Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)
North Seattle
Ravenna
Map 32
Ravenna is a residential wasteland that lies just north of the U District. It is populated largely by grad students and young families. However, the densely green surroundings and the amazing woodland bubble of Ravenna Park lend a refreshing, non-suburban ambiance to the area.
Landmarks
✵ Wedgwood Rock ✵ 28th Ave NE & NE 72nd St
It’s a bad sign when a neighborhood’s major landmark is a rock.
Coffee
✵ Cowen Park Grocery ✵ 1217 NE Ravenna Blvd
206-525-1117
Cafe attached to lovely Mom & Pop grocery with friendly baristas, Le Fournil pastries and Manny’s on tap.
✵ Diva Espresso ✵ 8014 Lake City Way NE
206-525-5920
Local chain with unpredictable service. I guess it’s kind of like ordering coffee from a diva.
✵ Espresso Express ✵ 6500 15th Ave NE
206-524-6326
Also food.
✵ Herkimer Coffee ✵ 5611 University Way NE
206-525-5070
Roasting great coffee.
✵ Muddy Waters Coffee Company ✵ 2258 NE 65th St
206-729-7587
Some places just get grandfathered in.
✵ Rooster’s ✵ 7809 Lake City Way NE
206-632-6351
Open early. Cock a doodle doo.
Nightlife
✵ Knarr Shipwreck Lounge ✵
5633 University Way NE
206-525-3323
Play pool and shuffleboard with grizzled Seattleites.
✵ The Pub at Third Place ✵ 6504 20th Ave NE
206-523-0217
Board games and wood decor make you feel comfortably snowed in.
✵ Ravenna Alehouse ✵ 2258 NE 65th St
206-729-9083
A decent neighborhood pub.
Restaurants
✵ Bagel Oasis ✵ 2112 NE 65th St
206-526-0525 ✵ $
Boiled bagels! Just like Bubby used to make.
✵ Cafe Kopi ✵ 8056 Lake City Way NE
206-523-6197 ✵ $
Cuteing up Lake City with pastries and yummy rice bowls.
✵ Chiang’s Gourmet ✵ 7845 Lake City Way NE
206-527-8888 ✵ $$
You don’t have to be Chinese to eat here, but it sure helps.
✵ Frank’s Oyster House & Champagne Parlor ✵ 2616 NE 55th St
206-525-0220 ✵ $$
Funky Montana meets the 80’s decor.
✵ Gaudi ✵ 3410 NE 55th St
206-527-3400 ✵ $$$
Just like Spain (except the early closing time).
✵ Harissa Mediterranean Cuisine ✵
2255 NE 65th St
206-588-0650 ✵ $$
Lebanese cuisine, cocktails, and belly dancing.
✵ Heidelberg Haus ✵ 2122 NE 65th St
206-466-5369 ✵ $$$
The uber German experience.
✵ Kidd Valley ✵ 5502 25th Ave NE
206-522-0890 ✵ $
Hey, at least they have veggie burgers.
✵ Mamma Melina ✵ 5101 25th Ave NE
206-632-2271 ✵ $$
An Italian experience that will get you laid.
✵ Mr. Villa Mexican Restaurant ✵
8064 Lake City Way NE
206-517-5660 ✵ $$
As friendly and authentico as they come.
✵ Pair ✵ 5501 30th Ave NE
206-526-7655 ✵ $$$
Small, seasonal plates—you guessed it—”paired” with wine. NFT approved.
✵ Persepolis Grill ✵ 5517 University Way NE
206-524-3434 ✵ $
Soups, stews and BBQ at ancient Persian prices.
✵ Pizza Pi Vegan Pizzeria ✵ 5500 University Way NE
206-343-1415 ✵ $
Who says vegans have to compromise? All vegan, all the time.
✵ Queen Mary Tea Room ✵ 2912 NE 55th St
206-527-2770 ✵ $$$
Snack on proper British crumpets and tea. Don’t forget to raise your pinky.
✵ Salare ✵ 2404 NE 65th St
206-556-2192 ✵ $$$
Farm-to-table with influences from all over.
✵ Tempero do Brasil ✵ 5628 University Way NE
206-523-6229 ✵ $$$
A thrilling mix of cuisines is the remedy for “what-to-try-next” syndrome.
✵ Vios Café ✵ 6504 20th Ave NE
206-525-5701 ✵ $
Beautiful Greek dishes. Wines for the adults, play area for the kiddies.
✵ Wayward Vegan Café ✵ 5253 University Way NE
206-524-0204 ✵ $$
Vegan comfort food with a punk vibe.
✵ Zeek’s Pizza ✵ 2108 NE 65th St
206-285-8646 ✵ $$
Pizzas with pizzazz, like the Thai version with peanut sauce.
✵ Zouave Restaurant ✵ 2615 NE 65th St
206-525-7747 ✵ $$
Small but eclectic menu in an adorable hole-in-the-wall bistro.
Entertainment-wise, Ravenna isn’t quite a destination. But if you live there and feel ‘hoodbound, there are some options: board games and wood decor at The Pub at Third Place will make you feel snowed in at a ski lodge, Ravenna Alehouse is a decent enough neighborhood pub, and Knarr is a comfortable dive. The restaurant scene is looking good with the excellent Pair leading the way, along with Gaudi.
Shopping
✵ Cowen Park Grocery ✵ 1217 NE Ravenna Blvd
206-525-1117
Your friendly neighborhood mini mart. Fresh Korean tacos spring-summer!
✵ Planet Happy ✵ 2914 NE 55th St
206-729-0154
See a baby hedgehog who lives in an old converted TV while you buy toys.
✵ Ravenna Third Place Books ✵ 6504 20th Ave NE
206-525-2347
Revitalized neighborhood bookstore; bar downstairs.
✵ Recess ✵ 5235 University Wy NE
206-729-5099
Designer casual hoodies, hats and sneakers for the urban man.
✵ Rising Sun Farms & Produce ✵ 6329 15th Ave NE
206-524-9741
So cheap and delicious, you’ll feel like you’re scamming them.
✵ Spotted Owl Berger Variety Shop ✵
5502 University Way NE
206-632-1611
Creative and original glasswear for, you know, your “coffee table.”
✵ Vegan Haven ✵ 5270 University Way NE
206-523-9060
Ethically-minded consumers shop at the only 100% vegan store in WA.
Map 33 ✵ Northwest Seattle |