[addtoany]

“Quaint” isn’t a term often associated with Seattle. Bustling, evergreen, even congested, might come to mind first. Yet the Maple Leaf neighborhood in North Seattle is just that — a quaint oasis with a strong sense of community.

Located northeast of Green Lake between Interstate 5 and Lake City Way, Maple Leaf feels more suburban than much of the city, with single-family homes outnumbering larger apartment complexes. Despite its suburban feel, the neighborhood is firmly within Seattle city limits, and conveniently located with easy access to both the Northgate and Roosevelt Light Rail stations.

It’s also one of the easier neighborhoods to identify thanks to a 1940s-era water tower, whose base stands on one of the city’s tallest hills at 446 feet above sea level. The tower goes 100 feet up from there and is surrounded by a charming 16-acre park with an excellent walking path and playground. The 8 million-gallon water tower — painted with maple leaves — was drained in 2009 to prevent leakage should the region be hit by an earthquake, but remains the prominent landmark for the residents who call this area home.

Throughout the neighborhood, you might spy bumper stickers declaring “I love Maple Leaf,” produced by beloved cafe Cloud City Coffee. The mission-driven coffee shop promotes living wages for its employees and builds community with high quality products and a fun environment. The delicious brews, tasty eats, and views of downtown don’t hurt, either. Cloud City Coffee, like most of Maple Leaf, sits at a relatively high elevation within Seattle. With the third highest elevation in Seattle according to Wikipedia, and the second highest according to residents, Maple Leaf offers views of downtown, the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic and Cascade mountains on a clear day.

After taking in the view, pop by The Shambles to join the regulars who know this hidden gem. A butcher shop/restaurant is always a great place to order a steak, and the Shambles certainly delivers. Be sure not to miss the happy hour specials, though, where a Manhattan or martini will only set you back $8 and a pint is just $5. To continue a tour of unassuming but delicious spots, stop into The Maple, a 100-year-old house that was converted into a lovely pub complete with an outdoor beer garden. It’s a popular brunch spot and doesn’t take reservations, so get there early on Sunday to enjoy the chicken and waffles and one of the best Bloody Marys in the city.

Maple Leaf offers views of downtown, the space needle, mount rainier, and the olympic and cascade mountains.

Across from the Maple Leaf Reservoir Park is the newest installment of Macrina Bakery, its first location in North Seattle. The cozy bakery has all of your favorite goodies, plus a bunch of warm breakfast and lunch options that you can take to-go as you wander through the park.

And if you’re a sandwich connoisseur, be sure to check out Peruvian restaurant and pisco bar Don Lucho’s. The restaurant began its life as a food truck, but became popular enough to settle its roots in Maple Leaf. Bring a bib and dive into the chicken milanesa or yuka veggie sandwiches, then wash it down with the pisco punch. It’ll feel like you’re on vacation.

A popular neighborhood in Seattle isn’t complete without a shrine to our four-legged friends. One of Maple Leaf’s prized spots is the Dog Oasis, a dedicated off-leash dog area with interactive message boards to encourage even the most introverted visitors to connect.

---

Known for: Maple Leaf Reservoir Park
Best place to escape the work from home blues: Cloud City Coffee
Walkability: 71
Median home price: $750,000
Surprising fact: Named the national “Neighborhood of the Year” in 1986 from Neighborhoods USA after being nominated by then Seattle Mayor Charles Royer