Excuse the picture, it's one of the few times I remembered to snap one mid meal, it'll serve as proof of visit. Ivar's is one of the staples of Seattle for good reason! One of my favorite fish and chips for consistency, convenience, and availability around town. Better fish and chips may exist, but none are as accessible as Ivar's with many locations. What's interesting here is that they have a line for ordering and then a line to pay, but it's clearly labelled. Cod is juicy, fried lightly, and heavenly when paired with their delicious tartar sauce. Chips are soft with a light crunch and also heavenly when paired with the tartar. They have a covered shelter to dine inside but the entire waterfront is nifty to eat around. Restroom (washroom, bathroom search terms) available next door in Ivar's Acre of Clams. Pro tip that the kid cones are delicious and plentiful, so save room for dessert. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Fish 'N Chips and Jumbo Prawns 'N Chips - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The food is excellent here and tastes fresh. The look of Ivar's has this cool mix of old school with modern. The service was really good but we had two waiters and that seemed like one too many. It was a bit awkward. The prices seemed pretty high. But hey, we were from out of town so perhaps that's standard for the area. But I do recommend this place. The view next to the water is fantastic! read more

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Our family in Seattle took us to Ivars and told us it was the best clam chowder in Seattle...they didn't disappoint! Ordered a clam chowder and some fish fillets. Clam chowder was meaty with a lot of clam and seasoned well. The fish fillets were really good also! Had a bit of a chewiness that was nice compared to mushy fish fillets I've had in the past! It was pretty empty around the time we went, but nevertheless still had a good time! read more

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We stopped in for Ivar's at the waterfront for a quick lunch and were greeted by a long line, but it moved surprisingly fast. The staff did a great job keeping things efficient by calling out to customers in the line to start on each order, and by the time we got up to the cashier, our food was ready within minutes. Talk about efficiency! There's plenty of seating options-outside along the water or under a covered area. We were going to sit outside, but after we sat down, a family came out to feed the birds. The seagulls swooped in, so we moved indoors. While inside was a little less hectic, there were plenty of pigeons hoping for crumbs. Oh well! We still enjoyed our freshly fried halibut and chips. The fish was perfectly golden brown and not overcooked. We love dipping each bite in tartar sauce, and the cashier gladly gave us extra dip. Napkins, malt vinegar, straws, and utensils are conveniently located just left of the cashier for easy access. Looking forward to next time. read more

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We stopped in here for a great midday meal in October while visiting and enjoyed the views of the interior of the restaurant with much to see and also views to the outside through large windows to see water, mountains, boats, etc. The waitstaff were top notch and very attentive and helpful with answering questions. Food orders were taken and fulfilled by kitchen very quickly, piping hot and delicious. I ordered from the Ivar's Classics lunch menu and chose the fried northwest combo of Alaska true cod, surf clam strips, shrimp. and substituted Brussels sprouts for the fries. No complaints, very satisfied! Highly recommended as a top destination if visiting Seattle and appreciate tried-and-true options. read more

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10/10 my favorite clam chowder and fried cod! We ate at the outside storefront after a long day of sightseeing, and it hit the spot. The chowder is perfectly thick, with just the right amount of clams and potatoes. Also can't beat the price! The cod was cooked to perfection, not too dry and lightly battered. We also got the calamari, which was also really delicious. Service was good, staff was friendly and on par with any other fast food type place. read more

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This ranks among the worst fish and chips I've had in Seattle. The food was overpriced and mediocre, there's really not much else to say about it. The service was decent and straightforward, which was the only redeeming quality. Despite the lackluster food, the place was packed with tourists eager to experience a taste of Seattle. There's ample seating both indoors and out, though outdoor diners should be prepared for opportunistic birds that may leave unwelcome surprises dangerously close to your meal. I'd recommend trying elsewhere.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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The portions have gotten so tiny! Back in the day used to get big pieces of fish and good size fries. They've shrink everything while raising the prices. If I'm in need of fish and chips I'll just go to a location that's not on the waterfront or get the happy hour deals inside the restaurant. I couldn't believe how small of portion sizes they are now. read more

Stopped by Ivar's Acres of Clams and had a mixed experience. The clam chowder was fantastic--rich, creamy, and definitely the highlight of the meal. The Alaskan cod fish and chips, though, were just okay. Not bad, but nothing to rave about either. read more

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Ivars was a miss for me. I got fried calamari, fried oysters with fries, and a cup of clam chowder, but the frying oil tasted musty and it tainted everything -- sad because I love fried seafood. The chowder also skewed a little sweet, which threw me off since I prefer savory-forward chowders. Staff were fine but the food just didn't land. If you love classic clam shack vibes, maybe try it once, but I wouldn't rush back. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Looking for some lunch after taking the water taxi from West Seattle and was in the mood for chowder. We went to the outside ordering spot, and then they have seats in a covered area or along the side of the building outside looking out at the water. Kind of felt like herded cattle when we were in line ordering. One of the guys shouted he wanted our fryer order first then get back in line. I get the reasoning because fish n chips takes longer and we had a mixed order of a fish n chips and chowder. Service was pretty quick that way, though, and by the time we were at the front for our turn the fish n chips were done. We took our food to the side outside to eat, as we wanted to enjoy the pretty day. Unfortunately this restaurant encourages patrons to feed the seagulls, so all while we are eating there are people feeding seagulls, and they are a menace while trying to eat your food in peace, and also watching them poop all over while eating is lovely. The chowder was decent. Nothing to write home about, but not bad either. My husband's fish n chips were good he said, with a good fish to batter ratio. Not too much batter. All in all, the food was ok, but the experience could have been so much better without management encouraging their patrons to feed the seagulls. (There was actually a sign) I was so distracted I actually forgot to take a picture of the food. read more

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For my first meal in Seattle was Ivar's was the best decision ever. I ordered a cup of their smoked salmon chowder and a cup of their regular white chowder. I fell in love with both but couldn't stop thinking about their red chowder!!! It was so good we did not take a photo of the first meal. Went back the next morning for another bowl this time of their white chowder. Then again at night for their fish and chips. Let's say, I'll be back just for this!!! read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Had to come back the very next day. - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cozy waterfront spot with fresh fish and great vibes Visited Ivar's Fish Bar in Seattle and had a wonderful meal. Ordered sourdough, a clam chowder bowl, and the 3-piece Fish 'N Chips--the fish was super soft and perfectly cooked, and the chowder was rich and comforting. The spot definitely feels like a tourist favorite--they even have tour maps near the entrance. The waterfront view is lovely, and the indoor seating is very spacious, with cozy fireplaces and nice decorations throughout, giving a warm, welcoming vibe. They also have a happy hour every day, which is a nice bonus. On top of that, everyone is super friendly, making the overall experience very enjoyable. Overall, a solid spot for fresh seafood with a cozy atmosphere and beautiful views. read more

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In town with family , who suggested this spot. I try to avoid tourist spots but we were so hungry having just landed. I ordered the fish and chips. This was probably the worst fish and chips I've ever had ! The waitress recommended the beer batter one's. I almost think they were frozen. They were dry and flavorless. The fries were salty and warm. The Caesar salad was good. A little too much dressing. View was spectacular read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Cesear Salad - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Ivar's Fish Bar *June 3, 2025 *11:30am- Tuesday *4.5 Stars Seating/ Environment: *Located on the Pier *Close to Pike Place *Nice Restrooms Food/Drink: *3 Piece Fish N Chips (Cod) *New England Clam Chowder (Cup) I went to Ivar's Fish Bar because a friend recommended it, and overall it was a good experience! The cod fish tasted fresh and well-cooked, but the portion was smaller than I expected based on the advertisement on the posters. The New England clam chowder was really good-- not overwhelming creamy and good amounts of clams. One thing I liked was that the fish is made to order, and the service was really fast. It's a nice spot for a quick bite, especially with the covered outdoor seating that lets you enjoy the view. Just a heads up--there were lots of birds around, so be prepared for some feathered company while you eat. If you need to use the restroom, there are nice indoor facilities close by inside the main restaurant. I'd say it's definitely worth trying if you're in the area and want fresh seafood with speedy service! Hoping to try other fish options next time I'm in town! read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - *3 Piece Fish N Chips (Cod) *New England Clam Chowder (Cup) - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Needed a quick bite and this place has walk up service. Their menu is simple but you have a variety of options. There's no formal seating so it's more grab and go. I had heard their fish and chips were good so that's what I went with. The portion was smaller than I had expected . Their tartar sauce is pre-packed and was hoping it was made fresh. The fish tasted fresh. It was good for a quick bite. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Mmm I think there was something missing in the clam chowder. More clams forsure. The fish and chips were ok. Cookie butter beignets were too much. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Bread Bowl & 3 Piece Fish 'N Chips - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came to Ivar's because it seemed like a Seattle institution from 1938. I knew walking in I should just expect some kitschy nautical themed American seafood fry up for lunch but the quality just wasn't up to par. We tried to order the smoked salmon chowder but it was out for the day - sad. Since it was also pretty cold out, I opted for the cioppino. Holy salt bomb! I will commend the shrimp and clams for being cooked exceptionally well, but the rest of the dish was just okay at best. You really couldn't enjoy any bit of the broth. It was very tomato forward but just too salty to consume. Boyfriend got the Cajun salmon and chips. The salmon looked really really dry...I did sneak 2 fries and they were also really salty. Welp, you win some and you lose some. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Cioppino - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We had Fried Clams and Chips and a Clam Chowder. Good clams, nice crunchy coating. Great clam chowder. Quick, friendly service. Walk up counter. Tartar sauce was tasty too. Enclosed area to eat in and watch the seagulls. Not much on ambiance, but a great coastal feel. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Clams 'N Chips and Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Another Seattle trip in the books! After a long day exploring, a friend and I decided to keep it simple with Fish and Chips, and it turned out to be a great choice. The fish was fresh and perfectly cooked, while the tartar sauce was tangy and balanced the flavors beautifully--it really brought the dish together. We also ordered the crab dip, which was just okay, and the chips were a bit too crunchy for my liking. The highlight, though, was the clam chowder: rich, creamy, and full of fresh flavor. Overall, it was a satisfying meal that I'd happily rate 5 out of 5. read more

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Come on guys, get it together. How are you gonna serve fully cooked fries to the party before us and serve us medium cooked, with ZERO crispy fries? Thank goodness the fish was good, which bump up the stars, but it could have been a 5. Very unfortunate. read more

Grabbed a quick bread bowl to go. The lines were long and slow with service. Lots of seating and available bathrooms as well. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Ok funny story, we ate out checking out the new pier/bridge area on our yearly drive up to Seattle. We see some people fishing and we get to talking, after a bit we exchanged some local likes and dislikes, he swears we 'have to try this place' so much so he hands us a bit of cash and says its on him hahaha! What a trip. Fast forward and since we already ate we split a 5 piece. Very affordable and very tasty. Counter service but have a heated inclosure to dine. Fish tasted fresh and fried were good. Im not 100% sure if its the best, but bang for buck, it was pretty damn good. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - The classic - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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A local favorite (they even have one in Lumen Stadium) it's basically fish and chips. The meals are cooked to order and taste good. The fries are okay to share with the seagulls and the pigeons. The service is quick depending on the crowd. Outdoor seating is both covered and outside. Order at the counter and walk your tray to seating or get it to go. The fish pieces are smallish. I ordered three and wish I had four or five. Fries are fresh. Get ketchup, vinegar & tartar sauce. A bit pricey, but it's on the waterfront in a popular tourist area. A no frills decent lunch. read more

Walked by the area decided to order fish and chips. It was very fresh. The fish was moist and tasty. The French fries are OK. there's plenty of sitting area outside and the seagull out waiting for your leftover. Haha read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Mediocre food and terrible service. We're there for an hour and half and maybe saw our server 3 times. Had to ration water at the table to make it through the meal. Everybody that worked there was miserable. read more

My friend and I stopped by while in the area. We weren't looking to have a full-on meal, but since this was one of the places we wanted to try, we ended up sharing some fish and chips. Honestly, the food is what you would expect-- very solid fish and chips. Would recommend if you're visiting Seattle, if you're in the area, and if you're looking for quick, affordable fish and chips. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Food from the outside food window. Loads of outside seating. Waterfront table and a large indoor space. Indoor provides protection from the seagulls. Which appear to be fairly aggressive. The fish was cooked well. One piece was a bit dry. A smaller piece. Did they fry it twice? Not sure, but overall very good. And a good price point. The fries were not overwhelming good. But just ok. Alright. SYOY! read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - 3 Piece Fish 'N Chips - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Ordered the cod fish and chips with clam chowder and it was okay. The cod fish was soft and flaky, not too thick on the batter which was great. The fries were nothing special. The clam chowder was decent but not as great as other clam chowder places nearby, sadly. I like the fact the clam chowder wasn't too salty and too thick like other places but I wish they put more vegetables such as potatoes etc. Check this spot at least once. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Cod 3 Piece Fish 'N Chips - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Good stop for some tasty fish and chips. I've stopped by here a couple times on my travels having always been recommended by locals. Fish is tasty and fresh with a good breading to fish ratio. Fries are take it or leave it - nothing special. We ordered at the counter and sat outside, but they also have an indoor dining option. Lots of flies at the outdoor counter ordering area. Good stop for some tasty fish and chips. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - 4 Piece Fish 'N Chips - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Location is convenient and service was good. HOWEVER, it's a total tourist trap. Beware. We ordered the most basic menu item for any seafood-themed restaurant: Fish & Chips. It was so bad. Fish and chips were both soggy and tasteless. And bill was expensive. Would not recommend. Go somewhere more local. read more

Fish Nuggets! That is the only way to describe the fish in the fish & chips order I had during this visit. I have been an Ivar's fan since 2003. In fact, I was such a fan that, during the COVID period, I purchased gift certificates just so I could say I patronized the restaurant even when I could not visit. After tonight, though, I'm not so sure. But this day's visit was not just an eye-opener. I am simply glad that I visited the restaurant alone, and not accompanied by a guest. I would have been terribly embarrassed by the quality of the batterd fish - the batter coating was thin (hardly any); and did not have any of the usual signs that it was freshly fried. In short, it was fish nuggets - albeit a slightly larger size than a chicken nugget. I was essentially served fish from a box that was heated to make the diner think it was freshly made. Note that the fish & chips I was served looked nothing at all like any of the fish & chip pictures that others have shared. You know, I might have been more forgiving (perhaps they ran out of hand-cut raw fish - if it had been a busy day) had they also adjust the price to reflect the fact the they served pre-fab fish. But at full price, it just was NOT acceptable. I'm writing this review, hopefully, so they would do something about this in future - Ivar's is, after all, a local institution. But this band-aid alternative is totally bizarre & totally unacceptable - they should have just said that they ran out of fish and chips, and I could have ordered something else. As for the rest of the dining experience, it was fine. But the terrible quality of the main dish... that was not only disappointing, It was downright insulting. It totally ruined dinner! read more

Not better than long John silvers. Food was fast and hot and that's about all I can say positive about this place. COD and chicken were bland. Fries were generic. read more

When my Dad lived in Seattle, this was our favorite place to eat at when walking around the Waterfront. Ivar's has several of these fast casual seafood bars around Washington. Next door to this one on Pier 54 is their full service restaurant - Ivar's Ace of Clams. Here at Ivar's Fish Bar, you order at the walkup counter and then find a table to eat at once you have your food. Ivar's has been selling fish 'n chips at the Seattle Waterfront since 1938. Ivar's menu has a number of fried seafood items that comes with french fries. You can get fish, prawns, clams, oysters, chicken or calamari as your main item. Side items include Red, White or Alaska Smoked Salmon Chowder and a Shrimp Cocktail. I like how easy it is to walk up and grab some seafood. Sometimes the lines can be a little long around lunch time. Ivar's has some shaded tables next door or you can sit at one of the tables outside and enjoy the cool breeze from Elliot Bay. There are seagulls that hang around and beg for food that make for fun entertainment. I don't get to Seattle as much since my Dad moved away. But I did recently come here on a trip and was able to grab lunch while walking on the Waterfront. I enjoyed reminiscing my many lunches that I had with my Dad over the years. The Prawns and Chips and the Red Chowder are my personal favorites. read more

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Came by while exploring Seattle and was recommended by a friend to give this place a try! We arrived just after opening so the line wasn't long yet but as soon as we finished eating the line was down the road, so be prepared! You order at an outside to go style and pick it up just next to ordering. They provide a self serve utensils and other seasonings section too. We ordered the cod CAJUN style and salmon. They were both very tasty. CAJUN is definitely the way to go and was cooked nicely. Goes great with the Tatar sauce as well. As for the salmon it was actually also pretty good. Most of the times it's hard to get salmon right but I was pleasantly surprised to have nice consistency that wasn't too tough. Overall was very tasty, each item came with fries. Just that it's a little pricy, but pretty good for fresh fish. Views are also nice as they have both inside and outside seating options. Watch out for the seagulls! I'd definitely come back next time I'm here for a visit. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I've been to plenty of Ivar's in my life but this is my first time at the location on the pier. The Establishment: service was pretty quick even though the location was super busy. I love that there's both spacious indoor seating and plenty of tables on the pier along the water. There were seagulls and pigeons everywhere which were so fun to watch. Could've been cleaner but it's about what you'd expect from a place like that. The Food: our fries were barely warm...but the fish??? So flakey. So crisp on the outside. So delicious every time. That paired with the tartar sauce is a match made in heaven. My friend got the Cajun fish which were pretty salty but the tartar helped cut the saltiness. They also got the smoked salmon chowder which was so flavorful and creamy, perfect for a gray Seattle day. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - 3 Piece Fish 'N Chips and Seattle Soda Diet Cola - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

2 bread bowl chowders to go please! So good on a cold rainy day. This place will never get old.

First time coming to Ivars and had a blast. Really clean interior and staff is super nice. I got their fish and chips and it was super delicious. Right amount of fish to crumb coating ratio. Tastes super fresh. Condiments were included and here were regular and sweet tartar sauce. I liked both! Their coleslaw was good and tasty. Been back several times now and each time it was better and better. Plus you get a nice view of the Seattle harbor and waterfront. Highly recommend it! read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - 5 Piece Fish 'N Chips - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The best Clam Chowder I ever had. Worth a trip to Seattle, WA. on the Pier and at the airport. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Chowder at Ivar's Seattle, WA on the waterfront. - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Yummy food! We had it for lunch. Service was nice. Outside one stop shop and you can go eat anywhere around and feed the seagulls. The fish was fresh and we didn't feel gross or too stuffed. Just the right amount. Definitely worth checking out. They also have a sit down restaurant with more options to choose from. read more

Ivar's Fish Bar - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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