Hello Robin

Known as Seattle’s first gastropub, Black Bottle remains high on our list for its creative take on different cuisines and its cool atmosphere (white walls, exposed brick, and a minimalist black bar). We suggest going with a group of friends so you can try as many tapas as possible.

We like this cozy spot for a laid-back brunch (no waiter service) or an easy dinner. It's hard to order wrong here, and we've never been disappointed by classics like homemade biscuits and eggs, Nicoise salads, and spiced caramel bread pudding. Note: Arrive early on weekend mornings, as they don't take reservations.

While there’s certainly no shortage of great seafood joints in Seattle, Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bars is our pick for pre-dinner appetizers (their selection of oysters is one of the city’s largest). The fifth-generation family fishing business has expanded to include three oyster bars in Seattle, all of which uphold the family commitment to sustainable fish farming and sourcing locally grown produce. The Shuckers Dozen, a composition of various oysters, is a good entry point. The Capitol Hill location is the first of three (they're now in Pioneer Square and Queen Anne as well).

Altura's Italian-focused, rotating, multi-course tasting menu best suits a special-occasion dinner. The open kitchen atmosphere makes it more of an experience, as do the pairings: You can opt for a traditional wine combination or a more modern matching, which also includes cocktails and beers.

This pizza spot is the brainchild of husband-wife team, Brandon Pettit, a former New Yorker with a passion for NY-style dough, and Molly Wizenberg of the popular food blog, Orangette, and author of the book, Delancey, which tells the story of the restaurant's Seattle opening. Their awesome pies (margherita, crimini mushroom with mozzarella and thyme, hot salami) are served out of a wood-fired oven, in a minimalist, small space set with wood tables and drop-ceiling light fixtures. While the pizza here takes its inspiration from New York, many of the ingredients—from the veggies to the flour, cream, honey, and ginger beer—are locally sourced.

The seafood here is fantastic, and that's not a well-kept secret. So go early as The Walrus and the Carpenter doesn't take reservations. (There are other spots along Ballard Avenue, and even in the same building to grab a drink and/or an app while you wait—including sister restaurant, Barnacle.) The plates here are somewhat small and best shared tapas-style. Don't miss the extensive oyster list.

Etta's is one of many restaurants by famed Seattle restauranteur, Tom Douglas. It's situated alongside Pike Place Market, and it has all the seafood staples you'd expect: oysters, Dungeness crab cakes, ahi tuna, and so on—but it's also known in part for its market brunch menu and accompanying house Bloody Mary.

Chef/owner Eric Johnson spent a decade-plus working in Paris, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, time that is reflected in the Vietnamese menu at Stateside, which takes cues from French and Chinese cuisine. The vibe here is great, too. The interior is a mix of clean wood and marble, with fun palm frond wallpaper and retro overhead lights. Make a reservation in advance to avoid a long wait. Grab a drink after dinner at next-door Foreign National.

Volunteer Park Cafe (so-named because of its location in Capital Hill, just blocks from Volunteer Park) is the definition of a neighborhood joint. Long communal tables, fresh pastries every day, and best of all, chickens in the backyard (don’t worry, they’re just for eggs). There’s a counter at the front for to-go orders and coffee and pastry pickups.

We like this Belltown sake bar for super-fresh fish with a decidedly neighborhood vibe. Expect a miles-long sushi and sashimi menu, plus plenty of off-the-beaten-path sake options for connoisseurs. Ask to be seated on the covered back porch, where there are casual couches and low tables (these are also the best seats in the house during happy hour).

Matt's in the Market (it overlooks the landmark Public Market clock and neon sign) has been open since 1996, and is now owned by a previous Pike Place fishmonger, Dan Bugge. Not surprisingly, you'll find a lot of fresh fish on the menu (seafood stew; seared scallops with grits and bacon; wild king salmon in a smoked heirloom tomato vinaigrette), plus chicken and steak dishes and crowd-pleasing desserts.

The first major selling point for Westward is that the restaurant can be approached from the water—regulars stop by on boats, kayaks, or paddleboards and tie up on the dock during dinner. That said, it's also entirely worthy destination for landlubbers—the menu is inspired by the Northwest, with a heavy emphasis on fresh oysters and seafood dishes (like albacore crudo, salmon gravlax, and black cod) that rotate daily. Little Gull, their market concept next-door, is one of the best places in the city to get fresh market fish for home cooking—though it's equally nice for a glass of wine and an appetizer. In the evenings, they offer drink service at the Adirondack chairs around the fire pits.

The London Plane serves food all day in their café-style restaurant, offering an array of baked goods and sourdough toasts (e.g., curried avocado with radish, cabbage, and cilantro), as well as granolas, egg dishes, and veggie plates (like baby beets served with pomegranate and pistachio). Their dinner menu, which is available Wednesday through Saturday, includes mains like roasted chicken with wild mushrooms, strawberries, and hazelnuts. What makes The London Plane a bit different is that it's also part grocery and flower shop (overseen by Katherine Anderson of Marigold and Mint), so you can pick up specialty food items, gifts, floral arrangements, croissants to-go, all while brunching.

Nautically designed Manolin (named after the Ernest Hemingway character) is awash in cool blues, and centered around a U-shape bar that provides front-row seats to the bustle of the restaurant's talented bartenders and the chefs manning its wood-fire grill. The menu is updated often (the plantain chips stay), with different, refreshing takes on ceviche rotating in among vegetable mains and grilled fish and meats.

You'll find some of the best pizza in Seattle at this tiny, lakeside joint in Madison Park. Pies are made with organic tomato bases and wheat flour harvested in the Pacific Northwest, and manage to be both dough-y and crisp, as well as works of food-art. Look forward to creations like The Farmer (Grana cheese, mozzarella, ham, topped with a runny egg) and New Haven (arugula, basil, capers, Crimini mushrooms, peppers, olives, spinach, and more).

Tarsan I Jane approaches the entire dining experience from start to finish as the chef’s choice. Everything from the day’s menu to the selection of seasonings available on the table are pre-established, and no changes can be made, so experience is, in the owner's words, about trust. Chef Perfecte Rocher tailors the daily menu to include the freshest seafood and seasonal produce, while staying close to his Catalan roots.

Vendemmia is technically the Italian word for vintage (as in the vintage, or harvest season, of a wine), but it's one of those knotty words that really means so much more—Italians say it also refers to the terroir, culture, and spirit that went into making the bottle. It's just that kind of passion and complexity that chef Brian Clevenger is hoping to capture in his dressed-up Madrona restaurant. In addition to the sophisticated wine list, Clevenger offers handmade pasta and plenty of gorgeous, seasonal vegetable dishes, and since the Washington native grew up near the coast, you can always count on a few fresh seafood dishes. Note: It's definitely worth springing for a reservation at the four-seat chef's counter for a special occasion.

Don’t be fooled by the sweet nature of the light, airy space—Renee Erickson’s James Beard award-winning menu is nothing if not serious, with many of the simple-but-innovative, vegetable-centric dishes (there’s always a roasted vegetable on the menu) coming straight to the table from a wood-burning oven. Relying on seasonal ingredients from local sources, the menu changes daily, though it stays true to chef Renee Erickson’s Southern European style, with dishes like a roasted chicken, crepinettes with ricotta and fried cucumber, and sardines on toast with a curry tomato mayo.

Tallulah's bills itself as a neighborhood café, and with a long, cozy bar and ample patio space that always seem to be buzzing with energy (probably in part because it's outfitted with cozy wool blankets for cold days), the place definitely fulfills that expectation. The vibe is sort of Scandinavian meets vintage, with clean, mid-century furniture juxtaposed against design prints and patinaed brass chandeliers, plus a quirky painting of a cat welcoming you at the entry. The menu is short but sweet, with a selection of small plates like halloumi with local melon, or beet salad and a straightforward roster of locally-inspired mains like a grilled albacore tuna bowl and Samish Bay King salmon; locals recommend getting at least one plate of the hanger steak frites, which are almost always a source of order envy. (P.S. They do excellent weekend brunch and weekday happy hour.)

Despite (or, possibly, because of) its unlikely location in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood, Matt Dillon's The Corson Building offers what's widely considered to be one of Seattle's most special dining experiences. The restaurant itself is located in a historic 1910 home that's around the corner from the airport and steps from a major highway, but once you walk through the green gates and into the patio of the ivy-covered home, it's easy to forget that bit. Dinner service happens Thursday through Sunday, and everything is served family style at one of two communal tables, around the historic fireplace in the home's cozy living room. Handwritten menus are changed out every day: Thursday and Fridays are a la carte; Saturday is lengthy, multiple-course prix-fixe; and Sunday, while prix-fixe, is a more casual, laid-back version of Saturday's feast. The dishes themselves, like all of Matt Dillon's creations, are soulful iterations of locally-sourced vegetables and meats, and though cuisines can vary week-to-week or dish-to-dish, everything (including the wine pairing) always comes together elegantly.

You’d never guess that a tiki-themed restaurant that plays surf movies and serves vegan food exists in Seattle, but it sure does. Don’t miss the Northwest Nachos (cashew queso, black beans, corn salsa), plus fried avocado tacos and tempeh kabobs, which are marinated in coconut milk, turmeric, and ginger. Predictably, the cocktails are kind of a thing—and every single one, from Mai Tais to Coconut Mojitos, are potent but delicious.

When it comes to Seattle dining establishments, Canlis is OG, located inside a 1950’s modernist home overlooking Lake Union. A bonus: All the tables have water views, meaning there’s not a bad seat in the house. It’s a family-owned spot that began as a steakhouse, though over the years they’ve tweaked the menu, adding Japanese elements here and there. Don’t miss the stellar selection of sake, and be sure to order the truffle fries. Trust.

After a successful stint leading Seattle's legendary fine dining stalwart Canlis, chef Brady Williams set out to create a restaurant of his own in White Center, Washington, that is a hip mix of contemporary globally influenced cooking that leans on his Japanese heritage.

Ada's has been a popular home for nomadic office workers since they first opened their awesomely geeky concept store in 2013. Though the coffee and food are enough to draw the laptop-wielding crowd, the airy, open space and ample community events around their bookstore (which features math, architecture, and engineering books) are also powerful motivators. Last year, they made it official when they opened their formal co-working space, The Office, in the space above the café. Monthly and daily rentals are available for short-term needs, but there's still free WiFi downstairs if you just want to pop in for a few hours.

The baristas at Slate are total connoisseurs—from the source of the beans to the grinding process to the water quality, they're obsessed with every detail of the coffee-making process. What's more, they're extraordinarily friendly and happy to give you a full education on the current (generally always light) roast. While the original Ballard location has Wifi, the tiny space can get pretty crowded: The newer University and Pioneer Square locations are better suited for working.

This small little coffee shop in Ballard is decidedly no-frills, in the best possible way. The upstairs space above the bar (lit by twinkle lights) is quiet and secluded, making it a great place to hide out with your computer for an afternoon. Anchored Ship is known for really excellent espresso, but they also serve coffee soda—a caffeinated, carbonated cold brew over ice that tastes a lot better than it sounds—and coffee cocktails in the afternoons.

Pike Place Market is probably most famous as a fish market—and it has to be acknowledged as a teemingly popular tourist destination—but with more than 80 restaurants and food stands, it’s also the best place in town for lunch to-go. Everyone has their own favorite spot, but the Bavarian Meat Deli (ruebens), Country Dough (Chinese stuffed flatbread), and Oriental Mart (Philipino food) are all great. For a healthier option, Ellenos yogurt offers some of the best Greek-style yogurt we’ve tried. Beecher's handmade cheese, which also has a location in New York, is the city's greatest cheesemonger, too—their tastings and classes make excellent gifts.

An extension of thirteen-acre Kurtwood Farms, which is located outside of Seattle on Vashon Island, Kurt Farm Shop is a little store within the Chophouse Row building in Capitol Hill. It's somewhat easy to miss, which makes it all the more satisfying when you stumble inside. The ice cream flavors here are derived from the farm: lemon verbena, rose geranium, bay laurel, blackberries, tomato jam. You can get cones or pints to go—plus cheese from Kurtwood Farms and other regional creameries, along with some plants from the farm.

The owner of Parfait, Adria Shimada, got her start in the food world with an internship at Amy's Bread in New York, before she headed to the West Coast. Billed as a farm-to-cone shop, Parfait has a garden outside where they grow mint, rosemary, lavender, and berries for their ice cream. Outside of this, they source from organic Washington farms, and get cream and milk delivered from local Smith Brothers Farms. Hosting a large-ish event? Parfait has a food truck that promises to be popular.

If you ask someone who lives in Seattle where to go for ice cream, Molly Moon's is likely to be one of the first places on their must-try list. Mainstay flavors here include vanilla bean, Earl Grey, honey lavender, melted chocolate, balsamic strawberry, and Scout Mint (Molly Moon's buys thousands of boxes of Thin Mint cookies each year from Western Washington Girl Scouts). They have a number of do-good policies: Everything used in the shop (from spoons to milkshake cups) is entirely compostable; their Anna Banana Milk Fund sends fresh milk to families in need every week; they source locally as much as possibly. (About 90% of their ingredients come from the Pacific Northwest. They've been working with the same organic lavender farm, Purple Haze, for several years. And the approximately 16,000 pounds of chocolate that they use annually comes from organic, fair-trade Theo Chocolate, which is made in Seattle.) The original Molly Moon's is in Wallingford, which has a parklet outside with swing seats and a baby hill for play. All of the ice cream in Wallingford is made on-site—same goes for the locations in Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and U Village. The ice cream at the smaller Madrona shop comes from nearby Capitol Hill. (And the bonus Molly Moon's spot is a seasonal window next to Hello Robin.)

In the summer months, the water is one of the best ways to see the city; the café and paddle club make an excellent home base for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in Portage Bay. Afterwards, enjoy the view over a margarita and our favorite salmon tacos.

What makes Bluebird more than your typical ice cream shop? They also make craft sodas and beers in-house, which means you can order things like a ginger beer float or stout-inspired scoops. Of course, there are still plenty of kid-friendly options, too. You can visit Bluebird here in Pike/Pine, or in Phinney Ridge, or Fremont.

Pike Place Market gets most of the attention in Seattle, but since its opening in 2010, Melrose Market has gained a reputation as a locals' spot for specialty food items. Chef Matt Dillon helped transform the market by moving in two of his popular restaurants: dinner spot Sitka & Spruce as well as his wine bar and shop, Bar Ferd'nand. Take the time to stroll through and enjoy all the cool little stalls, like the cheese at Calf & Kid and the flowers at Marigold and Mint.

Seattle has a reputation for seriously good coffee, in no small part due to the existence of connoisseurs like Andrew Milstead. His little spot in Fremont is a multi-roaster café, meaning the different roasts are switched out multiple times a day (folks in the coffee industry will tell you this is an art that’s difficult to master). Rest assured: While this spot is definitely a pilgrimage for coffee tourists, it’s equally welcoming to beginners—Milstead and his baristas are big on education and happy to answer questions.

Opened in 1929, Madison Park bakery has become an institution in Seattle with a reputation for the largest and best selection of baked goods. They make custom cakes for special occasions, though everyone raves about their maple bars in particular.

Less than a year after launching their cold-pressed juices, the first Juicebox retail space/café was opened in the fall of 2013 in Capitol Hill. The organic juices here are amazing, as are the salads. You can pop in to get food on the go, but the pretty café is the kind of place you want to hang with a girlfriend for brunch: The sunlit space is threaded with ivy plants and flowers, a collage of framed nature photographs decorates a wall above a perched bar counter, and on another wall, rustic white bookcases hold vintage bowls and plates.

Foodies in Seattle know Rachel Coyle for her flaky, buttery cretzels (the perfect lovechild of a pretzel and a croissant), which sold out in record numbers at her Book Larder popups back in 2013. Last year, she opened her very own brick and mortar, and while the cretzels are still a best-seller, neighbors know that her seasonally-inspired creations are really where it's at—regulars check Facebook or Instagram to see what's fresh in the case each day. Consider branching out and trying one of her savory creations, like the ham and cheese croissants, or sandwiches with tomato jam on fresh baguettes. Unsurprisingly, this is an excellent place to pick up a cake for a celebration.

This is the original: the founders of the Ace Hotel fell in love with a former maritime workers’ hotel in Downtown Seattle—built in 1909, so they kept the loft ceilings and hardwood floors intact—and re-purposed it to start their own, first-ever hotel in 1999. Like all their locations, this is a place to rest and a place to see and be seen. (Bonus: Their accommodations are dog-friendly.) Take a pied-à-terre with a shared (“private upon entry”) bathroom option for a free-spirited, low-key stay right in the heart of Seattle—on the cusp of Downtown and Belltown, you’re within walking distance of the waterfront, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle—or for a more luxurious (yet still relatively low-key) experience, take one of their deluxe rooms, which may boast iconic street-artwork by the likes of Shepard Fairey and KAWS, as well as better-than-bare-bones amenities (including an ensuite bathroom).

The Four Seasons is one of those hotels you can always count on—here, you'll find all the amenities they're known for, including marble bathrooms, comfortable rooms, and a state-of-the-art spa with a eucalyptus steam room. What makes the Seattle location special its location right in the center of Downtown; The hotel is steps from Pike Place Market, right along the water, so many of the rooms look out over gorgeous Elliot Bay. Even if you're traveling for business, set aside some time to spend at the fourth-floor infinity pool—there are plenty of lounge chairs for sunning in the warmer months, and a collection of fire pits for enjoying the view when it's cold.

Whether for last-minute work trips or spontaneous jaunts to cities along the West Coast, Palihotel is one of the most beautifully-decorated, luxurious, efficient, responsive, and personal hotel groups we’ve ever experienced. They’re in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and now, Seattle, and we’re crazy about their exceptional service, chicly cushy design (think Wes Anderson with exquisite linens) and sheer coziness. And considering the level of deluxeness, it’s remarkably affordable. The Seattle iteration is right near Pike Place, the fish market, and the Seattle Art Museum. After a day of meetings or sightseeing (or both), a glass of wine and cheese board in the bar is the perfect wind-down. Guestrooms make clever use of space and are full of thoughtful touches like fresh flowers, mini Smeg fridges, pretty antique tea kettles, and a desk you’ll actually want to work from.

Originally built in 1924, the Fairmont is Seattle's most historic hotel (it's now been in business for more than 92 years). This summer, the hotel unveiled a new renovation, elevating the rooms and other amenities to pretty high standards. We love the Fairmont for in-and-out business trips because of the two great on-site restaurants—the Georgian, a white-tablecloth-style French place, and Shuckers, a charmingly old-school oyster bar. Since this is Seattle, the renovation also brought some interesting environmental initiatives, like a steam-powered energy program and a rooftop pollinator garden including five full-on hives, which provide honey you'll taste in the beer at Shuckers and on the salmon dish at the Georgian.

Like Vintage Park Hotel, The Palladian has all the signature Kipton amenities (i.e. complementary yoga mats and bikes for cruising around downtown Seattle). The building that houses The Palladian dates back to the early 1900's, but Kimpton debuted their 97-room hotel not too long ago in 2015. What makes the hotel stand out is its playful decor (pillow covers wear the faces of pop cultural icons), which feels both retro and classy.

The Sorrento is an OG Seattle hotel: They opened in 1909 in time for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition world’s fair. The hotel had been commissioned by a clothing merchant and built by an architect (named Harlan Thomas) who went on to become the first dean at UW's School of Architecture. After changing hands a couple times, The Sorrento went on to become owned by the same family since the 1980's. In 2014, the building underwent a much-needed historic renovation, which updated both the lobby and the guest rooms. The finest details remain, like carved wood moldings and Italian Renaissance period pieces, but the overall effect is now more polished and inviting.

The first PNW Thompson location opened in Seattle in June 2016. The dozen-story, 150-plus-room hotel was designed by Seattle's Olson Kundig Architects and is a marvel of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, with views that overlook Pike Place (the hotel is essentially on top of the market), Puget Sound, and Mt. Rainer beyond the water. Not surprisingly, they've taken advantage of the location with a rooftop bar called The Nest. Inside, the rooms are contemporary, leaning toward sleek. While you can't beat the view (or location), the food isn't that great—avoid room service.

This Kimpton hotel in downtown Seattle is a no-brainer, solid choice. The rooms are nicely appointed, and the suites are particularly well-situated for longer stays. Ask for one with a city view.

Overlooking the Puget Sound and spanning a whopping 534 acres, Discovery Park is the kind of place that makes you forget you're in a city. There are two miles of protected coastline, meadows, and meandering hiking trails for exploring, plus plenty of viewpoints for picnics. During warm summers, you can actually forage for wild blackberries here.

An eight-mile round trip, Mount Si is a beautiful introduction to the Cascade Mountains—the length (plus 3,150 ft. in elevation gain) make it a challenging trek, but the scenery and views from the top are more than worth it. Make sure to purchase a discover pass in advance, so you can park at the trailhead. Arrive early, as this is one of the most popular hikes in the state.

Washington is known for its wet weather and associated greenery, so it should come as no surprise that the arboretum here is pretty out of this world—it's actually the result of a collaboration between UW, which manages the tree and plant collections, and the City of Seattle, which owns the land and keeps up the trails, benches, and buildings. Start at the Graham Visitor Center, where you can meet the friendly botanists on staff (they'll give you the scoop on which parts of the park are in bloom depending on when you visit)—and definitely take the time to walk along Azalea Way to the stunning Japanese gardens. More adventurous tourists might want to explore the arboretum by kayak or canoe, which we've heard is an excellent strategy if you're looking for wildlife like ducks, beavers, turtles, and—if you're a little lucky—bald eagles.

In West Seattle, looking out towards Bainbridge Island (and with stunning views of Downtown Seattle in one direction, and the Olympic Mountains in the other), Alki Beach Park is a nice local hangout on warm days. There's a big wide bike path that's popular with runners and bike riders, and it's one of the only spots this close to the city where you can have beach bonfires—so long as you confine everything to one of the pre-made fire pits. Come hungry, so you can stop at Marination Ma Kai, a Korean/Hawaiian fusion restaurant that's famous for tacos and excellent shaved ice. Photo: Brian Teutsch

Golden Gardens Park is one of those rare outdoor places that's enjoyable regardless of the weather (which is a huge boon in rainy Seattle). On warm days, swim off the dock or go fishing on the pier—if it's cold, bundle up for a walk along the coastline or set up a bonfire in one of the pits. The views of the Olympic Mountains from across the Puget Sounds are some of Seattle's most iconic, so this is also a popular place to get married.

Bainbridge Island is a bedroom community of Seattle that makes a great day trip. The easiest way to get there is to take the ferry (locals just call it "the boat") from Colman Dock downtown across the Bay; the 35-minute ride is an attraction itself, as the route is exceptionally scenic, and it's not uncommon to see whales and other wildlife from the deck. When you arrive, walk around the quaint little downtown—make time to stop at Blackbird Bakery for lunch, or just an extremely good coffee with a side of pastry and cake. Like many spots in this region, Bainbridge is known for gorgeous gardens and greenery. There are a few great gardens to explore, but our favorite is Bloedel Reserve—gardener Prentice Bloedel (a before-his-time environmentalist with a fascinating story in his own right) was colorblind, so the visuals revolve around texture and composition rather than color. If you're traveling with littles, it's worth popping into the small-but-mighty Children's Museum before heading home.

This 6.5-mile loop makes for an exciting day excursion or an overnight camping trip—either way, you'll want to leave ample time for the adventure, as Mason Lake is enroute to the Ira Spring Overlook and the Snoqualmie Falls are only a short detour away. The trail itself is definitely on the challenging side (it includes a little climbing) but is well worth the effort: After a 4,320 feet elevation gain, your view spans from the expansive Alpine Lake Wilderness to Mount Rainier.

The double feature of Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene make this 8.2-mile trek one of the most popular hikes in Washington (accordingly, you'll want to get there earlier in the day, as parking fills up quickly and the trail can get crowded). The trailhead itself is about an hour from Seattle—a gorgeous drive that takes you over the Evergreen Point floating bridge and along the Skykomish River. From the trailhead, on the way up to Lake Serene, you'll pass a sign for a lollipop trail that takes you out to Bridal Veil Falls. The diversion will add an extra mile to your total trek, but it shouldn't be missed, as a set of stairs allows views from both above and below the falls themselves. From there, continue climbing until the trail crosses into the basin. You'll be rewarded when you finally arrive at the stunningly clear lake itself, bordered on one side by tall pines and the other by steep grey cliffs leading up to Mt. Index. PSA: Parking requires a Northwest Forest Pass ($30, which you can purchase online). Photos: pixelgerm

Kids, unsurprisingly, go crazy for the factory tour of Theo’s Chocolate. The tour itself is just an hour—you'll spend the first half in a short lecture about the biology and history of cocoa, and the processes required to turn the bean into a chocolate bar. For the second half, you'll walk the factory floor (and experience a sampling of several of their exotic flavors). Note: While tours are available seven-days-a-week, the weekday tours—when the production can be viewed live—are a bit more exciting.

To get to this grand museum overlooking the South Bay of Lake Union, it’s best to take the S.L.U.T. (yes, that’s what some locals call the Seattle Lake Union Streetcar) through downtown. Here you’ll find the artefacts of every definitive moment in Seattle’s history, from pre-colonial times to near-future.

This park is actually located on an oblong peninsula that protrudes into Lake Washington, so there are beaches and water access on almost every edge of the space (which is 300 acres in total). The paved bike path through the lush forests—2.4 miles round-trip—makes it a popular spot for jogging or bike riding, and there are plenty of places for picnicking or just enjoying the view. The park is also home to a gorgeous Audubon Center, which hosts camps for kids during the summer, and kid-friendly birding walks during the year (friends have seen everything from eagles' nests to owls walking the grounds).

Rattlesnake Ridge is one of a handful of classic Seattle hikes, primarily because the view from the top (which looks out over Rattlesnake Lake) shows off the photogenic Northwest in all its green, blue, and gray splendor. At 4 miles round trip, the hike itself is not particularly technical, either (though anyone traveling with kids or dogs should exercise caution as you get close to the top, so littles don't get too close to the steep cliffs on the ledge). On the way up, you'll wind through leafy, mossy forest to a series of switchbacks that don't feel so difficult when you're on them, but add up to a major gain in elevation. Once you make it out of the trees, you'll come to an exposed, rocky area with views in every direction. Photos: Abhinaba Basu

It’s just a 45-minute ride from Seattle’s Lake Union up to the San Juan Islands, but getting there is truly half of the fun. (Think: seals, whales, and orca sightings plus killer views of the Seattle skyline.) Local carrier Kenmore Air offers regular flights for those visiting the islands, as well as the option to do ride-alongs and just sightsee from the seaplane, making for a great weekend activity. (Head here for a full goop itinerary once you arrive.)

Seattle's aquarium isn't the biggest, but what they do have is pretty great: plenty of hands-on activities for the kids, an array of animals from otters and seals to birds (and fish of all sizes), daily mammal feedings, and an amazing underwater dome that gives you a 360-degree fish-eye perspective on the mysterious activities of the Puget Sound. It gets pretty busy during the school season, so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, it's best to go before noon or after 3pm.

Taking the concept of a local museum shop one step further, not only does the Frye seek out cool design goods and jewelry, but their focus is on local, Northwestern artisans and makers. Should you buy one of their ceramic fortune cookies with fortunes told by a local psychic, say, or an Alice Noon bucket bag, or even an Iacoli & McAllister light fixture, you know you’re leaving Seattle with a real Seattle souvenir.

A Seattle standby since the ‘70s, this men’s and women’s boutique in a historic part of Seattle is achingly beautiful, with a grand spiral staircase, floor-to-ceiling windows, and meticulously merchandised displays—kind if like a mini Barneys, but a bit more boutique-y. Buyer and co-owner Jill Donnelly, who’s been responsible for the assortment for over 20 years, continues to do an impeccable job of introducing under-the-radar Euro lines and supporting tried-and-true faves like Kenzo, Co., and NLST. The end-of-season sales here are known to be epic.

Staffed with patient and knowledgeable fit experts and stocked almost exclusively with boutique European brands, this jewel box of a lingerie shop is a far cry from get-in-get-out department stores. While by no means cheap, you’ll feel good knowing that whether you go for a complete overhaul of your panty drawer or a single, barely-there, super-sexy set, it will be worth the investment.

Much like sister store Les Amis, Essenza takes a decidedly editorial approach to its selection of home décor, bedding, fragrances, skincare, and jewelry: The plush bedding, Diptyque candles, Megan Thorne jewelry, Santa Maria Novella lotions and potions, and more are all thoughtfully handpicked (oftentimes from overseas) and merchandised in a way that feels both approachable and special. It’s the kind of place husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and friends can turn to for gifts when striking out isn’t an option.

It goes without saying that a bookstore devoted entirely to the culinary arts is a bookstore after our own hearts. This is where you want to go to find every cookbook imaginable (both current and out of print) and it’s worth checking the calendar of events beforehand, too, as the cozy space often plays host to chef demos, signings, and cooking classes.

Filson is a Seattle institution and fittingly, the iconic outdoor-wear brand’s flagship store takes up a whopping 6,000 square feet of a massive industrial building which coincidentally, is also home to the workshop where all the design and development magic happens. Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type and camping gear and fishing rods are not your thing, a visit is a must, if only to peruse the museum-like collection of local artifacts, though there’s also a wide selection of giftables and non-camping-related accessories to sift through, not to mention, a meat jerky vending machine.

In a city famous for its temperamental weather, a chunky knit is indispensable, and Les Amis, the most apparel-focused of Becky Buford’s three local shops, is the place to get the perfect one—plus, Ulla Johnson dresses, edgy Isabel Marant separates, and layering basics from Vince, Nili Lotan, and Steven Alan. With its rustic hardwood floors and vintage knick-knacks throughout, the lived-in aesthetic of the shop itself is also distinctly Seattle.

Other than the simple, feminine-but-not-prissy interior and robust but not-too-cluttered displays, Moorea Seal (its namesake owner/buyer has been running the place since 2013) has another major thing going for it: A good portion, 7% to be exact, of the offering—tons of dainty jewelry, accessories, home goods, stationery, and giftables—is backed by some sort of philanthropic mission. A gold-plated opal ring, for example, supports Best Friends Animal Society, while the purchase of a hand-forged brass serving set contributes to the Washington Trails Association.

Lucca is packed from floor to chandelier-filled ceiling with an undeniably reliable assortment of giftables for any and all occasions: Astier de Villatte candles, piles of stationery both vintage-looking and modern, clean beauty favorites from Herbivore Essentials, and the kind of out-there, one-of-a-kind curios that make perfect presents for tough-to-shop-for friends.

This artfully cluttered home-goods shop and its stacks of fabrics (both current and vintage), piles of throw pillows, and rows of furniture and tabletop accessories are an interior decorators dream, whether professional or amateur. The mastermind behind the edit is Pam Robinson, who puts her fashion background to good use by sourcing the wares directly from Europe—particularly useful to anyone interested in vintage but not willing to do the legwork to find the good stuff themselves.

Seattle is home to a healthy roster of excellent bookshops, of which design-focused Peter Miller is arguably the most notable. In addition to a library of tomes that span all manner of topics from architecture to landscape design to interior decorating, the shop carries a tight selection of design-y home décor, drafting supplies, and other related goods.

This plant design studio goes well beyond your average succulent—although you're sure to find some of your favorites here, as well as stumble upon new varieties. Curated by owner Brandon Peterson, the shop has a just-right amount of options ranging from terrariums to kokedama (the moss balls) to larger indoor tropical plants. The Palm Room also carries a good edit of pots and less common plant vessels.

Like so many Seattle mainstays, this little-bit-of-everything shop marches to the beat of its own drum. There’s clothing from obscure international labels, beautiful—and a little bit quirky—home goods, jewelry, gifts, and a generous assortment from Seattle-made fragrance line, Blackbird. It’s also the kind of shop where there’s plenty for dudes to rifle through (skater tees, hats, records, and Pendleton everything).

Paper Hammer's amusing graphic cards are designed and handprinted in their warehouse studio in Tieton, Washington, a few hours outside of Seattle. You can find the cards in select stationery stores around the country but if you're in Seattle, go to their lovely shop downtown, which also carries gift-y items like coasters and letterpress tags with clever sayings.

Part gallery, part shop, KOBO carries rare finds from the art and design world, i.e. vintage Japanese tableware, handmade birdhouses, landscape paintings, and special textiles. Their exhibits, which happen six times each year, highlight Japanese artists, as well as artists from the Northwest. The original KOBO location is in Capitol Hill. The second location downtown is located in the former space of the historic Higo Variety Store—and KOBO has kept many of the vintage furnishings in homage to the almost-century-old, family-run business.

We have the design world (and Instagram’s) current obsession with fiddlehead figs to thank for the current craze for bringing the outdoors in. Husband-and-wife duo Ryan and Michele Tansey who hopped on the trend, first opening the Plant Shop as a pop-up last year before making things permanent this past spring. Here, they’ve stocked the space with a darling selection of little potted cacti and succulents, ferns, Ficuses—and just about anything else your green thumb could desire.

Local photographer Jim Henkens has an eye for finding beautifully weathered vintage kitchenware and props for shoots, so it’s only natural he’d turn his love of a treasure hunt into a brick-and-mortar shop. Tucked into Madison Park, Henkens’ buy expertly mixes old (vintage ironstone dishes, glass beakers) and new (linen dish towels, cookbooks, and earthware from Colombia) in a light-filled space you could easily spend the better part of an hour exploring. In the back of the store is a full kitchen, where he hosts a dinner series with guest chefs, Q&As with cookbook authors, and cooking classes.

Hands-down one of the city’s coolest bookshops, Pacific Standard Books is located in a loft space in Belltown. Here, local creative Strath Shepard (formerly of Visionaire and V Magazine) has curated a rotating selection of hard-to-find art, fashion, and photography books.

Every display here is stunning and exquisite, whether it's an array of antique rings set on an origami-like book, or pendants, set out on cut paper. It's all an extension of Curtis Steiner's imagination, who collects beautiful pieces and makes them as well. His own impossibly dainty jewelry is mixed in with what he sources. The whole shop will make you want to hold your breath.

You can always count on a dive bar for a great burger and beer, and Twilight Exit is considered one of the best in Seattle (the aforementioned burgers are grass-fed and ground in house). At night, they've got a jukebox, a photo booth, shuffleboard, and karaoke every Sunday.

This casual wine bar/shop is in a converted house in the mostly residential neighborhood of Madrona. Come here for a tasting, glass, or a bottle—PNW wines are well represented here, but there's also an international selection, plus microbrews and ciders (and some wine on tap). Bottlehouse's small plates revolve around cheese—there's a cheesemonger board; mac and cheese made with gruyere, cheddar, goat gouda; and a brie sandwich—which you pair with side greens or sweets. Hang in their living room-esque space, or on the outdoor deck on a sunny day.

A summer 2016 addition to Seattle's drink scene, Foreign National is from the same team behind favorite French-Vietnamese restaurant, Stateside. It's dungeon-dark inside but with plenty of playful touches like a spinning, metallic disco(-esque) ball and faucets carved into the shape of swans. The strong cocktail menu here highlights Southeast Asian ingredients, as do the adventurous bar snacks.

The folks behind this Fremont craft brewery have beer down to a science: with a startup-like approach, they merge automated technology with a DIY ethos, ensuring excellent quality control over their brews made from hand-picked, locally sourced ingredients. This so-called "urban beer garden" is serviced by a really friendly bar staff—and, with their beer-hall-style communal tables and free snacks (pretzels, apples), a comfortably laissez-faire attitude. Their sizeable outdoor seating is covered in case of the compulsory Seattle drizzle.

This restaurant-slash-bar in Ballard is the brainchild of owners Jeff Ofelt—formerly of Bimbo's, Cha Cha Lounge, King's Hardware—and Wade Weigel, of Rudy's and Seattle’s Ace Hotel. Chef Dave Lamping, known for his work at restaurants Bastille and Smith, curated their menu of small plates, so whether you’re in for a cocktail or a bite, this is a great spot to grab a seat outside—if you’ve caught a lucky break from the Emerald City’s infamous drizzle. Locals love Percy’s for brunch, as well.

Business partners and husband-wife pair Josh and Nancy Kelly had been dreaming of their own restaurant for years when they fell in love with Good Bar's historic space in Pioneer Square. Unfortunately, preserving the same vintage details they fell in love with severely limited the space Josh (a long-time chef) would have to cook in. To adapt, he flipped the concept from a restaurant with a bar to a bar with food. The cocktail and beer program here is one of the city's best, but Josh's culinary pedigree means that even the limited bar food menu is pretty show-stopping. This place is best enjoyed during happy hour, when you can order a pile of charcuterie, or the surprisingly good sloppy joe, to snack on with an after-work cocktail.

Stoup Brewing has all the aesthetics that have come to define the Northwest's explosion of microbreweries: Aluminum siding, big, garage-style doors, twinkle lights, and tons of both indoor and outdoor seating. Here, in particular, we've found the service to be friendly, and the purveyors to be utterly passionate about their craft—two of the three owners were scientists in their past lives, and admittedly bring a geeky, detail-oriented zeal to every brew. There are almost always food trucks outside, though you're welcome to order delivery if, for some reason, there's a gap in service.

This hidden gem is tucked away behind a staircase right by Pike Place Market—inside you’ll find great craft cocktails, a well-curated local beer offering, and delicious eats—from nibbles, like artisan cheeses and fresh oysters on the half shell, to larger plates influenced by Mediterranean cuisine like octopus, lamb meatballs, and marinated chicken kebabs. Its elegant, well-lit interior has a cozy, upbeat, nice-but-unpretentious vibe. There’s outdoor seating in back, too.

A second bar by the owners of much-adored Twilight Exit, you'll know the Neighbor Lady by a large painted sign on the brick wall outside. Inside, you'll find the bar's signature brocade wallpaper and Victorian light fixtures which, when combined with the dark wood of the bar, make for a decidedly moody vibe that's exactly what the doctor ordered for cozy, rainy nights. It's a point of pride that there are a lot of vegetarian meals on the menu here, but we like it best for a stiff drink and a pile of fries.

Owner Tai Kim creates delicious and imaginative flavors every day, always accommodating for four vegan options—our faves are maple Oreo and lychee grapefruit sorbet. One flavor that's always on the menu is brown bread, made from Grape-Nuts and caramel; it's creamy and amazing.

Coolhaus makes handmade ice cream sandwiches in crazy (and crazy-good) combinations: Flavors like Beer & Pretzels and Milkshake & Fries are wedged between Chocolate Brownies with Maldon Sea Salt and Fruity Pebbles & Marshmallow. To make it even weirder (in a great way) they're served in edible, calorie-free wrappers. Oh, and there are options for vegans. They have locations in Culver City and Pasadena, along with four trucks, though you can always find their treats at Whole Foods.

While there’s no dearth of ice cream shops in LA, somehow quality soft-serve is still difficult to find. Honey Mee not only fills the hole in the market but it does so in a way that’s just a little bit healthier. There are no unnecessary flavors added to make the ice cream taste like vanilla, which results in an exceptionally creamy consistency that’s slightly less sweet than the traditional stuff. What’s more, in lieu of sugary toppings there’s granola, honey oats, slivered almonds, and real honeycombs, meaning that both kids and grown-ups can get their fix without going into a full-on sugar coma. There's another outpost on Sawtelle.

The small-batch ice cream business cousins Kim and Tyler Malek launched out of a single neighborhood ice cream parlor in Portland has grown into a family of shops, including two in LA—the original on Larchmont, and a second on Abbot Kinney. The focus at S&S is on inventive flavors: salted caramel cupcake, pear & blue cheese, avocado & strawberry sherbet. On the flip side, the single-origin vanilla is some of the best we’ve ever had. For those who aren’t fortunate enough to live near a shop, the seasonal Pints Club, which sets you up with five unique pints every month and delivers them right to your door, is an excellent option.

These purveyors of ultra-creamy ice cream got their start in Santa Barbara in 1948, and the heritage of their brand is hugely important to them. Their dairy is sourced from grass-fed cows which are raised just north of LA on the central coast, and they've been working with the same creamery since they got their start (eggs are cage-free, too). This is the kind of place where classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and the not-so-classic chocolate-covered strawberry reign supreme, and it probably goes without saying that kids can't get enough of it. You can buy this creamy goodness at many upscale grocery stores, but we prefer to have it scooped for us at either their Grand Central Market or Studio City locations.

With the original '80s logo intact more than 20 years later (there are even old-school pleather chairs and a matching neon sign), walking into The Bigg Chill sort of feels like a time warp. The frozen yogurt stacks up, too, with a wide assortment of flavors and endless toppings. The location is admittedly random, but as anyone who grew up here will gladly tell you, this is the kind of place that's worthy of a drive.

Whether you’ve had Van Leeuwen on the streets of Brooklyn or parked up on Abbot Kinney, it’s instantly recognizable by its sunny yellow truck. They’re particularly famous for their vegan ice cream, a combination of cashew milk, coconut milk, cocoa butter, and carob beans that’s incredibly creamy and indulgent (and a major victory for the dairy-sensitive). They’ve got a few locations now: Greenpoint, Boerum Hill, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn; the East and West Villages in Manhattan; and the Arts District and Culver City in LA. You can always track their many food trucks on their website.

This is the kind of ice cream shop that excels at flavors the tare out-of-the-ordinary (though not too outlandish): brambleberry crisp, churro, ylang ylang and fennel, Riesling poached pear sorbet, and pink grapefruit buttermilk frozen yogurt, to name a few. Jeni's started in Ohio, founded by Jeni Britton Bauer—James Beard award-winning author of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home, and has since expanded to other cities. The sole West Coast location is a bright and airy (though tiny) shop in Los Feliz that has a communal wooden bar to perch with your cone, as well as a couple of benches. There are also two shops in Chicago (Lakeview and Wicker Park).

Diddy Riese is right in the middle of Westwood near the UCLA campus, and while you’ll have to battle a block-long line of college kids to get in, their famous ice cream sandwiches are more than worth it. The ice cream they use is standard Dreyers, but the cookies are made in-house with family recipes. The employees make the sandwiches on-site, so you can pick your own flavor combinations (kids will be psyched that they can actually use two different cookie flavors if they want), and the portions are very generous. Probably the best part of the entire operation is the college-approved prices: Sandwiches are $2 each.

As far as we’re concerned, Josh and Zoe Loeb can do no wrong—their adorable ice cream shop, which is a partnership with Shiho Yoshikawa (she used to work with Zoe at Tartine), only strengthens their case. Shiho picks up ingredients for her inventive flavors at the Santa Monica farmers market, and her milk and eggs are from local purveyors as well. Favorites include matcha, fig, and goat cheese, and the old-fashioned strawberry, which tastes fresh off the vine. Because this is LA, there are dairy-free options; if that’s your vibe, definitely try the horchata. The original is at the Brentwood Country Mart, but now they have locations all over the city: Studio City, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and the Palisades.

We first discovered Rori’s ice cream years ago while exploring Santa Barbara and were understandably pretty psyched when an outpost opened right on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. Rori, the mastermind behind the ice cream, insists on using strictly organic, locally sourced ingredients from neighboring farmers and cream from the famed Strauss Family Creamery. The resulting ice cream is rich and flavorful and comes in seasonal options that range from chocolate coconut to wild-berry chocolate crisp to honey-lavender. Their three-bite mini cones are a brilliant choice if you’re looking to sample multiple flavors without going all out.

This 30,000 square-foot French-style food hall offers a bustling market divided into different “districts" (from a café and an ice cream shop to an ample salad-and-prepared-food spot), as well as multiple restaurants. There’s Le Bar, which as its name suggests is best for a glass of wine and shared plates, and then the gigantic Liberty Bistro, with standard bistro fare and a view of the water.

This is kind of foodie nirvana, care of Mario Batali. Essentially Costco-sized, this Italian gourmet grocery store stocks aisle after aisle of the best artisanal ingredients, including truly fantastic fresh pasta. Throughout the space (which also includes cookware), you’ll find plenty of places to sit down and eat. While there are several gussied-up Batali restaurants upstairs, including a rooftop birreria, we find the best way to experience Eataly it is to grab a seat at one of the many bar-size specialty eateries scattered across the main shop floor.

While working at Momofuku in its early days, Christina Tosi—office manager at the time—started baking the occasional treat for the team; her insanely sweet, totally novel confections quickly took off. Soon, she had her own shop next door (and now many more all over NYC) where she and her staff crank out ridiculously complex layered cakes, the aptly named Compost cookies, and unusual soft-serve flavors—all simultaneously nostalgic and unlike anything you've ever tasted.

Hidden on the seventh floor of Bloomingdales, back in the bedding department, Forty Carrots is still serving the best frozen yogurt in the city. An early pioneer of the fro-yo movement (it opened back in the ‘80s), they have all the classic toppings, from gummy bears to Butterfingers, and you can ask for more than one flavor swirled.

It’s not very surprising that this family-owned operation is one of Chinatown’s longest-tenured businesses—and one of its most popular. For one, ice cream flavors like lychee, green tea, mango, black sesame, and pandan are standards—they also have options like chocolate and mocha chip. If you’re trying to woo your little one to try something new, flavors like green tea Oreo just might do it.

The specialty here is handcrafted ice cream and sorbet done in small batches—made extra-delicious by the fact that Ample Hills gets its cream and eggs from local farms upstate for the freshest (and most sustainable) product possible. Offering 24 flavors that change with the seasons, they also do really delicious and beautiful custom ice cream cakes.

Big Gay Ice Cream hardly needs an introduction. This beloved soft-serve joint started off as a seasonal truck in 2009, quickly amassing a loyal fan base in NYC. Their first permanent shop was opened in the East Village in 2011, followed by a shop in the West Village the next year.

Sundaes and Cones relocated to the East Village after its first two decades based in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Here you'll find all the classics, but most people come for their specialty Asian-influenced flavors—e.g. wasabi, ginger, and black sesame. They also make delectable ice cream cakes topped with fresh whipped cream.

This ice cream place is run by Nicholas Morgenstern, a classically trained pastry chef (he was formerly head pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern) who turned out to be a whiz at crafting elevated flavors. Using only the highest quality ingredients, if you're craving a creamy and non-processed—treat, this is the spot. Beyond the scoops, the shop is incredibly charming: The exterior is painted royal blue and the inside is set up like an old-fashioned parlor with counter seats and a window ledge.

Whether you’ve had Van Leeuwen on the streets of Brooklyn or parked up on Abbot Kinney, it’s instantly recognizable by its sunny yellow truck. All of their ice cream is hand-made in Brooklyn, and they’re particularly famous for their vegan ice cream, a combination of cashew milk, coconut milk, cocoa butter and carob beans that’s incredibly creamy and indulgent (and a major victory for the dairy-sensitive). They’ve got a few locations now: Greenpoint, Boerum Hill, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn; the East and West Villages in Manhattan; and the Arts District and Culver City in LA. You can always track their many food trucks on their website.

There’s no lack of gelato shops in NYC, though this one is probably the best of the bunch. Handmade the Italian way, using strictly natural, seasonal ingredients, the gelato here is just sweet and creamy enough that it doesn’t feel overly heavy.

This South Brooklyn institution has been slinging their Sicilian-style "squares”—red sauce-smothered pizza with the Mozzarella cheese baked right into the fluffy, crust-y dough and sliced into, you guessed it, squares—since 1938. The only menu item that eclipses the pizza is the spumoni: a rainbow of vanilla, chocolate, and pistachio ice cream served old school, in a paper cup, and best enjoyed on the bustling outdoor patio. The L&B Italian ices (the lemon is a summertime essential) are slightly lighter than the spumoni and definitely worth sampling.

Open from the end of February to the end of November, Sullivan's on Castle Island is a Boston institution. It first opened in 1951—when hot dogs cost 15 cents—in an aluminum shack with pull-down shutters. In the late '80s it moved to its current brick building, which is a replica of the officer's quarters that were situated bayside in the early 1800s. A concession-stand-like operation, Sullivan's draws big crowds, but the line does move relatively quickly. The food menu is a mix of New England classics (lobster rolls, fried clam strips), breakfast sandwiches, burgers, dogs, and fries. And far from an afterthought, the ice cream menu has its own devoted following. The soft-serve is standout, and the specialty, called the Razzle, is a whipped soft-serve with your choice of Oreos, M&Ms, Reese’s, Snickers, or chocolate chip cookie dough. They also have Hood ice cream and Richie's Italian ice on stock.

Cabot's, located in the Boston suburb of Newton, has long been a popular neighborhood spot, though many Bostonians make the trip, too. A family-run restaurant serving diner-esque comfort food (including all-day breakfast), Cabot's is designed like an old fashioned ice cream parlor: white-and-black tile floor, red booths, rotating counter seats, paper placemats. They have a noteworthy array of ice cream sundae options (70-plus favors and 35-plus toppings), along with the kind of indulgent classics that never do you wrong: chocolate malteds, banana boats, Belgian waffles topped with a few scoops, root beer floats. They also do cakes, pies, cupcakes, and sundae catering.

Pizza and ice cream play equal starring roles at Picco in the South End, although it should be noted that they have a great draft beer list, as well. The pizza is wood-fired with Picco's signature well-done crust, and the ice cream list covers all the essentials from plain dishes and cones to brownie sundaes, plus some desserts geared specifically to the 21-and-over crowd, like The "Adult" Ice Cream Soda: raspberry Belgian Lambic poured over vanilla ice cream. There's a casual outdoor patio, along with a small interior that reads like a cozy bistro.

Founded by a team of family and friends in 1981, Toscanini's makes all their ice cream in-store, which includes a mix of permanent flavors and a rotation of ever-changing, fun options. Part bakery, part cafe, Toscanini's also does pastries, cookies, cakes, coffee, and tea. And they serve affogato (one of our all-time favorite desserts).

In 1981, at the age of twenty-six, ice cream-lover Vince Petryk opened J.P. Licks in his Jamaica Plain neighborhood outside of Boston (hence the initials J.P.). Today, there are thirteen locations in and around Boston—including Beacon Hill, Cambridge, Mission Hill, and Fenway/Kenmore—making this a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. Part espresso bar, part bakery, part ice cream shop, J.P. Licks's awesome rotation of soft-serve frozen yogurt may be its best selling point, particularly in a city where scooped ice cream largely dominates the scene. Although...the ice cream cakes and chipwhiches are really good, too.

Bostonians are loyal creatures, and that stereotype holds true when it comes to ice cream. Christina’s has been a Cambridge institution for more than thirty years now, and it’s built up some die-hards fans who will wait out in a snowstorm for a scoop. The homemade ice cream is light and fresh-tasting, and Christina's is known for flavors that are inventive without getting too outlandish, like coffee Oreo, banana, carrot cake, and a seasonal Concord grape sorbet that’s available for only a few weeks a year. For occasions, the shop makes beautiful ice cream cakes that (blessedly) can be ordered same-day.

FoMu (pronounced like “faux moo”) is made from a coconut milk base, making it completely vegan and allergy friendly in addition to being non-GMO. If you can’t visit one of their three cozy shops in person, you’ll also find it on the menu at most of the vegan restaurants in town. They've got locations in Allston and Jamaica Plain, plus a new one in the South End.

Boston’s local counter to Pinkberry got its start long before the big frozen yogurt giants came to town—it was actually launched by two Harvard graduate students. They keep professional bakers on staff to make fresh toppings like brownies and cookies, in addition to the requisite fresh fruit and chocolate chips. There's a second location on the other side of campus.

Just like the NYC outpost, and the dozen or so locations all over Italy (as well as recent offshoots in Japan, Dubai, and Istanbul)—Eataly Chicago is a foodie wonderland. The sprawling space is packed with imported sauces, beers, sweets, and so much more. There’s even a selection of housewares and books. Stalls offering house-made breads, pastas, and cheeses are scattered throughout—we recommend doing a lap to get the lay of the land first before committing to any one spot. For more formal dining there are several restaurants that are pretty efficient about taking walk-ins. No big surprise, but they have great gelato.

This ice cream parlor and candy shop dates back to 1921 when it was founded by Peter George Poulos, but it didn't get it's name until 1933 when Poulos's son married a woman named Margie Michaels. Currently, the fourth generation is learning the ins and outs of the dessert-making biz. In addition to the original location in Logan Square, which is packed with old-timey memorabilia, there's a second location in North Center, which was opened by Christina Poulous, wife of the third Peter Poulos. The menus vary slightly between locations but include classic sandwiches (egg salad, ham, grilled cheese, PB&J), dizzying (in the best way) sundae combinations, shakes, sodas, homemade candy, and fudge.

This no-frills, walk-up window shop in Lincoln Park (with a small patio) is known in part for its wide range of Italian ice flavors (from lychee to pink lemonade and chocolate). But if Italian ice isn't your thing, the smoothies or ice cream concoctions here will do just fine.

Bobtail Ice Cream was born out of a business plan competition at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and inspired by the grandfather of one of the founders (Grandpa Wilcoxon) who sold ice cream door-to-door from a truck in his Ohio neighborhood in the 1950s. The ice cream here is hard-packed and homemade, a mix of expected flavors and specialty creations, like Merlot ice cream with dark chocolate chips. And for those cold, windy Chicago days, there are some more weather-appropriate options, like hot fudge on a warm brownie, ice cream lattes, hot chocolate, and white mocha.

This is the kind of ice cream shop that excels at slightly out-of-the-ordinary, although not too outlandish, flavors: brambleberry crisp, churro, ylang ylang and fennel, Riesling poached pear sorbet, pink grapefruit buttermilk frozen yogurt. Jeni's started in Ohio, founded by Jeni Britton Bauer—James Beard award-winning author of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home, and has since expanded to other cities. There are two shops in Chicago (Lakeview and Wicker Park), which are both outfitted with modern communal areas to perch with your cones, and which also sell Intelligentsia coffee. (On that note, you should try Jeni's Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso ice cream.) On the West Coast, there is also a location in LA.

Established in 1926, Rainbow Cone is an interesting little slice of Chicago history—it's long been the spot for family outings (and more than a few dates), and in the war years owner Joseph Sapp installed a radio so customers could get news when they stopped in. The thing to order since the early days has been their iconic rainbow cone, a pointed cake cone piled with layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (their blend of vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio, and orange sherbet that tastes way, way better than it sounds. Their rainbow ice cream cakes, which include all five flavors layered on top of yellow cake, are nice for a last-minute celebration, as they always have a few on hand that can be personalized on the spot. FYI: They're only open in the summer months, and there's now a second location on Navy Pier.

Scooter's is a bit of a mom-and-pop shop: It's owned by husband-wife team Mardi and Denny Moore, who quit their corporate jobs in 2003 to start the family business. Mardi and Denny are both Chicago natives, so local is important to them, whether it's the milk they use (it all comes from dairies in Wisconsin) or the people who frequent their shop, many of whom they know by name. They specialize in frozen custard, which you can see pouring out of their machines all day long. The thing to order is the Boston shake, a milk shake with chocolate syrup and a mini custard sundae—whipped cream included—on top. It's fun to stop by on the last day of summer, when the whole neighborhood comes to hang out.

The concept of Killer ESP (which stands for espresso, sorbet, and pie) is random but undeniably great. The coffee is Stumptown, the sorbet is made in-house, and the pie is brought in fresh from local favorite Dangerously Delicious Pies. Don't be fooled by the teal brick façade—the interior is dark, hipster, and perfect for working or studying.

Pleasant Pops is crazy cheerful: It's bright, airy, and feels energetic without feeling too nuts. Their signature, photogenic popsicles come in a rainbow of flavors that rotate depending on what produce is in season (for fall, it's peach hibiscus, cinnamon vanilla peach, or cranberry apple). And the coffee is reliably great, too. The downtown location is probably the most convenient, but the original Adams Morgan flagship is home to their market, which showcases the best of local DC purveyors: The shelves are lined with maple syrup, honey, pickled vegetables, and more.

Thomas Sweet actually got its start in New Jersey (the first store opened there in 1979), though you’d never know it talking to someone who grew up in DC. There are lines around the block virtually year-round; it’s a universally beloved Georgetown spot. There’s nothing particularly exciting about the interior, but the ice cream is made fresh daily and there’s something indescribably perfect about it. They’re also famous for blend-ins (like a creamy, upscale version of a DQ Blizzard) and homemade fudge.

Kirk Francis (a.k.a. Captain Cookie) seems to have found a workaround for the classic seasonal conundrum of ice cream shops—locals go to him in the winter for warm chocolate chip cookies, and in the summer for made-to-order ice cream sandwiches. The superhero-themed shop—and its’ three corresponding food trucks—are famous for cookies that are made completely from scratch; he even makes his own vegan butter for vegan cookies. Note: His trucks can be booked for private events.

While it doesn’t garner nearly the lines of the more famous Salt & Straw, many locals argue that Portland's best ice cream is actually at Ruby Jewel. They have three locations (one in each major neighborhood, in Richmond, Downtown, and Boise) and while ice cream is as advertised, they’re really famous for their ice cream sandwiches, with flavors like lemon cookie with honey lavender, dark chocolate with fresh mint, and “The Chub,” their way-better take on a Chipwich.

The small-batch ice cream business, which cousins Kim and Tyler Malek launched out of a single neighborhood ice cream parlor, has grown into a family of shops, including three in Portland (here in Richmond, and in Nob Hill and Alberta), plus a stall in Pine Street Market. The focus at S&S is on inventive flavors: salted caramel cupcake, pear & blue cheese, avocado & strawberry sherbet. On the flip side, their single-origin vanilla is some of the best we’ve ever had. For those who aren’t fortunate enough to live near a shop, the seasonal Pints Club, which sets you up with five unique pints every month and delivers them right to your door, is an excellent option.

The name of this gelato and sorbet shop is inspired by the forested PNW and the nuts (i.e. pistachio, hazelnut) that find their way into many of Nutty Squirrel's flavors. All of the ingredients here are seasonal and the menu is consistently updated to reflect what's currently fresh. The original location is located in Maple Valley, Washington; the first Seattle location is here in Phinney Ridge, and now there's also an outpost inside the Eat Local grocery store in Capitol Hill. Plus, there is Nutty Squirrel's charming red tricycle (named Strawberry) that delivers scoops for special occasions.

Old School temporarily closed its doors in early 2016, but fortunately the shop was picked back up by husband-and-wife duo, CJ and Meg Chaney, who had long been fans of the frozen custard here. Also good news: The menu has largely remained the same, although it's reasonable to expect to see more baked goods come into play from Meg Chaney's cookie business (Meg's Retro Cookies), which were previously featured in the ice-cream sandwiches at Old School.

The main reason you go to Full Tilt is for the fun of it: This ice cream shop has a mix of new and vintage arcade and pinball machines that make an entertaining afternoon outing for the whole family. As a bonus, there's also local Northwest beers here. (In addition to the original joint in White Center, Full Tilt has locations in Columbia City, University, and Ballard.)

Owner Chad Draizin moved to Portland for the first time for an internship at Portland Brewing, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Fifty Licks is famous for its ice cream cocktails. Draizin's on the tail-end of a major menu overhaul, so it'll be a few weeks before the cocktails are back in order, but there's plenty to enjoy while you wait: We love the Cuban coffee (which is sort of a Cuban version of an affogato) and the Chocolate Porter float (which is a 21+ root beer float). All of the ice cream is made French style, using real egg yolks, and its not too sweet, so the focus is on flavor.

Bryan Gilbert made the commitment to revive his neighborhood ice cream shop by, literally signing the lease on it, the day after his mother passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. Today, he calls the business a tribute to her, featuring several flavors based on her famous desserts, like Bananas Foster, and her delicious cheesecake. The business also bears the mark of Gilbert's twin daughters—let's just say unicorns are a major source of inspiration.

Humphry Slocombe vs. Bi-Rite Creamery is an ongoing debate between locals. Jake Godby and Sean Vahey—the two dudes behind team Humphry—pride themselves on the time and effort they put into concocting flavors, which run the gamut from Elvis (the fat years) to potato chip to salt & pepper. They’re also bringing back the ice cream cake in a big way. There's an additional location in the Mission, as well as in The Embarcadero.

There's nothing glitzy or particularly fancy about this classic scoop shop, but as evidenced by the out-the-door line (don't worry, it always moves fast) the small-batch ice cream is second to none. We like that they keep it fairly simple with flavors, the most inventive of which—and arguably the tastiest—is the Black Walnut, though Avocado and Grasshopper Pie are close seconds. You can also custom order a traditional ice-cream cake (sadly, these are becoming harder and harder to come by).

A decade ago, two Bi-Rite Market pastry chefs spied a vacant space across the street from the iconic market and moved in their small-batch baking and ice cream operation. Staying true to the Bi-Rite mission, only organic local ingredients are used, resulting in some of the hands-down best scoops (balsamic strawberry, honey lavender, mixed-berry coconut in the summer; earl grey, orange cardamom, maple walnut in winter), buffalo-milk soft serve (only available in the original shop), frozen cakes, sundaes, and popsicles in the country. The original is in the Mission (and they have soft-serve).

Ice cream sandwiches steal the show at Cream, from waffle-based to cookie, brownie, mini-sized, gluten-free, and vegan. There are locations in a few states now, and in addition to this SF shop, there's also a second outpost in Stonestown Galleria. Also, note: Cream caters—and what's more awesome than an ice cream sandwich bar?

You’ll be hard-pressed to find anybody who’s more passionate about ice cream than the folks behind Smitten, who actually built and patented a completely new technology to make what they claim to be the smoothest ice cream in the world. They started in San Francisco, selling ice cream out of a little red wagon (seriously), and while they’re beloved in their hometown—there are locations in Pacific Heights, Oakland, Hayes Valley, and more—they’ve just expanded to LA with a shop in El Segundo (Silver Lake is opening soon).

Real-life couple Anthony and Chad met in New York in the early 2000s, bonding over the fact that they were both from small towns. As Chad waxed poetic about the ice cream he ate growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (a.k.a. hand-made with locally sourced ingredients), Anthony began imagining the types of flavors he could create with ingredients unique to his hometown in Texas. Today, their ice cream shop has stores in San Antonio and Austin, with inventive, Texas-specific flavors like cilantro lime, dewberry corn cobbler, and sweet persimmon.

While it’s not an ice cream shop per se, every vegan in Austin knows that Thai Fresh has the best vegan ice cream. Made with coconut milk, it’s light and refreshing, and the flavors reveal a combination of Thai and Texan influences, with options like mango lime, Texas peach, sweet potato pie, ginger lemongrass, and Texas corn. Try ordering it on top of traditional sweet sticky rice.

Established in 1984, Amy’s is a bit of a hometown hero in Austin; everybody came here as a kid. The setup is Coldstone-style, so you pick your flavor and choose from plenty of toppings or “crush’ns,” which the employees will mix in for you on-site. If you only go once, the famous Mexican vanilla is the thing to order. There are now twelve locations in Austin, but this outpost on Guadalupe was the original.

This cleverly named truck (for out-of-towners, Stephen F. Austin was a founder of the state of Texas) operates out of the exceptionally cool South Congress Hotel, and all of the treats are creations of the hotel's Executive Pastry Chef, Amanda Rockman. The ice cream itself walks a perfect line between classic and a bit innovative—try the birthday cake flavor—and they make the prettiest paletas that are perfect for littles. On Sundays in the summer, they do ice cream socials with live music and drink specials in the hotel courtyard.

This hole in the wall specializes in Mexican street food like elotes (corn with cheese and spices) and sour hot Cheetos (a bag of Cheetos smothered in onions and other sauces—we dare you). In the summer, the lines build up for their mangonadas, which are frozen mango towers topped with strawberries, sour power belts, and a drizzle of Chamoy—a savory Mexican condiment that adds loads of complexity. None of it is like anything you’ve ever tried before.

Any time you visit Pokey O’s, it’s likely to be crowded with SMU students vying for a place in line—but don’t let that deter you. They’re famous for made-on-the-spot ice cream sandwiches, which they make with chewy chocolate chip cookies and Texas Blue Bell ice cream.

Francesca and Marco Silvestrini are Italian immigrants (Francesca’s fiancé Leo is also involved in the business; he’s another Italian native) who were dismayed that they couldn’t find great gelato in the states. One hot summer in Columbus, Ohio, Francesca quit her doctoral program and bee-lined it for Bologna to attend the Carpigiani Gelato University, which is, in fact, a real place and every bit as wonderful as it sounds. Francesca makes authentic, Italian-style gelato using the mantecazione vertical batch method, which contributes to its creamy texture. While she does the basics like chocolate and stracciatella really well, there are some great Texas-inspired flavors like peach and sweet potato on the menu too.