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Foods You Must Try in Seattle

Shoppers pick up fresh produce at Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle
Shoppers pick up fresh produce at Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle | © Bryan Pollard / Alamy Stock Photo

Seattle’s cuisine reflects the city’s beautiful natural surroundings and its international population. When in town, check out these Culture Trip recommendations if you want to experience the best food in Seattle.

The Seattle Coffee Tour

Restaurant

Immerse yourself in Seattle’s renowned coffee culture with a local guide on a journey through the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood. This tour offers a true taste of Seattle’s coffee scene, where coffee culture and counterculture converge. Visit a variety of coffee shops to sample a diverse range of brews, from classic favorites to innovative creations. Gain insight into the coffee production process, learn about the local coffee culture, and uncover the unique stories behind each cup. Seattle, known as the coffee capital of the USA, provides the perfect backdrop for this enriching experience, leaving you both energized and informed about the art and culture of coffee. Operated by a B Corp certified company committed to sustainability, this tour is carbon neutral, ensuring your exploration supports responsible travel practices.

Seattle Chocolate Tour

Restaurant

Discover Seattle’s sweet side on a delicious chocolate-themed walking tour through downtown! While Seattle is renowned for its coffee, its love affair with chocolate is equally impressive. Embark on a flavorful journey to 8 of downtown Seattle’s most cherished food stops, including iconic spots like Fran’s Chocolates and Cupcake Royale. Your ticket includes 12 individual chocolate tastings, where you’ll experience a variety of chocolate creations that will tantalize your taste buds. Along the way, get an introduction to Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market, where local flavors and culinary traditions thrive. This sensory adventure invites you to indulge in Seattle’s chocolate culture while accommodating any dietary restrictions or mobility concerns, ensuring a delightful and inclusive experience for all participants.

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market

Restaurant

Embark on a culinary journey through Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market with a 2-hour, chef-guided food tour that offers a taste of both the local flavors and vibrant culture. Led by a knowledgeable chef, this behind-the-scenes adventure allows you to discover where chefs shop and locals gather. Enjoy diverse tastings at multiple stops, including renowned spots like Beecher’s ‘World’s Best’ Mac and Cheese, Local Color coffee shop, Britt’s Pickles, and Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt. Delight in the sights, sounds, and aromas of this historic market as you feel like an insider, gaining insight into its rich culinary offerings. With a small group setting, this tour ensures personalized attention, making it a fun and immersive experience suitable for the entire family.

Seafood

Restaurant, Seafood, Vegan, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, American

people wait in a long line to taste at the restaurant Pike Place Chowder which is very well known for their New England Clam Chowder in Seattle, USA.
© Maria S. / Alamy Stock Photo

The port city of Seattle has the freshest seafood around. Either go straight to the docks to buy fish directly from the guys who caught it, or explore the wealth of restaurants that serve locally caught oysters, crab, sushi and chowder. Indeed, Pike Place Chowder is one of the few places outside of New England to win the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, Rhode Island. Several times. However, if you’re only going to try one type of seafood in Seattle, make sure it’s the salmon.

Pho

Restaurant, Vietnamese

2016.10.14.133502 Noodle soup beef Pho Bac Vietnamese restaurant Seattle Washington USA
© Historic Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Home to a large Vietnamese community, Seattle is well-stocked with Vietnamese eateries. The most adored dish throughout the city is pho, with restaurants like Pho 99, Pho Bac, and Pho Ba popping up all over the place to meet the demand. A delicious bowl of hot pho is all that the citizens of Rain City really want.

Cream cheese hot dog, AKA the Seattle Dog

Food Truck, American

Homemade Seattle Style Hot Dog with Cream Cheese and Onions
© Brent Hofacker / Alamy Stock Photo

Yes, it sounds gross, but it’s actually delicious. Wander the streets of Seattle and keep your eyes peeled for a hot-dog stand. Cream cheese will be an optional topping. Get it.

Chocolate

Patisserie, Dessert, Pastries, Coffee

Frans Chocolates in Seattle
© Darryl Brooks / Alamy Stock Photo

Fran’s Chocolates (famous for being one of Obama’s favorite dessert spots) was founded in 1982 in Seattle. The founder, Fran Bigelow, is credited for the renaissance of artisanal chocolate in the US. So, unless you’re part of the small percentage of people who don’t like chocolate, you’ll want to make a stop by one of Fran’s stores in Downtown, Georgetown, Bellevue or U Village.

Produce

Market, Street Food

Pike Place public farmers Market Seattle
© NiKreative / Alamy Stock Photo
With its temperate weather, fertile valleys and rolling plains, Washington State is an excellent place to grow delicious food. From grapes for wine to the well-known Rainier cherries, produce in Seattle is hard to beat. And, of course, don’t forget the apples. Crunchy, juicy and huge, the apples of Washington State make up 60 percent of the nation’s apple production.

Hom bow

Cafe, Chinese

Iconic Chinese Restaurant in Seattles Pike Place Market
© Evil Genius / Alamy Stock Photo

Hom what? Think pork or curry beef wrapped in a soft, toasted pastry. It’s beyond delicious. One of the best-known locations for this Chinese specialty is at Mee Sum Pastry in Pike Place Market, though Jade Garden and Yummy House Bakery in the International District are also great. You won’t want to miss out.

Coffee

Bar, Cafe, Market, American

The very first Starbucks which opened in 1971 in Seattle, USA
© incamerastock / Alamy Stock Photo
Of course. In the city that brought you Tully’s, Seattle’s Best and Starbucks, you’ll find that coffee is a Seattleite’s main meal of the day. Try one of the independent roasters; you’ll have more options than you’ll know what to do with. The baristas tell you where the beans are from and the differences between them. In Seattle, coffee is an art, so don’t leaving without trying it.

Cupcake Royale

Bakery, Dessert, Pastries

Assorted Cupcake Dozen
Courtesy of Cupcake Royale

This community- and sustainability-driven company was the first US cupcake bakery to open outside of New York City. Whether you love cupcakes or are keen to support green businesses, this is the place to check out. And you might as well try a cupcake (or 20) while you’re there.

Dairy

Cheesemonger, American, Vegetarian

Mac and cheese samples from Beechers Handmade cheese in Seattle, WA
© Vivian Chen / Alamy Stock Photo

There are tons of peerless dairy products to enjoy in Seattle, but definitely keep your eye out for Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (and their World’s Best Mac & Cheese), Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream and Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt.

Teriyaki

Restaurant, Asian

Asian teriyaki beef with bell pepper
© Sergii Koval / Alamy Stock Photo

The art of teriyaki has been perfected in the Emerald City. Though you’d struggle to find any bad teriyaki dishes in Seattle, head to Okinawa Teriyaki, Yummy Teriyaki or Nasai Teriyaki if you want to try the best.

Craft beer

Bar, Beer

Bartender filling up a pint glass with craft beer
© Sunshine Pics / Alamy Stock Photo

As well as produce, Washington State grows excellent hops. In a city where “cool” means local, independent, small-batch and artisan, you know the craft beer is going to be exceptional. Plus, with the ever-increasing demand comes an ever-growing supply, so you’ll have lots of options to choose from. Or you could just try them all.

Fast food

Restaurant, Fast Food

Fast-food fans should head to Dick’s Drive-In
Courtesy of Dick’s Drive-In

Yes, Seattleites may be health-conscious hippies who have embraced and expanded the farm-to-table movement, but they still love their fast food. Especially when it comes to Dick’s. This local fast-food-restaurant chain is cheap and open late. Dick’s has been around for so long that it’s become a Seattle staple so, no, locals won’t turn it down. They’ll just have to go to yoga twice tomorrow.

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Save up to $1,058 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

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