Seattle: A Gateway to the Pacific Northwest

A Guide to some of the Best Food and Cafes Between Hikes in the Pacific Northwest

When I think of Seattle, it conjures images of a quaint fishing town—a place that feels like it’s been pulled straight from the pages of a storybook. It reminds me of Swallow Falls from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or the dreamy Island of Eroda from Harry Styles’ Adore You music video. The city has a certain moodiness, a cozy gloom that’s so distinctly Seattle.

View from Gasworks Park, Downtown Seattle

This time around, however, Seattle revealed itself to me in ways I hadn’t imagined. It truly is a gateway to the Pacific Northwest, with its towering mountains, misty national parks, and valleys dotted with meadows, lakes, and creeks. The food scene? Unexpectedly delightful. I was surprised by the diversity of flavors and cuisines. Even in small towns like Port Angeles, the quality and creativity in the food blew me away.

Misty Meadow, Saadiq M. Hasan, 2024

Here’s my guide to exploring Seattle—what to eat, where to hike, and the perfect places to unwind after soaking in the region's natural beauty.

Hike & Explore: The Best Trails Near Seattle

• Olympic National Park  

  • Hurricane Hill: A moderately challenging trail with panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Perfect for a morning hike.

  • Marymere Falls: Wander through old-growth forest to a picturesque waterfall. The trail is short and family-friendly.

  • Hall of Mosses in Hoh Rainforest: Step into a surreal, moss-draped wonderland, ideal for a tranquil nature walk.

  • Ruby Beach Trail: Time your hike to arrive about an hour or two before sunset to witness the most breathtaking ocean views at the day’s end.

Ruby Beach, Saadiq M. Hasan, 2024

• Mount Rainier  

  • Skyline Trail: This trail takes you through wildflower meadows, glaciers, and stunning viewpoints of Mount Rainier. I’m not an experienced hiker, but I could still complete the trail. For those looking to immerse themselves fully in nature’s grandeur, Skyline Trail is perfect.

    

    Mount Rainier, Saadiq M. Hasan, 2024

Seattle’s Culinary Trail

Greater Seattle Area

Dough Zone (Chinese Dumplings) 

Must Try: Vegetarian Spicy Mala Noodles, Cold Sesame Noodles.  

When we touched down in Seattle, our first stop for dinner was Dough Zone, a spot beloved for its dumplings. But in my opinion, the real stars of the menu are their noodles. The term ma la (麻辣) translates to "numbing hot," typically referring to the tingling sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. While these noodles didn’t quite numb the tongue, their flavor was bold and deeply satisfying—especially impressive considering they were vegetarian.

The Cold Sesame Noodles were a standout. Topped with crisp, cool cucumber slices, the dish had a refreshing balance. A drizzle of chili crisp added just the right kick, creating the perfect harmony of heat and texture.

Thai 65 Express (Thai)  

Must Try: Red Coconut Curry, Thai 65 Chicken.  

When I say this place is a true hole-in-the-wall, I mean it. After a long day hiking Mount Rainier, including a frigid ascent to Panorama Point through freezing rain, I needed something bold and warming to bring me back to life. As the night wore on and more places began to close, we stumbled across an unexpected gem—a Halal Thai food truck, parked in a gas station lot, open until 2 a.m. Could it get any better than that??

We ordered the Red Coconut Curry and the Thai 65 Chicken. The heat was intense, the flavors bold and complex—exactly what I needed. It was some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had, the perfect way to warm up and wind down after the day's adventure.

Port Angeles  

I didn’t have high expectations for the food scene in Port Angeles. I pictured a quiet town with a few pizza joints and maybe a diner or two—Domino’s seemed like a likely option for dinner that night. But to my surprise, we not only found one great place to eat but two.

Poke Pacifico (Poke Bowls)  

Must Try: Custom Poke Bowl

Poke Pacifico operates out of a small food truck outside of the Port Angeles Wharf. We created our poke bowl. The base was Southeast Asian blue rice, one scoop of salmon and one scoop of tuna, creamy sesame, shoyu, and ponzu sauce (made spicy), and topped off with green onion, pickled ginger, cucumber, crispy jalapenos, and furikake. This was possibly one of the best poke places I’ve ever visited. Everything tasted so fresh and much needed after all the hiking. 

Jasmine Thai Bistro (Thai)  

Must Try: Pad Khee Mao.  

When placing our order over the phone, I made sure to ask if they could make it spicy—nothing is more disappointing than mild Thai food. Though my hopes weren’t high, I wanted to give it a fair chance. But let me tell you, I was blown away from the very first bite. Not only was it bursting with flavor, it brought serious heat. Even the tofu, which is usually the least exciting part of the dish for me, was incredibly tasty.

Downtown Seattle

Kedai Makan (Malaysian Street Food)  

Must Try: Malay Peanuts, Nasi Goreng Kampung, Mushroom Pan Mee.  

This spot came highly recommended by a close friend who now calls Seattle home, and it didn’t disappoint. The restaurant's interior—dark wood furnishings and moody, warm lighting suspended low above each table—captured the essence of authentic Malaysian street food. I’d never experienced Malaysian cuisine quite like this before, so browsing the menu was an adventure in itself. For the table, we started with the Malay Peanuts: roasted, shelled peanuts tossed in oil, chili, lime leaf, and finely ground-fried anchovies. Easily one of the most intriguing things I’ve eaten, they hit the perfect balance of salty, spicy, and umami, with the lime leaf adding a burst of brightness that made each bite a revelation. The Nasi Goreng Kampung and Mushroom Pan Mee were equally as impressive, and a true delight for the table.

Aroom Cafe (Viet Coffee) 

Must Try: Sesame Latte, Salty Latte.  

Yes, Seattle is known for their coffee, but there’s one café you must try, it’s Aroom. The menu isn’t extensive, but that works in their favor, focusing on what they do best; Vietnamese coffee with their little twists. Their specialty lies in offering unique cream toppings that elevate each drink. The Salty Latte, a Vietnamese coffee topped with a rich, salty cold foam, is a classic. But the standout for me was the Sesame Latte—a velvety, savory blend of Vietnamese coffee crowned with a black sesame foam, likely made from black sesame paste. It was lush, indulgent, and I’ve been dreaming about it ever since. While I didn’t get a chance to try their Vietnamese egg coffee, I have no doubt it would surpass all expectations.

If you end up frequenting any of these spots while in Seattle drop a comment below and let me know what you enjoyed the most!