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
Cycle Dogs
The popular vegan hot dog stand is opening its first permanent brick-and-mortar restaurant in the former space of No Bones Beach Club in spring 2021.
5410 17th Ave NW
Ballard
Ballard
Mighty-O Donuts
People love Mighty-O's certified organic, preservative-free, zero-trans-fat, un-artificially-colored-or-flavored, cholesterol-free vegan doughnuts. They can be…
1555 NW Market St
Ballard
206-547-0335
Ballard
206-547-0335
Jhanjay Vegetarian Thai
Jhanjay has some of the best fake meat in the city. Unlike other restaurants that use the overprocessed spongy fake meat, Jhanjay makes its own in-house: thick…
5313B Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-588-1469
Ballard
206-588-1469
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
HummingBird
Before opening HummingBird, a Ballard juice bar and restaurant, Keely Fetters was an acupuncturist, an interior decorator, and worked at Gravity Bar (a long-ag…
2242 NW Market St
Ballard
206-420-2033
Ballard
206-420-2033
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