Foods You Must Try in Seattle
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.
1. Seafood
Restaurant, Seafood, Vegan, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, American
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.
2. Pho
Restaurant, Vietnamese
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.
3. Cream cheese hot dog, AKA the Seattle Dog
Food Truck, American
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.
5. Produce
Market, Street Food
6. Hom bow
Cafe, Chinese
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.
7. Coffee
Bar, Cafe, Market, American
8. Cupcake Royale
Bakery, Dessert, Pastries
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.
9. Dairy
Cheesemonger, American, Vegetarian
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.
10. Teriyaki
Restaurant, Asian
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.
11. Craft beer
Bar, Beer
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.
12. Fast food
Restaurant, Fast Food
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.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.