The Best Vegan Food And Fun Near Seattle Center & The Space Needle [Ultimate Guide]
Seattle Center is home to many attractions, including The Space Needle, KEXP Studios, the iconic Monorail, and Climate Pledge Arena.
And as the demand for vegan food increases year after year, many restaurants in the Seattle Center area have stepped up to the plate with some amazing vegan eats and treats to please locals and tourists alike.
To save you some time researching - or worse, settling for “just ok” food - I’ve listed the best vegan-friendly restaurants and cafes within walking distance of Climate Pledge Arena and The Space Needle. Enjoy that extra time eating and adventuring!
But first, let’s briefly cover how to get to Seattle Center more efficiently, with a few transportation options to choose from. Next, I’ve listed some fun attractions and things to do in the area, so you can maximize your time in this awesome part of town.
So let’s get to it.
GETTING TO SEATTLE CENTER
Here are a few options for getting to and from Seattle Center if you don’t want to fight for parking.
By Car: Parking can be difficult near Seattle Center, as hardly any businesses have their own parking lot - so you’re limited to paid street parking or residential parking a few blocks away. There are plenty of parking lots you can pay to park in, but you’ll be paying a steep price on event days (which is most days!).
Street parking is free all day on Sundays, which is nice. But if you don’t wanna drive in circles looking for a spot, or you plan to drink, I suggest ditching your car and opting for these alternatives below.
Public Transit Alternatives
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Option 1: Rapid Ride D Bus Route runs from Downtown to North Ballard, stopping right in the heart of Seattle Center.
The bus takes cash and it’s $2.75 per person, or use your Orca Card (or get the app) for a cash-free option.
Hop On: The D line picks up along 3rd Ave, with a stop right on 3rd Ave and Pike Street.
Hop Off: Queen Anne Ave N & W Mercer St is the perfect stop to get off, just 3 blocks from Seattle Center.
Head Home: Walk back to Mercer St & Queen Anne Ave N, but on the opposite side of the road where you hopped off.
Option 2: The Monorail also runs to and from Downtown Seattle every 10 minutes! It also gives you an amazing vantage point, as the tracks run high above the road, making it more of an amusement ride than a boring transit option. No traffic, no other stops, just straight to Seattle Center.
Hop On: Head into Westlake Center Mall to get to the Monorail terminal. They accept credit/debit card, or Orca card - no cash.
Fares: $3.25 Adult (age 19-64), $1.50 Youth (age 6-18), Children 5 and under ride free, Discounts for seniors and military.
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Rapid Ride D Bus Route runs from North Ballard to Downtown, stopping right in the heart of Seattle Center.
The bus takes cash and it’s $2.75 per person, or use your Orca Card (or get the app) for a cash-free option.
Hop On: The D line picks up along 15th Ave NW, with a main stop in downtown Ballard at 15th Ave NW and NW Market Street.
Hop Off: Queen Anne Ave N & W Mercer St is the perfect stop to get off - just 3 blocks away from Seattle Center.
Head Home: Walk back to Mercer St & Queen Anne Ave N, on the opposite side of the street from where you hopped off.
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Route 8 Bus Line runs through Mount Baker, Madison Valley, Central District, Capitol Hill, and South Lake Union to Seattle Center. The bus takes cash and it’s $2.75 per person, or use your Orca Card (or get the app) for a cash-free option.
Hop On:
-From Mount Baker: Transit Center Bay 2-From Central District: 23rd Ave S & S Jackson St
-From Madison Valley: E Madison St & 27th Ave E
-From Capitol Hill: E John St & Broadway E
-From South Lake Union: Denny Way & Dexter Ave
Hop Off: Mercer St & Queen Anne Ave N, just 3 blocks from Seattle Center.
Head Home: Walk to Queen Anne Ave N & W Mercer St, but this time across the street from where you hopped off!
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Option 1: The Rapid Ride C Bus Route picks up all throughout West Seattle and takes you into Downtown Seattle, where you can then jump on the D line for a quick ride to Seattle Center.
Hop On: Rapid Ride C at various points in West Seattle
Hop Off: 3rd Ave NW and NW Seneca Street in Downtown Seattle
Walk To: Head North on 3rd Ave NW to NW Pike Street to catch the D line to Seattle Center. (2 1/2 blocks, about a 3-minute walk)
Follow my From Downtown instructions for more details.
Option 2: The West Seattle Water Taxi is a fun and scenic way to get from West Seattle to Downtown Seattle.
Hop On: The Water Taxi docks in Seacrest Park in West Seattle - 1660 Harbor Avenue SW. The park is easy to reach by bus, neighborhood shuttles, and waterfront pathways for walkers and bicyclists.
Hop Off: Arrive at Seattle’s newly remodeled Pier 50 - 801 Alaskan Way. From here, you have a few options to get to Seattle Center.
-Walk to 3rd Ave and Columbia to hop on the Route 3 Bus or the Rapid Ride D Line bus, both of which will take you directly to Seattle Center (8-10 minute walk to the bus stop)
-Uber or Lyft from here to Seattle Center (~7 minute ride).
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Take the Link Light Rail from the airport directly into Downtown Seattle! It’s super cheap, with a scenic ride well above the highway - and best of all, no traffic to get stuck in.
Exiting the airport, walk across the pedestrian bridge toward the public transit and ride share area. You’ll see directions to the Link Light Rail station.
Purchase a ticket via the machine using card, cash, or Orca Card.
Fares: Around $3 (depending on your age and other factors) for a ticket from Sea-Tac Airport to Westlake Center. Same-day, round-trip passes are also available for purchase.
Once you land at Westlake Center in Downtown, you can choose any of the Downtown transit options to get to Seattle Center.
Tip: The monorail is the closest, the fastest, and the most fun, with a quick 1-mile ride straight to Seattle Center. Head into the Westlake Center Mall for directions to the Monorail station.
PRO-TIP: Did you know that all Seattle Metro buses, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Light Rail, and The Monorail all take Orca Card? Finally! Whether you’re local or just visiting, an Orca card is a quick and easy way to jump on any public transit in Seattle - just get a card or download the app, add some money, and you’re all set for efficient and affordable transportation around the city.
Uber or Lyft is always an option.
Now that we’ve got transit figured out, let’s get to some of the main attractions in Seattle Center.
THINGS TO DO IN SEATTLE CENTER
Explore these major sights and attractions in the area.
Here are some fun things to do the next time you’re in Seattle Center.
PRO-TIP: Follow my Google Maps list, Vegan Fun In Seattle Center, to save this entire list of restaurants and attractions right to your Google Maps! This neat and tidy list can be accessed from your computer or smart phone via Google Maps anytime, with all the vital info you need for each place including business hours, directions, and helpful tips from me.
Here’s a quick list of must-do’s in Seattle Center:
Admire breathtaking glass sculptures at Chihuly Garden of Glass
Take an elevator to the top of The Space Needle (or just enjoy it from the ground if you are afraid of heights!)
Tour the globally-renowned KEXP Studios, plus attend live performances, browse the record shop and enjoy the cafe.
Check out Festál, 24 free festivals that celebrate different cultures and regions around the globe with food, dance, art, music, and more.
Get your popcorn ready for Movies At The Mural (summer only)
Enjoy a picnic or chill-out session at The International Fountain park
Explore the many rad exhibits at the Museum Of Pop Culture (MoPop)
Take a ride to and from downtown via the Monorail
Expand your brain at the Pacific Science Center
Hit up a Laser Dome show at Pac-Sci featuring music from your favorite artists, plus laser shows like Stranger Things!
Kids in tow? Check out the Seattle Children’s Museum
Catch a game, a concert, and other events at Climate Pledge Arena
Once you’ve seen and done allll the things, it’s time to eat! So let’s get to the food.
Vegan food Near Seattle Center
Here are the best stops within walking distance to The Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena.
These top choices are super close to all the action, and have solid vegan options for you to enjoy. So let’s dig in.
TYGER TYGER
This family-owned, Sichuan-inspired restaurant is located on the North end of Seattle Center, right next to the KEXP studios and Climate Pledge Area.
Vegans can enjoy their Mushroom and Carrot buns, made with wood ear mushroom, sweet carrot, ginger, garlic & chive dumplings in a dark soy vinegar glaze.
Or, for noodle lovers, get the Vegan Dan Dan - a spinoff of their Dan Dan Mian made with wheat noodles and hot numbing sauce, using "Beyond Meat" pork substitute and a mushroom stock sauce base.
Tyger Tyger also has a few tofu and vegetable-focused dishes that vegans can enjoy, including Salt and Sichuan pepper Tofu - fried local tofu with chilies, ginger, garlic, scallion, and chili-oil black vinegar dip - or the Blistered Green Beans - wok seared green bean with sweet and spicy black vinegar sauce.
UPTOWN CHINA
Uptown China is another vegan-friendly staple just around the corner from Seattle Center and Climate Pledge Arena. The vegan menu offers plenty of veggie dishes including eggplant, mushrooms, and broccoli, and main dishes have a choice of tofu or mock duck that owner Yu-Mei and her team make in house.
Don’t be surprised if Yu-Mei brings you an off-menu dish to try as well. She is equally as generous as she is talented in the kitchen, and she loves making her customers feel like family. Watch my Instagram reel featuring Uptown China to see more of the menu!
metropolitan market
Metropolitan Market is a conveniently located grocery store with a vegan-friendly cafe and deli. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, or want to pack a picnic to enjoy at the International Fountain park, this is a great stop to find lots of vegan eats and treats.
MOD PIZZA
Sure this might be a national chain. But hear me out: Whether you’ve got picky eaters in tow, or you like to throw everything but the kitchen sink on your pizza, then Mod is the place. And for vegans, they’ve got vegan cheese and vegan sausage on the menu! Don’t skip the balsamic fig glaze.
CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
If you’re attending a concert or event at Climate Pledge Arena, you’ll be happy to hear that the stadium is home to multiple Impossible Foods stands that sell Impossible burgers and chick’n nuggets.
It’s awesome to finally see significant vegan options at any stadium, however you’ll be paying stadium prices ($16 for the burger without fries), and the burgers have dairy cheese on them. They sometimes can accommodate and make one without cheese if you ask nicely. The nuggets are vegan as is, and come with French fries.
I do recommend dining elsewhere for a more enjoyable, filling and affordable meal, but it’s great to have these options at the arena if hunger strikes.
click to order :)
More Vegan Food Just Outside Seattle Center
Just a bit farther away, here are more vegan gems in the area for you to enjoy.
If you want more options, here are some top spots that are loved by locals and only require a short drive, bus, or longer walk to get to.
Lower Queen Anne
Lower Queen Anne is basically the back yard of Seattle Center, and the closest neighborhood for food! In addition to the establishments listed above, here are a few more to keep in mind when hunger strikes.
CÔBA - Viet Kitchen - Modern takes on Vietnamese soups, banh mi & salads in an inviting space with a full bar & patio.
Sitting Room - Mexican-inspired dishes with Impossible beef and veggie tacos on the menu (omit cheese), plus chips, salsa, and guac.
Racha - Thai restaurant with some vegan/izable dishes like fried rice, stir fry veggies and tofu, and spring rolls.
Queen Anne Beer Hall (21+) - This gigantic European-style beer hall has tons of local and international beers to choose from, plus a couple vegan options like Beyond sausages and buegers. Great place to watch a game or join in on their trivia night!
Sal y Limon - Modern Mexican spot with veganizable dishes like veggie tacos, enchiladas and burritos (omit cheese). Ask for it vegan.
Athina Grill - Greek restaurant with veganizable dishes like falafel or veggie pita, hummus, and fries.
Upper queen Anne
Upper Queen Anne is at the top of Queen Anne Hill, whereas Seattle Center is essentially at the bottom of the hill. I do not recommend walking from Seattle Center to upper Queen Anne, as the walk is long and the hill is steep. Catch a quick Uber instead, or catch the #2 bus line every 30 minutes or so from 1st Ave N. and Denny Way. The food is worth it!
The Sushi Samurai - Seattle’s first (and only!) fully vegan sushi restaurant with tons of specialty rolls, plus apps and more. Reservations highly recommended. Watch my Instagram reel featuring The Sushi Samurai to see more of their menu!
PRO-TIP: Don’t miss the iconic and #instaworthy viewpoint at Kerry Park while you’re in upper Queen Anne! Enjoy the breathtaking view of Seattle’s skyline, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound. This park is also saved in my Google Maps list (along with the rest of this guide) which you can access here.
The view from Kerry Park is beautiful day or night.
Belltown
Chiho Bistro - A family-run American Chinese spot with “simply good eats that warm the soul.” They just launched a vegan menu featuring soup dumplings, truffle fried rice, dan dan noodles, and more.
Umi Sake House - Sushi joint in Belltown with a few vegan rolls, plus accommodating staff and other vegan-friendly apps and plates. Reservations recommended.
Bang Bang Cafe - Vegan-friendly New Mexican cafe featuring vegan nachos, vegan mac and cheese, and more.
Rocco’s Pizza - Well-loved pizza place in Belltown, with vegan cheese and Field Roast meat finally on the menu! The pizzas are 20” split into 8 slices, so they can feed a couple people. Open late.
South Lake Union
Kati Vegan Thai - Fully vegan Thai restaurant with colorful and flavorful dishes, plus a full bar, desserts, and more. One of Seattle’s favorite spots for vegan Thai food.
Ba Bar Green - Fully vegan food window with Bahn Mi’s, noodle dishes, and more.
I hope you enjoyed this self-guided vegan-friendly tour of Seattle Center and it helps you plan your next visit. Which place are you most excited to go? Tell me below, and let me know if I missed your favorite spot.
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