I also love when i visit a website with a simple markup and minimal js. Not everything should be a react/graphql isomorphic SPA, but have you checked NotionHQ[0]? The whole thing is a single page react app. People use it to build wikis, manage projects and even create blogs and job postings. All that using client-side rendering. It doesn't load as fast as hackernews but most people seem to love it either way.

[0] https://www.notion.so/