This was a pleasant surprise as this establishment has it all! Great location, views, service, and food! There were three of us for lunch and we shared a shrimp cocktail, Thai mussels, crab cakes, and a delectable dessert - chocolate cheesecake with a raspberry topping. My Seattle friend had been here many times and only thing that had changed over the years is the bread served with the mussels. Apparently, the other bread soaked up all the Thai sauce juices better than the crusty baguette. I wasn't complaining as I didn't know better. But the Thai sauce should not be left behind. Delicious is an understatement! read more

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Ray's Cafe and Ray's Boathouse are same resturant with different concepts. They share the same entrance but Ray's Cafe is on the second floor and offers casual atmosphere and dishes. The view of the Puget Sound is amazing. They are known for different kinds of seafood and offers one of the best grilled salmon using an applewood-grilled method. The clam chowder was tasty with good portion. Their grilled salmon is cooked very well and tender. It comes with garlic whipped mashed potatoes and asparagus. The lemon chive beurre blanc give more flavour to the dish. They are usually busy and packed but the service was friendly and prompt. If you want to have a delicious grilled salmon, give this place a try. read more

Ray's Café - Grilled Wild Alaskan King Salmon - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Came in without a reservation on Sunday right around the time of the Nordic parade. Staff was super friendly and was able to get a seated outside within 10 minutes of arriving. Our server that we had was very friendly and outgoing and took care of everything for us. We came during happy hour. Everything had a very good selection. read more

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Amazing seafood ! I had the muscles and they were delicious. We went at lunch time so they only had upstairs seating, but there was a beautiful view of the sound. Service was great as well. Tables were a little close together it seemed a little crowded we were practically in the people next to us conversation. But the food was amazing. read more

Ray's Café - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Service: 5/5 Ambiance : 4/5 Food: 3/5 Service was amazing! Absolutely wonderful! Drinks were good and made to order. View of course is always a treat. That said the food was overly salted and mid. We have been here many times and always come to same conclusions. You come for the view and service but the food is just okay. If you're looking for exceptional food you'll find it in other local places around Ballard. We tend to resurface here every 5-6 months and find the result the same each time. read more

Our experience at Ray's was disappointing. I ordered crab cakes. There were two that were smaller than a golf ball and mostly breaded filling with no crab flavor at all. Also cod was not a choice for fish and chips. You could order halibut for $44 dollars or rock fish. The service and desserts were good. read more

Great service, delicious food and loved sitting on the deck and watch the boats go by, including one with lights and sirens. It's pricey but so very worth! We enjoyed everything: clam chowder, watermelon salad, Sable, Halibut and the wine. So glad we ended our visit to Seattle at Ray's Cafe!! read more

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As one of Seattle's most iconic establishments, Ray's Cafe occupies the second floor of the building and serves as the more casual counterpart to its fine dining sister restaurant downstairs. (#1) While much of the menu items feel overpriced, it's hard to deny the quality of Pacific NW seafood and the exceptional service of the staff. What sets Ray's apart is its spectacular waterfront location, offering panoramic views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. One of the best things about Ray's is the relaxed atmosphere where walk-ins are generally welcome. There is free on-site parking, but given its popularity, expect long waits on any night, but especially weekends. Once seated, it's hard to not to be awestruck by the stunning views, which beats out the one from downstairs. Perched above Shilshole Bay, the cafe view offers breathtaking sunsets, and a vibe that works great for both date nights and group gatherings. The food was largely a hit. The clam chowder was outstanding, and the cod fish and chips, fried calamari, and halibut all impressed. While the crab cakes were too small for my preferences, I enjoyed every morsel, wishing for more. The fried calamari had a satisfying crisp, perfectly complemented by its tangy dipping sauce. The dungeness crab dip was addicting and the steamed PNW mussels were full of flavor. I especially loved the wild king salmon--rich, buttery, and flaky--thought just at 6oz, it left me wanting much more. While the food was good, the service was better. They were quick to fill our waters, explain the menu, and offer quality suggestions. Moreover, they were courteous about making sure we were comfortable and were attentive the entire time. Don't be afraid to ask for a photo and enjoy the live music on select nights. With nearly a century of history behind it, Ray's holds a special place in the city's vibrant dining scene. It might be a touristy destination for some, but I can say I'm a fan and I hope to see it thrive for many more years to come. _____________ (#1) Ray's Boathouse: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rays-boathouse-seattle-2 My photos: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/rays-caf%C3%A9-seattle-2?userid=ysCBsXWPB-LAiewVS3jZfQ read more

The food was delicious, the view spectacular, the conversation lively, but the server was not on his game. He brought me a hazy pale ale when I asked for a Pilsner and by the time he actually got it to me, I was over saying anything about it. People get busy. I get it. He continued to kinda mess things up through the night. It was loud on the patio. I'm sure if I go back it'll be better. read more

Ray's Café - Patio area with view of the Puget sound and the Olympic mountains. - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We came for the views and also really enjoyed the food. It's no secret that Ray's has one of the best views of the Sound, and is a gorgeous venue for taking in a Seattle sunset. They also have pretty great food offerings. We were in a big group so I got to try a lot of things. Most of the dishes were pretty good too. The calamari was excellent and a crowd favorite. My husband ordered the fish and chips which we also enjoyed, but found to be just a tad under seasoned. I had crab cakes, they were really good and paired well with the beeet puree (although another flavor might have been less overwhelming). I do regret only ordering two of these though (note: you can order two or four, if you plan to share, I would go for four). I also got to taste the Smoked Scallop Salad. You get a hearty amount of seafood and it is well-dressed. The drinks were also very good. I got a Black Cherry Margarita, it was balanced and not too sweet. They have a lovely wine selection as well; my girlfriends ordered multiple bottles and seemed to enjoy it all. Lastly, I want to comment on the excellent service. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. We also had a bar staff advice us on several wine selections. read more

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You just can't go wrong with Ray Café. The service is always on point. We went on the Monday evening and there was zero wait and we were able to get a table on the patio. The ambience, again a table out on the patio on a sunny day, looking at the water experiencing the sunset. It was an amazing situation and also the food. I think I've been to Ray Café at least 10 times over the years and the food is so consistent. I would definitely go back again and again and again and recommend it to others. read more

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We have been frequenting Rays for over 2 decades and feel the food quality has gone done substantially since early 2026. Few things that stand out - The batter in the fish in chips has changed and the fish no longer has the traditional Rays fish and chips taste and has a noticeable a low quality fish and oil stink to it . I would rate a lot of cheaper places with a far better taste compared to their new recipe - Since last year, Rays has removed the complimentary bread basket with a $8 bread basket. When you end up paying $70 a person for meals at an upscale restaurant, it feels cheap on their part to remove small things like complimentary bread as an appetizer - The HH food menu has been reduced to 4-5 food items. It just feels like the restaurant is nickle and diming its customer base on everything - 2 people in my party had a stomach upset after eating the meal in June 2026 I have been a regular visitor atleast every month or two and perhaps more when we have out of town people visiting and have seriously started considering not visiting Rays any longer. read more

We arrived at Ray's for lunch on a Friday around noon. Wait time was only about 20 minutes for a table outside, which wasn't bad at all. We were promptly greeted by our server, who was still in training but was on top of everything! She was great. We started with drinks and the crab dip as an appetizer. The Black Cherry Margarita I ordered was excellent, as was the crab dip. The crab dip comes with tortilla chips and really hit the spot. I ordered the chefs special BLT with sweet potato fries for my entree, the fries came with a spicy dipping sauce and overall my entree was very good. Others with me tried one of the salads and one of the burgers and enjoyed their meals as well. Of course, the view is great! I would definitely return and would recommend checking out Ray's. read more

Ray's Café - Black Cherry Margarita - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Highly Recommend! This is a really great location, wonderful view, and amazing food with very polite and professional staff! We will definitely return! Servers were very attentive and kind. We were going to give them a 5-Star review anyway because we were so greatful for the experience and then when I hit my eye on my friend's wheelchair handle the manager Tram went above and beyond to help me; she brought me an ice pack she made for me in their kitchen!! Human kindness like that is so appreciated, we give them 10 Stars! read more

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Good seafood options for lunch. Located on the 2nd floor of the same building as Ray's Boathouse, this is casual dining with a killer view. In warm months, exterior patio seating us available. Came in with 2 friends. They had the fish and chips, salmon sandwich, and drinks. I had the scallops carbonara and chowder. Food was really good. Friendly hostesses and the executive chef opened the door for me. Our server asked what protein to add to the pasta and stated options. Chose salmon. Surprised when the check came when the $32 pasta dish was now $62 with an upcharge for the salmon. Asked the server what was up with that, and he said it didn't come with but was extra. Told him the way he asked wasn't clear about that. I was more focused on my friends I hadn't sent since May then reading menu details. He shrugged. I emailed Doug, the GM, so he was aware and could go over this with the server. Doug refunded all of the meals as an apology, which I didn't ask for at all. Found that quite generous and he gave the refunds quickly. Looking forward to coming back soon. Can't beat the aesthetic. The giant free parking is appreciated as well. read more

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Hubby and I came here for my birthday dinner, as I wanted a nice meal from a traditional Seattle restaurant. I don't think that I've ever had a bad meal at Ray's Boathouse or the Cafe. This visit was no different. MB, fellow Yelper, had recently visited for lunch and her pics were crave worthy, especially the calamari and the smoked scallop carbonara, which we ordered. I decided on two entrees - the carbonara and the sablefish in sake kasu, which I've enjoyed on previous visits. Hubby ordered the fish & chips. He ended up eating most of the carbonara and boxing up half of the fish and chips. The carbonara was delicious with the smoked scallops. Ray's is a Seattle institution and I was surprised that they did not offer a complimentary dessert on your birthday. Regardless, the brownie a la mode was delicious! Food was great, service was lukewarm. The hostess at both entries were friendly and greeted us. We felt rushed by our server during our meal. The quality of the meal was not commensurate with the service we received. This is exactly the decadent meal I was expecting for my birthday. I would definitely come back, but not likely for a special occasion. read more

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We ate outside on the rail on the patio, arriving 1/2 hour before sunset. The sun was sparkling on Shilshole Bay. We all had amazing cocktails (kudos to the bartenders!). Ask for Mark to be your server, as he was terrific. We ordered the Mussels in red curry sauce and the Brie and peach compote with crackers for appetizers. Amazing!! Entrées were Fresh King Salmon, fresh Neah Bay cod, the Sablefish - also fresh, and a bowl of clam chowder. There was nothing but good food! It was all delicious!! Though the restaurant was full, our conversation was easy and clear. If you're looking for a great meal with great ambiance and excellent food, with terrific service. This is the place. read more

Ray's Café - Shilshole Bay looking across at Bainbridge Island, from our table at Rays Cafe. - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great service. Great suggestion fr the waiter on a clean light beer- Rainier Brewing. The Albacore Cobb Salad was huge. Enough for the 3 of us. The Cioppino was delish and flavorful with lots of protein. The Diver Scallops was delicious and so was the Manila Clams. We arrived around 6:50 pm and had a very short wait for a table for three. The parking lot was full so spaces were premium but free. read more

I don't have enough words to describe the ambiance, the amazing fresh seafood, the crazy view with sunsets over the Olympic mountains, boats drifting by, sea life and birds- I have come here for my birthday celebrations every year with a group of friends and family and have never been disappointed with the service staff, food or cocktails!!! I recommend coming here anytime for lunch or dinner , even in the rainy days it it lovely any season- my favorite lunch or dinner place in Seattle by far! Plenty of parking and valet service options, site inside or out - both are worth the wait! read more

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My friend came to visit out of town and how can you not not take them to Ray's Cafe? It's finally sunny out in Seattle, so the perfect day to eat by the water. Highly suggest you sitting outside in the sun to watch folks on paddleboards and sailboats go through the Puget Sound: if's just absolutely gorgoeus to have lunch (and dinner) here. We ordered the bartender's special (Passfruit Mai Tai) and beer to start (you can't go wrong with anything on their menu), calamari (not pictured) and oysters to start (they're absolutely delicious!), and our meals (seared albacore salad, cioppino and burger). Service was quick and staff was friendly as always. Food tasted amazing, def the perfect Saturday spent @ Ray's under the sun. read more

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Ray's. I was entranced by the sprawling, glass-wrapped deck & sat perched within high-diving distance of the breezy Puget Sound and heart-swelling views of the vast Olympic Mountains. This dockside legend is a quintessential beacon along the shores of Shilshole Bay showcasing an archetypal seafood menu, with pristine sourcing keeping it ocean to plate. Dishes are prepared simply, allowing the natural flavors of the regional bounty to shine through & my favorite was the Pacific Northwest Mussels-fresh steamed local mussels drenched in a flavor-packed Thai style red curry with a fragrant coconut milk broth & a toasted French baguette. Iconic. read more

Ray's Café - Ray's Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Food was very good, view and ambience was great; but highly overpriced. Crab cakes tasted quite good, clam chowder was average and the fish and chips were pretty good but small portions. Service was very prompt and courteous. Ample parking. May visit on special occasions, when weather is good and if bringing new people. read more

Every thing was ok . My favorite thing was ample parking. We had the cod fish and chips. I couldn't eat the coleslaw since the cilantro made it taste like soap to me. Fries seemed like out of a bag of frozen. The cod was tasty. Service was what I would expect as was the ambiance. Wouldn't go there for lunch again read more

Ray's Boat Cafe and Ray's Boat House are about the best Northwest seafood experience you're going to find where everything is exceptional. Just had lunch here yesterday after coming here for years and I really appreciated just how wonderful Ray's is. Going to Ray's is like getting in a time machine and going back to the best of times for Seattle. The large wharf where Ray's is located is right out of the 1940s. I marvel at how the wharf was built before pneumatic nail driving machines and everything was driven by hand. The wharf is huge with a couple of boat docks down below. One of the reasons this is one of the best restaurants in Seattle is the gorgeous view of Puget Sound, one of the best vantages in the whole city. Walking into Ray's everything feels like class. I always enjoy looking at the old classic photographs on the Walls of Ray's, Ray history and various random Northwest seafood artifacts. This place feels like a classic four star restaurant with 100+ years of history in the best of ways. The service is exquisite and some of the best we've experienced. Extremely attentive but also knows to leave you alone when you're visiting. Our two servers, the hosts and the bussers we experienced yesterday were all excellent with wonderful energy. The food is in the running for best seafood in the Northwest. The clam chowder is the measuring stick of any seafood restaurant and the chowder here is fabulous. Hearty, thick and creamy. What I appreciate about the clam chowder is it's the ancient Ray's recipe that's been the same ever since I started coming here and it is world class. We ordered a little bit of everything here as we usually do because the food is exceptional. I always go fish and chips and can report the fish and chips here are about the best you can find in town. The tartar sauce here is especially good and unique. The rest of the table ordered various seafood dishes and everyone reported that they loved their dishes. Really about the best seafood I've experienced in a restaurant. Ray's is pricey but the food and the service are among the best in the Northwest as well as the history and experience. One of the things that always impresses me about Ray's is Ray's doesn't try, it just is. For Ray's to not just have survived but thrived for 80+ years on just the quality of it's food and service is stunning and a testament to how wonderful this business is. With so much of the beautiful Seattle we natives know and love being destroyed, a beautiful ferry ride over to Seattle and a meal at Ray's is one of the greatest Seattle experiences one can experience in that town. I just had a stunningly bad experience at supposedly one of the best seafood houses in the world in San Francisco where the food and service was abysmal. I realize now after visiting Ray's that we were so underwhelmed because as Native Seattlites, we've been blessed with the best seafood houses in the world like Ray's living in the Northwest. Nothing else compares. read more

Love this place - so much so that I almost wanted to gatekeep and skip a review! The great food and service deserves a write-up. All the staff - both downstairs at the Boathouse and upstairs at the Cafe - are very kind and attentive. The happy hour is stellar, and don't get me started on the waterfront views - something strangely rare in this town! Wish they had oysters for happy hour, and opened up all outdoor seating during service so everyone can sit along the glass, instead of on the inside row when it's not full. read more

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It's March in Seattle and this was one of the best places to share a delicious meal and take in the last glints of sunlight on the water. So many seafood choices, and the salmon never disappoints. Famous chowder and fried calamari to start, and even Sea Wolf bread comes with a butter compote that knocks it out of the park. Ray's is a classic dining experience in Seattle. It has a dynamite happy hour and the menu has favorites like fish and chips and succulent burgers alongside top notch seafood choices. Ray's also happens to be located at of the most epic spots on the Ballard waterfront. Give it a go! It's definitely worth the visit! read more

Even for an iconic restaurant like Ray's, the consistency of their cuisine and service should be the benchmark by which all other restaurants should aspire. I've been here many many times and the food is always excellent and the waitstaff is always on point. Bar none, the stunning view from their outdoor patio is the highlight of every visit, just be prepared for a chilly wind, even on a hot day. The experience here is worth the price tag read more

View is excellent, the food are great and our server is awesome. Will be back soon! No problem with parking read more

What can I say? Unparalleled views and wonderful food. The staff is also very friendly. read more

Ray's Café - Smoked scallop and bay shrimp salad- the scallops were really nice, kind of sweet - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The atmosphere and service at this restaurant is on point. The staff quickly comes to your table to make sure that they get your drinks placed. When placing your food order, they tend to make the food quickly within a timely manner. The food comes out to the table, smelling great and looks amazing. The overall taste of the food is fantastic and I highly recommend anything that is on the menu as I have yet to find anything that is not great. The food seems to be full of flavor and well seasoned and perfectly cooked. read more

The restaurant has both a bar and a dining area. The place has nice decor and great views of the Sound. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant. I ordered the Fish n Chips. The dish consisted of two pieces of Cod fish, French fries, and cole slaw. Everything was prepared well. For dessert I had crème brûlée. I'd go back again, but I'd probably utilize the happy hour menu. read more

I was so excited to go to this restaurant because of the beautiful view but sadly the food was very disappointing. I could not believe that they charge so much for food that totally lacks flavor... I splurged on halibut but it might as well have been cod with no seasoning because it tasted like nothing. The mashed potatoes and vegetables that came with it also didn't have any sauce or seasoning. Not even a lil salt and pepper. The view is beautiful, yes, but you can get a view of the water without wasting your money on overpriced food. I will say that we got a table outside relatively quickly without a reservation so that was nice. The staff was kind, but I think our waiter knew the food was bad because he didn't even ask us how it was. read more

Ray's Café - Lingcod on the left and halibut on the right - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The service was very good. Just the right amount of checking in - not intrusive. The view is great. The food today was a bit disappointing. We were there at opening time on a Saturday. The black cod was excellent. The sockeye salmon in the salad was on the dry side and not flavorful. The person who ordered it did not finish and declined to take to go. The king salmon with mashed potatoes was also on the dry side and not flavorful. The person who got that did not choose it rare so maybe that was part of the problem. And it was just grilled. The sockeye that was order t medium rare was good. The farro and delicate squash - not a wow. Added two small scallops for additional $20. Without the scallops it would have been very mid. Even though it came with a sauce there was not enough for the amount of farro and the squash too was on the dry side. Definitely expected more from the advertised one week only sockeye salmon from Bristol bay. I guess we just missed the juiciness in most of the things we ordered. The chocolate cheesecake was very dense and not really creamy. Maybe frozen before? The mock-tale I got with grapefruit and bitters had a very mild flavor. Not worth it. The chowders were the best ( a bit of spice from the black pepper that was too much for one person) , fried calamari was great, and the bacon wrapped scallops were great. Poke was good. For a place like this for a birthday meal I was hoping for a "wow! that was delicious". It was instead a "that was nice, beautiful view of the sound " Pretty but not amazing. read more

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Yay for Ray! This place never disappoints! Their upstairs (cafe) has a good vibe; it's cheerful, nicely decorated, and not too noisy. They must be doing something right, because in all the years I have been coming here, I notice many of the same employees. I only wish they would bring back the warm dinner rolls! read more

Rays cafe is a great spot. It's like the fun sibling to rays boat house. It's perfect to grab dinner and a drink or sit out on the patio and enjoy the sun. The cob salad always satisfies and the kids meals are always a hit. read more

Great views, and decent food. Staff was friendly and attentive. Tasty lunch after shopping in the Ballard neighborhood.

It's been at least 5 years since we've eaten at Ray's Café. We didn't like what we saw at the Ballard Seafoodfest, so we opted for better seating and eating environment here instead. It was an excellent decision. At 7+pm on a Sunday, the wait area was crowded. For two adults, we easily grabbed a table in the bar area, bypassing the wait. While the café is casual deco, they greatly benefit from being the upper level and having a fantastic view of Shilshore Bay. It wasn't quite sunset time, but it was still very pretty. Our needs are minimal, but I felt the staff was just the right amount of attentiveness without any hurrying. The Food: Blackened Salmon Sandwich, $22 - 4.5 Stars It's slightly higher cost (maybe $2 bucks), but I honestly think the preparation and overall balance of the sandwich is perfection. There's a touch of mustard, the avocado is gorgeous, the blackened salmon is perfectly grilled. The bite of the stack-up is just right. Nicely done! The sandwich offers a choice of salad, fries, and more. I chose sweet potato fries, of course. Fish & Chips, $25, add 3rd piece, $8 - 4 Stars $33 is legit spendy for fish and chips. The thickness of each piece of cod is phenomenal. The breading is crispy but didn't have much flavor/seasoning by itself. Sauce is a must. It comes with coleslaw and fries. Spendy, yes but glad we tried it. read more

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Waterfront restaurant with beautiful views. Service was OK. It took awhile to get the check. Ordered the following: Manila clams - average tasting, I've had better Seafood stew - a hearty medley of salmon, whitefish, mussels, clams, prawns and Uli's linguica sausage in a tomato based broth. The mussels weren't fresh and had a stinky smell. The stew had a very strong bell pepper taste and the chopped up bell peppers could have been cooked down more. The Kalamata olives didn't work with this dish. Would skip this entree. Grilled king salmon - the salmon and mashed potatoes were delicious and the salmon was perfectly grilled Crab cake - delicious and full of crab with minimal filler If I were to come back, I would try the fish (sablefish, salmon, halibut) and steak entrees and skip the Manila clams and seafood stew. read more

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Food as always is super fresh and good! The calamari is not rubbery, the mussels were nicely cooked and had such a flavorful coconut broth, and the Caesar salad was done right. Our waitress was attentive and made us feel very welcomed! The hostess though could use more work. She completely ignored me when I walked up to the hostess stand, there were no other people there besides me, and she only addressed my partner when he came up. I injected immediately, but it was a bad start. read more

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Alright, to be honest, I've only been here once during Happy Hour, and didn't eat a lot, so this review is based solely on that experience. We came right on time for Happy Hour (4-6pm daily) which is upstairs in the Cafe. You do not have to sit at the bar for the Happy Hour menu. I was a bit nervous about coming here because I heard it's expensive and I always feel like I don't belong when I go into an expensive restaurant. However, the front staff didn't seem to care that I had a well-worn jacket on, and welcomed us like any other person coming through the doors, whew! Service was friendly and respectful. Ordered a few cocktails off the Happy Hour menu which were around $8 and tasted good. Also had the clam chowder, which was fine, and the mussels in red curry were delicious, but one of my mussels still had the beard in it, which I spit out. And then we had raw oysters... which were not on the Happy Hour menu, so they costed $22 for six (or $4 each if you don't order the half dozen). I felt this was overpriced for what we got. We got two of each (there were three options). I loved how they labeled the type of oysters with wooden sticks next to each pair. I did not love their size. For example, they'd both be Olympia oysters, but one was an ok size and the other was teeny. I took most of the smaller ones... but wow, the amount of meat inside was tiny AF (I hope that term is allowed). They tasted good, but nothing better than other places where I've had oysters... and there was some shell in a couple of them. I'm not usually one for going to a restaurant just for the atmosphere... but it was Valentine's Day weekend and my gosh, I absolutely loved the view from our table, so it won this place so many stars. It was incredible watching the water and sky change colors throughout the late afternoon. Birds, boats, and even a seal passed by. Frickin' lovely. Looking through the regular menu (photos included), the prices here are steep but I didn't eat most of it, so maaaaaybe I'd come back to try something on a special day (not oysters, though). I WOULD come back for drinks and maybe a light snack during Happy Hour, as long as I get to sit at a table with a view of our beautiful waters. read more

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