The (Healthy) Seattle Travel, Restaurant & Lifestyle Guide (UPDATED)


(Updated October 2023): this post originally was published in 2017, and it’s been on my list to refresh & update it. Today is the day! A guide for those of you who love Seattle, are planning to visit, or want to try some new spots!

It’s time for a very special round-up today of my absolute favorites in Seattle. That’s right, a little hometown guide, from a born-and-raised Seattle girl.

Combining the best of all things in a healthy life:

Food. Travel. Wine. Neighborhoods. Best cocktails. Restaurants. Ambiance. Sunsets. Healthy spots. Hipster Coffee Bars. Cute Shopping. Fun Workouts. GF Treats (GFT’s).

And the best areas in Seattle to hang out, visit and stay.

Also, did I say, ambiance? Hi, my name is Sarah and I’m an ambiance freak.

It’s true: I always make Kyle circle the block a few times, just to find the perfect spot: relaxing and gorgeous, easy on the eyes, but never too fancy or fussy.

It has to make me feel something. You know, with a few good options on the menu for this gluten-free lady.

So many of you have asked for recommendations– both from those of you that live here too, and those of you that come here to visit.

So I thought, why not put it all in ONE PLACE that will always exist?

But, before we jump in, just to note: this is not at all an exhaustive list– there are always new places, restaurants & things to try in this beautiful city (which I always love to try), but instead, this is a little medley of my tried and true favorites. The hidden gems, and special spots I’ve found over the years, and the places I so dearly love– for their quality, the people behind them, the food, the ambiance and overall experience, and the ones that we go back to, over and over again.

best healthy spots for breakfast, brunch, lunch & lighter dins:

oddfellows

bounty kitchen

sabine

portage bay cafe 

mr. west

volunteer park cafe

deru market (kirkland)

ben’s bread (not gf but locally owned & family business run)

places that serve great matcha & matcha lattes:

mabel coffee

miro tea

little brother (kirkland)

atulea

santo coffee

sugar bakery

milstead

woodland coffee

citizen

best coffee shops:

caffe fiore (for organic cold brew that tastes like a dark chocolate bar)

miir (the best peppermint tea of my life, also kombucha and rose on tap)

cafe vita at KEXP

preserve & gather

milstead

best artisan cocktails:

barnacle bar

essex (& don’t miss delancy pizza next door if you’re not gf)

artusi

joule

franks oyster house

canon

san fermo

best & favorite date night spots: 

san fermo

walrus & carpenter

single shot

omega ouzeri

canlis bar

terra plata

bar melusine

flink creek cattle co

westward

frank’s oyster house

the pink door (patio)

serafina

cascina spinasse

como (kirkland)

casual restaurants/fun with groups:

mioposto (also a great date night, and GF pizzas, multiple locations)

goldfinch tavern

marjorie

sandia

terra plata

gracia

stoneburner

revel

manolin

 

real-food dessert/GFT’s (gluten-free treats):

frankie & jo’s

hot cakes

macrina (gf cranberry current scone, gf raspberry jam biscuit & gf blueberry muffin)

coyle’s bakeshop

flying apron bakery

nuflours (they have everything gf: special cakes to order, breads savory and sweet, cookies, brownies, muffins, scones, etc)

wildflour baking company (bellevue)

hello robin (multiple locations)

natural spas & health

city sweats

sarah kahn hair salon

juniper natural nail bar

greenhouse nail spa

tree of life chiropractic (including pediatric & prenatal)

workouts:

Studio 45 pilates

Bala yoga (fremont & kirkland)

natural wine shops:

Fruit Wine Co (bellevue)

Mollys Bottle Shop

Left Bank

Portalis

gluten-free hot spots & supplies

nu-flours (the best gf crostini & cookies)

razzi’s pizzeria (cauliflower crust, gluten-free, egg-free and/or dairy free pizza options for everyone)

flying apron bakery (a vegan GF bakery for those people that can’t do either!)

a/stir (entire menu is gluten and nut-free)

umi sake house (gf sushi)

bamboo sushi (gf sushi & entire menu can be gf)

itto’s tapas

ghostfish brewing (gf brewery)

cute shops & boutiques owned by amazing seattle women:

pipe n row

queen anne frame

queen anne book co (look for the Simply Real Health Cookbooks here!)

book larder (an entire specialty shop dedicated to only cookbooks, look for the Simply Real Health Cookbooks here!)

totokaelo

glassybaby

best walks:

olympic sculpture park

greenlake

golden gardens

discovery park

volunteer park & planatarium

burke gilman bike ride

alki beach

ballard farmers market

university district farmers market

fremont sunday flea market

uw horticulture center

best picnics:

gasworks park

golden gardens

olympic sculpture garden

 

Other Simply Real Health Healthy Travel Guides:

The Palm Springs Travel Guide

The Greek Islands Travel Guide

The Walla Walla Travel Guide

17 Ways To Stay Healthy While Vacationing

What other spots are so worth trying? Leave a comment below and let me know!



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