Ask anyone who’s been around Spokane for a while and they’ll tell you what each building used to be: where there used to be an A&W, and then it was a Chinese restaurant, and now there’s a dog boutique. Yet, some places in the city remain largely undiscovered, just around the corner or a few blocks off the beaten path.

These are Spokane’s hidden gems, occupying unassuming spaces that were once a hotel, a warehouse or a home. Some require some effort to find, a call ahead or a venture outside one’s comfort zone. All offer a something a little unusual—a new flavor, experience or some combination of the two.

Richmond Art Collective

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Across from the downtown Spokane Greyhound station, make your way through the front door, then the back door, of Spaceman Coffee to enter the Richmond Gallery. There, visitors may find work by artists-in-residence at Laboratory, which attracts working artists from around the world who make art that calls for audience participation—one recent exhibit invited guests to build a blanket fort from textiles and hardware made by the artist. On another day, an exhibit by a member of Richmond Art Collective—the apartment and studio space above the gallery—or a visiting artist may hang on the walls.

QQ Sushi & Kitchen 

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QQ Sushi & Kitchen occupies an unassuming space in the Rosauer’s parking lot on West Francis Avenue. The casual, beginner-friendly sushi joint transforms cramped into cozy with a playful, casual atmosphere and impeccable service. Order a sushi boat and you’re served an artwork of salmon roses and drawings in sriracha mayo.

Barrister Winery

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If a lost soul is wandering around the west end of Downtown, they’re likely searching for Barrister Winery. The interior, a converted auto warehouse, feels grand in a rustic, artful way. But only those who can find their way to the humble entrance, a side door in a downtown alley, may enter. Named for its founders’ first career, law, Barrister recently opened a second—and easier to find—tasting room opposite the Davenport Grand hotel.

The Silver Spoon Tea House 

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Dust off the fancy hats and indulge in an afternoon of delicate Victorian delights and raised pinkie fingers. From outside, The Silver Spoon Tea House blends right in with the Cliff-Cannon neighborhood’s well-kept Craftsman homes. Only an easy-to-miss sign in the yard hints at the hidden world inside: a whimsical world of pastries, floral prints, pastel candies and of course, fine teas. Drop in during open hours or reserve your seat for afternoon tea service.

Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery

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Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery only opens regularly on First Friday and the Saturday following, and even then, it’s best to call first in the summertime as the artists “might be out in the sun.” The gallery also serves as an artist’s studio for Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore, who share the gallery with Gina Freuen and a rotating cast of invited artists from around the country. Some of the ceramics serve a function and others are purely decorative. Peek beyond the white-walled exhibition space to see works in progress and pieces not yet on display.

Wisconsinburger

Wisconsinburger.com

Hidden away in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood, Wisconsinburger replicates the cafeteria feel found in Wisconsin’s mom-and-pop burger houses with the welcome twist of fresh, local and made-from-scratch ingredients. Burgers ranging from $9-13 deliver on the shop’s “juiciest burger in town” promise and include one turkey and two vegetarian choices. Wisconsinbuger’s signature appetizer, cheese curds, come with two sides: momentary bliss and lasting heartburn.

Hogwash Whiskey Den

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Hogwash Whiskey Den, hidden in the dungeon-esque downstairs of the renovated Washington Cracker Co. building, offers a simple menu consisting mostly of whiskey. For those who cannot live on libations alone, Hogwash features upscale bar food with a southern flair. Owners Kate and Jeremy Hansen of Santé Restaurant & Charcuterie and Common Crumb Artisan Bakery recently opened the doors at both Hogwash and a neighboring restaurant, Inland Pacific Kitchen.

ben GALLERY

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Artist Ben Joyce’s distinctive work, in a style he calls “abstract topophilia”—colorful, textured mixed media maps—has made its way into public halls, corporate headquarters and homes around the world. Now, his yet-unsold work has a new home: Joyce celebrated the grand opening for his new gallery, located in the alleyway just south of First Ave. and Madison St. downtown in early December.

Gordy’s Sichuan Cafe 

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There are two kinds of people in Spokane: Those who have tried Gordy’s Sichuan Cafe and those who haven’t. The “haves” can be identified by an abnormally positive opinion of green beans. The South Hill Chinese restaurant, located on the side of a Manito Boulevard strip mall, doesn’t look like much from outside and maintains the sparse aesthetic inside — but what it lacks in appearances fades farther away with each bite of flavor-packed grilled veggies, spicy entrees and Sichuan Province-inspired sauces heavy on garlic and chili.

Object Space

1818 1/2 E. Sprague Ave.

Object Space leaves nary a trace online, nor does it list a phone number. Its street address is a half number. By all modern measures, this place does not exist. Walking down Sprague Ave., it’s easy to pass by without noticing the narrow door that opens to a narrow staircase leading to the gallery—unless, that is, one manages to spot the colorful 3D sign overhead. Proceed to discover the weird, wonderful and sometimes challenging work of local artists.