So this was a special experience in that I don't usually go to fancy spots like this but I had the opportunity so I couldn't pass it up. First off, this place is stunning. An old home overlooking the City and water converted into a beautiful restaurant. The decor has an lodge feel with some Asian influences. We got to sit in a private room for 4 people which was really great as it felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant. The service is fantastic as the waitstaff was attentive, easy to talk to, but gave us space to enjoy the company. We were a group of 4 so we each ordered the various items so we could share and also got the table side salad. I also appreciated that they had delicious non-alcoholic cocktails which didn't feel like an afterthought. The 5 courses were amazing. All very original and thoughtfully paired. Great textures, complex flavors, and just outstanding in terms of the food. It's a seafood focused restaurant which really showed in the appetizers. I also liked the main fish dish which had some Filipino flavors and had a little sourness. Some in our group didn't love that but I thought it was a unique way to flavor it. What dropped this place to 4 stars is the desserts. They were just all around meh. Nothing that extraordinary, something you could find at any fancy restaurant. So it was a disappointing end to what was otherwise a perfect dinner. Definitely worth it just the dessert will be a letdown. read more

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I'm still perplexed about this dinner, weeks later haha. Made reservations online, $200 deposit to go towards bill. Reservations for 515pm and I was stuck in a traffic circle right outside. Called the restaurant and they were gracious about my late arrival ~just a few minutes really. The view was the only highlight tbh. Eveything was downhill from there. Drinks were overly sweet, got a replacement for old fashioned instead. Food brought out was lukewarm. Pork belly, great fat to meat ratio but why was it lukewarm, bordering cold. Fish was very salty. The kalbi flavoring for the wagyu, nothing mind blowing. It's pretty much a lower grade version of what asian folks use for short ribs marinade. Pastry cream in the dessert. One bite and I was stunned. Someone must've used salt instead of sugar because that first bite was extremely salty. I told the server and he just said he'll let kitchen know. No dessert replacement. Our male server... he kept asking if we needed anything or would like something. ...It'd would've been greatly appreciated had you just brought something out instead. Like, what am I supposed to say ? It was just awkward. Yes, I know portions were going to be small but I didn't expect to still be hungry after dining at Canlis. Dress code, they're not going to kick you out if you don't dress up. I've been to stricter places, Canlis' dress code was laughable. Some folks were very casual -jeans and sweater. Chuckling. $600+ later. I still tipped $50 even though service was meh. Reflex i should turn off. I'd skip this awkward dining experience. Seriously. This is in my top 5 worst dining experiences unfortunately. I still chuckle when I get asked about Canlis. Ridiculous. read more

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One of the classic upscale restaurants in Seattle, Canlis is worth a visit even if you only go once. Service is excellent and they have a full bar with a variety of drinks. It is a prix fixe meal and the menu changes seasonally. The view of Lake Union is beautiful, and dress to impress when dining here. There is a 20% gratuity added to the bill. read more

Set menu $180 plus $24 for the canlis salad. Second time coming here to celebrate special occasions. Both times have felt very special and the experience has been overall good. Both times there was a Japanese theme to their menu. Food was great, but not the most exceptional that I've had at this price point. The favorites were the canlis salad (which was made table side this time!), the wagyu beef, and the duck. A couple of the chef provided appetizers were also fantastic including a smoked silken tofu dish with crispy cabbage - but I can't remember the rest. The desserts were just ok. Sticky toffee pudding was so rich it was difficult to eat the entire thing. Pecanlis pie was a better choice. Wine selection was expansive and by the glass options were sufficient for us. I really enjoyed the Pinot noir by the glass. The ambiance is great. Beautiful view of the city, fireplace, Christmas trees lining the windows. Love pianist playing beautiful music. Overall a very beautiful restaurant. Service was good but not exceptional. My main critique was the timing of the food. Sometimes we would have two of the earlier dishes (not the main courses) come out at the same time and just sit there while we finished the first one. I ordered tea as well hoping to have it with my dessert but it came much later as well. Overall this continues to be a solid seattle establishment. I love coming here and will certainly be back. Some minor things could be improved, but overall I love this family owned, beautiful restaurant and will be back. Would recommend to anyone who wants to celebrate something special. read more

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First I want to say I've been trying for years to get a reservation that fit my schedule. The experience didn't disappoint. From the entrance to building, we were immediately greeted and taken care of. We were early for our reservation and we got to sit early. We were seated right next to the owners table so we got to overhear all the amazing history of this restaurant. We were even able to meet the second generation owner and it made our night. Now food. They were able to accommodate me being vegan and gluten free, which was so exciting for me. I was able to get every course and it was so delightful. I will say be cautious with the bread. Not only is it delicious, so was the tofu butter but it was a bit salty. Bread isn't gluten free but I had to try. There were absolutely no complaints. I would also suggest getting the Canlis salad made table side. You also get the recipe to take home. I can't wait to get back to this place and have another beautiful night. Thank you for making my birthday so memorable. read more

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Been wanting to come here for years but anytime I think of it they don't have reservations so finally I plan something and got in as you walk in you greeted to a nice cozy Lobby with a nice fireplace going hostess stations kind of small I almost missed it there was nobody there to greet you they set us at our table with a great View overlooking Lake Union was treated by our server he went over the menu he was great at answering questions and explaining everything food came out with extra courses in the beginning I ordered a couple of mocktails which weren't very good one I had to send back which was the Negroni it was pretty gross tasted like pine they brought out the first three dishes which are not a part of the tasting menu first was the vegetable chips with the Ali sauce they were okay next was the fried oyster mushroom with crab and I can't remember the root vegetable with it that was quite tasty and then they brought bread bread was excellent the cultured butter was really good the jam and honey was okay and the other item I can't remember I didn't like so I didn't eat it salad was pretty good not sure for 40 bucks though the winter squash dish was pretty good mix of flavors love the figs in it gave a little sweetness to the squash everybody was mediocre was Tinder not much flavor not even the beef flavor carrots what carrots potatoes were gross just taste like mayonnaise for dessert I had to the blueberry hollow hollow which was really good it was like a cold blueberry pie I guess that's how you explain it the other was Peach dessert that was okay whatever top cream was gross almost didn't eat it what brought this place down to me was the service well the lack of Polish our server was great when they got busy we didn't see him much the food runners some were okay they are knowledgeable we had one that had black fingernail polish that was chipping off very unpresentable and unprofessional at a place like this some of the food Runners close were wrinkly not pressed I had one lady bring the food and I asked her a question about the food and she just looked at me with a Grimace look and walked away without answering my question it was 50/50 with their knowledge of the food some of the dishes that they present the food on were worn I feel a place of this caliber everything should be perfect and pristine overall especially when you consider how they want you to dress and they don't do it themselves I would go back for sure what the different menu that would catch my eye but they may work in the front of the house for sure read more

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A Seattle institution for a reson. The food is inventive and the plating is gorgeous. Service is the real star here, the team is alsways warm and welcoming and well informed. read more

I have been waiting to dine here for so long and finally was able to! Make sure to prepare in advance. If you don't snag a reservation as soon as they are released, they might run out of the prime slots pretty quickly. Even booking roughly 2 months ahead of time, I was only able to get an 8:45pm seating on the weekend I was looking at. We arrived a bit early, and they had us seated in the lounge to enjoy some drinks while we waited for our table. After almost half an hour, we were brought to our table and the view was immaculate. The staff was very helpful when it came to allergies, and the live pianist was *chef's kiss*. My favorite courses definitely would have to be all of the set courses. Every single bite was just delicious. The wagyu was also great but I was getting pretty full by then lol. The Canlis salad was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again. I enjoy bacon, but it was a bit too heavy on the bacon. As for the lamb course, others seem to enjoy it but my bf and I found it inedible. read more

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Spectacular view. Must try when in Seattle. We weren't fortunate enough to score a seat for their tasting menu; however, we went anyways and say at the tables by the bar and had most of the food on their limited bar menu. We ordered a dessert that was on the tasting menu. Their Canlis burger is the best I've ever had...and I love burgers. The oysters were amazingly fresh and blended well with the citrus sauce. Scallops, fish, and lamb-wow...uniquely created by the chef. Everything was scrumptious. I will definitely try to score a seat for the tasting menu when I'm back in Seattle. Definitely a must. read more

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What an experience! Canlis has always been on my list of restaurants to try and I finally got the chance to go for my birthday. Reservations open up 3 months in advance and weekends are more coveted, so we went on a Thursday night, but it was still pretty busy. From the moment we drove down the hill to valet (no self parking) to the time we finished dessert, everything felt intentional to ensure guests have the best experience possible. Our server, Forest, was so kind and funny, and very knowledgeable of the menu. The set dinner course is $180/person, not including the $100/person deposit on Tock, so $280/person total plus automatic 20% gratuity. Our total came out to a little over $640 after tax and we also had a few cocktails, which were $22/each. We thought it would just be a 3 course meal and we'd have to stop for pizza later, but we ended up leaving super stuffed because they actually do a few chef's-choice style courses before and in between the courses you choose. We had a total of 6 courses, including the Canlis Salad, which is an additional $24/person, and served table side. Our server also gave us a recipe card to take him! I'd highly recommend Canlis if it's something you're able to experience! We were there from 8:30 to after 11pm, so it's a fun special occasion dinner. I can't wait to come back and try a new menu! read more

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Really amazing food, service, and views! The ambiance is definitely Dress-up Special and the entire experience is definitely a splurge but so worth it for a special occasion! read more

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Wanted to treat my boys to an experience that will be forever memorable. This is the pace for this. Beautiful spot with classic mid-century architecture. James Beard awarded for this architectural masterpiece. Service is like no other. Valet is included and my car was ready and warmed up for our departure. If you want to know where the food is sourced, our waiter was ready to tell us where it came from. Presentation is Art, and it's delicious and perfectly proportionate. We left stuffed. There is a selection of affordable wine too. Life changing IMO. read more

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Anniversary Dinner for Two -- Nearly $800 and a Huge Letdown We chose Canlis for our anniversary expecting an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the most disappointing dining experiences we've had--especially at this price point. The tasting menu was the only option, and it started off underwhelming. The first course was essentially fried sweet potato chips. The second course was three small bites that were actually pretty good--but that was about it. The main course was a shared dish: dry-aged Pure Country ribeye, Canlis potatoes, and Dungeness crab with sturgeon caviar. The ribeye was extremely fatty; the few lean bites were decent, but far from exceptional. The mashed potatoes were surprisingly bitter--bad enough that neither of us ate them, which is saying something for a dish that should be simple to get right. The crab was the biggest letdown. They presented us with two full crabs, but what ended up on the plate was barely anything--maybe a couple of small spoonfuls each. I go crabbing regularly, and there's no way the portion we received reflected what was shown. It felt misleading, and honestly, it didn't even taste good--I didn't finish it. The soufflé was outstanding--easily the best part of the night and the only dish that lived up to expectations. We each had two glasses of wine, and the service itself was great--no complaints about the staff. However, our bill came to $766.79 for two people, including a mandatory $115.60 service charge . For that kind of money, I expect to walk away impressed--not wishing we had stayed home and cooked. Honestly, we would have been just as happy staying in, having a couple glasses of Trader Joe's Charles Shaw, and eating a home-cooked meal--or even something simple. That's how big the gap was between expectation and reality. We've been to Canlis before and had a great experience, but something has clearly changed. At this level of price and expectation, this just doesn't cut it anymore. If this is the direction things are heading, I wouldn't be surprised to see this place struggle to stay relevant in the next few years. read more

Always wanted to try Canlis and it finally happened. The restaurant is a big pink structure off the side of the road that boasts beautiful views in the dining area. Menu consists of 3 set menu items and your selection for the remainder of the 3 courses. There is also an option for the salad for $24/person but would prob skip this. While herbaceous and minty, I didn't feel like it was worth it. For your 1st and 2nd course, go for the lamb and wagyu - so tender, well prepared and flavorful. Desserts were unique and refreshing. My mocktail was delish. Staff was friendly and it's cute that you have the option to fill out a postcard and they'll mail it to you. For the amount of food, price was very reasonable. read more

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Amazing. From beginning to end we had such a great time here. It was great meeting the owner Mark and we had exceptional service from Morgan and the rest of the Canlis team. It was the most enjoyable meal and experience I've had in years. The view which I've heard about for a long time was incredible. Looking forward to my next chance to be back! read more

Canlis - Salad ingredients - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is certainly one of the most remarkable and storied restaurants in America. Twenty-five years ago I first visited, and was struck by the beauty of the restaurant, its view, and the food. Now, all these years later, it's great to see that it is still in the family, and has evolved with the times to an even higher level of food and service, without sacrificing the interior design that made it so striking when it was founded in 1950. We had dinner in The Caché, the intimate upstairs private room that used to be Mt. Canlis' office. It commands a striking view, and is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. A consistent winner of the Wine Spectator's Grand Award, the wine list is both broad and offers good depth of vintages, with great wines for any budget. The multi-course menu offered selections of three of the six courses, and there were actually far more than six because some courses were comprised of many small bites. We loved almost everything excepting the actual main courses we chose, which were not quite the tour de force of the fixed courses. Service was very professional yet friendly. And you can't beat the view! read more

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My first time, my husband's second (his previous time was with the prior head chef). I was impressed, but my husband says the portions are much smaller than last time, and less filling than Michelin star restaurants. But I was full when we left, and I'd recommend Canlis to any foodie willing to spend $180 for six courses. We went in July and tried lamb (5/5 stars), wagyu (5/5 stars), and vanilla bean parfait (3.5/5 stars), and then for the other set sablefish (4/5 stars), halibut (4/5 stars), and smoked cocoa nougatine (4/5 stars). The other three dishes were also impressive, especially the first one! read more

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I've been to Canlis twice. The first time was for my anniversary. The second was when my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was to start chemotherapy soon after. My dad's love language is food and as kids, would always give us the best parts off his own plate. As a blue collar immigrant, he has never tried fine dining so we knew it was something to do before he gets sick from the chemo. Despite being reluctant at first (he would call himself a simple guy), I could tell he enjoyed it. The beautiful view, the live pianist, and the warm hospitality from Canlis has definitely left a meaningful experience. When the server asked if we were celebrating anything, we said life. And so we celebrated life. We had the most delicious meal with the best drinks. My dad would mention how precise the food is, how the presentation was perfect, and how we hope to visit and celebrate again when he completes his treatments. He would constantly mention trying different menus during different seasons. Unfortunately, he passed away 6 months later. Although we won't be having a celebration dinner for beating cancer, we hope to come back, in memory of my dad's life who was selfless and known to show his love through food. Near the end of his life, he had lost his appetite from the chemo. However, I'm glad that this was one of his last meals he was able to enjoy. Thank you Canlis for giving him a memorable experience. We hope to visit again on happier terms. read more

Came here on a whim to grab some drinks before I took on the town, and it was such a wonderful experience! Living in Seattle, you always hear the hype around Canlis, and it lives up to its reputation. The service is excellent, waiters are attentive, bartenders are skilled, and the drinks were excellent! Most notably is the pianist, Will, who played a wonderful mix of songs with his own flair to it. There's not many places these days anymore for live piano, so I'm so glad to see this is still a thing. Also, he kindly takes requests and played my favorite song! If you're in Seattle, and feel so enamored by talent, quality, and service, you won't regret coming by. Can't wait to be back! read more

Seattle fine dining at its best. Service was impeccable. Michelin star worthy. Every dish was rich, thoughtfully created and flavorful. I had an amazing evening. read more

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When I was dating my wife many years ago, I took her to Canlis. She had never been there before and it must have sealed the deal, because we're been married for 45 years. Since then we've been back many times and it's always a memorable experience. Canlis is timeless and essential and the Emerald City wouldn't shine as bright without it. read more

During a 1:1 meeting with my boss, I asked him about his favorite fine dining restaurant in Seattle. Without hesitation, he said Canlis. He mentioned that reservations could be hard to get, but it was his and his wife's top choice for special occasions. I decided to make the reservation, and my husband and I got dressed up for the experience. From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, the service is impeccable--this is truly five-star dining at its finest. The dishes are perfectly portioned, beautifully presented, and delicious. The team also surprises you with unexpected touches that elevate the entire meal. The upscale atmosphere makes it an unforgettable experience. Honestly, I feel like I need to make another reservation just writing this review! ------------------------------------------- "Because dining is more than food - it's flavor, style and elegance that should be savored one bite at a time." - AMC read more

Canlis is the worst Seattle restaurant I have had the displeasure of experiencing. From the overly sauced Canlis salad (which our waiter admitted he learned to prepare in just two weeks), to the impossible to chew kalbi beef, Canlis was a masterclass in disappointment. I should have known this from the start when our young waiter failed to introduce himself. It got worse when, after his rehearsed monologue bragged about unexpected delights to be served in between the three course meal, we received our first "unexpected delight," an overly salted fried something or other. Still, hope springs eternal. And this is an iconic Seattle restaurant, right? So, after two mains that failed to impress, we were prepared to enjoy our desert, something any decent restaurant knows how to do well. Canlis is the exception. The cherry bomb was a total bomb. A single cherry and a rounded cake that was flavorless, ended our horrible meal. But the worst part was our waiter. Non engaging. Prone to repeat himself and Canlis' story. And, in the end, perhaps sensing our disappointment (but never bothering to ask), slamming his pen down on our table when we got the check. Canlis? Umm, hard pass. read more

I was really looking forward to dining at Canlis and it did not disappoint! The vibes are immaculate, the live piano music is wonderful, and the food is great. But the service is absolutely amazing, it makes it all a solid 5/5. Note that valet is required! We didn't realize and we didn't bring cash, but our server offered to take out some cash for us and add it to our bill. The servers themselves are all nice and knowledgeable, they're happy to answer any questions and help out. They knew all my allergies, which was so wonderul! Early on, I asked if we could have a menu of all the courses, so at the end we were presented with a little menu that said Happy Anniversary on it. Nice touch :) Now, for the food! I loved how we got some surprises but also got some choices. My favorites were the A5 wagyu, the entire first course (oyster, panna cotta, scallop toast), and the nougatine dessert. I'm excited to come back in the summer and try a completely different menu. You can tell that the ingredients are high quality and that the chefs put a lot of thought into each dish. Bathrooms were amazing, btw. I love that there is a full couch and a supply of tampons in the women's bathroom! read more

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Stopped in here this fall to celebrate a special occasion at the Canlis bar. My expectations were high, but they were still far exceeded. We were seated right away at the bar (it was a cold Tuesday night around 5:30pm) and service here is always top notch. Drinks were phenomenal as usual, the martini variation was spicy and tasty and the steak frites did just the trick to make the night feel special, truly some of the best fries in town and the steak had a lovely grilled flavor. My partner had the burger and it was phenomenal as well, honestly just as good of quality meat as the steak. The real standout was the french toast dessert which was so flavorful and crispy, like eating a sweet croissant. We were serenaded all night be wonderful piano and a buzzing atmosphere, a perfect celebration. read more

Canlis - Steak Frites - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Good food and amazing cocktails! Also a beautiful ambiance. It is definitely a long meal so brace yourself. Worth doing once but not sure I'd return given the price. Although no course was bad, no dish wowed me either. read more

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Canlis has exceptional service and they know when you're coming and to expect when you're arriving - which was super impressive. The space is large yet intimate and very classy. There were so many courses of creative beautiful dishes and I was definitely very full at the end of it, so definitely a good spot for special celebration meals. read more

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Great restaurant for a special occasion! Valet parking when you first get to the restaurant. The atmosphere and service is absolutely spectacular. There is live piano music, we got seated near the window and the view was beautiful, and the servers explain the drinks, menu, and each dish very thoroughly, We really loved our experience here. The food itself is pretty good too - we loved the first snacks course, the duck, the wagyu, and the ice cream dessert. Food was good, but service and the ambiance really put this restaurant over the top. read more

Canlis - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Wow! This was my first time back to Canlis in almost 10 years and every single part of the experience was special. The space is beautiful, and there really are no bad seats, you get a good view no matter where you are because of the huge windows. The staff are so wonderful! From the hostesses to the waitstaff and the kitchen staff we met when we were given a tour of the kitchen, everyone was so kind and thoughtful. I liked the pacing of the dinner, I didn't feel rushed but I also wasn't starving or waiting around bored between courses. This was a special occasion as we were celebrating a birthday and a divorce (for someone who was actually married at Canlis) and our delicious meal culminated in their pastry chef sending out a special banana split which you can see in the picture has "Happy Birthday & Split" (lol) written on the plate. They were extremely accommodating and smooth with handling food allergies/issues as well. It was special touches like that throughout the night that made the experience so lovely. Moving on to the food. I really can't speak highly enough! I've seen other reviews where people are worked up about the salad or the bread or the serving size of X, Y or Z. To be clear, this is a fine dining restaurant, you are not getting an Applebee's sized portion of anything (not knocking Applebee's, its just two different types of experiences, which should be expected) but you also won't leave hungry. The salad is delicious, but not revolutionary, same with the bone broth rice that came with the wagyu. I did LOVE the bread and of course I'm a sucker for locally sourced ingredients. My personal top favorites of the night were the scallop toast, the duck, the wagyu, and the calamansi sorbet. The flavors were balanced, and the contrasts with textures in all the dishes were absolutely spot on. Overall a truly special dinner. read more

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I went for my 40th birthday back in the summer. I wanted the experience and surprisingly my friend and I left full. But, they stuff you up on salad and bread items. Not to mention, for a $600 meal, I want older wait staff with life experience to provide the service; our waiter and beverage folks were home from college / in their early 20's. Would rather do a small venue that's less expensive. read more

Canlis is pure excellence. They have the best service, food, cocktails, ambiance, and live pianists. It's the kind of place you go to for a special occasion, fancy date, or business meeting, and you dress to impress. There is a formal dress code with no shorts, t-shirts, and hats allowed. You'll see most men in suits or shirts and trousers, and ladies in dresses or suits. Tonight, some friends and I decided to treat ourselves to a fancy night out, so we took a trip to the Canlis Lounge (no reservations needed) to indulge in THE BEST fine dining experience in Seattle. However, if you'd prefer to visit the main restaurant, you do need reservations. The lounge is tucked away in a small corner by the entrance and has a bar and a few small tables, where they serve a limited menu of food. Upon arrival, we received valet service (there is no self-parking), door service, coat check, and a host took us to our table and placed napkins on our laps for us. Our waiter was professional yet playful and fun to interact with, and so were the other amusing and attentive staff. I was impressed with their food (and expected no less from their gifted chef, Aisha Ibrahim), but was very pleasantly surprised with how good the cocktails were! A +++ Canlis! read more

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The most elegant and beautiful restaurants in Seattle! We had 5 courses in total and each dish was explained in detail. We tried a variety of meat and seafood dishes that were excellent. The atmosphere is beautiful with a view of the city. The service was amazing and the live music was very nice. Highly recommend making a reservation and perfect for a special occasion! We loved spending my birthday here. read more

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I wanted to love Canlis so bad. From the moment I walked in, I loved the ambiance, service and attention to detail. I was in love with the place, until the food started coming. Deep fried starter leaving a puddle of oil, unrendered fat on the duck, sturgeon dish that left a lot to be desired. The salad used what looked and tasted like store-shaved parmesan, not freshly grated. For $600 for two people (no alcohol) the food should be perfect. Other meals at this price point have me remembering the dishes forever, dying to return. Here, my partner and I were shocked at the level of food they served. The service and ambiance was perfect, but with food lacking this bad leaves us not inclined to return. read more

My parents live on the east coast and are not able to travel here often, so when they came for just 2 days last May, I wanted to give them a truly unforgettable experience. I made a Canlis reservation several months in advance and I am so glad I did, because they are still talking about it! I had gotten in a minor car accident on my way to pick them up at their hotel before dinner, so when we arrived, I was really frazzled and feeling rather out of sorts. I hope I did not come off as aloof or rude to anyone as a result, because every single staff member we encountered - valet, host, server, sommelier, literally everyone - was so incredibly friendly and hospitable. And so patient with us, haha. We needed serious help with wine selection, and my dad also had a bunch of questions about the history of the building (yes, he is "that guy"), but our server didn't bat an eye. Like, in addition to the menu, she was also fully informed on the entire history and architecture of the building. I feel like we could have asked her anything about anything and she would have had all the answers. Quick, what's the square root of 16374?! [Just kidding.] Anyway, the food was like art. It was so pretty, I almost didn't want to eat it! But we did devour everything, fear not. You have a selection for some of the courses, and I stuck with local seafood wherever possible, but my bf did a vegetarian dish for one course and I think venison for one of the other ones. I think my mom also went seafood and my dad went meat. Everything we had was perfection. Chef Ibrahim is amazing and so deserving of all the accolades she's been getting. There were many other details here and there to make the evening special, from the piano player's renditions of modern classics to the breathtaking view from our table to one of our courses being delivered by Mark Canlis personally. Basically, every single person from the top down is dedicated to creating a magical night for you, and the above and beyond effort was noticed and appreciated. Let's just say my dad - an octogenarian retired USAF Col. who I'd politely describe as "persnickety" - had no notes, haha. That says it all. I'm so glad I was able to give this gift to my parents. It was 100% worth it, and if they're able to make the trip again, I'd absolutely do it again, no question. read more

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We dined as a party of four at this restaurant Saturday with a nice greeting and intro but the service and food fell off quickly. The waiter went absent after the salad course and I was forced to fetch a salad fork from the kitchen. The food was okay but nothing special as it was a few years ago and not worthy as the star-of-Seattle. As the desert arrived, I had earlier ordered a rum as the other guests enjoyed a coffee. We awaited the delivery of my rum while our deserts melted so I walked to fetch my drink at the bar while our party waited. Sadly disappointing dinner with the family after driving from Gig Harbor for a Holiday dinner... Coffee was good BTW read more

Terrible service, mediocre food, auto 20% gratuity- floor manager said we were requesting drinks on rapid sequence- ya right- a drink every hour over three hours is not rapid at all... will spend money elsewhere read more

This is the first time I've reviewed Canlis, but I've dined there many times over the years (I grew up in the Seattle area); this was my first time since Aisha Ibrahim took over the kitchen. It was a very nice experience overall - the ambience is always lovely, the view captivating, and the service excellent. The menu is a hybrid set course/a la carte situation if you dine in either the main dining room or the private room (the first course, second (on the night we were there, a crab dish with a sensational foam), Canlis salad, and palate cleanser courses are the same for all diners; you choose your own adventure for the proteins or veg (if vegan/vegetarian), as well as the dessert). My favorite item from the initial courses was the scallop toast - I do wish it had been more substantial though (as the photo demonstrates, it is 1-2 bites at most). The subsequent courses were very good, but not quite a 5 star experience for me. Dessert was a bit of a let down. The calamansi sorbet was so astringent I couldn't handle more than two bites of it. The mochi-marshmallow dessert was dramatic (our server torched it at the table), but not particularly delicious or well/conceived (it was a pile of disparate elements on a plate - not much finesse there). My companion's cheesecake was not any more impressive (it was a simple wedge on a plate). Beverage service was spectacular - we enjoyed drinks at the bar prior to dinner, and we are now contemplating coming back specifically for the lounge experience (rather than a sit-down dinner). The bar has a separate food menu that is worth exploring (especially because it features that scallop toast - yum). read more

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The service is great, but I would not return. I don't think the food was as good as I was expecting, and it was just nothing memorable, considering the price point. read more

We recently had the opportunity to visit Canlis for a special occasion. We had been nervous after reading many mixed (and mostly negative) reviews and tried to tamper our expectations walking in but left pleasantly surprised. From the moment we stepped in to the moment we left, we were treated with exceptional service. The staff and servers are incredibly professional, and as commonly commented on, the valet is outstanding. We arrived 10 or so minutes early and were seated in the lounge to enjoy aperitifs while waiting for our table to be ready. The ambiance is hard to beat, overlooking one of the most beautiful views of Seattle. The whole experience lasted a good 3-4 hours. Our server did an excellent job describing each dish as they were brought out, though the delivery was not at the level of synchrony and performance as a three star Michelin, nor do they anticipate your restroom needs in the same way and guide you/pull out your chair the moment you return. As far as the food goes, the menu sticks more to classic rather than innovative, and the presentations are more simple rather than breathtaking, but the dishes were cooked well and tasted good - which I would choose any day over food that looked beautiful but didn't deliver in taste. I wasn't mind blown but I was satisfied, and the tasting menu overall felt cohesive. The Caesar salad, for all the fame it has, was rather underwhelming, but the set of appetizers were outstanding with flavors and textures well balanced, and the proteins were all cooked to perfection. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Canlis, from the service and ambiance to the food itself, and felt it was well worth the price tag. While not the most refined or finessed compared to top tier fine dining experiences worldwide, Canlis is still a top culinary institution in Seattle and a lovely spot to celebrate a special occasion we'd happily return to in the future. read more

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Things to know: - Fancy dress code (think suit kinda place) - When reserving, there is a $100pp deposit - Valet only - They take their time pacing the food. We were probably there for 3-4 hrs Tips: - If you are not vegetarian, then avoid the vegetarian options. They kinda pale in comparison to the meat options. - You can request the window table when making a reservation My thoughts on the food: - Considering the price of the food, I was a bit underwhelmed by the flavors. At first I thought that was because I was being a bit of a hoity toity yelp critic but all of my friends (who are not) also agreed. There was probably only 1-2 items that were very very good. But I feel like I can get a lot better for cheaper but also still fancy, in San Francisco. Overall we had a lot of fun though cause good company always makes for a good time and we had an awesome waitress who played along with our ridiculous banter. Shoutout to Sarah! read more

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