Skip to content

Madrona: Best Seattle Neighborhoods 2013

An in-city neighborhood that feels like a leafy village.

By Seattle Mag April 3, 2013

madrona

Technically, I don’t live in Madrona. I live in neighboring Denny Blaine, the tiny sliver of a ’hood whose biggest claim to fame is being where Kurt Cobain killed himself. But I strongly identify as a Madroner, because Madrona is where I walk to get coffee every morning; Madrona is where my husband and I grab Thai takeout most Monday nights; and Madrona is where I take long walks and jump into Lake Washington on hot days. Madrona is where I buy and consign my clothes, purchase perfect gifts, eat too many cupcakes (hello, Cupcake Royale), ditto ice cream (curse you, Molly Moon) and spend summer evenings sipping wine on the lovely Bottlehouse deck. Madrona offers both the friendliness of a small town and the convenient indulgences of the big city. With apologies to Mr. Denny and Mr. Blaine, Madrona is where I truly live.

Don’t miss: Refillable wine growlers at Bottlehouse, lemon currant scones at Hi Spot, panang curry at Naam Thai, sweet consigned finds at Driftwood, the backyard garden at St. Clouds, new seasonal pop-up décor shop Studio Montagne and the dolmas at Bistro Turkuaz.

Go-to for out-of-town guests: Peeking into the Glassybaby hot shop is a sure-fire (get it?) crowd pleaser.

Famous for: The Seattle Black Panthers were headquartered in Madrona for 10 years and are referenced in “The Peaceable Kingdom,” a sculpture by Richard Beyer (of “Waiting for the Interurban” fame) installed outside the Madrona Public Library, which gives the neighborhood its motto. The panther represents the Black Panthers, the pig portrays the police, the sheep represent the elderly residents, and the wolf symbolizes the street toughs—all living (in an ideal past) peaceably together.

Brangien Davis is the Seattle mag arts and culture editor, who has lived in Madrona (well, very close by) since 2010

 

Follow Us

Underground Overhaul

Underground Overhaul

Going low solves couple's woes

The Seattle underground is alive and well and living in Montlake, a close-knit community in more ways than one. Dense suburban charm is what lures many families to Montlake. Dense suburban charm is also what forces many families to leave Montlake. “The lots here are very small, with setback and height restrictions,” says architectural designer…

Not Flown, Grown: The Slow Flowers Movement is Having A Moment

Not Flown, Grown: The Slow Flowers Movement is Having A Moment

New book — The Flower Farmers — promotes the use of locally grown, seasonal, and sustainably harvested flowers

A few years ago, Debra Prinzing — speaker, podcast host, outdoor living expert, and founder of Slow Flowers — and her business partner, Robin Avni, pitched an idea to an editor at Abrams Books. The editor passed, but quickly came back with another offer. They didn’t have to think twice about it. Prinzing had extensive…

Where Function Meets Finesse

Where Function Meets Finesse

Without the use of a single brick, Little House turns the tables on the Big Bad Wolf.

Texas residents John and Julie Connor had spent many summers visiting family near Seabeck, an unincorporated waterfront village and former mill town in Kitsap County. They loved the wildness of the southern Hood Canal and imagined a small retreat here of their own, so they purchased a large lot with lush second-growth trees on a…

Master of Transparency

Master of Transparency

Award-winning architect Eric Cobb’s work seamlessly meshes glass, space and light

Noted architect Eric Cobb is collaborating on a second-home project near The Gorge Amphitheatre with a former junior high school soccer teammate, embodying a classic Seattle story of connection. The new Cliffe Pointe at the Gorge project located within the Cave B Estate grounds features 60 second homes surrounded by vineyards, natural sage, and rolling…