Canlis Reviews

Superb in all aspects!

The very best the city has to offer!

This is easily one of our favorite places in Seattle. Due to covid, Canlis offers a wide range of take out options through out the week. On weekends, the Weekender package is a great option to help cook up a feast for the family. We didn t realize the first time that the weekender is an uncooked package and is meant to be a weekend project for you and your family as the website wordings was unclear. We were quite disappointed and hungry and informed Canlis of their mistakes on their website. Canlis responded quickly by fixing their website immediately and fully refunded our money. It was a pleasant surprise as we did not expect the full refund at all.

Really different dining experience. Very wonderful.

A very fabulous restaurant to eat and nice ambiance. Great atmosphere and location.

I've been to care less about 4 times. And I have to say it's not as good as it was a few years ago. He's beautiful atmosphere but the food is mediocre Seattle has so many spectacular restaurants ours is no longer at the top of our list. You should go there for the view.

It's a wonderful experience but pricey so make sure to set your expectations.

Eat here all the time. We love Sarah. The service and food is excellent!

The BEST meal/dining experience I have ever had in my life!! My bf has wanted to eat here for years so I set reservations for his bday. The restaurant is gorgeous, wonderful atmosphere, & the most amazing staff!
We were blown away by the creativity in each course & will be drooling over the bread until we can get back in there again for more haha.
Excellent place to have a celebratory meal or date night with a loved one. I wish I had pictures to share, but we were so in awe of our surroundings & enjoying ourselves we kept the phones away Yes, portions are small, but you won t leave hungry! My bf is a giant man with an appetite to match & he left full! If you re not picky & you appreciate fine dining, this is a place you need to try!

Extremely attentive service and great food. A lot of attention to detail throughout the restaurant and nice to see a Chef pay so much attention to local Washington produce.

Canlis offers a high-end fine dining experience. There are many good restaurants in Seattle, but if you want white glove, refined elegance, this is the place. The food is glorious and the wine list is an oenophile's dream. We opted for the four course menu and were rewarded with thoughtful, original dishes. All were wonderful - the halibut was other-worldly!

Very fine food and drink. I don't drink alcohol but my companions were very pleased with the wine and drink offerings and recommendations. Very helpful host and staff. Maybe the very BEST rare Japanese steak I've ever had, and very interesting and artistic appetizers and other dishes, including their classic salad, Dungeness crab with kohlrabi, and a sumptuous dessert souffle. Perfect serving sizes. Again, a very friendly and helpful staff, describing the appetizers and dishes. Mistakes were made with several orders and the bill but, again, the staff were very apologetic and helpful, and quick to correct and accommodate. Would I return? In a heartbeat, but I suspect generally above my price range. I was a guest in my first visit. The quality of the food and service may be well worth an occasional indulgence. I'd certainly consider a return visit. Spectacular view of the Lake Union and mountains.

Classic, great service, lovely food. Not the best food in Seattle IMO, but there's a whole lot more to a great restaurant experience than food and Canlis is impeccable in terms of service, atmosphere, and presentation. The ultimate experience for a special night out in Seattle.

Food serving is awesome, very unique and classy. The ambiance adds a great time while eating.

The food was so delicious. I never tasted something so delicious.

Went for a birthday dinner and had an amazing evening with memorable service

Food & beverage
Food is modern local NW cuisine with a Japanese influence. Menu is a pre fix 4 course that they have no problem with modifications or adjusting the menu for additional courses. We ended up adding a course and the server coursed it out well. Wine and cocktail list is comprehensive, unique and a wine list that makes any wine enthusiast excited!

Customer service
Our service was great. Though be prepared for around a 3-4 hr meal. Our new was a bit slow but the server warned us and was very professional and apologetic.

Ambiance
Live music for most the evening, warming fireplace and formal dining room. Not the location to show up in your Seattle casual

Strongly recommend going here!

Excellent fine dining. Great setting. Live piano music. Of the 4 courses only one (each) was ordinary - the malted pancake (saved by the sauce) and the rabbit sausage (a bit blah). The remaining courses were superb, and there were also delicious bonus bites (bread, rabbit liver tarts, macarons etc). Highly recommended.

Fine dining experience, beautiful views of the water and great food

Like many high end places, the attitude and atmosphere are more pretentious than the actual quality of the food, which is fine. It doesn't feel worth the money. Would go to Palisade any day if given the choice between the two.

Great place to relax, people watch, eat good food or all the above. Staff treated us so nice. This place has an awesome atmosphere. Food is like a restaurant in Jacksonville I loved.

I love this place always quality food & service. Service is typically good. The prices are fair for the quality of food. Food is similar to a place in San Francisco I liked.

Canlis is a must do for anyone wanting to experience the PNW cuisine and a special occasion superstar. Everything about the place is magical - right from the location overlooking the waters, to the dimly lit private dinner setting to the food, the extensive wine and cocktail list. Fine finding at its best, this place is worth every penny (albeit costly) for a once in a lifetime experience, when in Seattle or nearabouts.

The service is what you would expect for the price you pay, but that doesn't make it feel any less special. They will go out of their way to make you feel special to them. We made a reservation and asked for a table with a view. We were seated next to a window that overlooked the whole city lights. It was stunning. The food was amazing and they make gluten free very easy if you need accommodations. The drinks from the bartender are amazing, he will really listen to what you want to drink. People complaining about the portion size are crazy. When you are eating 4 or more courses, you don't want large portions! Perfect for celebrations or special occasions:)

By far the best dining experience I've ever had! My wife and I went for the first time for our anniversary and we were blown away! The service, food, wine and overall ambiance is like nothing we've ever seen. Sommelier Nelson Daquip was absolutely incredible! Along with the rest of the staff, they made our night one that we will cherish and remember for the rest of our lives. There aren't enough words to describe how amazing this place is. Canlis is a must see!

I took my fiancee for her birthday here with some close friends. I knew this place had phenomenal review and an overflowing list of recommendations from friends. But Canlis actually met the expectations. The food is wonderful, the atmosphere classy, and the view just stops you forcing you to appreciate it. Parking and pulling in can be a bit crowded as it is a small property but their valet was top notch. Great $115 tasting menu to choose for four plates from a variety of dishes. Can't wait to visit here again

One-of-a-kind truest quality care and comfort service in every way. You can only understand from experiencing how tight this crew works when everything so effortlessly is taken care of for you as soon as you get to valet. We will be back here as many times as possible from today forward. We love the classy Japanese vibe and histiry. Everything was made from what seems straight from an anime called Food Wars. The most beautiful and umami fueled dishes straight from God's.

This is by far the best restaurant around anywhere. The food, service and view are well worth the price.

Wonderful fine dining with a great atmosphere. This is a must if you are looking for fine dining in Seattle with a rich history. The food reminded me of some of the best Michelin star restaurants in Denmark. It was beautiful, modern and delicious. The service was top tier. Lovely attention to detail with both the plating and service...love the collectable matchbook too! Everything added up to an amazing evening.

To use the analogy of an amusement park, Canlis is still the best ride in the park. We had a wonderful dinner there last night. The food was exquisite the service the same but I will not go on that ride again. The cost/value ratio has tipped and $475 for two people with 1 drink and 1 glass of house wine each has tipped the balance. I will find a new ride!! It is still the best restaurant in town and if cost is not a factor, the place to dine. The wine pours are skimpy but not a big deal.
Very sad for me since I have been a patron going back to the 1960's and new the Canlis family and the Manager very well (still do).
The blade is just too deep in the ground.
Chester W. Woodside D.D.S

Top restaurant in Seattle according to any ranking. Menu consists of four elements which each include interesting options. A classy cocktail bar is combined. Impressive wine list and impeccable service. Worth a detour at least if not a trip itself.

Incredible views and ambience along with great food and service

Amazing view, delicious food, one in a million experience.

Canlis was gorgeous, everything I hoped it would be!

Was there for an alumni happy hour event. The service was impeccable. The different hors d oeurves were delicious. They served a lamb slider, a fried chicken slider, Dungeness crab leg wrap and a tempura mushroom. The tempura mushroom was disappointing because the deep fried tempura batter was all that you could really taste. Small enough to not drop the rating.

The view was gorgeous - overlooking south lake Union.

Delicious inventive food, impeccable service, wonderful place and views. $$$$$

This is easily in the top 5 restaurants I've ever encountered. The service, food, and drinks are absolutely fantastic. We were here for a small wedding and it was definitely the perfect venue.

The food is mediocre.
The service is AMAZING!
The location is okay and the views aren t impressive...

Canlis is one of my two favorite restaurants. The food, service, and atmosphere are beyond exquisite. The views from the restaurant are secondary to me, but the beauty of Lake Union and Seattle are sensational. Just sit back and enjoy a meal you will never forget.

My husband John and I dined here for my 26th birthday. The experience was unforgettable. Best dining experience in Seattle so far. Emily and Erica made the experience even more personal and enjoyable. Thanks ladies!

The food was delicious and the portions were generous. I liked the staff's friendliness. However, I didn't appreciate them asking for a tip upon ordering before being actually served.

Top notch experience. Every single aspect of the service is thought out and flawlessly executed. From the valet, to host, to our exceptional server Ashley we felt like royalty from the moment we arrived to the moment we left our table. My coat was brought to me without a word and our car was warm and waiting when we left. Not a single bite was left on a single plate. The rabbit was divine and I can't rave enough about the ribeye and the duck. It is spendy, but it is an experience we will never forget. Thank you for such a wonderful night Ashley!

Everything about this fine dining experience is amazing

Beautiful and exquisite food, but what puts Canlis above and beyond is the service

We had our dinner here last night. The place was very elegant and sophisticated. All the food served is so delicious. Our waiter was very welcoming and friendly, too. He made sure everything we had is perfect. The experience we had last night was amazing. Five-star service!

Quite simply the best dinning experience in Seattle. The food is amazing, the view is great and the service is magical. If you have something to huge to celebrate this is THe place to do it!

The view is beautiful, but that's the only piece that we experienced which was even remotely close to many other reviews. The service? No one asked how our meal was, they were extremely young and inexperienced, stuttering and not explaining the dishes. I also don't appreciate someone ironing a table cloth next to me while I eat. The food was horrible. I don't write bad reviews, but this was extremely disappointing. Go elsewhere with your money

Had a dinner here with co-workers, the vibe and the food/drinks mix is on point ! if you are into great fod and amazing vibe go here

Very nice, good food, atmosphere, view and service was awesome!

Atmosphere is definitely for those who feel themselves to be more refined. I did enjoy the view along with a few of the first courses. Just not worth the price.

What can you say about Canlis that hasn t been said before?

The classic, romantic atmosphere, the exquisite service, the precision and deliciousness in their food, and their extensive wine collection.

Canlis lives up to all of its hype. It was quite the experience and highly recommended to anyone that lives or visits Seattle.

Great experience, pretty good food, super high prices.

Their work was really great, though it was grown, but the food was very good

Came to Canlis to celebrate an anniversary and had a wonderful night. I don't think the food is worth the price, but I do appreciate the overall experience of dinner at Canlis. We were seated at a table right by the window with a beautiful view and the service was amazing. Although I enjoyed dinner at Canlis, I don't plan to return soon. I think there is better food available for a lower price.

Canlis is the definition of perfection when you're seeking the most romantic venue in Seattle.

From the moment you arrive, you're treated like owners, and the normal boring life you previously lived, fades away.

My personal favorites include the Canlis salad, the truffle fries, the twice baked potato, and of course the Wagyu filet.

Kudos to Brian & Mark for for celebrating 60 years with the 1950s menu quest. You can't beat a filet for $4.25! I went a little crazy and ordered every side dish that was available :p

Cheers!

Terrible service and disgusting food. Do not go! I swear everyone else who reviews this restaraunt is fake!

Beware the $50 PER PERSON late cancellation fee. I hoped to get over my nasty cough but waited to cancel until the day of my reservation. Maybe it would have been better to keep the $200 and then go ahead and cough loudly for 2 hours in the main dining room. I thought I was doing Canlis a favor by staying home....

I would go back to Canlis in a heartbeat. Their food and service is captivating.
Firstly, the food: their offerings are diverse, creative, and perfectly balanced. Like any good restaurant, they re willing to work around dietary restrictions. I tried oysters, rabbit, ribeye, and chicory for dessert; my date tried their famous salad, a malted pancake, lamb, and rhubarb for dessert. We also shared a rice dish with crab and fish, homemade bread, and a variety of small bites. We had our favorites, but in general, Canlis created entrees that we could not have improved. It was clear that Canlis wants the diner to experience the food as the main course of the evening - not the atmosphere, the service, the drinks, or the view. When you are there, they want your food to be the highlight. This was especially evident in their plating and portioning, but also in the detailed introduction of each dish.
Secondly, I feel confident saying that their table service is the best I ve ever received. Our server Cody was happy to answer questions about food construction and some of the artists they feature. You can expect to feel like you re the most important people in the room. Canlis is truly an extra-ordinary restaurant.

This was my first fine dining experience and I loved it.
My dinner included the following:
Chioggia Beets
Grilled Carrots
Lamb + Truffle Fries
Coffee and Chocolate
Bottle of Malbec- Es Enemigo

Along with these dishes the kitchen brought out special treats.

You re not paying for the quantity of food but the quality. The food was very flavorful and all complimented each other well. I definitely want to return when they update their menu.

The food look gross and tasted even worse! Plus the serving size is bullshit

Frankly, I found the food to be uninspiring, lacking any true depth of flavor and terribly overpriced. Adding a 20% gratuity for a party of two was surprising but I've noticed this in Seattle. The message is, the locals must be forced to tip?? The view is nice.

A very elegant experience. Ambiance was amazing and customer service was at its best!

Such a great first experience at Canlis! A lot of expectation can be built up from all you here about Canlis, and they completely met, and exceeded, those expectations. Thank you especially, Anna and Kyle, for a night to remember. Will be back!

My wife and I had lovely anniversary dinner here and it was amazing. The service, wine, food, ambiance, everything was great. I would definitely go back

Upscale restaurant. Fantastic wine list and the cocktails are really good too. Really enjoyed our meal here.

Excellent service. Thoughtful food. Very wonderful sensory experience.

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!!!!! WORST SERVICE EVER!!! I have never have to rate down a classy restaurant in my life and this is the first time i ever had to do this.

I ordered Canlis during the STAY-HOME period of the covid-19 pandemic and it was stated it would be delivered. However, they were unable to deliver it and only notified me the day before the order was suppose to be sent. I was unable to get a refund too!

I received no e-mail notice prior to this that they were unable to send it and only received a call the day before that it was unable to be sent and I had to go into Seattle to pick it up or cancel the order without a refund. I ordered it on the premise it was going to be delivered otherwise I would not have ordered it to begin with and even if they had the right to cancel my order, they should have called me or notified me more than 48 hours prior to this so that I had the option to cancel and get a refund. However, I was only contacted the day before and mentioned it was unable to be delivered so I had no option to cancel the order! It was either pick it up or lose your money. It was APPALLING! Their way of dealing with this is UNPROFESSIONAL! Customers should have been notified early with the option to get a refund. NOT A LAST MINUTE CALL WITH NO OPTION!

I STRONGLY WISH I COULD GIVE THEM 0 STARS AT THIS POINT! I AM EXTREMELY OUTRAGED BY THE UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR OF CANLIS AND HOW FRAUDULENT THEIR METHODS ARE JUST TO GET CASH DURING THIS SEASON. I STRONGLY DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY FROM THEM DURING THIS SEASON OR GET DELIVERY FROM THEM WHATSOEVER! THEY DO NOT DESERVE BUSINESS AT ALL FOR THE WAY THEY HANDLE THE ISSUE.

Amazingly beautiful restaurant, phenomenal food, and excellent staff! The crab was to die for!! It was our second time dining here and was even better than the first! We will be back for sure!

I first visited Canlis the first week they opened. It was a brilliant success the first time and has been ever since. The staff is accommodating and friendly, they customize dishes as requested and or needed, and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, cheerful and an absolute delight.

I love Korean cuisine and this cute place had amazing Yukgaekjang (spicy beef soup) and delicious kimchi. Just the right amount of spice! And I found it cute that the tables have drawers in them with napkins, chopsticks, and spoons. Clever idea!

The experience was amazing, I'll be giving it a second shot at some point.

The view is spectacular, the service is among the best I've ever had, and the ambiance was perfect. I had literally the best Old Fashioned I've ever tasted (3 of them, actually) and the Canlis Salad was incredible. The deserts and appetizers were on point and they paired well with the coffee.

The thing lacking, and why I almost give this a 3 star, is the main course. The filet I had (while cooked to a perfect rare/medium-rare) was paired with jalapenos, which completely overpowered anything in the meat or the rest of the dish. The steak itself wasn't great, and tasted USDA Choice or lower quality. The pork and fish were similarly disappointing. If the main courses of Canlis were brought up to par with the rest of the experience this place would be something to behold.

Go here for the experience and the cocktails, don't expect the main course to blow you away. (Note I did not pay the extra $105 for the A5 Miziyaki beef)

We visited for the crab feed and it was really good. One whole crab per person along with corn, bread, melon/Parma salad. The lower parking lot has been transformed to a beach scene complete with a shipwreck (ss salt shaker) and other trappings of the ocean. It's worth a visit before the weather turns.

Beautiful view, very pleasant service. For the price, I prefer more courses and less stuffiness, like Altura. But this is probably the best spot in town if you want to dress up and look out on the city. Our courses were great, though none were extraordinary. We might have been too greens-focused in our choices (it's not a set menu, you pick each course, Gary Danko style). Will definitely try it again someday and see if we can do a bit better.

i wish i'd been old enough to smoke weed the last time i went here

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!

A magical experience, from the views to the service to the food. The orange liqueur souffle I had to finish the meal was the best I'd had in decades!

Went to Canlis for a night of celebration of a dear friend's birthday. Atmosphere, wonderful...Service, outstanding... Food, appetizers very interesting and delish, salad was awesome, main course...hmm? the rib eye folks loved the entrees, the chicken folks ended up with raw in the middle chicken breasts they were too embarrassed to ask to be redone. I had the fettuccine /mushroom entree which was tasty but not at all to a temp acceptable. I too did not want to make a fuss at my friend's party and come across as "one of THOSE people". Too bad because this was my very first time at Canlis and was hoping it to be our 'destination' restaurant when our out of town family and/or friends came to the great PNW to visit. Maybe we will give this restaurant another try and hope it can meet the expectations we were/are hoping to see.

1st ever new years. 50s theme. Exceeded all expectations as usual.