Twelve Reasons to Love Columbia City

Nestled between Mount Baker and Rainier Beach, Columbia City is one of Seattle’s eight historic landmark districts. As such, this neighborhood possesses a deep history and rich culture, both of which make the area quite unique. On top of that, Columbia City is very diverse, with over 60 languages spoken in the area! While the quaint shops give this neighborhood a welcoming small-town feel, easy access to the LINK light rail station provides residents with all the benefits of urban living. Here are twelve of our favorite reasons to visit Columbia City—we hope you’ll enjoy them, too!

Columbia City Bakery

Step inside this local bakery and be amazed by the beautiful pastries and the splendid aromas of freshly baked goods. The walls are lined with perfectly baked baguettes, flaky Danishes, and unique finds like their popular pistachio snails. If you have a sweet tooth, this will be your new favorite place!

Empire Coffee & Records

Coffee and music lovers unite! This local coffee shop not only offers delicious treats like their original waffles (they’re gluten-free and vegan), chia pudding with house-made granola, and the creamiest homemade cashew milk, but they also have a record store upstairs. Once you’re done enjoying your delicious meal in their outdoor courtyard, make sure to pop upstairs to enjoy the tunes of decades past.

Bouquet

If you’re in need of a last-minute flower arrangement or are in the mood to shop for a new plant, consider visiting Bouquet’s Columbia City location. This bright and quirky shop offers an abundance of flowers and plants, and they have an experienced design team that specializes in custom, unique arrangements with a flair for the natural and organic. Fun fact—Bouquet has been a staple in Columbia City since it opened in 1907!

Columbia City Gallery

This artists’ collective seeks to create an exhibit space for local artists, educate the public on art, and serve as a gathering place for artists and art aficionados in Columbia City. Hearkening to the neighborhood’s diverse culture, the Columbia City Gallery strives to showcase artwork that reflects the diverse neighborhood and topics of interest among its residents. If you’re interested in purchasing art, there are two silent auctions to explore in January and February.

Island Soul

Step inside this local eatery and rum bar and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Caribbean! Island Soul offers Caribbean-inspired soul food, which can best be described as a fusion of native Caribbean foods and traditional soul food from Louisiana Bayou. Menu standouts include their Tostones, Jerk Chicken, and of course their rum cocktails!

Geraldine’s Counter

If you’re looking for an upscale take on Americana comfort food, look no further than Geraldine’s Counter. They use fresh and local ingredients that help support small, local vendors, so you can feel good about going there. Plus, they are known for having the best French toast, so if you go, make sure to try it!

The Royal Room

Considered Columbia City’s premier live music venue, the Royal Room hosts six live music nights a week, along with a great happy hour on the weekend. One of our favorite reasons to visit is their cocktails—they use fresh, cold-pressed juices in all their house cocktails!

Super Six

Situated in a former auto body shop on Hudson Street, this restaurant gets its name from Hudson Motor Company’s prized car model, the Super Six. Along with this eatery’s cool, historic vibe, you’ll also find delicious foods that focus on Asian flavors paired with American comfort food and PNW staples. We recommend the Loco Moco and Spam Musubi!

Columbia City Theater

Built in 1907, this historic theater has a vintage, quirky flair that makes it feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Walk inside and be dazzled by the bright lights, brick walls, and ornate details. You can enjoy a variety of live music, comedy, and burlesque shows here. Plus, the entrance to the theater is through the back alley, giving it a distinct speakeasy vibe that’s perfect for date nights.

Rainier Arts Center

Rainier Arts Center’s mission is to provide an affordable community center for the residents of Southeast Seattle, where they can share stories through traditional and contemporary art forms. Their annual Summer Series at the Columbia Park is especially popular—if you’re in the area, check out one of the outdoor movies, concerts, and plays.

Columbia City Farmer’s Market

Between the months of May and October, Columbia City hosts a weekly farmers market on Wednesdays between 3 and 7 pm. Their offerings are varied, ranging from ciders and flowers to locally grown produce, freshly baked goods, and hot meals. Some of our favorite vendors to visit are Jonboy Caramels, King’s Mozzarella, and Pie Bird Bakeshop.

Columbia Park

Located along Rainier Avenue, Columbia Park provides open grass fields and two beautiful maple trees beside the Columbia Branch of the Seattle Public Library, which is another must-see spot! It’s the perfect venue to read a newly borrowed book with a great picnic lunch.

If you’re interested in learning more about what makes Columbia City special, please reach out. We’d love to connect with you.