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    El Gaucho

    4.2 (1.5k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSteakhouses, Seafood, Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order El Gaucho Takeout or Delivery

    El Gaucho Photos

    Business Info

    EL GAUCHO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Live music
    Romantic
    Classy

    Recommended Reviews - El Gaucho

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    Gary W.

    Just saw my last review was not at the new location and over 8 years old. So, time for an update as we've been to the new location for a wine dinner, a few cocktail classes followed by a sharing a dinner in the bar. The new location is just north of the Pike Market and Cloudburst Brewery on Western Ave where parking can be challenging. The great news is El Gaucho has valet parking so I drive up to door and let them handle that problem. The interior of course is low-light so get ready if it's late afternoon before sunset for you to go blind from bright light to darkness which is one of the things that makes El Gaucho special. We like to go to special events at El Gaucho where valet is complementary then follow the event with a meal. We have found that ordering the Chateubriand 20oz and share to be the best value and have never been disappointed as always perfectly cooked. The cocktails are top quality and service is impecible. Another plus is you can join their Revelers Club and get points, invites to special events and redeem points toward meal cost.

    Banana Foster being masterfully created !

    My son and I celebrated his 14th birthday. The food, but especially the service, were exceptional. My son came in not feeling well or hungry .... But then joined me in the meal. The bananas Foster for dessert was AAA+++. Thank you !

    Half the shared plate of steak $170 totally worth it
    Brandon D.

    Mock our server was amazing and steak couldn't have been better! If we would be in Seattle again we would come back

    Wagyu poutine
    Michael B.

    This was my first time visiting this location. I usually go to Tacoma or Aqua but decided to do something different. Service and food were excellent just like every El Gaucho establishment. Only complaint was the valet. Upon arriving valet was nowhere to be found so I left my Porsche in-front of the restaurant and gave my keys to the host. My car was moved up about 5 feet up from where I was originally parked. After dinner valet was still nowhere to be found. Checked in with the host again and you could see valet practically sprinting from down the street to give me my keys. Felt bad for him and gave him an $8 tip. If valet is struggling someone needs to help them!

    Karissa J.

    The hostess and waiter were absolutely amazing! I couldn't ask for better service! Plus the food was amazing! I got their onion soup which they made sure to get it straight from the pot since their truffle soup was next to it. I'm allergic to mushroom so they were very accommodating. It felt great being the first one there which made the ambiance great! Overall I would suggest it as date night or get together with friends!

    Leonard Jack ..

    This is a personal favorite for me! I've been to the old location almost 20 years ago, and it was time to revisit them in the new location. The atmosphere is amazing, with the dimly lit dining room and wine bottles displayed in towers and walls throughout the restaurant. The wait staff is beyond top notch. The very knowledgeable staff was ever present and able to assist with any questions we had. The meal was incredible, but the drink of choice was a blood orange old fashioned. I can say it might have been the best old fashioned I've drank in my adult life. The steak was cooked to perfection and worth every penny! I enjoyed the peppercorn NY cut. This steak was about $89, but they do have less expensive cuts like the baseball, which comes in at $57. The cost will be understood when having this dining experience. You can plan to spend $300 plus for a good date night. Again, worth it. 5 stars.

    Chateaubriand, half lobster tail and scalloped potatoes.
    Charles C.

    El Gaucho is the place for the best food and outstanding service in Seattle. They never fail to achieve perfection and the entire dining experience is always memorable. Great cocktails, the seafood platter was perfect for two, and the steak is always done to order. The scalloped potatoes were an excellent pairing and the house red was delightful. Canlis and the Met are really good, but EG It is the most reliable dining experience in the Pacific Northwest.

    Interior
    Harry M.

    It had been a few years since we last visited El Gaucho-Seattle! The restaurant is now in a new location in the Union Stables building. This is a vintage brick building facing Elliot Bay on Western Ave. a few blocks from El Gaucho's former space. Gone is that funky blue facade and El Gaucho sign. The new space is amazing with high ceilings, an energetic bar area, an open visible kitchen, a large primary dining area, and several private dining spots. From the valet and front of the house to the waiters, El Gaucho provided a welcoming environment! There was only one valet personnel working this Friday night so we had to wait a bit before he returned from the parking area to take our key. Once inside, we were seated immediately. Our server, Sarah and colleagues, were very personable and welcoming, and provided us with exceptional service which made our experience great! El Gaucho sets a romantic mood with its dimly lit interior, white table cloths, tailored waiters, and pianist playing in the background. We started our dinner with glasses on sauvignon blanc and blood orange old fashioned, and a dozen local oysters which were delicious! Next up were our entrees. My wife chose a couple of appetizers, the Wicked Shrimp (which had a nice spicy sauce) and the Diver Sea Scallops which included pommes puree, picatta topping, and lemon beurre blanc. Both of these dishes were excellently prepared and tasted great! Before arriving, I had already decided I was going to try the Canadian Lobster Tail (for those who have followed my reviews are aware, we are pescatarians). At El Gaucho there are several opportunities to enjoy a tableside presentation (caesar salad, flaming sword, Steak Diane, Chateaubriand, baked potato, and a couple desserts). So, the 18 oz Lobster Tail (accompanied with drawn butter and lemon) and baked potato were excellent prepared and presented tableside! We didn't do dessert on this occasion but definitely will on our next visit. We were presented with an after dinner ensemble of grapes, pears, and crackers. I must say the execution in the kitchen for our dinner was excellent as each entree was seasoned appropriately and not overcooked. Kudos to Executive Chef Joe and his team!! The only disappointment is that those wonderful views of Elliot Bay are no longer viewable from inside the new location but that's okay because the food, service, and inside ambiance are first rate.

    these potatoes were to die for
    Meredith F.

    We celebrate my birthday most years here. I love their OLD FASHION way of greeting you at the door and big, giant table side service. It is a blend between nostalgic, traditional and classic and it always feels like a celebration whenever you visit. The valet is always exceptional. They hired the nicest people to run the valet. They are a great hello and an awesome thoughtful goodbye as well. They helped my young daughter locate her Uber home. I really appreciate this added touch as parking is quite difficult and they make the experience quite lovely. The New York steak was, OF COURSE, out of this world. The potatoes --- when I asked my waiter -- "What is the secret you make them with?" He said so cutely, " Butter and then some more butter!" OMG, he is not lying and they are heavenly! I road that butter train hard. The wine menu while expensive, and expansive is worth talking about. My hubby and I know wines and love wines and have drank many a good wine -- we scoured the menu ... and to our surprise we found something absolutely delicious that did not break the bank. We ordered a bottle of their house signature wine... especially when we found out that it was made by Long Shadows out of Walla Walla. We about died. We thought they should advertise the wine maker. What a treat. What a beautiful Long Shadow wine is hiding in that El Gaucho bottle. We will get this every time. Look for it on the menu. I was surprised that we could find our price point on that fancy list, but we did. It was advantageous to buy the bottle rather than the $25 dollar glasses of wine. SO don't despair. I was a bit bummed that we sat in the far back extra room (that was not decorated or special in any way -- next year they should pour some love into the ambiance back there)... it's more our style to sit by the Christmas tree near the piano, but it was busy and my birthday is near Christmas -- so it often times doesn't work out. We moved to the bar later and got to have our ambiance and listen to the piano player play beautiful holiday music. We loved that moment of our evening and made it special. The young man who is the bartender made a fanstastic lemon drop - and he was talented at pouring good drinks, but I think he must have been serving on an off night -- as he seemed annoyed and grumpy. I don't usually experience that kindo f service at El Gaucho - so we are chalking it up to an unusual night for him. I have been a regular at El Gaucho since 1999 and I LOVED the "famous" bartender JOE at the original place. When you walked in he made you feel so special... so EXTRAORDINARY! You knew bartending was his LIFE and he lit the place up with his amazing over the top joy and happiness. He truly celebrated people and loved his regulars. He loved serving people with his generose spirit at the bar. We mostly ate at the bar, because he was so fun. I go to El Gaucho still today, because OF HIM back in the 2000's! I wish his energy and spirit still filled the place! He is irreplaceable I am sure, but his sweetness is surely missed. We came home with leftovers. The steaks were perfection. My daughter loved her "fancy-pants" meal and it was a giant splurge -- but well worth it and another night filled with incredible memories. Thank you El Gaucho.

    Bread pudding
    Arizona P.

    2025 Christmas Eve family dinner. Enjoyed the service, food and fellowship. Reservations were easy, valet and check in were seamless. The food was as we remembered: good.

    Steak Diane
    Emi G.

    Customer service was amazing, the atmosphere is delightful, and every bite of food was mouth-watering. For starters, I tried the tenderloin Diablo and fried calamari, both of which were delicious. I highly recommend the Steak Diane, which you must split with another person. It was the best steak I've had, with a delicious sauce including mushrooms. It also comes with mashed potatoes and asparagus. In addition, the Guacho Mac & Cheese is delectable, as well as the scallops potatoes. Overall, a 10/10, and perhaps my new favorite steakhouse!

    Wedge salad
    Richard S.

    Now, 3 stars for the night we went, but make no mistake: this is a top shelf kind of place with a tremendous atmosphere and service. Just this night, their execution in the kitchen lacked in spots: Disappointment #1: The steaks. The steak pictured is not the one I sampled. But that steak pictured is a rare steak with a sear effect. The one I sampled was from a steak done medium and seared. Now, I've eaten thousands of steaks - and been to about any top tier place around the US. This steak was done with a majorly bitter burn taste. Not a "kinda going bitter....but way way way bitter taste. - Miss #2: The risotto. Not too recognizable as any risotto version I've ever had. Not sure what happened to this batch - but it was actually awful. Now for the good: Salads: with the Caesar or the wedge: both excellent. The bacon on the wedge was an excellent bacon. Scalloped potatoes: Probably the best dish of the night. However they make those - those are a best version of scalloped I've had most anywhere. French Onion soup: a very good French onion. Crab cakes: you're in Seattle and fresh seafood...they got this one right. Crème brûlée: an excellent traditional take on a classic dessert. All and all....this place will be a great restaurant option in Seattle...despite their major misses.....they had plenty of great execution on other dishes. But do be prepared to pay and it's not a budget friendly place: - I did (not) get an entree; I had a soup and salad. No alcohol on our tab. And the risotto was taken off the bill even though we didn't ask for that. Then, they added the tip: (3) people: $411. There's how come I go with 3 stars. For that kind of money; you shouldn't miss (or you should notice how burned the steak is) on something like a steak. Something they are preparing hundreds and hundreds of a week. Then the risotto - should be about their most popular side. Shouldn't miss on that one either.

    Macaroni and cheese was incredible
    Steve S.

    If 10 stars were possible, El Gaucho would receive that rating. My wife and I have crazy busy schedules and we were not able to go out and celebrate Valentine's Day. We did manage to book a reservation for the Tuesday after and we were really looking forward to our visit here. I had been to the old El Gaucho many years ago and learned that they have a new location since 2020. They relocated to a new downtown home in the union stables building. This historic site once housed 300 horses who had the job of pulling Seattle's street cars and fire engines. The building has retained many of its distinctive features and the inside is laid out very well. There is plenty of parking nearby. Our waiter, Back/Boch, warmly greater us, and gave us a rundown on the history of this location. We scouted out the menu in advance and decided on fried calamari for our appetizer. It was the perfect size portion and the calamari was tasty. For our entrées, I had the bone in ribeye, which was 18 ounces of perfectly grilled medium rare. My wife enjoyed grilled scampi pasta, which was a generous portion and the shrimp were perfectly done. Throughout the meal, the servers kept our glasses topped off And appeared quickly when we had a question. For dessert, we enjoyed the crème brûlée, which was anointed with fresh berries and mint. As with the rest of the meal, it was incredible. We watched as they prepared bananas Foster table side for an adjacent table.Outstanding presentation and it looked amazing. Have to remember to try that next visit. The food was outstanding, and the ambience was incredible. What truly made this meal special was our server. He was extremely kind and considerate and took the time to visit with us. He's been working for El gaucho for a number of years and really enjoys what he does. The entire staff has to be complimented for their outstanding customer service. We very much look forward to our next visit and highly recommend this to anyone looking for a special night out.

    Our steak arrives

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    7 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Wow! Such a beautiful cozy restaurant. The service was outstanding and the food was excellent!

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    1 year ago

    The best food and service I've ever seen/had. The table side preparations were pure joy.

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

    The food at El Gaucho is always good but it's the staff/service that makes it a restaurant we truly look forward to visiting.

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    2 years ago

    Great food and a really nice ambiance. Highly recommend their salads as they are fresh and good.

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    Page 2 of 38

    Ask the Community - El Gaucho

    What is the usual attire for women in the summer?

    While El Gaucho strives to maintain *standards*, the fact is: Seattle doesn't. I have apologized for dressing less than formal and they shrug, as if to say: "Times have changed". *They* won't make you feel out of place; *I* encourage you to dress… 

    Where do customers usually park?

    Valet is best

    Is the Big Picture (adjacent to the Belltown El Gaucho), still around?

    It's moved to Issaquah. And El Gaucho moved to Western Avenue.

    Are reservations NEEDED for lunch?

    No, because there only open for dinner ;-)

    Is there happy hour on dec 24?

    I would call them.

    Are you open Christmas eve?

    Website say that happy hour is not available during holidays. Is Mother's Day one of them, does anyone know?

    We have happy hour all night this Sunday! 4pm to close at 10pm. Happy Mother's Day!

    View All 8 Questions

    Half Shell

    Half Shell

    4.3
    (217 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Came here after we heard about happy hour $2 oysters. We ordered half a dozen and I got a…read morestrawberry negroni to sip on. Strawberry Negroni: The negroni was quite good and not very bitter at all. Oysters: the oysters were super fresh and so yummy. We enjoyed it so much we ordered another half dozen. Roasted Oysters: We also ordered the roasted oysters which were also great but we felt the panko breadcrumbs gave it a weird texture. Overall, great oysters for happy hour. The place is also super cute and well decorated, and our server was a beautiful man. Would come back again!

    Walking Pike Market area and I needed to take a break. Then,,,,, I found Happy Hour sign here!…read moreThey just opened but half of seats were already occupied. Must be good! When I got inside, the receptionist asked me table or counter, I was by myself so whichever is fine so she escorted me to the counter seat. It's a good size of the restaurant whether you're dining solo, enjoying a date night, or catching up with friends and family. I ordered half dozen of the oysters on the half shell-shucker's choice and mini-tini. When I ordered at the counter, the staff said I can pick mini-tini from regular martini menu. Oh, that's great. So, I chose "i dream of aquavit" and she told me "it's a little bit weird flavor, is it okay?" What? What's mean weird flavor? But I was interested in, so I told her I'd like to know "weird flavor" lol! Shortly, my "weird flavor(lol)" mini-tini came and it looked cute, taste was okay. I don't like sweet cocktail, so it's good for me but hard to explain by words. lol! My half dozen of oysters on the half shell, fresh, sweet sea flavor, and yum!! I enjoyed my break time and I'd like to come back & try regular menu!!!

    Photos
    I can eat oysters all day
    I can eat oysters all day
    $2 happy hour
    $2 happy hour
    Roast oysters

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    Roast oysters
    Old Stove Brewing - Pike Place

    Old Stove Brewing - Pike Place

    4.3
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Keep coming back here for amazing food! Dined there many times and food was absolutely fantastic…read moreand so many great food to choose. I came there for dinner and had the Bacon Clam Chowder and Pepperoni pizza which taste so good. They have good quality of food and everything taste so wonderful. The place was so nice and they have great setting. The ambiance was so pleasant. Nice experience dining there.

    Came in on a Friday night and learned that Old Stove Brewing gets busy for a reason! All the…read moreoutdoor tables were full when we arrived at 6, so we put our name on the list for inside and waited about 30 minutes. The oysters were the main draw for me, and they were totally worth the visit. Old Stove serves them with a savory watermelon sauce in addition to a traditional cocktail sauce--eaten together, it's a flavor explosion that I can't quite describe. We also enjoyed the garlic everything fries, which were delicious! We just had to try a flight to sample the brews. There are some really good beers available here, especially the Belgian blonde, citra pale ale, and the stout. I did not really care for the seasonal sour (grapefruit, I think)--to me, it just tasted like a sour and nothing more, but someone with more interest in sour beers would probably enjoy it just fine. Despite the busy night, our server checked on us regularly and was very personable, stopping to chat with us about the local sports scene. There's plenty to look at, inside and out. If you can snag a seat outside, you'll get to enjoy the waterfront. Inside, the decor is industrial but fun. Not sure if this runs all the time, but when we were there, the tvs were playing vintage beer ads, which was quite fun. They also sell some pretty good t-shirt designs. Overall, Old Stove Brewing is the perfect combo of good location, good food, and good beer. Definitely recommend a visit when in the Pike Place area!

    Photos
    Lively Interior at Old Stove
    Lively Interior at Old Stove
    Poblano Mac n cheese
    Poblano Mac n cheese
    Outside patio

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    Outside patio
    Elliott's Oyster House

    Elliott's Oyster House

    3.9
    (4.9k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Needed a quick bite and some oysters on a sunny day, so Elliott's Oyster House was the perfect…read morestop. I was able to get seated outside in the shade with a great view of the water. I ordered the clam chowder and, of course, oysters. The oysters were all amazing, with a great variety to choose from. They were shucked really well and came with both a mignonette sauce and a jalapeño sauce, which paired nicely with them. They are a bit pricey, but that's oysters for you. The restaurant itself is pretty big, though it can get packed during peak hours. If you're driving, just know there's no nearby parking since it's located on the waterfront, so you'll likely have to park a few blocks away. Overall, a great spot if you're craving fresh oysters with a view.

    As a Seattle native, I've been down to the waterfront countless times, but have never eaten at…read moreElliott's until recently, and now I know why. It's located on prime waterfront and we dined outside on the deck, which was fantastic, but the food and service left a lot to be desired. We started with the manila clams and they forgot to bring our crostini. By the time they brought it, the clams were getting cold. It was also SO loaded with garlic that it could've repelled 20 vampires. Literally, all you could taste was heavy salt and garlic. The clam linguine also suffered from the same problem. It was a pile of overcooked linguine, and again, heavy on the salt and garlic, light on the pesto. The $65 filet mignon was a joke. Don't ever order this. We asked for it to be prepared medium rare and we received filet that was cut in half and completely well done. Unlike the clam dishes, the steak was under-salted and accompanied by potatoes that were cooked to different levels of done-ness and some chewy asparagus. Dessert was the only thing that we enjoyed. The 9 layer chocolate cake was devine and the best part of our meal. Overall, an overpriced tourist trap and they include a 20% service charge that gets added pre-tax and they pay their server a 12% "commission" off of the 20%. WTF?! Avoid at all costs.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Fresh Grilled Halibut - IG: @nelson_eats
    Fresh Grilled Halibut - IG: @nelson_eats
    Seared Scallops and Beef - IG: @nelson_eats

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    Seared Scallops and Beef - IG: @nelson_eats
    Mr. Fish Chips & Chowder

    Mr. Fish Chips & Chowder

    4.0
    (125 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Went during a World Cup weekend and had such a wonderful experience! We were served by Jenna and…read moreshe was so helpful and kind, and the food was phenomenal, especially the smoked chowder! Would recommend!

    This restaurant opened pretty recently near the waterfront. I was a bit unsure on what to expect -…read morebecause on one hand it felt like a classic overpriced spot targeting tourists looking for fish, but on the other side Tom Douglas has opened a lot of pretty good places across the city. I had the fish and chips, which are three pieces of Alaskan cod - coming with fries, tartar sauce, and ketchup. These were seriously awesome. I have to first talk about the beer batter on the outside, which has a phenomenal crunch. It's craggly and crunchy in the best of ways - with a consistent crispiness across the entire fish for every piece. I don't think I've ever had a crunch this good on fish and chips. The oil is clearly fresh, and it's served with basically no delay from the frying. I also loved the cod inside. It's super moist and flaky. Obviously, the fish doesn't have a lot of fat, but it makes up for it with a disappearing texture where you barely even need to bite through. They've clearly gotten the formula right on the fish. If that wasn't enough, the fries were easily the best I've ever had with fish and chips. They were hot, thick, and fluffy - a perfect combination that led to delicious results. The portion on these was great as well. If I had one complaint, the tartar sauce wasn't very good. It felt like it was missing both fat and acid, and tasted closer to ranch than what I was expecting a tartar sauce to be. I just didn't end up using it for the fish. Yes, this is pricey. The 3-piece order cost me $26 before tax/tip. That's quite expensive - despite a solid portion size. Is this the best fish and chips in the city? To me it's between this and Pacific Inn Pub. They have a much better tartar sauce and serve a larger portion at a third less of the price, but I think the actual fish and the fries here are better. I would say it's a toss-up - you can't go wrong with either one. Overall, a fantastic new opening that I would love to bring people to. 9/10

    Photos
    Mr. Fish Chips & Chowder
    Dang Yummy Clam Chowder!!!!
    Dang Yummy Clam Chowder!!!!
    Whole dungeness crab

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    Whole dungeness crab
    Shaker + Spear

    Shaker + Spear

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    While visiting Seattle for a few days, I made reservations at Shaker + Spear and wasn't quite sure…read morewhat I wanted to order. I noticed the salmon on the menu and decided to give it a try since I was looking for something a little lighter. I am so glad I did. Without exaggeration, it was the best salmon I've ever had. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the sauce and accompanying ingredients brought everything together beautifully. Every bite was outstanding. Beyond the food, the atmosphere was fantastic, the service was friendly and attentive, and the bar offered a great selection of cocktails and spirits. If you're visiting Seattle or looking for a great dining experience, I would absolutely recommend Shaker + Spear. The salmon alone is worth coming back for.

    Nice and easy restaurant attached to a hotel. Service was rather slow this evening as there was…read moreonly one cook in the kitchen. It's nice to watch the staff cook because it tells you that the food is fresh. I have high expectations for seafood in Seattle. However, I was disappointed with the scallops as it tasted raw and cool to the touch in the center. I'm not a scallop expert but this one missed the mark - the flavors were off with the sauce (tasted earthy). Presentation and color looked good, but this didn't taste good. Also came here breakfast several times. I don't have pictures, but each time the breakfast was amazing!

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    Mussels
    Mussels
    Grilled Tiger Prawns*

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    Grilled Tiger Prawns*

    El Gaucho - steak - Updated August 2026

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