Day-by-day eating plans for Seattle. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Seattle weekend: the city's classics in two days ★ 4.7

First-time visitor, weekend2 days

A weekend built around Seattle's defining plates: a Saturday Pike Place morning, oysters in Ballard, a Sunday International District lunch and a Canlis tasting menu to close.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: Pike Place morning, Ballard oysters, Capitol Hill dinner

    Morning
    Pike Place Market at 09:00 for Daily Dozen Doughnut, Piroshky Piroshky's salmon piroshky, Beecher's mac and cheese. Watch the Pike Place Fish Market salmon-throw at the Pike Street entrance.
    Afternoon
    Pike Place Chowder on Post Alley for a New England in a sourdough bowl. Walk to Storyville Coffee for an espresso with the best window in the market. Take the bus to Ballard.
    Evening
    The Walrus and the Carpenter at 17:00, walk-in. A dozen Hood Canal oysters, steak tartare on rye, Muscadet by the glass. Walk Ballard Avenue, hit Hazlewood for a Boulevardier nightcap.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: International District morning, Capitol Hill lunch, Canlis dinner

    Morning
    The Boat in Little Saigon at 10:00 for a pho tai with rare flank. Walk to Hello Em on Weller for a Vietnamese phin-filter coffee. Stop into Uwajimaya for pantry souvenirs.
    Afternoon
    Bus to Capitol Hill. Tacos Chukis Broadway for al pastor at 13:00. Espresso Vivace on Broadway for the Caffe Nico. Window-shop along Pike Pine, Sea Wolf's Stone Way for a cinnamon roll to-go.
    Evening
    Canlis at 18:30 for the five-course tasting menu. Aisha Ibrahim's Walla Walla onion and Pacific salmon course. Reserve six weeks ahead; valet parks the car.

Seattle three days: market, omakase, oysters ★ 4.6

Returning visitor, long weekend3 days

Three days through the markets, the omakase counters and the Hood Canal oyster bars. Pike Place on day one, Wallingford and Ravenna on day two, Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill cocktails on day three.

  1. Day 1: Friday: Pike Place tour, French bistro lunch, Lark dinner

    Morning
    Savor Seattle Food Tours at 10:00 for the Pike Place Market signature walk: eight tastings from Beecher's mac to Pike Place Chowder, with vendor introductions.
    Afternoon
    Le Pichet on First Avenue at 13:30 for poulet roti or a tartine de jambon. Cafe Campagne next door for a Sancerre and croque madame if you missed lunch.
    Evening
    Lark in Capitol Hill at 19:00. John Sundstrom's foie gras terrine, a wagyu plate, a small-plate cadence built for two. The bar takes walk-ins at 17:00.

  2. Day 2: Saturday: Ballard farmers market, Sea Wolf bread, Wataru omakase

    Morning
    Ballard Farmers Market on Ballard Avenue at 09:30. Pick up Sea Wolf Bakers bread, mushroom forager finds, Olympia Provisions snacks. Eat a cinnamon roll on the curb.
    Afternoon
    Westward on Lake Union at 13:00 for whole grilled fish or Dungeness crab on the deck. Walk back along the canal to Fremont Brewing's beer garden for a 16:00 pint.
    Evening
    Wataru in Ravenna at 19:30. The 14-course edomae omakase with Toyosu-sourced fish, aged nigiri, two seatings a night. Book three weeks ahead on Tock.

  3. Day 3: Sunday: Communion brunch, Pioneer Square afternoon, Canon nightcap

    Morning
    Communion in the Central District at 12:00 for the Sunday family-style prix fixe: Kristi Brown's weekly Seattle Soul menu, catfish and grits, smoky berbere chicken.
    Afternoon
    Pioneer Square walk. Taylor Shellfish on Occidental for an oyster flight at 15:00. Salumi for a porchetta sandwich to-go. Damn the Weather for a Sazerac at 17:00.
    Evening
    Canon on 12th Avenue at 20:00. Jamie Boudreau's whiskey bar, 4000 spirits, an Old Fashioned built with the bartender's choice and a snack plate from the small kitchen.

Itineraries in Seattle, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Seattle?

Peak food season in Seattle is year-round.

What time do people eat in Seattle?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Seattle?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Seattle?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Seattle rewards trust.

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