The Best Outdoor Dining In Seattle
With the days getting longer and warmer, Seattle is primed for outdoor dining. From rooftop bars to hidden patios, here's where to soak up the long-awaited sun.
1. Westward
One visit to this nautical spot and you'll be hooked. On the North Shore of Lake Union, Westward's patio offers prime views and primo eats. Sip cocktails from Adirondack chairs—an oyster shell bonfire warms on cool nights—or dive into chef Zoi Antonitsas' delicious Mediterranean fare on the lovely patio. With weekend brunch, happy hour, and dinner nightly, there's ample time to check out the top al fresco spot in town. Fremont
2. Bottlehouse
Housed in a craftsman-style charmer, Bottlehouse's patio whisks you away to wine country without leaving city limits. Under sunny skies or romantic, twinkling lights, sample wines hand-picked by the savvy staff. Nibble on housemade pickles, charcuterie, and cheese. As their website aptly touts, "drink, dwell, and be well." Madrona
Bottlehouse patio (credit: Bottlehouse)
3. Revel
With their remodel slated to open in June, Revel's patio is primed for the summer rush. You'll forget you're above a parking lot under festive, string lights and around the communal bonfire. Revel's scrumptious, Korean street food menu, like short rib dumplings, tuna rice bowls, and Kimchi pancakes, keeps customers clamoring for more at this popular spot. Revel is open daily for lunch, dinner, and happy hour. Fremont.
4. Terra Plata
Smack dab in Capitol Hill, Terra Plata's rooftop patio is an urban oasis from the bustle below. Surrounded by an edible garden, diners enjoy chef Tamara Murphy's earth-to-plate cuisine like preserved lemon asparagus and fiddlehead risotto. Terra Plata is open nightly for apertivo hour and dinner, and open for lunch and brunch Tuesday though Sunday. Capitol Hill.
On Alki Beach, Marination Ma'Kai's deck offers a dazzling view of downtown. Munch on their tasty Hawaiian/Korean grub: loco moco, kimchi rice, and their famous tacos. Morning hours mean breakfast burritos by the sea. Maximize your outdoor time by taking the water taxi from downtown, which also enhances happy hour enjoyment. Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Monday. West Seattle.
6. Uneeda/Rock Creek
Choose your own outdoor dining adventure at these adjacent eateries. At Scott Staples' Uneeda Burger, grub on Painted Hills burgers, Snoqualmie milkshakes, and superb fries on the picnic table patio. For more upscale fare, chef Eric Donnelly's Rock Creek serves stellar globally-sourced seafood and fish; try the seared Monterey Bay sardines and Point Judith calamari. The modern patio boasts a new fire pit. Uneeda: open daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Rock Creek: Dinner daily with weekend Brunch. Fremont.
7. Ray's Cafe
This Seattle institution boasts majestic views of the Puget Sound. Rays' Café, the casual cousin to the Boathouse downstairs, is fish heaven: crab n' shrimp cakes, seafood salad, King Alaskan salmon. Frozen daiquiris keep you cool while gratis blankets will warm you up on chilly nights. Open every day for lunch, dinner, and twice-daily happy hour. Ballard.
Ray's Cafe (credit: Ray's Cafe)
The back deck of Ballard Ave's beer, bourbon, and burger joint is Summertime Gladness. Savor pub grub—bomb-ass burgers, hot wings, hand-cut fries—with pitchers of brew and hand-crafted cocktails. Buck off burgers and drink deals make for the happiest of hours. Open 4 p.m.- 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 2 a.m. weekends. Ballard.
Hidden above downtown Seattle's Red Lion Hotel, Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails is a rare rooftop find. True to its name, playfulness abounds, with ping pong, shuffleboard, and fire pits throughout. The broad, American menu of gourmet snacks, sandwiches, and more will please any palate. Open breakfast till close with an extended 4pm-10pm happy hour, Frolik offers a stay-cation any time of day. Downtown.
10. Pink Door
Al fresco dining at this Pike Place Market classic oozes romance. During the day, the lattice roof provides sun-dappled shade; at night, string lights and candles set the mood. Devour Italian-American fare like bruschetta, pasta, and braised lamb shank. Open for dinner daily and lunch Monday through Saturday. Downtown.