged in fire.

✵ Shadowland ✵ 4458 California Ave SW

206-420-3817 ✵ $$

Hearty.

Get the chef specials at Mashiko. Hit Lee’s Asian Restaurant for its encyclopedic Asian cuisine; their Seven-Flavor Beef will haunt your dreams. Meanwhile, there is homemade ice cream to be had at the historic Husky Deli. If you get a jonesing for lubrication by fish and chips, Spud on Alki is classic. Dig on swine at The Swinery. And local chains Pagliacci and Than Brothers’ serve up competent ‘za and pho, respectively.

✵ Shoofly Pie Company ✵ 4444 California Ave SW

206-938-0680 ✵ $

Tons of sweet and several savory pies to please your pie hole.

✵ Spud Fish & Chips ✵ 2666 Alki Ave SW

206-938-0606 ✵ $

This place has been around for 75 years for a good reason.

✵ Sunfish ✵ 2800 Alki Ave SW

206-938-4112 ✵ $$

The best grilled halibut kabobs—batter not included.

✵ The Swinery ✵ 3207 California Ave SW

206-932-4211 ✵ $$

For those that dig on swine.

✵ Tacos Guaymas ✵ 4719 California Ave SW

206-935-8970 ✵ $$

Delicious tacos of all kinds including braaaaiiiins for your zombie friends.

✵ Talarico’s ✵ 4718 California Ave SW

206-937-3463 ✵ $

Huge slices of pizza, but we miss the old New Luck Toy.

✵ Top Pot Doughnuts ✵ 2758 Alki Avenue SW

206-466-6839 ✵ $

Top Pot is tops!

✵ Bin 41 ✵ 4707 California Ave SW

206-937-0411

Great selection including many NW wines. Good tastings too.

✵ Capers ✵ 4525 California Ave SW

206-932-0371

Classy, overpriced house wares that you really can’t live without.

✵ Click! Design That Fits ✵ 2210 California Ave SW

206-328-9252

Drool over cement-in-silver jewelry.

✵ Coastal Surf Boutique ✵ 2532 Alki Ave SW

206-933-5605

Costly surf, brand names. Offers bike rental in summer.

✵ Curious Kidstuff ✵

4740 California Ave SW

206-937-8788

Let your kids run wild while you buy them super-cool toys.

✵ Easy Street Records & Cafe ✵

4559 California Ave SW

206-938-3279

You can’t go to W. Seattle without stopping here for music.

✵ Husky Deli ✵ 4721 California Ave SW

206-937-2810

Old-fashioned deli counter and homemade ice cream.

✵ Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama ✵ 4311 SW Admiral Way

206-938-3255

The Archie McPhee’s of West Seattle.

✵ Metropolitan Market ✵ 2320 42nd Ave SW

206-937-0551

Fine grocery shopping.

✵ Northwest Art & Frame ✵ 4733 California Ave SW

206-937-5507

Find an equal amount of useless gifts and art necessities.

✵ PCC Natural Markets ✵ 2749 California Ave SW

206-937-8481

Organic to the core.

✵ Pegasus Book Exchange ✵ 4553 California Ave SW

206-937-5410

Family-owned used bookstore.

✵ Seattle Fish Company ✵ 4435 California Ave SW

206-938-7576

Support the independents who don’t sell farm-raised fish.

✵ Small Clothes ✵ 3215 California Ave SW

206-932-2222

Upscale second-hand for the toddler set.

✵ The Swinery ✵ 3207 California Ave SW

206-932-4211

For those that dig on swine.

✵ West Seattle Farmers Market ✵

44th Ave SW & SW Alaska St

May thru December.

✵ Zamboanga ✵ 4531 California Ave SW

206-933-6399

Eclectic trinkets and flowy clothes.