The cook on the fish was spot on. The sides complimented dishes well. The yellowfin tuna appetizer was off the hook. I had King salmon ...drool... my mom had monkfish? Or, some other white fish i have never tried. It was wonderful but I think I'd be scared to try it anywhere else. I'll be back for the food, the service (which was phenomenal), & the AMAZING Ballard waterfront view.
Arrived for a late lunch. We were seated outside, a delight! Delicious meal! Excellent service!
This place is amazing and well worth the cost. The food was cooked to perfection with a perfect white clam chowder as a starter. I ordered the halibut and it was the best I've had. Too many times there's a lack of a sear on halibut or it's seared but dried out. They have something figured out because it had a perfect sear and was very moist. My wife had the salmon and had a similar experience.
Of course, I forgot to get a picture of the view of the ocean at sunset which was spectacular from our table. Definitely one of the best views you can get at a restaurant in Seattle.
A bonus was that we got to see a heron bullying seagulls. There were two posts in the water outside the window that seagulls claimed and the heron didn't like. It kept flying back and forth between them to keep them off. Good times.
The upstairs cafe is a great place for lunch. Fast and friendly service. Great clam chowder. The salad with smoked seafood is fantastic!
For a seafood Restaurant they have the best Pasta dish so savory!
The best part about Ray's is why you are thinking about going here. It is all about being out on the deck on a sunny day in Seattle.
The service is that of an upscale restaurant but why do they make them wear all black? It seems outdated and unnecessary.
Food is average seafood fair with very little for a vegan or vegetarian (Seafood places tend to be the worst at this in my experience) from the fish tacos to the fish and chips to the crab Louie salad, it is all the same as it has been for years.
I suppose if it is working for them, there is no need to change I am just a little bored and can't help but think that Anthony's closed because it refused to change as well.
seafood... quality stuff. Nothing but great experiences here. Menu is similar to a restaurant in El Paso I liked.
I really like Ray's Boat house, they have recently renovated and they did an amazing job. I had the malbec- delicious, with mussels- delicious but was slightly underwhelmed with my lobster tail. It was fresh and had a good flavor but it was slightly overdone and a little tough. Also, they serve it with a side of paella. The paella was not nice at all. Visually it was unappealing, the vegetables in it looked like they came out of a can and it wasn't really a Paella, it was more like dry rice mixed with peas and spicy sausage. My husband had the tenderloin rare and it was done perfectly. So I would recommend, but I wouldn't order the lobster again.
Took my wife here for her birthday, and the staff made it a truly memorable event. The food is absolutely top notch, and so are the cocktails. This kind of experience is rare, carries a price tag to match, and totally worth it.
Fantastic service! There was a very nice selection of food to choose from. The portions were very generous for the price. It's a must go restaurant.
Excellent seafood and salads. The banquet room is great for company Christmas parties as they have lots of options and serve appetizers in a huge heated tent that is attached to the main dining room. I always look forward to the holidays at Ray's Boathouse.
Great place! Food was good! Server was nice to help with choices!
The king Salmon was awesome. The view is pretty good also
Although the restaurant is very pretty, with Gorgeous views from virtually every table and a nice patio in the summer, I felt the food was merely mediocre. The fish, with its panko crust was dry, and the Caesar salad was just lettuce and croutons and then the chicken breast I paid extra for. That seemed pretty pedestrian for a high-end restaurant. The seafood salad was odd also, cold smoked scallops? Who does that? Every wait person that I saw in the restaurant was just a little bit scruffy, not the type of grooming that you would think would be in a restaurant of this caliber. I don't know, I think I would find a different restaurant to take my out-of-town guests to, possibly even leave Seattle!
Sitting on the terrace watching the birds fish is so lovely. Good happy hour menu helps too
The food isn't bad but the entree are not well thought out. I got the crab cakes which we served with a hashed potatoes all on top of asian rice.
Great service, views and food. An impeccable location for our anniversary dinner. We will go back!
Went for birthday drinks and snacks. Crab clusters and prawns were delish! Service was warm and efficient. Water traffic at night - lovely.
Excellent food here. The outside seating offers a good view not great.
Get here early even with a reservation you have to wait. And wait longer for outside seating. There is a waiting bar upstairs & down.
This restaurant is clean and spacious for its size. Every time I've been there, I'm promptly greeted by friendly staff and told what the special is. On to the food: Beef/lamb gyro - get it! It's pretty sizable and full of delicious meat! Definitely slather the tzatziki sauce before each bite and enjoy the little hit of flavor it delivers. Btw - if my memory serves me right, the gyro is the lunch special on Tuesdays :D Definitely give this place a go - it's conveniently located right near Arden/Howe and DOES accept credit card haha.
The soup was great... and so were the bloody Mary s. For sure a place to stop for lunch or dinner. The location is right on the water as well.
My preferred location for tasty seafood. I give this place double thumbs up. The staff was very kind and attentive.
Very beautiful place for a wedding. Food and staff was great
Wonderful recipes, great views, fantastic service all around. I d recommend for sure.
We went for dinner, but the atmosphere was so bourgeois and formal, we had an overpriced drink and left.
The atmosphere was wonderful the staff was polite and helpful and down the Earth but the prices are outlandish I was quite shocked that two drinks cost almost $30
Great place with great food and a view on the traffic going in or out of the Ballard Locks! Best Bloody Marys in town...
The view is enough reason to visit, but the food is amazing to boot
What's not to like about this old Seattle stalwart. We were in the cafe for lunch. Great attentive service. Amazing oysters. Inventive cocktails. This place reminds me of the best of Seattle 20 years ago but somehow fresh and far from 'phoning it in' it felt relevant and like an oasis of unpretentious Seattle of the past. Oh and the view! I can't wait to go back.
I was here a few years ago when visiting friends in Seattle. I had the fish and chips and it was delicious. The restaurant is right on the water, and the view is breathtaking. It was chilly the day we were there, and the staff offered us blankets to keep warm. Would definitely go back.
The Alaskan King Crab Legs are absolutely amazing! For $62 it was well worth it. Also comes with green beans and potatoes which I devoured as well. Also tired a cranberry cider and that was pretty darn good as well.
Amazing food, fantastic service and the best place to watch the sun set!!
Great happy hour! Excellent seafood, it was a fun evening right on the water.
Typical overrated Seattle restaurant.
You just pay for the view and that's it.
Beautiful ocean front outdoor seating. Great place for lunch.
I don't think this is a good place for cocktails - the Thor drink wasn't balanced.
The crab dip, clam chowder and Alaskan crab were all terrific.
Enjoyed my graduation lunch with a dear friend Ms. Ingrid. Service was good, friendly staff and awesome food.
Aahh... Ray's boathouse. The stunning sunsets and mouthwatering food make for an amazing date spot. But, even if you've been married for a million years it's worth checking out. Unfortunately, I've only had wine when I've been there but the cocktails look like they were made by Poseidon -- which is a god thing -- punny? Here's what you should do, get there early, order drinks, apps, an entree or two and dessert. In fact, have a whole meal there, your stomach and face won't regret it. -Aw
So romantic. The view is breathtaking. Love the food. It's always amazing and they do a great job of handling my soybean allergy. It's a regular stop when we are in Seattle.
Great combination of excellent food/service and engaging views. If the day is nice, sit outside!
The view off of the back deck is unbelievable and I highly recommend requesting a table there. The food is phenomenal, the location great, and the happy hour is also solid.
Great food and environment. The restaurant is right on the Ballard waterfront with views overlooking the Bay and Bainbridge. That might be worth it in itself. Good selection of seafood dishes and friendly service.
Excellent food, fair prices, always child friendly.
Always good food, not as many choices due to covid. It is a little pricey but then you get what you pay for, at least here. Great view, awesome staff, always open when needed, outdoor seating as well as indoor and free parking You can watch the water, boats, paddle boarding and eat great food. What else do you need.......
We had a birthday dinner for friend on the deck with awesome views.
Great view, decent food. A little too popular and crowded for a casual dinner.
Delish food. Terrible service. Beautiful day for lunch at Ray's.
The scallop bacon linguine was absolutely delish!! Our server was patient and good humoured despite our indecisiveness - which is golden when it comes to good service. Mame, I'm sorry we didn't ask you your name, but thank you for your warm patience.
Food is above average. Really neat atmosphere with a dress-up restaurant on one level and a more casual t-shirts and shorts one above.
Not inexpensive, but, a seat outside on a nice day is priceless. Gorgeous views. The food is very good and the service is excellent.
Amazing sunset spot on the pario. Tried many things, all were phenomenal. Cant go wrong here!
This was a beautiful day even though it was pouring rain. We watched boats sail by. The food was delicious I had a huge salad with shrimp and scallops. My wife had the cod and chips.
It's really hard to beat the view: worth it every time.
One of the best seafood house I have had in Seattle. We made a reservation and fortunately got a table by the window and we got to enjoy this stunning sunset view. Moreover, the seafood were fresh indeed. We tried mussels, oysters, black cod and halibut and ALL of them are speechlessly fresh. Would definitely recommend it.
Great food, drinks, service, and view! What is not to love!
Ray's Boathouse is amazing. The upstairs Cafe is a must during the summer and the restaurant downstairs is great for a celebratory dinner or anytime when you're looking for a special experience. In terms of the menu, it has a vast amount of options, but I recommend going with the seasonal seafood options since that is their area of specialty.
Excellent staff and service.
Came here in the evening when it's already dark to see the view. However, did she Christmas lights in the horizon. Sat by the window and saw the house with lights in the mountains. Great staff, and wine selections. Enjoyed their entrees and deserts too!
I hadn't been to Ray's for years but when the sweetie asked where to go for a sunset drink & dinner after a long day of work, Ray's was my first thought. We both agreed, couldn't have made a better choice especially during this Covid time. Wonderful service, fabulous drinks & food, and a to die for view. It was perfect!
Foodn service, ambiance and sinset all fabilous. Will return as soon as possible!
Great food and views. One of my spots in Seattle.
Sitting outside was a great decision. Beautiful view, great food, friendly service. The drinks are so yummy. The oysters could have been better but still good.
I was quite impressed with the place: nice food and pleasant overlooks. Salad, soup and halibut: everything deserves an award. Well done!
Having been in the restaurant business for 25 years as an owner/operator I was very disappointed with the greeting I received. Wow. Won't come back.
Sablefish entree was very tasty but was expensive, just like most of the other entree options.
Delicious food, and great views. You absolutely get what you pay for here.
Went to the restaurant, not the cafe. Wonderful service. Great food. The view is amazing. Got to watch a few large ships heading to the Lochs. It's not cheap but if you want something cheaper they do have the cafe option. It was a special occasion, my son's birthday. They had a card prepared at the table when we arrived and dessert came with a candle and happy birthday written on a very small banner on the plate. It was very subtle but for a 22 yr old, subtle is good!
Excellent food and one of the best waterfront views
