Small-town feel with a whole lot to offer.
Columbia City is located on the Southeast side of Seattle and is considered one of the more affordable areas to live in Seattle while not being to far removed from the city center. A diverse area with historic homes and shopfronts, this tight-nit neighborhood has a small town feel but is actually teaming with a mix of international restaurants, cafes, and bakeries bringing the tastes of the world to your front door. Paired with a great night life, live music venues, easy access to some of Seattle’s largest parks (plus Lake Washington), and plenty of public transportation – this community is the perfect setting for singles, couples, families, or really any buyer under the sun!
- Super Six: Housed in a renovated auto shop, enjoy Hawaiian and Korean style dishes for the best brunch in Columbia City! Stop by for dinner and you’ll see all the favorites from the sister restaurant Marination Ma Kai!
- Bananas Grill: This Middle Eastern restaurant is located right next to the Columbia City light rail which makes it a very convenient spot to grab a quick bite to eat. Their chicken shawarma is delicious and their beef/lamb gyros are to die for.
- Archipelago: Indulge in this cozy Pacific Northwest-inspired, Filipino restaurant. Take advantage of the opportunity to make a reservation as soon as possible since this is rated one of the city’s best private dining experiences.
- Safari Restaurant: You may have driven past this place a dozen times and have never realized you’re missing out some of Seattle’s best Kenyan food. Ranging from fired tilapia to flavorful kudu chicken thighs you love everything you try – just remember to order extra pilau!
- Bua 9 Thai Cuisine: Whippin’ up some of the best curries and noodle dishes we’ve ever tasted, you’ll definitely be bringing friends and family here boasting this is Seattle’s secret gem in regards to Thai food.
- Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria: Every neighborhood needs their local slice of pie, and Columbia City was this close to having that slice be from Pagliacci. Luckily they were saved by this wonderful pizzeria! Great for sit down dinners!
- Kezira Cafe: We really weren’t sure where to feature this place because the food is just as good as the drinks. And we mean really good. This is probably the best place in Columbia City for vegetarian diners, but eat your fill and then wash it all down with amazing tea or coffee!
- Empire Espresso: What separates it from other coffee shops is definitely what is behind the counter. Their food blows anything from Starbucks out of the water and if you spend the extra buck for their homemade cashew milk, you’ll never think of coffee the same again.
- Coffeeholic House: As the name suggests, this place will turn you into a coffeeholic. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the average cup of Joe, you have to try their Vietnamese take on the Seattle staple.
- Caffe Vita: A locally-owned independent company that has been roasting coffee in Seattle since 1995. Getting their start in Queen Anne, they now operate 13 cafes throughout Seattle! The only chain in town that can give Starbucks a run for their money!
- Olympia Coffee: The owners of this company have made it a point to improve the quality of life for coffee farmers around the world, in addition to the lives of their staff and employees. The actual coffee itself is great, but the mission is reason enough to stop by and show support anytime.
- The Royal Room Seattle: If you like southern food, drinks, and live music this is the place for you! With live music 6 nights a week, happy hours, and a variety of drinks. This is a hot spot in Columbia City, don’t miss out!
- La Medusa: If you are looking for a decent couple glasses of wine and nice bowls of pasta without breaking the bank look no further! Dimly lit and romantic, this is one of the best spots in the neighborhood for a date night!
- Columbia City Ale House: This is the neighborhood spot for rotating taps of local microbrews served in a tavern like setting. Their seasonal drinks are amazing and the snacks are certainly above par for bar food.
- Bourbon Bar at Columbia City Theater: This cozy little bar offers local craft beers, tasty whiskeys, and a variety of bourbons all paired with live music and a full movie theater.
- Slow Boat Tavern: Specializing in hard-to-find brews, stop by here anytime you are looking for drinks outside of what you’d normally find behind the counter. The neighborhood is certainly lucky to have this as a local watering hole.
- Taproot Cafe & Bar: One of the few health conscious juice bar/cafes in Seattle, and probably the world. Enjoy a large drink menu along with a smattering of gourmet sandwich options offered indoors our outside on the patio.
- Genesee Park and Playfield: A broad, rough meadow encompassing about 5 block of South Seattle. Located in a quiet neighborhood the atmosphere is quite soothing with a fenced in off leash dog park in the back, fronted by multiple soccer fields.
- Columbia Park: This little pocket of green space is perfect for meandering along winding walking trails that snake through well-manicured lawns and tall trees. A very picturesque neighborhood scene indeed.
- Rainier Playfield: Originally named Columbia Playfield, this park had it’s name converted in appreciation of the field’s view of the mountain. Besides a beautiful background, this area also boasts multiple sport courts, grass fields, along with picnic areas, play ground equipment, and even a skate park!
- Adams Park: A small neighborhood gathering spot that slightly resembles the shape of a diamond baseball field, however only crisp green lawns can be found – no bases on site.
85 – Walkers Paradise: Most errands can easily be accomplished without a means up transportation
62 – Good Transit: Many nearby public transportation options with routes traveling in virtually every direction.
64 – Bikeable: There is some bike infrastructure present, but not as much as other parts of the city.