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.

An inconspicuous wooden door transports you into Golden Roosters' lively interior, bustling with screens streaming various sports channels + the smell of freshly fried chicken during peak hours. | Photo by SEAtoday staff

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.

We tried the Purple Glow latte with a slice of baklava (take our advice and order *at least* two slices of the baklava — it was too good). | Photo by SEAtoday

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