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    Duck Soup

    4.0 (316 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    Duck Soup Photos

    DUCK SOUP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Duck Soup

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    Reviews With Photos

    Bread with anchovy pate!
    Nathan F.

    As advertised, they had pretty good duck! Upon arriving in Friday Harbor, my girlfriend and I immediately made our way to our reservation at Duck Soup. Tucked in an isolated, forested area 10 minutes away from the downtown area, the restaurant was a little lodge building you had to drive to on a dark road. Was it worth the trip? Definitely! We were greeted by the servers right away and were seated right next to the wine bottle area. The interior of Duck Soup had a really cozy and warm ambiance to it; it felt like the ideal place for couples and families. We were first served bread with anchovy pate, which, as a bread enthusiast, is something I've never had before. This is something I certainly want to add to my food circle. Our main dishes were pretty good! My girlfriend got the House-Made Tagliatelle Pasta, and I got the Duck Cassoulet. Personally, I like the pasta more than my dish because my duck dish was mostly beans. Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the beans, the quality of the roasted duck was really good. Thank you to the Duck Soup staff for having us! This is worth a try if you're planning a Friday Harbor trip.

    House Made Tagliatelle Pasta surrounding
    Sandy N.

    Duck Soup is the most enchanting restaurant I've been to. A bit of a way out from the central area of Friday Harbor, you will find yourself down this road with a lodge building, which is Duck Soup. My boyfriend and I arrived just in time for our reservation. We ordered Duck Cassoulet and House Made Tagliatelle Pasta, while we got served a pineapple mocktail and bread with some anchovy pate. The anchovy pate was salty yet umami tasting in contrast to the bread. The mocktail tasted similarly to a pineapple Fanta, which is my favorite. Next came our main dishes, medium rare duck laid on a bed of beans. It was cooked to perfection and I've never had anything like it before. The pasta was also delicious. Pesto straight onto the bread with tomato sauce Tagliatelle Pasta surrounding it. Truly an exquisite meal! The ambience of Duck Soup was just wonderful. It felt cozy and warm. It was a great place to have a meal.

    Inside - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Kyle W.

    Nice, cozy, Pacific Northwestern restaurant in Friday Harbor area, though dishes can be hit or miss depending on what you get and service could be better. Location requires a car as it is not centrally located near the ferries or seaplanes. I made reservations in advance for 6:30pm dinner Sunday, and it was quite busy. Most people are visitors like us so near 8:30pm when we finish the meal, the restaurant clears up with minimal people starting their meals, to catch the last ferry of the day. Note: despite the name, there is only one duck item on the menu, and according to the server, the name comes from the 70s saying here: "easy as duck soup." We got roasted baby carrot salad, braised pork belly, duck breast, and prawns and herb gnocchi. For dessert, we got the toasted dandelion ice cream sundae. We also got a cocktail "Twyla Mae" (forgot the exact spelling) that was a bit underwhelming - watered down. We got started with bread and anchoiade and butter, and the anchovy is pretty prominent and salty so enjoy it sparingly. The baguette was decent. The butter was also good. Roasted baby carrot salad was pretty solid - many uses of carrots which ended up flavorful, paired with a fresh herbed ricotta and fried carrot bits and baby arugula salad. Presentation was spot on too. Braised pork belly is decent - good ratio of fat to meat, with some oyster mushrooms. The mustard on the side was too strong and did not really pair with the pork belly. Duck breast was cooked to a medium and also had a decent fat to meat ratio. I love duck so this one was good. Prawns and herb gnocchi was also delicious. Price point is a bit high for what we get, 7 pieces of prawns that were pretty fresh, and herb gnocchi was large gnocchi, not the small ones. At minimum, the gnocchi was fairly flavorful, further enhanced with the sauce. Ice cream sundae was $14 which was quite high, about double the cost of what it was 2 years ago... but we were intrigued by the toasted dandellion flavor that ended up a bit subtle. We were celebrating a birthday and there was nothing special they do aside from just sticking a candle on the dessert. If we did not tell the server, they would not have paid attention, even though I stated a special occasion in the reservation notes. Service is a bit mediocre for a restaurant of this caliber. Long waits on food, so a 6:30pm dinner straddled close to 9pm, and our ferry was 10pm. We had to rush the dessert as it was already past 8:30pm, around the time we hoped to leave the restaurant to leisurely make it to the ferry. The server did not wipe down the table between mains and dessert, which would've been okay usually, but the server placed my spoon carelessly on top of some sauce that was left from the mains. I called it out, and they brought a cloth to clean the table but dropped the spoon loudly thereafter, which annoyed me a bit. Throughout the dinner, the server was nowhere to be found in a lot of instances, instead of paying closer attention to the tables if they needed anything prior to the server making the rounds across the tables every so often. Overall, a decent place that is recommended by lots of people, but a little overhyped. I would recommend for a nice dinner, but it falls short in service and some dishes when considering the price point indicative of a fancier sit down restaurant.

    Key lime pie
    Lynda T.

    I love the outdoor dining ambience for fine dining. This is a place where I would not bring little kids. Despite the name, they've never had duck soup on their menu. They did have a duck entree which was very good. I would not recommend their black cod. The grilled skin wasnt very crispy and the cod wasn't very blackened. Only other complaint is that it took 45 min to an hour to get our food.

    Brittany L.

    I loved the environment but for the price it's just Meh! If I visited San Juan again it wouldn't be here. I've spent a lot on meals before and I just wasn't impressed with the menu for how much it cost. The menu also doesn't describe everything that is on the plate. I got the dinner salad and it had goat cheese.... I hate goat cheese lol and it didn't say it came with the salad. Favorite thing was the Rockefeller Oysters.

    Clam Special (the clams were much larger than appears in the photo) - Highly recommend!
    Rose E.

    Came here for my birthday dinner since we were staying on the Island, and the flavors and quality ingredients combined with the beautiful location and decor were perfect. The service left a bit to be desired, though. Twice, our dishes were left unattended to the point that we had to move them around ourselves before anyone came to clear them. The servers aren't great here for a "fine-dining" experience restaurant. They also had a snooty air, which was annoying. The service was so slow that we decided not to order dessert or an extra cocktail because everything else had taken so long. Did notice that some folks were legit sitting and chatting for hours and hours because they were there well before and after us. Liked that it was an excellent place to catch up with loved ones without the pressure to leave. That may be why the service was slow. True Island time, I suppose. They have an adjacent parking lot and three seating areas: the dining room, this outside patio area, and the gravel patio area closer to the woods. I had initially booked the dining area, but the day was so beautiful that I kindly asked to be seated in the garden patio area. It was lovely watching the hummingbirds come and go while surrounded by nature. The parking lot view was the only annoying part. Had I not worn heels, I preferred the gravel patio area with fire pits. We ordered: (btw, one of the butters served with the table bread has anchovies mixed in and at first the flavor wasn't that great but it grows on you! Going to try to make this at home now) -Clam Special (I can't remember the exact name): The clams were giant! The picture did not do them justice, but this dish was excellent! -Confit Duck Leg--This was so delicious! Considering the name, I just had to try it, and it exceeded my expectations. I loved how they added citrus to the dish! -Smoked Pork Belly App: These were surprisingly hearty, even though they were tiny. I highly recommend you give them a try! -Petite Cioppino App - This was also delicious; the seafood was perfectly cooked, and the sauce tied the dish together nicely -2 cocktails which were delicioussss I highly recommend this place for special occasions or just for catching up with loved ones. Just make sure you set up your reservation ahead of time and enjoy the beautiful drive up. The surrounding area is gorgeous!

    Lamb rack
    Sarah L.

    We loved our visit to Duck Soup! We made reservations ahead of time for dinner and were seated immediately. Our waitress was so friendly, welcoming, and attentive. We thought she did a great job with service. The space was cozy and inviting, with indoor and outdoor options available. It looked like the patio had heat lamps for chillier nights. The Halibut entree was our favorite out of everything we ordered, and the Chamomile Honeycomb Gimlet was so unique and flavorful. I would definitely put this on my return list!

    Halibut with lemon pepper butter sauce
    Camie K.

    Beautiful foliage-fringed restaurant with a funny name. The food is excellent but super pricy. Its location is not close to anything on the island except Lakedale Resort, which the trolley does stop by but limited hours/schedule so impractical, so you either need a car or hail/order a taxi to get there. Our server was gracious and attentive. She deserves 5 stars! Food/Menu - wide variety of meat and seafood to pick from. Very fresh and seasonal. Some highlights: - super flaky and crunchy bread served warm - the anchovies paste is scrumptious, could not get enough of it! - beet panna cotta is interesting! But together with goat cheese, candied pecans, and salad with a tart dressing it was well balanced - halibut was generous in serving size! Bit expensive for $48 - steak Diane was made to my husband's liking, and the potato Mille-Feuille side was super crunchy and addictive mouth watering. But still not worth $60+ imo Cocktails - earl grey old fashioned was lovely - Niepoort tawny port ended my night on a lovely note Definitely make reservations in advance! The server let us know that gratuity was already included since we had a large group. I appreciate that she even had written out the total amount so all we had to do was sign. Pricing is cost prohibitive, so just beware.

    Roasted baby carrot salad
    Richard D.

    Deliciously balanced preparations and well presented plates. Staff was attentive. Enjoyed the recommended cocktails and wine paired with our meal. Roasted Baby Carrot Salad, Scallops, and Sturgeon. Highly recommend!

    Roche Harbor

    Majorly disappointed Read through recent reviews! This was our first time after being highly recommended by friends. Raw and cold duck, warm just ok Halibut and messy Un tasteful veggie sides. Staff including waitress couldn't care less. With no alcohol or desert $188 was insane Im all in for spending for a 5 star dinner but not this. Beware!!!! Read other recent reviews Mcmillons is a much better option Ps no comps or even a sorry. Staff indifferent

    Duck Breast and polenta

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    The food was just ok. Ordered the filet and clams. The pricing was not too high but the food was not great. Cute place.

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    Page 2 of 8

    Ask the Community - Duck Soup

    Downriggers - New Year day special

    Downriggers

    4.0(757 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$$

    Food and service were great, ambiance was 10/10. My son raved about the tartar sauce. I loved the…read moremimosa flight (mango, blood orange, and kiwi).

    If you find yourself in Friday Harbor, you absolutely have to visit this spot. My top tip: make a…read morereservation. This place fills up fast, and after dining there, it's easy to see why! Our party of three visited for lunch at noon on a Thursday. Since we had a reservation, we were seated immediately at a lovely table right by the window. The atmosphere was great, and the staff were incredibly courteous and friendly throughout our meal. We initially thought about starting with some small plates, but we were so eager for seafood that we jumped straight into the entrees. We weren't disappointed: Bouillabaisse: This was our first time trying this dish, and it was the highlight for us. It was incredibly flavorful--exactly what we were craving. Spicy Prawn Mac and Cheese: It definitely lived up to its name! It wasn't "blow-your-head-off" hot, but it had a perfect, noticeable kick that really elevated the dish. Blackened Cod Tacos: These were fantastic. The cod was perfectly prepared and worked so well with the rest of the taco ingredients. We also enjoyed a couple of non-alcoholic drinks that hit the spot, though I'll admit that since I'm writing this a couple of weeks later, I forgot to snag photos or the specific names of the drinks! They also have a really nice patio area if you prefer dining outdoors. Whether you're a seafood lover or just looking for a great meal with a view, this place is a must-visit!

    Photos
    Downriggers
    Downriggers - Crab Melt***

    Crab Melt***

    Downriggers - Crab Deviled Eggs***

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    Crab Deviled Eggs***

    Friday's Crabhouse

    Friday's Crabhouse

    2.9(328 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Got lunch at Friday's Crabhouse for a little day trip my family and I did for 4th of July. Located…read moreright on Friday Harbor, this place is definitely appealing for its location and view of the water. The restaurant is open seating, and you order at the bar. I thought the staff were all very friendly! A lot of them were actually students from Thailand, so it was really interesting getting to know and chat with them! They provided a few great tips for the area and things to do. Regarding the food, my family and I shared a few items. We shared the captain's platter, which included fried fish, scallops, prawns, calamari, and clams, as well as the rockfish, a few grilled oysters, and clam chowder. I'd say the fried platter and clam chowder were on the more underwhelming side. I think for a location that takes pride in their seafood it seemed a bit more run of the mill for me. I did however love the grilled oysters and rockfish! May consider coming back just for the oysters and view, but there are other businesses on the harbor I'd like to check out as well.

    Came here with a few friends on a Sunday afternoon for drinks and lunch while waiting for the…read moreferry. My overall impression? This place has prime waterfront real estate and incredible potential, but the experience felt more like an overpriced roadside burger stand than a destination restaurant. Just feels like there is no attention to detail. Unfortunately, I wouldn't return. The view could be beautiful, but the rooftop seating sits low to the ground so unless you are sitting at the bar like seats on the rail you won't see much of the view. Tall tables and chairs would fix this issue immediately so all tables have a great view. In addition, tables outside the small covered area don't have umbrellas, making it uncomfortably hot on a sunny day. That's such an easy improvement to make. Had there been shade, we would have happily stayed longer and ordered another round of drinks instead of leaving because we were sweating in the direct sun. The food was underwhelming, greasy, and overpriced. One friend ordered the shrimp appetizer, which came with only five shrimp for $15. Another disappointment was the bottled ranch served with the fries. For a restaurant charging these prices, I expect house made basics like ranch. It's a small detail, but it often says a lot about the overall approach to the food. The menu felt geared toward quick, easy fried food rather than dishes made with much care or creativity. One friend enjoyed his burger but described it as simply "okay" not memorable or worth the price. It also seemed fairly small for what they charged. We ate at several restaurants during our weekend on the island, and this was the only one where the prices didn't match the quality of the food and service. The location is fantastic but this place missed the mark for us.

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    Friday's Crabhouse
    Friday's Crabhouse - Fish and chips.

    Fish and chips.

    Friday's Crabhouse - View from the top of the fly deck.

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    View from the top of the fly deck.

    Duck Soup - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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