Ray’s has been a favorite waterfront restaurant for locals and visitors alike for decades. Nestled right on Shilshole Bay in Ballard, it’s the ultimate destination for casual dining on the Seattle waterfront. Whether you’re looking for a lively lunch with friends, a fun happy hour, or a sunset dinner with a breathtaking view, Ray’s has you covered.

Water View Dining at Its Best

One of the best things about Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe is the unbeatable water view. Both the Boathouse and the Cafe feature spacious patios where you can soak up the sun, watch the boats drift by, and catch one of Seattle’s epic sunsets over the Olympic Mountains. If you’re searching for a water view restaurant that offers an authentic Seattle experience, look no further.

Our outdoor patios are open daily for walk-in seating, weather permitting, so grab your shades, bring your friends, and get ready for some of the best casual dining on the Seattle waterfront.

Fresh Seafood and Summer Flavors

At Ray’s, we believe great seafood starts with the freshest ingredients. Our new summer menus are bursting with the best the season has to offer—sweet corn, juicy peaches, ripe tomatoes, local greens, and the freshest Pacific Northwest seafood.

Whether you’re craving oysters, wild salmon, or a hearty seafood platter to share, our chefs have crafted dishes that celebrate the flavors of summer. Pair your meal with a crisp local beer, a refreshing cocktail, or a glass of wine as you relax by the water.

The Perfect Seattle Restaurant for Every Occasion

Whether you’re planning a casual lunch, a fun dinner with friends, or a special date night, Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe has something for everyone. The Boathouse downstairs offers an elevated seafood dining experience, while the Cafe upstairs is perfect for a laid-back vibe with classic favorites like fish and chips, burgers, and tasty shareables.

We’re open every day at 11:30am for lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Our welcoming team is ready to make your summer days delicious, memorable, and full of waterfront fun.

Make Ray’s Your Summer Tradition

Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe is more than just a Seattle restaurant—it’s a place where memories are made. From spectacular sunsets to mouthwatering seafood and friendly, casual dining, it’s the best way to experience everything Seattle’s waterfront has to offer.

So, gather your crew, swing by, and grab a seat on our patio this summer. Let’s toast to sunshine, fresh flavors, and good times at your favorite waterfront restaurant. We can’t wait to welcome you to Ray’s!

Plan Your Visit to Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe

Located in Ballard on Shilshole Bay — see our hours & directions here.

Open daily for lunch, happy hour & dinner.

First come, first served patio seating — weather permitting.

View our menus and reserve in our 1st floor Boathouse! We’ll see you soon!

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We’d love your support and votes in the below categories! It’s fast and easy to vote, with all of Ray’s categories on one simple page.

Just click here, vote, and you’re done!

• View
• Seafood Restaurant
• Waterfront Dining
• Outdoor Dining
• Happy Hour
• Lunch Spot
• Cocktails
• Dessert
• Fine Dining Restaurant
• All-Around Restaurant

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Feast on Father’s Day only specials on Sunday, June 15 at Ray’s, Seattle’s best waterfront restaurant! Specials include Grilled Kalbi Short Ribs with jasmine rice, kimchi, ginger-garlic green beans, and gochujang barbecue sauce. And Grilled Prime NY Strip with garlic whipped potatoes, grilled Washington asparagus, and ramp butter.

Don’t forget the drinks! Here’s a few Dad-approved selections:
Buffalo Trace ‘Ray’s Private Selection No. 1
Old Forester 100 Proof ‘Ray’s Private Selection No. 4
Dad’s Perfect Manhattan Buffalo Trace ‘Ray’s Private Selection No. 1’ Bourbon, Carpano Classico sweet vermouth, Dolin dry vermouth, orange and Angostura bitters, up

Celebrate with delicious steak, fresh seafood, mega Seattle waterfront views, and great memories! Enjoy a casual lunch or dinner in our 2nd floor Cafe, or an elevated dinner in our 1st floor Boathouse.

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From casual lunches and dinners at Ray’s 2nd floor Cafe, to date nights and friend dinners over sharable plates in our 1st floor Boathouse — Ray’s has it all! Reserve in our Boathouse here, Cafe is walk-ins. See you soon!

13 Classic Seattle Restaurants That Define Seattle – Eater Seattle 

Graduation Dinner Guide – Seattle Met
The Best Restaurants for Weddings in Seattle – Eater Seattle

Mother’s Day Dining – Seattle Magazine

Eating Well in Seattle – Woman Around Town

Washington’s Best Waterfront Restaurant – Newstalk870

Washington’s Best Waterfront Restaurant – KEYW

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Grilled Copper River King or Sockeye sautéed morel mushrooms and leeks, fried baby rainbow potatoes, Pinot Noir gastrique.

You know we love to pair it with an Oregon pinot noir, but there’s many other delicious options our sommeliers can help you select from our wine lists. Don’t miss out on enjoying this perfect fish at Seattle’s best seafood restaurant!

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Our 1st floor Boathouse and 2nd floor Cafe have a fresh lineup of cocktails to sip on our outdoor waterfront patios.  Enjoy a casual dining experience with the freshest local seafood every day of the week!

Southern Charm Tito’s vodka, Giffard Crème de Pêche, triple sec, lemon, Scrappy’s grapefruit bitters

Staycation Diplomatico Planas white rum, Giffard apricot liqueur, lime, pineapple, up

Blueberry Bourbon Smash Buffalo Trace ‘Ray’s Private Selection’ Bourbon, Giffard Crème de Pêche, lemon, blueberries, demerara

Velvet Old Fashioned Ray’s ‘Private Selection No. 4’ Old Forester Bourbon, Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Lustau Pedro Ximenez ‘San Emilio’ Sherry, chocolate bitters, large rock

Passionfruit Mai Tai Don Q white rum, Pierre Ferrand Dry Orange, Curaçao, Reynold’s orgeat, lime, passionfruit, Gosling’s dark rum float, rocks

Evergreen Negroni Uncle Val’s Botanical gin, Ransom Old Tom gin, Carpano Classico sweet vermouth, Campari, Clear Creak Douglas fir Eau de Vie rinse, large rock

Explore our full cocktail list here! See you soon!

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Epic views of Puget Sound and the Olympics
Fresh local seafood, always
Heated outdoor patio
Chill vibes, perfect for catching up
Refreshing cocktails and plenty of NA bevvies

Ray’s 2nd floor Café is open for casual lunch daily at 11:30am and accepts walk-ins. Find Seattle’s best outdoor patio at Ray’s Cafe, open weather pending. See you soon at our waterfront restaurant!

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As a Seattle restaurant rooted in the waters of the Puget Sound, we care deeply about the health of our local ecosystems. Today we’re celebrating some inspiring wins from our friends at Long Live the Kings and the positive impact they’re seeing in the world of recovery.

We’re proud to support local organizations like Long Live the Kings who protect the waters that feed us all. Here’s to healthy fish, clean water,  and a more sustainable future.

Check out a few of their incredible accomplishments from the past year!

Kokanee Comeback in Lake Sammamish
Incredible news—6,800 Kokanee returned to spawn last fall; a 10-year high! Just a few years ago, these native fish were nearly gone. Thanks to LLTK’s work on Orcas Island, they’re making a major comeback. Cheers to that!

Restoring the Nisqually Delta
LLTK and the Nisqually Indian Tribe helped shape new state bridge plans to go beyond “no net loss” and actually restore vital salmon habitat. That’s smart, sustainable infrastructure & a win for fish, water, and local communities.

Stormwater Innovation at Ohop Creek
Runoff from roads is deadly to coho salmon, but LLTK is testing a new compost-based filtration system (yes, compost!) with Cedar Grove that’s showing serious promise. Clean water = healthy salmon = a thriving Puget Sound.

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1st Floor Boathouse
All availability for large groups in the Boathouse (10 guests max) is available online.

2nd Floor Cafe
The Cafe Fireside Room can accommodate groups up to 30 people. Some stipulations apply, please review our Fireside Room FAQ for details. To reserve the Fireside Room email rays@rays.com.

Ray‘s Cafe main dining room and deck remains walk-ins only (deck can seat groups up to 6 guests).

Ray‘s Northwest Room
If you’re looking for a larger private dining experience with your own outdoor deck and indoor space, please contact Ray‘s events team for details and dates. rayscatering@rays.com or 206.789.6309.

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Here’s a peek below, then explore our full menus here: 1st floor Boathouse and 2nd floor Café. Join us this week at Seattle’s best waterfront restaurant for a casual lunch or gorgeous seafood dinner!

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