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We were seated quickly. Friendly services. Food was great and filling. A variety of items on the menu. I ordered scallop gnocchi which was cooked just right and not overcooked. The sauce with cherry tomato was also divine. A bit pricey but expected in the town right next to the harbor.
4.5 Stars This is a gorgeous spot right on the water on Friday Harbour. We got a few drinks (Lemon Drop for $16, Cider for $7) and split some apps and oysters. The Fried Calamari ($17), Clams ($26), and Clam Chowder ($8 a cup) were all great. The inside is clean and bright and beautiful and the outdoor seating is prime in a nice sunny day too. The service staff are all super nice and polite.
We arrive here and there is a line, so we get on the waiting list. After a relatively short wait, maybe 7-10 minutes my phone is texted that our table is ready. Starting off, we found the clam chowder full of potatoes, carrots, clam and celery topped with fresh parsley. It was very smooth and creamy. Poutine was also rich with gravy and shredded beef. The cheese curds were mild and pretty good. The halibut fish and chips was proportioned well and not overloaded with fries. The halibut has a batter that seemed to have a mild peppery flavor. The halibut was cooked well and seemed very fresh. This came with a ramekin of tartar sauce and another ramekin of an aioli sauce that I couldn't quite identify the flavor but was tasty. For being as slammed as they were at the time, the staff were genuinely pleasant and accommodating. They worked well as a team and were constantly helping each other. It was obvious they were short staffed so it was nice to see this level of camaraderie.
We were on a whales tour and they took us to Friday Harbor for lunch. We got to spend two hours here. We decided to go to the restaurant as it overlooked the bay. The service was OK since it was busy. The food was good and the price was decent. Overall, I would recommend eating here if you're in Friday Harbor.
Beautiful ambience, decent food, service needs a bit of work for sure. Had reservations on a Monday for husbands birthday. Waited 5 minutes to be seated because they couldn't find menus. Better print some more up! Lovely table outside. Nice wine selection. The local oysters were delicious. Husband loved the crab tater tots. Too heavy with too much sauce for me but that's my preference. Then the problem. We waited for over an hour for our mains. No one popped by to say anything. People around us were getting served and leaving. I'm sure there was some sort of order mixup in the kitchen. Husband loved the bouillabaisse although it had a creamy sauce which is not typical. I ordered the halibut and it was a gorgeous quality piece that was substantial but...the worst thing...overcooked and dry. I wanted to cry because it would have been perfect. Our server even made a point of telling me they cook them to medium rare. I'm thinking this spent a bit of time under the heat lamps. They offered a free dessert for bday which was nice but by then we'd been sitting there over two hours and were just ready to leave. I can deal with the long wait...very crowded and looked a but short staffed. But when they ruined my halibut that made me sad. I would give them a 3 at best but husband liked everything and he was the birthday boy so..
The customer service needs a bit of improvement. The food is very good and i love that they use local products!! It is refreshing to see a close knit community that has not been affected by the big corporations. Our seating was outside and the view was amazing
Food was good, loved the clam chowder! Fish and chips were wonderful too! Wonderful helpful waiter! Loved the view from the deck!!!
This was the best meal, my boyfriend and I had when we came to Friday Harbor for our 5 year anniversary. We started off with 2 oyster shooters, 2 westcott oysters, and 2 judd cove oysters. All the oysters were fresh, I would say the one I liked the most were the Judd Cove oysters because they were just so creamy. For our main meals, we ordered the Scallop Gnocchi and Pan Seared Salmon with a mocktail. The Scallop Gnocchi was cooked to perfection! It was crispy, but at the same time it was soft and pillowy. The Pan Seared Salmon was also great. The sauces and the brussel sprouts complimented the dish well. The mocktail reminded me of a margarita, I got the hibiscus ginger , it had tajin on the rim. Since it was our 5 year anniversary, we got to choose a dessert to have for the occasion. We chose this marshmellow dessert, which was divine. It also surprisingly wasn't that sweet. We had it served with some tea. I'm so glad we came here for our anniversary. the staff really treats you well. We even got a view of the water.
We came on Valentine's Day and thankfully we planned ahead and had reservations since it was busy! We were there at 6:30pm and the wait, I heard, would be 45-60min for a table without one. Upon seating, they were out of some dishes and items, like potato chips, pomegranate, a couple fried items, etc. Our server was great and helped us decided. We were very indecisive. The menu was kind of all over the place, to be honest, it hard to understand what their main theme was. American? Italian? Seafood? They had a fried rice dish for the V-day special. We got their burger, which was pretty good. The butternut squash risotto was okay. I included shrimp and they were cooked nicely. Their clam appetizer was good and were local. Their drinks were delicious though! I got myself two mojitos and I don't usually drink.
My wife and I stopped into Downriggers for a light snack while exploring the island. Free street parking can be found. Discover is an accepted form of payment. Two lines were formed at the hostess stand, one for reservations and the other for walk-ins. A 20% service charge is added to parties of 6+. Paraphernalia can be purchased. We requested to be seated outside and were seated at a table without an umbrella where we baked in the sun. While deciding on our light lunch, my wife had a SJI Pale Ale and I had a Reuben's Crikey IPA for $8 each. We ordered the Crab Deviled Eggs for $10. Eggs is misleading since it suggests plural. One egg, halved is what is served for $10. We opted to add an additional egg for $3.50, making the order plural. We shared a cup of Clam Chowder for $8: bacon, potatoes, clams, onions, celery and carrots in a creamy new England style broth. Garnished with oyster crackers. The view was lovely. Staff was aloof. Food and beer seemed overpriced to me. Overall, Downriggers held us over until our next dining stop.
If you find yourself in Friday Harbor, you absolutely have to visit this spot. My top tip: make a reservation. This place fills up fast, and after dining there, it's easy to see why! Our party of three visited for lunch at noon on a Thursday. Since we had a reservation, we were seated immediately at a lovely table right by the window. The atmosphere was great, and the staff were incredibly courteous and friendly throughout our meal. We initially thought about starting with some small plates, but we were so eager for seafood that we jumped straight into the entrees. We weren't disappointed: Bouillabaisse: This was our first time trying this dish, and it was the highlight for us. It was incredibly flavorful--exactly what we were craving. Spicy Prawn Mac and Cheese: It definitely lived up to its name! It wasn't "blow-your-head-off" hot, but it had a perfect, noticeable kick that really elevated the dish. Blackened Cod Tacos: These were fantastic. The cod was perfectly prepared and worked so well with the rest of the taco ingredients. We also enjoyed a couple of non-alcoholic drinks that hit the spot, though I'll admit that since I'm writing this a couple of weeks later, I forgot to snag photos or the specific names of the drinks! They also have a really nice patio area if you prefer dining outdoors. Whether you're a seafood lover or just looking for a great meal with a view, this place is a must-visit!
Lunch with friends during a Port call in Friday Harbor, Washington and chose Downriggers, an American style bar and grill located on the harbor. It's a clean, modern style of architecture, nicely situated with a harbor view. They have a well rounded menu with some interesting items. For starters we ordered dungess crab tots - outstanding! It comes as an order of four. Made with crab, shredded potato and herbs served with house made tarter sauce that is very good. For lunch, Jan and I ordered a bowl of clam chowder. It was excellent. Amy ordered the smoked salmon plate, also excellent. Steve ordered the turkey pesto sandwich with house made potato chips, also excellent. The restrauant was busy and the service was very good. The noise levels were low. The prices moderate/high.
My husband and I just finished eating here. We are snobs when it comes to good food and service. I was about to get super snobby because we ordered and everyone around us was getting their food but they were getting things like sandwiches and burgers so I held back. Then our food came. We had ordered the crab deviled eggs, a house and ceased starter salad, he ordered the bouillabaisse and I had the prawn Mac and cheese. The deviled eggs were a little bland. Not deviled eggs. Just crab plopped on boiled eggs, in my opinion. (I went to college in the south, I know good deviled eggs.) The salads were perfectly fine. What stopped me and made me reconsider my bad mood about the wait was the food. My Mac and cheese has a good emulsified cheese sauce and there's an arugula mix on top that has some vinegar to is. I thought it was odd, but combined it really makes a well balanced dish. However, the star of the show, the bouillabaisse is what blew my socks off. The seafood was all prepared at correct times so nothing was over cooked. The tomato base was delicious and had that slight grit of homemade from tomatoes that you get when, well, you make something homemade. The restaurant has a delightful, clean, modern decor with only a touch of seaside whimsy. I will agree, they need a new host or hostess. When we got there we waited. Then when we left there were four parties waiting. Our waitress was good though.
Came here again after several years and it's the same convenient spot near the ferry terminals with great views and okay food. The best dish we've had is their fish tacos, it's always a hit. Chowder was fair but could have used more clams, and the Caesar salad needed a little more tang in the dressing. Service was fast and friendly though a tad absent after we got our food. read more
2 months ago
Food and service were great, ambiance was 10/10. My son raved about the tartar sauce. I loved the mimosa flight (mango, blood orange, and kiwi). read more
An interesting experience. Many local and one mom and son came in for dessert only. We had to try the crab tots. These were crispy and hot and inside had. Nice mix of crab. We did enjoy these, great flavor and the tartar sauce went very well. It is a bit oniony so keep that in mind. These are fairly large so share them. The fish and chips were good, maybe a little overcooked, still flavorful and even seasoned like they should be. The Caesar salad with Shrimp was cold and crisp and the perfect amount of dressing. I ordered the large and it was very large! Plenty of perfectly cooked shrimp as well. We took dessert back to our room for later because we were stuffed. The cheesecake we ate later was the best. It was dense and creamy like it should be. Service was quick and friendly. The ambiance would have been better if a mom didn't allow her child to run and slide inside an open booth by us. He was a bit much and mom didn't care. The ones who came in for dessert was super cute and was polite and well behaved. He was so excited to eat his chocolate cake it was fun to watch. Food and set ice were excellent and I would recommend a visit here. read more
1 year ago
We walked in around noon and got a table outside with a great view, no wait required. Our waiter had a calm, helpful demeanor, which I really appreciated. I ordered the cold brew, which was pretty standard, and the fried snapper sandwich, which was fantastic. The fish was flaky with no fishy smell, and the spicy slaw was chef's kiss. The mac and cheese can be made vegetarian by substituting mushrooms, and it was really flavorful. Just a heads up, it has a bit of a kick. I'd definitely come back. read more
7 months ago
We started with the crab dip and it was decadent and then we decided we needed just one more little bite and we had the crab stuffed deviled eggs and they were amazingly yummy. The service was spectacular and we enjoyed the majestic views. read more
7 months ago
Chilly, rainy day of sightseeing. We decided to try this place, as it was recommended for its clam chowder which was thick, hot and good. I ordered a Washington melot, he ordered the bull jelp esb local beer. Both were good. We splurged on the fresh halibut fish and chips $38. Fries well done and battered fish were both excellent. read more
I am so glad we made reservations as this place was packed! I didn't take any pictures of food but just need to trust me that the downriggers burger was delicious! My husband ordered the chicken and it was tasty too! Not dry and quite savory. I am so happy they were able to accommodate to my request of a perfect view of the water. Despite how packed they were, surprisingly the food came out timely. I would go again next time I'm in town read more
I made a reservation for 5 people at 11am Sunday and it was not busy, but given we went during "shoulder season" right before the summer, I wasn't surprised. But it did feel a bit busy closer to 12pm so a reservation was recommended. This place is conveniently located near the Friday Harbor ferry and seaplane areas. We tried the dungeness crab tots, crab deviled eggs, spicy prawn mac and cheese, and bouillabaisse. The crab tots were large tater tots, 6 pieces for $21 which is a bit pricy, and it did not feel like there was much crab inside. I would not recommend. However, I would 100% recommend the crab deviled eggs - fresh, delicious, and generous amounts of crab meat at 3 for $7 ($2.50 for additional egg). As we had 5 people, it made better sense to just get 2 orders, and this was a crowd favorite, which is no surprise it is one of the more popular dishes. Spicy prawn mac and cheese was very substantial and the prawns were fresh. I would get this one as a better priced entree that is fairly filling. Bouillabaisse had shrimp, scallop, cod, prawns, potatoes, clams, and grilled baguette. However, the dish did not match up the ingredients, as there was no scallop nor clams but rather salmon and mussels. Feels a little misleading so -1 star, especially given that this dish is priced at $42. Additionally, while the seafood was fresh, the dish was forgetful in flavor, with the grilled baguette butter dominating the flavors of the dish. -1 star for the service. Hostess was nice, but it would have been better if I had to not repeat myself multiple times on reservation details. I stated in reservation notes for indoor seating by the window or outdoor seating if weather is nice, then I called about running late and they were okay with it and they asked inside or outside, so I stated outside since the weather was nice. Then, I checked in and the hostess still asked me if I wanted inside or outside, despite clarifying my preference 20 min ago. Additionally, I asked for an extra napkin to the waiter twice and never gotten napkins, a huge miss on service. At least water refills were present but was not enough to make up for a gap in service especially for a restaurant of this price point. Despite the hiccups, I would recommend this place for the location, views, and food. read more
1 year ago
DownRiggers was an okay restaurant. It wasn't terrible, but the experience was also somewhat disappointing. The service: Now, only two people at my table were asked what they wanted to drink. The rest of us weren't asked and instead we were just given water. The service honestly just felt reluctant, like the servers didn't really want to be there. However, the people who constantly filled up water at tables were super nice and awesome. The food: The food was good, all the orders were correct. The environment: There was some elegant furniture and it was obvious they tried to have that vibe, but it didn't entirely succeed. The restaurant itself was very loud, tables felt crowded together and a little too close, which in turn made it feel messy. It's dimly lit inside, as well, and the menus felt old and flimsy. Final thoughts: In all honesty, it wasn't terrible, but I probably won't be going back. read more
Location is amazing. Sitting out on their patio on a gorgeous PNW September afternoon! They have a great wine selection with a solid variety of pricing. Our server was really kind and made our experience just right. We enjoyed the deviled eggs to snack on and found them to be very well done! read more
2 months ago
Fantastic!! Came in for an early lunch right when they opened at 11 and was seated promptly at an outdoor table as requested. The view is great! Watching the boats coming in and out of the harbor, seaplanes landing and taking off. So neat! We ordered the crab deviled eggs as an appetizer and they were super yummy and nicely presented. For the main entrees we got their specials. A short rib sandwich and their seasonal heirloom tomato and crab BLT. They were both delicious but the crab sandwich was the star. Perfectly ripe, flavorful tomatoes, and a ton of yummy crab! Our server Kay was friendly and attentive. Would definitely come here with every visit to Friday Harbor. Very worth it! read more
Downriggers is one of the most popular restaurants in Friday Harbor, so that was our choice the first night we were in. I got the halibut special. I personally thought it was good but not amazing. It was cooked well but could have been seasoned a bit better in my opinion. The whole menu is quite expensive which is to be expected, so keep that in mind as well. The staff was nice and it's right on the water so it has great views of Friday Harbor, so it certainly makes for a nice atmosphere. read more
2 months ago
9 months ago
I'm honestly surprised this spot didn't pop up in my initial searches! We ended up here on a recommendation for a New Year's Day family dinner, and it turned out to be a fantastic find. The atmosphere is spot on--the music is soft enough for easy family conversation but still maintains a great vibe. Drinks & Starters We started with the Whiskey Colada, which was light and refreshing. The roasted coconut rim provided a unique, smoky distinction that really elevated the drink. For an appetizer, we tried the Crab Dip. While the dip itself was a bit mild for my personal taste, the pairing with thin-sliced, ultra-crispy bruschetta was a perfect textural match. The Standout Entrees The absolute highlight of the night was the Mad Hatcher's Chicken. It was cooked to perfection--tender and juicy--but the real stars were the layers of flavor provided by the squash and the seasoned rice. It's a very thoughtful, interesting dish. We also tried the Bouillabaisse, which is a "must-order" if you are a seafood lover. The broth was rich, and the flavors were incredibly deep and authentic. The Grand Finale We wrapped up the evening with the Key Lime Mousse. It was the perfect palate cleanser--light, airy, and just the right amount of tartness to end a rich meal. read more
1 year ago
I orders the Bouillabaisse and it was, by far, the best I've ever had! My wife and her sister ordered the BLT/ Dungeness Crab sandwich and it was also the best! The potato chips were made to order. All in all, Downriggers is not to be missed if you are in Friday Harbor! read more
5 months ago
Best restaurant of our trip ( so far ). Sat outside right on the water and it was such a lovely view and atmosphere or as our kids would say " vibe". We started with the crab deviled eggs which was incredible and a light melon salad which was also delicious. I had the salmon which was the special of the night and every bite was delicious and my husband ordered the halibut which he enjoyed immensely as well. Service was friendly and attentive. Wonderful restaurant when visiting Friday Harbor. Would highly highly recommend it. read more
2 months ago
We've been here before- the food is good, the service is also good. But this place isn't cheap, and honestly they need to class up the dress code for staff. Shorts shouldn't be shorter than long, knee length (honestly, capris are more appropriate in nice dining). Last time we were here a younger waitress had on super short shorts. This year, an older waitress had on mid thigh shorts and I am sorry but it looked bad. Bare thighs just aren't something most people want at eye level from their servers regardless of age or body. The wait staff with longer capris and long pants looked much more professional, can we just stick with that? Anyhow, I like the food but dislike the staff dress. It cheapens the feel of the place, which is sad. Our waiter was Sander (or maybe Xander?) and he was an absolute delight, really smart and took great care of us. read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
We dined here twice during our visit to San Juan Island. Loved it. Everything was delicious. I had a Dungeness BLT special that was just that... truly special. The huge, meaty mussels were in a delightful broth, and the clams in red curry coconut broth was probably one of the best dishes I've ever consumed. The seafood Cobb was thoughtfully balanced with lump crab and shrimp, not overpowered by too much Gorgonzola or bacon. It was perfect. My daughters were pleased with the selection of oysters and flavored lemonades, the crab tots, and the cod and chips. Truly a wonderful dining experience. read more
Service was a lot of attention at the beginning and regular check ins to see if we were good. That was appreciated. The portions of food and quality could have been better especially for the price. Really scenic views of the harbor, from the windows. Good for a date spot if you want a nice spot in the area...but they should either give bigger portions, reduce the price or improve the quality of the food. Either of those things would make me give another star. read more
1 year ago
3 scallops for $50?? Very bland and not much flavor. The gnocchi tasted like it was pan fried with oil. Not in a good way. read more
Found ourselves in Friday Harbor on an offseason weekday -- limited open places in the colder months so we all gave this place a go. Food was decent. Huge portions -- you will not leave hungry. I think the rest of the group enjoyed their lunch a bit more than me...I went with the pastrami sandwich and house chips. The pastrami was a bit over brined for my taste...but that is a subjective opinion. I still ate over half so it was out terrible. And the chips were good. The rest of the table seemed to enjoy their orders as well. read more
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More info about Downriggers
10 Front St N
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Directions
(360) 378-2700
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http://www.downriggerssanjuan.com
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Ask the Community - Downriggers
Do they take reservations for outside tables?
Yes, you can request a patio table.
How many can be seated at a table indoors?
6 people! If your party is larger, we will split and seat at two+ tables next to each other.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
19 reviews that are not currently recommended
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