Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

Central Seattle

Map 6

What's steeper? Madrona's rising home values or the walk from the lake? A short bus ride from downtown Seattle, this lovely area on Lake Washington is home to staid matriarchs, gay couples, artists, and multi-generational families residing in everything from Seattle big-money mansions to shabby cottages. Locals covet life on the beach with astounding views of Mount Rainier, but it's the variety of food and drink on 34th Avenue that's the real draw.

✵ Spectrum Dance Theater ✵

800 Lake Washington Blvd

206-325-4161

Beautiful old brick building is a rare waterfront venue for dance performances

✵ Cupcake Royale/Verite Coffee ✵ 1101 34th Ave

206-883-7656

Cupcakes and coffee go well together.

✵ Hi Spot Café ✵ 1410 34th Ave

206-325-7905

Locals love this place.

✵ Bottlehouse ✵ 1416 34th Ave

206-708-7164

A house party of a higher calibre.

✵ Red Cow ✵ 1423 34th Ave

206-454-7932

When you like a steak with your happy hour.

✵ Bistro Turkuaz ✵ 1114 34th Ave

206-324-3039 ✵ $$$

Awesome Turkish food.

✵ Café Soleil ✵ 1400 34th Ave

206-325-1126 ✵ $$

Laid-back breakfast mornings and spicy Ethiopian nights.

✵ Fat's Chicken and Waffles ✵ 2726 E Cherry St

206-602-6863 ✵ $$$

Haute Southern in former Catfish Corner space.

✵ Hi Spot Café ✵ 1410 34th Ave

206-325-7905 ✵ $$

Locals love this place.

✵ Lalibela ✵ 2800 E Cherry St

206-322-8565 ✵ $

Standard Ethiopian; great combo platter.

✵ Red Cow ✵ 1423 34th Ave

206-454-7932 ✵ $$$$

Ethan Stowell's tribute to all things bovine.

✵ St. Clouds ✵ 1131 34th Ave

206-726-1522 ✵ $$$

Upscale neighborhood joint with style and late-night dining.

✵ Vendemmia ✵ 1126 34th Ave

206-466-2533 ✵ $$$

Farm-fresh, simply elegant, and stylish.

✵ Conley Hats ✵ 913 27th Ave

206-322-1868

Made to order hats. Now that's old-school.

✵ Décor on 34th ✵ 1421 34th Ave

206-571-0094

Stylish home décor shop.

✵ Hitchcock Madrona ✵ 1406 34th Ave

206-838-7173

Cool little store: jewelry, clothes, etc.

✵ Juniper ✵ 3314 E Spring St

206-838-7496

The very definition of boutique.

✵ Molly Moon’s ✵ 1408 34th Ave

206-324-0753

Organic ice cream with unusual flavors that sells like…cold ice cream.