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Three bottles of wine, plus a variety of Italian cookies, tinned seafood, and snacks on top of a white blanket on a sunny day
Big John’s PFI on Dearborn offers a great selection of wines, tinned seafood, and other picnic-friendly fare.
Big John’s PFI/Instagram

Where to Get Great Labor Day Weekend Picnic Food Around Seattle

From smaller grocers to restaurants offering large platters

by Gabe Guarente Updated
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Big John’s PFI on Dearborn offers a great selection of wines, tinned seafood, and other picnic-friendly fare.
| Big John’s PFI/Instagram
by Gabe Guarente Updated

With Labor Day on the horizon, now might be a good time to plan a picnic to enjoy the final days of summer. For those who want to avoid the larger grocery chains, there are smaller markets — and even plenty of restaurants — that can cover most outdoor, checkered-blanket dining needs. Here are just a few suggestions of where to grab cheeses, snacks, wine, and other essentials for a leisurely, sunny afternoon. Places are listed from north to south, and there’s a more comprehensive grocery shopping guide here.

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Zylberschtein's

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Pinehurst’s Jewish deli features sourdough, rye bread, babkas, and challah among its more popular items in its “daily bread section.” There are also bagels, cream cheeses, sandwiches, meat by the pound, made-to-order sandwiches, and pantry staples available for weekly delivery throughout the Seattle area. And for those looking to add some drinks to the meal, the deli has some six-packs of beer from local purveyors, as well as wine.

11752 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 403-1202
(206) 403-1202

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Mainstay Provisions

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This specialty foods market and all-day cafe in Ballard has some made-to-order menu items such as corned beef sandwiches, salads, focaccia, and whole rotisserie chickens. The retail area offers fresh produce, cheeses, and snacks, as well as local beer and wine, all available for takeout and no-contact neighborhood delivery daily, in addition to onsite shopping.

612 NW 65th St, Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 659-0170
(206) 659-0170

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Volunteer Park Cafe and Pantry

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This Capitol Hill mainstay recently reopened under new ownership as an all-day hybrid coffee shop, bottleshop, and corner market. In addition to intriguing treats from head baker Crystal Chiu (formerly of Canlis), there’s a strong selection of natural wine bottles and packaged goods made for outdoor snacking, including Matiz sardines.

1501 17th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 822-6566
(206) 822-6566

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District H

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This smaller, but still excellent offshoot of popular Korean shop H Mart in South Lake Union has so many delights. One of the main attractions is a steam station, serving up doughnut-shaped dumplings (kimchi, beef, and vegetable with glass noodles). But there is also an extensive selection of other great options in the small food court, along with a robust bakery, amazing snacks, and packaged meals galore.

101 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 708-1365
(206) 708-1365
An aisle at the grocery store District H in South Lake Union.
District H has tons of snack options, as well as some prepared food and packaged meals.
Gabe Guarente

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Big John's PFI

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For nearly 50 years, Big John’s PFI has been known as a hidden gem for specialty groceries and gourmet items, including fancy olive oil, cheese, and wines. It’s recently moved to a new location on S Dearborn Street, but still retains the same old school vibe. Some of the prices can be on the pricey side, but this is definitely the place to go if one is looking to put together a premium charcuterie and cheese board.

1608 S Dearborn St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 682-2022
(206) 682-2022

Lil Red Takeout and Catering

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Southern barbecue meets Jamaican flavors at this takeout-only restaurant and caterer in Columbia City, with a menu that allows one to buy in smaller amounts or in bulk. Items range from fantastic jerk fried chicken to barbecue wings to delectable smoked and fried bologna sandwiches. And for the larger picnic parties, there are platters of ribs, brisket, and other meat-heavy platters available.

4225 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 760-2931
(206) 760-2931
A closeup of a plate of ribs at Lil Red Takeout & Catering, with a cornbread muffin next to it and other sides in the background
Lil Red has a selection of barbecue plates.
Lil Red Takeout and Catering

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Husky Deli

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The longtime deli, market, and sweets shop has an excellent selection of breakfast sandwiches, panini, and burritos, as well as an extensive selection of chips, crackers, cheese, and other snacks, from a variety of local companies. Those who have a reliable cooler on hand may want to consider some ice cream for the road as well.

4721 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 937-2810
(206) 937-2810

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Sam Choy's Poke to the Max

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Seattle’s “godfather of poke” has some family meals and party platters available for takeout, created for 3-5 people (the poke version can feed up to 12). Diners can mix and match proteins, such as katsu chicken and kalua pork, with a variety of add-on sides like lumpia and mac salad, or get just a whole bunch of musubi — a wonderful picnic snack.

5300 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 432-9026
(206) 432-9026

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Tony's Bakery

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Many Seattleites likely have their own preferred banh mi destination, but it’s hard to beat this South Seattle spot for its perfectly flaky baguettes and expertly prepared grilled pork (though insiders may want to go for the fried catfish version). Many of the other prepared foods (like steamed hum bao) are worth a look for a takeout feast, all perfectly packaged for easy transport.

6020 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 722-8800
(206) 722-8800

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Salvadorean Bakery and Restaurant Inc.

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This friendly White Center bakery has long drawn in fans to the neighborhood for its outstanding selections of baked goods. In addition to some stellar pupusas, diners can load up trays with excellent Mexican or Salvadorean pastries filled with guava, mango, or molasses, and take them to go, while perusing other enticing snacks lining the shelves.

1719 SW Roxbury St, Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 762-4064
(206) 762-4064
A blue tray filled with puffy brown pastries and breads.
Salvadorean Bakery in White Center is the place to go for portable pastries and other snacks.
Jenise Silva for Eater

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Zylberschtein's

11752 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125

Pinehurst’s Jewish deli features sourdough, rye bread, babkas, and challah among its more popular items in its “daily bread section.” There are also bagels, cream cheeses, sandwiches, meat by the pound, made-to-order sandwiches, and pantry staples available for weekly delivery throughout the Seattle area. And for those looking to add some drinks to the meal, the deli has some six-packs of beer from local purveyors, as well as wine.

11752 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 403-1202
(206) 403-1202

Mainstay Provisions

612 NW 65th St, Seattle, WA 98117

This specialty foods market and all-day cafe in Ballard has some made-to-order menu items such as corned beef sandwiches, salads, focaccia, and whole rotisserie chickens. The retail area offers fresh produce, cheeses, and snacks, as well as local beer and wine, all available for takeout and no-contact neighborhood delivery daily, in addition to onsite shopping.

612 NW 65th St, Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 659-0170
(206) 659-0170

Volunteer Park Cafe and Pantry

1501 17th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112

This Capitol Hill mainstay recently reopened under new ownership as an all-day hybrid coffee shop, bottleshop, and corner market. In addition to intriguing treats from head baker Crystal Chiu (formerly of Canlis), there’s a strong selection of natural wine bottles and packaged goods made for outdoor snacking, including Matiz sardines.

1501 17th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 822-6566
(206) 822-6566

District H

101 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

This smaller, but still excellent offshoot of popular Korean shop H Mart in South Lake Union has so many delights. One of the main attractions is a steam station, serving up doughnut-shaped dumplings (kimchi, beef, and vegetable with glass noodles). But there is also an extensive selection of other great options in the small food court, along with a robust bakery, amazing snacks, and packaged meals galore.

101 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 708-1365
(206) 708-1365
An aisle at the grocery store District H in South Lake Union.
District H has tons of snack options, as well as some prepared food and packaged meals.
Gabe Guarente

Big John's PFI

1608 S Dearborn St, Seattle, WA 98144

For nearly 50 years, Big John’s PFI has been known as a hidden gem for specialty groceries and gourmet items, including fancy olive oil, cheese, and wines. It’s recently moved to a new location on S Dearborn Street, but still retains the same old school vibe. Some of the prices can be on the pricey side, but this is definitely the place to go if one is looking to put together a premium charcuterie and cheese board.

1608 S Dearborn St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 682-2022
(206) 682-2022

Lil Red Takeout and Catering

4225 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Southern barbecue meets Jamaican flavors at this takeout-only restaurant and caterer in Columbia City, with a menu that allows one to buy in smaller amounts or in bulk. Items range from fantastic jerk fried chicken to barbecue wings to delectable smoked and fried bologna sandwiches. And for the larger picnic parties, there are platters of ribs, brisket, and other meat-heavy platters available.

4225 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 760-2931
(206) 760-2931
A closeup of a plate of ribs at Lil Red Takeout & Catering, with a cornbread muffin next to it and other sides in the background
Lil Red has a selection of barbecue plates.
Lil Red Takeout and Catering

Husky Deli

4721 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

The longtime deli, market, and sweets shop has an excellent selection of breakfast sandwiches, panini, and burritos, as well as an extensive selection of chips, crackers, cheese, and other snacks, from a variety of local companies. Those who have a reliable cooler on hand may want to consider some ice cream for the road as well.

4721 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 937-2810
(206) 937-2810

Sam Choy's Poke to the Max

5300 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Seattle’s “godfather of poke” has some family meals and party platters available for takeout, created for 3-5 people (the poke version can feed up to 12). Diners can mix and match proteins, such as katsu chicken and kalua pork, with a variety of add-on sides like lumpia and mac salad, or get just a whole bunch of musubi — a wonderful picnic snack.

5300 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 432-9026
(206) 432-9026

Tony's Bakery

6020 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118

Many Seattleites likely have their own preferred banh mi destination, but it’s hard to beat this South Seattle spot for its perfectly flaky baguettes and expertly prepared grilled pork (though insiders may want to go for the fried catfish version). Many of the other prepared foods (like steamed hum bao) are worth a look for a takeout feast, all perfectly packaged for easy transport.

6020 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 722-8800
(206) 722-8800

Salvadorean Bakery and Restaurant Inc.

1719 SW Roxbury St, Seattle, WA 98106

This friendly White Center bakery has long drawn in fans to the neighborhood for its outstanding selections of baked goods. In addition to some stellar pupusas, diners can load up trays with excellent Mexican or Salvadorean pastries filled with guava, mango, or molasses, and take them to go, while perusing other enticing snacks lining the shelves.

1719 SW Roxbury St, Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 762-4064
(206) 762-4064
A blue tray filled with puffy brown pastries and breads.
Salvadorean Bakery in White Center is the place to go for portable pastries and other snacks.
Jenise Silva for Eater

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