Coffee Shops (we're coffee fanatics)
(a 3-minute drive, 15-minute walk from the apartment)
Tucked into a residential block, this spacious coffee shop has a modern, attractive design, good espresso drinks, and plenty of room to set up your laptop and do some work.
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Meeting House Café
1801 East 11th Avenue(a 3-minute drive, 15-minute walk from the apartment)
Tucked into a residential block, this spacious coffee shop has a modern, attractive design, good espresso drinks, and plenty of room to set up your laptop and do some work.
Serious coffee pros here, offering beans from various roasters, and advice about grind, water temperature, or the blueberry notes in Ethiopian beans. The location in a small strip mall isn’t super picturesque, but the shop is spacious with plenty of seating plus a communal table.
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Revel 77 Coffee
3223 E 57th AveSerious coffee pros here, offering beans from various roasters, and advice about grind, water temperature, or the blueberry notes in Ethiopian beans. The location in a small strip mall isn’t super picturesque, but the shop is spacious with plenty of seating plus a communal table.
This place is one of the reasons we decided to move to Spokane! En route to camping in Montana, we stopped for a coffee and were so impressed by the gorgeous space, cutting-edge coffee systems, and delicious baked goods (which are mostly gluten-free). These people are coffee pioneers in Spokane and roast some fine coffee, which is what we serve to our Airbnb guests.
First Avenue Coffee
1011 West 1st AvenueThis place is one of the reasons we decided to move to Spokane! En route to camping in Montana, we stopped for a coffee and were so impressed by the gorgeous space, cutting-edge coffee systems, and delicious baked goods (which are mostly gluten-free). These people are coffee pioneers in Spokane and roast some fine coffee, which is what we serve to our Airbnb guests.
These folks roast their own coffee and do an excellent job; they have two locations.
1516 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane
This location is adorable, in a cool building right between downtown and Browne’s Addition.
2823 N. Monroe St., Spokane
This location is north of downtown, and has a bit more space to spread out than the Riverside shop.
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Ladder Coffee
1516 W Riverside AveThese folks roast their own coffee and do an excellent job; they have two locations.
1516 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane
This location is adorable, in a cool building right between downtown and Browne’s Addition.
2823 N. Monroe St., Spokane
This location is north of downtown, and has a bit more space to spread out than the Riverside shop.
We love the vibe of this small shop, close to the University District. Look for their cookies, which remind us of something you’d get in a European café, which makes perfect sense because the shop is owned by a Ukrainian couple.
Cedar Coffee
701 N Monroe StWe love the vibe of this small shop, close to the University District. Look for their cookies, which remind us of something you’d get in a European café, which makes perfect sense because the shop is owned by a Ukrainian couple.
This super cute shop is attached to a gift store with nice paper goods, books, games, and more. On a nice day, enjoy a coffee on the small back patio for good people watching and an urban moment.
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Atticus Coffee & Gifts
222 N Howard StThis super cute shop is attached to a gift store with nice paper goods, books, games, and more. On a nice day, enjoy a coffee on the small back patio for good people watching and an urban moment.
Bakeries
Minutes from the apartment, this place makes croissants that can compete with the best in any city. Get ready for some buttery flakes! You’ll also find excellent whole-grain breads and pastries, beers brewed from local grains, plus a small menu of sandwiches, salads, and daily specials such as wood-fired pizzas on Mondays. Be sure to check their website for current offerings. Inside seating is limited, but in nice weather you can eat on the deck.
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The Grain Shed
1026 E Newark AveMinutes from the apartment, this place makes croissants that can compete with the best in any city. Get ready for some buttery flakes! You’ll also find excellent whole-grain breads and pastries, beers brewed from local grains, plus a small menu of sandwiches, salads, and daily specials such as wood-fired pizzas on Mondays. Be sure to check their website for current offerings. Inside seating is limited, but in nice weather you can eat on the deck.
This adorable tiny bakery and cheese shop (with some limited wine offerings), is in the same building as Ladder Coffee, so it makes a good two-for-one. We love their focaccia, honey pecan buns, financiers, and, well, pretty much everything.
Rind And Wheat
1516 West Riverside AvenueThis adorable tiny bakery and cheese shop (with some limited wine offerings), is in the same building as Ladder Coffee, so it makes a good two-for-one. We love their focaccia, honey pecan buns, financiers, and, well, pretty much everything.
VivaUltra Bread
Shall we call this a micro-bakery? This is our friend Noah’s newly launched business, and boy does he make good bread! Probably the best place to buy his breads now is at Egger’s Better Meat and Seafood (see below), or in the summer at several of the local farmers markets. Check the website for specifics: vivaultrabread.com
Egger's Better Meats
5609 South Perry StreetVivaUltra Bread
Shall we call this a micro-bakery? This is our friend Noah’s newly launched business, and boy does he make good bread! Probably the best place to buy his breads now is at Egger’s Better Meat and Seafood (see below), or in the summer at several of the local farmers markets. Check the website for specifics: vivaultrabread.com
Restaurants
A popular neighborhood joint that’s a 10-minute walk from your apartment. Good “artisan” pizzas (tip: We ask for ours to be cooked extra-crispy), friendly service, casual vibe.
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South Perry Pizza
1011 S Perry StA popular neighborhood joint that’s a 10-minute walk from your apartment. Good “artisan” pizzas (tip: We ask for ours to be cooked extra-crispy), friendly service, casual vibe.
Very neighborhood-y (meaning nothing fancy) with a full bar, friendly service, and an excellent reuben sandwich (they make their own corned beef). This place can get busy, which is always a good sign.
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South Hill Grill
2911 E 29th AveVery neighborhood-y (meaning nothing fancy) with a full bar, friendly service, and an excellent reuben sandwich (they make their own corned beef). This place can get busy, which is always a good sign.
Tucked behind the shopping center, this pizza place offers fine pies.
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Republic Pi
611 E 30th AveTucked behind the shopping center, this pizza place offers fine pies.
This is a cavernous sports bar, without a ton of charm but with friendly service, a full bar, lots of big screens, and darned good burgers (the clam chowder is good, too…full of flavor and not gloppy, like so many are!) They even cheerfully tuned in a Portland Trailblazers game for us to watch, even though all the other screens were showing hometown Gonzaga hoops.
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Poole's Public House - South
5620 S Regal StThis is a cavernous sports bar, without a ton of charm but with friendly service, a full bar, lots of big screens, and darned good burgers (the clam chowder is good, too…full of flavor and not gloppy, like so many are!) They even cheerfully tuned in a Portland Trailblazers game for us to watch, even though all the other screens were showing hometown Gonzaga hoops.
Smack in the middle of a shopping plaza, this large, modern Asian restaurant specializes in Chinese stir-fries as well as sushi. Not sure how authentic the food is, but it’s plenty tasty for this style of restaurant, and the service is attentive and friendly.
Chef Lu's Asian Bistro
2915 E 29th AveSmack in the middle of a shopping plaza, this large, modern Asian restaurant specializes in Chinese stir-fries as well as sushi. Not sure how authentic the food is, but it’s plenty tasty for this style of restaurant, and the service is attentive and friendly.
This might be our favorite spot in Spokane. Excellent wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, pastas, other mains, with a more big-city, cool vibe. It’s usually busy, so make reservations, and think about ordering their signature sausage and cheese-stuffed peppers, served with ciabatta to soak up all the juices.
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Wooden City Spokane
821 West Riverside AvenueThis might be our favorite spot in Spokane. Excellent wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, pastas, other mains, with a more big-city, cool vibe. It’s usually busy, so make reservations, and think about ordering their signature sausage and cheese-stuffed peppers, served with ciabatta to soak up all the juices.
Listed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places, this former Wonder Bread factory retains plenty of details from its industrial past while growing into a modern food hall, event space, and seasonal market. At the moment, only three restaurants are in operation, but fortunately they’re three good ones:
High Tide Lobster
(in The Wonder Building, above)
A tiny kiosk that offers only three items: clam chowder and two versions of lobster rolls. We’ve never bothered with the chowder because…lobster rolls. Both are delicious. You take your food and eat at one of the many tables positioned throughout the big food hall. Note: the lobster rolls are pricey...worth it, tho!
Bosco’s
(in The Wonder Building, above)
More built-out than the lobster place, here you’ll find pastas, panini and other sandwiches. This is an outpost of Seattle mega-restaurateur Ethan Stowell’s empire (see Tavolata, below). We love the meatball sub, which was savory and satisfying without being over-loaded with too much cheese or sauce.
The Wonder Building
835 North Post StreetListed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places, this former Wonder Bread factory retains plenty of details from its industrial past while growing into a modern food hall, event space, and seasonal market. At the moment, only three restaurants are in operation, but fortunately they’re three good ones:
High Tide Lobster
(in The Wonder Building, above)
A tiny kiosk that offers only three items: clam chowder and two versions of lobster rolls. We’ve never bothered with the chowder because…lobster rolls. Both are delicious. You take your food and eat at one of the many tables positioned throughout the big food hall. Note: the lobster rolls are pricey...worth it, tho!
Bosco’s
(in The Wonder Building, above)
More built-out than the lobster place, here you’ll find pastas, panini and other sandwiches. This is an outpost of Seattle mega-restaurateur Ethan Stowell’s empire (see Tavolata, below). We love the meatball sub, which was savory and satisfying without being over-loaded with too much cheese or sauce.
We’ve only had the fish and chips, but what else do you go to an Irish pub for, if not fish and chips? The chips were hot and potato-y and the fish (which is cod) was tender, juicy, and enrobed in a lovely crisp crust that’s more a crumb crust than a “beer batter” – a good thing, IOHO, as those batters are so often doughy and greasy. Nice service, cheery spot…and we’re sure the Guinness on draft is just fine.
Shawn O'Donnell's American Grill and Irish Pub
719 North Monroe StreetWe’ve only had the fish and chips, but what else do you go to an Irish pub for, if not fish and chips? The chips were hot and potato-y and the fish (which is cod) was tender, juicy, and enrobed in a lovely crisp crust that’s more a crumb crust than a “beer batter” – a good thing, IOHO, as those batters are so often doughy and greasy. Nice service, cheery spot…and we’re sure the Guinness on draft is just fine.
John has made it his life’s work to find the perfect “American breakfast,” meaning eggs, hash browns, sausage, and toast. If buttermilk pancakes are involved, all the better. Well, he thinks he’s reached the mountain top at Cottage Café. You’re likely to face a wait, especially on a weekend, but it’s all part of the fun.
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Cottage Cafe
6902 E Appleway BlvdJohn has made it his life’s work to find the perfect “American breakfast,” meaning eggs, hash browns, sausage, and toast. If buttermilk pancakes are involved, all the better. Well, he thinks he’s reached the mountain top at Cottage Café. You’re likely to face a wait, especially on a weekend, but it’s all part of the fun.
The name says it all. While several Texas specialties are on the menu – brisket, ribs, fried catfish – the fried chicken is the star. We love the homey space, with memorabilia-lined paneled walls, cozy booths, and friendly service from what seems to be mostly-family staff.
Chicken N More
414 1/2 West Sprague AvenueThe name says it all. While several Texas specialties are on the menu – brisket, ribs, fried catfish – the fried chicken is the star. We love the homey space, with memorabilia-lined paneled walls, cozy booths, and friendly service from what seems to be mostly-family staff.
Farmers Markets
This market is literally a 10-minute walk from the apartment!
A small but sweet market, with a few produce, meat, and poultry vendors, a tamale stand, bakery, various hand crafts, and an all-around jolly neighborhood vibe. Martha is planning some market excursions/cooking classes (in season), so if you’re interested, let her know!
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South Perry Farmers Market
924 S Perry StThis market is literally a 10-minute walk from the apartment!
A small but sweet market, with a few produce, meat, and poultry vendors, a tamale stand, bakery, various hand crafts, and an all-around jolly neighborhood vibe. Martha is planning some market excursions/cooking classes (in season), so if you’re interested, let her know!
Saturday, mid-May through October, 8 am to 1:00 pm
Wednesday, mid-June through October, 8 am to 1:00 pm
This market has produce vendors (Tolstoy and Vinegar Flats are our faves), along with poultry, bakery, kombucha, and other various country crafty things. In peak summer, look for Cliffside Orchards and their voluptuous peaches.
Farmers Market
2195 W 5th AveSaturday, mid-May through October, 8 am to 1:00 pm
Wednesday, mid-June through October, 8 am to 1:00 pm
This market has produce vendors (Tolstoy and Vinegar Flats are our faves), along with poultry, bakery, kombucha, and other various country crafty things. In peak summer, look for Cliffside Orchards and their voluptuous peaches.
Grocery/Specialty Food Shopping
Just a few minutes’ drive from the apartment, this old-school butcher shop carries a large selection of high-quality meat and seafood (plus VivaUltra bread), just like the name says. But the most remarkable aspect of this store is the customer service. Every person working there has a can-do, customer-centric attitude, whether you’re buying one boneless pork chop or a $100 lamb roast. This is a family business, founded in 1935, and now has four outlets, each owned and operated by a different family member. In the same parking lot, you’ll find an excellent liquor store, which also sells beer and wine. We haven’t explored the wine selection yet, but liquor-wise, you’ll get a better selection and more customer service than if you buy booze at the grocery store.
Egger's Better Meats
5609 South Perry StreetJust a few minutes’ drive from the apartment, this old-school butcher shop carries a large selection of high-quality meat and seafood (plus VivaUltra bread), just like the name says. But the most remarkable aspect of this store is the customer service. Every person working there has a can-do, customer-centric attitude, whether you’re buying one boneless pork chop or a $100 lamb roast. This is a family business, founded in 1935, and now has four outlets, each owned and operated by a different family member. In the same parking lot, you’ll find an excellent liquor store, which also sells beer and wine. We haven’t explored the wine selection yet, but liquor-wise, you’ll get a better selection and more customer service than if you buy booze at the grocery store.
They call themselves “a small market of epic proportions.” We’re not quite sure what to make of that slogan, but we’re not sure what to make of Rocket either, except that it’s where we go when we want something more sophisticated than what’s available at the regular grocery stores. Housed in a gas station, this market of narrow aisles and not great lighting is not for the claustrophobic, but the shelves are stocked with all manner of “gourmet” food products, from excellent spices to specialty oil and vinegar to dried pastas, fancy sodas, and lots of wine. They have a small produce selection, a deli, espresso drinks, but not much fresh meat or seafood (what they have is frozen).
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Rocket Market
726 E 43rd AveThey call themselves “a small market of epic proportions.” We’re not quite sure what to make of that slogan, but we’re not sure what to make of Rocket either, except that it’s where we go when we want something more sophisticated than what’s available at the regular grocery stores. Housed in a gas station, this market of narrow aisles and not great lighting is not for the claustrophobic, but the shelves are stocked with all manner of “gourmet” food products, from excellent spices to specialty oil and vinegar to dried pastas, fancy sodas, and lots of wine. They have a small produce selection, a deli, espresso drinks, but not much fresh meat or seafood (what they have is frozen).
Well, it says it in the name! Nothing glitzy here, but we like the friendly, down to earth service. A good place to go if you want something beyond what the local supermarket will sell and/or advice from a knowledgeable sales person.
Vino! A Wine Shop
222 S Washington StWell, it says it in the name! Nothing glitzy here, but we like the friendly, down to earth service. A good place to go if you want something beyond what the local supermarket will sell and/or advice from a knowledgeable sales person.
It’s a wine bar, a cheese shop, and a cooking school all in one—an ambitious business model owned by an enterprising young woman (who, coincidentally, was a close family friend of the people we bought our house from…small town Spokane!) The place is pretty cool looking, and while we haven’t taken or taught a class at the school yet, we plan to follow the evolution of this shop that fills a niche in the city.
Wanderlust Delicato
421 West Main AvenueIt’s a wine bar, a cheese shop, and a cooking school all in one—an ambitious business model owned by an enterprising young woman (who, coincidentally, was a close family friend of the people we bought our house from…small town Spokane!) The place is pretty cool looking, and while we haven’t taken or taught a class at the school yet, we plan to follow the evolution of this shop that fills a niche in the city.
Shopping/Fashion, Home Décor, Vintage
This light-filled, pretty shop offers mostly designer and other high-quality brands in excellent condition, though with prices to match (still less than half of new retail, but a bit high for consignment). Their smaller but well-curated men’s shop is next door.
Echo Boutique
1033 West 1st AvenueThis light-filled, pretty shop offers mostly designer and other high-quality brands in excellent condition, though with prices to match (still less than half of new retail, but a bit high for consignment). Their smaller but well-curated men’s shop is next door.
Slightly less fancy than Echo, but still a very pleasant shopping experience with good clothes and fair prices.
Fringe & Fray
1325 West 1st AvenueSlightly less fancy than Echo, but still a very pleasant shopping experience with good clothes and fair prices.
Get lost among the various vendor’s displays, which focus on mid-century furnishings, along with LOTS of vintage (or maybe just old, but cool) T shirts, jeans, Carhartt, Filson and other elements of the modern hipster uniform. A fun place to browse, very friendly service.
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Boulevard Mercantile
1012 North Washington StreetGet lost among the various vendor’s displays, which focus on mid-century furnishings, along with LOTS of vintage (or maybe just old, but cool) T shirts, jeans, Carhartt, Filson and other elements of the modern hipster uniform. A fun place to browse, very friendly service.
Nicely curated offerings, strong on groovy 70s clothes and housewares, much with a Western-wear flavor. Decent selection of records. Less furniture than Boulevard, but always a few pieces.
Teleport Vintage
917 West Broadway AvenueNicely curated offerings, strong on groovy 70s clothes and housewares, much with a Western-wear flavor. Decent selection of records. Less furniture than Boulevard, but always a few pieces.
This is an embryonic food hall, which some day will be vibrant but at the moment is just…perplexing. We can never figure out quite what places are open when, as the whole place has an improvised feeling to it. But we keep going back because the Peace Pie Pizzeria makes a classically delicious meatball sub and we are perpetual optimists that the complex will continue to develop into something worthwhile. Plus, Chosen Vintage is on one side and the Magic Lantern Cinema is on the other.
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Saranac Commons
19 W Main AveThis is an embryonic food hall, which some day will be vibrant but at the moment is just…perplexing. We can never figure out quite what places are open when, as the whole place has an improvised feeling to it. But we keep going back because the Peace Pie Pizzeria makes a classically delicious meatball sub and we are perpetual optimists that the complex will continue to develop into something worthwhile. Plus, Chosen Vintage is on one side and the Magic Lantern Cinema is on the other.
A cavernous depot of graphic tees, ugly-beautiful sweaters, vintage tchotchkes…a college kid’s (or a couple of retirees’) dream.
Chosen Vintage
7 West Main AvenueA cavernous depot of graphic tees, ugly-beautiful sweaters, vintage tchotchkes…a college kid’s (or a couple of retirees’) dream.
If you like mid-century and Danish modern furniture, this shop is worth a visit. Their inventory ranges from very affordable contemporary pieces to true mid-century furniture with pedigrees and prices to match.
Metro Eclectic
604 North Monroe StreetIf you like mid-century and Danish modern furniture, this shop is worth a visit. Their inventory ranges from very affordable contemporary pieces to true mid-century furniture with pedigrees and prices to match.
We like this down-to-earth place with very friendly, knowledgeable staff. You’ll probably find more “glamorous” shops in the city, but for a quick local stop, this place does the trick.
The Vault Cannabis Spokane
2720 East 29th AvenueWe like this down-to-earth place with very friendly, knowledgeable staff. You’ll probably find more “glamorous” shops in the city, but for a quick local stop, this place does the trick.
Neighborhoods
John calls this “the land of all things analog,” due to the vinyl record shops, clock shop, watch repair, and overall retro nature of this cute commercial strip in north Spokane. The Garland Theater is stunning (classic and new release movies), and if you’re dreaming of a thick, frosty milkshake, your dreams will come true at Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle. No need to check the address, just look for the building shaped like a -- you guessed it -- milk bottle.
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Garland District
John calls this “the land of all things analog,” due to the vinyl record shops, clock shop, watch repair, and overall retro nature of this cute commercial strip in north Spokane. The Garland Theater is stunning (classic and new release movies), and if you’re dreaming of a thick, frosty milkshake, your dreams will come true at Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle. No need to check the address, just look for the building shaped like a -- you guessed it -- milk bottle.
Hillyard is a neighborhood in northeast Spokane that is on the way…either up or down, we can’t tell, but there’s a ragged edge to the main drag that we like and that emits a clear “in two years you won’t be able to get a parking space here” vibe. Case in point, one former junk store is currently being re-developed as a micro-brewery.
Most of the shops here are more typical “antique stores,” replete with grandma’s china, old dolls, hat boxes, gumball machines, and other décor bric-a-brac, but amidst the transferware and milk glass objéts, you can strike gold…such as the pair of almost-new Danner boots that John got for $25 and that still sell on their website for $225!
Hillyard
Hillyard is a neighborhood in northeast Spokane that is on the way…either up or down, we can’t tell, but there’s a ragged edge to the main drag that we like and that emits a clear “in two years you won’t be able to get a parking space here” vibe. Case in point, one former junk store is currently being re-developed as a micro-brewery.
Most of the shops here are more typical “antique stores,” replete with grandma’s china, old dolls, hat boxes, gumball machines, and other décor bric-a-brac, but amidst the transferware and milk glass objéts, you can strike gold…such as the pair of almost-new Danner boots that John got for $25 and that still sell on their website for $225!
Just 10 minutes from the apartment, you’ll find a stretch of East Sprague Avenue that, like Hillyard, we predict will soon be one of the hippest corners of the city. Driving along the avenue, you’ll pass old-school motels, used car lots with no cars, and a Hell’s Angels Clubhouse (not kidding), but you’ll also find a high-end furniture store (The Tin Roof) and lots of vintage places. Our favorite is Blue Cat Vintage, but there are several, so the neighborhood is good for an afternoon of “antiquing.”
East Sprague Avenue
East Sprague AvenueJust 10 minutes from the apartment, you’ll find a stretch of East Sprague Avenue that, like Hillyard, we predict will soon be one of the hippest corners of the city. Driving along the avenue, you’ll pass old-school motels, used car lots with no cars, and a Hell’s Angels Clubhouse (not kidding), but you’ll also find a high-end furniture store (The Tin Roof) and lots of vintage places. Our favorite is Blue Cat Vintage, but there are several, so the neighborhood is good for an afternoon of “antiquing.”
Monroe runs north-south at just about center city and the stretch of interest is north of the river. You’ll find a large handful of vintage shops here, including our favorites Rejuvenate (where we bought our mid-century everyday china and some of the funkier art on your walls) and Tossed and Found. The shops are exactly close together, so you may do more driving than walking from shop to shop.
North Monroe Street
North Monroe StreetMonroe runs north-south at just about center city and the stretch of interest is north of the river. You’ll find a large handful of vintage shops here, including our favorites Rejuvenate (where we bought our mid-century everyday china and some of the funkier art on your walls) and Tossed and Found. The shops are exactly close together, so you may do more driving than walking from shop to shop.