Where to eat, stay, and explore in Seattle — rain or shine

Seattle’s always-sunny disposition makes for a terrific getaway — even for the most discerning travelers — especially when the skies are gray. Sure, it’s easy to have a good time when the sun is shining, but because of the many months of indoor weather bestowed upon Seattle, the city has developed a rich art, food, music, and sports scene.

I spent my late teens and very early 20s living in downtown Seattle. Remarkably, much of the city from my coming-of-age years is still present, which makes coming home all the sweeter. Although you won’t run into Eddie Vedder grabbing a juice at the long-gone Gravity Bar, you can still catch some great bands at the same venues where he once played. The Crocodile in Belltown is a bar where he and his friends occasionally did (and sometimes still do) surprise sets. The Showbox and The Moore Theatre — grunge icons as well — regularly hosted Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. All three venues are still operating, with shows booked well into 2026.

The same holds true for many of the city’s most celebrated restaurants. Canlis, Seattle’s crown jewel of fine dining, opened in 1950 by Peter Canlis and was first passed down to his son Chris and is now run by his grandson Mark Canlis. The iconic mid-century building sits atop Queen Anne Hill overlooking Lake Union, just a ten-minute ride from downtown.

Another of my favorite Seattle restaurants (okay, probably my favorite of all time) is The Pink Door. Hidden in Post Alley, it’s marked only by a rosy pink door that opens to a flight of stairs leading down to the restaurant. Founded by Jackie Roberts in 1981, it is now run by her daughters, Angelica and Jeanne, who often greet guests at the door. Modern Italian fare featuring local ingredients, paired with friendly, fine-tuned service, has made this a true local favorite where families and friends have gathered for generations.

A few doors down and equally beloved is Le Pichet, where you can indulge in traditional French bistro staples like French onion soup, salade verte, and a luxurious liver mousse. It’s a small spot that only takes reservations over the phone, so call ahead.

The Metropolitan Grill, another storied Seattle dining institution, channels old-school swagger. It’s a gentleman’s-style steakhouse where two-martini lunches still happen, evenings get glitzy, and post-Seahawks games, the place fills with players, paparazzi, and pretty people.

A longstanding insiders’ favorite, Il Terrazzo Carmine in Pioneer Square, draws a loyal clientele who come for traditional Italian fare like slow-braised osso buco, linguine with clams, and my personal favorite: Animelle. Here, creamy sweetbreads are pan-seared until crispy, drenched in a red wine sauce, and served over rich, cheesy, soft polenta.

Just a ten-minute Uber ride away, Georgetown is home to a quirky, chic art and music scene. Once industrial, it’s now dotted with galleries, breweries, clubs, restaurants, and a weekend “Trailer Park Mall” where artists and vendors set up shop in vintage trailers for an elevated flea market experience. Two standout indie eateries here are absolute must-tries: Mezzanotte, where Northern Italian dishes meet Pacific Northwest ingredients in a hip, stylish, open-kitchen setting; and next door, Ciudad, a casual spot built around a massive wood and charcoal grill. Proteins are ordered by the pound, depending on your group size, and then small plates are ordered with a Mediterranean slant to round out the meal. Both are well worth the cab fare.

For lunch in downtown Seattle, there’s no shortage of options while grazing your way through Pike Place Market. Don’t miss the pork bun at Mee Sum Pastry, a paper bowl of fried oysters and chips at Jack’s Fish Spot, or a big bowl of macaroni and cheese at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. I never leave Seattle without stopping at The Crumpet Shop. Perfect for breakfast or a light lunch on the go, this market mainstay has been around since 1976. Bagel aficionados line up at 9am sharp for a breakfast or noontime nosh at Bagelbop. Located at the Pike Street side of the market, Bagelbop serves until 3pm daily or until they run out of bagels. Upstairs, Pasta Casalinga serves fresh pasta with rotating daily sauces, posted on a chalkboard menu that changes so often you may never have the same dish twice. This order-at-the-counter-and-they-holler-your-name-spot also serves wine by the glass.

For a proper sit-down lunch, locals love Matt’s in the Market, famous for their house-made potato chips and clam dip. Or, head a few blocks uptown to the Amazon Spheres for Willmott’s Ghost, serving Roman-style pizzas, seasonal salads, and wood-roasted dishes. 

A newcomer to Seattle’s hotel scene is Populus Seattle, where art, nature, and sustainability are infused into every detail. Thoughtfully designed with all-natural elements (you won’t find a single piece of plastic in the building) and built with reclaimed materials, this modern take on hospitality is redefining the “new normal” in the hotel industry. Populus is located in historic Pioneer Square — described as a bit “crunchier” (their word, not mine) than uptown — but it’s just a few blocks from Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, and a short walk to the Washington State Ferry Terminal where shops, galleries, wine bars, and restaurants nearby keep the area lively.

Or, go casual at The State Hotel, located just one block from Pike Place Market. With great design and an even better location, this boutique hotel is home to Ben Paris Restaurant, where the downtowners go after work or before a show, so it can, admittedly, be tough to snag a seat at this buzzy bar and restaurant.

And as for that so-called “Seattle Freeze,” don’t believe the hype. As a born-and-raised local, I can tell you it’s mostly modern-day folklore — maybe even a little hometown strategy to keep the tourists away. What I do know is that we Seattleites are protective and proud of the Emerald City.