As we march ever forward after a challenging few years, Seattle’s downtown core is coming back to life. From the sparkling tech headquarters in South Lake Union, to the beloved live music venues of Belltown, to the quirky vintage shops of Capitol Hill, these urban neighborhoods showcase our resilient Pacific Northwest nature, while providing city conveniences and easy access to all things Seattle. We’ve included a few Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty listings to illuminate just how good life can be in these sought-after downtown districts. Interested in learning more? Connect with an RSIR broker.
Belltown
With iconic nightclubs, indie boutiques, fresh art galleries, a world-class sculpture park overlooking Puget Sound, and easy access to downtown Seattle, Belltown is one of the city’s best walkable neighborhoods. Combining a hip vibe and the killer views Seattle is known for, this once-industrial part of town is located between Pike Place Market and Seattle Center. Hop from trendy cafes to eclectic art galleries to live music at the famous Crocodile, then return home to sunset views from your condo balcony.
Dine
Biscuits are all the rage right now, so if that’s your breakfast craving, grab takeout from Biscuit Bitch – the combo of sausage gravy, two eggs, cheesy grits, and a Louisiana hot link is a go-to. We’re also partial to Bang Bang Café for incredible breakfast burritos with homemade chili sauce and lots of veggie and vegan options. Favorites for dinner include Boat Street Kitchen for its quietly romantic vibe, El Gaucho for a retro steakhouse atmosphere, and Jerk Shack for its Caribbean-inspired dishes in a vibrant setting. For creative cocktails, try Cursed Oak, Branchwater, or the industrial-sleek Black Bottle.
Shop
Belltown brims with indie shops, perfect for nabbing something fresh to wear to one of the neighborhood’s countless music venues. Walk in to a welcome mug of tea and, on Saturday, live jazz, at Alhambra, a high-end specialty women’s boutique offering a luxurious slow-fashion shopping experience. A carefully curated collection of clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories comes from designers around the world. Keep your wardrobe up to date with a piece from Kuhlman, where the staff knows a thing or two about the perfect tailor and fit. They have a great collection of heritage brands, as well as smaller labels from up-and-coming designers. And, this is Seattle after all, so don’t miss Patagonia for your outdoor (and après-outdoor) outfitting needs.
Play
In Belltown, “playing” refers more to musical craft than getting into the great outdoors. The area has a rich musical heritage, starting with The Crocodile (host to such legends as Nirvana and Pearl Jam), which offers a 750-person showroom, as well as a more intimate 100-seat comedy club. Stick around after the show to grab casual street food and cocktails at The Society Café. Love jazz? Head to Dimitrou’s Jazz Alley, a 30-year standard in the neighborhood. Performances of all kinds are on the stage at Rendezvous and Jewelbox Theater, where any given night might see karaoke, comedy, burlesque, or even a magic show.
For playing of the outdoor variety, take a walk through Olympic Sculpture Park on Western Avenue. The sloping paths weave through 20 distinct modern and contemporary sculptures – and the views of Puget Sound aren’t too shabby, either.
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill has long been revered as Seattle’s edgy, creative centerpiece, presiding over downtown from its walkable, hillside location. Constantly being reborn, Capitol Hill remains a firm favorite when it comes to urban neighborhoods in the Emerald City, whether you’ve lived here for years or are a newcomer first experiencing its intimate bookshops and record stores, vintage consignment shops, and dizzying number of yoga and barre studios. From the Willy Wonka-esque Starbucks Roastery to the rain-or-shine, year-round farmers’ market, this is the place to express individuality—to see, and not really care whether or not you’re seen.
Dine
Foodies are in heaven here, yet if it’s a night in, locals head to Melrose Market for seafood, meat, and more, all tidily packaged in a remodeled auto shop. Grab oysters and clams at Taylor Shellfish, or make your own charcuterie with goods from Rain Shadow Meats (don’t miss the Seawolf bread!). Prefer to go out? Try Renee Erickson’s innovative steakhouse Bateau, Detroit-inspired pizza from acclaimed chef Shota Nakajima at Kobo, or some of the best Vietnamese cuisine in Seattle at Monsoon. Pick up bagels at Rubinstein for breakfast in Volunteer Park in the morning – the creative flavors are the draw, from chocolate and cherry to cacio e pepe (you’ll never look at asiago the same way again).
Shop
Whatever your literary inclination, Elliott Bay Book Co. is a must on your Capitol Hill shopping tour. Around since the 1970s, this is an independent bookseller at its very best. Beyond the stacks of fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, fantasy, and travel guides, there are also notebooks, journals, puzzles, stickers, and more to peruse. Nothing says Capitol Hill more than Slow Dance, an edited selection of vintage and modern designers. They’re a staple on the neighborhood art walk and host various pop-up shops around the city from time to time. Pick up gifts at Casita International, a sweet little shop featuring items by small producers and artists in Seattle, the US, and around the world.
Play
The farmers market is the place to be on a Sunday morning in Capitol Hill. Stock up for the week on fresh produce and artisanal baked goods, then make your way to the hot tamale stall. Spend some quiet time at the taqᵂšǝblu Vi Hilbert Ethnobotanical Garden, just south of the main part of the neighborhood on Seattle University’s campus. Named for a local indigenous woman who worked to preserve the Lushootseed language, the center displays native plants from around the region and their names in Lushootseed. If your kind of play entails dancing the night away, check out Neumos, a mid-sized nightclub that might feature anyone from a local rapper to a national-touring act from night to night.
First Hill
Home to young professionals and collegiates attending Seattle University, First Hill is one of the city’s oldest and most densely populated neighborhoods. It’s set just above downtown and is an interesting smattering of luxury apartment buildings, historic residences, and world-class hospitals. Great dining options and cultural institutions (including the Frye Art Museum and Roman Revival Town Hall Seattle) round out the urban living experience. The ideal setting, between downtown and Capitol Hill, makes this one of the city’s most sought-after locales.
Dine
From excellent international cuisine to a private, BYOB social club with a nonchalant sophistication, First Hill brims with dining and drinking choices. Plus, residents here can easily walk to nearby Capitol Hill or the Central District for an even wider array of eateries. For straight-up American cuisine on game day, 206 Burger Company satisfies cravings for specialty burgers, hand-cut fries, and thick milkshakes. Over at Di Fiora, Insta-worthy plates show off squid ink noodles adorned with cherry tomatoes and caviar, or curries garnished with vibrant, edible flowers. Omega Ouzeri is a go-to for Greek; the brightly decorated dining room is adorned with Greek art and poetry, transporting you to the cradle of Western civilization as you dig into grilled Mediterranean seabass or Spanish octopus. As for that social club, don’t miss Birch Road Cellar in the historic Stimson-Green Mansion. Members and guests can enjoy the speakeasy-style lounge and a private dining room that overlooks First Hill Park.
Shop
First Hill homeowners can swank up their residences with eclectic home décor at a variety of nearby Capitol Hill boutiques, just a short walk away. Retrofit Home is a local favorite for its midcentury-inspired furnishings, eye-catching area rugs, and in-room design services by owners Lori and Jon. After shopping, grab ingredients for dinner at home from Stockbox Neighborhood Grocery on James Street, First Hill’s innovative answer to its lack of a large grocer. The idea came from a student project at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute and today provides locals with an easy spot for fresh produce, pantry necessities, and to-go lunches.
Play
One might be quick to dismiss First Hill as too urban to offer any green space, but with most assumptions, there’s some fallacy there. The local neighborhood association came together to revamp First Hill Park, next to the Stimson-Green Mansion. Come for a lunch picnic or outdoor yoga class amidst the planted aera and garden; there’s even a grilling station available. Even if you don’t think of concrete as very zen-inspiring, Freeway Park may change your mind. It’s on top of the interstate, but this Brutalist architectural public space is surprisingly serene with its mature trees and water features. Book sales, holiday caroling, and craft-making workshops pop up from time to time throughout the year.
South Lake Union
Home to all things tech, South Lake Union has quickly become a go-to neighborhood for young professionals who crave a buzzy workforce vibe by day, and a quieter, lakeside locale in the evening. The streets quiet down around dinner time, save for those headed out to one of SLU’s many fast-casual concept restaurants or to a barre or spin session. It’s a quick trip (walking or taking the South Lake Union Streetcar) to downtown, Belltown, or Capitol Hill from here. As you walk, imagine that just a decade ago, this was a district of warehouses before transforming speedily into Amazon and other tech headquarters.
Dine
After a long day of collaborations inside edgy, mirrored-glass skyscrapers, the tech world spills onto the streets in search of great food – and in SLU, they needn’t go far to find it. Those with a penchant for healthful fare love Ba Bar Green for its East Asian–inspired street food. International flavors are also on the menu at Local Public Eatery, where you can dig into ginger-and-garlic dumplings or ahi tuna poke bowls. During the summer, check out the new South Lake Union Saturday market, located next to Denny Park and close to the Amazon Spheres. Regular food offerings include Theo’s Gyros, Mexicuban, and Sri Lankan street food at Kottu. Looking for food with a view? Visit the Altitude Sky Lounge atop the trendy Astra Hotel.
Shop
Plenty of big-name shops are based in South Lake Union, providing homewares, beauty and healthcare products, and outdoor gear for those who live in the neighborhood (think West Elm, Sephora, and REI). But it’s still possible to shop small here. Stop by Sub Pop for the excellent collection of vinyl LPs, as well as t-shirts and hoodies. Feathered Friends is a simple alternative to nearby REI and has a high-quality selection of blankets, sleeping bags, clothing, and more for your next adventure. And no one can resist glassybaby for simple, elegant votives that will go perfectly in your sleek new South Lake Union condo.
Play
Play inside first at the Museum of History and Industry, sitting gracefully on the water at the southern tip of the neighborhood. A true celebration of the region’s history and culture, you’ll come away feeling proud to be a Seattleite. Heed the call of the lake and rent a vessel from The Center for Wooden Boats or a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Northwest Outdoor Center. Feeling adventurous? Take off in a float plane from Kenmore Air’s base here and take a sightseeing tour of Seattle or Mount Rainier.
Interested in homes in these great Seattle urban neighborhoods? Connect with a Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty advisor.