Helping host 38 million guests a year sounds... a little daunting to say the least. This is why Visit Seattle and Seattle Bank created their Community Partnership Program — to help grow tourism activity for minority-owned businesses in undervisited neighborhoods.
As the program enters its third year, Visit Seattle and Seattle Bank have joined forces with Intentionalist + Alliance for Pioneer Square to select 12 small businesses run by BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA+ Seattleites to be in this year’s cohort.
The Pioneer Square businesses were chosen due to their proximity to Lumen Field — which will host six FIFA World Cup matches in 2026 — to help get them ready for all that party headed our way.
Allow us to introduce you to the names and ideas behind some of Pioneer Squares restaurant and shops:
ʔálʔal Café | Owned and operated by Chief Seattle Club, this cafe reclaims and reintroduces traditional Indigenous foods in a modern setting — it also uses 100% of its net profit to support unhoused Native relatives.
Golden Roosters | Soccer fanatic Sean Yoon runs this sports bar + Korean fried chicken joint with a 180-inch projector.
Lune Cafe | Owners Hamed + Karrar dreamed up this biz during their days at UW where they recognized a need for non-alcoholic, late night hang outs. The cafe creates savory and sweet eats until 10-11 p.m.
Nirmal’s | The restaurant’s core philosophy is to showcase the full diversity of Indian cuisine, representing various regions’ influences on popular South Asian dishes.
Drunken Pizza & Pocha | This Asian- and Woman-owned restaurant serves up Korean street-inspired dishes and artisanal pizzas — plus soju, beers, cocktails, and more.
Foggy Tea Shop | The Japanese-, Native-, and woman-owned shop brews a variety of teas + hosts regular community events with artists, musicians, and more.
Intrigue Chocolate Co. | Partners Aaron + Karl founded this artisanal chocolate company that operates as a one-stop-shop for all things chocolate.
More Pioneer Square businesses to put on your radar:
- Oshun Banchan | Korean + woman-owned
- Rojo’s Mexican Food | Latino-owned (vegan)
- Muse Lounge | Latino- + woman-owned
- Saigon Drip Cafe | Vietnamese-owned
- Señor Carbón Peruvian Cuisine | Latino- + woman-owned
