When I first booked my trip to Seattle, I thought Pike Place Market was just a Farmers Market with the first Starbucks. I didn’t realize how many good places there were to eat and drink there.

I definitely would’ve spent more time at Pike Place Market if I were in Seattle longer. It was the first place I wanted to go when I arrived in Seattle. It was actually the second place I went because I started walking in the wrong direction at first, but it was the first place I wanted to go. It wasn’t a bad walk from the Warwick. I arrived on Sunday afternoon and it was pretty crowded.

The first thing I noticed when I turned the corner was the “original Starbucks.” This isn’t really the original location. The first Starbucks was down the street for five years prior to relocating here. The line is extremely long so I’m not going to stop right now.

The next thing I noticed was I could see NCL Encore from the market. I walked over to the fence to get a better look. There’s some green space right here where people are sitting, eating, talking, and enjoying the view.

Next I went to eat at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese.

For detail on my Pike Place meals which also included Pike Place Chowder and Piroshky Piroshky, check out Seattle Food. Here are some highlights.

Le Panier was a place I didn’t eat at. They had a bunch of fancy desserts. I almost bought some macarons here but decided against it because I had just eaten at Piroshky.

There’s a lot of fresh produce at Pike Place.

I almost stopped by the crumpet shop. I have never seen a crumpet. I have never eaten a crumpet. I know that you eat them with tea. But I can’t say I’ve ever seen one. I ended up not going because it was early, I was pressed for time, and a lot of places weren’t open yet.

Inside this part of the market is where you’ll find the throwers of fish.

This is Pike Place Fish Company which is famous for it’s fish slinging.

Downstairs there are more shops and restaurants. This Swami machine, which is exactly like Zoltar in the movie “Big,” caught my eye. I would’ve played but it was out of order.

Down another set of stairs takes you to the famous gum wall.

I tried to pay that guy to chew a random piece of gum but he…..wasn’t biting.

When I was on the Harbor Tour, our guide said the best way to handle the original Starbucks is to get there first thing in the morning before the line develops. Otherwise you’re going to be waiting a long time for the same coffee you can get on any corner in Seattle.

The next morning I did just that. I was one of the first people at the market.

The Starbucks line was very short at 8am on Monday morning.

Once I got in line, it was just a one minute wait to get inside the building.

The inside of the store is mostly retail.

I decided to try this Cookies and Cream since it says it’s a Pike Place location exclusive. I’m going to get my regular coffee as well.

I was in and out in 10 minutes. I just got a small cookies and cream. Then I got a venti Pike Place. They did not have the Cafe Verona I got in the DFW airport. They pulled the typical Starbucks do you have a dark roast? “Yes we do.” Then they give me Pike Place which is medium.

That concludes my Pike Place Market experience. I wish I had more time here. There is a lot of food and drink I wanted to try at the market that I didn’t get to. It didn’t help that a lot of places were shutting down at 4:30. If they would’ve stayed open later I would’ve been able to try more. But it will have to wait until my next trip to Seattle.

 

 

 

 

 

• Seattle