Belltown

No longer so grungy — well, depending on the corner, and in a good way — the neighborhood claims The Crocodile, Seattle’s finest restaurants (like Zoe), nightlife, and cool cocktail locales. Be sure to stroll the Olympic Sculpture Park. And come as you are.

EXPLORE ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD:

Spur Gastropub

113 Blanchard St 206-728-6706

Git along, little doggies, to this city-slicker watering hole with purty tasty seasonal cocktails and inspired grub. Chefs McCracken and Tough continue to distinguish themselves nationally as culinary upstarts with an ample dose of derring-do in the kitchen.

Photo: Courtesy of Spur Gastropub

Restaurant Zoe

2137 2nd Ave 206-256-2060

Sometimes fancy can be overly fussy. (Do smashed spuds need ten seasonings and four garnishes?) Understatedly elegant, Zoe serves a Seattleite’s dream dinner. Simple seasonal ingredients mingle with masterfully prepared meats and fresh seafood.

Photo: Tammy Fujihara / Courtesy of Restaurant Zoe

Umi Sushi Restaurant and Sake Bar

2230 1st Ave 206-374-8717

Tune in to Tokyo at the urbane Asian den of delights. Experiment with over 70 types of sake, authentic Japanese cuisine, and inventive rolls. And just say hai to their generous happy hour.

Photo: Courtesy of Umi Sushi Restaurant and Sake Bar

The Crocodile

2200 2nd Ave 206-441-4618

The infamous grunge club may have a new paint job and fancy pizza parlor, but the stellar indie and hip-hop lineup remains. Among rock musicians, The Croc is still a career rite of passage.

Photo: Courtesy of The Crocodile

Tavolata

2323 2nd Ave 206-838-8008

Underneath the impressive industrial atmosphere, Tavolàta has oodles of warmth (not to mention noodles). Sit at a beautiful wood table under a 30-foot chandelier while you sip fine Italian wines and whittle away at a pile of pasta.

Photo: Courtesy of Tavolàta