Wake up, put your coffee in a travel mug, get on the light rail, we’ve got to go!
Breakfast: Pufftown Bakehouse
🥐 One of Pike Place Market’s newer businesses (on the north side of the market), this tiny bakery specializes in exquisite, airy croissants, sometimes featuring wild flavor combinations — who wants a garlic fries croissant?
Know before you go: Make this your first stop, because they typically sell out of everything by midday.
Morning Shopping: Pike Place DownUnder
🧑🦯 My favorite way to get down to the waterfront from Pike Place is to cut through the DownUnder, the lower level of shops that is less busy — and quirkier — than the above-ground market. Old Seattle Paperworks has a neat selection of vintage maps and posters, Golden Age Collectibles claims to be the oldest comic book store in the world, and Ventures Marketplace features products from micro-businesses too small to have storefronts of their own.
Know before you go: DownUnder is accessible by ramps, but if stairs aren’t possible for you, you’ll need to find an elevator to get all the way down to the water.
Lunch: Skalka
🍳 Head south along the water to Skalka, a block inland from Pier 54. This Georgian restaurant is locally famous for its khachapuri, a kind of bread boat with egg, cheese, and other fillings in the middle. It’s warm, filling, and photogenic — and a little different than the seafood-centric menus around here.
Know before you go: Khachapuri is the opposite of gluten-free. If you have dietary restrictions, try the new Brazilian lunch counter in Pike Place, Baiana.
Afternoon Attraction: Exquisite Creatures
🪲 There are lots of activities around here, from the Great Wheel to the aquarium to hour-long cruises around Elliot Bay. But don’t miss out on Exquisite Creatures, an exhibit that features artist Christopher Marley’s beautifully preserved plant and animal specimens.
Know before you go: Exquisite Creatures is popular enough that you should book tickets in advance.
Chill Out: Copperworks Distilling
🥃 At this point, you’ve spent several hours trekking around the market, waterfront, and museum. If you need a break, check out Copperworks Distilling, one of Seattle’s most decorated distilleries, which has a tasting room right across the street from the water. Tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Know before you go: If you aren’t a spirits fan (or the tasting room is too crowded), walk a block up to the Reuben’s taproom on First and Seneca, which has lots of beer, cider, and NA options on tap.
Dinner: Matt’s in the Market
🌄 There are lots of restaurants with waterfront views, but none more iconic than Matt’s, on the top floor of the Corner Market building. It’s across the street from the famous Pike Place Market sign, and you can look out over the top of the market to Elliot Bay. The menu is classic Pacific Northwest stuff, livened up with some unexpected culinary touches — get the mussels and clams in lemongrass broth.
Know before you go: If the price tag puts you off, head down to Ivar’s Seafood Bar right by the water.
