Agua Verde Cafe Reviews

Seattle is not very famous for Mexican food, is it? We have so many Mexican restaurants in New York compared with Seattle. This restaurant is at the beautiful place, casual, and the service was friendly. But the food was sadly mediocre. Great place to go to enjoy the scenery and meet up with friends for sure!

Takeout salmon tacos were delicious. I recommend ordering your food to-go and eating it on the water.

Small portions but reasonably priced. GREAT margaritas !!! Amazing food and service. Definitely some of the best Mexican food in town! I recommend going during off hours when most people aren't going to lunch. I've ordered different items for teh lat 7 years....... it's always delicious. They have their salsas out in huge bowls so you serve yourself. Their mild/sweet salsa is my favorite

I selected the restaurant for the view of the lake; it was not the best location given the hotel I stayed in (Bellevue) and the rush-hour and associated traffic. Anyway, it was a beautiful day and it turned out to be a lovely place. It was overcrowded and I had to wait until I could get a table... apparently, that happens more as they had a small waiting room. The dinner itself was good: taco's with a sauce you could find yourself and burritos. Accompanied by a Corona it was the right dish for a Thursday evening, Service is quick and efficient, just the right attention.

Great Baja food overlooking the bay with fantastic margaritas. We rented kayaks and then paddled through the cut to the park and lived it. Then finished with awesome food with a view. Visit this place, you will love it!

We had a tasty lunch here on the patio near the waterfront. Great location next to the marinas and near the University of Washington. Chips and salsa were good, not the best I've had but better than average. I had veggie enchiladas, which were very tasty! Their rice and beans sides are yummy as well. My husband had a chicken burrito, which was good but a little bland. All in all a good place to come for the view and food.

Food and coffee were great!! The view off the back balcony can't be beat!! Watched the ducks and saw people on kayaks! Very relaxing and great music and atmosphere.

Visited on a whim while exploring the UW area. The restaurant is situated on the water and right next to campus, so there are some pretty good views of the marina. The menu seems to cater to organic and locally sourced ingredients, if that's your thing. The food, in terms of taste is average at best though. I didn't finish the last portion of my burrito, it just became too bland. Same with the guacamole. I will say they have some excellent sauces, one of the better Verdes I've had. Overall, probably won't be back. Prices are a bit high for what you get (almost $15 for a burrito). Was a nice place to go once, nice scenery and decor. Better Mexican food can easily be found though.

The $15.50 for one small scoop of guacamole is ridiculous, even in these days of inflation. And our order was lost or unmade or who knows what, and after quite a long wait, we inquired. There was no apology or compensation of any kind, which is a poor business policy. Restaurants can't rely on their views or vibe alone.

My SO and I stopped to eat here because we were going to take kayaks out from the paddle club below the restaurant. It was extremely busy so we were lucky to get a seat out on the patio with a water view. They have a simple menu and you order when you walk in and they bring the food to your table. It was just average Mexican food but we enjoyed it.

On a sunny day you cannot beat Agua Verde for lunch. The fish tacos are amzing, and they have a salsa bar that ranges tame for the timid and scorching for those who love heat. You receive a piece of plastic fruit when you order so the server can located you with your lunch. The views are great, and it is hard not to want to sit there all day. But that wouldn't be fair to those who are waiting for your table, right?

I ate here with a colleague for lunch in May, 2015 (actually on Cinco de Mayo). The food was certainly fresh and authentic, and the place totally packed for lunch so my mouth was watering immediately, Unfortunately, the carnitas I had were bone dry and without much flavor. I was disappointed to say the least. Perhaps other dishes are better, but I was not impressed at all.

We went for lunch. There was a line but it went pretty quickly. You order and pay as you enter while they also check vaccine status. They deliver the food to your table. The ambiance is nice and they have a large sunroom with view of the water so it's a pretty place to enjoy so time and good food. They have mixed drinks available. We got carnitas tacos, they were quite tasty but next time I might get the carnitas burrito which also looked quite good. The staff was friendly and the pricing was appropriate for a sit down Mexican restaurant. We will certainly go again when we are in the area.

We have hosted some friends this summer and decided to take them for a tour of the UW campus. It was a sunny and warm day and it was about lunch time when we were done with the tour. On a regular Seattle day, we would have taken them to any of the great places on University Street but since it was sunny and nice outside, we took them to Agua Verde Cafe. We ordered different dishes and we all enjoyed what we ate, from the burritos to the tortas. Agua Verde is a busy place but we loved the atmosphere! It reminded us of our days at graduate school in San Diego....

..... But it was disappointing. Chips just meh, homemade salsas rather sweet, gorditas over-cooked and bland. Drinks, view, and service ok. I will probably give it another try & order something else, but it was not that great.

Nice setting, especially if you are outside during the summer. Close to the UWMC. Good Mexican food for the USA. Good price for what you get.

We had a lunch here with old friends and loved the location, overlooking the water and boats. The food was rather disappointing though. Tacos without much flavor. Salad rather plain. Prices no bargain for what you get.

The food is healthy and mild. This place is so packed in the summers for the after kayakers that it makes sense to go any other time. The salsa bar is basic and good. They have an outdoor patio and close views of lake union.

A great college hangout on the UW campus. Perfect for grad students or working adults looking for a casual hangout to chat water-side while eating good food or picking up coffee before work.

If you want funky with good Mexican food go to Agua Verde. There is usually a line at lunch, but they move through it quickly. Very good service for the volume and the food is unique and delicious. Good prices. Only thing bad is parking, so leave a little early because it may take a few extra minutes to find a spot on the street.

Aqua Verde is two things: 1. A restaurant, 2. A kayak Rental facility on North Lake Union. As for 1) Restaurant: It is a good restaurant, and nice location. Excellent food, but sometimes long line. You can eat indoors or out -- with nice view, either way. As for 2) Kayaking: Superb! Very inexpensive way to get out on the water, enjoy paddling through the canal, under the bridges, into the lakes, around the houseboats where 'sleepless in seattle' was filmed, and to gasworks parks. Watch seaplanes land and take off, and boats of all kinds plying the water. Pull up on the shore of Gas Works Park for a rest, if you like. Sunny day is best. You don't need a thing (except sunscreen). Staff is super helpful and will get you safely underway, even if you have never been on a kayak in your life.

This is a small cafe close to the UW hospital. The cafe came highly recommended and lived up to its reputation. The vegetable burrito was fantastic and left an oh so pleasant taste in my mouth afterwards. They also serve breakfast. Do have a mocha with Mexican chocolate!!!

We recently ordered take-out and we've eaten there in the past. Their food is always tasty but more care definitely needs to be taken in assuring the dishes are complete and as described in the menu. I ordered the Picarita Salad with Chicken. It was missing the grilled corn, the poblano peppers, the red peppers and the avocado. It was basically lettuce with tortilla strips and a small amount of cubed chicken. Good flavor but with all the missing ingredients it was not worth the money.

Happy Hour Margarita was large and tasty, be is a bit skinny on the tequila. Care Asada burrito was uninspiring, loaded either rice, handful of beans and hardly any meat. Had much better at some of the taco trucks. My wife had tacos - better choice, not great. Love their salsa bar.

The guacamole and the variety of salsas are beautiful.Its fresh and you can finish off the bowl in a minute. There are a lot of veggie option as well. The drinks are house made and are pretty decent for a nice spot by the lake to sip on !

Agua Verde's location is one of the best in Seattle. It is a frequent lunch destination for our bike group. Next to the UW medical facility, it is often crowded at lunch, so we aim for 1:00pm. The food is great, especially their home made salsas, which I prefer the chipolte. Today I had catfish soup, which was extremely tasty with a ton of white fish. My companions had great salmon tacos and a mole burrito.

This place was little confusing. I think you can order take out from the counter or be waited on. We thought it was "seat yourself" as the crowd for take out completely blocked the front door. We entered through the side door which we had to do for accessibility reasons. There is outdoor seating but we could not access it with my son's wheelchair because tables blocked the pathway (that was marked "accessible," by the way). We sat in a very hot restaurant, but if you sat on one side of the table, there was a view of the lake. I enjoyed my meal and enjoyed the smoky-sweet salsa. My husband and daughter did not like their burritos. They served lettuce and guacamole dressed with sour cream on the side. The presentation made the sour cream impossible to ingest for my husband who did not want the cilantro laden guacamole. The burritos were already wrapped anyway so in order to enjoy a burrito with the fixin's would have been difficult. We are used to getting free chips at Mexican restaurants, but not so here. They will offer you chips when greeted without mention of the charge. The chips were warm and delicious.

We always eat at this Mexican restaurant on the water near UW. Free parking after 6 p.m. in the lot across the street. Otherwise metered parking on the street. The prices have increased over the years. Probably not the cheapest for Mexican food but you can count on getting a good meal for under $15. Portions are generous. They serve the best salsa here. The salsa is free but you now have to pay for the basket of chips - $2.99. They have happy hour until 6 p.m. Popular with students and work crowd. We enjoy the views from the outdoor seating. Boats and barges, stand-up paddlers, canoes and kayaks, pass by. The restaurant has a paddle boat, kayak, board rental business so you can watch people go out and come in with their rentals.

Phenomenal Alaskan cod tacos for me. Quesadilla, nachos and steak Caesar all were great as well. Very good salsa, make sure you order chips at register. Order all food at register and then they bring to table. All good here!

Seriously good mexican food in very casual setting with water views. Outdoor seating available also.

Stopped here by chance. Great views from The restaurant. The tortilla chips and salsas were so delicious. You could eat the chips without the salsa and still yummy. Had the bacalao tacos. Crispy fish. Great taste! Definitely recommend it.

Latin american food with tacos, burritos etc. Very friendly and a "at home" feel. The portions are big and very good tasting. I had the Bakalao tacos which was perfect! Started the meal with a Margarita that put a nice sting to the evening. Inside it can be a bit noise with other guests and live music so if you prefer a more quiet time sit on the veranda out by the bay if possible.

Very tasty food, excellent homemade salsas, good & friendly table service! Beautiful view of the water - a fun, casual place!

This is an awesome place serving mexican food in the heart of the University of Washington. It is a lake side restaurant with amazing views and outside sitting area. The food portions are huge and free servings of three types of salsa varieties. The place is almost always crowded and there would be a waiting time. But the servers are helpful and cheerful. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the University.

The place was packed, obviously popular. Its location right on Lake Union gives it some nice views. Service was quick and efficient. Unfortunately, the food was not great...and that's why you go to a restaurant.

What a great surprise! It doesn’t look like much from the outside. Inside you have views of Lake Union amazing authentic food and the best margarita ever. Fun & helpful staff.

Best seafood we had in Seattle! Fish and shrimp tacos were perfect. Went around lunch and there was a line out the door- moved fast and we found a table on the patio. Listened to music and watched the kayakers and paddle boarders. Wonderful experience

Came here on the recomendation of a collegue and definitely was not disappointed. Had a plate of enchiladas; two chicken and one seafood. All were very good and flavorful. They have a salsa bar and all were very tasty. Was very busy.

Since this is rated as an excellent place for fish we all decided on fish for the main course By far not any of the meals rated high for us and unfortunately the server was new which added to the disappointment. She wasn't given very good training and didn't know a lot about the meals

We stopped in to eat here on a friend's recommendation that this restaurant concocted the "best Mexican food EVER." The restaurant and paddle club are close to a university campus, and the clientele ranged from bicycle riders to college kids to families with small children. The line at about 2 on a Saturday afternoon was out the door, and we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. The staff is friendly, and you order and pay for your food then it is delivered to your table. I had great expectations based upon the great recommendation and my love of Mexican food in Texas, but I was a little disappointed in the food here. I ordered fish tacos and a Cadillac margarita, and the price of the drink was as much as my entree. The margarita was nothing to write home about and for $10 bucks, I expected a better drink in a bigger glass. This is the only Mexican restaurant I have ever been to that did not offer free chips and salsa while you waited for your food. The fish tacos were just ok....an average size portion without that "HELLO there!" for your taste buds. There is outside seating and the view is pretty. Not much parking available. Ok to visit once, but not special enough to go back. There are better food options out there.

I've yet to have something I didnt' like. They have a great selection of drinks, a salsa bar, and a waterfront seating area. The prices are reasonable. Great place to have lunch on a beautiful day.

I went with a friend and my tween daughter on a sunny summer weekday for a late lunch (1:00 p.m.). There was a line out the door, which is usually a good sign. After a long wait, we finally arrived at the counter to place our order. I ordered the carnitas (shredded pork) tacos, and my daughter wanted just one carne asada taco a la carte. We were curtly told that they could only sell us the complete taco plates (three tacos, chips, coleslaw). I asked if I could just pay to have one extra taco added to my plate. "No," was the flat answer. My daughter decided not to eat anything, so I went ahead and paid for my plate of carnitas tacos and we all struggled to find a place to sit. We found a table inside in the middle of the room. It was so crowded and cramped that people kept accidentally banging into us as they tried to get between the tables. After a few minutes my daughter changed her mind and decided that yes, she wanted a plate of carne asada tacos. I quickly took my receipt and headed to the register to ask if we could add a plate of tacos to our order. "No, you can't add to your order. You have to go and get back into line," was the response. So, I got back into line and waited to order another plate of tacos. By the time I was done ordering my daughter's taco plate, my food had arrived at the table. The plate was strange in that there were three corn tortillas on the bottom in an overlapping row, with piles of shredded cabbage (nothing on it -- it wasn't coleslaw) on top, and then a small portion of pork on top of all of that. I had to remove most of the cabbage and make my own tacos. There was only enough meat to make two tacos, and the pulled pork (carnitas) was very dry and flavorless. I had to saturate it all in salsa to make it moist enough to get down. The chips were homemade, but not salted at all and a bit chewy/greasy. My daughter's plate of carne asada (steak) tacos arrived, and she had the same experience with her plate (full of plain cabbage and little meat), though her meat was stringy and greasy rather than dry and flavorless. A plate of tacos is $10.00, which is highly overpriced for the quality and portion size of the food (and the lack of table service). The counter service wasn't at all accommodating, the kitchen was slow (though they were busy, so that's understandable), and the atmosphere was crowded and loud (unless you manage to get one of the few tables on the deck outside where the view is splendid). It was nice that there was self-serve water and salsa bar with three salsa options (tomatillo/mild, chipoltle/medium, and habenero/hot). If you want really good tacos in Seattle, seek out an El Camion taco truck (or their restaurant in Ballard). Don't bother going to Agua Verde unless you've just paddled around Lake Union and are so hungry that you don't really care about the quality of the food. (I hear their margaritas are quite good, though I didn't try one.)

Pretty good food. WOuld recommend. Very fresh. The sauce was great. The portions were huge they even gave us complimentary chips.

I've been here many times, mostly on summer days when the fresh, tasty food is complemented by the view of kayakers, boaters, and wanderers basking in the delights of Seattle. Visitors love it as much as the natives who keep the place packed and lively.

Just had lunch with my wife and 4 months old daughter, on a Saturday late afternoon. There was no wait, but right after us, the place started to pick up. I ordered quesadilla w shrimp, and my wife ordered chicken tacos. For appetizers we had chips and guacamole. Both myself and wife loved our food, my quesadilla was the juiciest quesadilla I had in my life. They have three sauce pans that you can just have with your food and unlimited refills of those awesome sauces. Overall loved it

We stopped by on a hot Monday morning around noon. We each ordered a taco salad. The salads were very good. The lettuce and veggies were fresh and crisp. I would have preferred a little !more beans, but it was certainly acceptable just like it was. The tortilla bowl was good, although a little greasy. We ate outside on the deck and enjoyed watching people and boats on the water. We will definitely go back.

I love Agua Verde - their food is fantastic and the location is perfect. It can get really busy here, especially in the summer. When the main restaurant is packed, they have an outdoor area around the corner (same menu). I also enjoy going to their walk-up window and ordering a burrito to go. There is ample space to sit and enjoy the waterfront views at the little park nearby. My two complaints: their drinks are small and their prices are a bit too high.

This is a great place to eat with tasty food and reasonable prices. We have eaten here dozens of times and I cannot remember every having a bad meal. This is a casual restaurant with nice views of Portage Bay. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so be sure to try all three as there is something special for each. Their Breakfast Burritos are amazing but my favorite for dinner are their Gorditas. So good!

Seemingly isolated location, although super convenient for those working around the medical center. I found the portions to be a bit small, but the food was delicious. The horchata was great!

All tacos are awesome. Sauces on the side are free, and plentiful. Nachos are fresh and tasty Salmon tacos are the most incredible thing you will eat here.

Our party of 9 (5 adults and 4 kids) really enjoyed dinner in this casual spot with a fantastic view. The entrees were delicious and the house-made salsa bar (especially the chipotle version) was a nice touch. I'd recommend for an easy night out.

I was there yesterday for a business affair. I had a Carne Asada taco, and an Al Pastor taco. Both were lovely. I tried the Tunarita lima magarita. It's a lime margarita with nopal 'prickly pear' cactus fruit juice. I enjoyed the meal!

Great location. Good food. Great salsa Bar. Reasonable prices. All three of us enjoyed the whole experience and is now our top of the list Mexican food out choice.

OK, so it is not major restaurant food, but I review places for what they are, not against every other place I’ve visited. This is a quick lunch or dinner kind of place, not a table cloth and table service place although they do deliver your food when it is ready. Aqua Verde is perched right about Lake Union and the Paddle Club. Very casual, near the University so lots of students but families and couples find it popular as well. I usually go for the basic Margarita Lima and burrito or whatever sounds good that day. The food is quickly prepared (very busy kitchen you can watch while ordering your food) and the staff is very helpful. The tables on the deck fill up quickly on a sunny day but a small party of 2 can usually get a table there and the indoor tables still have a nice view and feel. Two quirky things- if you order a drink, they give you a poker chip to give the wait person when they give it to you. I assume this is a way to assure the Epson who showed an ID is the person picking up the drink but even that doesn’t make a lot of sense- I just found it funny, not annoying. The other thing is they put “reserved” signs on the tables near the rail on the deck. But they don’t take reservations- it is a hop in hop out kinnda place. A woman at the table next to me asked a wait person about the sings and she said you could sit there – no reservation- so not sure how that practice evolved. So be bold! Or ask. Don’t assume you can’t sit at a reserved table. And then get down to the paddle club and enjoy the lake or walk to the small adjacent park or hook up with the nearby Multi-Rec Burke Gilman Trail which goes for miles. they also do take-out so you could pack a lunch for the bike ride or hike.

We walked here from the Gas Works park. After looking and walking around a beautiful park. We were hungry and decided to walk around and find a place to eat and we found this great Mexican restaurant with an amazing view. We sat outside and had a house salad, delicious soup and chips and salsa! Delicious! Service so so!

A last-minute plan to meet a friend near UW brought us to Agua Verde. We were lucky to find a patio table just opening on a Saturday night after a football game. No waiting, and chips and guacamole quickly followed. The four of us thought the menu selection was very good, and together we had an enchilada plate, pork tacos, a huge chicken quesadilla and an excellent fresh salad with oranges and almonds. The salsas are a standout. Definitely try the variety on offer at the salsa bar. It was busy when we arrived but the staff were attentive, friendly and helpful. They even mixed up a custom drink of jamaica and rum, which was excellent. The margaritas were just average, though, so trying an alternative is a good idea.

we arrived 11:45 and were lucky to get a table. Seems to be very popular but the reason must be a lack of other opportunities, it can definitely not be the quality of food. Although we like mexican food and have a sympathy for a certain 'southamerican' touch when it comes to organization - we were very disappointed by the first while the second was by far above expectations. I would not want to spend a single cent there again.

Great food. Heard about the place for a long time. Finally got to visit here. Everything great, fun atmosphere, yummy food. Only suggestion is to leave out the sugar, syrup or agave out of the salsa then the whole experience is 110+!

We had lunch here today. I had shrimp tacos, my daughter had chicken tacos and my wife had vegetarian enchiladas, all were quite good.The outside is very unassuming and you wait on line to order. You pick up drinks when you order then later the staff brings the food. There is a counter to pick up utensils, napkins etc. So it is somewhat self service. Very good food that you can eat outside overlooking the water. It is in the U district so I imagine it can get very busy during the school year. Even though it is between semesters it was busy at lunch today and we got there before noon.

It's a 1.5 hour round-trip kayak to the Arboretum. Get *clear* instructions before you go. The entrance isn't at all obvious.

I go here a lot because it's right next to my work. But I never get tired of the fresh and modern Mex. It's delicious.

Went for lunch--with probably too high of expectations after being here several times for dinner in the past. First of all, lunch prices are overpriced for what we ordered. Second, we got a great table overlooking the water--but it took asking several workers to get our table cleaned from the last people. And the worker that came to pick up the dirty dishes, seemed annoyed that he had to come clean the table. And he didn't even clean up everything. Yuck! This was quite disappointing as we were bringing in family from out of town. Won't go back for lunch.

Agua Verde is one of the best Mexican food restaurants in the area. Located near the University of Washington's main campus, on the Mont Lake Cut which provides a great view of people using the water way while you enjoy a very Delicious meal. There menu is well balanced with great choices and even some not so well known dishes that are great. Parking can be a problem due areas reserved for permit parking only. DON'T think of parking in a permit only lot unless you have a permit. The campus police checks often and you get a parking ticket. In my opinion, walking a block or two is worth it as the meals are delicious and worth the walk. Portions are large so you may have to take some home for the next quick meal. If you're in the University District and wanting a good meal - give them a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Wanna go barefoot? Rent a kayak first? Get takeout and eat on the restaurant property? Agua Verde jump started a business/vacation in the university sector of this lovely city, the air fragrant with early summer blooms and Mexican mole and pepper spices. An appetizer of local oysters had me salivating and remembering my childhood days on the Louisiana gulf. A talented cook dredged the mollusk babies in the coarsest and most flavorful masa, melding perfectly the taste of corn and sea. I loved the agua fresca de lima y pina, made on-site. Then came the entrees--Hubby wisely picked the choose three enchiladas and promptly shared the humongous entree. I ordered the three sides and corn tortillas... which now took me to Guatemala and delicate, hand-rolled wonders...I loved the contrast between my cactus salad--spicy--and my fruity and creamy cherry slaw. We were too full to sample the homemade Key Lime pie. Maybe next time. Service was a bit leisurely and my hubby's margarita was a bit watery...but the quality local food outshone these deficits...and hey, low-key works just fine when you're overlooking a beautiful Washington lake.

We were at the boathouse featured in the book, "Boys in the Boat". We asked where a nearby lunch place might be. Overwhelmingly Agua Verde Cafe was recommended. We were not disappointed. The place was packed, and I must admit I was disappointed at the complexity of getting in line to wait. However, the wait was so worth it. We both ordered the Mangodilla. The combination of a quesadilla with mango, roasted poblano, green onion, and monterey jack and cheddar cheeses was wonderful. View from the deck was nice, and the service was excellent once we got in. Worth the wait, worth the visit, and not real expensive.

Good mexican food, probably little overpriced. Bay view, heated patio. During the lunch it works in a self-serve cafeteria mode,

I LOVE AGUA VERDE! GIVE ME THE FOOD NOW!!!! Sorry - Hi. This food is good. Seriously good. I mean it's probably not the best Mexican food you will ever eat, but its good, with an amazing view, and amazing atmosphere. We had our rehearsal dinner here down on the board walk and it was a beautiful meal. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes food.

Nice views from the deck! The food was quickly delivered and tasty. The sweet chipotle salsa is yummy with a kick. The pollo al carbon tacos were very good with the pineapple salsa, and the chocolate cake was dreamy!

15 years ago I discovered this restaurant when I worked at the University of Washington and it was just steps away. I would meet my wife and we would go down to the "to-go" window and order a few fish tacos, chips and salsa and a water for about $6 and share it as we ate at a park table by the water. Even at that time it was really busy but not like it is now. I just went back last week and I can say it's every bit as good as I remember. The food is hearty and cheap. One in our group didn't eat gluten and was vegetarian and there were plenty of options (yam tacos for instance). We were seated in the outdoor area and the view is absolutely stunning. I had the fish tacos (fried) and they were delicious if not overly filling. Next time, I would opt for the baked fish instead. There are still some cons to this place. It's busy as all get out and at all times (It's been featured on countless TV shows and best-of guides so it's no secret anymore). You probably won't get the back porch seating as there are only a few seats, so that means tiny tables and waiters buzzing all around. The line situation is needlessly convoluted but front desk person was helpful. There is also a back bar area to wait for your seat and suck down $9 margaritas (just remember to get your drinks before going back there). All-in-all, it's fantastic food and drink. It's also a very unique Seattle experience for not a lot of money. Take an hour and walk down the Burke-Gilman trail after dinner to work off all those chips and tacos.

Had the lemon cod burrito and it was excellent, and quick service. Queue out the door because it was lunch time. Sat outside looking over the water - great atmosphere.

Good Mexican in a fun location. You can also rent paddle boats to explore Lake Union. Good drinks too. Be prepared to wait - even more so when the Seattle weather turns sunny & warm.

3 OF US stopped for lunch on a sunny, warm day. They are not open for lunch in the cool months. Linewas out the door but moved quickly. Once inside you choose what you want, pay, get your numbered placard, go to counters and gather condiments, water and find a table in or outside. They will bring order to you. We had Fish tacos, they offer several types of fish. All was fun and delicious. A little high but what did you expect in Seattle , on the water with the entertainment of water traffic including the Kayaks, other boats and birds.

Close to our parking garage for the Husky game, we saw this place and thought it was strictly paddle board rentals. After seeing the great reviews on TA, we went in. Delicious tacos, great service, wonderful view. What's not to like?

The atmosphere is great, right by water, and food is really wonderful (something for everyone, my favorite is anything with fish variety). The only issue with this place is that it gets way too crowded and almost impossible to get a table. There is a to-go counter (which isn't any faster, but still).

We enjoy coming here when weather is not great to enjoy the water view but if we go kayaking we drop by here for a beer and food.

What a great little spot overlooking the water on Portage Bay. We ate at the Cantina and enjoyed tasty tacos and a fun drinks menu. We will definitely be back

I had pork carnitas street tacos, and I liked them very much. I just don’t like restaurants like this that provide no service. You place your order standing at the counter, find your own seat, get up again after you realize you have to get your own utensils and napkins. They do deliver the food to the table! Then you have to bus your own table. It felt like going to a school cafeteria rather than a restaurant. The food was good, as was the waterside location, so if you don’t mind doing everything yourself, you might like it.

Love the design, lights, windows and general ambiance. The view of Lake Union is fantastic. We sat at a side table on the small deck, which was quieter (it's very popular) and more private. It was an excellent experience. Food and two cocktails was a little high. Because it was my first time there, I'll order more judiciously next time! Highly recommend for an evening just before sunset. Lovely experience.

I had the Alaskan Cod and Shrimp Encinitas with Beans and Rice with a Margarita. Awesome. We sat on the deck with friends and shared empanadas and calamari. Most of us enjoyed our meals and the weather was heavenly...not too hot and not too cold. My husband ordered the chicken enchiladas and said they were a bit blah but loved the salsas. Located right on Lake Union, many people take advantage of the paddle boat rentals there. It was a great place to end our day of fun. And, there is free parking across the street! You rarely find that in Seattle. One thing the restaurant doesn't tell you about however. They post their hours as 9am-9pm but they close around 3:30pm to reset tables and reopen again at 4:00pm. We got there at this time and had to wait to get in. Just a small detail you'll want to plan for if you have a large party or your dining schedule is tight.

Went here with a couple of work friends after a long flight from London. A bit sleepy we choose this place an we were not disappointed. Had a margarita to drink while waiting for the food and with the jet lag it really kicked in...to eat I had a couple different tacos (fish, meat etc) and they were very tasty but could have been just a bit larger portions. The place is a bit noisy when it is crowded but it only ads to the atmosphere and I would go back again next time.

So the important part first- Great Food. A good location close to UW, but parking is a huge pain most of the time. Learning how the system works to get your food order is not as clear as it probably should be. Depending on when you visit they have differing practices on how they seat people. If you see a line out the door...check to make sure that is not just the bar line vs seating. Don't count on finding wait staff coming to your table very often once you do find a place (at least when they are busy). Skip paying extra for their stale chips, I guess when your close to a campus you can't offer anything for free your you might get eaten out of business? The food won't look fancy, but it all does taste good with good American sized portions.

The food is excellent but the service has so many rules and they are mysteries, it is impossible to get a table or figure out where you need to order or what. Happy to order food for table service, just tell me that's what needs to happen.

I’ve heard about this place on Evening Magazine and have wanted to try it for some time now. The location along the Portage Bay waterfront in the U-District offers no parking. Patrons should not park in any of the UW’s parking lots or they risk a hefty ticket. The cafe’s lunch service requires you to place your order first. It can be difficult to figure decipher the menu and decide what you want, but if you go at lunchtime, you’ll have plenty of time standing in the order line to do that. The dining room is colorful but the seating and the table arrangements can make it so you’re sitting very close to other people. They have a self service salsa bar which is open and not very well protected from the patrons. The food is eventually brought to your table. We had street tacos and they seemed bland and dry. I was surprised that they were not more spicy but maybe in the U District which is known for its faux ethnic foods, that’s par for the course. The staff speaks Spanish and they were very friendly and nice to deal with. The facility has a nice view of the water and the marina. The food is basically just average in taste and quality. I think I try it again and see if other dishes are more spicy.

Tried this place on a beautiful evening (after happy hour) because of a friend's recommendation. It was a fun, casual atmosphere, and the view from the deck was great! The huge bowl of chips they brought was wonderful - and they kept them coming. The guac we ordered, however, was a ridiculously small portion size with a ~$6 price tag. No thanks. Our entrees were only ok. It is a kid friendly place, but kids meals are quite pricey (~$7 and not that great). Everyone in our party ordered either fish tacos or the fish burrito...both salmon and the beer battered fish. Meh.

Located on the university waterfront, this restaurant is very popular. It was packed when we got there. There is an outdoor deck where you can take your drink and some chips and go sit to wait for your table. Lots of activity to watch on the water. Our wait was about 30 minutes and they got us seated right on time. Very mexican. No frills but the food was really good. I had the mango quesadilla with a side of guacamole ... highly recommend it. The burritos received a high five from those who ordered them at our table. All in all, very good food, Efficient service for a busy place. Not a high end place but reasonably priced and great food.

Not as good as I remember from 12 years ago. Chicken gorditas are bland and house margaritas are pretty blah. 3 different salsa selections and you can help yourself.green tomatillo, chipotle and a spicier red. I was disappointed. View off the deck of Portage Bay was the redeeming factor.

We had our last meal on our holiday in Seattle at Agua Verde and weren't disappointed. We ordered two kids burritos which were generous portions and also two adult meals which were all delicious. The views from the deck were lovely and we'd thoroughly recommend this place.

Unique menu (I had sweet potato-based tacos), Excellent Salsa (three kinds, first rate), great chips, hole-in-the-wall ambience. Wonderful tastes, friendly service. I'm a fan for life. I plan on bringing friends and family back over and over...

We (family of four ages 23 - 63) with varying diet preferences (one vegetarian, one ulta-spicy guy, etc) all left happy! Service was VERY good. Chips were delicious and still warm. They were so good, I ate every last crumb. All of our entrees were also consumed post-haste. We will return!

The location is charming and a lot of folks I know certainly seem to love the food here, but after having visited a number of times over the past few years, I have to just admit that I don't like the food here very much and call it a day. The "tacos", as they are called on the menu, are really more like open-faced enchiladas. Three corn tortillas are laid side by side on the plate, slightly overlapping, with all the taco filling spread out over the top of of the tortillas and then covered in thick, gooey sauce. If you enjoy eating tacos with a fork then this is your place. I ordered the yam tacos. The yam filling was actually tasty, but the greasy, wet, cold tortillas and the overbearing, heavy sauce poured over everything made eating these tacos really difficult and unpleasant. Additionally, my side serving of chips was mostly chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag. On a brighter note: they do seem to have figured out a better ordering system than what they had in the past, the staff is pretty friendly, and the fresh salsas and alcoholic drinks here are consistently good. I think I'm done, though.

Great Mexican and lots of river activity. Makes the wait time interesting. Margaritas and salsa choices very good with well prepared food. We read service was poor but experienced good service. I'll be back!

Best shrimp taco I have ever eaten. Friendly staff. Quick service. On the water. They used a plastic mango to identify our table rather than a number, which I thought was weird, but funny.

This on-site cafe offers Mexican fare. The portion sizes are "American" (i.e., LARGE). I had a pollo burrito. It was a little spicy so read the menu carefully if you don't like/can't handle spice. The extra spicy salsa was amazing. The different salsas are available as a free condiment.

The first thing we noticed when we walked in was that there was a table of about 12 policemen having dinner. If the cops like it here, then it must be good! This restaurant is located right on the water! You can sit outside in nice weather and enjoy the view! We sat inside where there was an open table. The wait staff were attentive. We enjoyed the different salsas they offer with chips. We ordered several different dinners, and all were good. None were overly spicy, which was good for some of us. A few others in our party would have liked more spice. Although this place doesn't quite measure up to the more authentic Mexican we get at home, we enjoyed the food here and would return.

Fresh, authentic masa, real-deal Oaxacan cheese, richly-flavored salsas and sauces, thoughtfully-sourced ingredients, aguas frescas, and agua fresca mezcal cocktails--oh my! This lovely cafe and longtime U-district establishment has a wonderful new manager and chef, and we were thrilled with the results. Did I mention the perfect location right on the waterfront at the Boat Street edge of the U-district? This would make an awesome pregame stop for Husky fans, sweet midday getaway for UW students and staff, and a lovely venue for gatherings and celebrations. Please do give this great place a try if you are looking for delicious Mexican food where the focus is on thoughtfully-sourced ingredients, unique while authentic flavors (e.g. house-made masa crafted with maiz sourced from Oaxaca, a team that travels around Mexico for inspiration for new dishes, and that seeks out organically grown ingredients wherever possible), and flavor, flavor, flavor. My husband ordered the machete, which was kind of like a huarache or sope, except bigger, and folded like a quesadilla, stuffed with authentic Oaxacan cheese, and perfectly grilled steak and peppers. I had butternut squash enchiladas made with house-made, fresh-masa corn tortillas, a DELICIOUS, creamy butternut squash sauce, stuffed generously with grilled veggies, and topped with a pretty sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. The creamy and flavorful whole beans (no refried bean mush here!) were the perfect complement. The dish reminded me of the chiles en nogada I enjoyed while in Oaxaca, except the infusion of butternut squash in the sauce added a wonderful hint of sweetness that balanced so nicely with the peppers. We stopped in to eat just before closing, and had the good fortune to be able to chat with the new manager, Juan. He provided amazing service, and described some of the exciting new changes to the restaurant, such as the fact that there is now full casual patio dining in the warmer seasons to fully capitalize on the beautiful waterfront location, and even more authentic and varied Mexican flair to the food and beverage menus, with inspirations from Oaxaca, Jalisco, and Mexico City. Thank you, Agua Verde, for being a sweet surprise, and filling our bellies with an excellent Saturday night dinner! If we lived in the area, we'd be back at least a few times a week. Please open a sister restaurant in Bellingham...

Whenever we go to Agua Verde for breakfast there is a line for take-out but hardly anyone eats inside. This is the perfect time to order your food at the takeout window (the only part that is open in the mornings), then go inside and take a seat by the windows. You might have the entire place to yourself. Their menu is mostly burritos and a few freshly baked muffins or pastries but it is all delicious. The chicken omelette with roasted potatoes is my favorite. You can spice it up with their fresh salsas. The crew will be preparing for the lunch rush so it is a chill time to relax and enjoy the view of the water. It's basically self-service and everything will come in compostable take-out containers. Linger over a latte or splurge and try the rich, sweet champurrado - a thick Mexican chocolate drink made with atole.

Agua Verde is a cute Mexican restaurant sitting on Lake Union right next to UW. You order and pay at the counter right when you come in and the server brings your food to your table! You pick up your drinks at the drink counter...the margaritas are excellent! Sit outside and enjoy views of Lake Union with the house boats and kayakers. For kayaking, head to the Agua Verde Paddle Club directly below the restaurant! This place fills up quickly, especially on a gorgeous day and/or weekend, so be sure to get there early!

fabulous food, great location and a fun atmosphere. for this location, near the U, it can't be beat.

Delicious authentic mexican fare in a quaint atmosphere with a Kayak rental below on Lake Union. Who could ask for more! Well worth the usual wait.

Sad......I've been coming here several times a week for coffee, breakfast burritos and lunch for over a decade. All have declined: the friendly staff have largely be replaced by staff who are clearly not well trained: the new baristas specialize in producing weak diner coffee when a double short Americano is ordered, the prices for food have shot up and the quality and size of the serving has plummeted. I waited 30 mins at the to go window for lunch tacos-when I ordered when there was no line. The "old" AV had its faults for sure, but now I choose to take visitors elsewhere.

I've eaten here twice in the past couple of weeks; once for lunch and once for breakfast. The food is pretty good but not great and not close enough to push it to above average. Its a great alternative to the other places near UW. The inside dining area is very simple but the view can be amazing on a sunny day (looking out to Portage Bay). The service was good as well.

This is a wonderful place to eat good Mexican food with amazing views of Portage Bay/Lake Union. Unless you are there before 11:15 I suggest you be prepared to wait in line to order and the line goes outside and runs down the sidewalk. Once you order you can grab a table but you can not reserve a table or grab a table before you eat. If you want to sit a large party then make sure they are all there together and the establishment will sit you at one of “their” reserve tables. The reserve tables are not for you to reserve it’s reserved by ownership and they fill the table with groups sizes of 6 or more. They also serve alcohol but it’s a family friendly place to eat and relax. They have a walkup Order window outside for people to order TO GO so you don’t have to wait in line to order inside. After you eat there is the paddle shop below to rent kayaks, canoes etc.

A really interesting menu. It is not TexMex or Southwest but perhaps more Central Mexican. Really interesting drinks like tamarindo and horchata. The view is great. The furniture a bit tired. The service is a counter service with self service for first water and silverware. The complex and diverse menu does not lend itself well to this kind if service.

Might be worth combining with a Kayak tour. Otherwise there are better food and kayak options on the south end of the lake

just a shack really. Mexican food that was okay but not great. Noisy inside but very nice outside seating and great views of the boats and water. very casual and fun.

I have been here twice and will not go again. The food is just bad; the great view doesn`t compensate for the bad food. This time, the taco de carnitas was drowned, drowned in a vinegary barbecue sauce that left vinegar burn on my tongue and made me sorry I had gone. It's overpriced, too. If you must go, go on a nice day, sit on the terrace and get chips and a beer. The salsas are good. Food is bad. Tables are not bussed. In fact, nothing is done for you at all, aside from getting the food plunked on your table. The location is great, view is great, this place could be so much more... but it ain't, and I`ve got a stomachache to prove it.

I tried Agua Verde as it was recommended to me by a friend due to its nice location and good food. And I must admit, that he is totally right! The location, right at Potrage Bay is spectacular. Nice views from the terrace and the bar. Service, food and drinks are awsome. I had the Cadillac Margarita to beginn and had to order a second one right away. The Mangodilla, a fresh Quesadilla with mango slices was yummy. On my second visit I tasted some Mezcal cocktails and had the Butternut Squash Enchilada. Everything fresh! This is definetly my favourite place in Seattle for mexican cuisine!

Long wait for old school flavorless food, stalw chips, bad drinks. In the plus side, once they rake your order food comes quick.

The Agua Verde Cafe does tasty, fresh Mexican food. It is situated in a nice wooden building that faces out onto Portage Bay, and is surrounded by buildings of the University of Washington campus. The restaurant also has a bar area which is colorful and bright, with murals on the walls. There is a deck which is covered over by a greenhouse conservatory which is nice and warm and allows you to eat with good views of the lake, its boats and an attractive bridge. There is an outside deck, too, for warmer days. A nice thing about this restaurant is that the staff are all friendly and easy to talk to. It really feels like a homely restaurant and attracts families and students alike.

Loved the fish tacos, but it was so noisy that you could not hold a conversation with the person across from you. They have stuffed so many tables into a small area and the noise was deafening. It was a relief to get out of there.

I can honestly say this is the worse Mexican restaurant to which I've ever been! They charge for the chips and you have to fetch your own salsa which you squirt into a paper pill cup! Not good! The salsa itself is passable. The Margaritas are supposed to be but are made from a set recipe. I requested a hand made one; this totally threw them off. What they brought was pitiful. I switched to Mexican beer. The food was poorly prepared. My enchiladas were dry and not very traditional! I tried to order a-la-carte but was told that was not possible! That is a new one on me for a Mexican restaurant! We were seven people and they brought one basket of chips, hard for some of us to reach. Since we were mire than five diners, there was a mandatory gratuity! This place is near the university. Maybe these oddities can be contributed to the fact that the clientele are mainly college students. My animas started when we walked up and the full name is Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Room! Salute!

Place your order with the delightful lady at the counter, pick up your beverage, and go find a table. Well, maybe you should stake out a good table first. We got one outside on the railing overlooking the water with a view of the houseboats across the way, along with lots of boats and waterfowl. And scenery. The atmosphere is very informal, which is fine. All the focus is on the food, which is where it should be. I had the Bacalao - fried Alaskan cod in a coconut beer tempura with among other things their superb avocado sauce. The cod was very light with no greasy deep fried flavor. Three tacos, but not an overwhelming amount of food. Excellent dish! One of my nieces had Nachos Agua Verde, which included cactus in the filling. She practically licked her plate clean. 😀 All in all, an excellent lunch. Great kitchen. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed a fresh, light and colorful salad. Friendly service and food quality. Definitely recommend for relaxed dining.

Excellent Mango rita. Generous portions...Chipotle salsa was tasty but not my favorite. Stick to delicious green chile. College atmosphere.

Has outdoor seating to a beautiful part of the lake- lots of boaters and paddle boarders. Food was good- everyone liked their dish. Service so so- they brought onions in my potato side even though I told them I have an allergy. They brought one person their biscuit and not the other two people. A bit sloppy there but worth the visit for the view alone in good weather!

Agua Verde is a good value restaurant that overlooks the water on the UW campus. Often times the line meanders out the door, but it moves quickly. The food is tasty and the service is quick and efficient. The salsa bar has a variety of options to flavor your Mexican dish. Lots of college students and a number of Montlake neighbors.

While we ate through our guac and chips (had to order more guac) and our food was delicious, it was the drinks that had us swooning. Not at all disappointed.

I love their chard rice, and I love sitting outside watching people try to stand up on a paddleboard. Delicious Mexican food with a great salsa bar & outdoor seating! Reasonably priced, too. It's not dirty cheap, but it's very fair.

This place was fantastic! We were a little concerned after walking 20 minutes to get there only to see a super long line out the door! Not to worry, it moves fast. You enter and order & pay for your meal and then sit down. It is help yourself style for napkins, utensils, water and salsa. The food is brought to your table when ready. The Elote is amazing - get one! We also enjoyed the guacamole, quesadillas and of course tacos! They have a full bar and I recommend the prickly pear margarita! The restaurant is located on the water so the views are beautiful. Highly recommend!!

This is another enthusiastic endorsement. We were in need of some fine Mexican food and found it here. Good drinks, good spirit to the place, ... good everything.

This restaurant, overlooking the ship channel in Seattle, near UW, is an informal place, with a great view and great food. We have eaten here several times and have not been disappointed. Get the the restaurant early as it fills up fast! We have eaten lunch and dinner here--menu is similar--and enjoyed both.

The prices are too high here, for what you get, And the service is not great. I ordered a quesadilla, and it was mediocre. It had very little of anything in it. I ordered steak, which was an extra $8, and there was very little meat added to it. It arrived with literally ONE tablespoon of pico de gallo, and ONE tablespoon of sour cream. This quesadilla was over priced at $13.50 for the plain quesadilla, and $8 extra for meat... a $23 appetizer. Still, had to pay $2.25 extra for one small cup of guacamole! I ordered a black coffee, which was on the menu for $1.85, but they actually charged $2.25, "because prices had gone up. " Ok, so change your menus. Service was terrible. I never got cream or sugar. I waited for the server to come back for a coffee refill, but finally had to get up and go to the front with my cup, to get a second cup of coffee. Skip this place. There are too many other great mexican cafe's with better food, and more reasonable prices. To charge $23 for a quesadilla, it should be really great.

Just came back from visiting family in Seattle...they took us to their friends' restaurant, Agua Verde. What a gem. We enjoyed waterfront dining/drinks on the patio. Just how we like it: a casual, easy-breezy atmosphere, with a great view and EXCELLENT food. Their Baja-inspired natural food menu items are prepared by families including different generations who use authentic recipes from their homelands. Their margaritas are really good, too!

Went here as we fancied some authentic Mexican, and reviews on another site seemed pretty good.... Very popular (seems to have a bit of a cult status) but we experienced most of the bad things in other reviews here and few of the good. Confusion over queuing system. Lady who seated us abrupt/rude (I would say greeted/seated but she didn't) Wrong orders Luke warm food Noisy Margherita pretty weak Beers (two wrong orders) pretty tasteless Having said that the food was pretty authentic, the view (we jagged a table outside) nice for a summer evening. On balance there have to be better places to eat!

We stopped here for a late lunch and had some great Mexican. The tacos were delicious and the margaritas were large and well salted! Would imagine the location is quite beautiful in the summer!

Can't beat the view in his joint. lunch can be hectic: usually line. we went at 2 pm so the lunch crowd had died down. it's bit overpriced but the flavors were good. had the burrito: steak / rice proportion as good. the diablo salsa was excellent. love the heat! I've kayaked from here a few times also. they are very organized. they show you the places you might like to explore. kayaks are well maintained. it's a great way to enjoy the bay / lake each summer!

My brother chose this place for a Sunday evening thank-you-for-hosting-us-for-the-weekend dinner and was the only one who had ever been here. Primarily a lunch spot for some of his coworkers, he suggested it as a pretty family-friendly economical restaurant. We had a party of 8 to which they automatically added an 18% gratuity but frankly I would have added 20% it was so good. We opted to wait 35 minutes to get a table on the patio overlooking the boats and the water and we recommend that as it can get warm in the restaurant. We started with two orders of home made chips and guacamole which as everyone else has said is fresh and a good size and has a bit of kick in the form of some type of peppers. Salsas are serve-yourself from one of four large bowls in the restaurant- green, mild, medium, hot and habanero which for me had a nice kick but not super crazy though my niece and nephew would argue that. The chips are plentiful for $6.50 so you don't feel ripped if you eat them all and have no room for dinner. Thankfully my daughter and I split the Bacalao burrito and half was more than enough, almost too much if you have a starter. Is this authentic Mexican? Probably not 100% but boy is it good and is it filling! Other choices at the table: chicken burrito-also huge and filling, steak fajitas for one split by two, and steak nachos. The single order of fajitas comes with three warm rolled up tortilla shells which are pretty small and not enough really unless you overstuff all of them. We had to order a second set- can't recall if we got charged for that or not but it would have been fine either way. The steak nachos were a bit goopy and it could be hard to find the chips on occasion as they are buried way underneath steak, jalapenos, cheese, beans, sauce, dressing and whatever else was in there. None of us had room for dessert. Also- recommend the special Cerveza - very nice oversize lager for $6. Goes perfectly with the habanero salsao... All in all, the best place to spend a Sunday evening for dinner- free parking on the street and all!

Aside from the connected paddle club, we were not sure the draw of this place once we started eating. While the location is pretty, the prices were steep, ESPECIALLY compared to how it tasted. Two of us got margaritas - a classic over ice and a blended mango. Neither had almost any flavor (we are not sure how that's possible) and probably very little alcohol but were $9.50 & $9.75. No one was really thrilled with their food. I told my boyfriend his taco things smelled good but he said they had no flavor (again, how is that possible?). We liked their chips & salsa and my cesar salad was good but it's also hard to mess that up.

Recommended by a local. Best vegetarian enchilada I have ever eaten. Friendly staff ( I forgot my phone and our waiter chased us into the parking lot in the rain to give it to me) , delicious food, beautiful view right on the water. Try to go before the sun sets so you can see the great view. This is a picture of the seafood, vegetarian and cheese enchiladas.

Went there last night and had a great first impression, what a view and location! But all aspects of my food were bland, the beans, rice and even my enchiladas. This was disappointing especially because I had heard such wonderful reviews.

Great set by the water and have some Mexican food place. Late afternoon and early evening place to take your student and you'll enjoy it.

We had dinner here with friends after a Mariners baseball game. It was crowded and they don't take reservations. We settled for a table near the patio because we didn't want to wait 45 min for a patio table. They do have pagers so that you can wander off and enjoy the lakeshore while you are waiting. The food was excellent - all four of us really enjoyed our meals. The room was crowded and noisy, but the servers were all on their toes. A great place for a summer dinner.

This place was suggested by a friend and we were not disappointed. It is a short ride by taxi ($15) from the city centre and although it can be busy finding a table was not a problem. Keep in mind that this is not a posh restaurant but authentic is was I was after. Food is a Mexican but can be with a touch of Seattle too (Salmon Ahumado). I also tried Horchata for the first time and it was excellent. Home made chilly sauces were lovely. Prices are reasonable (we paid $15 per person) and the surrounding area by the lake is a treat if the weather is nice. The only thing I did not like was that dishes are served with doritos you find in a bag from the supermarket. I'd prefer something more authentic instead.

Bluebird Spring day in Seattle and I wanted to check out the new light rail stop at 42nd and Brooklyn, my old stomping grounds. Reviewing some lunch choices I settled on this cafe hugging Portage Bay even though I knew it would be a four-five block walk. So I hit University Books and made my way down Brooklyn, finding the cafe easily. Order at the counter entrance, so good to review choices on-line first. I had the "Baja" fish tacos and a strawberry Horchata. Price seemed very reasonable. I was eating a late lunch so had no problem getting a table with a view of the water despite the lively crowd. Food was delivered to my table quickly and was piping hot. Staff was universally cheerful and energetic. The rice was average but the Pinto Beans were on par with what I ate growing up in New Mexico. Delicious. Tacos were a bit on the dry side but I ate every bite and the nearby salsa bar helped. Next time I would get food to go and walk a few steps to the attractive waterfront park that is adjacent to the cafe. It had lots of seating options and some picnic tables. All in all, a great meal. One caution, do not walk down Pacific Blvd. expecting to find the Husky Stadium light rail. Oh, it's there all right, but access for pedestrians is a lot more complex than it looks like on a map especially with road construction.(The access is from the U of WA campus property above the road, not the road if you know what I mean) I got really lost and, at one point, trapped in a University of Washington courtyard, because none of the building doors open without a key card any longer. Absolutely best to go back up Brooklyn to the light rail.

I first visited Agua Verde some seventeen years ago. It has stood the test of time because the food is great, the atmosphere is charming and the staff are amazing. After a long haitus, we had a lovely meal overlooking the water. Our waiter has worked there for fifteen years, which speaks volumes about the establishment as well. For a real treat, kayak over from Lake Union, enjoy a tasty nosh and be sure to sample one of their many fresh margaritas.

Sunny days in Seattle are precious gifts to be enjoyed. One of the best ways is to be active and dine outside. You can do both at Agua Verde, which offers kayak and SUP rentals on the lower level and a Mexican cantina complete with outdoor deck on the upper level. Combining an outing on the water with a meal and cold drink afterwards is pure heaven. This visit was for dinner only, as my companions weren't into self-propelled boating. Their loss, but we still enjoyed our meal. There was a wait for an outside table, but we were given a pager and enjoyed a stroll along the waterfront in the meantime. The menu is extensive, with lots of interesting choices. Prices are a little on the high side, but the atmosphere is worth it. The food itself is good but not outstanding. The overall experience is two thumbs up.

Where NE 15th Street dumps into Union Bay on the south side of the UW campus is a delightful patio style Mexican cafe. Good menu, I enjoyed the chicken enchiladas, flan, and Baja style margarita. Indoor and outdoor seating for every season. Kayak and paddle board rentals nearby to augment tour day. Enjoy!

This is a restaurant/bar on the water that also does kayak hire. I hung out in the bar (on the deck) whilst friends were or on the water. The service was slow but polite, the beer tasty but only 2 on draught - and they put lime in my dark beer. Why? I had chips & salsa - the chips were OK but the three salsas were all underwhelming, very watery & mild. Overall ok - lovely view but unless you're they're for the kayaks, not worth the trip just for food.

We re-visited Agua Verde several years after a great experience there. While the location and view remain highlights, this restaurant was lacking in almost every other aspect. The building itself is tired and not particularly clean. Drinks were incredibly weak. Our server was inattentive and difficult to find when we needed to modify our order. Food was ok, but lacked visual appeal and didn't seem terribly fresh. Sad to say it, but we wouldn't advise eating here.

Very long wait. Mediocre service. Quality of food has gone down drastically... Don't even try any of the cocktails... very bad. We'll not be going back to this place.

We go here after work when we can. It's crowded when the weather is nice. But the food and drinks and fresh salsas are great!

If you're on the University of Washington campus or anywhere nearby, do drop into the Aqua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club overlooking Portage Bay and some of Seattle's famous house boats. Time arrival for lunch not later than 11:30am or after 1pm, to avoid the hordes of university students, staff and faculty members who head for this spot at noon. Great porch overlooking the water and constant boat traffic between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. Just a few steps away, choose one of a fleet of kayaks for rent, if you feel like inspecting the house boats closer up. Nephew Ryan from Toronto awarded the food, "Best Mexican ever." I'll add - don't miss the key lime pie.

This was a short walk from our hotel and the cafe is right on the water. The food was tasty and fresh. The outlook was tremendous. This was a great recommendation from an acquaintance and I give it top marks. I would like to go back and try a margarita.

My best friend and I visited Agua Verde for lunch one day while I was staying in Seattle and I must say I was not impressed. We were referred here by a few friends and it did not live up to the high standards our friends had given it. The margaritas were weak and the food was okay. It does have a beautiful view which makes it worth going to. The staff was friendly but not very helpful with telling us how their restaurant worked. I love authentic Mexican food, but I just wasn't thrilled with this place.

Great place for lunch, specially in summer. Has a nice terrace, with views to the lake. Food is simple but tasty, mostrly Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos and quesadillas

Really nice and filling breakfast Burrito and coffee, cheap and cheerful. Rather confusing though, you need to order out front at the window, pay and collect there as well, then you can go into the restaurant and eat out the front. We stood inside for about 5 minutes before someone told us; a sign would be great to let visitors know

A cousin and I decided to treat ourselves and wanted "Mexican on the Waterfront." Initially put off by no one answering the phone, we decided to chance it. (They only take reservations for large groups.) There is a nearby pay-to-park lot as well as some street parking. The view faces The Montlake Cut between Lakes Washington and Union; no sunset, but lots of boating activity! In fact, one can rent kayaks and paddleboards downstairs from the restaurant. The aroma when we walked in was wonderful, and we greeted immediately. There is a salsa bar from which patrons can help themselves. There is both inside and deckside seating. The menu was extensive, making it hard to choose, but we were happy sharing delicious nachos and the Tuesday special, a gigantic chili relleno. The house margarita was refreshing but seemed weak; the Cadillac I ordered next was great. They close at 9, and close between lunch and dinner, but I'll be back! This place is within walking distance of the University of Washington, and we may have lucked out getting an immediate table on a sunny day (school not in session).

Fun place right on the water with great food. Wonderful selection of GF options since very few flour tortillas on the menu. Unusual quesadilla with mango was delicious. The trees could use some trimming so that the view can be enjoyed by more of the guests on the deck. Go downstairs afterwards to enjoy an unobstructed view of the houseboats across the lake, kayakers, sailboats, etc. Rentals are available if you want to try some paddling yourself.

Great late lunch date.... Quite crowded at the lunch time being so close to the hospital but was perfect at 2:00. We ate yummy fish tacos looking out over the bay. Really fun. The Salmon taco's were smoked. Not our favorite but the Fried Cod were delightful.

Agua Verde is one of our favorite restaurants in Seattle. The staff are friendly, the margaritas are great, we love the salsas, and the tacos are delicious. I usually get the sweet potato tacos, and my husband always gets the catfish tacos. Both are wonderful. The view is great any time of year. The only problem is the long wait in the summer.

Loved the terrace, the view and the non formal ambiance... Food was ok and prices not bad... Very big portions, it's worth it to share a dish..

Great salsa and chips and guacamole. Oyster tacos and catfish tacos are the best. Enchiladas were okay, but I'd go back for the tacos.

Located right next to the University of Washington and on ththe water with an enclosed balcony, you can enjoy great variety of fish tacos and other Mexican delights. Very tasty and healthy food, fast service and great view

A popular place in the summer months because the food is great, it's quick and relatively cheap and the view is great. Plus drinks!

Cheap and Deilicious! Love the pork tacos and the steak tacos! Happily situated on the water :) Can get crowded, especially on the weekends. They have a dilcious assortment of salsa's. Love it!

A must when visiting Seattle. Wonderful local restaurant with super fresh and very delicious food! Right on the water, so relaxing and beautiful views. Don't be scared away by the line when going by, moves pretty quickly and plenty of seating! Just awesome, delicious, exceptional food!!!!

Five of us relaxed in a sunlit room overlooking the marina, sipping Coronas and watching watercraft exit and enter the dock. What a combination of favourite activities: Mexican food, Mexican beer, boats messin' around on the water... and family members from three countries all together for the first time in years... ! OK, location, location, location... but how's the chow? Our tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and quesadillas were all very enjoyable, particularly as there were three choices of complimentary salsa available from the salsa bar. Mains were accompanied by corn chips, but we had the option of exchanging chips for salad, beans, or rice. The decor works, too... nautical themes reminiscent of west coast Mexico... featuring marine animals crafted from driftwood and flotsam'n'jetsam. Cost, all-up just over US$30per (A$40+) person... .

We arrived and found a line out the door. The line moved fast and we were soon inside. We found an interesting menu of Mexican food. Everything our party ordered was wonderful. The restaurant is cafeteria style at lunch but serves sit down dinners. You have a view of Montlake Cut which is located behind the University of Washington Medical Center. The decor is interesting and includes a racing shell. After lunch we went for a walk along the cut. I highly recommend Aqua Verde. Good food and fun.

Situated on POrtage Bay near the University of Washington, this little gem is located on the water. You can even take your boat or kayak there!

Was last here a couple years ago. Stood out then. Not now in any way. This is a hangout. Busy. 20 minute line in Monday nite. Not complaining. Yet. The food was not even passable. My daughter's bbq tacos were ok. My chicken Gorditas, tasteless. The squid appetizer, almost burned. Terrible. Expensive, fun evening with my daughter, but won't return to Agua Verde. A big disappointment.

It's a little vacation in the midst of the bustling city. The Mexican Food is way better than other places and it's so refreshing to sit by the water and watch the boats outside.

We almost missed Agua Verde; it’s located at the end of a pier in a marina. There’s also a paddle club where you can rent kayaks while you wait for dinner, but we chose to have a drink instead! We were there on a Wednesday night; there was about a half hour wait. We ordered drinks and chips and watched the boats. The dining room is small so the tables are very close together. There are tables on an outdoor screened in porch as well. We ordered a variety of dishes, from quesadillas and enchiladas to fish tacos. All were well cooked and tasted really good. They were served with very tasty rice and beans. The waitstaff was very attentive, making sure our water glasses were full and we had enough to drink. Definitely worth finding!

Overall, the Agua Verde is a fun, unique place to grab some Mexican food. The prices are a little much for the quality of the food, but overall the food is very food. It's a fun place, with great outdoor seating on the waterfront.

We went to Agua Verde for my birthday and ther was a long wait for the restaurant. However, we were told that the Marina Cantina had just opened and were walked down to an area by the marina which had open seating with a bar and food truck offering a limited menus. The located was great, with the view of the water. In fact, for our family it was fantastic, because it is the spot where we had our rehearsal dinner and our anniversary is just two days after my birthday. The food was delicious with enough options for the whole family. The only down side was that food had a spicy avocado sauce on it which was too spicy for the kids. Would be great if they could let you know as you order. I would definitely go there again. Opening the cantina is a great option for this busy restaurant.

It was very busy but we were able to work our way back to open tables in the outside lake front corner. View was ok but it was nice to sit outside! Food was very good and there was enough that you didn't walk away hungry!