Updated: 3/3/2024 | Best Seafood Restaurants in Seattle
The seafood dish that Seattle is best known for is the cedar plank salmon, but our seafood scene is much more robust than this dish.
The seafood options in Seattle can be overwhelming, so we compiled a list of our favorite seafood restaurants in Seattle and what to order.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Seattle
#1 Duke’s Seafood
Clam Chowder in Sourdough Bowl
Duke’s Seafood is a Seattle staple and they have the best clam chowder in town! They also offer an amazing assortment of seafood entrees, appetizers, and craft cocktails.
All their food is sustainably sourced, so when you dine here, you’re making a direct and positive impact on Seattle’s fishing economy and ecosystem.
One of our favorite dishes is their macadamia nut-encrusted halibut. The fish is cooked until it’s perfectly flaky and the lemon beurre sauce completes the dish.
Pro Tip: Ask for melted butter to dip their amazing Essential Baking Company double sourdough bread in. It’s so good!
Duke’s Seafood has locations in South Lake Union, Alki (West Seattle), Bellevue, Greenlake, Southcenter, Tacoma, and Kent!
Macadamia Nut Encrusted Halibut from Duke’s Seafood
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#2 Cutter’s Crabhouse
Cutter’s Crabhouse has an amazing view of the Puget Sound. They also offer some great happy hour deals.
We love the crab cakes here! They’re some of the best in town!
#3 Taylor’s Shellfish Oyster Bar
Taylor’s Shellfish Oyster Bar is a great spot for seafood happy hour and shellfish. They have multiple outposts around town.
We love coming here for their fresh oysters, hence their name.
#4 Ray’s Boathouse
Fresh caught salmon
Ray’s Boathouse is another Seattle staple that can’t be missed! Here you can dine on amazing seafood with an unobstructed waterfront view.
When in season, we highly recommend their freshly caught salmon. And for meat lovers, their ribeye steak is super tender and flavorful.
It’s the perfect spot for date nights, family outings, and corporate gatherings.
For a more casual experience, check out Ray’s Cafe located upstairs from the main restaurant.
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#5 MARKET Seattle
Market Roll Trio
MARKET Seattle is a creation by Chef Shubert Ho and the seafood here is PHENOMENAL. They have tasty bisques, lobster rolls (check out the Market Roll Trio), fish tacos, and my favorite, the lemongrass grits with shrimp.
Pair your meal with one of their craft cocktails. Everything is so good here!
They also have a location in Edmonds and will often be present at seafood festivals and events around town.
#6 Crawfish Chef
Seafood boil from Crawfish Chef
I grew up in Houston eating crab boils and tons of crawfish! Crawfish Chef brings Vietnamese-Cajun seafood to the Seattle area and it’s worth getting your hands messy for.
They also serve fried baskets, chicken wings, and more. Check out our video below to see how we devoured their tasty crab boil.
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#7 Sushi Kashiba
Sushi Kashiba is a very popular and highly regarded omakase spot located in Pike Place Market.
The restaurant was opened by Shiro Kashiba, the apprentice of Jiro from the Netflix special Jiro Dreams of Sushi.
Reservations are required and there are multiple omakase options to choose from, making it very accessible for many.
#8 Towa
The coal searing method used at Towa Kaiseki Restaurant
Towa is an AUTHENTIC Kaiseki restaurant located in Redmond, Washington. Chef Hiro serves a multi-course experience and prepares each dish in his open-style kitchen.
The experience here is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before in Seattle. The service and food are both equally amazing.
We highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion dinner.
If you’re looking for something more casual, you can check out Nextowa, their sister restaurant that offers bento boxes and more readily made sushi meals.
Read our full review of our experience dining at Towa here.
#9 Donburi Station
Chirashi from Donburi Station
Donburi Station is one of the best spots for Chirashi and seafood rice bowls. The rice is cooked perfectly and the seafood is so fresh! The price point also makes it very appealing.
They have outposts in Fremont and Bellevue, but honestly, the Georgetown location is where it’s at! If you do make it out here, don’t forget to order some pork curry. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life!
#10 Japonessa
Chirashi Bowl from Japonessa
Japonessa is one of our favorite spots for sushi in Seattle! They offer both traditional and Mexican fusion rolls alongside creative cocktails and other delicious Japanese plates.
Dishes that we highly recommend here include the Chirashi bowls, all specialty rolls (especially the King Midas and Emporor’s Rolls!), the Seven Spice Tuna Tataki, and all omakase options.
The fish and seafood quality here is excellent.
Visit them at their locations in Downtown Seattle and Bellevue.
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#11 Bar Sur Mer
Bar Sur Mer has one of the BEST octopus dishes I’ve ever tasted. The charred Mediterranean octopus comes in a tangy sauce and the meat is super juicy and tender. Trust me on this one!
They also offer other amazing Spanish tapas plates and refreshing craft cocktails that will make you want to take a vacation to the coast of Spain.
#12 Alder & Ash
Crispy Rice Salmon Bites
Alder & Ash is one of the most underrated restaurants in Seattle! I highly recommend coming here for just about anything. You won’t be disappointed!
Our favorite seafood items here include the fresh oysters (catch them on happy hour – 6 for $10!), tuna tartare, and caviar tater tots.
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#13 Salty’s on Alki
Salty’s on Alki has amazing views and a robust brunch buffet on the weekends that is great for the entire family.
We recommend coming across the water via water taxi where you’ll get dropped off adjacent to the restaurant. You’ll also get to enjoy a view of the Downtown Seattle skyline from here.
#14 Minamoto
Minamoto is hands down one of the best sushi restaurants I’ve ever been to in the greater Seattle area. They’re located in Bellevue and everything is phenomenal.
I would even say they rival Sushi Kashiba (also on this list).
Our favorite dishes to order here are the lavender smoked duck, ANYTHING Shima Aji, toro and uni hand rolls, Crazy Toro Roll (topped with 24k gold flakes), and the fois gras caviar toast.
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#15 SHIO by SUGO Hand Roll
SHIO by SUGO Hand Roll is a great place for seafood!
The SHIO side is more casual and serves izakaya-style plates. Whereas the Sugo Hand Roll side is more upscale and serves tasty hand rolls made from the best ingredients.
It’s near Pike Place Market and definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.
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#16 The Lobster Garlic Noodles from Honey Court
If you’re craving lobster, this is one of the best ways to eat it. Honey Court is located in the International District and offers amazing family-style seafood plates.
We especially LOVE their garlic noodles made with whole sauteed lobster. Get ready to get your hands dirty because that’s part of the experience.
#17 Anywhere You Can Find Boiled Pickled Fish
Suan Cai Yu (酸菜鱼)
One of my favorite Chinese dishes is boiled pickled fish or Suan Cai Yu (酸菜鱼, Sichuan Fish with Pickled Mustard Greens).
The fish is thinly sliced and then poached in a rich and tangy broth made from chicken stock, fish stock, and Sichuan pickles. The fish has a velvety texture. It’s often served as a soup to eat with rice or with clear or thick round vermicelli noodles. It’s also very comforting on a chilly day and great to eat with friends and family around the dinner table.
It’s not a common dish in Chinese cuisine but it’s one of our favorites!
Places that we love to get this dish in Seattle include Red Pepper and Sichuanese Cuisine.
Other Seafood Restaurants On Our Radar
Here is a list of spots we haven’t tried OR have tried but don’t necessarily recommend or believe to be the best seafood spots in town. However, you should check them out if you love seafood.
- Anthony’s Pier 66
- AQUA by El Gaucho – Pricey but good! Plan your corporate team outings here.
- Elliott’s Oyster House – Another spot for team outings. Located at the pier so the view is amazing.
- Driftwood
- Ivar’s Acres of Clams
- Jackson’s Catfish Corner
- Local Tide
- Palisade
- Pike Place Chowder – People queue up for their chowders at Pike Place Market. We recommend going to their Pacific Place location instead. Also, the chowder is good but not as good as Duke’s Seafood’s chowder.
- Seattle Fish Guys
- Sushi Kappo Tamura
- Walrus & Carpenter
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