Sleepless in Seattle
Seattle is a great place to enjoy a quick weekend getaway. We spent 2 days there, but I would recommend 3 because there is so much food! We were literally sleepless trying to hit every single place in 2 days, but high key food coma-ing the whole time. For this post, I’m writing a daily itinerary versus organizing the places in categories to give you an idea of how to fit the most in one day. Enjoy!
WHERE TO STAY
We found a really great Airbnb in Capitol Hill. Great neighborhood. Lively, but not too busy. Lots of good food nearby. No more than 10 minutes from all the touristy spots. We spent less than $100/night including cleaning fees, tax, etc.
DAY 1
We took an uber to our Airbnb and quickly unpacked. We arrived a little before lunch time, but we weren’t too hungry. We were actually really thirsty lol and ready for our first vacation drink. Elysian Brewery is home-based in Seattle and they happen to make my favorite IPA of all time. We were so excited to find out that it was a 15-minute walk away. We headed over.
1. Elysian Brewing – Capitol Hill
Order a beer flight so you can try different kinds then order a pint of your fave(s). You must try the Space Dust IPA! The brewery is super laid back and the bartender was very welcoming.
2. Pike Place Chowder
After finishing a beer flight and a couple of pints, we worked up an appetite and were ready for our first meal in Seattle! We ordered the classic in the bread bowl and a flight (pick 4). We were disappointed to find out that the lobster/corn chowder was sold out! Tip: Go earlier to avoid this problem. Regardless, all of the chowder we had— insanely delicious.
3. Gum Wall
If I were gum, my brand would be "Extra" ;) lol
The gum wall is in the middle of the Pike Place Market so after lunch, we swung by for some pictures. It’s really gross to think about all the germs on that wall, so just try not to think about it :). We overheard a tour guide say the gum wall started back when crowds had to wait in lines for shows. They made designs on the walls with their gum to pass time. Cool? Do it for the 'gram.
4. Pike Place Market
The public market is so cool. There’s a lot to visit, but I enjoyed just walking through and checking out the fresh seafood and produce.
5. Kashiba
If you haven’t seen “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” on Netflix, watch it. To sum it up for you, Jiro is a Sushi God. Chef Shiro, based in Seattle, is his apprentice and opened up Kashiba in the Pike Place Market. At around 5pm, we tested our luck for a reservation. While we were there, we found out that reservations are only for the tables and not the sushi bar where Chef Shiro works his magic! They offered putting us on the last spot for the 8:30pm seating that night and we gladly accepted. We had just enough time to go back to our Airbnb to rest and change for dinner. Tip: Go to Kashiba right before 5pm to add yourself to either the 5pm, 6:30pm, or 8:30pm seating.
I highly recommend the omasake—chef’s choice. The meal was perfection. It isn’t like other restaurants that offer omasake with a set price. The plates keep coming until you ask them to stop! Warning: This can add up quickly. I was so amazed by every dish I couldn’t bring myself to tell them to stop, even though I was deathly full! Chris had to cut me off, lol. This was by far my favorite meal in Seattle and one of my favorite meals of all time. An unforgettable experience.
6. Radiator Whiskey
We were ready for dessert after dinner—whiskey! Radiator Whiskey is a cozy, intimate bar located in Pike Place. They specialize in house-made barreled whiskey, but serve an extensive selection of whiskeys! One of the best (and strongest) old fashioneds I’ve had to date. I literally could only handle one drink—and that’s saying a lot coming from me. Best part? They serve unlimited delicious FREE popcorn while you sip.
7. Needle and Thread
We headed to this cute speakeasy for our night cap. Located inside a restaurant called Tavern Law. Walk in and pick up an old phone which eventually leads you into a vault door and into a beautiful bar. The mixologists will ask you about your drink preferences and make you a customized drink based on your answers. My drink was perfect. for. me.
DAY 2
8. Biscuit Bitch
We woke up hangry. Biscuit Bitch was the perfect breakfast to soak up all the alcohol from the night before. We ordered the Gritty Scrambled Cheesy Bitch (biscuit and gravy, cheese, eggs, and grits) with bacon and the Hot Mess Bitch (all that + spicy hot link and jalapenos). We honestly should have shared one. It’s a heavy meal! (Located inside a café, no “Biscuit Bitch” sign in the front. If you see a line, that’s probably it.)
9. Storyville
Walk it off at Pike Place Market after! But first, coffee. Orderville’s coffee is amazing and the vibe is very chill. Great place to start your morning.
10. First Starbucks
Who visits Seattle without visiting the first Starbucks? Well, technically us. We did not want to wait in the horrendous lines, but we did get a picture in front.
11. Beecher’s
If you love cheese like I love cheese, you must go to Beecher’s! Right next to the First Starbucks. I was way too full to try their mac and cheese but I was all up in the samples!! Ended up purchasing the Flagship to bring home! So good!!
12. Piroshky Piroshky
Bakery right next to the first Starbucks! If I could re-do that morning, Chris and I would have shared one plate from Biscuit Bitch, shared one mac and cheese, and got TWO of the smoked salmon pate pastries! It was sooo good. Don’t let the long line scare you—it moves fast!
13. Kerry Park
A quick and cheap uber ride away from Pike Place. Head to Kerry Park for the best view of Seattle! I swear we really lucked out with the weather this weekend. The sun was out and the clouds were beautiful. Great place to relax and take pictures.
14. Chihuly Garden and Glass
$25/per person. Beautiful, colorful, and bright. Amazing art work.
15. Space Needle
We didn’t go up but there was a great view right next to Chihuly Garden so that was good enough for us.
16. Un Bien
We traveled a little far for this sandwich. When I say far, I mean a 20 minute uber ride. Everything else was either in Pike Place or a quick 5 minute ride away, lol. We were still a little full from our very heavy breakfast so we shared the Caribbean Roast. OMG it was amazing. The onions just take it to the next level. Definitely worth the food coma that followed us shortly after. Lol, we headed back to the Airbnb to rest and chill before dinner.
17. Elliot’s Oyster House (Pier 56)
We went to Elliot’s for oysters and wine, but ended up ordering crab and corn chowder (YUM) and Dungeness crab cocktail (YUM). Both so delicious. Definitely come for their oysters during happy hour! At 3pm on Friday they have 50 cents - $1 oysters!
18. Kedai Makan
As I’m writing this, I can’t believe how much we ate during this trip! Lol. Kedai Makan was the perfect last meal in Seattle. Located near our Airbnb in Capitol Hill. Go on the Yelp app to add yourself to the waitlist in order to avoid the long wait. Yelp will give you an estimated wait time that you can monitor. Order the mushroom pan mee/chili pan mee (pork). SOOO GOOD!! Roti jala is a popular appetizer but we didn’t order it because we were SO FULL.
DID NOT MAKE IT TO...
19. Walrus and Carpenter
The one place on our list that I wish we would have made it to! They’re known for soufflé and oysters and my friends recommended this place as the best in Seattle. We didn’t make it because it was 25 minutes away from Capitol Hill and closes at 10pm! No ressies so if you do plan to eat here, get there early-ish!
20. Unicorn Bar
The drinks look sweet as hell and honestly not that appetizing, lol, but the concept of the bar is pretty interesting so I wanted to check it out. We didn’t make it because we chose to go to the speakeasy Needle and Threat instead. I’m happy with my choice, but it would’ve been cool to check out this bar if we had time. Saw pictures. It’s like a bunch of unicorns threw up glitter and rainbows.