Celebrating Seattle’s Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic culture is an integral part of Seattle, and comes into focus next month with its annual homage during Hispanic Heritage Month.

It is nationally observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

The Hispanic and Latino cultural presence in Seattle is deeply rooted in community and multigenerational legacy.

One powerful example is the story of Lucy Lopez, who moved from Cuautla, Jalisco to Seattle in 1957 and went on to open Guadalajara, one of the city’s first Mexican restaurants.

This entrepreneurial spirit helped lay the groundwork for generations of Cuautla-born restaurateurs who would follow in her footsteps.

That connection is formally recognized through Washington state’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, and the sister-city partnership between Cuautla and Renton.

These ties continue to thrive, fueled by cultural appreciation and the work of key community organizations like the Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (SLMCC) and El Centro de La Raza, a Latino cultural anchor based in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle since 1972.

“Our mission is to uplift Latino communities and amplify the voices of small businesses that shape the cultural and economic landscape of greater Seattle,” said Marcos Wanless, founder and president of the SLMCC.

“Through storytelling, advocacy, and community engagement, we proudly spotlight the incredible contributions of local Latino-owned businesses, including standouts like Jalisco Mexican Restaurant and Cielo Cocina.”

Since 1977, Jalisco Mexican Restaurant in Lake City has been a home for tradition, flavor, and culture. Thanks to the vision of Señor Chon and Señor Noé, this 100% Mexican-owned business has served generations with the authentic spirit of Jalisco.

At Cielo Cocina in Bellevue, Adriana and Elda serve food and heritage. Their family recipes from Jalisco, Mexico, tell a story of pride, perseverance, and the beauty of home.

“We’re proud of our heritage because it reflects the resilience, wisdom, and hard work of those who came before us,” said Miguel Maestas, associate director of El Centro de la Raza. “By uplifting small businesses, like Shark Bite Ceviches, through our Business Opportunity Center’s Food Incubator Program, investing in education, and driving economic development, we’re not just building stronger families, we’re building stronger communities.”

Marcos Arellano’s path to opening Shark Bite Ceviches in Ballard in March 2025 began nearly a decade earlier co-hosting Friday night ceviche parties for friends and family, and honing his recipes with feedback from his former coworkers at Eltana Bagels. Marcos realized that Seattle lacked dedicated ceviche spots and started sharing his creations for free at community soccer games and with Eltana customers. This eventually led him to El Centro de la Raza’s Food Incubator Program.

More Hispanic and Latino owned-businesses 

Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen – Authentic arepas in the University District

Birrieria Tijuana – Tijuana-style cuisine specializing in birria in Burien and Kirkland

Bongos Cafe – Casual Caribbean cuisine in Green Lake

BooSH Nursery – Central District plant shop

Bottecco Brazil – Authentic Brazilian cuisine in Kirkland

Cafetal Quilombo Cafe – Beacon Hill coffee shop and Mexican restaurant serving homemade tamales, tacos, tortas, and more

Carmelo’s Tacos – Mexico City-style taqueria with multiple locations in Capitol Hill

DOCE Donut Co. – Donuts inspired by Latin American flavors in Fremont, South Lake Union and Bellevue

The Salvadoran Bakery – All-day El Salvadoran bakery and restaurant in White Center

Jackalope – Tex-Mex cantina in Columbia City

La Loba – Modern Barcelona cuisine from James Beard Award-nominated chef Oscar Amador located in the new 1 Hotel Seattle in South Lake Union

Maíz – Tortilla shop (tortillería) offering light Mexican dishes with locations in Pike Place Market and Belltown

MariPili Tapas Bar – A Galician tapas bar from James Beard Award-nominated chef Grayson Pilar with locations in Capitol Hill and First Hill (Frye Art Museum)

Muse Lounge – All-day, Mexican-inspired restaurant and lounge in Pioneer Square with live DJ entertainment

Ravenna Brewing Company – Handcrafted beer in Northeast Seattle with a rotating food truck schedule

Rojos Mexican Food – Plant-based Mexican food in Pioneer Square

Señor Carbon – Peruvian fare with a focus on Nikkei (Japanese fusion) in Pioneer Square

Tres Lecheria – Wallingford bakery specializing in tres leches cakes, available in many different flavors and seasonal varieties

Hispanic and Latino arts and culture organizations 

Bailadores de Bronce – Mexican dance company originally founded by University of Washington students offering free weekly classes at all experience levels in Burien

El Centro de la Raza Cultural Arts & Mural Gallery – Titled “Our History, Our Community,” the gallery showcases interpretive artworks depicting El Centro de la Raza’s storied history since 1972 of standing in solidary with numerous social justice movements

eSe Teatro – Seattle-based Latino/a theater company that explores language, shared history and cultural roots through classics as well as new works

Latino Town – Weekly Saturday and Sunday street fair in White Center presenting Latin American vendors

Movimiento Afrolatino Seattle (MÁS) – Afro-Latino community organization offering arts and educational opportunities for youth and adults in Seattle

Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery – Multi-use and multi-cultural arts gallery grounded in the Chicana/o Latinx arts traditions in Delridge

Salsa Con Todo (SCT) – Seattle’s hub for social partner dancing offering lessons and drop-in events across six major dance forms: Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Tango, Swing, and Kizomba

The Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture – Museum in South Park dedicated to sharing the Chicano/a and Latino/a experience and history through a social justice lens to cultivate pride, appreciation, and understanding.

Upcoming Events 

2025 Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias: “Unifying Our Communities” – Sept. 13-14: Throughout the two-day event at Seattle Center, attendees can enjoy delicious traditional Latin American food, live music, and folk dance performances.

MEXAM NW Festival – Sept. 15 – Oct. 15: Curated by the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, MEXAM NW is a multi-event, multi-venue festival that spotlights the vibrant tapestry of contemporary Hispanic and Mexican American culture.

Seattle Latino Film Festival – Oct. 10-18: The Seattle Latino Film Festival (SLFF) was founded in 2009 by Jorge Enrique Gonzalez Pacheco, a Cuban-American international award-winning poet, film industry professional, and cultural entrepreneur. The Seattle Latino Film Festival (SLFF) is the only forum in the Pacific Northwest dedicated to genuine Latin American cinema.

20th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration at El Centro de la Raza: “Seeds of Justice: Fighting for Dignity and Democracy,” – Saturday, Nov. 1: Celebrate a night of remembrance, community, and cultural pride through traditional ofrendas and live performances.

Dia de Muertos Festival at Seattle Center – Nov. 1-2: Seattle Center Festál presents Día de Muertos Festival at the Armory Food & Event Hall featuring performances, elaborate altars, colorful face-painting, sugar skull workshops, visual art, and more.

Explore more Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses in Seattle on The Intentionalist, founded by Seattle leader and entrepreneur, Laura Clise.

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