Pike Place Market Self-Guided Food Tour

Tips for making the best of your Pike Place food tour:

1. Start early and avoid weekends. 

Most stalls open at 9 am, so get there early to avoid the crowds. The weekends also tend to be packed with tourists, so if you can, go on a weekday.

2. Take a walk through Post Alley.

There are tons of hidden gems along the way.

3. Wander around.

These are just my favorite stops at Pike Place Market, but there is so much to explore. Start wandering and go up to the stalls that intrigue you. Also, some of them have free samples so you can try before you buy!

4. Avoid the tourist traps.

Unless you're into tourist traps. At the end of this guide, I'll outline some of the spots in Pike Place that, to me, aren't really worth it.

Try these spots:

Beecher's Handmade Cheese

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Don't be put off by the massive line, this place is legit! Try their mac n cheese.

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Daily Dozen

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Blink and you might miss it, this mini donut cart is definitely worth the stop. Grab a bag and share with your friends (or eat the entire thing, we don't judge).

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Pike Place Chowder

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If you didn't get seafood chowder, did you really even go to Seattle? Not only are their soups amazing, they are great for warming up on a rainy Seattle day.

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Mee Sum Pastry

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Get a hom bow and thank me later.

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Kitchen & Market

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This isn't exactly a place to eat, but it's worth popping into. Pick up some snacks or homemade treats for the rest of your time in Seattle.

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The Pink Door

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If you have the time and energy for an upscale restaurant, The Pink Door has some of the best Italian food in Seattle

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Avoid these tourist traps:

1. The Original Starbucks

Do you really want to stand in line for an hour for coffee you can get in your hometown? If you're a Starbucks enthusiast, skip the original and head up the hill to the Starbucks Roastery for a unique experience.

2. The Gum Wall

Sure, the gum wall is fine and worth a look, but don't plan your entire Pike Place visit around it. Also, it smells... well... like a bunch of people's chewing gum.

3. Anyone selling green on the street.

Just go to a dispensary, it's legal if you're over 21 and the budtenders will know a whole lot more than someone on the street.

I hope you enjoy your time at Pike Place Market, feel free to reach out with any questions or comments about your Seattle trip.