Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

North Seattle

Map 30

The tree-lined corridor at Phinney and Greenwood Avenues is one of the better places to raise a family in Seattle, while the blocks along Aurora will show your kids what will happen to them if they don’t stay in school. Right around Green Lake the area turns downright affluent, but all the best shopping, eating, and drinking can be found where the regular folk live.

✵ Woodland Park ✵ Aurora Ave N & N 59th St

206-684-4075

Here you’ll find a zoo, a rose garden, and a veritable metropolis of bunny rabbits.

✵ Cafe Bambino ✵ 405 NW 65th St

206-706-4934

Look for the buddha and charming neon sign.

✵ Caffe Vita ✵ 7402 Greenwood Ave N

206-588-1519

The best of the local chains.

✵ Diva Espresso ✵ 7916 Greenwood Ave N

206-781-1213

Local chain with unpredictable service. I guess it’s kind of like ordering coffee from a diva.

✵ Green Bean Coffeehouse ✵

8515 Greenwood Ave N

206-402-5150

A community coffeehouse with tons of events and a pay-what-you-will menu.

✵ Herkimer Coffee ✵ 7320 Greenwood Ave N

206-784-0202

Roasting their own. Awesome space.

✵ Makeda Coffee ✵ 153 N 78th St

206-782-1489

Asian-inspired and artsy vibe make this a cool stop during Greenwood Art Walk.

✵ Monkey Grind Espresso Bar ✵ 518 N 85th St

206-782-6100

Le Fournil & Alki bakery pastries go perfectly with their no-monkey-business coffee drinks.

✵ 418 Public House ✵ 418 NW 65th St

206-783-0418

Apparently, “pub” can now mean Mexican food and vegan options.

✵ Alibi Room ✵ 10406 Holman Rd NW

206-623-3180

Equally dark sister lounge to Pike Place Market’s clandestine DJ spot.

✵ The Angry Beaver ✵ 8412 Greenwood Ave N

206-782-6044

Poutine flights and hockey for Canucks and those who love them.

✵ Barking Dog Alehouse ✵ 705 NW 70th St

206-782-2974

The dog barks for Belgian beer.

✵ The Cozy Nut Tavern ✵ 123 N 85th St

206-784-2240

If Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox were a bar.

✵ Duck Island Ale House ✵ 7317 Aurora Ave N

206-783-3360

The friendliest beer connoisseurs in Seattle.

✵ El Chupacabra ✵ 6711 Greenwood Ave N

206-706-4889

Frighteningly delicious Mexican munchies and margaritas.

✵ Molly Maguire’s ✵ 610 NW 65th St

206-789-9643

Requisite neighborhood Irish pub, only with real Irish people!

✵ The Park Public House ✵ 6114 Phinney Ave N

206-789-8187

Extra pubbish Public House with friendly service and delicious grub.

✵ Prost! ✵ 7311 Greenwood Ave N

206-706-5430

Small German-themed bar with a friendly attitude.

✵ Sully’s Snow Goose Saloon ✵ 6119 Phinney Ave N

206-782-9231

Quaint country pub.

✵ Sweet Lou’s ✵ 851 N 85th St

206-782-9690

Formerly the Sundown. Lou’s got BBQ, beer, and local flavor for yous.

✵ Tin Hat Bar & Grill ✵ 512 NW 65th St

206-782-2770

Even the jukebox has tattoos.

✵ Uber Tavern ✵ 7517 Aurora Ave N

206-782-2337

Enjoy a cold brew at this small hangout.

✵ The Yard Cafe ✵ 8313 Greenwood Ave N

206-588-1746

As comfortable as your own back yard, but with way more booze.

✵ 74th St Ale House ✵ 7401 Greenwood Ave N

206-784-2955 ✵ $$

Serious about food and beer.

✵ A La Mode Pies ✵ 5821 Phinney Ave N

206-383-3796 ✵ $$

Fresh, seasonal pie delivered directly to your face.

✵ Barking Dog Alehouse ✵ 705 NW 70th St

206-782-2974 ✵ $$

Cozy dinners, weekend brunch, and generous beer selection.

✵ Beth’s Café ✵ 7311 Aurora Ave N

206-782-5588 ✵ $

12-egg omelets, all-u-can eat hashbrowns. You’ll die and go to heaven, or just…die.

✵ The Blue Glass ✵ 704 NW 65th St

206-420-1631 ✵ $$

Upscale pub food that will make you feel superior about getting fat.

✵ El Chupacabra ✵ 6711 Greenwood Ave N

206-706-4889 ✵ $

Hearty Mexican, loud music, wacky interior.

✵ Coyle’s Bakeshop ✵ 8300 Greenwood Ave N

206-257-4736 ✵ $

Former Herbfarm pastry apprentice gets her own place! Believe the hype.

✵ Four Spoons Cafe ✵ 850 N 85th St

206-297-6384 ✵ $

French bistro atmosphere.

✵ Gorditos ✵ 213 N 85th St

206-706-9352 ✵ $

Burritos bigger than a newborn baby.

✵ Gorgeous George’s Mediterranean Kitchen ✵ 7719 Greenwood Ave N

206-783-0116 ✵ $$

Even if the food sucked (it doesn’t) you’d still come back for George.

✵ Kalbi Grill Express ✵ 8202 Greenwood Ave N

206-457-5930 ✵ $$

A fam-friendly introduction to Korean food (grilled fast).

✵ Mr. Gyros ✵ 8411 Greenwood Ave N

206-706-7472 ✵ $

It’s almost like he was born to make gyros.

✵ Now Make Me a Sandwich ✵ 85th St NW

206-714-5090 ✵ $

Finally, a way to carry out your misogynistic food fantasies without jail time.

✵ The Olive and Grape ✵ 8516 Greenwood Ave N

206-724-0272 ✵ $$

They have other stuff too.

✵ Pete’s Egg Nest ✵ 7717 Greenwood Ave N

206-784-5348 ✵ $

Sure, it’s just breakfast. But it is SOLID.

✵ Phinney Market Pub & Eatery ✵

5918 Phinney Ave N

206-219-9105 ✵ $$

The pub for the fancy NW family. The kids menu features risotto.

✵ Razzi’s Pizzeria ✵ 8523 Greenwood Ave N

206-782-9005 ✵ $

A pizza joint the whole, dietary-restricted family can enjoy.

✵ Red Mill Burgers ✵ 312 N 67th St

206-783-6362 ✵ $

The undisputed best burger in Seattle. And possibly, the best onion rings.

✵ The Ridgeback Cafe ✵ 500 NW 65th St

206-783-4073 ✵ $

Cafe and market featuring crepes.

Stumbling Goat Bistro brings casual elegance to the neighborhood, while Gorditos, Beth’s Café, and Red Mill feed the happy masses. The crack-house chic of Aurora gives way to two of the most comprehensive beer bars in Seattle—Duck Island Ale House and Über Tavern. Wash your pint down with some good eats at 74th Street Ale House. The younger, grungier crowd is at Tin Hat.

✵ Stacia’s ✵ 305 NW 85th St

206-781-0292 ✵ $$

Free cookies with your pizza!

✵ Stumbling Goat Bistro ✵ 6722 Greenwood Ave N

206-784-3535 ✵ $$$

As a bistro should be: Simple, uncomplicated, romantic.

✵ Taquería Tequila Authentic Mexican Food ✵

301 NW 85th St

206-784-4699 ✵ $

99 cent tacos, dudes.

✵ Thaiku ✵ 6705 Greenwood Ave N

206-706-7807 ✵ $$

Aphrodisiac drinks the are main draw—limit one per person.

✵ Yanni’s ✵ 7419 Greenwood Ave N

206-783-6945 ✵ $$$

Great place to convert Greek food naysayers. Exceptional dolmathes.

✵ Zeek’s Pizza ✵ 6000 Phinney Ave N

206-285-8646 ✵ $$

Pizzas with pizzazz, like the Thai version with peanut sauce.

✵ Better Meat Co. ✵ 305 NW 82nd St

206-783-0570

Old-timey, new-timey meat.

✵ Couth Buzzard Books ✵ 8310 Greenwood Ave N

206-436-2960

General used books.

✵ Dreamstrands Comics ✵ 115 N 85th St

206-297-3737

Comics…and such.

✵ Fred Meyer ✵ 100 NW 85th St

206-784-9600

Just like Target but with groceries too!

✵ Frock Shop ✵ 6500 Phinney Ave N

206-297-1638

Prepare yourself for loads of compliments on whatever you buy here.

✵ Greenwood Hardware ✵ 7201 Greenwood Ave N

206-783-2900

Makes you really, really, really hate Home Depot.

✵ Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. ✵

8414 Greenwood Ave N

206-725-2625

Space travel (and raising money to benefit 826 Seattle) is all they do!

✵ Insurrection ✵ 8403 Greenwood Ave N

206-782-5752

Leather gear for riding horses, steel otherwise.

✵ Ken’s Market ✵ 7231 Greenwood Ave N

206-784-3470

Last of the old-fashioned neighborhood markets.

✵ Lil Paisley ✵ 6500 Phinney Ave N

206-784-5255

Accessorize like Liz Taylor and find the jewels that will always bring you luck.

✵ New Roots Organics ✵ 4544 Leary Way NW

206-261-2500

Fruits and vegetables till the cows come home. Recipe suggestions, too.

✵ PCC Natural Markets ✵ 7504 Aurora Ave N

206-525-3586

One-stop shopping for overpriced organic groceries.

✵ Rudy’s Barbershop ✵ 6415 Phinney Ave N

206-782-9861

Absolute best cheap haircut!

✵ The Sneakery ✵ 612 NW 65th St

206-297-1786

Hipsters will notice your cool shoes, not your jacked-up ingrown toenail.

✵ Top Ten Toys ✵ 124 N 85th St

206-782-0098

Classic, teaching, affordable toys that won’t bum a kid out either.

✵ Zuma Grocery ✵ 129 NW 85th St

206-781-8600

These Ethiopian foods and ingredients are ZOMG good!