I'm always excited when a trip to Seattle offers the opportunity to visit Ivar's. We were planning to order and eat outside from the seafood bar but on a beautiful sunny day and 3 cruise ships in town it was busy with tourists. So we popped inside and there were lots of folks waiting to be seated at dining room tables. Fortunately, we know that you don't need reservations at the bar so we peeked in and there was a table just being cleaned plus several seats at the bar. We snagged the table got instant service and I'd bet we were in and out before we would have been outside fighting off the seagulls. Service, food and a beer! All great as always. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Ivar's - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We got their clam chowder and truffle Mac and cheese combo deal. Truffle Mac and Cheese: The truffle Mac and cheese was pretty good the first bite but got a little oily and tiring after the next few. Clam Chowder: The clam chowder however was great. There were lots of clams in the chowder and it was not too creamy and salty which a lot of places can be. The oyster crackers offered a nice textural crunch to the soup. Our server Josh was also very nice in answering it's questions about salmon season in Seattle and gave us some good recommendations for our visit! Thanks Josh! read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Truffle Mac n cheese - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Ok this is totally more touristy. Our group of 5 came in with higher expectations because it's seafood on the pier and we wanted to grab some before leaving. I'm from Chicago, and truly I've had better, more flavorful seafood in the Midwest by the plenty than this spot unfortunately. The server also mixed up when dishes came out, so some were eating at different times. Friend got 2 bowls of clam chowder because they didn't have bread bowls ready, by the time he ate his normal soup & was done, the bread bowls came out. Lol, not a bad thing, just a bit wasteful at that point. Redeeming quality: patio, chowder, and if you're a sugar-holic like me, the customized sodas OMG. Dr Pepper strawberry cream? Yum. The view outside was lovely though being on the pier. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Salmon tartare - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Food was pretty disappointing! Crab legs were very dry. Even with the butter it was dry and didn't have the nice crab flavor. It's definitely frozen and not fresh. Fried platter was also disappointing. Way too many fries to seafood ratio and the fish was dry. The restaurant is huge but not busy on a Saturday lunch time. Overpriced for mediocre seafood read more

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Food was just okay with small portions for the very high price. The view was great of the port, Elliot Bay and seagulls. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Halibut Simple - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

If you are in the mood for Fish And Chips , I suggest you stop by Ivars! 'We ordered Fish And Chips , clams, and oysters! It was very delicious! Everything was perfectly cooked! It was a very nice surprise!! hope you can stop by! You will not be disappointed! read more

Visit: 1 Date: 3/3/26 Time: 11:14am What they got right: Location on the Waterfront, restaurant capacity & history in the area, consistency of food and service. Areas for improvement: n/a We were planning to grab take-out at Ivar's outdoor counter but it was a chilly, rainy day so we opted for their dine-in restaurant. I didn't realize how large the interior was and noted the waiting area's seating large capacity. We guessed that this restaurant got really busy during the 'tourist' season. We were promptly seated near a window and browsed the menu. I love their fried clams and didn't see it on their menu. I saw combos but I just wanted their fried clams. I asked the server and he said it was available, just not on their menu. So if you're like me and love their fried clams ... just ask. The food was the same as I remember. Ivar's is one of those places I always visit when in Seattle. The prices may change over the years but the fried clams and thick, creamy New England-style chowder is the same tasty goodness I remember from 20+ years ago. I highly recommend if you like fried clams & New England-style chowder! read more

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Right on the water. Crab cakes with a view, can't beat. 25 min wait but we got in sooner than predicted. Happy server makes for happy customers, in addition to great seafood. Very busy and I wasn't suprised. This place sells itself:) You can never go wrong coming here. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Crab cakes, asparagus, mashed potatos - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We had a wonderful lunch here after traveling across the country. We wanted some local seafood with a cold beer. After being seated we ordered a couple of Rainier beers which were delivered ice cold. It hit the spot. My wife and I got the fried clam strips with fries and a bowl of chowder. Our friendly waiter delivered our food quickly. There were a lot of clam strips in our basket with crispy fries. The chowder was excellent with a nice Smokey taste. The two dishes were perfect to share. The place definitely looks like an old seafood restaurant and we loved our seat with a window view. read more

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As out-of-town visitors exploring Seattle, we wanted to enjoy a traditional seafood meal on the waterfront, but our experience at Ivar's Acres of Clams fell well short of expectations. The primary issues were food quality and portion sizes relative to the high prices. Every dish we ordered suffered from overcooking, which left the seafood dry and lacking flavor. On top of that, the portion sizes felt noticeably small for what the menu charges. We should have checked recent reviews before dining, as the food served to us did not reflect a restaurant operating at a high standard. Seattle has an incredible food scene, but given the poor price-to-quality ratio and overcooked dishes, I cannot recommend Ivar's to other travelers looking for a quality seafood meal on the pier. read more

Walked in asked If I could go to the bar the host said no and I said oh. Why not because it's Full . I said I'll just go and look for a seat.. and the hostess said the bar manager doesn't like it with people just walking around. I asked her if she could go back there and check to see if there's room for two people she said not know. I asked her what she did there and she said all she does see people and her bosses manager and he was on vacation in the Caribbean for. 2 weeks .. she had long dark hair short . Hair . We used to go there every week my grandfather and Ivar him self . My grandparents own Central loan. In Seattle . Anyways, I will not be going back there anymore nor why be bringing out-of-town people they are giving recommendations I do Turo and used to tell people it was a great restaurant not no more read more

I haven't been to an Ivar's in about a decade, definitely never dined in their restaurant. Came here for a work lunch with about 10 of us. We were sure to call and make a reservation to let them know we had a big group coming. This location is down at the waterfront, it's very nice, inside dining area is larger than I thought. Nice PNW decor with great views! Well after a bunch of shop talk jib jab, I perused the menu and decided to get the Cod Beach Tacos. It was very good, 2 nicely fried up pieces of cod with cabbage slaw, pico, crema drizzle all up in a soft taco shell. Comes with chips not fries. Everyone at the table seemed to enjoy what they had for lunch too from pasta dishes to burgers to the classic fish & chips. Service was great, very attentive and efficient, was on the spot with any refills etc. Overall, great lunch and would totally come back if you in the mood for a sit down type of lunch. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Cod Beach Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My wife and i stopped in after seeing the Exquisite Creatures exhibit and had a very pleasant experience. The three ladies at the host stand were very sweet and friendly. They also put us right by the window so we could watch the sunset!! The food was hot and delicious! Will certainly keep them in mind for date nights in the waterfront! read more

First time here, for mother's day buffet brunch... not a fan. Our server was good, but very busy. We had to be a "karen" during our brunch and get the manager... there were many things that were completely out (the pancakes, syrup, whipped cream, french toast, fresh fruit and eggs Benedict) so we literally had to wait for all those to be made before we could eat. Some of us dont like seafood (I know haha) so those items not being available were such a let down down. Once they were replenished, it was a decent spread. No hate to the food staff, I just like my eggs and meat cooked longer than what was available. I am just not a buffet gal. Too much food just sitting there while everyone picks over it. In other news, the french fries were great! read more

Great ambiance and attentive service. The sourdough rolls are good. Downside is you pay $6 for 4 small rolls. We ordered the Halibut tacos. These would have been good if the meat was better because the flavor was decent. We did ask for no spicy sauce because apparently they are normally super spicy. We would not order these $30 tacos again because the fish is more like a chewy chicken texture and was fried but cold and hard almost like cardboard. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Halibut cheek tacos $30 - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I've had this place on my list of places to try for a while now and am glad I finally got the chance! The restaurant itself is huge with plenty of seats in the waiting area before you get seated and also in the restaurant itself. There's a great view of the ferry terminal and also the water throughout. There's also a bar area with open seating if you're looking for something a little quicker. I personally came just to try the chowder and was sitting in the bar area. It was nice and creamy and hot to warm me up from the cold outside. You can add fresh cracked pepper to it as well. The bartender/server was very friendly! Just fyi, there is also a takeout Ivar's location attached to the sit down restaurant as well. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We tried several dishes and had mixed feelings overall. The clam chowder was just okay -- it lacked depth of flavor and wasn't as creamy as I was hoping for. The standout for me was the salmon fish and chips. The salmon was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and tasted fresh and flavorful. It was easily my favorite dish, and I would definitely order it again. The calamari was good but not particularly memorable. The ahi tuna tartare came with taro chips, but the portion felt off -- there was a lot of avocado compared to a small amount of tuna, and unfortunately the tuna didn't taste very fresh. The service wasn't great. It took almost 30 minutes to get the waitress to come over to order additional items-like an extra drink. A plus is that we got to sit outside with a nice waterfront view. Overall, a mixed experience, but the salmon fish and chips were a highlight. read more

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Ivar's seems to be the spot for clam chowder and fish and chips. We went here with a large party of 7 as a walk in and we waited for about 45 mins. I highly recommend booking a reservation in advance. I ordered fish and chips, a bowl of chowder, and a basket of sourdough bread. The sourdough bread came out hot with butter. It was fluffy yet doughy like a usual sourdough bread. It was great for dipping into the clam chowder. The clam chowder was flavorful. I enjoyed eating it with the oyster crackers. The fish and chips were delicious. The fish filets were perfectly battered and fried. It paired well with some malt vinegar. The fries were basic. The fish fillets were kind of small but pretty good quality. They seem to make their own cola here. It tasted nice! Service was really good and attentive. They even split our fish and chips order. I don't know if it's worth waiting for a table to dine here as there seems to be a fast casual joint outside with a bit better pricing. I would do that instead next time. Other than that, pretty good food and good service just not wowing. read more

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Lovely location with awesome waterfront view. Could not have been more pleasant service with 2.5 year old who was on the verge of exhaustion after a day of fun traveling. Food was first rate - excellent salmon , clam chowder, bread, seafood salad. Child's portion was generous. Other guests were friendly helping with stroller when grandpa (me) had steps issue. read more

Really wanted to like this better. Came for their happy hour and were seated in the dining area of their bar. Guess it was OK prices for what you got. Service was highly infrequent as I believe our server was also tending the bar for any needs there as well. Even though space was mostly unoccupied, we were seated by 2 other tables and could hear the majority of their conversations. read more

I have always been a huge fan of Ivars tartar sauce. Sadly, that was the best part of my order. The views are nice, but service was a tad slow and it wasn't overly busy. My friend's shrimp cocktail was beautifully presented, and he enjoyed it. He remembered their fried fish sandwich and the kitchen kindly made it for him, He liked it, but it was overloaded with tartar sauce and very messy. I was so disappointed by my meal. The fries were barely lukewarm and the portion of fish was not befitting a seafood restaurant (3 small pieces - slightly larger than nuggets). I'm a local and sad to see this is how Ivars serves its tourists. No dancing with clams from me. read more

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The outdoor location was great. Quick service and ample outdoor seating. There was also an indoors seating area if you don't like seagulls or weather isn't cooperating. Note: we first walked into the indoor restaurant but it was dark and dank and no one greeted us. So, we went next door. We got a bowl of chowder (look for coupons) and a fish plate and a fried clam strips plate with a side of coleslaw. Everything was crispy and fresh. The fries appear to be hand cut and were excellent (the seagulls also agreed). The coleslaw was dressed nicely without being soggy. A nice spot on the boardwalk and reasonably priced. read more

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Last time I visited Ivar's was with my family back in 2009. So when I came to Seattle for the World Cup, I knew I had to go back. I haven't eaten shellfish in about 10 years, so I was a bit weary about trying the Clam Chowder. Well... I am so glad that I did because it ended up being absolutely fantastic! The seagulls outside also add to the overall ambiance of the place as well. read more

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Server was crap! Waited close to 10 mins to get acknowledged. When i mentioned it, the server laughed..wth?!? 0 tip for him!! read more

This place is an absolute icon on the Seattle Waterfront, and normally a solid go-to. It was a beautiful day, we were already down by the water, and naturally... we were hungry. (But honestly, when am I not? LOL) So stopping in felt like the obvious choice. We decided to try for a spot in the bar since we had somewhere to be in a couple of hours. Unfortunately, everyone else on the waterfront had the same idea. It was packed. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder, no-eye-contact packed. The staff offered zero assistance in helping us find a table, so eventually we resorted to full survival mode, circling the bar like sharks and hovering like vultures, waiting for a table to become vacant. When we finally secured a spot, we then waited... and waited... and waited some more for a server to acknowledge our existence. What felt like an eternity (but was realistically about 10 minutes) finally ended when someone came by, cleaned the table, and greeted us. We ordered drinks, appetizers, and our meals, and off she went. Here's where things got a little messy. Instead of being able to enjoy our appetizers first like civilized humans, everything came out at once, apps and entrées in one grand swoop. That's definitely a miss, especially when you're trying to pace a meal. We shared the clam chowder (which they're famous for) and the artichoke crab dip as appetizers. Both were good. For mains, I had the fish and chips, and my partner ordered the blackened salmon Caesar. Food-wise? No complaints. Everything tasted great and lived up to expectations. The struggle came when we tried to order more drinks. Getting a server's attention felt like trying to flag down a passing ferry. It took forever. Overall, the food was solid and exactly what you expect from a waterfront staple. Unfortunately, the service really dragged the experience down, long waits, no pacing, and very little attentiveness. The three-star rating is purely due to service issues, because the food itself is great. If they can tighten that up, this place would easily shine again. read more

Had dinner here a week or two ago for a birthday. We all ordered different things but we loved the crab cakes. These were better crab cakes than I've had and that's something I typically order. The Cioppino was yummy. I think I ordered the right thing. The manager and staff were kind and extremely attentive. It was one of the friendliest group of people I've found dining out. That level of service was so appreciated which made the strange weather day feel totally worth it to truck down there by foot. read more

I would first like to say the staff and manager were all very pleasant and gracious! 5-star hospitality!!!! Also, the ambiance of dining on the water with views of the pier and boats was truly lovely (we are visitors from land-locked Texas, so it was a nice vibe). The fish and chips, however, left a lot to be desired. The batter on the traditional cod was very light and bland :-o They definitely could've used *something* to bring out the flavor. After requesting Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, and extra tartar sauce, we were able to doctor it up to finish the meal. The Cajun salmon fish and chips were better seasoned, but rather over cooked and dry. Again, our server Anna was truly pleasant and attentive and the overall experience nice. But if you're looking for some good fish and chips, this is not the place. read more

We came for the Mother's Day brunch around 1:30 PM expecting a full buffet experience, but they were already completely out of crab, which was one of the main reasons we chose this place. They did offer a small discount to make up for that, which I appreciated. However, the bigger issue was food safety. While I was getting fruit from the buffet station, I unfortunately found a live worm in the fruit salad. I immediately informed staff, and they said they were already aware of the issue, but the fruit remained out for a short period of time afterward. Overall, between the missing menu items and the food safety concern, I would not recommend this experience and would be hesitant to return. read more

I've been going to Ivars since I was a kid. It's how I was introduced to clam chowder and fish and chips. It's always nostalgic for me but also it's good! =) I hadn't been to the Acres of Clams since I was young so we decided to try it out and take the water taxi from Alki to Downtown Seattle. Such a fun way to get across. The menu was much bigger than I remember and I was happy to see a nice variety of options other than just fish and chips. I did get a cup of chowder, I always do. The coconut prawns were delicious. The Asian dressing on them/to dip in was a hit. The bread basket was also good, the whipped butter is so airy and light. For drinks were tried two cocktails off their menu, Apple tiki smash and raspberry roundup 12 ... both were really good. For entrees I did a surf and turf with king crab and my bf had their chicken saltimbocca. We both really enjoyed our meals, the sides mashed potatoes and broccolini were really good. The views and service were great, we enjoyed the views of be sound and ferries coming in. read more

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A MUST TRY. i added this place to our list while visiting seattle because i heard the fish and chips were amazing - and they were not wrong. we got seated next to the water which was so gorgeous. we ordered the cod fish and chips for lunch and it did not disappoint. the tartar sauce was very good as well. the fish was flakey and juicy. some of the best fish and chips i've ever had. they have a large variety of other items to try here as well, we just specifically came for this entree. i highly recommend this place! read more

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The place is definitely older and has a musty smell when you walk in. We ordered the fried halibut, and it was overcooked and dry. The clam chowder, however, was tasty and comforting We got a table by the window and had a nice view of the water, birds, and even a seal, which was the highlight of the visit. The service was friendly and attentive, but overall the food didn't stand out. There are definitely better waterfront restaurants nearby that are worth trying instead. read more

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Ambience and view is great with nice staff. Unfortunately, the food is just a normal seafood. Nothing outstanding or 'wow' about the food. Should have probably skipped this restaurant. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The seafood was excellent and the prices were reasonable, especially for the quality. The historic building is very well maintained and gives the place plenty of character. We started with some solid appetizers and timed it right to catch happy hour, which made the visit even better. Sitting by the fireplace and warming up was a great way to finish a fun and affordable experience. read more

Staff were very polite and professional. the fish and chips lack seasoning. Same for the cod tacos. That in turn doesn't justify the price point. read more

Cute, cozy place to stop in for a warm meal and take a break from the cold pier. Service was great, super friendly and helpful. Drinks were good and they had a great beer list which surprised us a bit, lots of local options as well. I had the sockeye which was just slightly overcooked but still delicious. The beet salad could have had a bit more by way of toppings but was still a good start. Overall would definitely be back! read more

It's a walk up window Area near the window was clean and approachable Service was speedy and friendly The cashier threw in more then a few extra crackers Food is good portion serving. In and out under 8mins read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

When in town this is a must! If you have never been, I think you must make plans to come try!!! I have been a huge fan of this establishment for many years. Eating inside the nice dinning restaurant, at the bar or out side with the Sea Guls! It's classic Seattle!!! You won't go wrong with Fish and Chips. read more

Ivar's Acres of Clams - Menus and IPA - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We went to the cafe portion of the restaurant because the prices seemed better for us. Food: - Clam chowder: very good. Came out super fast. - Alanskan duo: fish was EXTREMELY overcooked. It completely ruined the meal. - Halibut and chips: very good, good tar tar sauce - Blackened salmon Caesar salad: salad was good, but the salmon was overcooked. Service: Started out slow, but then picked up. Maybe they were in a shift change when we got there. Overall it was good though. Ambiance: Very nice. Good views, lots of space, and not too loud. read more

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Stopped in here for a beer and a snack. The bartender was nice, although it was a bit confusing why the happy hour menu was out on the bar, when it was not happy hour. People around us kept trying to order from that. We ordered a soup/salad combo, and the salad never arrived. We spoke to the bartender who was able to quickly take it off the bill. Was ~40 for 2 beers and a snack. read more

The location is amazing and the views were great. Other than that, I would not recommend eating at the sit down Ivar's. The food at the takeaway Ivar's is better and has much better selection and pricing. I selected a few things that I would have eaten last night, but they were out of all of the items. Wedge salad? Out. Crab cakes? Out. Bread Basket? Out. I ended up enjoying the view while my family ate and then making some microwave nachos when we got back home. read more