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Cambodian
Phnom Penh Noodle House in Seattle: cambodian room. Tourists charge past on Jackson Street toward The Boat; the Sam family's Cambodian kitchen sits one.
Why locals goTourists charge past on Jackson Street toward The Boat; the Sam family's Cambodian kitchen sits one block south and rarely makes guidebooks.
TipClosed Monday and Tuesday; bai sach chrouk sells out by 14:00 on weekends.
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International
Mike's Noodle House is on maynard, half a block off the international district's main drag and overlooked by anyone who has not been told by a local.
Why locals goOn Maynard, half a block off the International District's main drag and overlooked by anyone who has not been told by a local.
TipCash and card; the brisket noodle soup is the order if it is on the board.
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French bistro
LOursin sits in the no-mans-land between First Hill and the Central District, a French oyster and cassoulet room with unmarked windows from the sidewalk.
Why locals goSits in the no-mans-land between First Hill and the Central District, so neither neighbourhood claims it and the windows look unmarked from the sidewalk.
TipThe cassoulet runs winter through spring; the oyster happy hour at 17:00 is the cheap entry.
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Japanese sushi
Wataru is tucked into a saxe building ground floor in ravenna, far from any tourist corridor, with a 10-seat bar and no signage at street level.
Why locals goTucked into a Saxe Building ground floor in Ravenna, far from any tourist corridor, with a 10-seat bar and no signage at street level.
TipTock booking opens at midnight three weeks out; the 19:30 second seating is easier than the 17:00.
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Bakery
Sea Wolf Bakers is the Stone Way locals bakery between Fremont and Wallingford, with cinnamon rolls and laminated pastry, Wednesday to Sunday through 11:30.
Why locals goStone Way is a non-tourist street between Fremont and Wallingford; locals know the cinnamon roll, visitors rarely make the walk over the canal.
TipWednesday to Sunday only, and the laminated case empties by 11:30 on Saturday.
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Cafe
Hello Em on Weller in Little Saigon is the unmarked Vietnamese roastery sharing space with Little Saigon Creative, pouring phin-filter ca phe sua da to 16:00.
Why locals goShares space with Little Saigon Creative on Weller, not on Jackson; the entrance is unmarked from the sidewalk except for a small sign.
TipCloses at 16:00 daily; the phin-filter ca phe sua da is the order.
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Cafe
Lighthouse Roasters on a Fremont corner three blocks off the main drag is a loyal espresso room with an old-school dark roast and a weekend no-laptop policy.
Why locals goOn a Fremont corner three blocks off the main drag; the regulars are loyal, the espresso program is old-school dark, and tourists never quite arrive.
TipWeekends bring a no-laptop policy; come for the espresso, not for the workday.
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Cocktail bar
Hazlewood is on market street one block back from ballard avenue's noise, with no exterior signage; the room is candlelit, brown-leather and quiet.
Why locals goOn Market Street one block back from Ballard Avenue's noise, with no exterior signage; the room is candlelit, brown-leather and quiet.
TipCash and card; the bar takes walk-ins only and turns slowly, so come early.