Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

North Seattle

Map 26

U-Dub boasts an impeccable reputation as a bastion of higher learning—after all, Bruce Lee once studied here. The campus is as charming as enrollment brochures suggest, but the surrounding area is an unlikely collision of thug-lifers, rah-rah collegiate types, meth-damaged street hustlers, and stubborn eccentrics. The U District has been designated an “alcohol impact zone,” banning certain types of beverages from package stores, so plan ahead if you need some fortified wine for a sorority party.

✵ Former Location of TUBS ✵

4750 Roosevelt Way NE

Who knew bathing could be so dirty?

✵ Husky Stadium ✵ 3800 Montlake Blvd NE

206-543-2210

Loud, picturesque home of Husky football.

✵ Red Square ✵ NE Pacific St

Home of the Barnett Newman’s sculpture, Broken Obelisk.

✵ Scarecrow Video ✵ 5030 Roosevelt Way NE

206-524-8554

Best video store in the universe.

✵ University of Washington ✵

1410 NE Campus Parkway

206-543-2100

Beautiful campus, with dramatic views of Mt. Rainier.

✵ Wall of Death ✵ Burke Gilman Trail Under the University Bridge

A tribute to the carnival motor domes of the early 20th century.

✵ Burke Museum Cafe ✵ NE 45th St & 17th Ave NE

206-543-9854

Nimble, young coed pick-up bar, er, cafe.

✵ Café Allegro ✵ 4214 University Way NE

206-633-3030

Since 1975.

✵ Café on the Ave ✵ 4201 University Way NE

206-632-6001

Serving Caffé Vita; lunch and dinner options.

✵ Oasis Tea Zone ✵ 4508 University Way NE

206-547-9967

Bubble tea and other Asian junk food. In other words, delicious.

✵ Sureshot Cafe ✵ 4505 University Way NE

206-632-3100

Vegan pastries and paninis accompany competent beverages.

✵ VHSpresso ✵ 5030 Roosevelt Way NE

206-524-8554

Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee whilst perusing the dusty film selection of Scarecrow Video.

✵ Yunnie Bubble Tea ✵ 4511 University Way NE

206-547-9648

Bubble tea on the Ave.

✵ Big Time Brewery & Alehouse ✵

4133 University Way NE

206-545-4509

Laid back college pub for a brew and a slice of pizza.

✵ College Inn Pub ✵ 4006 University Way NE

206-634-2307

Best thing about the College Inn: You get older, they stay the same age.

✵ Dante’s ✵ 5300 Roosevelt Way NE

206-525-1300

Seattle’s only Satanic college-themed sports bar.

✵ The District ✵ 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE

206-634-2000

Great for a romantic date. Especially if you aren’t the one paying.

✵ Earl’s on the Ave ✵ 4333 University Way NE

206-535-4493

Pints of liquor at closeout prices. Don’t make any plans after that.

✵ Finn MacCool’s ✵ 4217 University Way NE

206-675-0885

Great if you like hanging with loud co-eds. Awful if you don’t.

✵ Flowers Bar & Restaurant ✵

4247 University Way NE

206-633-1903

Vegetarian buffet by day, laid back bar by night.

✵ The Kraken Bar & Lounge ✵

5257 University Way NE

206-522-5334

Let loose at the Kraken. You’ll be glad you did.

✵ Monkey Pub ✵ 5305 Roosevelt Way NE

206-523-6457

Frat-free oasis in U District.

✵ Neptune Theatre ✵ 1303 NE 45th St

206-781-5755

Indie concerts and comedy shows in a theater worthy of the gods.

✵ 50 North ✵ 5001 25th Ave NE

206-397-3939 ✵ $$

Vashon’s Hardware Store brings its delicious island secret to the big city.

✵ Agua Verde ✵ 1303 NE Boat St

206-545-8570 ✵ $$

Eat authentic Baja-style Mexican cuisine. Then rent a kayak.

✵ Aladdin Falafel Corner ✵ 4541 University Way NE

206-548-9539 ✵ $

Perfect for those times when you’re too drunk to stumble the extra 2 blocks to Aladdin Gyro-Cery.

✵ Aladdin Gyro-Cery ✵ 4541 University Way NE

206-632-5253 ✵ $

Best falafel on the Ave. Standing room only.

✵ Araya’s Vegetarian Place ✵

5420 University Way NE

206-524-4332 ✵ $$

We can’t believe it’s not meat.

✵ Blue C Sushi ✵ 4601 26th Ave NE

206-525-4601 ✵ $

Enjoy the same fast sushi as the Fremont location, but with yuppies.

✵ Burger & Kabob Hut ✵ 4142 University Way NE

206-632-0324 ✵ $

A good place to stumble into for onion rings after the bars kick you out.

✵ Burke Museum Cafe ✵ NE 45th St & 17th Ave NE

206-543-9854 ✵ $

Nimble, young coed pick-up bar, er, cafe.

✵ Cafe Solstice ✵ 4116 University Way NE

206-675-0850 ✵ $

Overrun with students but worth getting food to go.

✵ Cedars on Brooklyn ✵ 4759 Brooklyn Ave NE

206-527-4000 ✵ $$

Indian food that’s naan-stop delicious. Plus, a nice view of the Safeway parking lot.

✵ Chaco Canyon Organic Café ✵ 4757 12th Ave NE

206-522-6966 ✵ $

An amazing voyage into the raw-food universe; the mocha shakes rock!

✵ Coffee Drop Cafe ✵ 4915 25th Ave NE

206-525-5442 ✵ $

Neighborhood coffee goodness. Have a drop of sandwich while you’re at it.

Kai’s makes the best Manhattan in the city, but for serious drinking, head over to Earl’s, that place with the black facade and chicken wire instead of windows; during their happy hour, a PINT of well booze is unconsciously cheap. The Kraken Bar & Lounge is very metal, very dirty and your best bet on the Ave for avoiding students. Also try the karaoke at Monkey Pub, a beloved dive with the gritty, punk rock vibe.

✵ Delfino’s Chicago Style Pizzeria ✵

2631 NE University Village St

206-522-3466 ✵ $$

You may have to wait, but the thickly gooey Chicago-style ‘zas are worth it.

✵ Flowers Bar & Restaurant ✵

4247 University Way NE

206-633-1903 ✵ $$

Mediterranean veggie buffet may be the best lunch deal in Seattle.

✵ Guanaco’s Tacos Pupuseria ✵

4106 Brooklyn Ave NE

206-547-2369 ✵ $

There’s nothing funny about a good pupuseria.

✵ Jimmy John’s ✵ 4141 University Way NE

206-548-9500 ✵ $

Fast sandwiches that can be delivered within the U District.

✵ Kai’s Bistro & Lounge ✵ 1312 NE 43rd St

206-547-2784 ✵ $

Side-street bistro with quality cocktails and great happy hour.

✵ Memo’s Mexican Food ✵ 4743 University Way NE

206-729-5071 ✵ $

If a 24-hour Taco Bell had real Mexican names for food.

✵ Morsel ✵ 4754 University Way NE

206-268-0154 ✵ $

Picking up where the beloved Nook left off with genius biscuit dishes and perfect espresso.

✵ Orange King ✵ 1411 NE 42nd St

206-632-1331 ✵ $

A UW student’s wet dream. Burgers and teriyaki under one roof.

✵ Pagliacci Pizza ✵ 4529 University Way NE

206-726-1717 ✵ $

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

✵ Pam’s Kitchen ✵ 5000 University Way NE

206-696-7010 ✵ $

A taste of the Caribbean arrives on The Ave.

✵ Pasta & Co ✵ 4622 26th Ave NE

206-523-8594 ✵ $$

One-stop gourmet chain has fresh bread, wine, and risotto cakes to go.

✵ Pho Thân Brothers’ ✵ 4207 University Way NE

206-632-7272 ✵ $

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

✵ Pho Vietnam ✵ 4235 University Way NE

206-547-1709 ✵ $

Lots of love for the noodle soup here, pho good reason.

✵ Pizza Ragazzi ✵ 5201 University Way NE

206-525-1700 ✵ $

At 4 am, who cares what the pizza tastes like?

✵ Portage Bay Café ✵ 4130 Roosevelt Way NE

206-547-8230 ✵ $$

Local organic breakfasts and lunches.

✵ Ristorante Doria ✵ 4759 Roosevelt Way NE

206-466-2380 ✵ $$

A little bit of Italy in the U.D. Stuff yourself silly and regret nothing.

✵ Samurai Noodle ✵ 4138 University Way NE

206-547-1774 ✵ $

Top notch Top Ramen.

✵ Shultzy’s Sausage ✵ 4114 University Way NE

206-548-9461 ✵ $

Purveyors of fine encased meats, plus a great beer menu.

✵ Tea Republik ✵ 4527 University Way NE

206-745-2310 ✵ $

More tea than you can shake a stik at.

✵ Thai 65 ✵ 4214 University Way NE

206-632-6542 ✵ $

Another of the U District Thai favorites. Lots of seating.

✵ Thai Tom ✵ 4543 University Way NE

206-548-9548 ✵ $

Come for the best open kitchen show in Seattle. Always busy.

✵ Thaiger Room ✵ 4228 University Way NE

206-632-9299 ✵ $

If by Thaigers they mean cockroaches.

✵ Ugly Mug Cafe ✵ 1309 NE 43rd St

206-547-3219 ✵ $

”Ugly” is an ironic name. Oh, and the sandwiches aren’t bad either.

✵ Veggie Grill ✵ 2681 NE University Village St

206-523-1961 ✵ $$

Santa Monica-based chain offers up the ultimate in vegetarian comfort food.

✵ Village Sushi ✵ 4741 12th Ave NE

206-985-6870 ✵ $$

Amazing sushi, funky jazz, and weird paintings.

✵ Wing Central ✵ 4524 University Way NE

206-634-9464 ✵ $

Ellensburg’s beloved college wing joint goes to the Dawgs.

✵ American Apparel ✵ 4345 University Way NE

206-547-0399

Non-sweatshop basics.

✵ Anthropologie ✵ 2520 NE University Village St

206-985-2101

Higher end clothing and home accessories.

✵ Buffalo Exchange ✵ 4530 University Way NE

206-545-0175

Second-hand clothes for girls who drink Zima.

✵ Bulldog News ✵ 4208 University Way NE

206-632-6397

Pick up a copy of Obscure French Cinema Monthly and People simultaneously.

✵ The Confectionary ✵ 4608 26th Ave NE

206-523-1443

If this place doesn’t make you happy, you have no soul.

✵ Crossroads Trading Co. ✵ 4300 University Way NE

206-632-3111

Vintage. Cheap.

✵ The Dreaming ✵ 5226 University Way NE

206-525-9394

Comics, graphic novels, role playing games.

✵ Fireworks ✵ 2617 NE Village Ln

206-527-2858

Eclectic gift shop.

✵ Full Tilt Ice Cream ✵ 4759 Brooklyn Ave NE

206-524-4406

No pinball or beer at this half-tilt location. But still ice cream!

✵ Gargoyles Statuary ✵ 4550 University Way NE

206-632-4940

For all your gothic, home decorating needs.

✵ Half Price Books ✵ 4709 Roosevelt Way NE

206-547-7859

Books, music, video, magazines.

✵ Hardwick’s ✵ 4214 Roosevelt Way NE

206-632-1203

An adventure in hardware.

✵ Lucky Vintage ✵ 4742 University Way NE

206-523-6621

Come in looking like Hilary Clinton, leave like Bettie Page.

✵ Magus Books ✵ 1408 NE 42nd St

206-633-1800

Used bookstore with a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff.

Thai food reigns supreme, with seemingly dozens of joints on every block varying wildly in quality and price. Thai Tom is worth the long wait for a seat, but check out the slightly less delicious Thai 65 if you’re in a hurry. Memo’s slings burritos 24/7. Pho Thân Brothers’ namesake soup blows away the copious competition. Village Sushi and Blue C Sushi are both dependable—the latter even features one of those silly-but-fun conveyor belt systems.

✵ Menchie’s ✵ 4609 Village Court NE

206-525-4445

Serving approximated candy bars & cheesecake for housewives by the pound.

✵ Recycled Cycles ✵ 1007 NE Boat St

206-547-4491

Comprehensive bike store specializing in used and DIY bikes.

✵ Red Light Vintage Clothing ✵

4560 University Way NE

206-545-4044

Vintage clothing for people with 10-inch waists.

✵ Rudy’s Barbershop ✵ 4738 University Way NE

206-527-5267

Absolute best cheap haircut!

✵ Scarecrow Video ✵ 5030 Roosevelt Way NE

206-524-8554

Best video store in Seattle? No, best in the world.

✵ Sephora ✵ 2618 NE University Village St

206-526-9110

All the make-up you can dream-up in one store.

✵ Shiga’s Imports ✵ 4306 University Way NE

206-633-2400

Decorate your dorm room like an opium den.

✵ Something Silver ✵ 4628 Village Ct NE

206-523-7545

Unique silver jewelry.

✵ Trophy Cupcakes ✵ 2612 Village Ln

206-632-7020

The perfect combo: cute & tasty.

✵ University Book Store ✵ 4326 University Way NE

206-634-3400

Huge bookstore and gift shop. Don’t go there the first week of any quarter.

✵ University Village ✵ 2623 NE University Village St

206-523-0622

What the rich housewives do with their husband’s money.

✵ Valley of Roses ✵ 4748 University Wy NE

206-522-6887

You don’t need a lot of green to shop in this valley.

✵ Weaving Works, Inc ✵ 4717 Brooklyn Ave NE

206-524-1221

Complete explosion of colors and textures, skilled advice for Seattle’s needleworkers.

✵ The Woolly Mammoth ✵ 4303 University Way NE

206-632-3254

Sensible shoes for the masses.

✵ Yogurtland ✵ 4334 University Way NE

206-547-2900

Rule over your own froyo fairy tale with endless flavor/topping combos.