Are you visiting Seattle on your vacation or a work trip? Or do you live in this lovely city? If so, you should spend some time visiting the best attractions in Seattle.

You definitely need to spend an afternoon seeing the Space Needle, visiting the Pacific Science Center, and taking a ride on the Seattle Center Monorail.
After a morning or afternoon running around the city, you’re likely to get hungry and need a place to grab some lunch or dinner. As such, you’ll love visiting some of the best waterfront restaurants in Seattle.
You can enjoy munching on delicious seafood, ranging from shrimp cocktails and fresh oysters to grilled salmon and yellowfin tuna.
Also, if you want some Mexican food, you can choose chicken tacos, beef burritos, or enchiladas served with pinto beans and rice.
Are you ready to find out about the best waterfront restaurants in Seattle? Then check out my list below!
Aqua by El Gaucho
2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70, Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-956-9171
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After spending a few hours enjoying the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle, you can roam down the street and grab dinner at the Aqua by El Gaucho restaurant.
The eatery is located near multiple apartment complexes and the Take Care Yoga studio. When I came here for dinner, I loved trying the sushi-style yellowfin poke as an appetizer.
The restaurant had a fancy and upscale feel with a friendly staff. The grilled King Salmon dinner was exquisite with tasty artichokes and melt-in-your-mouth flaky fish.
This restaurant is all about quality, so you’ll never leave disappointed.
Marination Ma Kai
1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
Phone: 206-328-8226
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If you love waterfront restaurants, Marination Ma Kai is right on the water by Seacrest Park Cove and down the street from Unwind Cafe.
The eatery is right near a water taxi pier as well. The trendy restaurant features unique and innovative food.
When I came here, I loved munching on the spicy pork tacos with the slaw and pickled jalapenos. If you like kimchi, I would suggest trying the kimchi fried rice with Kalbi beef.
The dish even comes with a sunny-side-up egg. I also loved the semi-sweet cider with my meal.
Westward & Little Gull
2501 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 206-552-8215
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Westward & Little Gull is a lovely seafood restaurant located on the water near the Seattle Marina. Down the street, you can find a boat launching area and the Ivar’s Salmon House eatery.
The casual atmosphere also provides cheerful outdoor seating by the beach and offers fresh seafood like local oysters.
At the restaurant, I enjoyed munching on the baked oysters, and couldn’t get enough of the tasty seared halibut.
It came with a savory salsa and I ordered a side of flavorful and crispy fingerling potatoes. Also, the apple cobbler makes the perfect dessert to finish the night.
Agua Verde Cafe
1303 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: 206-545-8570
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Enjoy the bay views and the nature at Fritz Hedges Waterway Park before grabbing some lunch or dinner at the Agua Verde Cafe.
The eatery is close to various departments and buildings associated with the University of Washington, so you’ll likely find plenty of college students in the area.
When I came here, I ordered the fresh and tasty heirloom tomato salad and the chicken burrito with a side of chips.
The burrito’s guacamole, rice, and pinto beans tasted incredibly savory and included a creamy avocado salsa.
If you’re looking for a tasty drink, try the prickly pear margarita. It’s the perfect addition to any meal.
Miri’s at Golden Gardens
8498 Seaview Pl NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: 206-665-4112
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The waterfront restaurant Miri’s at Golden Gardens is right by the ocean and other nature scenes.
A forest trail known as the Burke Gilman Trail is a few blocks away, and you can enjoy checking out the Golden Gardens Wetlands nearby.
The type of food at the casual eatery is very unique. Some delicious options include:
- Eggplant with hummus and marinated chicken kebab
- Mini Dutch pancakes
- Beef kebabs
My favorite food here was the Al pastor Torta sandwich with its creamy avocado, tender pork, arugula, tasty beans, and spicy pickled jalapenos.
Ray’s Cafe
6049 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: 206-782-0094
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You can find Ray’s Cafe near the Ballard Elks Lodge and in front of the gorgeous seaside. Down the street, you can get beach access and get some sun.
The Seaview Picnic Park is also a fun place to take your kids if you’re willing to go for a walk after having lunch at Ray’s Cafe.
The upscale eatery includes quite exquisite food. I loved trying the garlic butter prawns and then enjoyed the cod fish and chips. The French fries were nice and crispy, while the flaky cod melted in my mouth.
Ray’s Cafe is super casual and doesn’t accept reservations, so make sure you get there early to avoid disappointment.
The White Swan Public House
1001 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: 206-588-2680
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The White Swan Public House eatery is in front of the bay and a few blocks away from the boat dealer Irwin Yacht Sales.
Another restaurant called Duke’s Seafood is a few minutes away, and the Arnold Library is close by as well.
The White Swan Public House is a rather trendy and fun restaurant with delicious food. I enjoyed the crab hush puppies and the tasty seafood stew.
The fish and chips also make a great dish for pickier eaters. The Seattle Cider was a fun drink to sip on while digging into my fish and chips.
Un Bien
Multiple locations
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Un Bien is a lovely sandwich shop located in front of the water by Ballard Sails & Yachts Services and the Sunset West Condominium Apartments.
The casual eatery has all sorts of delicious sandwiches. My favorite dish here was the pork loin sandwich.
The pork loin was marinated in a delicious sauce and then cooked perfectly. The juicy meat melted in my mouth, and I couldn’t get enough.
The rice and bean salad was also a great dish, while the fire-roasted corn had an exquisite flavor and spiciness.
This laidback eatery has something for everyone, including the meatless Tofu Delight.
Aerlume Seattle
2003 Western Ave Suite C, Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-539-2200
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The Aerlume Seattle restaurant is an upscale waterfront eatery right by Victor Steinbrueck Park. The Bell Harbor Marina is down the street, and you can find Anthony’s Fish Bar nearby.
You can also find the Boat Tour Agency Seattle’s Tall Ship a few blocks away. When I came to the restaurant, my favorite dish was the flaky and delicious pistachio-crusted halibut.
I added the Yukon gold mashed potatoes to the side, and the soft potatoes melted in my mouth. I also loved trying the yellowfin tuna poke as an appetizer.
This upscale restaurant is a popular choice, so ensure you make a reservation before heading off for date night or dinner with friends.
Miner’s Landing Pier 57 Seattle
1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-623-8600
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The Miner’s Landing Pier 57 Seattle is a fun family attraction center with amusement park rides, a giant Ferris wheel, and several top restaurants.
You can choose between The Fisherman’s Restaurant and The Crab Pot. I’ve tried both restaurants and loved each one.
At The Fisherman’s Restaurant, my favorite dish was the crab boil filled with:
- Three different kinds of crab
- Corn on the cob
- Potatoes
I also loved the San Clemente Brownie with vanilla ice cream for dessert. At The Crab Pot, I enjoyed trying the crab cakes and the spicy shrimp tacos.
Chinook’s At Salmon Bay
1900 W Nickerson St #103, Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206-283-4665
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The waterfront restaurant Chinook’s at Salmon Bay is a few blocks away from the family-friendly Interbay DIY Skatepark.
The restaurant sits east of the Seattle Pizza House and right by the Highliner Public House eatery. When ordering off the lunch menu, I loved trying the shrimp cocktail.
I also split the lovely Dungeness crab cakes, which tasted quite delicious. For dessert, the Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse was exquisite and so sweet.
If you go here, I recommend getting a margarite. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than sipping on a delicious cocktail while watching the bay views.