SAL Staff Recommend: Seattle’s Best Spots for Bibliophiles
February 24, 2023
In the nine years since AWP (the Association of Writers & Writing Programs) last came to Seattle, we’ve seen a host of new shops and eateries open and many well-loved businesses and restaurants relocate within the city.
Whether you live local or want to live like a local, we’ve compiled a list of our staff’s favorite haunts near the Seattle Convention Center to round out your conference experience. We’ve included places to buy books (or hear your favorite authors read) and respites in which you can enjoy them…with a craft cocktail, donuts, dumplings, or even ice cream.
BOOK SHOPS & LIBRARIES
Ada’s Technical Books (Capitol Hill): science-minded literature, vegetarian café, co-working, and events space
Book Larder (Fremont): a community cookbook store and events space
Chin Music Press (Pike Place Market): “curiously bibliophilic” indie publisher of quirky, eclectic topics
Elliott Bay Book Company (Capitol Hill): independently owned bookstore, café, and event space
Estelita’s Library (Central District): justice-focused independent bookstore
Folio (Pike Place Market): nonprofit library and cultural center
Nook & Cranny Books (Capitol Hill): indie bookstore (new and used titles) and community space
Open Books: A Poem Emporium (Pioneer Square): one of the country’s few poetry-only bookshops
Paper Hammer (Downtown): showcase for hand-bound albums, journals, chapbooks, and letterpress printed goods made in Tieton, WA
Peter Miller Books (Pioneer Square): architectural and design books and supplies
Seattle Central Library (Downtown): main library branch designed by Rem Koolhaas Architects & LMN
BARS
Alibi Room (Pike Place Market): a cool haunt for artists and freelance writers (it even has its own ghost)
Ba Bar (Capitol Hill): delicious Vietnamese street food
Bad Bishop (Pioneer Square): high quality food and drink with a neighborhood feel
Damn the Weather (Pioneer Square): “farm to face” restaurant and bar
Goldfinch Tavern (Downtown): Pacific Northwest cuisine with waterfront views
The Hideout (First Hill): art, cocktails, vibe, community
The Nest (Downtown): Thompson Seattle’s rooftop restaurant and bar
Zig Zag (Pike Place Market): internationally recognized as a pioneer of the classic cocktail revival
CAFÉS
DeLaurenti (Pike Place Market): specialty foods and wines from the Pacific Northwest and around the world
Fuji Bakery (International District): Japanese artisan bakery
Mighty-O Donuts (Downtown & Capitol Hill): sustainably minded bakery and cafe
Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream (Capitol Hill): community-minded local ice cream shop
Ohsun Banchan Deli & Café (Pioneer Square): counter-service neighborhood shop offering comforting Korean food
Panama Hotel & Tea Shop (International District): historic tea house in the heart of the International District
Pie Bar (Ballard): sweet and savory pies made locally
The Crumpet Shop (Pike Place Market): Seattle’s first and original crumpet baking company
RESTAURANTS
Annapurna (Capitol Hill): cuisine of Nepal, India, and Tibet
Café Flora (Madison Park): imaginative, locally grown vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free cuisine
Mamnoon (Capitol Hill): refined Levantine foods crafted for modern, healthy, compassionate and progressive communities
Marjorie Restaurant (Capitol Hill): funky, delicious, inspired cuisine
Oddfellows Café + Bar (Capitol Hill): all-day, all-night café and bar that serves simple, fresh food influenced by New American dishes
Ping’s Dumpling House (International District): known for their spiral-pinched xiao long bao soup dumplings
Tavolata (Belltown & Capitol Hill): fresh pasta made daily, from rigatoni to tonnarelli, spaghetti to linguine
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Arte Noir (Central District): new arts and cultural space showcasing works by local Black artists
Foster/White Gallery (Pioneer Square): premiere West Coast gallery
Frye Art Museum (First Hill): gallery, exhibitions, programs, and community engagement—always free
- Rinehart Gallery (Pioneer Square): accessible fine art
Linda Hodges Gallery (Pioneer Square): showcase for prominent Pacific Northwest artists
Seattle Asian American Art Museum (Capitol Hill): recently renovated museum with an extensive Asian art collection
Wing Luke Museum (International District): museum focused on the culture, art, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
GREEN SPACES
Cal Anderson Park (Capitol Hill): located across from Elliott Bay Book Co., this open park invites walking, sitting, reading, informal sports in the meadow, and organized sports on the athletic field
Freeway Park (Convention Center): a resting space for residents, shoppers, downtown office workers, and visitors
Hing Hay Park (International District): park and cultural space popular for martial arts practitioners, quiet morning meditations, and the center of many festivals such as Lunar New Year
Myrtle Edwards Park (Seattle Waterfront): extending from Olympic Sculpture Park, this 1.25-mile bike and pedestrian path winds along Elliott Bay
Olympic Sculpture Park (Seattle Waterfront): nine-acre sculpture park featuring monumental artworks
Volunteer Park Conservatory (Capitol Hill): historic greenhouse near Seattle Asian Art Museum
Waterfall Garden Park (Pioneer Square): quiet urban park with a 22-foot waterfall
HOT SPOTS & COOL SPOTS
Common Area Maintenance (Belltown): gallery and open format generative studio
KOBO at Higo (International District): arts, craft, books, wearables, and unique gifts
Martyr Sauce (Pioneer Square): Black-owned, artist-led art gallery and neighborhood cultural space
Metzker’s Maps (Pike Place Market): specialty maps, globes, and travel goods
Rock Box (Capitol Hill): Japanese style karaoke
Seattle Great Wheel (Seattle Waterfront): Ferris wheel with views of Puget Sound
Travel by neighborhood:
- Walkable from the Washington State Convention Center: Capitol Hill, Downtown, First Hill, Pike Place Market
- A quick rideshare or taxi away: Belltown, Capitol Hill, International District, Pioneer Square
- A little farther afield: Ballard, Central District, Fremont, Madison Park