Pike’s Place Market is a Seattle staple for both tourists and locals alike. Whenever we have people come from out of town to visit this is probably our first stop. We eat our way through Pike’s Place one croissant or yogurt at a time whilst admiring the freshly cut flowers, grown from a farm nearby. For those who are planning a trip to Seattle, here are my recommended food stops that will have you meandering Pike’s Place like you’re a local on a Saturday afternoon!
Piroshky Piroshky
- Favorites: Oscar Star, Bacon/Potato Savory Pastry, Dutch Apple Croissant
- Tip: Try going to this popular bakery on a weekday as the line on a Saturday or Sunday morning can get pretty long. However, if you can only make it on a weekend, don’t let this stop you from going – the line moves pretty quick, I promise!
Ellenos Yogurt
- Favorites: Marionberry Pie, Passion Fruit, Mango
- Tip: Always opt for the small size, rather than the small take-as-you-go with no lid, that way you can save some for later and throw it in your bag as you continue meandering around the market. You can always choose two flavors with the small size as well, so take advantage and grab more than one flavor!
Le Panier
- Favorites: Raspberry-filled Croissant, Chocolate Croissant, French Baguette
Pike’s Place Chowder
- Favorites: Classic New England chowder in a bread bowl, Lobster Roll
- Tip: If you opt out of a bread bowl there are free bread slices to eat with your chowda, located above the plastic utensils. Help yourself to as much sourdough bread as you want! Pike’s Place Chowder is located in the Post Alley, the entrance to the alley is across from Sur La Table!
Daily Dozen Donuts
- Favorites: Assorted dozen so you can get your taste at all that is offered – cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, sprinkles, and maple glazed
- Tip: Bring cash! They only accept cash so be prepared to dish out those bills. A dozen mini donuts only cost about $6.50, so you don’t need much.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
- Favorites: World’s Best Mac & Cheese or Flagship Basil & Tomato Grilled Cheese
- Tip: When ordering the Mac & Cheese opt for an 8 oz if you’re eating it alone, it’s pretty rich, plus there are a lot more food stops in Pike’s that you better make room for in your stomach.
Rachel’s Ginger Beer
Photo by @ximenastoen
- Favorites: Blood Orange, Pink Guava
- Tip: If you’re not feeling RGB at the market, try this Seattle drink in one of their two other locations – in U-Village (near University of Washington) or in Capitol Hill. Both locations offer the same flavors, boozy options available as well!
The Pink Door
- Favorites: Lasagna
- Tip: Come at night and enjoy an intimate burlesque show. There is no signage for the Pink Door restaurant as it literally is just a pink door down the Post Alley (picture above). Don’t worry once you open the door, you’ll soon realize it’s not a secret backdoor to someone’s home, but an entrance to a nice restaurant.
General Pike’s Place Market Tips
- Don’t bring your big dogs. Dogs are not allowed in the covered market areas. If you choose to bring your big dog you’ll be missing out on seeing the famous fish tossing, gorgeous seasonal flower vendors, and the Daily Dozen Donuts. Not to mention, the market is chock full of both tourists and locals so your dog will likely be overwhelmed with the crowds and many scents the market has to offer. We have a small dog and bring her occasionally with us to the market only because in the covered areas we can hold her! Seattle is known to be one of the most dog-friendly cities in America, so four-legged children are typically welcome everywhere else in the city.
- Always bring cash. Most food vendors accept both a credit card and cash, however you’ll want to bring a few extra dollars to tip the street performers, singers, and pianists. It’s definitely not an obligation, but you’ll make someone’s day a bit brighter if you do. Some flower vendors also give you a discount if you use cash, so keep that in mind too.
- The fruit at Pike’s Place is a-mazing, however, it is a bit pricier too. Take advantage of those free samplers, or support and shop local if you can!
- The famous gum wall is down the stairs to the left of the flying fish (underneath the big Pike Place Market sign). Don’t forget a pack of gum to help contribute, that is if you’re not too grossed out by an alleyway full of chewed up gum.
- The first Starbucks is indeed in Pike’s Place. Do yourself a favor and take a picture of it, but skip the huge line and go the the Starbucks’ that are literally one block on each side of Pike’s Place Market if you need your morning dose of coffee.
Have you ever been to Pike’s Place Market? What are your favorite places to eat or drink in Seattle’s year-round market? Let me know in the comments below.
