Edmonds Gone Viral
Written by Whitney Popa
When we think about Edmonds’ most viral moments of late, we think about the food, the moments, the people, and the places that inspire exploration. That’s what this site is all about, after all. And, lucky for you, Edmonds has lots of things that will keep you busy—from crushed croissants to a popular wigged-out Roper Romp, the reasons to come to Edmonds keep growing.
And they’re getting lots of likes, too.
Check out some of our favorite viral Edmonds moments from the past few years. As always, we couldn’t possibly capture them all, so this may or may not become a series.
Food
One of life’s biggest unifiers, gathering around tables of food, has grown significantly in Edmonds over the past several years. Here are just a few restaurants and menu items making waves:
The Cottage, Community Bakery’s sourdough starter not only makes loaves, but it also supports pizza night. Already a local darling, virtual videos about Conor and team’s thoughtful baked goods help good people eat well and enjoy quality meals together.
The Edmonds International District is one of our area’s unsung heroes. It teems with Asian eats and more, including newcomer Harvest Wonton Noodle. As one foodie TikTokker reminds us all, this is where you go when you’re looking for (or interested in trying) Hong Kong comfort food.
Many who visit Edmonds and come up or down Highway 99 have discovered the gem that is Kazoku. Check out the caption on this viral reel for what to order, and add it to your list when you’re in the mood for sushi.
MARKET’s lobster rolls set TikTok on fire during the pandemic, bringing thousands downtown to line up for their chance to try the delicious seafood sandwich. Because of the lobster roll’s (and, later, crab roll’s) popularity, a restaurant that was once struggling became the highest performing space in its restaurant group. That is the power of social media. Check out this article in The Stranger that gives even more of the story.
Oh, and check out MARKET’s most recent viral sensation: The Spice Bag.
One of our favorite viral stories is from Rila Bakery + Cafe, just a block outside of Edmonds in Lynnwood. When the owners tried their hands at remixing a Korean trend and a foodie influencer found out, they all earned more than a million views on a single reel and sold out of their pastries for weeks.
Moments
Feeding you is the low-hanging fruit, as it were, and we want to keep you longer than the duration of just one meal. Here are a few social media darling events you’ll want to attend:
The cool thing about night tidepooling is that it happens often in the summer and isn’t always formally organized, which means you can DIY your adventure. Check out an example in this viral TikTok. Who can say no to nerding out on cool sea critters, especially in the Pacific Northwest—no admission fee required?
Pull on your favorite caftan and don a red wig for an epic pub crawl called the Roper Romp. Now an annual event (2026 will mark year four), this ode to Mrs. Roper on Three’s Company induces lots of giggles and raises money for charity. Check out this video from last year’s event and start planning for next summer.
People
At the end of the day, it’s the people who define a place, and when you feel the magic in Edmonds, you should know it has a lot to do with the business owners who make it worth the visit (and the return).
One of our favorite success stories from the past year is fine artist Laura Burkhart’s journey to her Edmonds gallery. Already highly followed on Instagram, Laura created a pop-up gallery in her backyard to celebrate her business’s anniversary. That video climbed to over a million views and, right after, Laura learned she’d gotten a lease to her dream gallery space right downtown Edmonds.
Another local business owner who has seen her fair share of likes, MacKenzie Graham, proudly supports many other local businesses. One of those businesses is Wilder Salon in Perrinville. MacKenzie got a lot of attention in the salon’s chair from showing off her hair without extensions, but she’s not the only social media personality you’ll see come through the space. You might just come upon an influencer in the wild. Here’s another example of many. Can you place her?
You may or may not know that European travel legend Rick Steves has called Edmonds home for decades. He’s often spotted at the farmers market, playing his trumpet from his balcony, or at his company’s headquarters downtown (where you can buy his books and maybe enjoy a sighting). Here he is on TikTok helping you prepare for your next European excursion. If you grew up on Rick, this is your chance to find him in his natural habitat!
Places
Edmonds is far from a hidden gem, but some of its most popular places have yet to go viral. Some have recently, though:
The Edmonds Marina is the scene of so many beautiful moments: Sea lions lazing on fuel docks, dogs running in and out of the water after driftwood sticks, fisherpeople, and now…Argosy Cruise’s Christmas Ships! We expect to see lots of viral videos come out of the fleet’s stops in Edmonds this winter. Will yours be one of them?
We were sworn to secrecy for years about Teri’s Toybox’s massive collection of Jelly Cats, but now that the socials know, we can let you in. We haven’t confirmed it, but we have been told that Teri’s may have the biggest selection of the popular stuffed animal brand on the West Coast. Here’s a look at what you can expect inside.
Show Us Your Viral Moments
Did any of these tips inspire you to come out and explore, phone in hand? Tag us! We’d love to know that you’re enjoying our recommendations, and our favorite city by the Salish Sea. We’re @exploreedmondswa on Instagram and Facebook, and if you see any viral Edmonds videos you want to share with us, send ‘em over for future articles!