Dock ‘n’ Dine: The Best Waterfront Restaurants in Seattle

Seattle’s lively boating scene is nothing without its delicious waterfront restaurants. After your day out on Elliot Bay, Lake Union, and Lake Washington, boaters need an eater’s guide to show you to the right restaurant, the one with the right water views, to end your day. Check out our list of 8 sizzling waterfront restaurants to visit by boat in Seattle:

1. Aqua
2. Miri’s Golden Gardens
3. Marination Ma Kai
4. Old Stove Brewing Company
5. Ray’s Cafe
6. Saint Bread
7. Westward
8. Bowriders

Find available boats & on the water experiences in Seattle, WA

1.  AQUA by El Gaucho

Seafood and boating go hand-in-hand. This is why the fresh seafood of AQUA comes first on our list. This restaurant serves mouthwatering seafood dishes like Dungeness crab mac and cheese and grilled halibut. AQUA’s dining experience caters to families but is equally suited for a friend’s outing. Popular menu items at AQUA include salmon rillette, tableside yellowfin poke, corn soup, grilled Chilean sea bass, and Frenched rib chop. Pro Destination Tip:

Dine outdoors at AQUA for views of Elliot Bay.

• Onsite dockage available: No; for nearest dock, see Pier 66.
• Reservations: Available online
• Seating capabilities: Indoor & outdoor

 

2.  Miri’s Golden Gardens

With more than 20 years of cooking experience, Miri and Gabe have created a menu at Miri’s Golden Gardens that showcases their unique cooking experiences and carefully crafted menu. In addition to fabulous views of Shilshole Bay, this offers boaters homemade flatbread, grilled kebabs, and Poffertjes, tiny Dutch pancakes. The quick service style makes this restaurant ideal for a casual take-out experience.

Popular menu items at Miri’s Golden Gardens include crispy roasted cauliflower, marinated grilled chicken, grilled cheese, breakfast sandwiches, and chicken or veggie kabob. Pro Destination Tip:

Miri’s Golden Gardens is located in Golden Gardens Park. While here, make sure to head to “The Grove” for a picturesque view of land and sea coming together.

• Reservations: Unavailable
• Seating capabilities: Take out only

3.  Marination Ma Kai 

Marination Ma Kai says aloha and 안녕하십니까 [Pronounced annyeonghasibnikka], it

brings Hawaiian-Korean cuisine to Seattleites for a truly unique experience. This restaurant serves Pacific fusion dishes such as spam sliders and spicy kimchi fried rice. At Marination Ma Kai, you’ll have views of Elliot Bay, more notably the Space Needle sitting across from you.

Popular menu items at Marination Ma Kai include kalbi beef taco, sexy tofu taco, aloha slider, spam slider, and luau plate.

• Onsite dockage available: No, the nearest dock is at Jim Clark Marina.
• Reservations: Unavailable
• Seating capabilities: Indoor & outdoor

 

 

4.  Old Stove Brewing Company 

Old Stove Brewing Company is a brewpub with views of Elliot Bay, perfect for craft beer lovers. This restaurant is conveniently located in the heart of Seattle, offering excellent in-house beers and fabulous food.

Popular menu items at Old Stove Brewing Company are clam and bacon chowder, fried pork belly, fish and chips, barbecue chicken, and the hummus plate. Sip on a cool one and take in the beautiful waterscape.

• Onsite dockage available: No, nearest dock at Bell Harbor Marina.
• Reservations: Unavailable from March to December
• Seating capabilities: Indoor and outdoor

 

5.  Ray’s Cafe

When summer arrives, spending time on the water is the perfect way to enjoy the day, especially when taking time out to enjoy a meal on the waterfront balcony at Ray’s Cafe.

You’ll catch views of Shilshole Bay, Olympic, and Puget Sound from this casual bar and cafe. Ray’s Cafe serves seasonal fresh dishes, including Northwest salmon, signature clam chowder, and authentic cod fish and chips.

Popular menu items include the blackened Neah Bay rockfish sandwich, fried chicken sandwich, pesto gnocchi, and Dungeness crab cakes.

• Onsite dockage available: No, nearest dock at Shilshole Bay Marina.
• Reservations: Unavailable
• Seating capabilities: Indoor and outdoor

 

6.  Saint Bread 

Saint Bread offers the perfect waterfront experience, serving food in a renovated boathouse. Here’s a tip specific to this restaurant. Pro Destination Tip:

 

Dock at Boat Street Marina and order your Saint Brad meal to-go! Bring it back to your boat for your own close-to-the-water dining experience on Portage Bay.

Menu items are made-to-order, including local favorites such as avocado toast,, fried egg sandwich, chocolate croissant, and a Saint cheeseburger with a fried egg and bacon.

• Onsite dockage available: No, nearest dock at
• Reservations: Unavailable
• Seating capabilities: Indoor and outdoor

 

7.  Westward 

Westward is a waterfront dining experience offering guests spectacular views of  Lake Union.

You find all the typical American dishes at Westward, as well as exotic menu items like crispy shallots, piparra peppers, polenta fritters, Hama Hama manila clams, and whole roasted poussin.

• Onsite dockage available: No, nearest dock at The Seattle Marina, Inc.
• Reservations: Unavailable
• Seating capabilities: Indoor and outdoor

 

8. Bowriders

Bowriders offers dockside takeout. Order online, let them know what kind of boat you’re in and staff will run your order out to you when you pull up to the dock (located at the Fuel Dock at Skylaunch Marina). Limited boat parking is also available after 7pm if you’d rather dock and eat on land.

Guests can indulge in a mouthwatering selection of dishes prepared fresh daily, including smoked chicken, pulled pork, and BBQ pork ribs. The menu also features tempting specials such as roasted asparagus with harissa aioli, strawberry cheesecake, brisket sandwich, elote, gumbo pozole, and smoked chicken and pear salad. A carefully curated wine list showcases offerings from renowned Northwest wineries, while wine and beer on tap provide additional beverage choices. Whether arriving by land or sea, patrons can enjoy the inviting ambiance of a screened patio, complete with a firepit and comfortable Adirondack chairs. This restaurant promises a memorable dining experience, where the flavors of the South meet the dynamic spirit of Seattle.

• Onsite dockage available: Yes
• Reservations: Unavailable
• Seating capabilities: Indoor and outdoor

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