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
Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery
The University District's popular ice cream shop, which offers unique flavors like banana Nutella and dirty chai affogato made with organic local milk, has ope…
1555 NW Market Street
Ballard
206-858-0125
Ballard
206-858-0125
Shiku Sushi
Shiku Sushi in Ballard serves all the usual sushi suspects, plus ornate specialty rolls and appetizers like jalepeno poppers with crab meat. At the bar: beer, …
5310 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
(206) 588-2151
Ballard
(206) 588-2151
Moshi Moshi Sushi
Moshi Moshi’s salient feature is the Tree, a two-story-high artificial cherry tree with LED-illuminated blossoms. It would be especially amazing if you were st…
5324 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
(206) 971-7424
Ballard
(206) 971-7424
D'Ambrosio Gelateria Artigianale
University-certified Master Gelataio Enzo D’Ambrosio makes Italian gelato every day, using only the best organic dairy and fruit. You won’t see any experimenta…
5339 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-327-9175
Ballard
206-327-9175
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
Arashi Ramen
Ballard’s Arashi Ramen brings even more of the rich, porky broth called tonkotsu to Seattle ramen slurpers. (Arashi’s wildly popular original location is in Tu…
5401 20th Ave NW
Ballard
206-492-7933
Ballard
206-492-7933
Temporarily Closed
Caffé Umbria
Caffe Umbria has its own roastery (in Tacoma) supplying coffee to cafes across the country. Their cafe serves really good espresso, pastries, sandwiches, and g…
5407 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-420-3945
Ballard
206-420-3945
Billy Beach Sushi and Bar
Billy Beach (of Gaba Sushi and Japonessa, and formerly of Kushi Bar and Umi Sake House) finally opened a restaurant named after himself. The “and” in the name …
5463 Leary Ave NW
Ballard
206-257-4616
Ballard
206-257-4616
Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery
Autumn Martin, former Canlis pastry chef and Theo head chocolatier (and fourth-generation Washingtonian), makes all-organic desserts from carefully sourced, lo…
5427 Ballard Ave NW
Ballard
206-453-3792
Ballard
206-453-3792
Than Brothers
Diner-style Than Brothers is devoted to pho and pho alone, and they have it down to a science—it’s cheap, hot, and reportedly good at each and every one of the…
2021 NW Market St
Ballard
206-782-5715
Ballard
206-782-5715
Salt and Straw
This artisan Portland ice creamery has attracted a loyal cult following. Flavors are often made in collaboration with local producers, like Rachel's Ginger Bee…
5420 Ballard Avenue NW
Ballard
(206) 294-5581
Ballard
(206) 294-5581
Cupcake Royale
Cupcake Royale was started in 2003 in Seattle as the first cupcake bakery and cafe outside of New York City, and has since expanded from the original Capitol H…
2052 NW Market St
Ballard
206-883-7656
Ballard
206-883-7656
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
