Just south of Seattle, the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac, and Tukwila are home to a vibrant mix of small businesses, global flavors, and neighborhood gathering places. This season, we’ve partnered with Explore Seattle Southside to highlight some of the locally owned spots where you can eat, sip, and shop your way through the holidays. From Vietnamese noodles and Creole comfort food to plant nurseries and super-cute stationery, these are the places to add to your intentional list of Seattle Southside destinations.
Eat
Dong Thap Noodles (Tukwila)
Dong Thap Noodles is famous for its “super bowl” of pho and for making fresh rice noodles in-house every day, a rarity even in Vietnam. Khanh Tran and Nick Bui relocated the restaurant from Seattle’s Chinatown-International District to Tukwila in 2023. You can come with a crew to try to tackle the super bowl (4 lbs. of noodles x 4 lbs. of meat x 4 liters of broth) or keep it classic with a regular-sized pho, bún, or other Vietnamese favorites. Put Dong Thap Noodles on your Seattle Southside list whenever you’re craving warming comfort between shopping missions.
We love: Their signature Phở Sườn Bò (beef short ribs pho) or Bún Xào Sả (vermicelli satay with your choice of protein, marinated in garlic and lemongrass)!
Creole Soul (Des Moines)
At Creole Soul, owner and chef Hampton Isom brings the flavors of his Louisiana upbringing to Des Moines. The restaurant grew from his food truck and serves classics like gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and po’boys. Hampton talks about the place as a love letter to New Orleans, complete with festive décor and an “every day is Mardi Gras” vibe. Whether you’re in the mood for comfort food or live-music energy, Creole Soul is a delicious way to bring a little Southern warmth to your day.
We love: The Catfish & Grits – can’t argue with a classic.
Taqueria Jacarandas (SeaTac)
Family-owned Taqueria Jacarandas is a casual, counter-service spot along International Boulevard where locals and travelers alike stop for generous plates of authentic Mexican food. Expect a true taqueria experience – the menu features a long list of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more. If you’re staying near the airport or exploring SeaTac, Taqueria Jacarandas is an affordable, delicious way to experience local cuisine.
We love: The Quesabirria Tacos & Consommé is the most-ordered item on the menu for a reason!
Sip
Latino Cafe (SeaTac)
Andrea Guzman opened the drive-thru (or walk up) Latino Café in 2017 to share bold, fun drinks and snacks rooted in Latino flavors. From blended coffees and creamy frappes to energy drinks and over-the-top mangonadas, there’s always something bright and colorful coming out of the window. Tamales and other bites make it an easy stop for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.
We love: ‘Tis always the season for a horchata latte or horchata shake!
Drip & Sip Cafe (Tukwila)
Tung Nguyen opened Drip & Sip Cafe in 2023 to bring Vietnamese coffee and bánh mì to the neighborhood. Menu favorites include salted Vietnamese coffee, cà phê sữa đá (iced phin-brewed coffee with condensed milk), and a variety of ceremonial matcha beverages, served alongside crusty baguettes stuffed with grilled pork, BBQ chicken, or nem nướng (grilled pork sausage). Add Drip & Sip to your route when you want to infuse your usual latte run with Vietnamese specialty coffee.
We love: The Cà Phê Trứng (egg coffee) – Condensed milk, phin-brewed coffee, airy, creamy, meringue-like fluffy egg cream.
Chayen Coffee (Tukwila)
Siblings Suwat and Kanjarin Hiranworawuthikul founded Chayen Coffee in 2018 as a coffee trailer and opened their brick-and-mortar inside Hotel Interurban in Tukwila in 2025. The menu leans into Thai flavors with drinks like Thai iced coffee and Thai tea alongside espresso drinks, seasonal specials, and an expanding food menu. It’s a bright, modern cafe where travelers, hotel guests, and locals linger over brunch plates and creative coffee drinks. If you’re exploring the Southcenter area or staying nearby, Chayen is a great stop for something both familiar and adventurous in your cup.
We love: The Thai iced tea of course, but the Taro Latte, which began as a secret menu item, is definitely worth a try.
Marina Mercantile (Des Moines)
Brenda Sutherland opened Marina Mercantile in 2022 with her husband, Richard Mockler, to reimagine a neighborhood corner market as a European-inspired café, bar, and bottle shop in the heart of the Des Moines Marina District. By day, you’ll find coffee, pastries, and shelves lined with tinned fish, specialty foods, and thoughtfully curated wines; by night, it transforms into a cozy space for dinner, cocktails, tastings, and classes. Their traditional afternoon tea service, special themed teas, and community events have already turned the space into a local gathering hub. Stop by to sip, linger, and pick up a bottle or a few treats to bring to your next holiday gathering.
We love: The Afternoon Tea – make your reservation and get ready for a treat (vegan and gluten-free options available)!
Shop
Zenith Holland Nursery & Gifts (Des Moines)
Zenith Holland Nursery is the oldest continuously operating business in Des Moines, originally founded in 1907 and now owned by grower Lyn Robinson, who first started working there as a college student. Over the decades, the nursery has expanded from a single greenhouse to a multi-greenhouse destination for plants, seasonal décor, home goods, and an incredible selection of one-of-a-kind gifts. During the holidays, Zenith Holland’s trees, wreaths, and gifts make it an ideal place to choose something living and local for your home or for someone you love.
We love: Custom ready-to-buy wreaths – but if you’re visiting when they’re out of season, we don’t think that there’s such a thing as too many succulents!
Seventh&Main (Des Moines)
Seventh&Main is a Des Moines-based athleisure brand and boutique centered on the belief that movement should feel good for both body and soul. Born from a journey of healing and self-discovery, the shop offers sports bras, leggings, hoodies, jumpsuits, and more designed to support you whether you’re working out, stretching, or simply taking a deep breath and slowing down. Their pieces are meant to be soft, flattering, and wearable in real life, not just on a photoshoot.
We love: The Every Layer Hoodie. The seam detail gives it a distinctive look!
MochiThings (Tukwila)
Yoon Kim and her partner Leon founded MochiThings in 2011 to make it easy to find cute and functional products for everyday life. Today, their Southcenter store in Tukwila is a stationery and lifestyle wonderland filled with planners, pens, stickers, bags, desk organizers, and more, all designed to make organizing feel joyful instead of tedious. The brand has built a loyal following, and the shop offers the chance to see and feel everything in person. It’s a perfect spot to pick up thoughtful gifts, stocking stuffers, and maybe a little something to help you stay organized in the new year.
We love: The journaling and scrapbooking supplies, especially the super-cute washi tape options!
Admittedly this list barely scratches the surface of the breadth of delicious and delightful small businesses throughout Des Moines, SeaTac, and Tukwila. Fortunately, Explore Seattle Southside is a comprehensive resource when it comes to experiencing the vibrant cities just south of Seattle.
