Renee Erickson on Where to Eat and Play in Seattle
Renee Erickson bought her first restaurant when she was only 25 years old. Seventeen years later, she had become one of the defining voices in Seattle dining, known for restaurants that celebrate the flavors, producers, and relaxed hospitality of the Pacific Northwest. Her Seattle restaurants include Boat Street Café, which was scheduled to close at the end of May, The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Whale Wins, and Barnacle. She is also behind Boat Street Pickles and Narwhal, an oyster truck, with more projects in development.
The James Beard-nominated chef released her first cookbook, A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus, a menu-driven love letter to Pacific Northwest cuisine. The book quickly earned praise and appeared on many “best of” lists in 2014. Erickson has also been part of a broader conversation about equity in the restaurant industry. At her restaurants, she moved away from a traditional tipping model, added a service charge shared among staff, and raised base wages to $15 an hour. Through her restaurants, leadership, and thoughtful approach to food, Erickson has helped shape Seattle’s dining culture in meaningful ways.
Below, Erickson shares her favorite places to eat in Seattle, where to stay, how to spend a Saturday afternoon, and the one type of attraction visitors should not miss.
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Delancey
For pizza in Seattle, Erickson points straight to Delancey. In her view, Brandon creates the ideal balance between classic pizza and a modern point of view. The menu feels familiar in the best possible way, but every detail is handled with care. The Jersey Salad, for example, has the Italian vinaigrette, shaved carrot, and croutons you might remember from old-school versions, but it is made with far more attention and flavor.
When she visits, Erickson often orders the off-menu trailer park pizza. If she goes with something else, she usually chooses the Romano and adds a seasonal vegetable, such as kale or spring garlic. Dessert is also part of the experience. She recommends saving room for one of Molly’s chocolate chip cookies or the lemon budino.
Coyle’s Bakeshop
Coyle’s Bakeshop is a bakery in Greenwood that Erickson is especially excited to have in her neighborhood. Rachel Coyle, who had been baking through a pop-up at The Book Larder, now bakes five days a week from her own space. Erickson also notes that The Book Larder is her favorite bookstore in Seattle for food books.
The pastries at Coyle’s are seasonal, thoughtful, and beautifully made. Erickson is particularly fond of the Cardamom Rhubarb Bundt Cake, describing it as moist, fragrant, and just right with a cup of coffee. For anyone looking for bakeries in Seattle that reflect the seasons without feeling overly complicated, Coyle’s is an easy recommendation.
Kurt Farm Shop
Kurt Farm Shop is a charming ice cream and farm shop on Capitol Hill, located in a beautifully renovated building. Erickson describes it as a place that brings together some of the best seasonal goods, from vegetable starts to cheese to rich Jersey cream ice cream.
The shop reflects a deep connection to farming, seasonality, and craft, which makes it feel especially at home in Seattle’s food scene. Erickson also recommends taking a look at artist Jeffry Mitchell’s ice cream cone holder, created specifically for Kurt. It is the kind of small, memorable detail that makes a visit feel personal.
Hotel Ballard
Hotel Ballard on Ballard Avenue is Erickson’s pick for a lovely place to stay in Seattle. The hotel sits on a historic street in Ballard, one of the city’s most appealing neighborhoods, and has a restaurant on the main floor called Stoneburner.
Ballard Avenue is ideal for visitors who want to experience Seattle beyond the most obvious tourist stops. It is a great street for music, bars, restaurants, and wandering at a relaxed pace. On Sundays, the neighborhood hosts a farmers market that Erickson describes as wonderful. Hotel Ballard is also conveniently located near two of her own spots, The Walrus and the Carpenter and Barnacle, making it a strong base for anyone planning a food-focused trip to Seattle.
The Best Way to Spend a Saturday Afternoon
For a memorable Saturday in Seattle, Erickson recommends taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island. The Bainbridge-bound ferry carries passengers across the water to Winslow, offering a simple and beautiful way to experience the city’s connection to Puget Sound. Once you arrive, you can walk into town for coffee and lunch, then take your time making your way back toward Seattle.
After returning by ferry, Erickson suggests walking from the terminal up to Pike Place Market. The market remains one of Seattle’s essential places to shop, browse, and experience the energy of the city. It is busy, iconic, and still genuinely worth visiting.
From Pike Place Market, continue about 15 minutes south along First Avenue and you will reach Pioneer Square. This older part of Seattle is filled with distinctive shops, good food, and historic character. Together, the ferry, market, and Pioneer Square make for a relaxed but full afternoon that shows off several sides of the city.
The One Attraction You Shouldn’t Miss
Erickson’s must-see Seattle attraction is not a single building or museum. It is the city’s parks. From Seward Park on Lake Washington to Discovery Park overlooking Puget Sound, Seattle’s green spaces offer scenic hikes, picnic spots, water views, and a sense of escape without leaving the city. For visitors looking for the best things to do in Seattle, spending time in the parks is one of the most rewarding choices.