Restaurant Roundup: Pickleball Pub Bites and Fireside Drinks
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
By Ben McBee November 28, 2025
As is tradition this time of year, we thought we would share what we’re thankful for—and there’s quite a lot of gratitude to give out on Seattle’s food scene. We’re thankful for the diverse pizza offerings that take us on a world tour without leaving the city. We’re thankful we live somewhere that circus cocktails and carnival fare pair perfectly with drag performances. And of course, we’re thankful for your readership.
Hopefully you saved some room for a few more bites of news.
Weekend to-dos
Yesterday, you feasted. Now, you’re looking for a way to burn off those calories and the tryptophan stupor. Well, there’s lots to do over the holiday weekend, and thankfully, that involves more gobbling. The CID Small Business Saturday Food Walk (11 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 29) is the place to find special $8 menu items like honey walnut prawns at Fortune Garden, takoyaki at Ringo Curry, and any slice plus a Rainier at World Pizza. Or you can jump straight into the Christmas spirit (literally) by checking out these yule-themed bars.
Paddle and pub bites
Picklewood Paddle Club is officially open in SODO Urbanworks, and after a few rounds of dinking in the kitchen (real picklers know), you can refuel at the onsite restaurant and bar. At the courtside tables, you can scope out the competition as you dig into elevated pub bites from Chef Ethan Stowell, like the steakhouse burger, a chopped salad, or pigs in a blanket. Happy hour and late-night menus include chicken wings and pickle fries plus draft beers, wine, and cocktails.
Have a drink by the hearth
Days are short, nights are long, and cozying up to a fireplace just hits a little bit better lately. If you’re looking for a place to grab drinks beside crackling logs, there are plenty of bars and hotel lobbies with an unmatched warm ambiance. First is the aptly named Fireside Room at Hotel Sorrento, whose wood paneling and mid-century decor give it a private club feel. In Ballard, enjoy flagons of ale and tankards of mead at Skal Beer Hall, or set up shop with a stout or sour in hand around the outdoor fire pits at Old Stove Brewing Company.
A farewell letter to Sip and Ship
The Ballard coffee shop has served caffeine-craving customers and all their postal needs for more than two decades, but soon, it will be demolished to make way for a new eight-story apartment building. The cafe (which provides mailing services and a gift boutique) will close this Christmas Eve. Although the business was unable to secure a suitable location to maintain its presence in the neighborhood, fans can still enjoy banana bread, salted chocolate chip cookies, and Herkimer Coffee at the Greenwood location.
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