For variety, it's hard to beat the food court on the top floor of Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., in downtown Seattle. However, if you're a fan of Asian food, then be sure to have a quick meal from one of the vendors in the food court at Uwajimaya, 600 Fifth Ave. S. (tel. 206/624-6248; www.uwajimaya.com), a huge Asian supermarket in the International District. If you're spending time at Seattle Center with the kids, you can grab a bite to eat at the food court inside Center House, which is the same building that houses the Children's Museum.
Market Munching
It’s impossible to list all the food vendors at Pike Place Market, but here a few to look for as you cruise through the corridors and various levels. If you’re planning a picnic, DeLaurenti , 1435 First Ave. (www.delaurenti.com; tel. 800/873-6685 or 206/622-0141), near the market’s brass pig, is the perfect spot to get your pâté, sandwiches, and wine. Sausage lovers will love the sausage sandwiches at Uli’s Famous Sausage, 1511 Pike Place (www.ulisfamoussausage.com; tel. 206/839-1000). Piroshky Piroshky, 1908 Pike Place (www.piroshkybakery.com; tel. 206/441-6068), sells sweet or savory stuffed rolls. At Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, 1600 Pike Place (www.beecherscheese.com; tel. 206/956-1964), you can watch cheese being made and sample some of the products or get some of their macaroni and cheese to go. The Spanish Table, 1426 Western Ave. (www.spanishtable.com; tel. 206/682-2827), a specialty food shop on the lower level, offers Spanish-style sandwiches and great soups. For something sweet, cold, and creamy, try the much-lauded gelato at Bottega Italiana, 1425 First Ave. (www.bottegaitaliana.com; tel. 206/343-0200), or the conveniently located Procopio,1501 Western Ave. (www.procopiogelateria.com; tel. 206/622-4280), which is on the Pike Street Hillclimb that links the waterfront with Pike Place Market.
Seattle Picnic Spots
To give focus to a tour of Pike Place Market, why not spend the morning or afternoon shopping for interesting picnic items, and then head up to the north end of the waterfront to the Olympic Sculpture Park or Myrtle Edwards Park? Or, because a picnic of foods from Pike Place Market should be as special as the food-shopping experience, consider heading a bit farther afield, perhaps to Discovery Park, Seattle's waterfront urban wilderness (take Western Ave. north along Elliott Bay to Magnolia and follow the signs). Another good place for a picnic is Volunteer Park, high atop Capitol Hill. Alternatively, you could have your picnic aboard a ferry headed to Bainbridge Island (a 30-min. trip) or to Bremerton (a 1-hr. trip).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
