Must-Stop (and shop) Design Destinations in Seattle

After several decades mired in a reputation for grunge fashion, fleece, and a love of all things beige, Seattle has emerged as one of the country’s must-visit design hubs. With industry-leading architecture, designers setting trends in furniture and décor, and a strong point of view rooted in craftsmanship and environmentalism, the Emerald City is attracting more creatives than ever—and not just in the technology sector. Artists, fashion designers, chefs, makers, and performance artists are setting up shop, bringing with them global perspectives that only deepen and enrich the diverse tapestry of the city. Inevitably, with more creatives come more exciting places to eat, shop, and play. Below, find 10 of Seattle’s newest can’t-miss spots for anyone who loves art, food, cocktails, and well-designed spaces.

Perched on the rooftop of the Graduate Seattle hotel, the Mountaineering Club is the only rooftop bar in Seattle’s University District. In a neighborhood where the University of Washington, and therefore lots of student-centric watering holes, hold court, Mountaineering Club is a refreshing addition that boasts rare southward views of the city, craft cocktails, and a large wraparound rooftop deck. The décor has a comfortable lived-in vibe, with a hodgepodge of vintage mountain-themed finds (one wall is full of old snowshoes), plaid, and leather. A rotating menu switches up food and drinks seasonally, but the Campsite Spread (prosciutto, pimento cheese, pickles, toast) and DIY S’mores are always a sure thing. 

After months of construction (and inevitable delays due to COVID-19), Seattle’s historic Fairmont Olympic hotel revealed the first phase of its multi-part renovation: a freshly reconfigured lobby with the striking, Art Deco–inspired Olympic Bar. Now divided into various seating areas—long, undulating sofas upholstered in jewel-toned velvets, high-top tables tucked into private corners, brass-framed chairs that stand out against the marble-topped bar—the transformed lobby offers a rich combination of colors and textures that complement original carved wood casework, columns, and balcony railings.

A contemporary jewelry line from local designer Faris Du Graf, Faris’ unique offerings are steeped in materiality, shape, and scale in a way that elevates everyday basics (earrings, bracelets, necklaces) to an eye-catching level. Over the summer, Du Graf opened an eponymous boutique in the creative Capitol Hill neighborhood that also offers a selection of books curated by Pacific Standard, as well as items from other local makers. 

Ask anyone in the Seattle art scene about its biggest advocates, and Greg Lundgren’s name consistently comes up. The artist, provocateur, and local business owner (he is involved in The Hideout and Vito’s, two popular local bars) is deeply entrenched in the local gallery and exhibition scene, and recently opened his own contemporary art space, Museum of Museums in a renovated midcentury building on the cusp between the First Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. With a goal to increase and champion the artist population of Seattle, MoM offers rotating exhibitions, pop-up events, youth programs, art classes, and more.

Magazine lovers lost their minds this past spring when Big Little News opened on Capitol Hill. After the closure of the city’s beloved Pike Place News in 2019, there was a hole in the hearts of many local print-journalism lovers. So, when Big Little News came along—a narrow little space lined with wooden shelves stocked with hundreds of tiltes ranging from top fashion magazines to obscure literary journals—it made headlines while also providing them. The shop also sells snacks, beer, wine, soda so you can find the perfect accompaniment to your choice of reading material.

Easy to walk right past (look for the Grover-blue exterior), Cornelly is a pint-size eatery specializing in handmade pasta, naturally leavened pizza, and local veggies. With a rotating menu (this summer’s Dungeness crab and mascarpone tortellini was divine) and both square and round pizza (along with fresh-baked desserts), there’s always something for everyone on the menu.

Opened by Tim Pfeiffer and Steve Hoedemaker of Seattle architecture and interiors firm Hoedemaker Pfeiffer, Housewright Gallery is part furniture showroom, part art gallery. With one-of-a-kind vintage finds, lighting, textiles, décor objects, and more, the shop—located near Hoedemaker Pfeiffer’s offices in the industrial Georgetown neighborhood— has become a destination for professional designers and design lovers alike.

Houseplants are so in right now. Whether it’s the pandemic (so much time spent at home) or just a rising appreciation for all things green, more and more people are adding flora to their spaces. Chock full of everything from cacti and other easy-care options to more exotic (and finickier) types, the greenhouse-like Central District space also carries pots and planters, acting as a one-stop emporium for all your houseplant needs.

While not new, Bottlehouse is a staple for wine lovers in Seattle. Tucked into a former house in the quiet, tree-lined streets of the Madrona neighborhood, this wine bar and bottle shop offers both indoor and outdoor seating, weekly-changing cheese plates, and a large selection of wines (beware: they do not serve cocktails). It also offers fun events (from a Bastille Day fête to natural-wine tastings) and a multi-tier wine club. Bonus: check out either of the two Mr. West locations (from the same owners as Bottleshop) for delightful café fare, a curated selection of gifts, and an elegant atmosphere that feels very French indeed. 

Even though it’s technically located on Expedia’s Seattle campus, the beachfront park there is open to the public. The 2.6-acre publicly accessible park, dubbed “The Beach,” was designed by San Francisco-based landscape firm Surfacedesign and boasts front-row views of the city (and stunning Mount Rainier on clear days), a scheme that includes native plants, a gravel beach, and amphitheater-style terraced seating that also serves as a seawall. A pedestrian and bike-friendly trail connects the beach to nearby Myrtle Edwards Park and beyond that to Seattle Art Museum’s popular sculpture park.