Pono Ranch
Pono is Hawaiian for, roughly, “a state of harmony or balance.” Near the north end of the Ballard Bridge, Pono Ranch is, roughly, an organic cafe—one with a “h…
4502 Shilshole Ave NW
Ballard
206-258-2162
Ballard
206-258-2162
Mean Sandwich
This joint near Ballard Bridge serves big, hot sandwiches on Macrina buns, plus fried potato skins and bread pudding.
1510 NW Leary Way
Ballard
206-789-9999
Ballard
206-789-9999
Salmon Bay Cafe
The Salmon Bay Cafe, wedged between a marina and the train tracks, makes old-school diner classics, including omelettes named after Seattle neighborhoods.
5109 Shilshole Ave NW
Ballard
206-782-5539
Ballard
206-782-5539
Hattie's Hat
With stiff drinks and good food, Hattie’s is one of Ballard’s most beloved dives. The all-American menu has everything from classic burgers with sweet-potato f…
5231 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-784-0175
Ballard
206-784-0175
King's Hardware
This western-style bar, brother to Capitol Hill's beloved Linda's Tavern, is a good place to share a pitcher, but be warned that it's almost always crowded. Wh…
5225 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-782-0027
Ballard
206-782-0027
El Moose
Things people especially love at El Moose: the Mexican breakfasts and the tortilla soup. The former includes excellent chilaquiles, superlative huevos ranchero…
5242 Leary Ave NW
Ballard
206-784-5568
Ballard
206-784-5568
The Other Coast Cafe
The “other” coast is the East Coast (get it?!). The meats are thin-sliced and tasty, the lettuce etc. is fresh, and the bread is great (baguette-ish but withou…
5315 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-789-0936
Ballard
206-789-0936
Vietnam Cafe and Sandwich
The name is pretty self-explanatory. Try any of the tofu dishes, and pick a sunny day to go--they have outdoor seating which is perfect for people-watching.
5701 15th Ave NW
Ballard
206-783-0836
Ballard
206-783-0836
Corner Spot Ballard
Former Zig Zag Cafe co-owner Kacy Fitch is behind this new neighborhood bar in the former space of the Crooked Nail. There's a menu of soups, salads, sandwiche…
1556 NW 56th St
Ballard
206-432-9528
Ballard
206-432-9528
Pink Bee Curry & Sandwiches
A Ballard-based, family-run Thai spot offering sandwiches and curries.
2010 NW 56th St
Ballard
206-466-1650
Ballard
206-466-1650
Ballard Smoke Shop
The Smoke Shop is the place to go for a well whiskey, a cheap can of cold beer, and a few pull tabs. The waitresses, who are old and beautiful in that dive-bar…
5439 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-784-6611
Ballard
206-784-6611
Freya
Freya at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard has the most authentic smørrebrød in town, and the loveliest. The crown jewel among them features juniper-smoked…
2655 NW Market St
Ballard
206-789-5707
Ballard
206-789-5707
Portage Bay Cafe
A tasty place to go for an all-American, local/organic/sustainable-focused breakfast or brunch, including cage-free eggs from Olympia, hams and sausages made i…
2821 NW Market
Ballard
206-783-1547
Ballard
206-783-1547
Kimchi House
If you want traditional Korean food—the mix-it-yourself rice dish bibimbap or the spicy soup soon dubu jigae—you’re in luck here. If you want some fusiony Kore…
5809 24th Ave NW
Ballard
206-784-5322
Ballard
206-784-5322
Lockspot Cafe
The Lockspot reminds one of a small-town bar—it's got wood paneling, a pool table, and a jukebox bursting with Bob Seger, AC/DC, and Van Halen. The food …
3005 NW 54th St
Ballard
206-789-4865
Ballard
206-789-4865
Ristorante Picolinos
Picolinos invites you "to enjoy and experience authentic Italian food in the warmth and comfort of the restaurant." They also have a lot of Italian wine, a lar…
6415 32nd Ave NW
Ballard
206-781-8000
Ballard
206-781-8000
Un Bien Shilshole
Un Bien is owned by Julian and Lucas Lorenzo, sons of the original Paseo owner, Lorenzo Lorenzo. (Lorenzo Lorzenzo sold his business, and the Lorenzo family is…
6226 Seaview Ave NW
Ballard
206-420-7545
Ballard
206-420-7545