Capitol Hill

Creative, queer, and full of great shops, restaurants, bars, and bookstores.

Fremont

Slightly offbeat, highly walkable, and home to vintage shops, local art, and a massive troll.

Ballard

Breweries, restaurants, indie stores, and Scandinavian fishing history. Somehow it all works.

Geraldine’s (Columbia City)

Our local laid-back brunch spot. Get there early to avoid a wait!

Joule (Fremont)

Korean-American steakhouse with inventive dishes and good cocktails.

Communion (Central District)

Modern soul food, and one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants. Black-owned—definitely worth planning ahead for.

Cafe Flora (Madison Valley)

Plant-based Thai food that’s flavorful, filling, and satisfying—even if you’re not vegan.

Kati Vegan Thai (Madison Valley)

Delicious vegetarian restaurant with seasonal dishes and a bright, greenhouse-style interior.

Umi Saki House (Belltown)

Iconic sushi bar with a huge sake menu.

The Velvet Elk (Mt. Baker)

A cozy neighborhood bar on Mt. Baker Park with excellent cocktails, games, and vintage decor.

Twilight Rainier (Columbia City)

Our other favorite Columbia City dive bar, with great drinks, pub food, and good people-watching.

Sol Liquor Lounge (Capitol Hill)

The site of our second date, serving seasonal craft cocktails and dumplings.

Roquette (Belltown)

Centrally-located, with elevated cocktails with a bit of a Parisian edge, without feeling too polished.

Columbia City Bakery (Columbia City)

Excellent breads, pastries, and hot sandwiches in the heart of our neighborhood. Open Wednesday - Saturday!

Empire Roasters and Records (Columbia City)

Espresso, records, and rooftop seating. Great for a quiet coffee break.

Macrina Bakery (Capitol Hill-ish, Belltown, and SODO)

A longtime Seattle favorite for baked goods, brunch bites, and pastries that don’t miss.

The Flora Bakehouse (Beacon Hill)

Great croissants, rooftop seating, and vegan and gluten-free options.

Seward Park (Seward Park)

Forested peninsula with old-growth forest trails. Great for a walk, a swim, and dogspotting.

Colman Beach (Mt. Baker)

A small, queer-friendly, sunny spot perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and reading.

Kubota Garden (Rainier Beach)

A beautiful Japanese garden hidden in South Seattle.

UW Arboretum (Washington Park)

Shady trails, marshy boardwalks, botanical gardens, and more dogspotting.

Museum of History & Industry (South Lake Union)

Local history museum in a lakeside space. Interesting (to Taja) exhibits and beautiful views of Lake Union.

Museum of Flight (Tukwila)

Huge aircraft collection, including a Concorde you can walk through. Genuinely cool, even if you’re not a plane person (from Taja’s perspective).

Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle Center)

Music, sci-fi, fashion, and video games. If you’re into it, they probably cover it.