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We've compiled the best of the best in Green Lake - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Hiroki makes wonderful Japanese desserts like soufflé cheesecake and matcha tiramisu along with some standards like gateau Basque and almond custard brioche. There are a few outdoor tables and even more inside, and the Tangletown location makes an easy stop during a stroll around the lake or a quick detour to pick up dessert afterward.
This outstanding sushi restaurant quietly nestled in Green Lake brings diners in droves. Fresh sushi is the mainstay, along with signature rolls such as the Green Lake variety, with salmon, flying fish eggs, asparagus, avocado, and marinated seaweed, or the Wallingford, with yellowtail, green onion, cucumber, radish, sprouts, and flying fish eggs. Definitely spring for the omakase (chef's menu), which can include anything from fatty tuna, shrimp, octopus, and albacore to salmon, yellow tail, hammer jack, and unagi. Straightforward decor and ambiance make it easy to concentrate on the delicious food in front of you. Regulars swear by the agedashi tofu. Non-sushi entrées are also available, including teriyaki and a tempura dinner with prawns.
This lakeside location of a local dumpling specialist brings a wide assortment of Chinese cuisine to an area of town not normally known for big flavor. The sprawling menu has crowd-pleasing options like northern-style dumplings, dim sum, and American Chinese food, as well as in-depth dishes from Sichuan and Hunan for the spice-nerds out there. Extremely casual, with dark wood tables and a nice wraparound patio looking out toward the park, the restaurant is a pleasant place to sit—helpful since the kitchen is quite small, and thus sometimes requires patience from diners.
This Green Lake sandwich shop is as cute and modern as the illustrations on the menu board hanging over its counter. The Vietnamese sandwiches on offer get fun new names like the Mekong (grilled pork) and Sapa (sauteed tofu) but stay true to the flavor of classic banh mi, stacked with jalapeños, pickled carrots and daikon, and basil-cilantro aioli. They also offer similar ingredients in bowl form, as well as a wide variety of customizable bubble tea options. Food and drinks come out quickly, and the Green Lake adjacent location makes it an excellent stop for picking up a picnic to take to the park.
