Recommendations University District - Seattle

[TerrelK]

We are going to be staying in the University District near the end of Sept. Recommendations, please?

[LaurieA-B]

Do you want recommendations specifically for places in the U District, or will you be going around town? (There's good bus service to downtown from there.) Any particular type of food? Places in the U District tend to be low-budget ethnic restaurants popular with students, some good, some not. Let us know what you're looking for.

[elswinger]

If you want to get a fancy sit down dinner, you'll have to get out of the U-District. If you are just hanging out and want good, afordable food in a casual atmosphere, you have many good choices. As a UW employee, I recommend the following:

On the "Ave" (University Way):

Best of Bento (Japanese sushi and Bento boxes)

Chipotle (Burritos & Tacos)

Thai-ger (Thai)

Thai Tom (Thai)

Pagliacci (Pizza)

Ichiro (Japanese & Korean)

Costas (Greek)

Cafe Allegro (breakfast, sandwiches)

Wing Dome (Wings, sandwiches, burgers)

Schultzy's (sausages, burgers)

China First (Chinese)

Ruby (Noodle bowls & salads)

Flowers (various)

On Boat Street at the south end of the Ave:

Agua Verde (healthy Mexican)

Montlake (take the number 43 or 48 busses south from the U-District)

Cafe Lago (Wood-fired pizza and lasagna)

there are also several Indian and Vietnamese restaurants on and off the Ave that I haven't been to, so can't recommend any in particular.

There are also several decent restaurants at the University Village shopping district, or you can take a #44 bus (West) and check out Wallingford (about 10 minutes about) and Ballard (20 minutes), where there are tons of great places to eat.

[little ms foodie]

Also where are you staying? The University Best Western on Brooklyn and 45th is very cool art deco-ish and the lounge, The District, has a good happy hour. Also we think Perkengruven on the Ave has the best coffee. If your there on a Sat. don't miss the farmers market- corner of Brooklyn and 50th. The yummiest struedles made fresh by the Struedle lady, as we call her!

We also like Cedars indian food, corner of Brooklyn and 50th.

[kiliki]

Just about the only place I'll eat in the U District (and I spend a lot of time in the neighborhood, since I'm a grad student) is Than Bros. Pho at 4207 University Way.

Agua Verde is pretty good and has a nice view.

The 71-72-73 express buses from University Avenue to downtown takes all of 10 minutes, if you'd like to get out of the neighborhood.

[elswinger]

I forgot to mention if you are staying at the University Inn (or any other hotel) on Roosevelt, that the Portage Bay Cafe is excellent, but there can be a line during weekday lunches.

[dougery]

For Indian Cuisine:

Cedars and Taste of India. Although Cedars receives much more press I HIGHLY recommend Taste of India.

[lalala]

Portage Bay rocks for breakfast and lunch, cedars is good for dinner. Long lines during the school year.

Take the bus down the viaduct and visit Union Bay Cafe. I believe it is one the bus line, but I can't remember what number.

lalala

[TerrelK]

Thank you for your recommendations. We do tend toward ethnic places (we moved here to Orcas from NYC). You have given us alot of choices. I was hoping a university area would have alot of ethnic places. Thanks again. I love Orcas restaurants, but they are not ethnic.

[tsquare]

Not exquisite, but a very nice place (and Owners):

Tempero do Brasil

5628 University Way NE

[gingerpeach]

Some other good, ethnic, budget-friendly (read: grad-student approved) restaurants not yet mentioned:

Aladdin - on the South end of the Ave., good falafel

Tandoor - Indian, North end of Ave.

Continental - Greek, North end of Ave.

You do sacrifice a bit of ambiance compared to dining in other neighborhoods, but the Ave. is convenient to plenty of good, cheap ethnic restaurants. With the right company, these places can be more fun to explore than fancier ones.

[Schielke]

Thai Tom is always great, but expect a wait if you go at normal dinner hours.

I am a sucker for Aladdin Falafel down south on the ave. I dig their Gyros. I doubt they are very authentic though.

Ben

[dougery]

If you are going to be walking around the area, you should stop by Scarecrow video just to take a look at their video selection. They offer the LARGEST selection of international/independant films you will ever see! Fun place to just walk around and browse. George, the original owner, was the most passionate movie watcher I've ever met.

[LainerX]

For Indian food, I reccomend Tandoor - on University Way and 50th. Kai's on 43's and University Way has a fun little happy hour and drink specials.

To round out your UW visit, you really do need to get drunk at Earl's or have one too many beers at the Big Time brewery... not that I've ever done either of those things.