Ray's Boathouse, Cafe & Catering Review

Just returned from celebrating our 6th Anniversary at Ray's, which has always been one of our favorite places for fine dining. We were both very disappointed in the "new" Ray's. It's our first time since the remodeling and the elegance is gone as is the atmosphere that once made Ray's a great place to eat and mingle. We had a window seat and the sun beat down on us with no way to get relief. The so-called sunshade does little to reduce the hot rays and if there was air conditioning it wasn't felt. We had Alaska King Crab which was very good, but very expensive. The price isn't justified with the lack of ambiance. We liked the old Ray's the way it was. We're probably in the minority since the number of people going there hasn't seemed to slow down. VG service.

Awesome food, drinks and views but a little pricey.

Yeah... you just have to go there. No words, but awesome food is a good start.

Fantastic location, very good waiter. Wish they had more friendly food options, broader variety of pure veg, simple seafood etx

The first time we visited this place. The waiter was very Racist! The way he treating us:( they where 4 people set in front as and order food he checks them every 10 minutes. We where at Bar, order a food and drinks, he didn't even check as he just bring finally the bill. Thursday 19/2019 around 6:30pm!!

I have to say. Worse experience I have had and I actually never really have bad experiences. Service was not professional and food was below average and severely over priced. I do not recommend this place: there is far better options out there for same or even less price available. Blend food. I also got charged for an extra drink that I did not even order. Check your receipt to make sure you are not being over charged.

Horribly rude service, we walked in and the "greeters" stared at us and just looked us up and down before asking what we needed. We said we were there to eat obviously and they directed us to casual eating upstairs with a sneer. Our waiter was rude and inattentive, but very nice to everyone else around us, especially the guests who were unable to eat in the fine dining area due to a lack of seating. We said we just wanted water to drink and ordered an appetizer, and when he brought it to us he asked if we would be eating anything else. We said yes, a little perplexed (maybe we look poor??) and proceeded to order. My blackened rockfish with creole sauce was literally a charred hunk of fish with vegetable soup, and my husbands full order of fish and chips was three very small and tasteless hunks of fried fish. Not worth the money, and I was very hurt by the way that we were treated by the staff. However, the valet parking staff were very nice.

This restaurant showed me the more "glamorous-chill" side of Seattle that I had been yearning for since moving here from the east coast. It was as if Sex and the City had taken place in Malibu and I was apart of it all, taken away for 2 hours from the normal dull rhythm of the work week.

Had mussels in curry sauce and smokey bacon clam chowder.... Delish!! Great bar area... Upstairs was more lively.

We arrived and went to the bar for drinks. Waited for a table. I have been there many times and expected a wonderful meal. So sorry to say that the halibut was over cooked, dry and hard to swallow. Don't mind the overpriced meals when they are good, but this was horrible. I visit once a year to see my son and daughter in law. Love taking them out for a special meal. I won't be going back to Ray's. This used to be a great place with a lot of young people. It has lost its glow and atmosphere.

Awesome happy hours, excellent dinners, great views and ambiance!

Beautiful sunset dinner with my love this past Sunday. Good food, good service! I absolutely love my pasta with prawns and scallops. My partner had halibut with mixed veggies and garnished with pesto. Our cheese plater before dinner was also super delicious. The Spanish wine with dinner was fantastic.

Nice happy hour on the deck. My son and I enjoyed the view and lunch. Great happy hour.

Amazing food cooked to perfection, tasty cocktails, and excellent service. Add all of that to the view at nearly every table, and you don't get a much better dining experience in Seattle. Can't wait to go back!

Can't be beat in Seattle. Views, food and service are all top notch!

It was a great experience with great food highly recommend. I also highly recommend the Oysters on the half shell the staff are super kind and respectful and waited for a 4 year old to make her order keep up the good work

An excellent restaurant for delicious seafood. The ambience is very appealing. If you have the opportunity to sit outside on the balcony, you should do so, the view on the water is breathtaking.

Nice place to sit and eat. Beautiful views. But the food quality missed the mark. It looks good, but not very tasteful. The fish sandwich is missing some taste to it, but the clam chowder is very good. You can t go wrong.

Phenomenal, romantic meal at sunset with my love. Breathtaking views wonderful service and delicious food.

Server Chris in downstairs restaurant awful customer service. I will not go back here again. Ruined my mood being there and a waste of money. On a beautiful Friday afternoon.

Excellent food
Great service

What a spot. Awesome seafood salad! The view is incredible looking out over the Olympic Mountains

Great food, prices and view in bar. Higher prices and less view in main restaurant.

Excellent seafood, friendly staff and excellent views

Wonderful food, great view, possibly my most enjoyable restaurant in Seattle

Wonderful food, pleasant atmosphere, friendly service and a stunning view of the Sound. We had a friend recommend Ray's calling it "the quintessential place to eat" while in the area, and we were not disappointed!

Ray's didn't look like much from the parking lot, but looks are deceiving. The lower level was closed and there a quite a few stairs, however there is an elevator. The restaurant is situated perfectly to allow for an amazing view from any seat. My old man and I both ordered the clam chowder,fish and chips, and the scallops. The chowder was the perfect consistency and had the right amount of everything. The fish and chips came out hot and fresh, both were fried to perfection. The scallops were served over squiddish with a mix of peppers for the right amount of flavor that didn't take away from the buttery soft scallops. Typically I am a wine drinker but wanted to change it up. I inquired if they offered a flight and was disappointed to hear that they didn't considering the extensive beer/cider list. The waiter did not hesitate to bring me 3 cider samples after asking what my preference was. I highly recommend Ray's if you're looking for quality and service. Put this place on your list, its definitely a winner.

Meh. Used to be stellar. Indifferent service and mundane food. Go to Chinooks.

This place was amazing! The service was great and the food, excellent! Definitely expensive but the portions are huge so totally worth the money :) also beautiful views right on the harbor

Sitting outside, watching the boats, eating great food...what is not to love?

Food was not good,tasteless . terrible selection on the menu for a seafood restaurant. Paid for the view in essence. Totally let down. If you like getting over charged and feeling like you got ripped off stop on by rays boathouse.

Epitome of waterfront dining !! Excellent food and drinks !

Rays Restaurant is a bit hidden but once you find it, the location is absolutely beautiful. Right on South Lake Union, the view is gorgeous. The restaurant offers the finest Northwest seafood, artisan cheeses, local produce and meats, a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list of over 500 selections and excellent service. They also have a spectacular happy hour!!

High-quality food upstairs and down, with an unbeatable view. Definitely a go.

Ate on the patio and there was no umbrella to protect from the sun. Food was great.

A reliable spot for great ambiance and good food. We always hit up the bar on the 2nd floor for a more casual feeling with the same amazing view. Been here numerous times over the years and the staff are always friendly and the food is always good. They've usually got a great selection of local beers too. This is the place to come to impress the out of towners on a beautiful Seattle evening, be it January or July

Been here many times. Food, service, view... Well worth the high price.

Excellent restaurant on a beautiful spot on the coast in North West Seattle. Great views, great food, but price wise on the high end of the spectrum.

Rays has it down Its a traditional Puget Sound restaurant. For that special occasion the downstairs fine dining is great. For a fun meal with friends or the the happy hour go upstairs to Ray's cafe.

Had our daughter s wedding and reception there last night. What a great event. The hospitality of the staff was outstanding, the food was excellent. Overall it was a great experience.

The service and view here are top notch. Ray's boathouse has a wonderful and high class feel to it. The food is pretty heavy though, it's delicious but it's definitely not something you could eat every day (or even every week) if you go here it might be wise to browse some of their lighter options, definitely don't go all out

Great food and great views. We were a party of 5 and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their dishes.

Excellent seafood and water views. Good for special occasions. Pricy. Think $50 for entrees. Less expensive and fancy upstairs.

Ray's Cafe: Delicious food, great drinks, wonderful service. The view was awesome, arrived just before sunset, sat outside at the railing for lovely view.

Everything was so wonderful here! Service, the view, cocktails and of course the food. We still talk about this place 2 months after our visit. It really was a beautiful place to dine

Ray's is a standard when I come home. Beautiful view and a great happy hour. Crowds and parking can be rough. However nothing good comes easy.

Easter brunch. Very good quality and variety, excellent service - but this doesn't come on the cheap.

Visited here a while back, great atmosphere, friendly wait staff and food was delicious! Will be back the next time we are in town.

Where is one of the bull spectacular places to have a very romantic dinner? No it's not on that boat lol it's ray's boathouse. Historically famous and tremendously beautiful and with a fantastic menu

Always have delicious meals here. Great cocktails too. If you sit downstairs at night, there are lights outdoors that illuminate the Puget Sound. You might just see some creatures swimming around. I did! Upstairs is a fabulous deck for warm weather seating.

Wow, top shelf all the way around. Amazing views, amazing food, amazing service. $$$$

5 Stars for the quality of food and service. I went for a birthday dinner and they go beyond what most nicer restaurants do. We were sat at a table with a lovely view of the sound and they even had a classy simple birthday card waiting for me. Although I wish there were slightly more entree options on the menu- I felt that this was a good location for those that aren't crazy foodie experts to experience a quality dinner. This place is perfect for your out of town relatives/friends you want to impress for a nice time.
Lastly- I want to add that other than the actual location on the water- the ambiance inside is really well done and comfortable. For it being a nicer establishment- I didn't feel too stuffy while still feeling like I was experiencing what I was paying for.

Calimari was delicious. Could dine indoors or out. Nice atmosphere.

Food is mediocre. Service is good. View is great!!

Really disappointed. completely over priced tourist destination. Food was uninspired. Guests were dressed like they were going to mow the lawn. Ugh. One upside, our waiter was friendly and attentive and valet parking was complementary.

Food very pricy and my scallop dish was very bland. The 3 scallops which came with dish brought the cost up to $ 10,00 a piece.
Also the wine was much to high.
No comparison to the Palisades.

Thai mussels - I ve passed the knowledge of this Ray s delicacy on to my children. I ve been coming to Ray s since before the fire - so over 30 years.
Caesar salad good today too. on the deck at Ray s

Best seafood in Seattle, casual dining with an awesome view and first class service

I've been at this place over the years back from in the 1970s. I currently live in southern California and never miss a chance to go to Ray's.
Always has been and still is 5 stars without question!

Just had a great dinner a Rays Boathouse. They really topped off our last night in Seattle. It has been a great week in the Emerald City and Frank our waiter put a big exclamation mark on our short vacation here. Food was in credible drinks were generous in the pour. Frank even brought our kid a blanket when he said he was cold. We ate out on the deck with great views of the Sound. Thanks again Frank see you on our next visit.

Views were amazing. The service was acceptable, but not outstanding. The food was wonderful.

So loud in the Cafe we couldn't carry on a conversation with more than two people at a time. Menu isn't terribly diverse for a casual restaurant. Salad was OK. Clam chowder was delicious. Beer and wine are pricey. The view was OK even though we were seated at the window.

Best spot in Ballard.... Go downstairs if you want to dress up fancy, go upstairs if you want to be casual. Wonderful food! Superb service....

I like Ray's but not sure it's worth the expense. I don't think there's anything new for me to say that hasn't been said by others. Maybe my expectations were too high going in? It's just not a place we go repeatly, so I guess the one time just being ok kinda left a big impression on me. Overall ambiance and service earns 4 stars.

Good seafood but fairly expensive. Good for a special meal out. Yeah, it's touristy, but the food is good. Love the views! The happy hour is a good option when available.