Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

North Seattle

Map 33

Like its NE counterpart, NW Seattle contains a blight (Aurora), a hidden corner of wanna-be elitists (Broadview), and a few funky neighborhoods that defy sensibilities of affordability. It isn’t as dull as NE, but that’s not saying much. It’s slightly more developed and neighborhoody than the other side of I-5, but still nothing to get excited about.

✵ Aurora Rents Elephant ✵ 8808 Aurora Ave N

The fate of this elephant is still unknown, so see it while you can.

✵ Golden Gardens Park ✵ 8498 Seaview Pl NW

206-684-4075

Puget Sound at its finest and then some.

✵ Granite Curling Club ✵ 1440 N 128th St

206-362-2446

Only dedicated curling rink on the West Coast. Need we say more?

✵ Blue Saucer ✵ 9127 Roosevelt Way NE

206-453-4955

Seven Coffee Roasters brew and plenty of GF options make it a fine on-the-way stop.

✵ Diva Espresso ✵ 14419 Greenwood Ave N

206-417-1639

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

✵ Gourmet Latté ✵ 8762 Holman Rd NW

206-782-1535

The most gourmet coffee available at this particular PetCo.

✵ Holy Grounds Coffee ✵ 9000 Holman Rd NW

206-783-1797

Brewing Caffé Vita beans.

✵ Sip & Ship ✵ 7511 Greenwood Ave N

206-783-4299

Like a home office with an espresso bar.

✵ Baranof ✵ 8549 Greenwood Ave N

206-782-9260

Classic dive bar with low hipster encroachment, sloppy burgers and daily karaoke.

✵ Crosswalk ✵ 8556 Greenwood Ave N

206-789-9691

For serious drinkers only.

✵ The House Sports Pub ✵ 8551 Greenwood Ave N

206-403-1464

For health-conscious sports enthusiasts who crave a brew and a salad.

✵ Gainsbourg ✵ 8550 Greenwood Ave N

206-783-4004

Sip on absinthe and keep an eye out for Bob in the Black Lodge by the bathrooms.

✵ Naked City Brewery & Taphouse ✵

8564 Greenwood Ave N

206-838-6299

Balls-out beer selection and a killer food menu to boot.

✵ The Ould Triangle ✵ 9736 Greenwood Ave N

206-706-7798

A solid Irish dive complete with heavy pours and Dropckick Murphys.

✵ Rickshaw ✵ 322 N 105th St

206-789-0120

’70s karaoke paradise.

✵ Ampersand Pantry & Cafe ✵ 424 N 85th St

206-257-5671 ✵ $

Adorable gourmet foodstuffs shop with a dine-in option and the occasional wine tasting.

✵ Baranof ✵ 8549 Greenwood Ave N

206-782-9260 ✵ $

Classic dive bar with low hipster encroachment, sloppy burgers and daily karaoke.

✵ Bick’s Broadview Grill ✵ 10555 Greenwood Ave N

206-367-8481 ✵ $$$

Fusion that’s in your face.

✵ Blue Saucer ✵ 9127 Roosevelt Way NE

206-453-4955 ✵ $

Seven Coffee Roasters brew and plenty of GF options make it a fine on-the-way stop.

✵ Burgermaster ✵ 9820 Aurora Ave N

206-522-2044 ✵ $

Drive up, park, and let the old-school car-side service do all the work.

✵ Burrito Loco ✵ 9211 Holman Rd NW

206-783-0719 ✵ $$

The burritos here are loco good.

✵ Dick’s Drive-In ✵ 9208 Holman Rd NW

206-783-5233 ✵ $

A local obsession, specializing in cheap burgers and shakes. Perfect at 1 am.

✵ El Camion ✵ 11728 Aurora Ave N

206-367-2777 ✵ $

Amazing truck tacos and tamales you can trust.

✵ Fu Shen Chinese Seafood Restaurant ✵

9019 Aurora Ave N

206-624-3888 ✵ $$

Worth braving the dodgyness of Aurora for.

✵ Kidd Valley ✵ 14303 Aurora Ave N

206-364-8493 ✵ $

Hey, at least they have veggie burgers.

✵ Mr. & Mrs. Wok ✵ 10000 Holman Rd NW

206-789-0558 ✵ $

A marriage of deliciousness.

✵ Patty’s Eggnest ✵ 9749 Holman Rd NW

206-297-1545 ✵ $

Fat omelets and fresh-squeezed OJ make this the best breakfast in town.

✵ Saffron Grill ✵ 2132 N Northgate Wy

206-417-0707 ✵ $$

Another offering from the Cedars empire dishing up bottomless chai.

✵ Taqueria la Pasadita #2 ✵ 2143 N Northgate Way

$

Calling these tacos some of Seattle’s best is a serious claim. We’re serious.

✵ Wood Shop BBQ ✵ 10740 1st Ave NW

206-618-8510 ✵ $$

Order the ribs if they’re not sold out.

NW has a few pockets of commercial activity that contain life, most notably along 85th and north on Greenwood. The farther north you go, the more suburban the setting. Sticking to Aurora, you’ll find an abundant selection of $2 beers, pull tabs, used cars and meth heads, with the occasional hooker waiting to reveal her “hidden neighborhood treasure.”

✵ Ampersand Pantry & Cafe ✵ 424 N 85th St

206-257-5671

Not your mother’s pantry (Unless your mother is a gourmet foodie and wino).

✵ Childish Things ✵ 10002 Holman Rd NW

206-789-1498

Sell-me-downs and vintage maternity wear.

✵ Lenny’s Produce ✵

10410 Greenwood Ave N

206-781-0619

Cheaper cilantro, you’ll never find.

✵ Ocean Greens ✵

9724 Aurora Ave N

206-453-4145

Knowledgeable staff but you need an ocean of money to afford their goods.

✵ Swansons Nursery ✵ 9701 15th Ave NW

206-782-2543

You don’t have to live in Wenatchee to grow your own produce!

✵ Value Village ✵ 8532 15th Ave NW

206-783-4648

Enormous second-hand store that sells everything from furniture to clothes.