Guide | Where to Eat in Seattle + Oregon

I felt like I’d seen it all (thanks Instagram), the iconic and touristy places you MUST GO to in Seattle and Portland. But I’m not interested in curating a list that everyone goes to. For my first time in the pacific northwest, I wanted a mix of where locals would go and places that my readers would be interested in checking out.

Straight off a six-hour flight with two crying babies, BRING IT ON. I was ready to take Seattle by storm. This girl is here to eat. So without further ado, here’s my weekend guide to Seattle and road tripping to Portland. Enjoy!

CANON

I highly recommend this cocktail bar because it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. I sat there for 10 minutes before falling in love with all the whimsical cups and quirky beverage containers that all the drinks are served in. It’s on the World’s 50 Best Bar list, claiming the #6 title, which is remarkable! Their bar program is phenomenal because you can feel the amount of thought and effort that goes into each drink. I saw a guest with a mini grocery cart and a brown bag with a straw, THAT WAS THEIR DRINK. They’re not afraid to get cheeky and loose, which is right up my alley. It’s definitely a spot to bring avid cocktail drinkers and people who enjoy upscale bar food like seared scallops, pork belly buns, and short-ribs after 10pm.

PIKE’S PLACE

One of the spots that was overwhelmingly touristy that I couldn’t help avoiding was Pike’s Place. It’s scattered with local artisan vendors and crowds of people waiting to check out the first-ever Starbucks. It’s definitely a lively scene that lives up to the hype. I even witnessed the famous fish toss at the market, it came relatively close to us innocent bystanders, but it was worth it.

THE PINK DOOR

It’s a hidden gem located right above the first Starbucks at Pike’s Place. The tip is to get on the list at 9pm for the burlesque show that starts at 11:30pm for $20/pp that happens in the dining room. Since we were on a tight time-crunch we didn’t make it for the burlesque show, but went for lunch and oysters instead! The place has no signage, just the pink door to signal the entrance, be careful not to miss it. We went for the dozen oysters, vongole pasta, and mussels and clams in white wine and garlic sauce (clearly stocking up on all things seafood if you couldn’t tell).

CANLIS

We met a few friends, old and new, over at one of Seattle’s most prized restaurants, Canlis. The story behind Canlis is a remarkable one, but also generational. It marks decades of history that stems from a world filled with promise and war. They’ve passed down treasured family recipes, added the beauty and grace of Japanese hospitality that can be instantly felt in the walls surrounding this place. The food was delicious; a few standouts for me were the pork, lamb, and Japanese egg appetizer.

PORTLAND

The second part of the trip includes a lot of driving and one too many pit-stops to Taco Bell. #IAmNotAshamed. About 1.5 hours later, Gino managed to pull up to the Nike Factory store where I may have spent a little too much $$$ on workout gear, maybe this means I’ll finally workout?

WOODLARK HOTEL

It was really easy to find accommodations for Portland because all the hotels around the area are so freakin’ cute. There’s the Hoxton, Ace Hotel, but my new favorite, the Woodlark Hotel. It’s got the color palette of my dreams, the cutest coffee shop, and a restaurant/bar called Abigail Hall that you have to check out. A little historical fun fact: it was named after a Oregon women's suffrage activist and the early women's reception used to inhabit the space. There’s a lot of great history embedded here and I’m obsessed with how they’re merging both the old with the new. Make sure to swing by happy hour, grab a margarita and try their chicken tenders with a delicious variety of homemade sauces.

BLUE STAR DONUTS

I’m SO excited to try Blue Star Donuts, which was at the top of my sweets list! As you all know, I am a donut fiend (born and raised). Shot some fun stuff with them that I can’t wait to show you all a little later this week. I saw them make creme brûlée donuts by torching them with loads of sugar, creating the most perfect shiny sizzling coat. They even had a CBD Hazelnut that was rich but not overly sweet (which I loved). From seasonal offerings to their crowd favorite, the Maple Bacon, I was so happy to try this place and experience firsthand why locals and tourist flock there. It’s not to be missed!

OLYMPIA PROVISIONS

Skip the cocktail bar and head right over to Olympia Provisions for a quick snack and drink. They’re serving up platters of cured meats and hand-selected cheeses with craft beers to wash it all down.

POK POK

No Portland trip is complete without making a trip to the infamous Pok Pok for their wings. No one warmed me it was going to be spicy! If you can handle heat, you should definitely go for it. If you’re a noob like me, take it easy and enjoy it without the spice (and tears). It’s a casual dinner affair with a blend of Asian flavors hitting the table. We kept it pretty light this time around but I can’t wait to come back to devour the entire menu.

COAVA

Only in Portland can you down three cups of coffee in the morning and not be considered crazy. RIGHT? That’s absurd. I am more of a matcha gal, but I could take a Coava cortado with almond milk any day.

LA LUNA CAFE

I was excited to check out La Luna Cafe for brunch and to meet Emily from @FoodieSnitch for the first time. We bonded over social anxieties that find its way creeping into our lives and connected over the joys of meeting internet friends, offline. It reassured me that no matter where you live, how great your life may seem on social media, EVERYONE suffers from the same thoughts. If you feel the same, you’re not alone! Focus on taking those relationships offline and building a network that empowers you. fist pump*

TEA BAR

Before leaving, we had to make a stop at Tea Bar to try the boba here! It’s a dreamy space perfect for catching up on work and sipping Hong Kong milk tea. It’s a bit overpriced for my taste, but interesting for this first timer!

Shortly after, we got ready to head to the airport an took a red-eye back to New York. It was another weekend for the books! Can’t wait for our next adventure and for round two in Portland, maybe I’ll even consider hiking…