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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.
1 year ago
Quick service, good food, great view. Wait time wasn't too bad. Would definately recommend and wil be coming back when back on the island. read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
8 months ago
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Debbie R.
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1 year ago
Great ambience. Had a reservation and got a nice spot outside. Fried calamari was very tasty. The grilled flat iron was pretty good, but not enough for 5 stars. We enjoyed our visit though read more
2 years ago
My husband I came here for our anniversary dinner while in Friday Harbor. The ambiance wasn't spectacular, much more family friendly than romantic. The food, however, was great! We started with the bread tomato butter and the crab deviled eggs. My husband hates deviled eggs but loved these ones! The filling was light and not overly mayonnaisey. The crab was fresh, the salmon I got with my hummus plate was crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. My husband got the prawns Mac and cheese and loved it. Lovely cocktails as well and great service! read more
We went to Downriggers twice when we were at Friday Harbor. We sat outside once and inside another time. If the weather is decent, definitely try to eat outside, the view is stunning. The first time we went, we had the the Chef's board (charcuterie) and some mixed drinks. I had their old fashioned which was very good, then my partner had lavender lemonade, which was very refreshing. The board was very nice. It had a mix of foods. The meats were fine, but I preferred the cheese options. The crostini was very good. I loved the pickled vegetables also. Overall, it is a good portion with good variety. The second time, we had a bottle of wine. They have a decent wine list, reasonably priced. We started with the clam chowder which we both loved, generous amounts of clam. For the main course, I had the special which was the halibut. This was cooked very well, still moist and the puree was an excellent complement. Make sure you get reservations, but if you can get in it is worth a visit. read more
11 months ago
On a Sunday evening during the shoulder season most restaurants on the island were not open. We went to Downriggers due to the good reviews. Our meals were solid. I ordered the Halibut special. It's a big piece of fish that's fresh and sweet. It came with some chopped apples, roasted root vegetables, rice, and a buttery sauce. The food gets a passing grade. We appreciated being nourished with a healthy hot meal on a stormy evening. For $45 it feels overpriced though. read more
2 years ago
We had a beautiful dinner on the patio overlooking the view of the water. This restaurant is right in the heart of downtown Friday Harbor on the right when you come off the ferry. Everything we had was delicious and Isaiah did a wonderful job waiting on us. He was very attentive and on top of it. We also booked our reservation through Open Table, they have indoor and outdoor seating available. read more
3 years ago
We read this place is a must visit when coming to San Juan! We made reservations prior to coming to the island and we were so happy we did! We came around 7:45 on a Wednesday and was seated right away in the back patio. We had a gorgeous view of the dock with all the boats. We ordered the following: Clam chowder: this was delicious! Not too creamy and ratio of clams to vegetables to soho was perfect. Great appetizer choice. 4/5 Clams: we ordered the clams from the appetizer list and we were so happy we did. The sauce was extremely flavorful and paired well with the complimentary bread they gave. Decent portion of clams too which we appreciated. 5/5 Mac and cheese and prawns: this dish was pretty good! Decent amount of pasta and gave a couple of shrimp. The shrimp was on the smaller side which was okay. Menu said spicy pasta but it wasn't spicy at all. Overall pretty decent but probably wouldn't order again. 4/5 Seafood broil: we ordered the mixed seafood broil and this was also delicious! There was a good mix of clams, mussel, fish, etc. this was probably the best entree for our table. 5/5 House salad: we got a house salad to share and it was very refreshing! 4/5 Overall we were pretty impressed. We were worried service would be slow because of how packed the place was. However food came out pretty fast and we were pretty full. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a yummy seafood dinner on the dock! read more
Came on a day trip and was surprised of the fast seating. They are to the right of the ferry when you get off, right on the water.They do offer seating on the patio if you have dog which was nice. They do have shading if it's a hot day. Indoor looked really nice and not too loud. 10/10 on all the food. Everything hit the spot. We got the lunch special of the ribeye steak sandwich, the salmon sandwich and the salmon entree . Calamari was really good. We also got the crab devil eggs. Not a big fan of devil eggs but the table enjoyed them. Their bread sticks were nice as well, it came with a side of tomato butter which was a nice touch. We got the oyster app, unsure if it came with four or it's a build your own. The general staff were very attentive and polite. All smiles all around. Sadly our server wasn't as welcoming as the rest of the staff. It was a bit busy and it sounded like she was off soon. She came around less then four times our whole stay(bus boys brought food, filled water, and removed our plates). When taking our order, very short with no recommendations. When asked drink questions she just handed us the drink menu and waited for us to read it. I felt so rushed. On the menu the oysters aren't listed but when ordering them, all the info we got from our server was "we have four different kinds", again felt rushed so we just said give us one of each. Im not expecting our server to be super friendly and over talkative but at least make me feel welcomed and not a burden to wait on. Overall very good views and foods , deserves a five rating and a must stop on your trip to this island :) read more
11 months ago
Enjoyed my dining experience at this restaurant in Friday Harbor! I came here a year ago and had their clams and had to go back for more. The clams are just as tasty as I remembered! I love the red curry sauce with leeks in them. We got drinks as well and both of them were strong and tasty! I loved the coconut cream in the coconut mojito. The fried calamari was yummy, not too greasy and had a good portion of squid to breaded crumbs. The halibut we ordered was cooked perfectly and they were able to split it on two separate plates ($2 fee though). The service was decently fast for how busy they were and the staff was helpful and friendly. If you're planning to come here on a weekend, I highly recommend to make a reservation. read more
3 years ago
I'll start with the negatives first because there really aren't many. I was pretty surprised at the prices. $40 bucks for chicken seems a little steep to me. $37 for salmon just as steep. Maybe chicken is a bit hard to come by on the island here, but salmon? I don't know, just seemed a bit extra to me. With that being said, all of the food items we did order were delicious. Our server was great - all of the staff that we encountered were fantastic. We were able to sit on the patio outside and got a beautiful evening with a great view of the water. Compliments to the bartender as well. The dirty martini and specialty drink we ordered were great. Overall would definitely recommend, however, as I mentioned earlier, be prepared to spend some money. read more
Overall decent but nothing life changing here. The view is pretty. The service was quite good. Food was just average though. Very limited option in the area makes this basically the spot you have to go to however if you want a harbor view. read more
1 year ago
Wow! Just wow! Views are spectacular. Service was great. The food was excellent! Crab BLT and the salmon Rueben. The salmon Rueben was the tastiest smoked salmon ever! read more
2 years ago
11 months ago
Staff were all friendly. Service was good. Would 10/10 recommend the Seafood Bouillabaisse loaded with local seafood. For apps the Crab Tots and the Mussels were both delicious. read more
2 years ago
Love the food here! Best burger in Washington, hands down. Amazing brioche bun, perfectly cooked burger covered in cheddar cheese, and bacon jam. Fries are amazing too. The crab melt is always a hit, and the veggie bowl is great too. I'm a fan of cold water oysters and they have the best local options! Lots of windows to enjoy a view of the harbor and ferry traffic. Always amazing service and willing to accommodate dietary needs/requirements. read more
Fresh off the ferry from Orcas Island, we made a bee line to Downriggers. So glad we did, too, since we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table, but a long line formed immediately behind us and remained for the entirety of our visit. It was a beautiful day so we opted to sit on the patio. Didn't waste any time and ordered drinks and appetizers right away: old fashioned, chardonnay, half dozen oysters on the half shell and crab deviled eggs. All excellent! For our mains, he got the pan seared sockeye salmon and I opted for the seafood cobb salad. Both were terrific. We were highly satisfied with our choice to visit Downriggers right off the ferry. Highly recommend scooting over there as quickly as possible if you're coming in off the boat, because it seems to be very popular and the wait could be substantial if you hesitate. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
My family and I came here for a nice lunch and we had a blast! One thing about frequenting this spot in the winter season is no lines, less crowded, and great service! The restaurant is all decked out with charming holiday decor and adds a lovely touch to the ambiance. We were able to walk right in, no reservation needed, and get a table for the six of us. We all really enjoyed our food and beverages. I had a cup of clam chowder to start, a couple of beers of the Crikey IPA, and the chicken Gorgonzola salad to finish it off with, delicious! We all left with full bellies and big smiles. read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
We ate here twice during our 4 day stay on San Juan Island. We loved sitting outside and enjoying the view, the food was excellent, and the service was friendly. Both of the fish dinner specials while we were there were delicious and made with fresh quality ingredients. Fish and chips were also a hit! read more
2 years ago
My husband and I stopped here on our day trip between our sea plane flights and whale watching tour. It was very busy, but we arrived right at 11:00 when it opened. There was already a line forming. We sat outside on the patio for the view. Depending on where the sun is, you are shaded under their umbrellas. We love trying new seafood restaurants. We started with the crab deviled eggs. They were good, but I wish there was more of them. It only comes with 3! We also tried their clam chowder, which was very tasty. For our main meal, we got the cod fish tacos and the crab melt. I don't like Swiss cheese, so I substituted it for American. The crab melt was delicious, but it does have celery in it (which I am not a huge fan of, so be aware). The fish tacos were also pretty tasty. For drinks we ordered a coconut mojito and a Bloody Mary. Both were good, but expensive, but that's to be expected at a restaurant on the island. Our waiter was super friendly and the food came out quickly. Overall, it was a good stop while we were there and it was family friendly! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Food was ok, service was friendly. The view was beautiful where we were seated. Came here with a group from work. read more
1 year ago
We went as a large group with a reservation and sat outside on a Sunday night. The temperature dropped quickly and they turned on heaters and provided us with blankets. We started with the cauliflower and tater Tots. The Tots were amazing. I had the Buddha bowl topped with steak. The veggies were fresh. They gave us bread with a sun dried tomato butter. Delicious. The candy bar cake was very sweet. The cake was soaked in something so it was very moist. Service was great. Prices are high. read more
4 years ago
Skip the line, grab a seat at the bar. Came by after whale watching and the line for dinner seating wrapped around the restaurant. Since we were a party of two, we skipped the line and went straight to the bar (blissfully empty)! We ordered and were already sipping our beverages and being served before the line had been seated! Ordered a spicy margarita (the chili lined rim makes this extra spicy!) and a shrub mocktail (delicious, subtle sweet and refreshing) to drink and dungeness crab and artichoke dip plus steamed mussels for snacks. The entire experience was lovely and the portion sizes left nothing to be desired. Go make friends at the bar! read more
4 years ago
We saw this place from the ferry while it was docking and wanted to check it out. A quick look at the menu and we were ready to try it. We had to wait for a few mins to be seated and got a table on their outdoor patio, with great views of the water and ferry dock. We got Pan Seared Salmon and Seafood Cobb salad. I usually don't order salads, but I was looking for something seafood and the Seafood Cobb sounded interesting. I loved the salad, had a lot of crabmeat, shrimp, and bacon. Every thing in the salad was very fresh, lots of different textures and had the right amount of dressing for me. read more
2 years ago
Food was very good, view was lovely. We had shrimp Mac n cheese and Bouillabaisse. Note the broth was more like a sauce. Service was good. They brought a heater to the table as the evening cooled off. We were surprised at a $2.50 charge on the bill for the crab artichoke dip. Hubby is GF and they provided tortilla chips instead of crostini. Didn't see anything about fee on menu. They didn't subtract anything for the bread omitted from the Bouillabaisse. There was also a $.75 charge for the dessert we got to go. If you want it to go, wait until it arrives to ask for a box. read more
1 year ago
Huge fan of this place. Almost everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. The take on the clams was fun and I have never had them served that way before. Next time I would try some other things before ordering the deviled eggs again. Crab tots were good. Fish and chips were amazing and the burger was decent! French fries were delicious. I would absolutely order the cauliflower and the oysters again! Service was great and all the servers were attentive and kind. You must order the coconut margarita, it was delicious! read more
1 year ago
Great view, service and cocktails! Lovely atmosphere too! Our waiter Isaac was attentive and it was a pleasant lunch all the way around! read more
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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