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a feel good travel blog

The Best German Restaurants & Pubs in Seattle

9/27/2017

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Nothing goes better with a brezel like a good old-fashion German beer. Whether it’s from a boot or a beer stein, Seattle has no lack of German pubs, bars and restaurants. So if you fancy a bit of Bavaria, on a Seattle budget, be sure to check out some of these amazing German watering holes around town before it’s too late.
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Sadly, many cool establishments like Kafe Berlin, The People’s Pub, Heidelberg Haus and The Wurst Place are now permanently closed thanks to the gentrification of modern architecture overtaking the many one-story, side street buildings. So, if you see those places listed on other travel articles, note that these establishments are now closed.
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Queen Anne Beer Hall - Lower Queen Anne "Uptown"
This European beer hall is one of my favorites and features a German, Czech flare, a place where it feels like Oktoberfest year round. Decorated in HB banners, the interior boasts Bavarian-style seating where it's first come, first serve at the many extra-long picnic tables. Order anything and everything from a pint to a mass of over 60 beers  including European favorites and gluten-free beer. If you're looking for a snack, try the XXL brezel or savor your sweet tooth with their bread pudding (ask for the cinnamon ice cream). Guests order off the menu or try a platter from the walk up kitchen ($15 cash only), which offers vegetarian meat options. Expect to pay higher prices here. 
Altstadt - Pioneer Square
Altstadt means, "Old Town," and ironically, this bar resides in Seattle's oldest neighborhood, Pioneer Square. The interior contains various sized picnic tables and plenty of bar space. The prices are expensive, but the brezel with cheese sauce is worth it! Check for seasonal soups as the asparagus and pumpkin soup is some of the best in the city. Seitanwursts are available, and be sure to try to apple strudel. Prices are moderate. 
Rhein Haus - Capitol Hill
If you're in the mood for bier, bocce ball and brats, you've come to the right place. The Oktoberfest festivities are well worth it as well as any other event like a beer run 5k. Several German "stammtisch" groups meet here throughout the year. Beer lovers find a variety of local and import beers from Germany and Austria. Prices are moderate to expensive. 
Bavarian Meat Market - Pike Place Market - Downtown
Part grocery store, part deli, eat some fresh food onsite or take some German goodies home. Located near the original Starbucks, this market has been serving Seattle since 1961. Even to this day, they use recipes that Grandpa Max brought over from Munich in 1933. So if you miss your favorite marzipan, bouillon cubes or gummy bears, you can find a variety of German food items here. I love their fresh pan-fried potatoes, it's a perfect semi-greasy snack while meandering the market. 

Prost! - West Seattle
This local watering hole brings back many memories of my first few years in Seattle. This is a spot to meet locals as not many tourists travel to the West Seattle "suburb." Outside sits a couple of small tables nestled next to potted plants, triggering a European-feel to the atmosphere. 
Vegetarian options are available and prices are moderate. 

Prost - Phinney Ridge 
This location of Prost claims naming rights to "Seattle's original German pub. Owner Chris Navarra has several locations throughout the city, all of which have different names. The prices are moderate and expect nothing but German beer, brats, pretzels and other traditional German "essen."

Die Bierstube - Roosevelt / U District
Located near UW, this is another Chris Navarra establishment. With 15 beers on tap, students congregate here for a game or to socialize after school. If you enjoy the taste of coffee, try the Kostritzer Schwarzbier. 

The Berliner Doner Kebab
Inspired by the German-turkish doner, this establishment serves salads, wraps and sandwiches. This is street food at its finest with falafel available for vegetarians and vegans. The interior is nothing to rave about as most people order for take away. 

Apple cider with pineapple □ yum □ #travel #travelblogger #wander #wanderlust #essenundtrinken #germany #german #bar #travelgram #traveller #deutschland #seattle #seattlefood #food #foodie #restaurant #cider #lemontreetravel #trinken #pacificnorthwest

A post shared by Elizabeth Kovar (@erkovar) on Sep 27, 2017 at 3:18pm PDT

Feierabend -South Lake Union 
If you understand German, then you know this is a place where you can enjoy your free time. Expect nothing but the best of Germany, but I highly recommend the apple pineapple cider, espyially on a hot summer day.  

​What's your favorite German pub in Seattle?


This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Best German Pubs & Restaurants in Seattle. 

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How to Make the Most of Your Oktoberfest

9/24/2017

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Rumor has it that every tourist (mainly Brits, Irish, Americans and Aussies - basically the native English speaking cultures) finds himself or herself in the Hofbräu tent. And that story rings true to my experience of Oktoberfest. Without much research, we walked into a beer garden and saw lively chaps chugging beer on a table, and locals playing the accordion. Thinking, "Well this looks fun," we ended up in the most lively tent, packed with tourists craving for the traditional Bavarian experience. 

After my venture into 24-hours in Oktoberfest, here's what I recommend to make the most of your Oktoberfest experience in Munich. 
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Try the sweeter side of life. Although beer and sugar don't mix (or count as a necessity in our food chain), try the local flavor and be sure to experience some of the local sweets. 
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Depending on the weather, I suggest leaving your coat at home. The beer tents, specifically the floors, gets nasty. Beer, food scraps, broken glass, and maybe the occasional bloke who peed all over his shoes, gets onto the floor. It's gross and grimy, so if you can do without, leave the coat. 

Oktoberfest is best enjoyed by wearing the local garb. Dirndls and liederhosen are for sale throughout the town. 
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And if you'd like to get grandma a gift, there are plenty of stalls selling handmade trinkets and mass-produced magnets. 

Don't forget to eat, and well drink, throughout the day. The tents are calmer in the late morning and early afternoon so its easier to get a beer and stand naturally without the feelings of being squished inside of a sardine can. The Maß (mass) is what you'll be drinking inside the tent. Depending on your perception 14 to 15 euros is either cheap or expensive. 

​The trick is that you have to keep drinking in order to remain inside the tent. Some tents have waiting lines, so once a certain amount of people leave, another batch can enter. The HB tent is the most wild, so I suggest checking out other tents to experience the local flare (which will be much calmer than the HB tent). 

If you got the guts, stand on the table and chug your Maß. The only thing is if you fail, you'll be booed most likely get some fries, bread, cabbage and whatever else thrown at you. 
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It'll be hard to find your friends so some creative Aussies purchased children balloons and tied it on their liederhosen, so when you enter the tent, you'll look for the dolphin, unicorn or horse balloon. 
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Enjoy yourself and connect with others. It's quit an experience to hangout with so many people from around the globe. In minutes, you can have 10 conversations with people from various parts of the world, Switzerland, Ireland, Australia, you name it! 
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​The point is that you should always contain yourself. Things are messy in Germany and in 2016, the Oktoberfest was fenced in for the first time. Double check the Oktoberfest website to see if you can still bring in a backpack as day packs have been prohibited at various events due to terrorism. 

​In today's age, things happen so quickly so its important to have your wits about you. In 2016, a young man took advantage of a young female Asian tourist, but luckily cops noticed this in the park and aided the situation. The landscape of German culture has changed drastically since 2015 and there's no room to be naive in such situations that do not feel right. ​

What's your favorite part of Oktoberfest?
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Elizabeth is the Weleda North American Finalist

9/20/2017

12 Comments

 
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Hi Friends, 
Exciting news! I've been chosen as the North American Finalist for the Weleda Global Gardentrotter contest! 

I've conquered round one, and round two is about to happen in a few weeks in Germany. In Germany, the 16 finalists will take video, photography and artistry workshops to learn and then show off our skills. The best is yet to come and at the end of the week we'll discover who will be the chosen one as the Weleda Global Gardentrotter to blog, photograph and unite with nature! 

Wish me luck! 
Elizabeth 
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Seattle's Best: A Guide to the Best Cafes in Fremont

9/10/2017

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Fremont is one of Seattle’s last-standing neighborhoods. Though it’s been semi-gentrified, much of the main downtown area has remained intact. From quirky vintage shops to street-side cafes, bypass that Mermaid-logoed coffee shop and enjoy a cup of Joe in a real Fremont cafe. Trust me you’ll be happier here!
Coffee To Go
This tiny café serves us espresso drinks and freshly baked goods everyday. The interior charms a European flare with the chandelier being my most favorite décor. Don’t expect to sit and chat, the two tiny tables inside are there for customers to sit while drinking, not lounge. Like the name, it’s a to go café, although there are some quirky wooden, stadium-looking chairs outside to sit and chat.

Milstead & Co. 
Rustic and chic, this is another local favorite that now has a new location, across the street. Tucked away on North 34th Street nearby Troll Avenue (and the notable Fremont troll), Milstead & Co has moved into a brand new space, which now boasts more chic than the good-old rustic charm (something that Seattle is losing fast thanks to redevelopment). This café uses Stumptown beans, one of Seattle’s finest!

Exploring new cafes this year #seattle #seattlenw #seattlelife #seattlefood #seattlepulse #food #food52 #foodie #foodporn #café #cafe #coffee #tealover #travel #traveler #vegan #veganfood #vegantravel #chaitea #latte #latteart #coffeeart #foodblogger #travelblog #travelgram #travelblogger

A post shared by Elizabeth Kovar (@erkovar) on Feb 19, 2017 at 10:06am PST

Vif Wine | Coffee
If you love coffee and vino, head to Vif. Although many desire to mix uppers and downers, I say stick with the chai tea latte or the coffee and take a bottle of wine for home. The cool part of Vif is that you may get a fancy greeting noted on your latte.

Enjoy your day ☕️ homemade #chai #tea at vif in Fremont #seattle #seattlenw #seattlelife #seattlefood #seattlepulse #food #food52 #foodie #foodporn #café #cafe #coffee #tealover #travel #traveler #vegan #veganfood #vegantravel #chaitea #latte #latteart #coffeeart #foodblogger #travelblog

A post shared by Elizabeth Kovar (@erkovar) on Feb 18, 2017 at 3:16pm PST

B Fuller’s Mortar & Pestle
This artisanal modern apothecary is like a walk back into old-charm Europe, but with a modern flare. Whether you want to taste tea, purchase a cup or a bagful of dried stuff, you can find it here at B Fuller’s. Get inspired as the owner, an artist in his previous life, dresses like its 1920. It’s pretty awesome chatting with this guy and his dog is super cute. Down to earth, the mission of B Fuller’s is to inspire people to gain deeper wisdom of the plant kingdom and botanical wonders through tea and tisanes. This is not a traditional cafe, but a shop that serves freshly brewed tea. 

Flying Apron
Vegans and celiac patients unite at this dairy free and gluten free café. Besides a plethora of desserts sitting behind a glass case, guests can also order food and various café drinks. The interior boasts that old-school vegan flare, a bunch of random wooden tables with some local art hanging on the walls.
Café Turko
Bright, colorful and vibrant, this establishment is part restaurant, tea and coffee house. Enjoy the all-day Turkish breakfast on the balcony during the summer and get ready to take a sniff of cardamom tea, a local favorite. Enjoy other specialties like Mintaide tea, iced apple or pomegranate tea or the Ottoman’s rose sherbet, a concoction of lemonade and rose sherbert.

The Essential Bakery and Café
Tucked away in a small brick building several blocks away from the main downtown, this bakery has a long past, occupying the original space for the Buchan Family Bakery. Menus change seasonally, due to the availability of certain berries and fruits, but don’t fear the coffee menu always stays consistent. 
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Lighthouse Roasters
Most people probably don’t visit this corner café unless you live in the neighborhood. The small and modest décor café proudly serves beans from several sources that have direct contact with the coffee farmers. This café supports and encourages local artists so there is something new showcased throughout the seasons. With more than 20 years in the business, Lighthouse has a loyal local following. 

Café Vita
Café vita is a popular, local café and roaster with several café establishments in town. Many cafes in town also serve Vita beans, so there’s a pretty good chance you’ve tried it before heading here. Vita is located on the north end of Fremont in another small downtown area nearby Phinney Ridge. I like many of the Vita blends, with Theo and the Bistro Blend being a preference.
Fremont Coffee Company
This café is a local favorite, especially since the café is an entire house. It’s literally some people’s second home. Sip, drink and chat on the balcony or inside, the choice is yours. There is also a snug little spot downstairs nearby a moldy water fountain. Latte art is a specialty so expect to find some funky designs besides ferns and hearts.
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Simply Desserts
This teeny-tiny cake shop is known for its desserts and coffee and tea second. In terms of coffee, don’t expect a Ritz Carlton brand, but a cup is a hell of a lot cheaper here than most places and a fraction of a price of a slice of cake. Plus, the cakes and cookies are sugary and delicious, perfect for an afternoon energy boost. Simply Desserts is cash only!

Stone Way Café
Part café, part bar, part music venue, Stone Way has much to offer in terms of food, drinks and entertainment. Their motto is “beer and coffee,” and there is no lack of options here alongside with quirky graffiti. This is a family-owned business and a great spot to visit eclectic locals. 

Every fall I make it a goal to try new things to transition into the darker season, and today im trying the Swedish bakery I've never been to! Yum! #travel #swedish #sweden #seattle #seattlefood #pnw #pacificnorthwest #food #foodporn #foodie #vegetarian #travelblogger #travelgram #traveling #foodblogger #foodblog #mindfuleating #slowfood #europe #bakery #scandinavian #healthyfood #danish #norway #norwegian

A post shared by Elizabeth Kovar (@erkovar) on Sep 30, 2017 at 9:59am PDT

Byen Bakeri
This is Seattle’s designer Scandinavian bakery and café. Sadly, thanks to Am-holes and Amazon invading Seattle, the gentrification of our neighborhoods have lost its Scandinavian influence and charm by wiping out our old architecture, built on the backs from many Swedish and Norwegian immigrants. Besides coffee, experience a variety of native breads, cakes, sandwiches and cookies, with an American twist. Here you can find unique drinks like the London Fog, Toddy, Dopio, Cider and seasonal Egg Nog.

What's your favorite cafe in Fremont?


This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Seattle's Best: A Guide to the Best Cafes in Fremont. 
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    Author

    Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a Fitness Trainer, Author of Finding Om, Presenter, Yogi, Vegan & lover of the World. View her portfolio at www.elizabethkovar.comor health-based blog at mindbodysoul-food.com

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