For families who may not feel comfortable grabbing a booth at a restaurant just yet, and are getting tired of swinging by the drive-thru, walk-up windows are the welcome change you need. Especially if you’re out walking around town. So pick up lunch, dinner or a dessert, then find a quiet park or nearby bench to enjoy your good meal with a view to match. Scroll down to find one of our favorites.
Pie Bar
One of the most unique business profiles in town. Pie Bar is a restaurant, bar and take-out venue all in one, serving both savory (think: pot pies made with chicken and turkey, served by the slice) and sweet (think: classics like apple, bumble berry and coconut cream) pies. Buy a slice or pick up dinner for your crew tonight.
Gotta grab bite: If the kids are with you, you’ll have to try a slice of PB&J. It’s a peanut butter cream pie topped with marionberry compote, whipped cream and crushed peanuts.
2218 N.W. Market St.
Seattle, WA 98107
206-535-8489
Online: piebarballard.com
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 2-10 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 2 p.m.-midnight
Yalla
Chef Taylor Cheney created Yalla (which means “Let’s go” in Arabic) as a celebration of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, with dishes inspired by Palestinian, Egyptian, Lebanese and Syrian cultures. If you find something here you like, you might have to keep coming back, as the menu rotates on a regular basis.
Gotta grab bite: Hummus is an easy pick for kids, but if you want something a bit more adventurous, try the Awarma. It's spiced beef confit, tomato, olive, cucumber, mint and greens wrapped up tight.
1510 E. Olive Way
Seattle, WA 98122
Online: yallaseattle.com
Hours: Mon.-Thur., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sun, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Homer
Nothing hits the spot like ice cream on a sunny day. And the soft serve flavors they're dishing up at Homer on Beacon Hill will certainly do the trick. Take yours to a nearby park or enjoy it curbside at the soon-to-be-set-up patio seating outside.
Gotta grab bite: Put the rhubarb soft serve on your to-try list. It's an unusual flavor that was made especially for sunny summer days.
3013 Beacon Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
206-785-6099
Online: restauranthomer.com
Hours: Tues.-Sun., 4-9 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. noon-2 p.m.
Ivar's Fish Bar
In addition to Ivar’s Seafood Bars and their fancier restaurants, they also operate three Fish Bars serving limited menus on the Seattle Waterfront, Lake Union and Mukilteo Landing. Each location’s menu varies a little but you’ll find the classic Alaska True Cod and salmon, prawns, chicken, chowder and fries at all three. It's hard to go wrong with Seattle classic.
Gotta grab bite: The Salmon House’s Fish Bar offers an amazing grilled salmon dinner, and the Mukilteo location is a favorite place with the locals to get huge soft-serve ice cones.
1001 Alaskan Way (Pier 54)
Seattle, WA 98104
206-624-6852
401 N.E. Northlake Way
Seattle, WA 98105
206-632-0767
710 Front St.
Mukilteo, WA 98275
425-742-6180
Online: ivars.com
Hours vary by location.
La Crêperie Voilà
With a nice selection of both savory crepes filled with good things like ham, scrambled eggs and salmon, plus sweet French crepes where you'll find everything from fresh strawberries to raspberries to Nutella chocolate sauce, there is something to please even the pickiest eater of the family–even if it is you.
Gotta grab bite: Cherries Jubilee with brandied cherry compote, sliced almonds, whipped cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
707 Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98101
206-447-2737
Online: facebook.com/La-Creperie-Voila
Hours: Mon.-Thur., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri. 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Dick's Drive-In
Of course we had to include Seattle's iconic chain of walk-up window restaurants. The first Dick’s Drive-In opened for business on 45th Street in 1954. Today there are seven locations with only one of them offering indoor seating (Queen Anne). Nobody seems to care. Though the line might be long, orders are filled quickly. Other than the prices, the menu here has pretty much stayed the same with great burger, shakes and freshly-made hand-cut fries. Take the kids to experience that place where it all began.
Gotta grab bite: The Dick’s Deluxe. The quarter-pound burger is made with fresh beef, cheese, lettuce, mayo and pickle relish.
111 N.E. 45th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206-632-5125
Online: ddir.com
Hours: Daily, 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m.
The Original Bakery
The history of the Original Bakery goes back to 1936 offering American favorite treats. The current owners, the Alonzo family, have been running the place since 1975, keeping the tradition alive with a nice selection of breads, doughnuts, coffee cakes, pies and cookies that are baked fresh every day.
Gotta grab bite: Try the Butter Pecan cookies that are finished with a dip in dark chocolate and then dusted with powdered sugar.
9253 45th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA
206-938-5088
Online: theoriginalbakery.com
Hours: Tue.-Fri., 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mamnoon Street
Mamnoon Street has only been around since 2016, but since that time, this Lebanese/Syrian restaurant has made a name for itself thanks to the authentic wrapped sandwiches and salads served speedy quick, when time is of the essence. Choose from Middle Eastern staples like Baba Ghanoush, Quinoa Tabbouleh salad and Falafel Sandwiches when you stop by.
Gotta grab bite: The Chicken Shawarma wrap is the most popular. It includes frites, pickled pepper, romaine lettuce tomatoes and roasted garlic sauce, and can be made as a salad if you prefer.
2020 5th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
206-327-9121
Online: Mamnoonstreet.com
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon.-Sat.
Sexy Alley Puffy Tacos (Hotel Albatross)
Located on the side of Hotel Albatross, you’ll find a lit-up sign that reads Sexy Alley Puffy Tacos. Despite the name, we are pretty sure that these tacos are safe for the whole family. The classic comes with refried beans, white cheddar, crema, pico de gallo and cojita, and they just get fancier from there. Make it your family's new Taco Tuesday tradition.
Gotta grab bite: The Taco Kit serves four and comes with a choice of protein (carnitas, rajas, picadillo), corn tortillas, salsa roja, salsa verde, chips, guacamole, onions and cilantro. Super easy!
2319 NW Market St.
Seattle, WA 98107
206-566-6181
Online: hotelalbatross.com
Hours: Daily, 5 p.m.- 2 a.m.
Cedars of Labanon
Boasting of offering “the best Middle Eastern food in Seattle,” Cedars of Lebanon offers an extensive menu of falafel, gyros and salads, in addition to plates of appetizers and entrees. Favorite sandwiches here include the Shish Kebob (lamb), Kafta Kebob (beef), Gyros (beef and lamb) and roasted chicken.
Gotta grab bite: There's always time to split baklava with the kids. Wash it down with Turkish coffee for moms and dads.
1319 N.E. 43rd St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206-632-7708
Online: facebook.com/CedarsSeattle
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Carmelo’s Tacos
What Carmelo's lacks in fancy menu items, they make up for with ingredients. Their menu consists simply of tacos, burritos and quesadillas that look as good as they taste. Turns out food doesn't need to be complicated to be taste great
Gotta grab bite: Go for the quesadilla with your choice of meat or veggie. It's a true crowd-pleaser.
110 Summit Ave. E.
Seattle, WA 98102
206-659-0159
Online: facebook.com/Carmelos-Tacos
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Rubenstein Bagels
As an artist, Andrew says that he didn’t intend on becoming a bagel maker, but he’s done all right for himself (psst...even Tom Douglas is a fan!). His bagels are unique because they contain sourdough culture as a leavening agent, but they are not “sour” per se. Just a deeper flavor than instant yeast he says. And although they had closed the window when the pandemic first hit, they just re-opened July 6 for walk-up service.
Gotta grab bite: Try the salted rosemary. It's a little bit different than your typical bagel. Don't forget the schmear!
621 Union St.
Seattle, WA 98101
206-550-1666
Online: rubinsteinbagels.com
Hours: Daily, 6 a.m.–4 p.m.
—Jeffrey Totey
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