5 best foodie experiences in Seattle from fishing to foraging

Words by Rachael Rowe 

Seattle is surrounded by food. There’s the rich farmland in Washington State and the fantastic restaurants and delis in the city. Wherever you go, Seattle has food to tempt you. Check out these bucket list experiences to try when visiting Seattle.

Visit the Wineries

The area surrounding Seattle has over 235 wineries, and Washington State produces some of the best wine in the USA.

Walla Walla and the Yakima Valley are just two of the areas where you can take a tour, learn about wine production and sip a glass overlooking the vineyards.

Savour the Food at Pike Place

Pike Place Market is one of the best foodie markets globally and a must-see for anyone visiting Seattle. The smell of the food will grab your attention, with colourful fruit stalls, baked goods, and fresh produce.

If you have never seen a salmon being thrown, watch the fresh fish stall for some interesting sales techniques.

Another way to experience the market is to take an in-depth tour to meet the producers and find out how they work.

Catch Your Supper

If you want an incredible bucket list challenge, then heading out to sea with a fishing crew is right up there on the must-do list. There are fishing classes and charter boat trips for visitors to Seattle to enjoy.

Most of the fishing takes place in Puget Sound, where there’s an abundance of wildlife to observe while catching fish. Of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll catch anything, but it’s a beautiful experience, and you’ll have guaranteed fresh food.

Taste Pacific Northwest Seafood

Seattle is renowned for seafood and particularly Pacific Northwest cuisine. Tasting salmon in Seattle is a must as the flavours are some of the finest in the world.

There are also several excellent restaurants where you’ll find the best seafood that Seattle has to offer.

Treat yourself to a superb meal at The Walrus and the Carpenter (famed for shucking oysters) or Manolin.

The theme has a South American vibe making the most of Pacific seafood. The Seattle Fish Company is one of the best in Seattle. It sells fish but also makes snacks and platters from the freshest catches.

Go Foraging

Seattle has several foraging trips where visitors experience a guided culinary walk identifying edible wild food.

In addition, there are trips into woodland areas where you’ll learn about berries and wild plants – and you get to see some spectacular countryside in Washington State.

Alternatively, head to the coast for some insight into what foods can be foraged from the shore.

And if you fancy an hour of grazing, head to the community-led Beacon Food Forest, where you can taste food as it grows and join an audio tour.

Finally, Seattle is famous for its coffee scene, so grab a cup in one of the favourite cafes in town and enjoy the smell of freshly roasted beans.