Picklewood Built a Pickleball Facility in Sodo. Then It Built a Restaurant Worth the Trip
Leyla Karimova
September 8, 2026
Picklewood was founded by Nathan Talbot, who went looking for a building that could hold indoor courts, outdoor courts, and a real kitchen. He found the ideal space in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood.
The first thing you notice when you step into Picklewood on a weekday is the lively atmosphere. In Picklewood, there are indoor and outdoor courts, and situated between these courts is a bar and kitchen. “Anyone can come to Picklewood and have a good time,” Kara said. That simple statement says a lot more than it appears to on the surface.
Seattle Guidebook
Keep reading free with your email
Seattle Guidebook stories are free. Drop your email to unlock the rest of this one.
One email, no password. Unsubscribe anytime.
The owner, Nathan Talbot, had the idea to create Picklewood in 2023. He wanted to create an entertainment facility in Seattle that was the first of its kind. He began to search for a location almost immediately. Sodo was chosen because of what the footprint allowed. According to Kara, “What we love about this location is that we have the ability to have both indoor and outdoor courts…along with delivering a world-class restaurant at Picklewood.” Many pickleball venues manage only one of the three things mentioned by Kara, and just a few in the city have tried all three under a single roof.
We were introduced to some of the venue’s most popular menu items by Ricky, beginning with the Picklewood Deluxe. The burger features house-made dill pickles, American cheese, and a traditional burger sauce, accompanied by the restaurant’s signature fries. The side dish alone is given the level of attention that is unusual at a sports venue. The other dishes reveal how thoroughly crafted the menu is, and how it is designed to make the location a true dining destination on its own.
First-timers are free to book a court, as there are classes and leagues for people who want structure. Guests who have no interest in playing pickleball are invited to grab a drink at the bar and enjoy a full meal. The Picklewood team pointed to a few of their own favorite nearby spots: Ciudad as the best restaurant, the Charcoal Grill Operation in Georgetown, Monorail Espresso for coffee, and Stevie’s Famous for pizza.
