Food halls aren’t a new phenomenon — Quincy Market in Boston opened in 1826; Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market in 1893 — but the idea has evolved. Food halls today are culinary experiences, bursting with flavor, designed not only to satisfy the appetite but to cultivate community and curiosity. And greater Seattle is home to a variety of them.
What most have in common is that they are a parents’ dream: where, in most cases, everyone in the family chows down because they get to choose their own bites. Here’s what my family found on a recent food hall tour:
Crossroads Food Court
15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue
Yes, it’s a shopping mall, but not a typical one. It’s kind of a local legend. Built in 1962, Crossroads Bellevue offers shopping, civic and cultural activities, a King County library, and a farmers’ market in the summer.
What makes it legendary, though, is the Crossroads Bellevue Dine: a collection of more than 30 deliciously diverse dining options under one roof.
I visited on a busy Saturday, with companions, Cora, 9, and Kira, 10. Though their hearts were set on sushi, we checked out all that was on offer. In addition to the regional standbys — burgers, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican — we found Russian piroshky and pierogi, Colombian empanadas, Hotpot, Hawaiian, and more. We plunked down with 16 pieces of sushi from Mix Sushi Bar, two bobas, and a piroshky from the Piroshky Bakery, a 30-year Crossroads veteran.
Then we noticed others with trays of dosas — a thin, crepe-like vessel for savory South Indian specialties, and I decided to enjoy my piroshky later and also order from Chakra, one of three Indian restaurants. With my saag aloo, I ordered kerala parotta — it was incredible, sweet and savory, buttery and thin.
Even after 16 pieces of sushi, the girls helped me devour it.
“We’re getting that again,” said Kira, “and next time the dumplings, too.”
“And the bakery with the buns,” added Cora, referring to Teews Bakery’s pineapple bubble buns.
When you visit Crossroads Bellevue food court, there’s always something saved for “next time.”
Seattle Center Armory Food Hall
305 Harrison St., Seattle
If you’re touring Seattle food halls with kids, the Seattle Center Armory is the one you can’t skip — it’s where Seattle’s idea of a shared, public food space really took root.
What began as a 1939 National Guard building became the “Food Circus” during the 1962 World’s Fair, and it’s been feeding families ever since. There are 14 counters (and counting) here — offering pizza, noodles, burgers, and global bites — and lots of wide-open seating. Can’t decide what to eat? My 7-year-old and I love the burgers at Skillet Counter.
Often, you’ll see live entertainment (at 3,000 performances a year, it’s highly likely). But this spot is about more than chasing the “best bite” and enjoying the entertainment, it’s about connecting food, culture, and community.
Fairview Market Hall
400 Fairview Ave. N, Seattle
Fairview Market Hall opened 10 years ago but feels brand new. We hoped to catch a slice of the much-lauded Pizza By Ruffin, but they were sold out. My two dining partners, Cora and 10-year-old Eloise, decided on sushi (again) and a matcha green tea tiramisu from Mikan Sushi and Bento Co. I went for the customer favorite at Bleuwiches: the bulgogi beef banh mi. It was fantastic: sweet, sour, rich, and spicy.
Like its contemporaries (Melrose Market, Chophouse Row), Fairview Market Hall is a mixed-retail space, with plenty of diversion beyond the food vendors. We caught Fairview’s newest tenant, Jenelle Melchior of The Craft Room, on her second day of business. The business drew the girls in like moths to a colorful flame, giving me an extra 10 minutes to enjoy my Sukura Mochi Mochinut. Kids won’t be able to resist the eclectic mix of fabric, beads, ribbons, and more, and Melchior even sent the girls away with their own free gift bag.
Uwajimaya Food Hall
515 Weller St., Seattle
As native Seattleites, my kids’ comfort food is Asian: pho, dumplings, rice, maybe a creampuff or mochi donut for dessert. Naturally, we’ve been going to Uwajimaya Food Hall for years. Well before its big renovation in 2020, we’d pop down to grab a plate of roasted Peking duck, wander the grocery store, and then decide which stuffed animal was cutest at Kinokuniya Bookstore.
Now nearing its centennial anniversary, Uwajimaya is the essential food hall: delicious, diverse, and fun. Denise Moriguchi, CEO of Uwajimaya, said “Families love bringing their kids to Uwajimaya Village because it turns a simple visit into an experience — where kids can discover new snacks and share a meal from our food hall that offers a range of Asian cuisines.”
As Moriguchi added, and I agree: “It’s a space that naturally sparks curiosity and makes trying something new feel fun and approachable.”
More food halls to try
Melrose Market: 1501 Melrose Ave., Seattle
Want to go upscale? Melrose Market will get you there. This hip market food hall offers a variety of dining and retail options. You can’t miss with a sandwich from Eggslut. Not the place for picky eaters; but if that’s what you have, it still makes a great parent and date spot.
Chophouse Row: 1424 11th Ave., Seattle
If you’ve got kids, you go to this upscale option for the best ice cream in Seattle, found here in the form of Sweet Alchemy. To. Die. For. But before you hit the dessert, there’s a lot of food to explore, including eight eateries amid the retail shops. If you time it well, you may find an event or two to go with your meal.
THE EATS: Lake Union Eats (1601 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle), U District Eats (5600 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle), Cap Hill Kitchens (525 13th Ave., Seattle)
The Eats co-op locations offer a new spin on food halls. There is no seating, but you can order from a number of local restaurants and pick up. Then take your eats to UW campus or University Village, the lawns and picnic table by Lake Union Park, or Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill.
