Unearth The Voyage
Washington State’s coastline stretches from Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean, offering some of the most stunning waterfront dining in the country. Whether you’re watching ferries glide across Elliott Bay or gazing at the San Juan Islands from your table, these restaurants combine jaw-dropping scenery with incredible food. The best part? You’ll come for the Instagram-worthy views but keep coming back because the seafood, steaks, and seasonal dishes are just as memorable as the sunsets.
1. Ray’s Boathouse (Seattle – Ballard/Shilshole Bay)
For over four decades, this Ballard landmark has been serving some of Seattle’s finest sustainable seafood while diners soak in views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The restaurant’s commitment to local, responsibly sourced fish means every plate tells a story of the Pacific Northwest’s bounty.
Upstairs, the casual café offers the same stunning scenery with a more relaxed vibe and lighter menu options. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion downstairs or grabbing a quick bite above, the panoramic water views never disappoint.
Their signature dishes include wild salmon, Dungeness crab, and seasonal halibut preparations that change with what’s freshest. The wine list features excellent Pacific Northwest vintages that pair beautifully with the seafood-focused menu.
2. Salty’s on Alki Beach (West Seattle)
Floor-to-ceiling windows framing the entire Seattle skyline, with ferries cutting across Elliott Bay and the Space Needle punctuating the horizon, that’s what you get at every table here, making it one of the city’s most photogenic dining spots.
The restaurant has earned its reputation over decades, not just for the views but for consistently excellent Northwest seafood. Fresh oysters, perfectly grilled salmon, and innovative daily specials keep locals and visitors returning season after season.
Their award-winning wine list features hundreds of bottles, with knowledgeable staff ready to recommend the perfect pairing. Weekend brunch is especially popular, with families and couples claiming window seats early to watch sailboats drift by while enjoying eggs Benedict and mimosas.
3. Six Seven at The Edgewater (Downtown Seattle Waterfront)
Wall-to-wall windows transform dining here into a cinematic experience, with Puget Sound stretching endlessly toward the Olympic Mountains. The Edgewater Hotel’s signature restaurant delivers refined, seasonally inspired dishes that showcase Washington’s agricultural and maritime treasures.
Chefs craft menus around what’s available at Pike Place Market and from local fishermen, meaning the offerings shift throughout the year. Spring might bring spot prawns and morel mushrooms, while autumn features wild king salmon and heirloom squash.
The sophisticated atmosphere makes it perfect for romantic dinners or important celebrations. Request a window table at sunset, when the sky turns pink and orange behind the mountains, creating a backdrop that rivals any painting in a gallery.
4. Elliott’s Oyster House (Seattle – Pier 56)
Few experiences beat sitting on the patio with Elliott Bay lapping beneath your feet while slurping fresh oysters from the restaurant’s legendary selection. On any given day, they offer between 24 and 26 varieties from Pacific Northwest waters, each with its own distinct flavor profile.
This classic waterfront institution has been a Seattle staple for generations, serving everyone from tourists to downtown workers looking for the city’s best seafood. The knowledgeable oyster shuckers can guide you through the differences between Kumamoto, Olympia, and Penn Cove varieties.
Beyond oysters, the menu features clam chowder, Dungeness crab cakes, and grilled fish that arrives daily from local boats. Ferry horns punctuate your meal as vessels glide past, reminding you that you’re dining in one of America’s great port cities.
5. Anthony’s Pier 66 & Bell Street Diner (Seattle)
When Mount Rainier decides to show itself, this restaurant offers one of the best vantage points in the city, with the massive volcano appearing to rise directly from Elliott Bay. The postcard-perfect views include the Seattle waterfront, ferries, sailboats, and the Olympic Mountains stretching across the western horizon.
Anthony’s has built its reputation on serving premier Pacific Northwest seafood prepared simply to let the ingredients shine. Wild salmon, halibut, and spot prawns get star treatment here, often paired with locally grown vegetables and herbs.
The Bell Street Diner side offers a more casual, budget-friendly option with the same incredible views. Families appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and kids’ menu, while the upscale dining room caters to special occasions and business dinners.
6. The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive (Bow/Chuckanut)
Perched dramatically on a cliff along one of Washington’s most scenic highways, this restaurant’s tiered dining rooms ensure every table gets a spectacular view of Samish Bay and the distant San Juan Islands. The location alone makes it worth the drive from Seattle or Bellingham.
What makes the food special is proximity—the shellfish comes from waters you can literally see from your seat. Oysters harvested that morning arrive on your plate within hours, tasting of the cold, clean Salish Sea.
The sunset views here are legendary among locals, with the sky painting the bay in shades of purple and gold. Reservations are essential, especially on weekends when couples and groups fill the dining rooms to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and other milestones against this stunning natural backdrop.
7. Chuckanut Manor Seafood & Grill (Bow/Chuckanut)
This historic roadhouse has been welcoming travelers along Chuckanut Drive for generations, offering a cozy, rustic atmosphere that feels quintessentially Pacific Northwest. The building’s charm combines with sweeping views of Samish Bay to create a dining experience that’s both comfortable and visually stunning.
Local oysters star on the menu, alongside other seafood pulled fresh from nearby waters. The kitchen takes pride in preparing Northwest classics—think cedar plank salmon, steamed clams, and fish and chips—with respect for traditional recipes while adding modern touches.
Unlike some of its neighbors, the Manor maintains a slightly more casual vibe that welcomes families and groups of friends. The outdoor seating area becomes especially popular during summer months when warm evenings and long sunsets make dining outside irresistible.
8. Taylor Shellfish – Samish Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market (Bow/Chuckanut)
Eating oysters mere yards from where they were grown and harvested creates a farm-to-table experience that’s hard to beat. Taylor Shellfish operates this unique combination oyster bar and market right on their working Samish Bay farm, letting you watch the operation while you eat.
The casual, outdoor setup features picnic tables where you can crack Dungeness crab, slurp oysters, and steam clams while looking out at the very waters that produced your meal. It’s as fresh as seafood gets, with a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere that appeals to everyone.
You can also buy shellfish from the market to take home, making it a favorite stop for locals stocking up for backyard barbecues. Bring a sweater even in summer—the bay breeze can be chilly, but that’s part of the authentic coastal experience.
9. Anthony’s at Squalicum Harbor (Bellingham)
Bellingham’s working harbor provides an authentic maritime backdrop for this Anthony’s location, where fishing boats and pleasure craft bob in the marina while the San Juan Islands create a dramatic horizon line. The restaurant captures the essence of a thriving coastal community where fishing remains a way of life.
Like all Anthony’s locations, the focus stays firmly on classic Northwest seafood prepared with care and consistency. Fresh catches change with the seasons, but you can always count on excellent salmon, halibut, and shellfish sourced from responsible local fisheries.
The Bellwether on the Bay location gives it a slightly different feel from the Seattle restaurants, with a more laid-back, small-city vibe. Locals treat it as their special-occasion spot, while visitors find it a perfect introduction to Bellingham’s waterfront culture and cuisine.
10. Downriggers (Friday Harbor – San Juan Island)
Right on the water’s edge in Friday Harbor’s bustling port, this restaurant lets you watch ferries arrive and depart while sailboats navigate the busy harbor. The location captures the essence of San Juan Islands life, where boats serve as both transportation and recreation.
The menu focuses on Pacific Northwest staples prepared in straightforward, satisfying ways that let the ingredients speak for themselves. After a day of whale watching or exploring the island, diners appreciate the hearty portions and reliable quality.
Summer evenings here are magical, with long northern sunlight stretching until 9 or 10 PM and the harbor alive with activity. Grabbing an outdoor table and ordering a local beer or Washington wine while watching the maritime parade makes for a quintessential island experience that visitors remember long after leaving.
11. McMillin’s Dining Room (Roche Harbor – San Juan Island)
Roche Harbor Resort’s flagship restaurant brings fine dining to this historic island destination, with windows framing the picturesque marina where luxury yachts and classic sailboats dock. The elegant atmosphere feels special without being stuffy, perfect for celebrating island vacations or romantic getaways.
While seafood features prominently, the menu also showcases aged prime cuts for those who prefer land-based proteins. The kitchen sources ingredients carefully, combining island-grown produce with premium meats and fresh-caught fish to create memorable dishes.
Dining here feels like stepping back to a more gracious era, when resort hotels served as social centers for summer communities. The harbor views, attentive service, and carefully crafted menu combine to create an experience worth dressing up for after days spent in hiking boots and kayaking gear.
12. SALT Hotel & Pub (Ilwaco – Long Beach Peninsula)
Perched at the Port of Ilwaco on the Long Beach Peninsula, this casual pub welcomes families and groups with harbor views and a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere. The working fishing port provides constant entertainment as boats come and go, reminding diners of the seafood industry that sustains this coastal community.
The menu balances coastal comfort food with fresh local seafood, offering everything from fish and chips to clam chowder to burgers. It’s the kind of place where you can satisfy everyone in your group, whether they’re craving oysters or chicken strips.
Baker Bay stretches beyond the harbor, with the Columbia River meeting the Pacific just a few miles away. The pub’s casual vibe makes it perfect for post-beach dinners when everyone’s sandy and tired but hungry for good food and pretty views.
13. Pickled Fish (Long Beach – atop Adrift Hotel)
Sitting atop the Adrift Hotel, this top-floor dining room offers something rare on Washington’s coast: direct, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon. The modern, airy space maximizes those views with large windows that frame the endless blue water and dramatic coastal weather.
Creative, locally inspired plates showcase the bounty of both land and sea, with chefs putting inventive spins on Northwest ingredients. The cocktail program matches the food’s creativity, featuring local spirits and fresh ingredients that reflect the coastal setting.
Long Beach Peninsula doesn’t have as many upscale dining options as Puget Sound, making this restaurant a standout destination. Watching storms roll in across the Pacific while sipping craft cocktails and enjoying innovative cuisine creates an experience that captures the wild beauty of Washington’s ocean coast.
