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You can’t visit Seattle without stopping by the world’s oldest continually operating farmers’ market, but this massive indoor and outdoor marketplace can be an intimidating place to navigate for the first-timer. While you’re sure to discover plenty of local finds to enjoy if you simply wander the stalls and shops that call Pike Place Market home, you’re not going to want to miss these seven must-see stops that highlight the best the market has to offer.

Daily Dozen Doughnuts

The warm, sugary scent of fresh donuts fills the air of the hallways of Pike Place Market in the early morning hours, when Daily Dozen Doughnuts churns out hundreds upon hundreds of its bite-sized breakfast treats. Order by the half-dozen or the dozen, and have your doughnuts covered with your choice of powdered sugar, sprinkles or cinnamon. This joint only accepts cash, but with a dozen doughnuts running less than $5, you probably won’t need to hit the ATM for your sugar fix.

Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt

Up until now, you may have thought you were a Greek yogurt aficionado, but until you’ve tried the decadent offerings at Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt near the market entrance, you haven’t experienced the true glory that is well-crafted Greek yogurt. Ellenos works with local farmers to source its milk, which is then transformed into creamy, slightly tart, slightly sweet and entirely rich Greek yogurt, thanks to a secret blend of probiotics. Favorite flavors include marionberry, passionfruit and lemon curd, but be warned: after eating at Ellenos, you may never look at your local grocer’s dairy aisle the same way again.

MarketSpice

For more than 100 years, MarketSpice has been providing Seattle locals with the highest quality tea leaves, coffee beans and spices the city has to offer. Stop by to try the shop’s signature Cinnamon-Orange Tea, then stock up on fun spices like ghost chile salt and applewood smoked salt.

Pike Place Fish Market

You probably know Pike Place Fish Market as the stall where the fisherman toss salmon through the air with the greatest of ease, and while the flying fish are a sight to see, they aren’t the real draw of this Pike Place staple. After all, looking is nice, but tasting is better. After the fish show, be sure to ask for samples of the stall’s salmon jerky varieties. And if you’re a seafood lover, keep in mind that the fishmongers can pack an order to last up to 48 hours for your trip back home.

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese

Treat yourself to a dairy-filled indulgence at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, where their Flagship cow’s milk cheese is aged to perfection for at least 12 months before being released to the public. Stock up on cheese curds or an artisan creation like the No Woman, flavored with Jamaican jerk spices, and before you go, order a side of the mac and cheese, which will show you why it’s called “World’s Best Mac and Cheese” with just one bite.

Pike Place Chowder

San Francisco isn’t the only West Coast city where you’re obligated as a tourist to dig into a bowl of clam chowder. In fact, the hearty bowls being served up at Pike Place Chowder draw long lines on a daily basis, but rest assured, it’s worth the wait. Try the classic clam chowder or, if you’re feeling adventurous, go local with a bowl of the restaurant’s salmon chowder. Either way, a sourdough bread bowl is a must.

The Pike Brewing Company

The craft beers at The Pike Brewing Company are much more than cheeky names (though who wouldn’t want to try something called “Kilt Lifter” for novelty’s sake?). The highest quality of grains and hops go into these handcrafted brews, and you can try signature beers and seasonal releases at the brewpub at Pike Place Market.

What’s your favorite stop at Pike Place Market? Tell us what makes it great below!

 

(Main image: mat79)

About the author

Marissa WillmanMarissa Willman earned a bachelor's degree in journalism before downsizing her life into two suitcases for a teaching gig in South Korea. Seoul was her home base for two years of wanderlusting throughout six countries in Asia. In 2011, Marissa swapped teaching for travel writing and now calls Southern California home.

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