Best of The City 2021

Our favorite everything in Seattle. Also in this issue: our city's strange legacy of fasting, a guide to a summer outside, and a profile of crisis champion Jay Inslee.

In this issue:

Eat & Drink

Best in the biz

King of the Hill Grocery Owner Abraham Aklilu Rules with Benevolence

He's seen it all on Capitol Hill.

06/04/2021 By Allison Williams Photography by Kyle Johnson

Best in the biz

Jean Nakayama Rolls with the Punches at Maneki

She and Fusae “Mom” Yokoyama—Maneki’s power duo—survived a pandemic with a dose of historical perspective.

06/04/2021 By Stefan Milne Photography by Kyle Johnson

BIRD'S-THIGH VIEW

The World According to Fried Chicken

A guide to our most universal comfort food.

06/03/2021 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Chona Kasinger

Health & Wellness

Sleepless City

Can't Sleep? The Moon Might Be to Blame.

A Seattle-centric study brings us one small step closer to understanding our groggy mornings.

06/15/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

Hunger Artists

Seattle Has a Weird Legacy of Fasting

Can renouncing food really improve your health? For a century, mystics, biohackers, and even one murderous Seattle doctor have sought—and sold—their own conclusions.

06/14/2021 By Stefan Milne Illustrations by Pete Ryan

Home & Real Estate

Explainer

What Is a Houseboat, Really?

What you need to know about Seattle's quirkiest type of home.

06/17/2021 By Sarah Anne Lloyd

News & City Life

Group Chat

Is Sue Bird Seattle’s Greatest Athlete of All Time?

The Storm’s venerable point guard returns for a 20th season after winning her fourth WNBA title. Is No. 10 now No. 1 in the city’s sports hierarchy?

06/09/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

ANARCHIST JURISDICTION

What Really Happened in CHOP?

One year ago, protesters transformed six blocks on Capitol Hill and captured the nation’s attention. Nobody knew where this would go.

06/08/2021 By Marcus Harrison Green

BOTC

Best of the City 2021

From our editors' picks to the results of our reader survey to the best in the biz.

06/04/2021 By Seattle Met Staff

Seattle Standouts

Our Favorite Everything in Seattle

From an unbeatable bar bathroom to the best setting for a tantrum, our editors dove deep into what they love about our city.

06/04/2021 Edited by Allison Williams By Nate Bullis, Benjamin Cassidy, Sophie Grossman, Sarah Nipper, Zoe Sayler, Allecia Vermillion, and Erin Wong Illustrations by Stevie Shao Photography by Kyle Johnson

Best in the biz

Tracy Record's West Seattle Blog Has the Neighborhood Covered

On an accidental island, her reporting stands as the official account.

06/04/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy Photography by Kyle Johnson

Best of The City 2021

Here Are Your Picks for Best of the City 2021

We asked you to vote on the best restaurants, services, and destinations in and around Seattle. Turns out you have good taste.

06/04/2021 By Seattle Met Staff

Obsession

Pandemic Pets Made Us Human

An onrush of adopters brought home way more than fuzzy little serotonin machines.

05/24/2021 By Zoe Sayler

Style & Shopping

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Your Seattle Summer Guide to Outdoor Entertaining Anywhere

From colorful carafes to designer pools to a fancy cooler fit for park cocktails, here’s how to outfit a summer outside.

06/18/2021 By Zoe Sayler Photography by Jane Sherman

Best in the biz

Mud Bay Founder Lars Wulff Has a Pet Theory

His pet supply empire taught Seattle how to treat our four-legged friends right.

06/04/2021 By Allison Williams Photography by Kyle Johnson

Best in the biz

Tiffany Gwin Lights Up Wallingford at Harold's Lighting

She has bright new ideas for the business her family's been in since the Great Depression.

06/04/2021 By Zoe Sayler Photography by Kyle Johnson

Travel & Outdoors

Salish Sea Style

Where to Stay and What to Do on Washington's Idyllic San Juan Islands (and Beyond)

Orcas, Whidbey, and the rest of these Washington Islands are favorite road trip destinations near Seattle. Here are the best restaurants, hotels, and more.

07/08/2021 By Allison Williams Illustrations by Levi Hastings

ELECTRIC AVENUES

Washington's Best E-Bike Routes

Six routes made for an e-bike adventure, from sleepy streets to formal trails.

06/22/2021 By Allison Williams