Amber’s Capitol Hill Faves
There are so many places and things I love about Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, so I’ll start off by saying that this is basically an impossible list to make! But there are a few spots that are currently on my list of faves, and especially if you’ve got an out-of-town visitor this summer that you want to show around the neighborhood, you can’t go wrong with any of these places. (Take a look at this quick Reel I made where I also share some of my top Cap Hill picks!)
My Fave Restaurants: Momiji & Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar
Momiji is a Japanese restaurant on 12th Ave, and while they are mainly known for their sushi, their menu is also packed with other Japanese specialties. Noodles, soups, salads, and a selection of grilled and fried dishes offer great options for anyone in your group who isn’t a sushi fan. For sushi, find a *huge* menu of fancy rolls, sashimi, and vegetarian choices. Can’t decide what to order? Opt for one of the Omakase meals.
I also love the ambiance—it’s perfectly suited for celebrating a special occasion, but it’s also not so fancy (the front bar is especially low-key) so you can pop in for happy hour whenever. BTW— Momiji’s happy hour is 4-6pm every day and the happy hour menu is a good one!
Seafood lovers will also definitely want to check out Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar. They have their own shellfish farm, and Taylor’s is a Seattle mainstay. There are a few locations throughout the city, and there is one in Capitol Hill. You can eat your weight in oysters but the menu has plenty of other choices. And make sure to ask for a wine pairing recommendation!
Tip: If you’re in tourist mode, Starbucks Reserve Roastery is just down the street. Espresso Martini Flight? Yes please!
My Fave Neighborhood Market: Melrose Market
It turns out I just really love Melrose Ave! Melrose Market is an indoor food and retail market that includes Taylor’s, plus places like terra plata (grab a sunny spot on the rooftop deck), Glasswing Shop (pick up a gift or something special for yourself), Still Liquor (order craft cocktails to start your evening), Rainshadow Meats (find high-quality meats sourced from local farms at this full-service butcher)... and more. Plus, the vibe is A+ thanks to all of the updates that have been made to this historic 100+ year old building.
My Fave Dessert: Frankie & Jo’s
I have Celiac Disease so the places where I can dine at are pretty limited in general. This is just one of the reasons I love Frankie & Jo’s! GF and plant-based ice cream in unique flavors like Rhubarb Yuzu and Salty Caramel Ash are on the menu, plus the shop itself is absolutely adorable. Grab a cone and take it to Cal Anderson Park to watch doggies play at the unofficial dog park.
My Fave Shop: Elliott Bay Book Company
I am pretty much always in search of a new book to keep me occupied on my plane rides between SF and Seattle. Elliott Bay Books is a Seattle institution and has a huge selection of all genres and I especially appreciate that there are always tons of employee recommendations. They also have gifts, the Little Oddfellows coffee shop, and a kids section. Honestly I could spend hours in here!
My Fave Bar: Canon
Canon is a really special place. They are constantly winning national awards and if you’ve been there, you know why. Canon also has the largest collection of spirits in America at 4,000+ labels, but don’t worry, their menu makes ordering a little more manageable! (Let me know if the $305 Negroni off their Vintage Menu is worth it, haha...! Don’t worry, they have a more accessible menu, too.)
My Fave Spot for Group Hangouts: Garage Billiards & Bowl
I highly recommend reserving a lane for your next group hang (the Garage is popular and fills up fast). There are 20 lanes and 25 billiards/pool tables, a lounge area, a sports bar, karaoke on Friday and Saturday, and outdoor seating by a fire pit. There’s a virtual tour here if you want a vibe check!
My latest listing is this condo at the Onyx in the heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The very best of city living is ALL yours with this condo cutie—it’s just blocks to all of my faves I just shared. It even has a new and improved price of $584,000.
Get all of the condo details + photos here. In the meantime, here are some of the details:
- 1125 E Olive St #501, Seattle, WA 98122
- 2 bedrooms
- 1.5 baths
- 983 sq. ft.
- Listed for $584,000
- MLS# 2363568