Which Seattle waterfront restaurant has been around the longest?

Ivar's Acres of Clams has been on Alaskan Way since 1938. It is known for clam chowder and fish and chips.

Where can I get oysters on the Seattle waterfront?

Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56 has a raw bar that rotates through many Pacific Northwest oysters.

Is there a waterfront restaurant in Seattle that focuses on steak?

AQUA by El Gaucho, at the edge of Pier 70, cooks steaks on an open charcoal grill and has floor-to-ceiling windows over the bay.

Are there waterfront restaurants outside downtown Seattle?

Salty's sits on Alki Beach in West Seattle, across the bay from downtown. Check its website for current details.

Seattle Waterfront Restaurants for Seafood and Bay Views

Elliott Bay fills the view when you take a table on one of the downtown piers along Alaskan Way, which is what a meal at Seattle waterfront restaurants usually means. Head to Elliott's Oyster House for its raw bar or Ivar's Acres of Clams for chowder, settle in for upscale Northwest seafood at Anthony's Pier 66, or order steaks grilled over charcoal at AQUA by El Gaucho.

How the Waterfront Dining Scene Lays Out

Most of the best-known spots line up one after another along the piers, so you can stroll from door to door and get a feel for each room before you choose. The range runs from casual chowder and fish and chips all the way to white-tablecloth seafood and steak. A couple of worthwhile choices sit just off the water, either up the hillside near Pike Place or across the bay in West Seattle.

A meal here pairs naturally with a walk. Browse our guide to Seattle landmarks to plan what you want to see before or after you eat.

Read the full guide

Dining on the Downtown Piers

Elliott's Oyster House

Start at Elliott's on Pier 56, where the raw bar rotates through a long list of Pacific Northwest oysters. It is the place to taste your way through regional shellfish one variety at a time. Thanks to the pier setting, the bay sits just beside your table.

Ivar's Acres of Clams

Ivar's has been serving diners on Alaskan Way since 1938, and that long run makes it a true waterfront institution. Order the clam chowder or the fish and chips, the dishes it is known for. Families and first-time visitors looking for a classic Seattle seafood meal will find it an easy pick.

The Crab Pot

Gather your group at The Crab Pot on Pier 57, where the menu is built around seafood boils. It is made for a hands-on meal that everyone shares. Come ready for something casual, messy and fun rather than formal dining.

Anthony's Pier 66

For a dressier evening, book Anthony's Pier 66, which leans upscale with Northwest seafood and views over Elliott Bay. Anniversaries, business dinners and special nights out all fit right in here. The dining room looks straight across the water.

AQUA by El Gaucho

AQUA sits at the edge of Pier 70, its floor-to-ceiling windows facing the bay. An open charcoal grill and a focus on steaks set it apart from the seafood-heavy piers around it. Choose it when your table mixes steak lovers with seafood fans.

Six Seven

Inside the Edgewater Hotel, Six Seven offers big windows that look out over Elliott Bay. Try the clam chowder or the halibut, two of the dishes it is known for. It suits hotel guests and anyone after a polished meal right over the water.

Bay Views From the Hillside and Across the Water

Aerlume

Aerlume, the sister restaurant to AQUA, sits on the hillside above the bay near Pike Place. Stop in if you are already exploring the market area and want a meal with an elevated view.

Salty's on Alki Beach

Cross the bay to West Seattle for Salty's, set right on Alki Beach. It makes a natural finish to a beach day or a trip beyond downtown. Get to know the area in our Seattle neighborhoods guide.

Planning Your Meal by the Water

Match the mood: Ivar's and the Crab Pot keep things casual, while Anthony's Pier 66, AQUA and Six Seven feel more dressed up.
Book ahead for views: window tables are popular, so check each restaurant's reservation options directly.
Make a day of it: pair dinner with ideas from our list of things to do in Seattle or a stop at nearby Seattle parks.

Menus, hours and policies can change, so check each restaurant's own website for current details before you go.

Seattle Waterfront Restaurants for Seafood and Bay Views

Frequently asked questions

How the Waterfront Dining Scene Lays Out