Ethan’s Oly Guidebook
Food scene
A great breakfast menu with excellent vegan options and a very Oly vibe in nearby downtown.
20 locals recommend
New Moon Cooperative Cafe
113 4th Ave W A great breakfast menu with excellent vegan options and a very Oly vibe in nearby downtown.
No frills, nothing fancy, in fact you may question if you're even in a coffee shop when you enter this quaint hole in the wall at first, but the coffee is amazing. If you get the latte ask for their homemade chocolate flavoring if you're into that. My coffee snob little brother loves this place, which is the highest recommendation that I can give.
9 locals recommend
Bar Francis
110 Franklin St NENo frills, nothing fancy, in fact you may question if you're even in a coffee shop when you enter this quaint hole in the wall at first, but the coffee is amazing. If you get the latte ask for their homemade chocolate flavoring if you're into that. My coffee snob little brother loves this place, which is the highest recommendation that I can give.
Amazing pastries, quiches, and croissants. I can't believe this place is in walking distance from my house. You'll have to get there early to get their amazing Kouign Amanns before they run out!
26 locals recommend
Left Bank Pastry
1941 4th Ave EAmazing pastries, quiches, and croissants. I can't believe this place is in walking distance from my house. You'll have to get there early to get their amazing Kouign Amanns before they run out!
Excellent pizza with some interesting options that you don't usually find. I recommend branching out and trying something interesting with a pesto base for at least half the pizza to see if it pleasantly surprises you. They have gluten free crust options as well.
24 locals recommend
Vic's Pizzeria Wildwood
2822 Capitol Blvd SEExcellent pizza with some interesting options that you don't usually find. I recommend branching out and trying something interesting with a pesto base for at least half the pizza to see if it pleasantly surprises you. They have gluten free crust options as well.
The pizza is really good, not quite as good as Vic's in my opinion but more traditional offerings. The 80's decor always gives me a touch of nostalgia when I go there.
17 locals recommend
Old School Pizzeria
108 Franklin St NEThe pizza is really good, not quite as good as Vic's in my opinion but more traditional offerings. The 80's decor always gives me a touch of nostalgia when I go there.
If you're into oysters on the half shell I highly recommend this place.
37 locals recommend
Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar
222 Capitol Way N If you're into oysters on the half shell I highly recommend this place.
Great gelato in a fun little area. It's housed in the same building as a lot of fun restaurants (like the Chelsea Oyster Bar), shops, and a cool bakery called the Bread Peddler.
7 locals recommend
Sofie's Scoops Gelato
222 Capitol Way NGreat gelato in a fun little area. It's housed in the same building as a lot of fun restaurants (like the Chelsea Oyster Bar), shops, and a cool bakery called the Bread Peddler.
Honestly I only get their amazing vegetable and seafood tempura that comes with california roll, both of which are very good and I highly recommend. I guess I just assume the rest of their food is great as well.
10 locals recommend
Koibito Sushi Japanese Restaurant
1707 Harrison Ave NWHonestly I only get their amazing vegetable and seafood tempura that comes with california roll, both of which are very good and I highly recommend. I guess I just assume the rest of their food is great as well.
A very underrated place! I love their sweet potato fries and pork belly tacos. They have a very cool little bar tucked away inside the restaurant that you should check out as well.
13 locals recommend
Quality Burrito
213 4th Ave EA very underrated place! I love their sweet potato fries and pork belly tacos. They have a very cool little bar tucked away inside the restaurant that you should check out as well.
Places to Go to
A great outdoor farmers market with local craftsmen, produce, greeneries, and restaurants. There's usually live entertainment as well. If you're into farmer's markets I highly recommend.
93 locals recommend
Olympia Farmers Market
A great outdoor farmers market with local craftsmen, produce, greeneries, and restaurants. There's usually live entertainment as well. If you're into farmer's markets I highly recommend.
I work at Evergreen and love the trail to the beach. It's a very accessible local trail that's green, wooded, and lovely. If you're looking for an easier local hike I'd go here. Search for 'evergreen beach trail' on the Washington Trails Association site to find how to get to it.
27 locals recommend
The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Pkwy NWI work at Evergreen and love the trail to the beach. It's a very accessible local trail that's green, wooded, and lovely. If you're looking for an easier local hike I'd go here. Search for 'evergreen beach trail' on the Washington Trails Association site to find how to get to it.
Neighborhoods
Historic old neighborhood with many of the original houses from when Olympia was founded. I love spending time walking through the tree lined streets, admiring the lovely old homes, and looking at the historical markers. For more info on the neighborhood, including a walking tour, go to https://southcapitolneighborhood.org/
South Capitol
Historic old neighborhood with many of the original houses from when Olympia was founded. I love spending time walking through the tree lined streets, admiring the lovely old homes, and looking at the historical markers. For more info on the neighborhood, including a walking tour, go to https://southcapitolneighborhood.org/
Historic old building makes the Olympia downtown unique. Lots of boutiques, antiques, bars, restaurants, gift shops, bookstores... just all kinds of random stuff. I just love to walk through and feel the vibe and maybe end up watching the sunset over the Olympics at the bay.
6 locals recommend
Downtown
Historic old building makes the Olympia downtown unique. Lots of boutiques, antiques, bars, restaurants, gift shops, bookstores... just all kinds of random stuff. I just love to walk through and feel the vibe and maybe end up watching the sunset over the Olympics at the bay.
Favorite Shops
It's just a small comic book store with a lot of heart. The owner, Frank, is very kind and has created an inclusive atmosphere where nerds and geeks can feel cool. For it's size it has an amazing selection of graphic novels and comics and everyone who works there loves their jobs and are very friendly.
Danger Room Comics
201 4th Avenue WestIt's just a small comic book store with a lot of heart. The owner, Frank, is very kind and has created an inclusive atmosphere where nerds and geeks can feel cool. For it's size it has an amazing selection of graphic novels and comics and everyone who works there loves their jobs and are very friendly.
Just a fun shop that displays their merchandise extremely well. It's fun to just go in and explore.
33 locals recommend
Compass Rose
416 Capitol Way SJust a fun shop that displays their merchandise extremely well. It's fun to just go in and explore.
Encore Chocolates and Teas
116 5th Ave SEExcellent selections of chocolates and teas that's locally run.
Very fun and unique gifts for kids. I go there to get the neighbor kids the squishy animal pillows.
12 locals recommend
Captain Little
121 5th Ave SEVery fun and unique gifts for kids. I go there to get the neighbor kids the squishy animal pillows.
Old-time apothecary-style herb, spice, and gourmet food shop. When you walk in the scent of herbs and spices will blow you away.
Buck's Fifth Avenue Spice Shope
209 5th Ave SEOld-time apothecary-style herb, spice, and gourmet food shop. When you walk in the scent of herbs and spices will blow you away.