Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

North Seattle

Map 31

Seattle’s singletons and families alike flock to Green Lake on rare sunny days for outdoor fun and frolic, jogging, rollerblading, and paddle boat rentals. The pedestrian-friendly lake and surrounding park are true gems for those without private waterfront access or million-dollar houseboats. Nearby Roosevelt, smaller and less popular than its sister ‘hood, is a quiet, tree-lined residential enclave on the outskirts of Ravenna Park.

✵ Bettie Page Mural ✵ 700 NE 59th St

Giant Bettie seduces commuters from the side of a house.

✵ Green Lake Park ✵ 7201 E Green Lake Dr N

206-684-4075

A water-wood oasis of calm, even in spite of crowds.

✵ 72nd Street Cafe ✵ 308 NE 72nd St

206-523-5623

Very locally-focused and laid back folks. Enjoy Green Lake no matter how crappy the weather is.

✵ Bus Stop Espresso ✵ 800 NE 65th St

206-528-5997

Not quite near enough to your bus stop.

✵ Cafe Javasti ✵ 8410 5th Ave NE

206-985-9903

It’s all about the crepes.

✵ Café Lulu ✵ 6417 Latona Ave NE

206-465-4800

Open until early afternoon.

✵ Cafe Momo ✵ 7119 Woodlawn Ave NE

206-985-6900

Vaguely French home of the iSalad and a to-die-for tofu sandwich.

✵ Cafe Racer ✵ 5828 Roosevelt Way NE

206-523-5282

The heart of the community and just the coolest people ever.

✵ Forza Coffee Company ✵ 6900 E Green Lake Way N

206-453-4279

Forza is a franchise. This is one of the better ones because they were smart enough to add beer and live music.

✵ Peet’s Coffee & Tea ✵ 6850 E Green Lake Way N

206-267-1440

Bay Area interlopers.

✵ Revolutions Espresso ✵ 7012 Woodlawn Ave NE

206-527-1908

Also bakery.

✵ Wayward Coffeehouse ✵ 6417 Roosevelt Way NE

206-525-5191

Vegetarian/vegan-focused joint. Not a bad way to go wayward.

✵ Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company ✵

2200 N 56th St

206-545-4277

One of the Seattle originals.

✵ Atlantic Crossing ✵ 6508 Roosevelt Way NE

206-729-6266

No need to cross the pond for that Euro pub feeling!

✵ Burgundian ✵ 2253 N 56th St

206-420-8943

Craft beer and all-day breakfast for the barflies who get a late start.

✵ Die Bierstube ✵ 6106 Roosevelt Way NE

206-527-7019

German beers the size of a German head.

✵ Elysian Tangletown ✵ 2106 N 55th St

206-547-5929

Elysian micros in a cozy neighborhood pub.

✵ Little Red Hen ✵ 7115 Woodlawn Ave NE

206-522-1168

Serious honky-tonk for urban cowboys. Slummers get bounced.

✵ Mojito ✵ 7545 Lake City Way NE

206-525-3162

Mojitos are just the Tip of the Plantain.

✵ Mutiny Hall ✵ 1205 NE 65th St

206-524-5020

Their insanely long, rare beer list will keep you plenty subdued.

✵ Pies and Pints ✵ 1215 NE 65th St

206-524-7082

Great concept. Poor execution.

✵ Toronado ✵ 1205 NE 65th St

206-525-0654

So many local brews and spirits on tap, it’ll make your head spin.

✵ Bengal Tiger ✵ 6510 Roosevelt Way NE

206-985-0041 ✵ $$

This Indian food is grrrrreat!

✵ Cafe Momo ✵ 7119 Woodlawn Ave NE

206-985-6900 ✵ $

Vaguely French home of the iSalad and a to-die-for tofu sandwich.

✵ Cafe Racer ✵ 5828 Roosevelt Way NE

206-523-5282 ✵ $

The heart of the community and just the coolest people ever.

✵ Cake Envy ✵ 7900 East Green Lake Dr N

206-453-3337 ✵ $

The cupcake will not die. This one stays up till midnight on weekends.

✵ Casa Patron ✵ 805 NE 65th St

206-923-7680 ✵ $$

Sounds like a good place to get shit-faced, but families eat here too.

✵ COA Mexican Eatery & Tequileria ✵

7919 Roosevelt Way NE

206-522-6179 ✵ $$

A perfectly serviceable place to eat Mexican food and drink tequila.

✵ Diggity Dog Hotdog & Sausage Co. ✵

5421 Meridian Ave N

206-633-1966 ✵ $

You’ll diggity these hot dogs.

✵ Duke’s Chowder House ✵ 7850 Green Lake Dr N

206-522-4908 ✵ $$

For all you chowda’ heads.

✵ Eva ✵ 2227 N 56th St

206-633-3538 ✵ $$$

An elegant meal (ties, high heels, expense accounts not necessary).

✵ Flying Squirrel Pizza Co ✵ 8310 5th Ave NE

206-524-6345 ✵ $$

Imaginative pies made from local organic ingredients. So very Seatown.

✵ Jodee’s Desserts ✵ 7214 Woodlawn Ave NE

206-525-2900 ✵ $

Fairy godmother to sweet-toothed people with dietary restrictions.

✵ Kisaku ✵ 2101 N 55th St

206-545-9050 ✵ $$

For people who value “authenticity” in their sushi.

✵ Krittika’s Noodles & Thai Cuisine ✵

6411 Latona Ave NE

206-985-1182 ✵ $$

Touch-and-go Thai—some people scarf it up, others barf it up. You decide.

✵ Latona Pub ✵ 6423 Latona Ave NE

206-525-2238 ✵ $$

Refuel after a loop around Greenlake with a superb beef pot pie.

✵ mkt. ✵ 2108 N 55th St

206-812-1580 ✵ $$$$

Pretentious name. Friendly food.

✵ Mighty-O Donuts ✵ 2110 N 55th St

206-547-5431 ✵ $

Spoiler alert: That damn fine donut you’re enjoying is vegan!

✵ Mutiny Hall ✵ 1205 NE 65th St

206-524-5020 ✵ $$

Their insanely long, rare beer list will keep you plenty subdued.

✵ Nell’s Restaurant ✵ 6804 E Green Lake Way N

206-524-4044 ✵ $$$

Subtle, lovely dishes showcasing tip-top local ingredients.

Before enjoying a lap or three around the lake, the avid cyclist should check out Gregg’s Cycle for expert service and superior selection. By contrast, Roosevelt offers a less athletic and more hippie vibe for those of the mellower persuasion. Establishments like East West Bookshop, Whole Foods, and Sunlight Café, Seattle’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, define the neighborhood’s shopping district. Nell’s is one of Seattle’s best secrets: pitch-perfect Euro/New American dishes that are elegant but not ostentatious.

✵ Pies and Pints ✵ 1215 NE 65th St

206-524-7082 ✵ $

Buttery, flaky, savory pies and, um…pints.

✵ Salvatore Ristorante ✵ 6100 Roosevelt Way NE

206-527-9301 ✵ $$$

Straightforward and spensy Italian.

✵ Savatdee Thai ✵ 5801 Roosevelt Way NE

206-331-9666 ✵ $$

Another Thai place? Luckily, it’s really good.

✵ Spud Fish & Chips ✵ 6860 E Green Lake Way N

206-524-0565 ✵ $

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

✵ Sunlight Café ✵ 6403 Roosevelt Way NE

206-522-9060 ✵ $

Super-crunchy vegetarian place—aptly named, too.

✵ Sushi Tokyo ✵ 6311 Roosevelt Way NE

206-526-2935 ✵ $$

Sushi + teriyaki = yum.

✵ Tacos Guaymas ✵ 6808 East Green Lake Way N

206-729-6563 ✵ $$

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

✵ Taste of India ✵ 5517 Roosevelt Way NE

206-528-1575 ✵ $$

A decidedly better buffet, with above-average Indian standards.

✵ Toronado ✵ 1205 NE 65th St

206-525-0654 ✵ $$$

One of the more affordable “farm-to-table” establishments.

✵ Wayward Vegan Café ✵ 801 NE 65th St

206-524-0204 ✵ $$

Vegan comfort food with a punk vibe.

✵ Derby Salon ✵ 6315 Roosevelt Way NE

206-526-1470

Great haircuts you won’t need a derby to cover up.

✵ East West Bookshop ✵ 6500 Roosevelt Way NE

206-523-3726

When you feel like some new-age reading, or learning how to meditate.

✵ The Fish Store ✵ 6109 Roosevelt Way NE

206-522-5259

Specialized equipment for the aquarium enthusiast.

✵ Gregg’s Cycle ✵ 7007 Woodlawn Ave NE

206-523-1822

Voted best bike shop in Seattle.

✵ Ma Mo Jewelry Design ✵ 6317 Roosevelt Way NE

206-525-4653

Custom jewelry and services.

✵ Trading Musician ✵ 5908 Roosevelt Way NE

206-522-6707

Good prices on great gear for musicians of all kinds.

✵ Zenith Supplies ✵ 6300 Roosevelt Way NE

206-525-7997

Hippie emporium. In bulk!

✵ zoëyogurt ✵ 6900 East Green Lake Way N

206-829-8270

Post Green Lake jog, replenish your calories with self-serve froyo.