Early-Access Food of Pike Place Market Tour
When planning our Seattle Girls Trip, my girls and I knew we wanted to experience the Pike Place Market Tour. After narrowing it down, we chose the Exclusive: Early-Access Food Tour. Book this tour exclusively on Viator and using my affiliate link. On this guided tour, we experienced Seattle’s food and culture. We enjoyed diverse tastings, from fresh produce and smoked salmon to local pastries and much more. Seattleites take a lot of pride in their food. Locally sourced and farm-to-table, you can taste the difference. Everything was fresh and flavorful!
On this early access tour, we were able to interact with merchants and shop owners before it got busy. Some were still setting up! Come join this tour with an open mind and big appetite. There are currently two departures: 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM. We were fortunate to have Lucky as our tour guide – some photos of him below in the black hat!
Honest Biscuits
Our first stop was at Honest Biscuits. We sampled their cheese biscuits. The team here bakes their biscuits fresh each workday. They’re made from local ingredients, the primary ingredient being Washington’s Shepherd’s Grain flour. This is the same premium quality, sustainably grown flour used in some of the best local bakeries.
Taking it to the next level, they add other local ingredients such as Theo Chocolate, Beecher’s Cheese, Bavarian Meat’s Bacon, and local fruit for uniquely flavored biscuits. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is actually across the street and from what I hear… delicious! May be worth a stop for some of their famous macaroni & cheese.
Three Girls Bakery
Our next stop was at Three Girls Bakery. The reason for the name: this is the first business licensed to women in the city of Seattle! Founded in 1912,Three Girls Bakery is the oldest continuously operating business in the Historic Pike Place Market. Here you can enjoy various sweet & savory items of bread like pastries and desserts. We sampled a raspberry crumble. Even though it was a sample size, it was very rich.
After this stop, we had some time to briefly walk through a craft market. Entrepreneurs set up stalls selling artwork, clothes, and more to tourists and locals alike.
MarketSpice Tea & Secret Garden
After spending sometime outside, we headed inside Pike Place Market where we warmed up with some hot tea for a few minutes. We sampled MarketSpice tea, specifically the Cinnamon-Orange tea. We returned for more samples after the tour and discovered they were free for everyone. So you don’t have to be on this tour to enjoy. In addition to teas and coffee beans, MarketSpice also sells (you guessed it!) spices! From Hawaiian black lava salt to French herb de Provence, you can find many options.
We carried our Cinnamon-Orange tea sample on the rooftop where we continued our Pike Place Market Tour. This rooftop garden, known as the Pike Place Market’s Secret Garden, is maintained by local volunteers. This is an exclusive area we wouldn’t have had access to if not for joining this tour. The Pike Place Secret Garden is a thriving community-led garden and a quiet place to relax, rejuvenate and learn! Market residents and staff from The Market Commons run this garden. 500+ fresh herbs and vegetables are donated to the Pike Market Food Bank each year.
Pike Place Fish Company
After getting a sneak peek of the rooftop secret garden, we headed back downstairs and took a tour of Pike Place Fish Company. We sampled fresh smoked salmon – delicious! The fishermen and staff were all friendly and easy going. They didn’t mind cameras as they were conducting routine business of selling fish.
Located in Seattle’s Pike Place Market since 1930, Pike Place Fish Market has endured as the local favorite for fresh, wild, premium Pacific seafood. In 1986, longtime owner John Yokoyama and his crew made a commitment to become “World Famous.” By sourcing the highest quality seafood, providing excellent customer service, and committing to making a difference in their community, they have succeeded.
Now, internationally esteemed for its fresh seafood and in-person “fish throwing,” Pike Place Fish Market passionately stands by its pillars of excellence, committed to providing you with the world’s best seafood no matter where you are in the US.
Pike Place Market Tour – fish throwing Video!
Ellenos Yogurt
After enjoying the fun fish throwing and sampling of salmon, we headed back outside to sample Ellenos Yogurt. They claim to sell “the yogurt that makes ice cream jealous.” Not sure about that… I would’ve preferred ice cream (LOL) but that’s just me! Here we sampled marionberry, the most popular varietal of blackberries in the Pacific Northwest.
Additional flavors include: coconut cream pie, lemon curd, mango, passion fruit, vanilla bean, apple crisp, and brownie batter.
Los Agaves Tacos
After something sweet, it was time for something savory again! We headed past stands selling fruit, vegetables, and fish and made it to Los Agaves Tacos. It was inside this building with a nearby market. We sampled tacos al pastor – so good! After spending 4 nights in Mexico City, I can confirm these tasted authentic! The market there was even reminiscent of the Coyoacan Market in Mexico City (just much smaller). This stop was the opportunity to use the bathroom.
Sosio’s Produce & Chukar Cherries
After enjoying our taco, we walked past Sosio’s Produce selling various fruits and veggies. Sosio’s is located right in the center of the Market. Immediately north of Lowell’s Restaurant and right next to Chukar Cherries. They offer high quality fruit and produce from all over the world. They deal with independent local farms for seasonal items. So getting a good field of the local produce, we were able to sample Chukar Cherries. These cherries are grown in Washington state. We sampled their award-winning chocolate cherries, no sugar added dried cherries, and a few other goodies. While sampling cherries, we took in some views of the pier. For inspiration how to use their cherries, check out recipes here!
During this time, Lucky provided us with some local knowledge of Seattle. We learned that only 2/3 of residents have air conditioning. The rest of the population doesn’t feel it’s needed. Seattle has a Mediterranean maritime weather that is pretty mild year round with lots of rain (but low overall rainfall). Remember, only tourists use umbrellas here! Locals embrace rain.
Starbucks Pike Place – The Original?
Starbucks coffee wasn’t sampled on this Pike Place Market Tour. Since Starbucks can be found everywhere and is not unique to Seattle. It was still worth a stop outside to go over the history. The Pike Place Starbucks store, also known as the Original Starbucks, is the first Starbucks store. Except… it technically isn’t the first. The first Starbucks was opened on 2000 Western Ave in Seattle. Five years after, it moved to the Pike Place Market location and has kept its early appearance ever since. Down to the original brown logo. Apparently this started off as a hippie-type of location. So they went for rustic, earth tone colors like brown.
Note: the photo below is of 1305 1st Avenue Starbucks (not the Pike Place location)
Indi Chocolate
This Pike Place Market Tour concluded at Indi Chocolate. Indi Chocolate sources cacao beans directly from farmers and cooperatives to make small batch, single origin, dark chocolate. They make a wide range of cacao based products including teas, spice rubs, mixology kits and body care products made from cocoa butter. Indi Chocolate is also great for coffee lovers! They serve specialty coffee drinks in their café in addition to single origin drinking chocolate. It was a great way to end the tour!
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