If you’re someone who spends a lot of time watching their waist line, maybe keep scrolling because this post tends to the indulgent side of my travel habit! Something that I love to do when I travel is find unique and delicious food each place has to offer. I’m notorious for seeking out the item on the menu that is the “quintessence” of the place. For this particular foodie appreciation post, I’m focusing on Seattle! My boyfriend and I had a pretty long layover on the way back to Alaska from Nashville recently after a quick Valentine’s Day adventure. We munched throughout the day on a couple of these options, while others are old favorites from previous trips. Either way, enjoy!
1. Honest Biscuits & Biscuit Bitch
I don’t know what it is with Seattle and biscuits, but between Honest Biscuits and Biscuit Bitch, if you don’t stop at at least one you might just be doing it wrong!
https://www.honestbiscuits.com/
Honest Biscuits is the first place I ever ate in Seattle! I was visiting for the National Art Education conference and after checking into the hostel where I was staying across the street, I immediately went to check out Pike Place market. After a little while of wandering I ended up outside the market looking out over the waterfront. Behind me was a brewery and Honest Biscuits, with a small chocolatier nestled amongst them. I would highly recommend enjoying a beer, crabby melt biscuit, and if it’s a decent day grab a seat outside to take in the view! Plus, the chocolatier has dessert available nearby if you’re so inclined.
Biscuit Bitch has a little of everything from sweet to savory, starting with your traditional biscuits and gravy and building from there. They have multiple locations with some funky hours and close pretty early, so be warned! My personal favorite order is anything that includes Louisiana Hot Link followed up with a Nutty Bitch. Something sweet to balance the savory, naturally.
2. Daily Dozen Doughnut
https://www.facebook.com/Daily-Dozen-Doughnuts-110063325682625/
The Daily Dozen Doughnut shop is itty bitty and tucked right inside of Pike Place Market. If you walk in under the iconic sign near the fish flinging market corner, the doughnut stand is right around the corner to the left. (Just follow the amazing smell of fresh doughnuts!) Their menu is super straight forward and you can grab a coffee too. The best part? You get to watch the doughnuts come right out of the machine and enjoy them warm!
3. The Crumpet Shop
If you’ve never had a crumpet or even heard of it, just trust me on this one and try it! Similar to the biscuit menus, they have sweet and savory topping options to appease to all of your taste buds and truthfully you can’t go wrong either way. Seating is pretty limited and it’s a tight space for this little shop, but if you make it in on a quiet day it’s a great place to nestle in and work your way from savory to sweet. You can watch the crumpets being made in the front of the shop, and there’s a full coffee and tea menu for you to enjoy as well! The Mickey Rourke is absolutely delicious, especially with a little touch of Sriracha. And don’t get me started on the lemon curd…I’m such a sucker for lemon curd!
4. Miss Cafe
I was absolutely thrilled when I stumbled upon the Miss Cafe and they’ve become one of my favorite stops when I’m in Seattle. I studied abroad in Turkey the summer before my senior year of college and that was the beginning of my love affair with Turkish food! One of my favorite items to order at Miss Cafe is their pide (“PEE-dae”). It’s basically the Turkish version of pizza, and there’s nothing better than enjoying a Doner Pide to-go on the train on your way back to the airport or your AirBNB.
5. Pike Brewing Company
I joke that those found in a brewery are my second favorite type of flight, but seriously, go check out Pike Brewing Company! They are attached to Pike Place Market and are also a pub/restaurant, so if you’re interested in a flight and a bite, give them a try. Plus their Microbrewery Museum offers a feast for the eyes! My history teacher aunt was in her glory when we stopped in for a flight.
6. Off the Rez
https://www.offthereztruck.com/
I discovered Off the Rez’s food truck at Ballard’s SeaFoodFest in 2019. Their food is nothing short of amazing! I had a shrimp version of their Indian Taco and then followed it up with a totally delicious mistake. Because of the way I read the menu, I thought that they had a lemon curd and Nutella combo, which obviously sounded intriguing. Turns out no, I just read the sign funny, but apparently I’m not the first and I went ahead and figured why not! Spoiler alert: definitely a happy accident.
7. Zeek’s Pizza
After checking out the Chihuly Gardens and Pop Museum, I wanted to grab a bit to eat and happened upon Zeek’s. Since I was by myself for that particular trip, I found a seat at the bar and settled in. Less than five minutes from the Space Needle, this is a great place to grab a beer and pizza.
8. Susu Ice Cream Rolls
https://sususeattle.com/index.html
I had never heard of rolled ice cream until I stumbled upon the Susu cart while I was checking out the Fremont Market. Their flavor pairings were so elegant and intriguing, and don’t get me started on their presentation! These little creations are definitely just as much fun to look at as they are to eat.
9. Pot Stickers & Steam Buns
The first time I tried an AirBNB experience was a cooking class in Hawaii over Thanksgiving a few years ago and ever since then I am hooked. When I found myself with a little extra time to myself in Seattle before meeting up with family, I started perusing AirBNB and discovered a Steam Bun and Potsticker class! My instructor, Fumiko, was great and and I really enjoyed the delicious experience.
10. Beecher’s…but not how you’d think
https://www.beechershandmadecheese.com/
The first time I went to Pike Place, there were a couple of shops that literally had lines out the door, around the corner, heck halfway down the block! I swear there is a special etiquette specifically for standing in these lines and it is just crazy. Beecher’s was one such place. But here’s a dirty little secret….you can skip the line and still enjoy the amazingness of this cheese shop! Actually, you can skip the line and the commute, because Beecher’s has a location right in the Seattle airport! I’ve honestly gotten into the bad habit of stopping here for a quick bite between flights. They’ll mix the original and spicy mac and cheese into one container for you and oh god it’s to die for! If Alaska Airlines is going to make me stop in Seattle every time I leave the state, I figure this is my silver (or in this case maybe cheesy golden!) lining.
