Seattle Mag
Best Brewery: Reuben’s Brews
During the summer, and after closing its Fremont location, Reuben’s Brews opened a shiny new downtown taproom, just steps from Pike Place Market. A family-owned and operated business, the brewery grew out of Adam Robbings’ award-winning home brewing career. In 2012, Adam and his wife, Grace, launched Reuben’s Brews, naming the brand after their son…
Best Cocktail Bar: Roquette
Behind its beautiful blue façade, Roquette finds balance as a chic must-stop lounge for special occasions and a neighborhood watering hole. Dark and moody, with green velvet banquettes and Art Deco-inspired lighting, this Belltown bar has received a number of accolades, including a nomination as a semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Award in the…
Best Coffee Shop: Zeitgeist
It feels like every few weeks we’re hit with another list of Seattle restaurant industry closures, so it’s particularly meaningful that an old-school mainstay like Zeitgeist Coffee is still around. Opened in 1997 in Pioneer Square as a hub for conversation, creativity, and yes, coffee, the still-popular corner café serves up strong, European-style brew, pastries…
Best Special Occasion Restaurant: Canlis
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Canlis is a Seattle classic. From its perch above Lake Union to its unmatched service, every moment in this restaurant feels special, which is why so many people choose it to mark life’s important moments. Lately, Canlis has undergone some transitions, with one of the namesake brothers leaving for…
Best Gallery: J. Rinehart Gallery
Judith Rinehart has always believed in the power of physical space. Before opening her namesake gallery in 2019, Rinehart worked at the bicoastal Winston Wächter Fine Art and Foster/ White Gallery, two big names in the local art scene. When deciding to open J. Rinehart Gallery, she knew she wanted a place where the community…
Best Boutique: Woodland Mod
There is no shortage of independent shops along Ballard Avenue, but Woodland Mod is a must stop for, well, everything. Gorgeously stocked with home wares, cards, books, jewelry, skincare, fragrances, and more, this bright and airy shop focuses on handcrafted products from small-scale vendors in design-forward countries, including Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Japan, and the United…
Best Sporting Goods/Outdoor Gear Outfitter: Evo
A venture started in the Wallingford garage of former professional skier Bryce Phillips, Evo has grown to be one of the biggest and most successful online snow sports retailers in the world. Coming up on its 25th year, the brand is known locally for its modern flagship store on Stone Way. A retail shop with…
Best Spa: Yuan Spa
Known for its east-meets-west approach to wellness, Yuan Spa blends ancient Asian healing philosophies with modern spa technology, creating a unique relaxation experience tailored to each client’s needs. With two locations, one in Bellevue and one in Kirkland, Yuan offers services ranging from traditional hydrotherapy (clients complete circuits through heated and cooled environments, including pools,…
Best Hotel: Populus Seattle
Pioneer Square has undergone a post-pandemic renaissance, and Populus Seattle, the neighborhood’s freshest new hotel, is leading the way with its rooftop bar and art-forward programming. Part of the Railspur micro-district, the 120-room adaptive reuse project converts the century-old Westland building into an inviting hospitality space that welcomes out-of-town guests and the surrounding community. Populus…
Best Team Mascot: Doppler
Ask 10 Seattleites what they think Doppler is, and the answers will vary from animal to monster to something about radar or wave frequencies. None of them would be totally wrong, and it all adds to the mystique of the Seattle Storm’s lovable, furry mascot. Named Doppler for obvious, rainy reasons, the yellow-and-maroon creature is…
Best Place to Flirt: Pioneer Square Art Walk
Forget swiping on a screen; the best place to catch the eye of someone cute, and maybe even make a move, is at the monthly Pioneer Square Art Walk. Although the art walk is one of, if not the longest-running event of its kind in the country (happening for more than six decades now), it…
Best Beach Town: Edmonds
We might be a little biased, since two Seattle magazine staffers grew up in Edmonds and two of them live there now, but this little city on the sound is absolutely a Northwest gem. Long a sleepy enclave best known for its ferry to Kingston (or as the residence of travel writer Rick Steves), Edmonds…
Best Road Trip: Chuckanut Drive
A little less than two hours north of Seattle, depending on traffic, Chuckanut Drive (also known as WA State Highway 11) is 20 miles of postcard-worthy scenery with plenty of places to stop and things to do along the way. It’s a pretty straight shot heading along I-5 North; just take Exit 231 in Burlington…
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