I’m not the type of person that likes to work too hard to have a good time so my Seattle recommendations aren’t typically the ones with the biggest lines or hype. They’re more often the neighborhood eatery that has dependably good food, the one with the good parking, the breakfast burrito by a soccer field, or the place near the water you can find a spot for your blanket without bumping up against anyone else. So when I was invited to the South Lake Union Farmer’s Market I was excited for market season but I didn’t know that I would be going to a farmer’s market that I’ll definitely recommend often as a true Seattle gem. With it’s new location on 6th ave, the Space Needle becomes its backdrop, it is walking distance from everywhere else downtown Seattle that you might be on a Saturday around 10am-3pm and if you’re coming just for the market you can often get free parking nearby (like in the Doppler parking garage on 7th ave). It’s perfectly Seattle and I may even say it’s a must-visit.
Why shop farmer’s markets in Seattle?
Doug Farr, the Executive Director of the Seattle Farmers Market Association helped open the South Lake Union farmer’s market for the season (and hopefully this market might turn into a year round market too!) and he explained that farmers at the South lake Union Farmer’s market get to keep about 90ish% of their profits vs the 20ish% percent they keep when they sell their produce wholesale. This means that when we shoppers buy our produce at the South Lake Union Farmer’s markets we get to help these farmers keep more money in their pockets, we make farming more sustainable and we might even get fresher produce because we can get our hands on produce that has been picked the day before or morning of the market too.
Here is what we tried at South Lake Union Farmer’s Market:
(I was given tokens to shop at any booth I wanted to try at the market with my family. We also ended up spending our own money as well. Also, farms and vendors at the South Lake Union Farmer’s Market are not the same every week. I’ve tried to include the social media or contact info for the vendors I talk about so you can follow them for their latest information-often farmer’s markets vendors keep up to date info on their whereabouts on their social media accounts)
K and C farms from Mattawa Washington
My first purchase was a basket of freshly picked apricots from K and C farms. They had some really delicious looking cherries and I wish I bought those too. People were stopping to try the cherries they had out to sample and watching people connect the food they eat to the farmers that grow their food is pretty cool to see in the city.
Apapacho Mexican Treats
I did not try this place but I wanted to make a note of it because I wish I did. Apapacho Mexican Treats had a food called marquesitas that looked a bit like a rolled crepe and I hope I get to try it next time I visit South Lake Union farmer’s Market.
MoubakFritta
This was one of the most delicious things we tried at the South Lake Union Farmers Market and it was my first time trying frittas. They are made from black eyed peas and were savory and filling and made right in front of us and we tried a delicious hibiscus drink too.
Oh Dang Stir-Fry Noodles
I saw someone get in line for Oh Dang Stir-Fry Noodles and I overheard them say something like “I was looking for you guys!” so I got in line too and ordered the tofu noodles here and they were delicious. When they asked if I wanted egg they didn’t say it was extra, but it added 3 or 4 dollars so just know that there might be an upsell.
J-Wok
Our teenagers came to meet us at the market and ordered a yakisoba at J-Wok that ended up being ginormous. They also raved about the steam buns.
PaoBao Bread
It was their very first day at a farmer’s Market the day the South Lake Union Farmer’s Market opened and I bought their milk bread and it was delicious.
The French Guys Bakery
The French Guys now have a few cafes around the city but they started at a farmer’s market so it’s cool to see they have a booth at the South Lake Union Farmer’s market. They have delicious croissants and they’re actually also included on my “Croissants in Seattle” list.
Camano Crunch Co
This granola company was sampling carrot cake granola when I walked by and it was so so good. We ended up going back to try more and then we bought the maple pecan which has since disappeared from our cupboards and I don’t remember eating any so I guess it was craveable and we need to go back and buy another.
I am definitely looking forward to revisiting and seeing which vendors are there next time and which ones are different. Also, this market is trying to be a year round market and I hope it does- it’s nice to be able to support Washington grown and Washington made in such a beautiful spot.
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)