Food Scene
A local institution and the best burger in town to me. A double cheeseburger with grilled onions is my go to. Mostly a walkup window but a few spots inside and picnic tables out.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Scooter's Burgers
5802 24th Ave NWA local institution and the best burger in town to me. A double cheeseburger with grilled onions is my go to. Mostly a walkup window but a few spots inside and picnic tables out.
Only open for Breakfast and Lunch. Dine with old Norwegian locals, fisherman and maybe even spot the guys from "The Deadliest Catch" Seafood Benedict lives in my dreams. PNW version of a diner
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bay Cafe
1900 W Nickerson StOnly open for Breakfast and Lunch. Dine with old Norwegian locals, fisherman and maybe even spot the guys from "The Deadliest Catch" Seafood Benedict lives in my dreams. PNW version of a diner
Restaurant and coffee shop, just two blocks from the house. I have to say I'm southern and a biscuit snob but these guys do a great job.
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Biscuit & Bean
5905 15th Avenue NorthwestRestaurant and coffee shop, just two blocks from the house. I have to say I'm southern and a biscuit snob but these guys do a great job.
Great economical lunch time buffet. The owner Mike has been a friend for many years. They serve dinner as well but I'm a big boy and love the lunchtime buffet.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
India Bistro
6417 Roosevelt Way NEGreat economical lunch time buffet. The owner Mike has been a friend for many years. They serve dinner as well but I'm a big boy and love the lunchtime buffet.
MOD Pizza
6010 15th Ave NWTwo blocks from the house, great artisan pizza.
When you’re up late or just have a craving to head to the border you’ve got this standard two blocks from the house .
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taco Bell
14506 Bothell Way NEWhen you’re up late or just have a craving to head to the border you’ve got this standard two blocks from the house .
Thai Siam Restaurant
8305 15th Ave NWMy favorite Thai restaurant!
Always in the New York Times as one of the best Raw bars in the country. Make reservations ahead of time. I sat next to Brandi Carlile on one visit.
246 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWAlways in the New York Times as one of the best Raw bars in the country. Make reservations ahead of time. I sat next to Brandi Carlile on one visit.
Also a New York Times constant recommendation. Amazing French Patisserie just 4 blocks away. Try and get there early!
153 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWAlso a New York Times constant recommendation. Amazing French Patisserie just 4 blocks away. Try and get there early!
A short drive over the Ballard Bridge, a part of the Anthony’s chain specializing in casual dining but fresh fish straight off the docks. Pro-tip - they serve the most amazing free focaccia with every meal. They will keep it coming until you have your fill. Walk around and see where the boats from the deadliest catch or moored. On the marina filled with fishing boats and as of a few years ago private yachts. Great view of the draw bridge opening and closing. There is also a memorial located there to fisherman lost at sea. If you don’t want to dine in they have an outdoor fish and chip shop where they also serve my favorite blackened mahi mahi taco.
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chinook's At Salmon Bay
1900 W Nickerson StA short drive over the Ballard Bridge, a part of the Anthony’s chain specializing in casual dining but fresh fish straight off the docks. Pro-tip - they serve the most amazing free focaccia with every meal. They will keep it coming until you have your fill. Walk around and see where the boats from the deadliest catch or moored. On the marina filled with fishing boats and as of a few years ago private yachts. Great view of the draw bridge opening and closing. There is also a memorial located there to fisherman lost at sea. If you don’t want to dine in they have an outdoor fish and chip shop where they also serve my favorite blackened mahi mahi taco.
A Seattle institution. Fresh fish on the water with old school charm. During the day you can watch the sea lions on the dock jockeying for position.
188 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ray's Boathouse
6049 Seaview Ave NWA Seattle institution. Fresh fish on the water with old school charm. During the day you can watch the sea lions on the dock jockeying for position.
Hangout spot for the crew of the Deadliest Catch boats. Great chowder, fish & chips and cocktails. If the owner Allison is in tell her you’re staying at the Bunkhouse for a complimentary drink or cup of chowder.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lockspot Cafe
3005 NW Locks PlHangout spot for the crew of the Deadliest Catch boats. Great chowder, fish & chips and cocktails. If the owner Allison is in tell her you’re staying at the Bunkhouse for a complimentary drink or cup of chowder.
Station 18 Drinks & Eats
Located in the Old Ballard Firehouse. Great Brunch, eats and cocktails.
Sabine Café & Bar
I first saw on Anthony Bourdain’s show. They have these amazing Katsu fried burgers and the sushi here is amazing as well. Just a few blocks from the house.
Katsu Burger
I first saw on Anthony Bourdain’s show. They have these amazing Katsu fried burgers and the sushi here is amazing as well. Just a few blocks from the house.
Bitterroot BBQ
5239 Ballard Ave NWSerious Pie Ballard
Great local pizza
Cocktails serving a mixture of sweet and Savory pies. Dine in or walk up window.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pie Bar Ballard
2218 NW Market StCocktails serving a mixture of sweet and Savory pies. Dine in or walk up window.
Wonderful bakery with fresh breads, cakes and pastries.
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Larsen's Bakery
8000 24th Ave NWWonderful bakery with fresh breads, cakes and pastries.
If you’re headed to the International district and love Dim sum Purple Dot is my spot.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Purple Dot Cafe
515 Maynard Ave SIf you’re headed to the International district and love Dim sum Purple Dot is my spot.
Essentials
Safeway
516 1st Ave WGrocery Essentials
Locally owned chain Grocer, lots of organics and hippy fare :)
149 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ballard Market
1400 NW 56th StLocally owned chain Grocer, lots of organics and hippy fare :)
Another Grocery alternative, QFC is part of the Kroger chain, walkable or parking underneath the building. Pretty good sushi, hot bar is all pretty fried but good for essentials.
165 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
QFC
11100 Roosevelt Way NEAnother Grocery alternative, QFC is part of the Kroger chain, walkable or parking underneath the building. Pretty good sushi, hot bar is all pretty fried but good for essentials.
Arts & Culture
Pay parking lot but inexpensive. Great musuem celebrating our areas Nordic roots.
127 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-National Nordic Museum
2655 NW Market StPay parking lot but inexpensive. Great musuem celebrating our areas Nordic roots.
Free entry, Watch salmon through the fish ladder as they begin or end their journey from the Pacific Ocean. During some runs you can see thousands of salmon butting up against the damn as the work their way to the fish ladder. Often you will see full bellied Harbor Seals also at the base of the dam giving the salmon an incentive to make their way to the ladder. Guided tours available but feel free to explore the beautiful grounds, bring a picnic and watch the boats head from the ship canal into the Puget Sound of the Pacific Ocean. Free concerts every weekend afternoon in the summer.
774 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StFree entry, Watch salmon through the fish ladder as they begin or end their journey from the Pacific Ocean. During some runs you can see thousands of salmon butting up against the damn as the work their way to the fish ladder. Often you will see full bellied Harbor Seals also at the base of the dam giving the salmon an incentive to make their way to the ladder. Guided tours available but feel free to explore the beautiful grounds, bring a picnic and watch the boats head from the ship canal into the Puget Sound of the Pacific Ocean. Free concerts every weekend afternoon in the summer.
Walk along the beach, watch wind surfers, attend a wedding or pick up some firewood from the grocery story or 7-11 and stake out a fire pit and hang with friends and family.
728 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWWalk along the beach, watch wind surfers, attend a wedding or pick up some firewood from the grocery story or 7-11 and stake out a fire pit and hang with friends and family.
Shopping
Fred Meyer is a Northwest Institution, originally created as a one stop shop for prospectors heading to Alaska that were required to have 3 months of supplies before being allowed to disembark on their journey. Equivalent to a Super Walmart but nicer brands. Groceries, fishing tackle, Nike's or Paint. Their slogan is What's on your list today you'll find it.
277 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fred Meyer
915 NW 45th StFred Meyer is a Northwest Institution, originally created as a one stop shop for prospectors heading to Alaska that were required to have 3 months of supplies before being allowed to disembark on their journey. Equivalent to a Super Walmart but nicer brands. Groceries, fishing tackle, Nike's or Paint. Their slogan is What's on your list today you'll find it.
Target
Smaller neighborhood Target store walking distance from the house.
One of my favorite stops to check for unique new and used furniture, art and vintage clothing.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ballard Consignment Store
5459 Leary Ave NWOne of my favorite stops to check for unique new and used furniture, art and vintage clothing.
Pick up some lutefisk, a troll doll or Norwegian specialties.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Scandinavian Specialties
6719 15th Ave NWPick up some lutefisk, a troll doll or Norwegian specialties.
Everything Else
Great Food Vendors, flowers, locally grown and organic produce. Definitely something not to miss if you're here on a Sunday.
220 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
5345 Ballard Ave NWGreat Food Vendors, flowers, locally grown and organic produce. Definitely something not to miss if you're here on a Sunday.
Google Seattle Lakeside
Want to rent a space for a group of summer interns? We’re here for you!
Music Venues / Nightlife
Ballard has become the entertainment district of Seattle with excellent tour band venues and night life.
We love our touring bands that stay with us as well as folks in town to see their favorite performers.
165 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tractor Tavern
5213 Ballard Ave NWWe love our touring bands that stay with us as well as folks in town to see their favorite performers.
The Sunset Tavern
5433 Ballard Avenue NorthwestCathedral
Private Venue Space hosting weddings, performances and events.
Conor Byrne
5140 Ballard Ave NWCatch an Irish band or just tuck in for a pint.
The Old Pequliar
1722 NW Market StStumbling distance from the house, stop in for a pint or a game of arrows!
Located in a former Carnegie Library building. It’s a unique place offering pub food, cocktails as well as trivia nights.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kangaroo & Kiwi Pub
2026 NW Market StLocated in a former Carnegie Library building. It’s a unique place offering pub food, cocktails as well as trivia nights.
The Noble Fir
5316 Ballard Ave NWUnique cocktail lounge
Movie Theater
Two large screens and two smaller. No advertisements. Locally owned and operated, true feel of small town yesteryear.
96 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Majestic Bay Theatres
2044 NW Market StTwo large screens and two smaller. No advertisements. Locally owned and operated, true feel of small town yesteryear.