Seattle

Seattle Alerts

Alert

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Seattle with Melissa Santos and Christine Clarridge.

Axios Seattle

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Seattle.

Axios Seattle Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Seattle Partners

Seattle Members

Membership

Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run before Seattle crowd

Thousands of U.S. fans packed downtown Seattle before the city's final World Cup match.

Sports

The U.S. men&#x27;s World Cup run ended Monday as Belgium defeated the Americans 4-1 before a sellout crowd in Seattle.The big picture: The match was Seattle&#x27;s sixth and final FIFA World Cup game, capping three weeks that saw the city emerge as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top host site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/06/seattle-world-cup-host-city-fan-festival-tourism-fifa26" data-vars-content-id="511a569e-5cd8-499d-a4b9-7a7791a33e1e" data-vars-headline="Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run before Seattle crowd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/06/seattle-world-cup-host-city-fan-festival-tourism-fifa26" target="_self">top host site</a>.

Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, including 605 in Washington

The latest layoffs affect hundreds of workers in Redmond and elsewhere. More changes may be ahead.

Business

Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs — roughly 2% of its global workforce — including hundreds of jobs in Washington state.Why it matters: Layoffs at the Redmond-based company, one of the Seattle area&#x27;s largest employers, will add to the steady stream of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tech job losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/02/amazon-layoffs-washington-seattle-tech-jobs-2026-expedia-tmobile-zillow" data-vars-content-id="30d14f0a-eb2f-4368-a2e1-22d985174c53" data-vars-headline="Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, including 605 in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/02/amazon-layoffs-washington-seattle-tech-jobs-2026-expedia-tmobile-zillow" target="_self">tech job losses</a> that have rolled across the Puget Sound region since last year.

World Cup brought out Seattle's best

Sold-out crowds, packed fan festivals and glowing reviews gave Seattle a global moment beyond soccer.

News

Seattle&#x27;s biggest World Cup win wasn&#x27;t on the pitch. It was showing visitors — and maybe even Seattleites — what this city looks like at its best.Why it matters: For three weeks, Seattle has been a global gathering place, full of unity and joy, even as much of the world feels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly divided" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/america-social-media-polarization" data-vars-content-id="e0bf5410-ed99-4850-9e55-0bffd7db2464" data-vars-headline="World Cup brought out Seattle&#x27;s best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/america-social-media-polarization" target="_self">increasingly divided</a>.

New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle's Pioneer Square

Casa Gabriele offers pasta dishes, rotating specials and wine pairings in a cozy basement.

Food and Drink

The owners of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bottega Gabriele" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/08/bottega-gabriele-steps-up-seattle-s-sandwich-game" data-vars-content-id="d5e84669-37eb-4148-af83-7e00634fc238" data-vars-headline="New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle&#x27;s Pioneer Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/08/bottega-gabriele-steps-up-seattle-s-sandwich-game" target="_self">Bottega Gabriele</a>, the popular Pioneer Square sandwich shop, have a new restaurant that serves pasta and is open for dinner. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Casa Gabriele" data-vars-click-url="https://bottega-gabriele.com/#casa-menu" data-vars-content-id="d5e84669-37eb-4148-af83-7e00634fc238" data-vars-headline="New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle&#x27;s Pioneer Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bottega-gabriele.com/#casa-menu" target="_blank">Casa Gabriele</a> is in a warmly lit basement, making it feel like a tucked away special spot.

World Cup crowds boost Seattle restaurant sales

Toast found beer sales jumped 212% while hot dog orders more than tripled near the Seattle stadium.

Soccer fans in Seattle are drinking a lot of beer and eating a lot of hot dogs during the World Cup, new data from restaurant technology company Toast suggests.State of play: To get a snapshot of the tournament&#x27;s impact on businesses near Lumen Field, Toast <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analyzed transactions" data-vars-click-url="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/world-cup-2026-impact-restaurants-bars-tipping-data" data-vars-content-id="edad1696-a777-4398-a72d-f2d8e73bb766" data-vars-headline="World Cup crowds boost Seattle restaurant sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/world-cup-2026-impact-restaurants-bars-tipping-data" target="_blank">analyzed transactions</a> from June 19, when the U.S. played Australia.

Seattle tests looser alcohol rules for World Cup and beyond

New alcohol rules at fan zones and Pike Place may help reshape outdoor drinking across Washington.

Seattle is experimenting with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looser rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/04/18/washington-world-cup-beer-garden-rules" data-vars-content-id="66ca3d6e-8935-4733-a54f-3cd870346dbb" data-vars-headline="Seattle tests looser alcohol rules for World Cup and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/04/18/washington-world-cup-beer-garden-rules" target="_self">looser rules</a> around drinking, both for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/22/seattle-could-get-another-u-s-world-cup-match" data-vars-content-id="66ca3d6e-8935-4733-a54f-3cd870346dbb" data-vars-headline="Seattle tests looser alcohol rules for World Cup and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/22/seattle-could-get-another-u-s-world-cup-match" target="_self">World Cup</a> and beyond.Why it matters: Expanded alcohol service zones at World Cup fan events and Pike Place Market are temporary for now. But they may lead to a longer-term relaxation of the state&#x27;s liquor laws.

Why Walrus and the Carpenter shut its doors this week

The Ballard restaurant temporarily closed during a strike over pay, benefits and service charges.

One of Seattle&#x27;s most celebrated restaurants temporarily closed this week after a labor dispute moved from the bargaining table to the sidewalk, with management claiming customer harassment from the picket line.The latest: Workers and management reached a tentative agreement Wednesday evening that is expected to end the strike at The Walrus and the Carpenter restaurant, Ford Nickel, secretary-treasurer of United Creatures of the Sea told Axios.

Seattle's James Beard drought continues

We had two finalists for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific, but neither took home the prize.

Seattle has been snubbed in the James Beard Awards — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/06/11/seattle-james-beard-winners-2024" data-vars-content-id="678436b4-ba6c-4d7c-b2d5-08a395d8edf8" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s James Beard drought continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/06/11/seattle-james-beard-winners-2024" target="_self">again</a>.Why it matters: The awards are considered the food industry&#x27;s highest honor — the Oscars of the culinary world.<ul><li>The last time a Seattle chef or restaurant won was in 2020.</li></ul>

Saigon Deli tops our Seattle-area bánh mì bracket

The final votes are in: Saigon Deli beat Q Bakery to win our reader-powered bracket.

We have a winner in our quest to find Axios Seattle readers&#x27; favorite bánh mì!<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saigon Deli" data-vars-click-url="https://saigondeli.top/" data-vars-content-id="e6a726af-4089-456e-b736-2426f8e92e82" data-vars-headline="Saigon Deli tops our Seattle-area bánh mì bracket" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://saigondeli.top/" target="_blank">Saigon Deli</a> came out on top in the final round of voting, defeating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Q Bakery" data-vars-click-url="https://qbakeryanxuyen.com/" data-vars-content-id="e6a726af-4089-456e-b736-2426f8e92e82" data-vars-headline="Saigon Deli tops our Seattle-area bánh mì bracket" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://qbakeryanxuyen.com/" target="_blank">Q Bakery</a> in our bánh mì bracket.

Help us find Seattle's best bánh mì

We're building a Seattle bánh mì bracket. Send us your favorite spot to include in the vote.

I stopped by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saigon Drip" data-vars-click-url="https://saigondripcafe.com/" data-vars-content-id="df6fd332-19a9-4c49-bd69-b8a1849df594" data-vars-headline="Help us find Seattle&#x27;s best bánh mì" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://saigondripcafe.com/" target="_blank">Saigon Drip</a> cafe in Pioneer Square the other day and picked up this beautiful grilled pork <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bánh mì" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/31/seattle-spelling-bee-banh-mi" data-vars-content-id="df6fd332-19a9-4c49-bd69-b8a1849df594" data-vars-headline="Help us find Seattle&#x27;s best bánh mì" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/31/seattle-spelling-bee-banh-mi" target="_self">bánh mì</a>.It got me thinking about all the great banh mi offerings in the city, and how hard it is to pick a favorite.

MariPili offers one of Seattle's most satisfying tasting menus

The Capitol Hill tapas bar delivers inventive small bites and dessert for $75 per person.

I have a bumpy relationship with restaurant tasting menus. Sometimes, I get full by the third course, which is a bummer if you&#x27;ve already dropped $150.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MariPili Tapas Bar" data-vars-click-url="https://maripili-tapas-bar.com/" data-vars-content-id="8c1d05dd-83c4-4b83-af6e-277924391845" data-vars-headline="MariPili offers one of Seattle&#x27;s most satisfying tasting menus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maripili-tapas-bar.com/" target="_blank">MariPili Tapas Bar</a> offers a more economical $75 five-course spread with a wide variety of bites — and it won&#x27;t have you feeling overstuffed by the end.

Gloom Coffee brightens up Seattle's Pioneer Square

The colorful Pioneer Square cafe pairs balanced pour overs with giant French Guys pastries.

I&#x27;m an aging dinosaur when it comes to coffee. I typically would prefer a dark roasted espresso over a fruity pour over — but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gloom" data-vars-click-url="https://gloom.coffee/" data-vars-content-id="936b729a-5c9a-40cc-8b20-3c48fd103c3b" data-vars-headline="Gloom Coffee brightens up Seattle&#x27;s Pioneer Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gloom.coffee/" target="_blank">Gloom</a> in Pioneer Square has me rethinking all of that.Zoom in: The roaster opened in the old Elm Coffee Roasters space late last month — and, contrary to its name, the new cafe is full of color and personality.

Canon in Seattle's Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover's paradise

Towering spirits shelves and inventive cocktails make Canon one of Seattle's most memorable bars.

<figure><img alt="Dimly lit bar interior with dark wood shelves full of bottles, warm hanging bulbs, and patrons seated at the counter chatting and smiling." height="4284" id="ca2a8819-8ba6-41b2-b5f3-54721d0d75a0" src="https://images.axios.com/Q846c-2_2xcVovSslMsr3b_kV_E=/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg" width="5712" srcset="https://images.axios.com/iLlspoK_FlLBhlQ-43EkL9AeC00=/0x0:5712x4284/1920x1440/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/AFjrJl65iQWAS_M0aSSEXz3lM6I=/0x0:5712x4284/1600x1200/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/tozfqmgTPSu9Onff6jScbedJ9SI=/0x0:5712x4284/1366x1024/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/ee24QxQ_olhH_rR6ke_TqBv4WfE=/0x0:5712x4284/1024x768/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/v_nS2e6cM6SMf3irjWiNXZ13XkE=/0x0:5712x4284/768x576/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/bravxNj-yoU12kzYed8gOa3lmaY=/0x0:5712x4284/640x480/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/mOKAE6htfxKJk81uP5onjmmNrW4=/0x0:5712x4284/320x240/2026/05/12/1778627441718.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Canon prides itself on offering more than 4,000 spirits. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios</figcaption></figure>If you love spirits, your biggest problem when visiting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Canon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.canonseattle.com/" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.canonseattle.com/" target="_blank">Canon</a> will be deciding what to order first.Zoom in: The small bar in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill boasts a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="186-page spirits list" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/69790b3bdecabf0fde6a8b83/1769540411187/Captain%27s+List+Jan+2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/69790b3bdecabf0fde6a8b83/1769540411187/Captain%27s+List+Jan+2026.pdf" target="_blank">186-page spirits list</a> — more than 4,000 bottles — in addition to a renowned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="menu" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/6a02757ef2b4304f6ec0c5bf/1778546046984/Summer+2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/643e09a58e53b57a6af92794/t/6a02757ef2b4304f6ec0c5bf/1778546046984/Summer+2026.pdf" target="_blank">menu</a> of creative <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cocktails" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jamesbeard.org/stories/happy-hour-the-tramp-cocktail-from-seattles-canon-bar" data-vars-content-id="fcc531f2-e555-4ac8-a5ad-416ecde28628" data-vars-headline="Canon in Seattle&#x27;s Capitol Hill is a whiskey lover&#x27;s paradise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jamesbeard.org/stories/happy-hour-the-tramp-cocktail-from-seattles-canon-bar" target="_blank">cocktails</a>.

Food and Drink 🍽

New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle's Pioneer Square

World Cup crowds boost Seattle restaurant sales

Seattle tests looser alcohol rules for World Cup and beyond

Why Walrus and the Carpenter shut its doors this week

Gloom's mocktails offset Seattle's summer heat