Bryant Neighborhood

Overview

Bryant is a cozy enclave nestled between Ravenna and Hawthorne Hills/Sand Point. The tree-lined streets and high single-home ratio make the Bryant neighborhood a much-desired area to live. Moreover, the Bryant neighborhood has nearby amenities such as coffee shops, a Metropolitan Market, and easy access to University Village and the University District’s vibrant dining and shopping scene.

Geography

Often overlooked, the Bryant neighborhood is a narrow corridor between Ravenna to the west and Hawthorne Hills and View Ridge to the east, with Sand Point just beyond that. To the north is Wedgwood. To the south are the University of Washington and Laurelhurst.

University Village is to the southwest.

Name

The Bryant neighborhood was named after William Cullen Bryant who was a nineteenth century poet, journalist and editor of the New York Evening Post. Bryant is considered one of America’s “fireside poets,” so called because their poetry is suited for reading to the family around the fireplace. Quoted by Martin Luther King, Jr., Bryant has namesakes all over the country, including Bryant Elementary School and Bryant Neighborhood Playground in this neighborhood.

Shopping Options

Although the neighborhood is mainly residential, there are some mixed-use areas. Notably, there are a Metropolitan Market, a Safeway, and a co-op—the View Ridge PCC—that is actually across the street from the neighborhood border in the View Ridge neighborhood.

Eating Options

Seattle Sunshine Coffee is at the corner of NE 55th Street and 35th Avenue NE. Perhaps the only coffee shop within the neighborhood boundaries—other than a Starbucks in Safeway—Seattle Sunshine Coffee also offers sandwiches and baked goods. Likewise, Veraci Pizza and Yummy Cafe possibly the only restaurant within the Bryant neighborhood limits.

Additionally, you can explore a number of coffee shops and restaurants that dot the area just outside of the Bryant boundaries. For example, Sophie’s Tacos, Chopsticks Cuisine (五味馆), and Not Just Fish & Chips are all at the north end of the neighborhood next to a Subway.

Also just outside Bryant but easily accessible are the Bryant Corner Cafe and Grateful Bread.

Bryant Neighborhood Playground

Furthermore, located along NE 65th St, Bryant Neighborhood Playground is accessible along the route 62 bus line. The playground is 3.1 acres in size. Great for kids and adults, Bryant Playground offers a variety of opportunities for fun. Among the options for kids are slides, swings, decks and platforms. For older kids and adults, there are tennis and basketball courts. There is also a picnic table area.

The City of Seattle is currently planning a major renovation to the Bryant Neighborhood Playground. Construction is planned to start late in 2025. Public input is being used to determine how to redesign the park. Among the issues are:

• Improve accessibility of entrances;
• Replace play equipment; and
• Add accessibility swing and picnic area.

Also, for a short visual on Bryant Playground Park, see the video by Seattle: City of Parks.

External Links

Learn more about the Bryant neighborhood:

• Bryant Neighborhood Tour, a video by Living in Seattle, Washington;
• Explore Bryant a video by Team Diva; and
• The Wikipedia entry for Bryant.