Fifteen Reasons to Love Capitol Hill

In Capitol Hill and the surrounding communities, residents indulge in an eclectic mix of local restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, and recreation, all within minutes from the heart of the city. Parts of “the Hill” earmark a moment in time heralding the founders of Seattle, as it was popularly referred to as “Millionaire’s Row” in the early 1900s. While history is evident all over Capitol Hill, the area is also poised to the future, with never-before-seen accessibility from the LINK light rail. While it’s always been regarded as a hub of arts and culture in Seattle, it has drawn attention more recently for its progressive and inclusive spirit. From the rainbow-hued sidewalks to the abundance of street art, there is always something to appreciate in Capitol Hill. Discover some of our favorite things about this iconic Seattle neighborhood below.

Chophouse Row

Situated on the popular 12th Avenue, Chophouse Row is home to a variety of local businesses and restaurants. Some of the standouts are Marmite, Sweet Alchemy, Good Weather that doubles as a bike shop and a bar, and Light Sleeper, a newer addition that offers a variety of delicious bites and wines. The inside courtyard is a great spot to visit on sunny days or when live music is offered. If you go, make sure to peek inside the hair salon Yvey—they usually have a cute dog laying around inside!  

Volunteer Park, Seattle Asian Art Museum & Volunteer Park Conservatory

This Capitol Hill park is one of the many quintessential ones in Seattle and is even considered a Seattle Landmark as of 2011. It’s home to both the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Volunteer Park Conservatory, which are both housed in beautiful, regal buildings and are must-sees if you go. Additionally, it’s a great place to bring a picnic or walk through on a sunny day simply because there are so many places to sit or see. Other standout features include the massive water tower, blooming dahlias, sculptures, duck ponds, and the new performing stage where they plan to host live concerts and events.

Oddfellows Café + Bar

This local eatery and bar is well-known and regarded throughout Seattle for its simple, fresh food inspired by French and Italian cooking. Upon stepping inside, you’ll be greeted by the café’s welcoming atmosphere, tall ceilings, and friendly waitstaff. It’s a great spot to grab brunch, though they are open well into the evening as well. During the pandemic, they shifted to offering covered outdoor seating in front of the restaurant, and they also have a garden patio experience in the back if you have a larger party on your reservation.

Melrose Market

This indoor food and retail market is situated in a set of historic automotive buildings that date back to 1919. The market itself features a variety of local retailers and award-winning restaurants, including Marseille, Homegrown, Still Liquor, and Terra Plata. If you’re looking for a great dinner spot, try out Terra Plata, an “earth to plate” restaurant that creates unique and flavorful dishes inspired by the local offerings of the season. On nice evenings, they open up their rooftop for dining which is so beautiful!

Cascina Spinasse

What started as a tiny, rustic Italian trattoria dedicated to serving delicious handmade pasta and other traditional cuisine of the Piedmont region of northern Italy quickly transformed into the restaurant we know and love today. Cascina Spinasse has received critical acclaim and is considered one of Seattle’s best Italian restaurants—definitely a must-try if you’re in the area! Their chef, Stuart Lane, is well regarded for his simple, soulful dishes grounded in northern Italian technique that incorporate artisanal Pacific Northwest products. If you plan on going, we suggest making a reservation to ensure you’re able to be seated.

The Elliott Bay Book Company

This iconic bookstore is located right beside Odd Fellows Café + Bar, so it’s a great place to pop into after enjoying a meal there. Founded in 1973, this full-service bookstore is independently owned and operated and still retains its original cedar shelves, giving it a nostalgic vibe. The selection is never-ending here, so you can always find what you’re looking for. What makes this place really stand out is its personal touch—the staff is always knowledgeable and offers great book recommendations.

Cal Anderson Park

This in-city park is considered the hub of Capitol Hill’s community. Its features include a large fountain and reflecting pool, a shelter house, a children’s play area, a turfed sports field, and tennis courts that have been transformed into skateboarding arenas. The park attracts a lot of visitors, especially on sunny days when locals opt to enjoy picnics on the grass or turf and it stays busy well into the night thanks to all the lighting on the field.

Honey Hole Sandwiches

This sandwich shop was founded in 1999 on the principle of providing nutritious and flavorful food, with everything made or prepared in-house daily to ensure freshness and quality. Some of their most popular options are the Fast Eddie, Texas Tease, and Bellissimo, the last of which is one of their many vegetarian options. If you go, try to order ahead because it gets quite busy!

Tavern Law

This speakeasy-style bar offers high-end vintage cocktails and American food in a dark, sophisticated space. Its mission is to celebrate the history of the Prohibition era, specifically when it comes to the art of mixing drinks. If you go, make sure to ask about the secret upstairs speakeasy.

Café Presse

Since 2007, this popular and casual café has served traditional French cuisine and drinks. They pride themselves on being a neighborhood restaurant, open for coffee in the morning and offering nightcaps well into the evening. If you’re in the mood to watch European ‘football’ or enjoy half-priced bottles of wine on happy hour, this is the place to go!

Canon

This quaint and intimate bar serves innovative cocktails, aged spirits, bespoke drinks, and global foods. Though small and sometimes hard to get a table, Canon has won a lot of awards including “30 Greatest Bars in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler. Try some of the specialty cocktails that come in fun glasses like Bee’s Toes or Jungle Bird.

Capitol Hill Sunday Farmers Market

This farmers market takes over part of Broadway Avenue every Sunday morning, rain or shine. Their local vendors offer a delicious variety of foods, whether you’re looking for fresh produce, gluten free cakes, handmade donuts, or flavorful soups. Start your Sunday with a stroll through this market, sampling the various local finds.

Louisa Boren Lookout

This stunning scenic viewpoint is lined with benches to take in the panoramic views of Lake Washington and the Cascades. It’s an easy walk from Volunteer Park and is also close to Interlaken Park and the Lake View Cemetery where Bruce Lee was buried. These close-together parks make great walking or biking trails if you’re looking to get a feel for the city while taking in beautiful views.

KOBO

Established in 1995, KOBO is an artisan gallery that proudly presents Japanese and Northwest fine crafts. They highlight both traditional and contemporary pieces in their six exhibitions per year. Currently, they are featuring the Pacific Northwest artist Jessica McCourt and her artwork is for sale.

Vermillion

Founded in 2007 by Diana Adams, Vermillion is both an art gallery and a bar that serves beer, wine, and cocktails. The art venue hosts several art exhibitions throughout the year with the opening of each one coinciding with the monthly art walk. What’s up in October is an art and photography show by Nikki Solemsaas, a local artist that focuses on large acrylic paintings and contemporary portrait photography. Fun fact about the artist—she hadn’t picked up a paint brush in ten years before she reignited her love of creating art during COVID-19!