Canlis Reviews

The food is great, the service is everything service should be, and nothing it should not be. The view is amazing. The prices are abserb, so what? It's not every day, but it should be experienced. Dress up, and go.

Canlis is my favorite restaurant in Seattle. The service is *always* impeccable, and you truly feel kind of like royalty. Seriously! And even if the food were just so so -- which it's not! -- I would want to come here for the view of Lake Washington. It's so tranquil. The windows are huge and tall and if you are lucky enough to get there as it turns into night -- you are in for a memorable evening of bliss!

Yes. It's expensive. It's Canlis. It's a Seattle institution. And (most importantly) it delivers great food and excellent service (for example on cold evening's they warm your coat by the fireside before helping you into it!). Honestly, I can't think of anywhere else in the Northwest that provides this level of pampering. If you're planning a special evening for someone, this should be on your shortlist. As for food, the you need to try the duck for a main entree (it's for two). You and your date will be happy you did. As for appetizers, I have had an opportunity to try more than one and have yet to be disappointed (if you're looking for a "go to", try the crab cakes).

Drive-through Canlis was well worth the line. A burger worthy of this storied establishment.

I loved this experience! Something fun and they really decked out the crab shack. It was covid safe and really nice staff all around. The set menu made it an easy and fast service. The menu was delicious from first to last bit. I highly recommend it and would love to do it again! :)

Canlis is my favorite restaurant in Seattle. Smoothly executed, excellent service. The staff is outgoing and very professional. I would highly recommend it for a special occasion.

Delicious crab lunch! Seems expensive at first glance, but actually a fantastic deal considering quality and quantity received.

went here for anniversary dinner. okay, it has a great view of the lake. servers are superb. but food...well, for the price and expectations/hype...it kind of fell flat. it was good, sure, but not amazing. not much over some other seattle restaurants that are cheaper. i havent gone back since because there's really no need to. i think you mainly pay for the service, view, and the 'fine dining' atmosphere.

The atmosphere, the history, the view, the service, but most of all the food was extraordinary !

you have good access and ample parking. Service is attentive and professional,

Thai is one of the finest dinning experiences you can have in Seattle. the view is incredible and the service is over the top

A few courses and a few selections for each course is definitely better for the less adventurous than a tasting menu, though it was still excellent. We were well looked after in the bar area while we waited for our table. A lot of reviews rave about the view, but it's not very visible from the seats that are not around the periphery of the restaurant. Good ambiance - nice place to eat. I liked the side-by-side seating for tables of two.

Service was excellent! Outdoor dining very nice. Crabs were fair.

Very tasty and affordable! Just a week ago, my friend and I went to this wonderful restaurant. We ordered their best seller foods, and we were so happy when we find it delicious. We were both satisfied with the food and the service. Huge thanks to all of you, guys! Keep serving tasty food! Cheers!!!

Go there for the best special event experience you can do.

This restaurant is amazing. Food, ambiance, staff, it's all there. Definitely check this place out if you enjoy mid century modern architecture and Pacific Northwest history. Wine selection is second to none, and the A5 Miyazaki is incredible when ordered rare plus.

Utterly fantastic. Price reflects the quality of both food and service, but if you're looking for a breathtaking evening out, you'd be hard pressed to find better.

Loved the experience great food especially on a cold day. Que for 30 minutes which is part of the experience.

The destination for romance, complete with panoramic views of Lake Union and all that surrounds it.

I was disappointed with the overall experience and found neither the service or food matched the price point or my expectations

Have had few meals like this! Amazing eaperience and perfectly prepared, presented and served meal. Nothing like it

What can be said about Canlis that has not been said in all its other glowing reviews? Their chef is now a James Beard Award winner and it is well deserved. The food, service (absolutely stellar staff!!!), atmosphere, all were amazing. From the first step out of my car we were treated to an exquisite experience. I don't think I could add anything more eloquent than what much more talented writers have said of this place so I will only say - yes it is indeed worth it.

This was our second trip to Canlis in as many years. The view, the service, the attention to detail, the food - all are as exceptional as reported. While we do enjoy eating out as our primary shared hobby, my husband and I don't spend that sort of $ lightly. If you are feeling fancy and have a pile of cash burning a hole in your pocket, you are well-advised to see what all of the fuss is about. (If it's on the menu, don't miss the steak tartare!)

Impeccable service, stunning views, elegant venue and the food - priceless!

Iconic Seattle fine-dining establishment. Extensive wine list that takes you around the world - let's just say I had a jumpstart to wine from Canlis which is arguably has one of the best wine lists in the world.

Waitress didn't have much personality that's why the low rating food was good but I've had better in Las Vegas

Wow. Talk about elegant. Canlis is a great venue for that special dinner out.

Family of 4 experienced wonderful service and atmosphere on Christmas Eve with snow covered trees and beautiful view of Lake Union. However, we must have made the wrong choices on the 4 course set menu since we all agreed the food was not what we had experienced during previous visits. Filet Mignon was wonderful but other dishes from amuse bouche to complimentary macarons after dessert didn't delight. What several of us found really annoying was one of the macaron flavors tasted just like Fruit Loops! How many people want to finish a $500 meal for 4 sans alcohol with the taste of Fruit Loops in their mouth? Sesame chocolate macaron wasn't much better-we've had quite a few macarons from Seattle to London to Paris and have never found a flavor we didn't like - until now. We won't be making the big commitment to reserve a year in advance for Christmas Eve dinner here again.

I went here with my Family after my uncles wedding, and it was a delite! The food was amazing, and so was the service. Overall, 10/10.

We just love this place. One of the nicest in the city.

Canalis is synonymous with style. Class and the best service in Seattle.

Although Canlis has been highly rated by others, our experience there was a real disappointment. Having dined at many world-class venues throughout the world, I cannot recommend this restaurant to Seattle's guests based on either the food or service.

The way Canlis has pivoted over and over through the pandemic has been amazing and has been a great way to make it a little more accessible and still provide a little opportunity for a really REALLY nice dinner!

The care and ambience were excellent in addition to great food and view.

Servers were wonderful and it's everything you'd expect. My friend and I had fun and the culinary experience was delightful. But being plebs who knew what we were getting into, we expected the other humans in the place to seem less like depressed extras in a film. Be less subdued, rich folk. Laugh once in a while. Not really fair to the restaurant to punish it with 4 stars for its absurdly obvious clientele, but meh this is the internet. Still, eveyone should do this at least once.

The best view in Seattle. It's great to come in and grab a drink at the bar. The bartenders are friendly and make fantastic cocktails.

Bad News-Good News story. The bad news is that the food at Canlis is so-so at best, yet the prices are that of the highest-caliber restaurants. I have no objection to high-price restaurants; in fact, I like them in general. But I expect the food to merit the high price. I had the cod at Canlis; this fish was badly prepared, tasteless and bland. It was also very small. WAY too much money for such poor food and small portions. Good news is that Canlis is a very beautiful restaurant, with terrific ambience and atmosphere. The views are spectacular. The service is excellent and the staff terrific.

One of the best dining experiences in Seattle! The magnificent views and stellar food are only outdone by the service. 10/10

I visited the "Crab Shack" at Canlis. I had set an alarm at 12:59pm on a Wednesday in order to book a reservation (which opened at 1pm), yet I was still not able to book a dinner reservation. I got late lunch instead, which was fine.

They did a very nice job setting up the outdoor seating in their parking lot. Each table had adequate shading. Parking was easy. Each table came with hand sanitizer and there were sinks nearby. There were mostly bar stools with high top tables. Everything was well organized.

Appears that the menu changes weekly, at least the side dishes. I was looking forward to the roasted corn but was served baby corn, which is not my favorite. The crab was amazing, well cooked and sweet. I loved the bread, delicious!

There were wasps flying around, they do seem to love crab. The wait staff was very helpful and tried to zap them away.

Overall, everyone was respectful of social distancing and I felt safe eating out for the first time since becoming a mom.

Best view and service in Seattle.
The food was amazing.

canlis is one of the best restaurants i've ever eaten to, not only for food & wine, but for service. it's not over the top and everything is just excellent. i have no other words for it.

Canlis During Covid 19:
During the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, how a company handled the pandemic really showed their true colors, and Canlis showed wonderful colors. We originally booked the Penthouse for our Vow Renewal Wedding but Canlis had to close due to the pandemic and certain circumstances in our own lives lead to us postponing the Wedding indefinitely. Canlis still served us from afar. Maren was amazing at handling the situation. She was perfect in communicating options for us going forward. Canlis ended up delivering "The Canlis Weekender" box full of fresh produce, meat, and local wine. We had such a fun time cooking Canlis recipes for the family and all eating together at home during the pandemic. That is a night I will always remember. Canlis took a bad situation and turned it into a memorable one. We hope to visit Canlis for a nice dinner once they open once again, but until then, thank you Canlis.

this place is expensive! I took the wife here and she was happy as can be. Its not everyday we go out to fine dine. This set up the night to remember for sure. So many events happen after lol.

The service was good like it should have been but the food was just ok, maybe it was because I knew I wasted a paycheck and I lost my appetite. I think I could cook better at home

The best dining experience I ve ever had. I wonder if they have a Japanese chef or someone who s inspired by Japanese cuisine, because ingredients they use (including desserts) were very familiar to me.
Anyways, this place is fantastic.

Exquisite fine dining. "Affordable" menus go from selection of 3 or 4 course options to tasting menu. Classic with modern twist. Elegant setting with spectacular views if afforded a window table.

Great restaurant that is still good but not as good as ten years ago

Canlis is a classic Seattle dining experience. Between the decor and the waitstaff uniform it definitely has an old-school steakhouse kind of vibe. It also has amazing views Lake Union.

The food is fantastic. If you do go with the steak you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend ordering the caesar salad as they make it for you table side.

But I think the biggest thing that sets Canlis apart is their service. The staff were incredibly friendly for both of my visits. The first time I had dinner here, someone was warming my coat by a fire next to the front door (it was quite cold that night). While it was maybe a little over the top, I certainly felt like I was being taken care of and it made the experience that much better.

Spectacular dinner. Wonderful service, pianist, beautiful views. 2 hours, 5 courses, 1 memorable Valentine's day.

Beautiful place, wonderful, interesting food, meticulous service. $$$$$

Venue is amazing, food was good but only okay especially for the price.

We went there for our 1st wedding anniversary supper. Everything was well worth the price, from the wine menu to the meal and the service. It was simply excellent!. We are already planning our next visit.

Nice place... the niceties from the robat like staff could get uncomfortable but a must do if you have not been there

Excellent food and large portions for the money! You get 8-large pieces of chicken breast for the Kebob plate at at very reasonable price!

Best restaurant (food plus experience) I have ever been to. This should be on everyone's list

Canlis is nothing short of amazing. The staff was attentive and kind. The view even at the table furthest from the window was outstanding. I m vegetarian and they had a whole new menu to bring out for me. There s not a thing that I would change about my experience. The food is some of the best I ve had I hope to share this with more friends and family sometime soon.

There was quick and friendly service. The bill was fair. Kinda of like a place in Houston that I enjoyed.

Breathtaking views and spectacular food combine into an amazing experience which is unrivaled in the Seattle area.

Absolutely exceptional experience. There is a reason why this place has been Seattle's iconic restaurant for a long time.

My boyfriend and I wanted to share a romantic evening, but didn't know where since we aren't familiar with Seattle. We originally were going to do a romantic evening in Vancouver but decided to try Canlis instead, I was surprised that we could reserve a table so soon but glad we got in. We dinned here the 26th, as soon as the Uber pulled up a man opened the door immediately which was very welcoming as my first impression, waiting inside was a pleasant hostess who was eager to show us our table. Our table looked over the entire city, and I had ordered a wine which was really smooth and a great recommendation, the staff is all educated on their menu. The four course meal was excellent for it's taste and price($125 per person) with the perfect amount to make my boyfriend and I full before departure. I had the steak tartare, rabbit, halabat, and cucumber/cherry for my sweet. At the end I was offered tea or coffee, which I love milk with my tea which was offered here. I highly recommend everyone to dine here, the staff is all pleasant people and make your evening a night to remember.

We went here for my father in-laws birthday. We drove from PDX to celebrate and were told this place was exceptional. The service was excellent. Attentive and very watchful. However the food was REALLY salty! The extremely expensive steak was too tough to cut with the knife they gave us. And the macaroons were more like flavored marshmallows. We were very disappointed.

Smoothly executed, excellent service. Staff (led by Stephanie at our table) was very knowledgeable about menu, kitchen contents, allergies, and wine pairing. Cocktails were expertly crafted with delicate flavouring. Presentation of dishes was top notch, and flavour matched the display. The beef tartare was truly exceptional, and the lamb melt-in-your-mouth divine. In short, it is exactly what you should expect from a place with this reputation.

A very good representation of what Pacific Northwest cuisine can be. Excellent service and cocktails. Probably the most expensive meal you can get in town. It's a very nice place and the view is impossible to match. I wouldn't say it's the best meal in town but worth a visit or two. I had the lamb, canlis salad, rabbit pasta (best dish of the evening) and the chocolate desert.

A remarkable meal, but priced for special occasions only.

Book in advance for the full experience or try to catch a seat at the bar. Formal dressy attire. Exceptional service. Live piano music. Delicious artisan food; shrimp was perfect. Went for a celebration in a group of 4, seated a table away from the window. We were there for the later seating and stayed until close. The biography of the founder who served famous politicians and brought cultural, sophisticated, fine dining to Seattle is worth reading to truly capture the essence of Canlis.

Super formal restaurant with great food, service and views.

Attended another executive event at Canlis and as usual am astonished at the level of service provided to a large group for a seated dinner. Great job team.

There is not a better or more classic restaurant in Seattle!

Canlis has lost a step despite their hype machine working in overdrive and new fan base flooding the reservations. The food has become a questionable choice and as a customer who has been coming there for over ten years, the selection has become less and less appetizing and sometimes meals that should be hot, arrive cold, as well as steaks being cooked improperly.
Service and ambiance is spectacular and the brothers do an amazing job of being hosts. Somewhere between them and the kitchen there is a loss of the near perfect experience in the last five years.
Please go back or offer some well made basic seafood/landfood choices like a traditional broiled lobster tail, etc. w/o the gastronomical new frontier being my only option.
It s certainly not beneath us paying customers to enjoy that type of food... your father and grandfather knew this and earned our loyalty over the decades.
Thank you.

Exceptional service. Hands down the best I've ever experienced. Anywhere. The food is very well done albeit a bit predictable. Great views. Amazing wine list. Helpful sommelier. Great private party rooms with dedicated planners and staff to make sure ant event is flawless. A Seattle institution.

Food and staff were terrific, but I just don't go for that much pretension.

We recently ate dinner here. the food and service are first rate!

The service itself was great and not something you experience in a lot of restaurants. Very welcoming on the way in, but I did find it inconsistent and strange the way they treat men's and women's dress codes. They don't allow the party to sit near the windows if men don't have a jacket but allow women with hoodies and very casual wear to sit there. If you're going to have a dress code, stick to it.

The food was of good quality, but I wouldn't say it was anything special. Coming from New York dining, I guess my expectations are a little different, but if this is fine dining in Seattle I guess I should get myself ready for some disappointment. The tartare was very good, but none of the other dishes were good enough to stand out. Nothing tasted bad necessarily, but I expect something more interesting for their reputation.

The view was pretty good, but just go stop by Kerry Park and then go somewhere for dinner afterwards if you want a nice view and food. I'm more concerned about the company (my wife) and the dishes than the view outside.

If you are looking for sophisticated dishes, served in an unusual way and you are in Seattle, I highly recommend Canlis. Delicious food, service at the highest level. Come and certainly you will not be disappointed - guarantees. I will definitely go there more than once with friends

Canlis is the nicest restaurant in Seattle and maybe all of Washington (I'm not up to date on E. WA restaurant offerings). The service is impeccable and food is amazing! Best view in town as you can see the mountains, city and Lake Union! These photos are from the bar. I highly recommend trying to get a window seat to maximize the experience. If you love wine, champagne or scotch they have one of the worlds best rated selections and largest cellars. This restaurant and their personalized service is one you will remember forever! We have eaten at a number of top restaurants around the world and this one is #1 on our list. Thank you to the Canlis family and staff for unforgettable memories!

The food was okey, but the customer service was great (115$ for entree, main dish, desert)

First visit to Canlis Crab Shack and it was awesome! The staff was friendly and attentive, especially Joshua. The food was absolutely delicious and plentiful. I will definitely recommend this as a special treat to any and all!

Best restaurant in Seattle by far, and great view too!

Lovely service, food is good but not mind blowing. Would love to see canlis service and environment combined with altura's food. That would be something special.

I had heard so much about Canlis ever since I moved here. My wife was sweet enough to find reservations on my birthday. Make sure you wear a sports coat if you are a guy. We got quite a grand view of Lake union and Gas works park from our table.

The dinner was simply extraordinary. The service was so outstanding that I felt I was a celebrity! It is a set 4 course meal, each meal has one veggie option. Really hard to pick and choose. The staff helped us pick the dishes by giving us quite a detailed description of them. In between the courses, we got quite a few tasty small bites.

Canlis salad, haiku rice, lamb and the souffle were the options I chose. You cant go wrong with any of the choices. So go for it. This is a place every one should go visit once at least. Well, my wife wants to go here next weekend also lol!!!

AWESOME! This restaurant has the best foods after a tiring workout this morning in the gym. They all have that I needed, especially for some grilled chicken with roasted vegetables. I really enjoyed it and kudos to the server that was able to attend to all of my requests cordially. An Excellent restaurant here in our area!

Great environment, great atmosphere, great service. Food was really good, but could have been better. Just wasn't really up to par with the rest of it, I guess.

Definitely a fantastic experience with Incredible views. The service cannot be beat and the food was delicious. I'm not sure if I would consider the cost in line with the quality. It is definitely top quality but I believe the price is at least twice as much than it's worth. I would still recommend it as a must-do for anybody that is from this area.