Cafés and Diners

Mae’s Phinney Ridge Café (6412 Phinney Ave. N., 206/782-1222, www.maescafe.com [1], 7 a.m.–3 p.m. daily, $8) is a cow-infested place complete with a "Moo Room" for milk shakes and displays of cow paraphernalia. The food is all made from scratch and includes big, sticky cinnamon rolls and scrumptious hash browns. And, yes, it gets jammed on weekends.

Another great place where you'll have to fend off the weekend brunch crowd is Julia’s (4401 Wallingford Ave., 206/633-1175, www.juliasrestaurantseattle.com [2], 7 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, $17). The food is tasty, with lots of vegetarian items and a lively atmosphere.

For something a little different, join the Sunday morning queue at Beth’s Café (7311 Aurora Ave. N., 206/782-5588, www.bethscafe.com [3], 24 hours daily, $9). A Green Lake [4] establishment since 1957, this 24-hour diner remains a hit with those who like old-fashioned American breakfasts. Infamous 12-egg omelettes, greasy hash browns, loud jukebox music, reasonable prices, and sometimes-cranky waitresses keep ’em coming back.

You’ll have to grin-and-bear-it through the surly New York–style service at Bagel Oasis (2112 NE 65th St., 206/526-0525; and 462 N. 36th St., 206/633-2676, 6 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 6 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $5) in order to get your mitts on the best New York–style bagels in the Northwest.

Looking for the best burger in Seattle? The argument rages, but the public votes with their feet (and mouths) for Dick’s Drive-In (111 NE 45th St., 206/632-5125, www.ddir.com [5], 10:30 a.m.–2 a.m. daily, $5). The food at this straight-from-the-1950s joint consists of marvelously greasy fries, fat burgers, and wonderful chocolate milk shakes. There’s usually a line out front on a summer evening. You can also find Dick’s in Queen Anne [6] and on Capitol Hill [7].