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Seattle’s Best of the Best

Everyone loves a winner. And this issue is full of them.

By Seattle Mag November 10, 2025

A gold model of Seattle’s Space Needle stands among falling gold confetti, celebrating Seattle's favorites with the words “Seattle’s Best of the Best” in decorative script on a dark background.
Photo by Kyle Kielinski

This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.

The new issue of Seattle magazine is out—our Best of the Best edition, celebrating the city’s favorite places, spaces, and bites. Each year, Seattle magazine takes it to the people, inviting our readers to vote on their preferred picks. This time around, we did things a little differently, turning to our staff to determine, via a democratic nomination and voting process, the best of the best in our city. (There was debate, even among us.) In the interest of scientific comparison, we still launched the Reader’s Choice poll. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was very little overlap: Only one category, Best Brewery, had the same answer on both sides.

There were a few options that appeared exclusively on the Reader’s Choice list—holdovers from prior years. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer—a little healthy debate is always fun—and we’re happy to celebrate the winners on all sides.

It’s also the first full magazine from our new editor-in-chief—a beautiful issue packed with striking photography and thoughtful stories about Seattle and the people who make it special. You’ll spot a few fresh touches throughout, and we couldn’t be prouder to share it. Pick up a copy at bookstores, newsstands, grocery stores, or wherever you get your magazines, or subscribe today and never miss an issue.

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