There are so many great seafood restaurants in Seattle that have a water view. It is difficult to choose which are best. Ray's Boathouse, Waterfront Seafood Grill, Palisades, and Canlis are a few of them. But, really there are many more.
Ray’s Boathouse: Go-To Restaurant in Ballard Seattle
Ray’s Boathouse is Seattle’s go-to restaurant for out of town guests. It has decent seafood, at a high (for Seattle) price, but it’s worth the extra bucks just to sit out on the deck, dangling over Shilshole Bay, and feel the eternal primitive nature of the Pacific Northwest.
This restaurant has captured the heart of view-jaded Seattleites, because the setting is extraordinary. It’s so Zen to watch the boats sail back and forth between The Sound and The Canal. But expect a wait, or go early, to get a primo location.
The food is good. The people are decent. Don’t worry about the windy chill on the balcony, because Ray’s provides snuggly blankets. Dress is casual. This restaurant can also be the perfect place to woo a gal on a sexy, rugged winter’s eve. Foods to consider:
- Alaskan King crab or crab cakes
- Fish: Salmon, halibut, sable fish, or any special of the day.
- Grilled salmon burger in the cheaper café section.
- Happy hour can be rowdy fun. Bar food is good. Try calamari.
Waterfront Seafood Grill: Spendy Food and Gorgeous View
The Waterfront Restaurant is on the water near Downtown Seattle, and it can be a very romantic spot for couples. It’s near Myrtle Edwards Park, Bell Street Cruise Terminal, and Belltown. The place is owned by the hip, but crowded, El Gaucho steakhouse, so the meats are usually as good as the seafood. And, there is no feeling of being shut in at Waterfront. The views go all the way from the Space Needle to the islands. It’s a beautiful location, similar to Ray’s Boathouse, but the Waterfront is more elegant and Ray’s is more rugged and casual. That being said, people from the East Coast wouldn’t think that any Seattle restaurant is dressy. Even die-hard Canlis doesn’t require a tie anymore. What is the world coming to? Tips for Waterfront:
- Classic, not trendy, seafood
- Outdoor seating
- Lobster bisque
- Seafood brochette, seafood indulgence
- Attentive service
- Seattle ball players’ hangout, with a spiffy bar
Palisades Restaurant near Magnolia
The ambiance (usually a pretentious word) is lovely, with the indoor koi pond and killer views of a high-end marina, Downtown Seattle, and Elliot Bay. It’s a bit out of the way from downtown and is fairly close to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. The food, however, can go from mediocre to fabulous, so it’s hit and miss. The entree is usually the disappointment so one option is to get all appetizers and then cut to the chase with dessert. Palisades is not as casual as Ray’s and not as elegant as Waterfront, so it feels more middle-of-the-road corporate, and it’s good for a group. Some things to consider at Palisades:
- Crab cakes
- Fun happy hour
- Great breakfast buffett (with macadamia nut pancakes)
- Outdoor seating with a beautiful marina
Canlis: Seattle's Old School Chic
Canlis is not considered a seafood restaurant, though they have prawns, Pacific King salmon, mahi mahi (a Hawaiian fish), oysters, and Pacific halibut. This is an old school Seattle icon. Really, Canlis is more Seattle than the Space Needle. During one high-profile divorce (1970s), the wife got Canlis on Saturday nights and her ex-husband had to stay away.
Canlis has a fabulous view of Lake Union from high upon Queen Anne Hill. The restaurant serves all kinds of great dishes, from yummy steak tartare to all-natural prime steaks. And, ask the Canlis family (or employees) if they ever plan on putting the “real” piano bar back in, like when Peter Canlis was running the shop. Dinner at Canlis can be quite romantic. Back in the day, Canlis was the place where boys from good families would take their old-money girlfriends.
- Most tables have a hill top view of Lake Union and Gas Works Park
- After dark the city twinkles below
- Canlis food can be very good, but it’s all about the old-school 1950s atmosphere
There are many seafood restaurants in Seattle with a water view. Ray's Boathouse has a relaxed atmosphere. Waterfront Seafood Grill is expensive but great. Palisades may have the best view. And, Canlis is an iconic throwback to the 1950s. All of these are pretty good, but there are tons of Seattle restaurants on the water. There are other seafood places with no view and trendier food. It's a tough, but delicious, choice.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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