A Healthy Guide to Seattle: Where to Eat, Work Out, and Splurge

seattle skylinephoto by acradenia

This post is sponsored by EVEN Hotels, as part of my work with their Well Well Well site. All opinions are, as always, 100% my own. 

One of the new projects I’ve been working on here in Manhattan is freelancing for EVEN Hotels, the new line of wellness-minded hotels from the InterContinental Hotel Group. As someone who loves to travel in a big way but also doesn’t want to break from all of the healthy habits I maintain at home, the concept of a health-focused hotel is one I love.

I thought I’d share with you my first piece for EVEN Hotels website Well Well Well: a healthy living guide to Seattle, the drizzly city I lived in and loved and wrote about at length just two years ago. It’s a lighter complement to one of my older posts, featuring many of my favorite local restaurants and cafes: My Favorite Places to Eat in Seattle.

[check out the Well Well Well site for more city guides (Boston, Chicago, D.C., etc), travel tips…all kinds of healthy stuff.]

In other news, I owe you a life post, friends, and, though you might not be able to take my word for it, I do promise it’s coming! New York has been everything I needed it to be. This week I’m going back to my roots and working in film production–just until Christmas. It should be fun. Can’t wait to share more with you!

 

EAT

french toast

Portage Bay Café

Price: Moderate

With the motto “Eat like you give a damn,” it’s clear that Portage Bay Café is passionate about serving good food. The menu at this casual breakfast, brunch, and lunch hot spot boasts local, organic, sustainable ingredients all at reasonable prices. The coffee, the sugar, the fruits—are all fair trade. Most of the food that hits your plate—the bread and even the pepper bacon—are baked and cured in house, respectively.

portage bay toppings bar

Portage Bay is a place locals and tourists flock to, especially on weekend mornings. Their brunch menu can’t be beat, with healthy savory options and even a “toppings bar” featuring all the trimmings (fresh fruit, nuts, organic maple syrup, whipped cream) to garnish your challah French toast or your wheat and oat huckleberry pancakes. Diners looking for vegan and gluten-free options will be drawn to delicious menu items like the Farmer’s Hash with gluten-free toast, the Buckwheat Pancakes, the Vegan Banana Pancakes, the Vegetarian Sopes Benedict, and the Sweet Rice Porridge.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free Options

Open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Open for brunch Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Reservations available

Roosevelt Location
4130 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
206-547-8230

South Lake Union Location
391 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
206-462-6400

Ballard Location
2821 NW Market, Seattle, WA 98107
206-783-1547

tilth restaurant

Tilth

Tilth is impressive in that it not only manages to serve some of the best organic fine dining in the area, but that Chef and dining icon Maria Hines manages to do it all in the comfort of a home. A craftsman-style house in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle is where diners can experience upscale, gourmet dishes like Penn Cove Mussels (fregola sarda, romesco, pickled pepper), Skagit River Ranch Pork Rillette (cherry, Theo’s cacao nib, Washington apple), and Seared Kale (garlic, chili flake, lemon), or, better yet, enjoy the five- or eight-course chef’s tasting menu (also available as a vegetarian option)—all in a down-to-earth atmosphere. Tilth, a name for the fertile state of the Earth’s soil, is apt here; the restaurant is nothing if not pure and fresh. This is not to be missed.

Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options

Open Sunday-Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday-Saturday 5 – 10:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday Brunch 10 am – 2 pm
Reservations suggested

1411 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103
206-633-0801

 

homegrown seattlephoto from Homegrown Blog

Homegrown

Price: Inexpensive

This fast casual Seattle chain uses locally-sourced, seasonal products to make all of the interesting sandwich combinations on their chalkboard menu. Despite some delicious salads (Vegan Kale Caesar and the Beet Salad featuring shaved fennel, hazelnuts, goat cheese and lavender vinaigrette) and a rotating selection of soups, “sustainable sandwiches” are the business at Homegrown. The reason? High quality ingredients. Popular options—sold in full- and half-sizes available as combo meals with soup and salad—are the Portobello & Goat Cheese (roasted portobello, goat cheese, caramelized onion, mixed greens, hazelnut arugula pesto), the Roast Pork (Stumptown coffee and cayenne rubbed pork loin, pickled red onion, apple butter, mixed greens, sage aioli), and the Hummus & Roasted Red Pepper (hummus, roasted red pepper, avocado, cucumber, arugula). Stop in for a quick, wholesome meal that won’t break the bank while you’re busy exploring the Queen City.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free Options

Open Monday-Sunday 8 am – 8 pm*
*except for the downtown location, which is open Monday-Friday 7 am – 6 pm

Fremont Location
3416 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
206-453-5232

Capitol Hill (Melrose Market) Location
1531 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
206-682-0935

Queen Anne
2201 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98119
206-217-4745

Downtown Seattle
2nd Ave and Marion St, Seattle, WA
206-624-1329

 

sitka and spruce seattle magphoto by Seattle Magazine

Sitka and Spruce

Sitka and Spruce is one of Seattle’s culinary gems. It’s surely because the food is remarkably good, but that’s due in large part to the dreamy pairings created by Chef Matt Dillon. A meal here is one that leaves you with lingering cravings, hankerings for things you won’t find elsewhere: squash dumplings with chamomile, brown butter, and Oregon truffle, or roasted beets with dried apples, walnuts, cilantro, and cow’s curd. The dishes are vegetable heavy, with a focus on local, organic, and foraged ingredients. The flavors feel experimental and new. Playful yet balanced. The meal may be pricey, but it’ll certainly be worthwhile.

Open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am – 2 pm
Open for dinner Tuesday-Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday-Saturday 5 – 11 pm, Sunday 5 – 9 pm
Open for brunch Sunday 10 am – 2 pm
Reservations recommended for brunch and dinner

1531 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
206-324-0662

 

delancey seattlephoto by Molly Wizenberg, Delancey

Delancey

Price: Moderate

Delancey does something magical with its simple pies. Somehow, within the half hour of waiting to get a table, sitting, and taking a bite of blistered, imperfectly round yet charming pizza, it manages to transport its diners to Italy. To the old world, where freshness and quality are the pillars on which a restaurant is built. Fine ingredients are what matter to owners Brandon Pettit and Molly Wizenberg, and it shows. Their flavor pairings, like the Crimini (crimini mushroom, fresh mozzarella, thyme, olive oil) or the Romana (tomato sauce, garlic, anchovy, kalamata olive, chile oil, oregano), are deliciously straightforward.

Find your way to Ballard and request a seat at one of the two dozen or so poured concrete tables for the best pie around.

Open Wednesday-Saturday 5 – 10 pm, Sunday 5 – 9 pm
Reservations not required

1415 NW 70th St, Seattle, WA 98117
206-838-1960

 

Juicebox

Price: Inexpensive to Moderate

The juicing trend has reached Seattle, and Juicebox is the place to get your fix. This trendy shop has all the classic juices that you’d find at upscale juiceries—standard concoctions like the “Green” (lacinato kale, romaine heart, celery, cucumber, apple, lemon) and the “Ginger Beet” (red beet, apple, lemon, ginger), but look further and you’ll find more interesting combos like the “Spiced Yam” (yam, carrot, cinnamon, ginger) and the “R.P.P.” (red pepper, pineapple, coconut water, key lime). And fresh juices aren’t the only menu items; morning customers will also be happy to find yogurt (cow’s milk and coconut) with granola, fruit salad, oatmeal, and breakfast sandwiches (gluten-free bread is available). The plant-focused lunch menu, too, offers a bevy of unique healthy options like the Kashmiri Curry Carrot Soup, Smoky Black Eyed Pea & Kale Soup, a salad of avocado, radish, cilantro, quinoa, pepita, local greens, and lime dressing, flatbread sandwiches (available in gluten-free varieties), and even a garnet yam topped with black beans, kale, cilantro, and cotija cheese.

Open Monday-Friday 8 am – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 4 pm

1517 12th Ave Suite 100, Seattle WA 98122
206-607-7866

 

tamarind tree restaurant photo by smileoften

 

Tamarind Tree

Price: Moderate

Stepping inside this dimly lit, contemporary Vietnamese restaurant, almost-hidden in a strip mall in the International District of Seattle, you’re committing yourself to an undoubtedly good meal. Tamarind Tree is consistently recommended among Seattleites as some of the best reasonably priced Vietnamese food around, and it’s not hard to see why: the menu boasts dozens of flavor-packed and fragrant dishes that never fail to impress even the pickiest diner. Healthy options are everywhere, with fresh ingredients and grilled and steamed options on each section of the menu. Favorites include the Spring Rolls (salad roll with fresh herbs and rice noodles with grilled pork or steamed prawns, and peanut sauce), Fresh Lotus Root Salad (pickled fresh lotus root, jicama, carrots, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, tamarind sauce, along with the optional lemongrass tofu), Turmeric Coconut Rice Cake (rice cake topped with shrimp, served with lettuce, green herbs, and mixed herb fish sauce), and the Chili Pepper Lemongrass Tofu.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Open Sunday-Thursday 10 am – 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am – 12 am
Reservations not required

1036 South Jackson St Suite A, Seattle, WA 98104
206-860-1404

 

Poppy

Price: Expensive

Eating at Poppy is a taste adventure. It’s an adventure through flavors you’d never have paired yourself but once experienced together, you’re convinced you can’t go back to the simplicity of, say, garlic and rosemary. Here, you order the restaurant’s seven- or ten-dish thali, a Hindi word meaning several small plates assembled on a platter—a perfect palette of bites like this recent one:
Moroccan-spiced wild mushroom, delicata squash, and apricot on farro
Smoked eggplant, lentil and coconut soup
Amagaki persimmon, fennel and radicchio salad
Brussels sprouts with caraway and shallot
Leeks with black olive and preserved lemon
Cranberry Asian pear pickle
Nigelle-poppy naan

Poppy highlights the fresh seasonal ingredients local to the Pacific Northwest in a modern, exciting way. Go for a small plate experience you won’t forget.

Vegetarian Options

Open Monday-Thursday for dinner 5:30 – 10 pm,  bar menu available 5 – 11 pm
Friday & Saturday dinner 5:30 – 11, bar menu available 5 pm – 12 am
Sunday dinner 5:30 – 10 pm, bar menu 5 – 10 pm
Reservations suggested, however, no reservations are taken for happy hour at the bar.

622 Broadway East, Seattle, WA 98102
206-324-1108

 

phophoto by DeaShoot

 

Pho Than Brothers

Price: Inexpensive

Than Brothers is a Seattle mainstay, like Dick’s burgers or Top Pot Doughnuts. These unassuming soup shops are everywhere, packed tightly with tables of locals hunched over steaming bowls of pho—an aromatic Vietnamese noodle soup. Served in generous small or large orders, bowls are full of thin rice noodles, rich and savory broth, and your choice of beef, chicken, or tofu. The toppings, too, should be piled high; bean sprouts, lime, basil, and hot chili sauce are plated alongside your order.  Stop in to Than Brothers if you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive hot lunch, or for a moment of respite from Seattle’s signature drizzle.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Open Daily 10 am – 9 pm

7714 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
206-527-5973

516 E Broadway, Seattle, WA 98102
206-568-7218

4207 University Way, Seattle, WA 98105
206-632-7272

2021 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
206-782-5715

4822 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
206-937-6264

8 W Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98103
206-327-9699

2309 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103
206-632-7378

 

 

SPLURGE

pike place market

Pike Place Market

Pike Place is Seattle’s first farmers market, created in 1907. To this day, it’s a bustling spot along Elliott Bay full of local and artisanal foods. Here you’ll be able to stroll around both indoors and out, browsing the offerings of farmers, cheesemongers, fishmongers, bakers, winemakers, and those selling crafts of all kinds. If you visit one place downtown, Pike Place must be it.

Open for Breakfast Monday-Sunday at 6 am
Fresh Produce and Fish open Monday-Sunday at 7 am
Official Market Bell at 9 am
Merchant Hours Monday-Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Restaurants and Bars Last Call at 1:30 am

1st and Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
206-682-7453

 

fremont sunday marketphoto by kenniecat

Fremont Sunday Market

Sundays in Fremont are booming. The community gathers in the neighborhood center where nearly 200 vendors from all over the region show off their bounty of produce, crafts, flowers, specialty foods, and so much more. Even if you don’t plan on purchasing anything, the market is a good place to interact with locals.

Open Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

Stone Way and N 34th St, Seattle, WA 98103

 

7 salon seattle
7 Salon

Price: Expensive

Located in the upscale Pacific Place mall, this highly rated downtown salon is complete with a DJ booth and an espresso bar. But that’s far from all it offers.  A visit here will leave you with luxuriously silky, sleek locks. Haircuts start at $55 after a complimentary consultation to discuss the cut that best “suits your bone structure, enhances your skin and accentuates your eyes.”

Open Monday-Saturday (except Wednesday) 8 am – 9 pm, Wednesday 9 am – 9 pm, and Sunday 10 am – 7 pm

(In Pacific Place Mall, 2nd Floor) 600 Pine St (6th Ave and Pine St), Seattle, WA 98101
206-903-1777
Call for appointments

 

Ananya Spa

Price: Expensive

The fast pace and stress of city life can easily make for a tired, aching body. Ananya Spa, in Belltown, is the urban retreat to soothe your tense muscles with an hour-long massage. Therapists here are restorative experts, and the services they offer are consistently well-rated by patrons as well as local and national media. Choose from a number of excellent services—from the Sundari Massage (a combination of massage, aromatherapy, and heat that includes a back exfoliation and detoxifying mask and sixty minutes of massage with hot stones and aromatherapy; $176 for 90 mins) to standard offerings like Swedish and Deep Tissue to the more advanced Table Thai Massage (a blend of Thai massage techniques and stretches with traditional massage to deeply loosen muscles and relieve tension; $100 for 60 mins) and Craniosacral Therapy ($100 for 60 mins). No matter what your choice, though, one thing’s for sure: you’ll leave Ananya feeling a whole lot better than you did when you arrived.

Open Monday-Friday 10 am – 7 pm, Saturday 9 am – 7 pm, and Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

2810 Elliott Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 (Elliott Ave between Broad St. and Clay St.)
206-217-1744
Call for appointments

 

WORK OUT

green lake park

Green Lake Park

Green Lake is one of Seattle’s most beloved parks. Its expanse of water and green space in the center of a dense urban neighborhood draws thousands daily from all over the city. The newly reconstructed 2.8-mile path around the lake provides a perfect recreational spot for runners, bikers, skaters and walkers. Many others use the athletic fields or visit the park for boating, picnics and swimming.

Open Every Day, 24 hours

7201 E Greenlake Dr. N, Seattle, WA 98115

 

discovery park

Discovery Park

At 534 acres, Discovery Park is the city’s largest park, situated on top of Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound. It offers two miles of protected beaches, open meadow lands, and hiking trails. The park’s view of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges is breathtaking and serene, making it the perfect place to recharge after touring the crowded city landscape.

discovery park

Open Monday-Sunday 6 am – 11 pm
Visitor Center Open Tuesday-Sunday 8:30 am – 5 pm

3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199

 

Alki Beach Park photo by Joe Mabel

Alki Beach Park

Alki Beach Park, located in West Seattle, is a 2.5 mile strip of shoreline that spans from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay. It’s the perfect place to take a walk year-round, and in the summer, this spot is where you’ll be sure to find joggers, rollerbladers, volleyball players, sunbathers, and cyclists.

Open Monday-Friday 4 am – 11:30 pm

1702 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

 

This post is sponsored by EVEN Hotels, as part of my work with their Well Well Well site. All opinions are, as always, 100% my own. 

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13 thoughts on “A Healthy Guide to Seattle: Where to Eat, Work Out, and Splurge

  1. Anne

    Hey Andie, love seeing your blog again. Funny, speaking of Seattle, you mentioned a salon named, “Z Salon”………….well, we have a “Z Salon and Spa” here in Louisville. Zenda is the owner. Top notch place. My hair and pedisage appointments are booked 9 mos. to 1 year in advance. The stylists are wonderful as is their chemical department for color, etc.And the facials, massages, etc. are out of this world. …..I have been going to one of Zenda’s salons for around 30 years. Outstanding establishments. So if you ever come to Louisville, book way in advance for a wonderful day at the salon and spa. GREAT customer service…….and don’t forget to call me to take you to lunch or dinner. Sooo glad New York is agreeig with you! Anne

    Reply
  2. Sara

    Great post! You are awesome, seriously!

    I am trying to lose weight after having 2 kids and stuck at my current weight. I am trying constantly and failing miserably each time I stay on certain diet. So I am deciding to follow the plan you designed for your mom, however, I can’t find the part where you suggested how you prepare them. Do you prepare them everyday or once a week? How do you make it practical that meals are prepared on time? Thanks a lot, Sara

    Reply
  3. Dani

    Andi, It’s so nice to see your posts again! I find myself obsessively checking for updates, hoping to get some healthy holiday inspiration. I would love to see your new kitchen and what you are cooking up in there.

    Reply
  4. T.

    I love seeing healthy eating options, especially gluten free, along with exercise ideas! This is a great idea and I plan to check out the Well Well Well site for ideas for San Francisco since our family is planning a trip. Also, hoping for Austin. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Danny Lake

    Ha! Amazing post! Will be heading to Seattle in February! It appears I now know exactly what places I will be visiting to maintain my healthy diet lifestyle!

    Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Hayden

    I’m really glad I came across this post. I lived in Seattle for 5 years and all those pictures are making me miss it more than ever (and hungry too!). Pho Than Brothers is definitely a must-try. Your first image is the classic skyline of Seattle. What’s interesting is that the Space Needle is far away from all the other buildings. Go Huskies!!!

    Reply
  7. Christine Abreu

    I miss reading your stuff Andie, your such an inspiration and an amazing writer at that. I’ve gone through almost all of it. In fact you inspired me to start writing in a blog I had thrown the town in for. It’s starting to flourish.

    Thank You,

    Christine
    jsttrstgodgrl.com

    Reply
  8. Marie

    I miss your writing! Given that the holidays were just upon us, I was really looking forward to more recipes and perhaps posts regarding maintaining a healthy weight. Recently, your posts are sponsored thus not as creative as it could be. Though I’ve loved those sponsored recipes!! I hope you post more soon, maybe it will pick up when your book is set to be released. I’ll check back in a few weeks. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  9. joelle (on a pink typewriter)

    First off, I am dying to visit Seattle and this really seals the deal!

    Also, how do you get involved in these projects/partnerships? 2014 is going to be my year for (fingers crossed) making my way as a writer in a more serious way, and am anxious for any best practices or tips for getting my name out there in that capacity. :)

    Reply

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