Love Ray's Cafe. So glad to see it bustling again. Always great service, food, and drop dead views.

We had a very nice lunch here on Friday. I enjoyed the tuna poke and my wife had the rockfish sandwich - both were great. The views were outstanding, despite the rainy weather. read more

The cafe is upstairs from the boathouse but same great food and view. We had clam chowder and fish n chips. All of the food was superb. Even the tarter sauce and coleslaw were homemade and to die for. The only thing that could have been better was the free bread they bring, but it's free and they did bring butter. The fish pieces were 3 oz with a crunchy batter that was just right. The fries were good too. Delicious. Our server, John G, messed up on something and made it right without us even asking. I really appreciated that. read more

Server was awful, and made what was supposed to be a happy birthday celebration somewhat tense. Never even bought the birthday dessert. We had to ask other servers for help. read more

Ray's Boathouse had a wait but Ray's Café did not! We made our way upstairs to the patio for an absolutely gorgeous view that only turned more beautiful at sunset. We were bummed to hear their oysters weren't very good that evening, but appreciated the honesty. Something about the water making them creamy and weird. No thanks! Instead, we opted to start with the crispy calamari and I followed that with blackened fish tacos, a special for the evening. My parents split another fish special, which they were nice enough to plate on two separate dishes. Great food, awesome view and, wait for it, AMAZING service. It was cold outside and then it started raining (oh Seattle). Thankfully, they were happy to move us inside halfway through our meal where it was a little warmer, which was much appreciated. We ended our meal with a peanut butter parfait and cookie bag! Both were delicious. Overall, a very solid experience. A bit of a drive from downtown Seattle where we were staying but WELL worth it for the view! read more

See all

We spent the afternoon tide-pooling at Golden Garden Park and swung by Ray's on the way home. We sat on the upper deck facing the water. We enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The halibut was a solid choice but the pan seared scallops were a table favorite. We would eat here again if in the area. Also, seals were fun to watch off the boardwalk. We didn't see a trash can on the way in so we had cups of juice from the cafe at the park and the host acted like we were trying to take in outside drinks. A simple, "Oh, can I take those for you?" Instead of a policy lecture would have been better. Oh, to have the power of seating. Pro-tip: Ignore pretentious older teens working the door. Life is short. read more

See all

Great view, great food! It was my first time here and I was impressed by the staff and the food. They were all out of lemonade from a bunch of kids coming in on the hot day (lol) so we changed our drink orders into a (kids) Sunset Cooler but with vodka in it! For food we got the Ahi Poke Bowl and True Cod Fish & Chips. Both were wonderful and I highly recommend adding avocado to the poke bowl. read more

See all

Lovely spot. Perfect place to watch the sunset. Delicious Salmon special. Friendly service. I'll return regularly. Worth every penny.

We were lucky enough to snag a spot right by the window so we had a nice view of the water. We made reservations though so that's recommended especially on sunny days. I ordered the sable fish and chowder... both were very tasty! I had ordered the sable fish at Ray's Boathouse (downstairs) before, but it wasn't saltier than I remembered. I can't remember what my bf ordered, I think some kind of burger - he said it was OK. It was a lot of food and pretty heavy so we had some leftovers to take home. The cafe gets really hectic when it's busy so just be patient. I think their only parking option is valet, so just as a heads up, you'll want to have some cash on you for tips. read more

See all

Incredible iconic Seattle restaurant! Especially recommend any and all seafood items. Can't beat the views at Ray's!

My family and I are absolutely in love with Ray's. Not only is service outstanding, the food is beautiful and tastes amazing. Even the pickiest eaters are easily pleased at Ray's. Rockfish was beautifully blackened with plate-lickin' good creole sauce. Sablefish was classic, sweet, and savory. Fish n' Chips were the best we ever tried. And the Dungeness Crab w/ Rock Shrimp cakes were large, chunky, and nicely seared with great texture. The Dill tartar sauce was a yummy plus. As were the zucchini pickles (I hate zucchini but I loved these!) Atmosphere upstairs at the boathouse is fun, cheery, casual, and still very elegant for that self-indulging feeling. Prices are also more than reasonable for the top-notch quality and taste at Ray's!!! No other seafood place in the Seattle area that we tried even came close to Ray's. If only I didn't live on the other side of the country, I'd come here every day! read more

Ray's Café - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Food was great and our service was amazing!! They even had heaters on the patio so you could enjoy the incredible water views when it was a little chilly out! Great experience! Well done Rays Cafe!!! read more

Great place. A view of Olympic National Park and the best fish and chips I ever tasted

We come here almost once a week during the sunny months! Nothing beats happy hour on the Rays deck on a sunny day - the view is to die for. I typically order off of the happy hour menu and everything is great. The happy hour poke and margarita are my go-tos. If I'm feeling a bit hungrier, I'll opt for the full portion poke bowl which features 2 different styles of tuna and is delicious. The cafe doesn't take reservations, so I'd get there a little early on a sunny day to ensure you can get a table outside. However, even from inside the views of the Sound are great. read more

What can I say, the view is pretty darn amazing! We booked a later dinner in order to watch the sunset. It didn't disappoint. Definitely sit on the patio when the weather is nice. You won't regret it! Everyone seemed happy with food. It's nothing fancy. Straightforward seafood. I had the clam chowder which is a good version full of clams and potatoes and good seasoning. I also had a crab cake which was quite lovely. I liked that it was chock full of delicious crab. The service was nice and not too oppressive. read more

Ray's has always been a favorite of mine. In past years, the customer service was hit or miss but we went today and had great service! At the cafe, even if you are seated not right next to the window, you can still get a pretty good view. This is a special place for my husband and I and we will likely be coming here for future anniversaries. We came here today and ordered one entree, a bowl of clam chowder, some Dungeness crab, carrot cake, and creme brûlée. Our server was nice and offered to have our steak split into two plates. When he brought it out, he said the kitchen staff may have given us more than one entree's worth, which was really nice and I think they definitely did. The steak came out slightly over cooked but still tasted great. The clam chowder is soooo good but I almost want just more chowder and less potatoes. Crab was good but I wish I had squeezed some lemon on it. We enjoyed both desserts and I especially liked the creme brûlée. Just a really smoothe/soft texture with vanilla beans in it. I'm giving one less star because I just wanted more variety in the menu and maybe for them to change it up more frequently. Maybe some white sauce pasta dish that had seafood or meat in it would be a good option. read more

Ray's Café - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

My partner and I took out my visiting brother and his wife here. We're all seafood and steak fans! All of our meals were fantastic and our entrees plated beautifully. Steak, halibut, salmon and chicken were seasoned great and of course the Drinks were flavorful and on point! Thank you Jack for checking up as needed, smiling with your eyes and giving a great customer experience. Jess closed us out with great conversations and jokes galore. Thank you all for a wonderful experience! Plus the view was spectacular! read more

Ray's Café - the sun setting over the water - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

When we arrived, it was very busy but they were able to seat us immediately outside next to the water. The view was 10/10 and the food was just as amazing. By far my favorite restaurant and the service was great! Will for sure return sometime! read more

Ray's Café - Blackened Pacific Rockfish - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

The original whole in the wall restaurant. Have no expectations and be surprised at the price. The value for the money is amazing.

Great food :) Went to the cafe (not the Boathouse, they're different) for Valentine's Day. Among the two of us, we got the calamari, the lobster, and a side of the salmon. For dessert we got the chocolate cake. read more

Can't really fault this place. Went for lunch on a hot weekday and got a table right on the ocean. The crab dip was delish! My cajun salmon sandwich was also great. Server was friendly and we loved the relaxed atmosphere. Will be back to try more of the food. read more

Ray's Café - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Visited the restaurant on a beautiful Monday night and the place was absolutely packed. We had to wait a bit for a table outside, but it is the way to do it on a sunny day. The patio is directly above water and perfect during sunset. Now, the food and drinks. We ordered a glass of wine and a cocktail while we were waiting inside. The black cherry margarita is just the right combination of tart and sweet. For dinner, we decided to split the pan seared sea scallops and the entree special copper river salmon. The scallops were tender on the inside yet a little burnt on the outside, paired with tomato based fettuccine. The salmon was amazing as well and just grilled to perfection. It was served with gnocchi with a cream based sauce. Overall, super impressed with the food and the ambiance and setting of the restaurant. I would love to come back! read more

Ray's Café - Pan Seared Sea Scallops - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Visited from out of town and was not disappointed! Went at sunset and sat outside on the deck to eat- gorgeous view!! Food was amazing - I had the fish and chips and it was delicious. My friend had the ribeye and shrimp and she said it was also amazing. What put it over the edge for me was the amazing service! Waiter was attentive and friendly -- put that together with the food and the views and it is five star all the way!! read more

Went last night for a little family reunion, and the food was amazing! Had the salmon that was "flown in" according to the waitress, and it was to die for! Definitely made my list of hot spots in Seattle! read more

Ray's Café - Grilled Salmon - Chef Special - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Been a fan for many years but was not impressed by how they handled a parasite situation. We understand it happens but sadly, we will not be returning. Ordered the seafood salad that came out beautifully with pieces of smoked salmon and scallops. 5 minutes into eating my husband spotted a worm sticking out of the salmon and dancing around. We called the waiter over and they took it away. The manager came to apologize and said they would take the salad off our bill. That was it! Of course I wasn't going to pay for it. They did not offer to provide something else in its place or compensate for the inconvenience. They said I could order something (and pay for it) but I was so grossed out that I didn't want anything. I ended up being hungry the rest of the day. Their attitude was quite snobby and left a bad feeling I will not forget. read more

Sit on the patio for the views, you won't regret it. Pros: (1) incredible sunset views (see the picture attached). If you get cold easily, they have you covered--Ray's passes out fleece blankets around sunset. (2) fresh seafood. The scallops were large and tasty. (3)excellent and attentive service. Neutral: (1) located some distance away from downtown Seattle. Rush hour traffic makes it a 1+ hour trip to get to Rays. Cons: None read more

Ray's Café - Scallops - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Happy hour at Ray's while looking out over the water is a wonderful thing. We had drinks, appetizers and desserts, and while I prefer some items off the regular menu (the seared ahi appetizer, or some of the wines by the glass), happy hour is a good deal. All the food was good, and the location can't be beat. read more

Fantastic at sunset. Show up about 15 min before reservation and you can get a table outside on the deck which I would highly recommend. The sable fish is great but even the cheaper menu items are awesome like the salmon sandwhich. Beautiful sunset view of the water and mountains for the money. read more

See all

Amazing view but the food is absolutely AWFUL. I ordered calamari, it was soggy and did not taste fresh. I also ordered the halibut and it was over cooked, hard and super greasy. The halibut came with frozen peas, overcooked carrots and soggy zucchini (what a strange combo, right?). It was pretty disgusting. I left the restaurant super disappointed with a 150.00 bill. Oh and TMI, but I also had a stomach ache for the rest of the night. read more

We had a great experience this evening at Ray's Café in Seattle. The view was absolutely stunning - see the sunset picture included. We arrived at 8.15pm and were immediately seated with a waterfront balcony view right over the Puget Sound and glorious sunset over the Olympics. You'll be hard pressed to get a better view from any restaurant in Seattle. We ordered some cocktails which were delicious. A good size pour, and nicely made, perhaps a tad shy on the alcohol, but I'm a strong cocktail kinda guy! Our waitress was a little eccentric wanting to tell us everything about Hawaii, where she recently moved from, but it wasn't too much of a distraction. We went on to order food, and all bar one of our group of four ordered the fish and chips which were delicious. The coleslaw could do with some improving, but everything else was delicious! The prices here are extremely reasonable and make for a comfortable, relaxing evening. Five stars for this establishment, not meaning its fine dining at this cafè but because everything they are trying to do is right on the money. The balcony had a perfect ambience, with blankets, fire pillars, great views, good food. Definitely will be visiting again! read more

See all

The view was very very nice and the food was good. I expected the food to be more flavorful or elaborate given the prices. The portions were okay. Our food was split in the kitchen even though we didn't ask for this. Felt like I was paying more for the view than a good wholesome seafood meal. read more

This is THE restaurant for a date night, good food and a great view. It's mostly about the view, the Olympic range and Lake Washington with sail boats and kayaks with the setting sun, makes for a great time. My friend and I came here on a 80 degree day at 6:30 pm and stayed till about 10 pm - we started at the upstairs bar (Ray's Cafe) while we waited for outdoor seating. My friend ordered the Margarita $9 and I ordered the Chili Lime Habanero Margarita $13. After tasting both I think I should have just ordered the regular one as the habanero version just had a different salt rim. By the way, the regular margarita is only $6 in the Happy Hour - every day from 4 pm to 6pm. We moved outdoors after the drinks and boy, what a view! It was nice to be on the lake, despite an 80 degree day it was pleasant outside. I saw a server bringing some free sunglasses for some customers who had forgotten theirs at home, and my friend told me that they offer free blankets during the cold weather! We ordered a bottle of red (a cab) and our server was really great, giving us a little taste to make sure it was the one we wanted. She was awesome all evening as we were there 3+ hours. The crab dip was wonderful ($13) and our server brought us extra crostini. The rolls that preceded the entree were soft and chewy. I ordered a Blackened Salmon Sandwich with battered fries ($19) and my friend ordered a Mussels Pearl Pasta ($26). My salmon was delicious- but I should have gotten the salad, for such a hot day. For dessert, we had Brownie served with whipped cream and ice cream ($7). I was too full but I had a bite and it was melt in the mouth good. We wanted to still hang out so we ordered after dessert coffee and tea ($3.50 each) as we watched the sun go down at almost 10 pm. It was a long evening, but it was perfect because of the good food and great service and company, of course. For that kind of service and view I think the cafe prices are moderate not any higher than most restaurants. I will be coming back sometime, maybe for their excellent happy hour! read more

See all

Really great view of the water, and the spotted prawns from the daily special menu as well as the sablefish were delicious! However, the rest of our order was not quite as perfect consider the price we were paying. Though the flavor was good, but the fish in the cioppino was over cooked. The fries from the fish and chips had a nice crunchy texture, but the cod was a bit too dry. The sauce from the vegetable curry was decent, but the vegetables seemed like they were from a can or a frozen package. Wish they were seasonal veggies instead. The vegetarian and none seafood choices were extremely limited, but it is a seafood house after all. read more

Better than that. This is the first place we've gone to since lockdown, and I have never felt so safe in Coronatimes. The outdoor cafe gets a good strong breeze from the Sound, the staff is totally into being covid-safe, marvelous. I suppose this should be what we'd expect from a great establishment such as Ray's, but it delivered totally, and of course it's the same great food and the same great cocktails and the same great desserts . . . I'll be back before the covid is gone. read more

The Crab and Clam dip is great, but doesn't taste very strong of Old Bay, unfortunately. I also had the Clam Chowder, and it had quite a bite to it - but it was bearable. The food was okay, but the views are outstanding and worth the trip! read more

See all

As always, outstanding food and service. All five of us ordered five different menu items and all enjoyed.

Gorgeous location excellent service and food was delish! Fun spot to relax with friends for Sunday brunch!

First time visit on a lovely and MUCH cooler weekend. The smoke and haze had cleared leaving beautiful views of the sound. Happy Hour was in full swing, but we luckily found a table in the bar area. We each ordered a drink and some HH grub: calamari, mussels, and a caesar salad for one another. Everything was really good. The calamari was fried perfectly, not greasy at all. The aïoli was an excellent dipping sauce as well. I was impressed with the mussels (from Taylor Shell Fish) were plump and juicy. The tomato sauce used for steaming, cooking, flavour was lovely. Between the two of us we got to eat 4-5 mussels each; excellent for a HH serving I thought... Sometimes a restaurant offers great views, but the dining experience can be lack lustre and ruin the whole evening. I'm happy to report that Ray's did no disappoint and I look forward to returning. read more

I was super excited to dine with my friends by the water but was left very disappointed with the experience. When we arrived we were told it was an hour wait for an outside table, which was fine. However when we were finally called they led us to an indoor table, I immediately spoke up and they had to talk to the front to see if it was Oky to move us outside. Luckily they allowed it. The views were beautiful outside but our waiter was far from friendly. We felt like any questions we asked he treated like a huge inconvenience. Next there was the food, tasted fine but I couldn't believe the sandwich they served me. It actually looked like they dropped a piece on the way out and just hoped I wouldn't notice. My 2 other friends got the same fish sandwich and had normal size pieces, mine was barely half the size of the bread. ( See photos below). Overall pretty views but less than friendly staff and very subpar customer service. I don't think I will be coming back. read more

Ray's Café - RockFish sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Excellent food. A little pricey but very delicious. Great cocktails. Excellent view. A very classy spot. Worth the visit. read more

Ray's Café - The view - Seafood Near Me - Seattle, Washington