Everything just seems better when done on the edge of a sparkling lake or beside a tranquil bay!
That’s why Seattle is not short of waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood, seasonal fare, and stunning views that can’t be beaten.
Scroll down and explore right now what to eat and drink by the water now!
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1. Six Seven Restaurant
Six Seven is one of the most perfect places to overlook Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains while enjoying their scrumptious fare.
Not only are they one of the best restaurants in Seattle with a view, but the teal booths, funky wood panel walls, and subtly elegant chandeliers are phenomenal as well!
Whether you dine indoors or out, you’ll be treating yourself to the excellent options crafted by the expert culinary team. Must-try includes the House-Made Ricotta, Cedar Plank King Salmon, and Roquefort Crusted Filet of Beef.
The ricotta is served with cranberry chutney, pomegranate molasses, fine herb almonds, and crostini, while the salmon is smothered in a quick, tangy, herbaceous Dijon maple wet rub punctuated by smoked paprika, garlic, rosemary, and chipotle.
Don’t skip their famous dessert – the Lemon & Ricotta Cheesecake, which is creamy and delicious with a refreshing flavor of lemon blended with the mild sweetness of ricotta cheese.
What to order: House-Made Ricotta, Roquefort Crusted Filet of Beef, Cedar Plank King Salmon, Lemon & Ricotta Cheesecake
Address: 2411 Alaskan Way Pier 67, Seattle, WA 98121
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2. Elliott’s Oyster House
Elliott’s Oyster House has been proudly showcasing Seattle’s seafood for more than 30 years.
This waterfront restaurant is named America’s #1 Oyster House and rated among the Top 10 Seafood Houses in the US.
With stunning waterfront views and the finest seafood preparations, this place continues to be a hit.
Their Crab Cakes starter is extremely popular.
You get nice and chunky cakes full of crab meat, giving you a full-on crab flavor, served with snap peas, sweet Cipollini onions, and tangy and aromatic cocktail verde sauce.
The White Clam Chowder is thick, creamy, and super delicious. If you like your chowder soup spicy, they have the Spicy Crab and Corn Chowder.
Wish to try the best seafood that Seattle has to offer? Order the Celebration at Elliot’s Oyster House.
What to order: Crab Cakes, White Clam Chowder, Spicy Crab and Corn Chowder, Celebration
Address: 1201 Alaskan Way, Pier 56, Seattle, WA 98101
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3. Ivar’s Acres of Clams
On the north shore of Lake Union situated the stunning Ivar’s Acres of Clams, an American-style restaurant offering spectacular views of boats cruising Lake Union and Seattle’s skyline.
Plus, seafood has made this place a special place so don’t miss them!
Whenever you’re here for lunch, dinner, or patio dining, there’s always something to please your taste buds and tummy.
Settle down with the famous Coconut Curry Mussels first, which is mild with a pleasant, warm kick from the dried pepper. Then go on with the Seared Alaska Halibut or Fried Clam Strips.
They both taste like heaven in every bite!
What to order: Coconut Curry Mussels, Seared Alaska Halibut, Fried Clam Strips, Spicy Scratch Vodka Margarita, Pineapple Rum Old Fashioned
Address: 1001 Alaskan Way Ste. 102, Seattle, WA 98104
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4. Ray’s Boathouse
A great scenic restaurant for local Pacific Northwest Seafood lovers, Ray’s Boathouse feels like a dream.
The restaurant’s patio commands an impressive view over Puget Sound. While indulging in good quality seafood, you can enjoy watching the clear water in the sunshine while watching the boats pass.
Ray’s Pacific Northwest Sablefish in Sake Kasu is a must-try.
The honey soy sauce that comes with the dish creates an excellent combination of smokey, sweet, and tangy flavors.
This particular sablefish in Ray’s is the best one you’ll ever taste.
Their Smoked Scallop & Bay Shrimp Salad is a bed of mixed greens topped with the most delicious ingredients.
The smoked sea scallops have that familiar pleasant rubbery texture and a subtly sweet, refreshing flavor.
What to order: Pacific Northwest Sablefish in Sake Kasu, Smoked Scallop & Bay Shrimp Salad
Address: 6049 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
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5. Anthony’s Pier 66 & Bell Street Diner
Boasting great waterfront views and an expansive dining area with several distinct venues, Anthony’s Pier 66 & Bell Street Diner is just the right place to escape from the city’s bustling!
They serve up fresh, well-prepared Northwestern seafood right on the ocean, along with a good selection of desserts, and cheesecake rates are especially high on the list.
Make your way through with the Hawaiian Ahi Nachos, oh you just can’t get enough of all those marinated cubes of fresh tuna that tickle your curious tastebuds!
Continue with their Jumbo Tempura Prawns in light and crispy batter, deep-fried to perfection. This is perfect to share too!
In case you want a bit of surprise, order Today’s Shellfish Platter, which is made based on what the market has that day.
Or you can simply finish the night with the thick, tender, juicy Oven Roasted Lobster Tail, it’s way more mouth-watering than you think!
What to order: Hawaiian Ahi Nachos, Jumbo Tempura Prawns, Oven Roasted Lobster Tail, Today’s Shellfish Platter
Address: 2201 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121
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6. The Crab Pot Seattle
Located inside Miner’s Landing Pier 57 “Main Mall Entrance”, The Crab Pot Seattle is a fun and casual restaurant specializing in delicious seafood.
Also, visitors recommend this restaurant because of its good chardonnay, lager, and craft beer served in a friendly, upbeat ambiance.
If you’re looking for good food in a good mood, drop by Crab Pot Seattle!
What makes this particular restaurant famous is its incredible Seafeast, especially The Alaskan which comes with jumbo snow crab, Dungeness crab, snow crab, shrimp, steamed clams, Pacific mussels, and sausage, along with some side dishes to kick your taste buds!
Their Crab Bisque, Salmon Chowder, and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms are also the tastiest dishes.
What to order: Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, The Alaskan
Address: 1301 Alaskan Way Pier 57, 1305 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101
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7. AQUA by El Gaucho
AQUA by El Gaucho provides Seattle’s finest waterfront dining experience featuring the finest quality seafood paired with exceptional service.
In addition to fresh seafood selections, their menu also features dry-aged and custom-aged Certified Angus Beef.
The ambiance – dimly lit, elegant, high-end, and has fantastic views.
A classic, crowd-pleasing dish at AQUA, also recommended by the chef, is their Wicked Shrimp. There is a slight sweetness from the prawns that tastes nice with the spicy hot veloute.
You also get grilled bread on your plate, so you don’t miss even a drop of the mouthwatering sauce.
The Grilled Chilean Sea Bass comes to your table grilled to perfection – firm yet flaky with a mildly sweet flavor.
The sweet corn butter adds the sweetest and purest corn flavor to the dish.
A Japanese fusion seafood dish is the Miso Buttered Black Cod.
What to order: Wicked Shrimp, Grilled Chilean Sea Bass, Miso Buttered Black Cod
Address: 2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70, Seattle, WA 98121
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8. Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar
Located inside the Soames Dunn Building, Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar is where to satisfy your oyster craving!
This spot has long been the locals’ favorite for good reasons, a cozy ambiance, a wide range of fresh oysters, fish, and chips with plenty of local beer pairings on tap, and of course, a helpful and lovely service!
First thing first, the oysters! The best to enjoy them is to go raw with freshly shucked and served on a half-shell.
They are so fresh with a delicious umami flavor! Or you can make a try with broiled oysters topped with bacon, or fried and served with a basket of chips.
Once done with the oysters, grab their Northwest Seafood Gumbo and Clam Chowder, which are no less delicious.
What to order: Raw Oysters, Steamed Mussels & Garlic Broth, Cioppino, Northwest Seafood Gumbo, Clam Chowder
Address: 1916 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101
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9. Hook & Plow
Located on Seattle’s waterfront, steps from Pike Place Market, Hook & Plow is a modern American restaurant where you’ll be enjoying locally sourced, seasonal fare, delicious brunch, and bar snacks.
Grab a seat and immerse yourself in such a relaxing ambiance!
Settle down with their Risotto, a rich and creamy dish with cured tomato, asparagus, burrata, and crispy pancetta.
Then move on to their favorites like Rosario Strait King Salmon, Potato Gnocchi with Uli’s Sausage, and Fried Rockfish sandwiches.
You can’t go wrong with those badasses!
The salmon is extremely delicate, and their gnocchi is wonderfully tasty. Don’t hesitate to grab some craft beer to swallow them all down.
In case you still have room for dessert, the Tiramisu is worth your pennies, and it is pretty Instagram-y too!
What to order: Risotto, Chicken Marsala, Handmade Pappardelle, Rosario Strait King Salmon, Potato Gnocchi with Uli’s Sausage, Fried Rockfish sandwiches
Address: 2100 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98121
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10. Maximilien Restaurant
Maximilien Restaurant has long been a reliable spot for downtown French dining for good reasons.
This lovely place has all the old-world charm of any romantic hideaway in Paris with views of Elliott Bay. We have to admit that the panoramic views and the spectacular sunset are simply phenomenal!
The entrees menu is impressive with dishes like Hudson Valley duck leg confit and steak frites.
In case you want something more unique, get the Caviar d’ with Siberian sturgeon caviar on ice, served with blinis, and creme fraiche.
Or the Assiette de Fromages, a plate of three assorted kinds of cheese served with fresh fruit.
Continue with the Cote de Porc, which is rich and meaty with seared pork tomahawk, garlic butter, and mashed potatoes.
What to order: Caviar d’Esturgeon, Assiette De Fromages, Pike Place Market Salad, Cote de Porc, Tarte Flambee
Address: 81A Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
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11. Lowell’s Restaurant
Lowell’s Restaurant & Bar has been serving fresh seafood for almost 10 years, along with three floors of scenic views, all offering world-class views of the Olympic Mountains, the ferries crossing Puget Sound, and a seagull’s view of the Port of Seattle.
Delicious food with spectacular views, what can be better?
On the first and third floors, you’ll have to order first with the cashier and then find a view seat.
On the second floor, there will be a full bar selection of unique handmade cocktails, microbrews, and wine for you to choose from.
So make your choices!
Whatever you choose, don’t miss these dishes as they are parts of Lowell’s reputation.
First, the Alderwood Smoked Fresh King Salmon Benedict is served on grilled rosemary bread with two poached eggs over the smoked salmon and draped with creamy-rich Hollandaise Sauce.
Then, order Lowell’s Hot Dungeness Crab Melt, which is hot, cheesy, and rich as ever with Dungeness crab, mozzarella cheese, and homemade Bacon-Tomato Jam on rustic rosemary bread grilled on the flat top.
What to order: Lowell’s Famous Clam Chowder, Alderwood Smoked Fresh King Salmon Benedict, Lowell’s Hot Dungeness Crab Melt, Slow Braised Corned Beef Reuben
Address: 1519 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101
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Seattle has never run out of stunning waterfront restaurants that are impressive enough to have your heart.
We hope you have chosen an ideal one to visit for your next trip to Seattle.
Don’t just stop here, keep exploring more top-notch restaurants in Seattle with us!