My first dinner with my handsome boyfriend in Seattle when I was just visiting and helping to find an apartment. The pickled veggies were done right, each has its own flavor, but all so great together. The oysters were finger licking delicious, and clearly labeled. The flaming potato dish was surprisingly pleasant, not too heavy. The octopus, and fish dish we got were all great. Service was awesome, we had a great chat with the server about Seattle and wine in the Washington state. read more

Visiting Seattle for the first time? This is a great place to check out! Westward offers amazing views of South Lake Union and the Seattle Skyline, a perfect place for a clear day in Seattle. And if it's chilly outside, they have fire pits to accommodate. I have heard mixed reviews about their food not being that great... but I can say the Oysters we had were nice and fresh! Worth a visit, even if it's just for a cocktail! read more

Everything was overpriced. You are really paying for the location. Very lounge-able restaurant with a lot of 30+ guests. The clams were good, as was the sour beer. Come here if you want a view, go somewhere else if you want good food. read more

Heard sooooo much hype about Westward and finally decided to go try it for our 2nd anniversary. Hubby and I went for dinner and I think the conclusion is that we won't go back again for dinner. Pros: the setting is nice-well decorated and beach house feel. It's so well lit and has very nice outside seating. But if you want to sit outside you are only able to order partial menu. Some food is good-drinks look nice (I'm pregnant so I didn't have any) Cons: limited menu-seriously, we had a hard time deciding what we want to eat. There's maybe 3-5 items in each category (small plate, large plate, etc) Expensive-we had two small dishes and one big and one dessert and two drinks and ended up paying $120 total. We had the fried squid, asparagus and the lamb dish. Then we had the theo chocolate mousse for dessert. The fried squid was not good-it's squid with potatoes and the potatoes are mashed but sour. My hubby thinks it tasted like barf! I kinda agree. Asparagus was decent but 4 asparagus for $15! The lamb dish was definitely the star but $38 for a fist size lamb shank and some herbs and yogurt. It was really tasty and id recommend it but just be prepared to pay. The chocolate mousse was so so. It has chili in it so after a while it sorta burns your throat. I think this place is for HH or brunch or getting some oysters and beers just to hang out-not worth it for dinner. read more

Omg Westward was everything. I'm from the Bay Area and was visiting Seattle for the weekend with friends and they suggested brunch here. I've been to Seattle three times in the past and loved it every time, but honestly was always a little let down with the brunches. This is only because I'm a major food snob and totally spoiled by the SF restaurants I frequent lol. That being said, Westward totally exceeded my expectations. The minute we walked in I fell in love. It's right on the water and inside is this nautical hipster vibe meets The Life Aquatic. (insert hearts in eyes emoji). The ambiance was amazing and the food was even better. My two girlfriends and I pretty much ordered way more than we could eat because we were so overwhelmed with options haha. We got the avocado toast, both bagels (lox and egg), the french toast muffin, the dutch baby pancake, and the roasted potatoes. So so so good. Finally, the service was phenomenal. We were so well attended to. The whole I kept thinking, "ok I am definitely going to tip my waiter above and beyond). And then the check came and we found out that they don't accept tips! Gratuity is built into the price. Which was actually pretty cool because we didn't have to worry about anything. I will definitely be back. Thank you Westward for a perfect dining experience. With love, Foodie and Proud! read more

I enjoyed sitting on the deck under the umbrella. But oysters, wine and cocktails were just average or slightly worse.

Obviously very popular for the unique outside seating and excellent views, but we visited on a more typical drizzly day and sat inside. The food and service is more than enough reason to come. Servers were very kind and attentive; they were always right on time to clear a dish away or take another course order, but they were never pushy or hovering. The servers and kitchen do an excellent job of pacing the meal; we shared oysters, four small plates and one large plate, and each was served after we had finished the last with just enough time for another drink order when needed. The inside seating is close quartered in an enjoyable way; not a good choice if you want quiet and privacy, but an excellent choice for a fun night out. The food here is awesome. Oysters are fresh and delicious, good selection and variety to cover people who love them and people just trying them. Our small plates were the hamachi crudo (very clean, great starter), gravlax tartine (best dish we had, easily), grilled octopus (the only thing we had that was just "very good"), and steamers (perfectly cooked, not chewy at all). The large dish was the duck leg confit; for a place that focuses on seafood, they do a mean duck. Still had a little room for dessert and split the yam custard, which was delicious without being a sugar bomb. Very nice way to end an excellent meal. read more

Wow, what a meal. Such a wonderful way to spend an evening...We had a nice array of food ranging from oysters and manila clams to pork cheek and braised lamb...diverse, and undeniably Seattle! A must go for you who want that experience. read more

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I will tell you this story and let you be the judge of Westward on North Lake Union: I have a small boat and me and my friends love taking it out on Lake Union and Lake Washington. We often eat at the restaurants with moorage nearby. Westward is one that I have often driven and floated by for a couple of years but haven't tried it out. This Labor Day Sunday, me and my significant other were out on our boat with another couple. It was a beautiful day and after a relaxing visit to Meydenbauer Bay, we were seeking a place for a bite to eat that has moorage. After finding no room at Leshi, we decided to try Westward. I was looking forward to trying it out with friends. As we approached Westward's exclusive dock, a server hurriedly came down the dock and rudely told us that they were full up and are no longer serving anyone this evening and that we shouldn't even tie up. This is at 6:30 PM; seemed odd to us. We complied, and without any discussion I turned the boat away and started back out onto Lake Union. Being close to our elections, I was flying a flag that supported my choice for POTUS. We conversed on the boat and wondered if it could have been a lie that they were full up and based upon my flag. So we decided to test the theory by calling the restaurant and see if we could make a reservation for four and that we were arriving by boat. Speaking with a person named Dana, we were told that not only were they serving inside and on the outdoor patio with a just little wait, but they also offer boat-side service and would bring our order right to the boat if we tied up. Our suspicions were confirmed. This is just wrong. Needless to say, we will never visit nor encourage anyone else to visit this restaurant. With the other scathing negative reviews, you would think this restaurant would be more interested in hiring staff that would treat all guests with dignity and respect no matter their political beliefs, race, religion, skin color, creed, sexual orientation, or nationality. I know that my friends and I would never treat anyone like this, even if they are at polar opposites on our political choices. A clear example of prejudice, cancel culture and attempt to silence first amendment rights. Please be part of the solution, not the problem. read more

This is going to be THE place for summer happy hours. But it ain't too shabby for cozy winter evenings either. Westward offers incredible views of our city and nighttime. Perhaps the best since Gaswork Park can't offer up their perfect raw bar or killer wine pairings. And the outdoor fire pit is built of oyster shells Two of their dishes made it onto my 'Best Bites of 2013' list, the halloumi and the lamb shoulder. Now, Halloumi is (rightfully) getting a ton of love these days. With Mediterranean influenced food taking over Seattle, the grilling cheese is appearing as an appetizer. Westward changes the halloumi pairings with the seasons. Right now they're serving it with fuyu persimmons, walnuts, and honey. It's a quick appetizer, great for splitting, and really sets the right tone for your meal. The Lamb Shoulder is billed as a two-person dish. So delicious that I don't know if I'll be able to split it again. The protein is slowly simmered in a rich, deep stock with plenty of herbs. The depth of flavor is unmatchable. Paired with a light herb salad, addictive tzatziki, and fresh pita, this is in my top picks for 2013. read more

We came here on a evening to enjoy the view of the lit-up boats for Christmas on Lake Union. Some things were very good, and others were just "OK". Hence the 3-star rating. Upon seating the restaurant had a very cozy feel, and per our reservation we were sat at the bar facing the window to get a view of the boats. Service was a little slow for our liking, but I noticed our server was also bartending as well which might have something to do with that. Now, I'll tell you that the Oysters were fantastic. I'm not a huge oyster guy, but loved the taste of the various ones we ordered. The mignonette that paired them was a great compliment. Unfortunately, my entree was lacking. I ordered the grilled octopus with orzo, and my octopus had several pieces that were too charred. The pieces that weren't overdone had a great taste. I was pretty disappointed. We'll probably be back for those great oysters. Hopefully their service can tighten up just a tad and redeem themselves on the entree. Until then! read more

I know huh? From 3 to 5 shiny ones... They get this because: 1.The food has gotten good, really really good. Standouts are aplenty on the menu...but the grilled sardines are quite tasty as well as the grilled asparagus with some sorta delish hummus but not hummus sauce accompanying it. Trust thy server... 2. Service is plentiful and cheerful! 3. I can't think of a prettier place to be on a sunny Seattle day. No attitude, just glorious Seattle and mighty good food. read more

A restaurant has to blow me away to be awarded five stars after one visit, and although Westward was tasty, I was by no means blown away...yet. HIgh points: - Fantastic ambience from the unique array of nautical decor to the incredible view of Lake Union. - The pickled jar of yummies, the pickled grape was surprisingly wonderful. - The food...everything you order will be great. The emmer-farro dish was great, the winter root vegetable and poached oyster soup...everything was comforting and layered in flavors. Not so high points: - our service was slow, we sat for like 8 minutes before someone took our drink order. They weren't neglecting us at all, everyone said "we'll be right over", just seemed understaffed. - some of the food is randomly itty bitty, I ordered a cup of soup that was served in the smallest little jar... I'll definitely be back and hopefully update this and bump it up to 5 stars. Next i'll go for dinner or try the lamb burger! read more

This is a must do in Seattle... ESPECIALLY on a sunny evening. If you can catch a reservation on their Adirondack chair seating, you'll be lucky and have such a pleasant experience! I unfortunately have never been ahead of the game enough to make that reservation, but it looks dreamy. The food is really unique, though typically smaller portions. Try out their homemade chips - the dip usually changes based on the season - because they are so bomb. If you can catch a seat at the bar, you can keep an eye on the open kitchen and obsess over their well run service. The bartenders are also very friendly! Some reviews seem more negative, but as mentioned, this is a MUST DO in Seattle. It's a beautiful hidden spot with an even better view. The prices are good considering the view. read more

Wish there was a 4.5 star option! This is the third time (brunch, dinner, and happy hour) that I've been here and I'll be back. Seattle desperately needs better options for waterfront dining and cocktailing (A Terrible Beauty and McCormick & Scmick's should be run out of town for taking up such great spots and having such horrible food!). Westward takes great advantage of its spot with its fun outdoors area, awesome decor & atmosphere, and menu. The food is imaginative and very well executed. Service was good, but not super fantastic. (The hostesses really don't give you a warm fuzzy feeling whatsoever.) I hope they consider stepping up their happy hour offering for the rainy season because I would make it a regular stop in the winter. Otherwise, this will be a place I'll probably frequent only in beautiful weather! read more

You get 3 stars for your quality of food and views. Also our female server was great, the guy was an idiot. - Wife ordered a Cabarnet and he brought her out a white wine. When she told him she ordered a Cab, he debated with her that is what he brought out. Good job. - Ordered the $18 Charcuterie plate. Two pieces of prosciutto and three bread sticks. Really, for $18? But, the guys next to us ordered the same thing and got a pile of prosciutto. Go figure. - This is a very large restaurant, lots of tables, large patio with a lot of people. Literally two toilets that are unisex. Lines started to get long after awhile on a sunny day. read more

Oysters were awesome! We also ordered the pork chop and halibut, both were rich with flavor. They have a very small menu but seem to do everything well. The view was amazing read more

Westward - Baywater Sweet Oysters - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Got the vanilla bean beignets from the brunch menu with a chocolate dipping sauce- absolutely delicious. We devoured them in seconds. Fun environment with great views of Lake Union. read more

Westward - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I continue to return to this wonderful restaurant for its ambiance, charm, location, view, food, and drink selection. The service is phenomenal, and somehow they can always find a place to seat me without any wait. This place is a gem. It has a tucked-away feel right in the heart of Wallingford on the water very close to Gasworks park. I've been visiting here for more than 3 years, and everyone who visits me in Seattle gets a taste of this wonderful, nautical-themed restaurant. The oysters are the real treat, but the rest of the menu is also off the charts. Price is on the high side, but it's not unreasonable. Good value for the money. Perfect for an afternoon in the sun, a date night, or really any occasion. I highly recommend Westward to everyone. read more

This is a beautiful restaurant with the perfect location. I wish this place was open when I was living close by! There are beach chairs that can be reserved, there's inside seating as well. Makes me wonder what the atmosphere is like when the weather is colder? The view is of the Seattle skyline and lake union- summer is ideal when all the sailboats are out and about. I must say that the customer service my friend and I received was impeccable. We didn't have a beach chair at first but asked and waited. We ordered food and drink and sat by the fire pit- then eventually a spot opened up for 2! The food was very rustic, farm to table feel. I had the side of potatoes and clams. Both flavored generously and cooked to perfection. I cannot wait to go again with my SO and with friends! read more

Westward - Potatoes and clams with bread - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I have wanted to come to Westward since it opened, but it has never worked out until last weekend (you definitely need a reservation if you plan on coming for a weekend dinner). Our party could only snatch a reservation at 5pm which is when they open, but that was quite all right with us and our service started promptly at 5pm. The hostess staff was quite pleasant and charming and led us to our seats immediately. One member of our party was late, so we dined on wine and oysters until she arrived. I really liked the presentation of the oysters and the man who came and delivered the plate to us seemed almost as excited about them as we were, LOL. Throughout the evening we tried the Young Lettuces & Herb Salad (divine, really enjoyed the shavings of hazelnut on the lettuce), the Grilled Halloumi Cheese (was so-so, nothing to write home about), the Local Treasure Cove Manila Clams (really delicious sauce, but was not our favorite), and the Wood Oven Roasted Half Chicken (cooked perfectly and a true delight to eat). For dessert we split the Butterscotch Pot de Crème and the Chocolate, Dried Fig, & Walnut Cake. The cake was moist, but it had no detectable chocolate flavor (which was a disappointment for me being a chocolate lover). The butterscotch dessert was everyone's favorite item for the entire evening. We all agreed that we would come back, just too each have our own! Five stars for that dessert! Overall, the ambience was wonderful, very Wes Anderson Life Aquatic. The waitstaff was quite attentive, almost to the point of swiping up plates the moment our spoons hit the table (I could tell they wanted to hurry us along). The food came out at perfect intervals, so bravo on that planning. In the end I would definitely come back, but would encourage the waitstaff to not rush people when they are still eating, and to bring on the butterscotch!!! read more

Loved it! Ambience and service were excellent (never fully emptied my water glass, and this is for brunch after a 10 mile run) Favorite was the fried oysters. The curry mayo side was an excellent condiment that really added to the dish. But it was basically perfectly fried. Crunchy and well seasoned.. it went so well with the oyster. Dungeness tartine was great. THe salad leaves were a bit large and the toast was a bit hard to cut through but it offered a nice crunch and the topping was fresh and crabby. The side salad was fine, but the leaves were a bit awkwardly large. Hamma Hamma clams were good. and served with toasts for the clam juice. The bacon (or pancetta?) was well placed and complimented the clams well. The gigante beans were interesting... they were surprisingly a little fruity (marjoram?), Intriguing but not my fave. Smoked manila clam dip was delish. There were chunks of clam in every dip. The accompanying chips were great but seemed a little burnt/over-fried. Really can't imagine another restaurant I'd rather be on a sunny day. The way its set up is just adorable and the light comes through the whole restaurant read more

I love Westward and Little Gull mostly for the ambiance and striking views of Lake Union and Downtown Seattle buildings in the distance. I appreciate their décor which is in a laid-back and sophisticated nautical style. When I come here, I often feel transported like I'm on a beach vacation. It's fun to sit back on one of their adirondack chairs in the summer while sipping on a refreshing glass of chilled chardonnay and savoring the various small plates and flavorful oysters on a half shell as I people watch and chat with the company I'm with which is most likely my hubby. I love the fire-pit, boat dock, and great service that I've gotten so far. Another bonus is being able to walk here from home. So awesome, especially on warm evenings. read more

Popped in here for a quick drink with a girlfriend, so this review doesn't include any commentary on the food. This is a fabulous little spot! It was a rainy day (hi, we live in Seattle), but that didn't diminish the experience. In fact, I think it just made it cozier! Since it was wet and cold outside, we sat in the bar facing out the windows looking toward the city. We got to watch the rain clouds roll in. The service was appropriately attentive since we were just having drinks. I love the decor and ambiance. I will certainly be back to try the food, but I know the parking will be tough on a nice day. Boooo! read more

I was sad that this place wasn't as great as I expected. We went for a date night and thought it seemed like a fun environment. The decorations and location of the restaurant were awesome, but the food was mediocre. We ordered an assortment of oysters and all were not cleaned well so we got a bite of dirt/sand in each of them. The main dishes came and were good, but not great. Overall the food could have been better and the price was very expensive for what we received. read more

Beautiful restaurant, but they really need a more robust menu. I would not call their brunch menu actual brunch - unless you want to eat a lobster roll at 10am. Hoping the menu improves post-COVID. read more

One of my favorite places to take someone for oysters and cocktails! The food is excellent and the views of the lake are awesome. The only thing holding this place back is the lack of patio seating. During the summer it can be almost impossible to get an outdoor table. read more

Great view, and place to relax and dine outside in a city without much of an outdoor dining scene. However, the food has not been great the last few times we have been. Broccoli Raab (rapini) surprisingly had fish and was over flavored and bitter. Menu options have changed since the first time i was here and are generally unappealing. This could be a phenomenal place again and I hope it is! read more

This is my favorite find of 2014 to date, such a cool and unique place to eat. First of all, I want to high-five whoever designed their bar! Seriously it's so cool and you should go just to see it. It looks like something that a five year old would dream up, but I mean that in the best possible way. Also, there is a fantastic fire pit out the front and a beautiful deck on the water with the best view Lake Union affords and to top it all off it's covered in nice little strings of lights. I am a sucker for stringed lights. Design aside we have had great meals in this place. They plate up some fresh and tasty northwest specialties. I would recommend ordering the Haloumi Cheese dish and saving room to share the Butterscotch Pot de Creme. I only wish it wasn't so isolated, but luckily that means there is plenty of parking! read more

Great atmosphere and view of the water in this little gem nestled between boats on Lake Union. Lots of nice outdoor seating and indoor seating is surrounded by quirky hipster nautical decor and open kitchen setting. There is a nice selection of oysters and Mediterranean seafood dishes with a modern PNW twist. We shared a few small and large plates and each was simply but beautifully presented and most importantly delicious. The service was prompt and attentive. Looking forward to coming again for another visit. read more

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First time back in Seattle after several years. Our night out was meant to be a celebration. Instead, we left feeling unwelcome. Racist, problematic wait staff. Our waiter (tall, 40/50's, male) was unresponsive and inattentive. He never asked us whether we had questions about the menu. Never asked us whether we wanted dessert/coffee afterwards. We had to flag him down multiple times to get any service. With the Caucasian family we shared a table with, however, his service was night vs. day. He checked in with them multiple times, and was incredibly attentive and responsive. Unless you tolerate microaggressive behavior, I'd think twice before frequenting Westward. read more

I"m a big fan of Westward. A few friends and I hosted an engagement brunch at the restaurant in March; the wait staff was attentive and amenable, the atmosphere/environment was lively and fun (the boat/water theme is SO adorable... anchors as coat hooks, the bar is shaped like a boat), and the food was delicious. We decorated a large table of ~15 with candy and picture frames, and the Westward staff brought out champagne as the bride-to-be arrived. We shared a bunch of dishes - the wood oven baked gigante beans were AMAZING, as were the potatoes. For a main dish I got the wood oven baked bagel with scrambled eggs and truffle butter. It was delicious (just make sure you really like truffle before ordering :)). Everyone was more than happy with the food and the restaurant as a whole. I will definitely be going back, and am especially excited for the summer when the views of the water surround the restaurant, and the bonfire table will be open. read more

Oysters were good but calamari was a bit wet and portion small. Location is ok but not so comfy having to share seats with multiple groups side by side as if we are buddies, bumping our elbows with each other. View is nice from the graveled shore area, but tucked in between marinas, you don't get the nice open view of the lake and downtown from the dining area. Need to try other stuff on the menu, but consider it a bit expensive for what you get. read more

We went here tonight to have a drink and oysters on the half shell for our wedding anniversary. It was such a beautiful night that we stayed and had dinner even though we were sitting in the Adirondack chairs. We had the most delicious herb and greens salad with pistachios and chevre followed by the creamiest gigante beans with feta. Roasted carrots with cinnamon and cumin had just the right amount of spices and char from the wood fired oven. Lastly we had the halibut with roasted fennel and sea beans. Our service was attentive and not rushed which we enjoyed since the view was so fantastic. read more

Westward - View from the Adirondack seating area - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The setting: awesome! Can't beat right on the water (a hot commodity for the nice months in Seattle). Plus the firepit off to the side was a really neat touch. The Food: Meh. First off I'll admit we didn't look at the menu ahead of time and decided to just drive blind and see what it was all about. I wish we would have looked because I would have eaten something before we came. Apparently the food is meant to be shared, but you wouldnt know with the tiny portions/$$ you're charged for them. My friend ordered quail for $15 and a teeny tiny plate came out and would have only fed an 8 year old much less be shared between adults. I had clams for $18 I believe, and while decent flavor you only got about 8 small clams total. I wolfed that down in 3 minutes and was left wanting more.. A lot more. I am not a picky eater, but be forewarned that this menu is not for the grilled cheese/French fry minded... It's more on the octopus end of the spectrum. With that said we decided to get the donuts to share at the end. Mainly we were both still really hungry but didn't feel like ponying up $12 for a side of asparagus. Oh man I am glad we did! The donuts truly saved our dining experience. If I go back I would stick to just booze and an order of the donuts all to myself! Overall I was not impressed with the food, and would not return for dinner. A place that is going for gourmet without the quality to back it up will lose my interest. I will happily order a drink on the patio before going somewhere else for dinner. read more

Great place. Will definitely go there again. Good oysters. Nice bloody mary (called Queen Mary). I sampled what the rest of my party was having and it was all good. I had the steamed muscles and I enjoyed it. My only complain is that the sauce was a bit overpowering. And of course, the view and location is amazing. read more

Absolutely delicious meals here, and impeccable service. I especially love the house pickles and the sugo (though I think that's been taken off the menu). Zoi is a fantastic chef! Great view. Perfect place to bring out-of-town guests. read more

We loved this place. Great atmosphere. The cocktails were creative and very tasty. The apps and mains were great. And the service was perfect. We started with the olives, which had hints of rosemary and citrus (really nice), then the pumpkin soup and an appetizer of Steelhead caviar (a daily special). The were both fabulous, but for the price I would have liked more caviar. We finished with the lamb shoulder which was probably the best thing we'd had in an already very satisfying evening. Highly recommended. read more

I have had really good experiences at Westward. The service was great each time (with good wine recommendations) and accommodating choices in seating. The small plates are delish and change pretty often but the oysters and fish dishes are the best thing about this place!!! Did I mention the oysters?? I have had a piece of halibut there as well as a rainbow trout and really well cooked octopus. The rainbow trout was amazing and I can't say enough about the brown butter sauce! The Adirondack chairs, fire pit or shared patio seating are all awesome ways to take in the view and watch the action on the lake. They have a cool little bar on the patio as well. They'll even give you blankets or extras if you're chilly. It is a pricey place, I won't lie. However, I got what I expected for the price. Westward has a great location, great food and great service. read more

We love the lakeside patio with the Adirondacks for an afternoon or evening drink. But the $18 cheese plate was incredibly stingy - stick with the oysters. read more