We’re excited to welcome you to Seattle for the MCN 2026. To help you make the most of your time in the city, we asked some Seattle locals to share a few of their favorite places, from good food and great coffee to art and spots that make for an easy meetup. Think of this as a starting point for exploring Seattle, whether you have a few hours to spare between activities or an extra day to wander.
Below you’ll find recommendations for restaurants, local art and culture, and places to gather outside the conference. All walking times are from the Hyatt Regency Seattle unless otherwise noted.
Restaurants
* = dietary-restriction-friendly.
Rumba | $$ | ~5 min. walk
Caribbean, rum bar.
Din Tai Fung | $$ | ~10 min. walk
Taiwanese dumplings, usually a wait.
Serious Pie | $$ | ~10 min. walk
Wood-fired pizza, casual and quick.
Terra Plata | $$$ | ~10 min. walk
Farm-to-table, rooftop with a view.
Razzi’s Pizzeria | $ | ~10 min. walk
Pizza, vegan/GF/keto options. *
Evergreens | $ | ~12 min. walk
Salads, vegan/GF options. *
PCC Corner Market | $ | ~12 min. walk
Co-op grocery, deli counter. *
Alibi Room | $$ | ~12 min. walk
Pizza, speakeasy bar.
Cinnamon Works | $ | ~12 min. walk
Vegan bakery, cookie counter, in Pike Place. *
El Borracho | $$ | ~12 min. walk
Plant-based Mexican, casual counter, in Pike Place. *
Whole Foods (Westlake) | $ | ~15 min. walk
Grocery, grab-and-go. *
Palace Kitchen | $$ | ~16 min. walk
New American, lively cocktail bar.
Lola | $$ | ~17 min. walk
Mediterranean-Greek, lively bistro.
Bangrak Market | $$ | ~18 min. walk
Thai street food, casual and hip.
Kati Vegan Thai | $$ | ~19 min. walk
Vegan Thai, cozy, book ahead. *
Ba Bar Green | $$ | ~23 min. walk
Plant-based Vietnamese, modern space. *
Near the Ignite venue
Pub 70 | $$ | On-site at the Ignite venue
Casual pub fare.
AQUA by El Gaucho | $$$ | On-site at the Ignite venue
Upscale seafood.
Anthony’s Bell Street Diner | $$ | ~5 min walk from Pier 70
Sit-down seafood.
Anthony’s Fish Bar | $ | ~5 min walk from Pier 70
Counter-service chowder.
Worth the Trip
Not walkable; budget for a rideshare or transit.
Cafe Flora | $$ | ~20 min. Uber/transit
Vegetarian brunch, garden patio. *
Art Highlights
Henry Art Gallery (University of Washington Campus)
Exhibits include: Joiri Minaya: To Hell with Hibiscus, and the group exhibition Day-to-Day: Rhythm, Routine, Resistance.
Art Love Salon
Downtown, with free music on Wednesday evenings after closing at 4pm.
Eighth Generation
Downtown, near Pike Place Market. A stunning lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, featuring the work of national Indigenous designers.
Cannonball Arts
Downtown. An interactive contemporary art hub and experience, developed by the producers of Bumbershoot festival.
Downtown Art Walk
Fourth Friday of each month
Self-guided art walk through downtown galleries and shops.
Base Camp Studios 2
Downtown branch of a local creative gallery with immersive art installations.
Olympic Sculpture Park
Outdoor branch of Seattle Art Museum featuring sculptures in a pleasant outdoor park space.
ARTS at King Street Station
Free, city-run gallery on the top floor of the historic King Street Station building in Pioneer Square, centering artists of color, Indigenous artists, and immigrant/refugee artists.
Meetup Spots
Very close to the hotel
Cafes
Anchorhead Coffee | $ | ~5 min. walk
Coffee, comfortable seating.
Caffe Ladro Downtown | $ | ~10 min. walk
Coffee, casual seating.
Victrola Coffee (downtown) | $ | ~10 min. walk
Coffee, communal tables.
Casual Restaurants
Mr West | $ | ~6 min. walk
Coffee + food, casual cafe.
Marination | $ | ~10 min. walk
Korean fusion, indoor/outdoor seating.
0.5–1 miles from hotel
Old Stove Brewing | $$ | ~13 min. walk
Brewery, waterfront view.
Top Pot Doughnuts | $ | ~17 min. walk
Coffee, doughnuts, casual.
Near the Ignite venue
Café Opla | $ | ~13 min. walk from Pier 70
Coffee, breakfast spot.
Other Highlights
A short walk through Myrtle Edwards Park/Olympic Sculpture Park along the water: free, no reservation needed, and it’s a pleasant way to connect the two venues on foot instead of taking a car.
Seattle Central Library | ~12 min. walk
Iconic downtown library (Rem Koolhaas design), free, no reservation needed.
KEXP Gathering Space | ~25-30 min. walk
Free radio station hangout, Caffe Vita coffee counter, Sub Pop record store, glass-walled view into the live on-air studio. Free public in-studio performances too (walk-up sign-up, no reservation, only select shows). At Seattle Center; the Monorail runs there from Westlake Center (~10 min walk from the hotel) in about 2 minutes.
Get out on the water: Take a ferry or water taxi for a change of scenery. One easy option is the West Seattle water taxi, which leaves from Pier 50 and drops you right at Marination Ma Kai for casual Hawaiian food on the water. $. (Also ~20 min via Uber if you’d rather skip the boat)
Local Committee Members
Thank you to the 2026 Local Committee for their work in preparing these recommendations and providing support throughout the planning process.
- Eve Klein, Senior Advisor, Association of Science and Technology Centers, Local Committee Chair
- Runyon Colie, Digital Media and Web Manager, Frye Art Museum
- Emily Haight, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships, Seattle Art Museum
- Temi Odumosu, Assistant Professor, Information School, University of Washington
Need a quick recommendation or local assistance while you’re in town? Keep an eye out for attendees with a LOCAL ribbon on their conference badge.