Bay Cafe Reviews

Go be for 11am for a huge selections of eggs Benedict. The stop poaching eggs after 11 so that option goes out the window. The food is good and the portions are big. Eat brunch and you won't need to eat until dinner at the earliest.

We stopped here for a bite before hitting a few stores across the bridge. We shared a tasty California omelette, with an extra order of toast. Good breakfast, service and price.

This is a restaurant for the working fishermen/women. The food is hearty and the breakfasts are the best. Worth the drive for the food and views.

This casual restaurant is so careful about their fish, they told us right off, "No salmon today." Meaning, no catch worth mentioning. So we made do with other dishes, me fish and chips -- I'm a sucker for good cod, and this was -- and my friend, some sort of mix up. Both were delicious and we were pleased with our choice. The staff is very personable and made some minor adjustments to our feast, at our request, without a pause. The prices are modest and the experience a good one, with the Seattle fishing fleet just outside, across a walkway. A nice meal, quiet and less crowded than a nearby "must-see" restaurant.

Being located in the largest Fishermens Terminal in the nation, this is one of those Blue Collar restaurants who cater to the working class, many who are in the fishing industry. The food is basic, tasty and served in abundance. You will not go away hungry after a meal here.

if you are searching for a really good breakfast experience (served all day!) this is the place-- busy to be sure, but you get seated quickly, right on the water in Fisherman's Terminal, lots of light from the great windows without direct sun on you, great views from nearly every seat, and a menu that has something for everyone and a lot you've never seen before along with all the traditions--and its all too good--

nice area, easy parking! good breakfast, but it was totally packed and the tables were very cramped with chairs back to back and no wiggle room. a bit pricey. they nephew and his gf each ordered two mimosas i had water, husband had coffee. this with 4 breakfasts and tip was 100$! (yeah i know- the drinks are expensive. but they were very small and unimpressive). service was good even though they were slammed.

Stopped here after a hike at Discovery Park. The three of us were looking for just good basic sandwiches. The service was friendly and attentive. Prices were very reasonable. The interior decor is a modified Art Deco. Large windows provide an open expanse view of the marina. We’ll stop again when in the are.

Had lunch with husband and two kids. Kids menu was a little limited. waitress was a little rude and short..didn't want to interact too much with her customers. Food was decent - not real big portions. We had lunch there - restaurant wasn't too busy.

After an excellent weekend in Seattle we needed to have breakfast before heading home. We missed the restaurant hours at the hotel we were staying in so we decided to head to Fishermans Terminal and eat there. We have eaten at the Bay Cafe before and found them to put out another excellent breakfast. Good food, hot coffee and outstanding service. Place is spotless also. Would recommend this place to others.

We we're hungry, and ready for good eats. Found it, loved it, want more. Marianberry jam was off the hook! Perfect English muffins too. Will return.

Really nice portions of good quality. Excellent for a breakfast with colleagues. Informal and effective.

This used to be one of my favorite breakfast places in Seattle. Not so much any more. The number one reason is that it is outrageous expensive for breakfast now. I realize everything has gone up in price, but the Bay Cafe has REALLY jacked their prices up. Perhaps that explains why it was virtually empty the morning we were there. (It was always crowded on my past visits over the years.). Service was good. The food was still good with large portions. It just doesn't seem you should be paying well over $100 for four for breakfast. (Especially when there are other, more reasonable places in the area with food that is also very good.). Sorry. Won't be back.

Wow. I give very few five stars. This is an exception. Very friendly waitress. Excellent service with coffee cup filled numerous times. Awesome crab cakes. Great retro look. Awesome view. And disregard the reviews calling it high priced. Not for the quality of food and service!

I've lived in Magnolia for 12 years and just found the Bay Cafe this year. I can't believe I've missed out on some of the best Benny's in the city all this time! I now take all my out of town guests here for breakfast because we'll always get good food, good service and usually a seat with a view of the all the working fishing boats docked at Fisherman's terminal. This isn't a fussy place just a good place for breakfast which makes it aces in my book!! Try it out!!

I've eaten at The Bay Cafe for many years. The service is OK. The food - they have a good selection on the menu. The breakfasts are ample. I'd say most of the food is OK, but nothing to write home about. Friendly busy atmosphere most of the time. They are very accomodating if you have a large group (like 8-12 people) come in for lunch and you let them know ahead of time, they can set you up in the smaller room where they can seat you all together. Admittedly I have not tried everything on their menu - I see people are raving about the Eggs Benedict, so maybe I am missing out. I guess I could see going in there for breakfast, but they are right across from Chinook's, whose food is just better. For the price, The Bay Cafe is not bad. It is less expensive than eating at Chinook's and Chinook's doesn't serve breakfast.

The Bay Cafe has become a must-do on every visit to Seattle. Another great breakfast. Seafood Benedict and my colleague an omelette. All good. Highly recommended and worth the time to go eat a great breakfast and vist the fishing harbor.

Really small place. I don't know how we found this place, but it was a keeper! GREAT food!! And right by the water. Really nice atmosphere.

We have been coming here for a long time. Used to take my 97 year old mother here for lunch. One of her favorite places. Large menu for breakfast and lunch. Servers really down home. Comfortable and easy going. We have never been disappointed with any of the dishes, sandwiches or salads. You won't leave hungry. All reasons we keep coming back.

No waiting, water view, friendly staff and wonderful breakfast! Seafood omelette was really good - lots of crab. And their hash browns are to die for! Definitely will be back.

Great omelette and Benedict options. Greek omelette with feta and spinach was great. Offered rye toast - always a plus. Had honey for tea :)

I've only been for breakfast and it's nice. The waitress seemed great.... She told us of specials on the menu, entertained us with stories and served us plenty of coffee.

Visiting Seattle for the first and our Seattle based host insisted we have breakfast at the Bay Cafe. Eaten in diners on the east coast for years but this was totally different. Special was crab cake Benedict. Without a doubt, one on the finest breakfast meals I have had, period. Great serving staff who are obcviously familiar with the commercial fishing crowd and the need to serve large plates of good food and plenty of quality coffee. Fast and efficient. Great views of the commercial fishing harbor. Will return.

This is a pretty standard breakfast place - but it gets lots of traffic from all the fishermen and other working folk associated with Fisherman's Terminal, and hence has great character. The food is good, plentiful and inexpensive, though you can jazz it up if you want (they do have crab-cakes Benedict and other "fancy" dishes. My personal favorite is the #3 breakfast (2 eggs, sausage or bacon, 2 pancakes).

Whenever we visit Seattle, this is a must for breakfast. The setting is idyllic overlooking Fisherman's Terminal. We get a booth by a window and forget about all that's wrong with the world. I suppose that all of their food is delicious, but I never make it past the list of 10 Benedicts. That's not counting any special Benedicts they may have that particular day. Once I have given my order, I do not talk very much. The scenery is rather hypnotic and holds my attention at least until the food arrives. Eventually, I leave, but I do not go willingly nor quickly. We generally take the time to walk around the docks. There, we stop at the Fishermen's Memorial to read some of the names of the 670 commercial fishermen who lost their lives plying their trade. It does make one stop to think.

I've eaten at all the establishments at Fisherman's Terminal now, and I like the Bay Cafe because it feels like eating at my grandmother's house. The food is good, but all the waitresses are sweet and dote on me. I've only been in for lunch so far, but then food is well priced, good and if I want to sit and eat by myself and read I can do that.

Amazing views. Huge selection of options for breakfast. All the breakfasts we had were extremely good. Huge portions so go hungry. Quick service but they don't rush you. All the staff were friendly. Definitely would return.

This is a great little restaurant that is at Fisherman's Terminal where you can dine while looking at the boats that caught the fish. This is a great casual dining experience with reasonable prices and good quality food. The people who work the docks and boats eat here too in this very clean and casual environment.

Bay Cafe has been a traditional breakfast place for us during our Christmas Family visit to Seattle. Service was excellent! Waitress, Leanne?, encouraged us to try the Dungeness Crab Benedict in lieu of the Crab Cake Benedict. We weren’t disappointed even with the slight upcharge. Delicious! We’ll be back in 2020! 👍👍

Had brunch with family at BC and overall it was decent. Nothing out of this world but portions (eggs benedict, fish and chips, omelets, etc.) are good and food is close to diner food in style and menu, nothing fancy but decent quality. Service is very good and location provides a view on the fishermen terminal.

Fun place to go on a nice day, great view of the bay and fishing boats. It looks right out to the wharf where all the fishing boats are docked. Their menu is great, the food was good and the service was excellent and pleasant. It is 50's diner decor, but updated and very clean. Only issue is it is quite noisy when it is full. We went for lunch, but I would like to return for breakfast/brunch. Amazing selection of omelets! Luncheon salads are huge and there is a good selection of sandwiches and burgers.

We took our grandsons and went for breakfast. We all liked what we ordered; ordered different items. There was plenty of food and it was very tasty. Service was good and the restaurant was very clean.

What a great place for breakfast! The Bay Cafe sits in Fisherman's Terminal and has a very nice view of the commercial fleet moored just outside. Breakfasts are the main reason we go there, and we've never been disappointed. This time we had Smoked Salmon Scramble and Crab Cakes Benedict. Wow!! Ample portions and great flavors! Our waitress was very attentive even though the place was packed. Don't be turned off by the line - it moves quickly and you'll be glad you stayed.

I've been to the Bay Cafe several times; we generally go mid-morning and it's full but no waiting. The coffee is good, portions are large. I found my hashbrowns to taste of old oil which was a shame because they were beautifully crispy and brown. Pancakes & waffles have been excellent. Once I ordered the cinnamon roll which was a HUGE disappointment; tasted and looked like it came out of a supermarket package. Stick with their tried and true foods consisting of eggs, waffles, bacon (which is thick and tasty), etc. Later in the day seafood is a great choice. The view of the waterfront is also enjoyable.

Was there this past Sunday and it was packed but 5 of us were seated promptly and served quickly. We ordered a wide range of breakfast items and even though we were unable to finish our large portions we each loved the food.

If you want a feel for the Northwest fishing fleet, eat here. Great breakfast and superb view of the fishing boats.

Great food, Service and views. Love it! Prices are fair. Wait staff is seasoned. Coffee is strong. Love to walk the fishing boat piers. Good for large groups and families. Lots of counter space. Go early on the weekends.

Nice QPR! Just plain fulfilling food. Forget it if you're gluten free/whole 30. But if you want good cafe type food at fair prices (think fishermen that frequent this place) then you've found it. I like the chicken cobb which has LOTS of chicken & avocado. You will walk away satisfied!

Bay cafe is at Salmon Bay, at foot of Fisherman's terminal. Right across from Chinooks- a great seafood place by the way. Totally non-Seattle pretentious. Generous portions Always busy Good service Food tastes great Standard American menu for B'fast and lunch, with some fun twists like Grilled Snapper Benedict and etc. Great views of the boats. Working class feel- no real ambiance- the real deal. Costs are still a bit up there for the menu, but it is a good value.

I went to the bay cafe to do some work and have some coffee. I ended up eating lunch there because I got hungry from the nice smell of food. I had half a sandwich and the chicken rice soup, it was a nice mix, and tasted really good. Nice location. I have to mention the service, because the waiters were so sweet. I can recommend going there for lunch, but the breakfast also looks fantastic!

Enjoyed fresh cut snapper on eggs Benedict. DELICIOUS! Hubby had seafood Benedict, also perfection! Beautiful marina (home base of deadliest catch boat). Walk around after and over bridge to Ballard.

Great breakfast place, always busy. Love the veg omelet, & husband always orders the regular Benedict. Salmon Benedict is amazing.

A tried and true Fisherman's Terminal breakfast joint. Don't expect anything fancy.

The Bay Cafe in Fisherman's Terminal, Seattle, has been there "forever", but we kinda forgot about it. Dropped in one day this summer for breakfast, and were surprised by how nice it is. The breakfast was wonderful, and it is now our favorite place to go for breakfast. Nice atmosphere, right on the waterfront, nice prices, and every breakfast has been delicious.

Met some out of town friends for a breakfast and we were a little bummed. Service seemed a bit slow, the coffee on the watery side(this is Seattle after all-coffee should never be watery), and the entries were just okay. We had the Southwest omelette and it just didn't pop. We decided the sour cream came across as watery (theme here) and it made the rest taste that way. Hash browns could have been cooked a bit longer. For rye toast it wasn't so rye. Small,crinkled, and not real well toasted is the best way to describe it. The cinnamon roll looked very good and the bacon and eggs appeared to be a better option. Not what we are used to in that location.

great spot for breakfast that will last you the day. located right by the fishing fleet near Ballard Locks, it's a good place to go for a meal either before or after exploring the Locks. I had crab cakes, hash browns and eggs, and was very pleased that their chef lets you salt your own food, as I find many places use way too much salt. My husband had fresh snapper with poached eggs and hash browns, and a friend has fresh salmon with... guess what? hash browns and eggs! My only comment is that if you do not care for hollandaise sauce, ask for it to be left off or put on the side as they put it not only on Eggs Benedict, but crab cakes too! Service was friendly.

I've been here twice within the past couple of months, on two separate visits to the area. I LOVE the location right on the marina. The service is very efficient and friendly. Both times, I was surprised by how quickly the food was prepared. The portions are large, and everything tastes great. I LOVE that they have a large and interesting selection of eggs benedict on the menu. I most recently had the smoked salmon bene, which is apparently a house favorite. It was terrific, with a LOT of smoked salmon. (Most places skimp on this.) The hash browns were properly cooked, and I really enjoyed everything. This is my new favorite breakfast place in Seattle.

Great place for breakfast. Typical greasy spoon type of joint and the food is great. Large portions that fill you up and the prices are quite fair. Huge pancakes and omelets. All good. Anytime I'm in the mood for a big sitdown breakfast, this is the go to place.

Cool retro diner style with huge windows overlooking the boats in the marina. Everything we had was spectacular. Salmon scramble, House omelette and the biscuits were all highlights. Portions are tremendous, as was the service. Highly recommended!

Great setting and great food – fisherman style. Had the Benedict Halibut that came with fruit and hash browns. Mix the great flavors with the beautiful view of the moored fishing fleet and you have distinctive memory of the Ballard area.

I try to get a breakfast here every time I visit family in Seattle. I love being down at Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal. The food is good, maybe even better than good. I love the smoked salmon benedict.

For a Brazilian living the in the USA , it’s an amazing place to go ! I love the food , the crew are super attentive, and the ambiance are cozy. Great plates options , I recommend the Greek Benedictine.

The Bay Café is always the go-to place for breakfasts when relatives visit Seattle. We've been big fans for dozens of years. All breakfasts are good, the Chicken-Fried Stead and Eggs, always on the special board, is a favorite of the men, the ladies love their omelets. Good service, great food, reasonable prices. This place is a keeper!

The menu seemed like pretty standard breakfast fare, and they do have waffle and egg combo breakfasts, which are not too common. The food was good and there was plenty of it! Service was friendly and attentive, and there was a view of the fishing harbor just out the gigantic windows.

The Bay Cafe is close to my home so it's a place that I frequent. I really love their breakfasts, although everything is good. The staff is friendly, fast and efficient. The coffee cup is never empty (unless you want it that way, of course). One can get breakfast all day (they're open from 6:30 to 2:00 or thereabouts on weekdays). Weekends the hours a little different. The sandwiches are good and the fish and chips are superb. So is the coleslaw. I recommend it when you're in Seattle and looking for a nice place with a view.

I've been to other restaurants in Fisherman's Terminal for dinner and somehow never noticed this little gem tucked into the corner. The location and view are top notch. The food was very very good and the service was friendly. From our selections, they do breakfast basics really well (I had French toast and my friend had the seafood omelette). I didn't look too long at the menu but I got the sense this is a "classic diner" type of place.

Large selection of omelettes and Benedicts. Food was good and came out quick. Staff was friendly and attentive.

I stopped by this Café on a Friday Morning (about 8:30 am) for breakfast there were only a few other tables that were occupied. The place is quite spacious and the view of the marina is great. Service was awesome and in particular my waitress (LeiAnn) was very attentive, making sure I had plenty of coffee or whatever else I needed. I had an Oscar Benedict (see photo) that is not on the regular menu but they were happy to make one up for me. The price of breakfast was average for the area, and overall had a nice relaxing and uncrowded breakfast experience.

Lived 20 miles away for 6 years. Drove weekly for breakfast or lunch. On the fisherman's pier. Greek owners and food reflects their diverse specials daily. Huge omelets made as you desire. Love the feta cheese, spinach, bacon with oysters personally. Favorite lunch was FRESH grilled oysters right off the boats. I always order another 1/2 order not because the order is small but because I love them so much. Excellent chowder. Service is quick and friendly. Our favorite place in Seattle. Our last day in WA we drove over for lunch. Miss it terribly. Just flew up Wednesday for the day and drove 18 miles just to eat lunch (oysters, of course).

Located at the Fisherman's Terminal, this is a nice spot for breakfast that is hardy and filling, and nothing fancy. Most meals include a generous portion of hash browns and a few pieces of fresh fruit. The menu contains a larger than usual variety of Eggs Benedict, but only one variety of coffee (that is, just plain coffee from a pot, none of those fancy coffee drinks for which Seattle has become famous).

A solid breakfast/lunch place in historic Fisherman's Terminal. With a view of the Seattle/Alaska fishing fleet this placed serves great cafe food. Breakfasts are wonderful on a lazy weekend and while the lines can be long this is not one of those trendy, wait 45 minutes breakfast hangouts that tries the patience. Tip.....if you ask for your hash browns crispy they come out......crispy!

After a long weekend in B’ham, WA—which included plenty of inactivity and eating, as well as seeing the hilarious David Sedaris at the wonderful Mt. Baker Theatre—I was ready for a loooonnng walk. Consequently, I left Riley—the most wonderful Golden Retriever in the Northern Hemisphere, if not the entire WORLD!—back at “the ranch” with my “best friend” Terry, who was busy with his many philanthropic pursuits—to enjoy a pleasant stroll through the Ballard Locks—which included briefly meeting the very busy Mr. Nate McGowan, Operations Project Manager of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Whew!! After crossing the locks to Magnolia, I was practically on the verge of starvation; so I headed for the Bay Café, located in Fisherman’s Terminal, a popular Seattle tourist attraction. Upon entering the café, I was greeted with a smile by Grethe—who was, incidentally, enjoying her first day on the job! [Good Luck, Grethe!! I have no doubt that you will perform splendidly!] Shortly thereafter, my waitress Debbie appeared with a menu. As soon as I saw pancakes, eggs, and, bacon on the menu, I knew that I was in store for my all-time favorite breakfast indulgence: A PANCAKE SANDWICH!! I explained to Debbie exactly how I preferred that my Pancake Sandwich be prepared: with two eggs cooked over-easy (how else??) and two slices of bacon sandwiched between two pancakes. After a reasonable wait, the Pancake Sandwich arrived just as I had hoped, with a huge scoop of butter melting happily on top! After slathering the top pancake with the sweet, delicious, melting butter and, after pouring on plenty of maple syrup, I took one bite of that Pancake Sandwich and said to myself, “HOLY COW!” That was THE BEST Pancake Sandwich I have EVER eaten!! Wow, was it delicious and satisfying!! It could have fed a family of six in most developing countries!! I am still thinking about that awesome Pancake Sandwich hours later! (And, fortunately, I have leftovers for later!!) I soon learned from Debbie—originally from Butte, Montana (my second most favorite state!) and now living near a lake about 20 miles north of Seattle—that my Pancake Sandwich had been prepared by none other than Pete, owner of the Bay Café! How awesome is that?? Debbie herself has been a waitress at the Bay Café for more than SEVENTEEN YEARS!! Double-WOW!! [These days, who stays in a job for more than 10 years??] Luckily on the Monday morning of my visit, there were not many customers. On weekends, Debbie informed me that there is a line of hungry diners clear out the door!! AWESOME!! I will definitely be back soon—with Terry in tow—for another awesome Pancake Sandwich! My next stop was the awesome Highliner Public House, located just around the corner, for a 16-oz. can of PBR, my all-time favorite brew!! [To show my support of the Awesome Seattle Seagulls, I mean SEAHAWKS, I was proudly attired in a "12" hat, Seahawks Scarf, and Seahawks knit gloves, purchased only this morning from the Shell station at 8th Ave. NW and NW Market St. Thank you, Timothy and Sue, for having such awesome Seahawks stuff! GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!] [TIPPING TIP: Be sure to tip your cashier, especially if he/she is friendly and smiles!]

always good; had waffles, eggs & sausage this time. love to come here; service is good, have never had any complaints.

Had the Seafood Eggs Benedict. Mostly because of the location, but also because it was one of the few dishes containing stuff from the ocean: shrimp, crab, and scallops. Some reviewers wonder why not more seafood is served, but since this breakfast-and-lunch-place-onky caters to commercial fushermen it makes much sense that they do so. Huge portion, included hashbrowns and fruit.

The Benedict breakfasts are pretty good. Oyster, salmon, and seafood all well prepared prepared and good. Nice fruit on the side. Enormous amounts of hashbrowns. Coffee not so great..... All in all things were okay, not great.

For breakfast or lunch, this is a great place to get a sense of the good and true Seattle that seems to have disappeared during the last decade or two. The prices are good, the service is swell, and the setting is absolutely real. It's a real fisherman's terminal with real boats and all-- but also is modern, fresh, fine. Super for locals and their guests. The food is straightforward and first rate in its class. Not a tourist spot. Just a really good place to enjoy a delicious non-tourist-oriented venue and meal. A superb rarity, these days. A bit of a secret. A special local place. Enjoy!

The Bay Cafe tucked into a little corner of Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal is my favorite place for breakfast in Seattle. They open at 6:30 AM and close in the early afternoon so they are only open for breakfast and lunch. In those early morning hours you'll share the restaurant with fishermen and other early workers before they start their work day. You can watch the sun rise over the fishing boats anchored nearby. There are all the regular diner breakfasts of eggs and potatoes and pancakes. But you'll also find halibut and eggs and a range of benedicts that are wonderful. My favorite is the Seafood Benedict with dungeness crab, shrimp, and scallops in hollandaise sauce over poached eggs. Scrumptious!

Coming from the NorthEast, we sorely missed the food, portions and ambiance of a good diner. We discovered Bay Cafe a few years ago and make the 30+ minute drive from the eastside with our friends as often as possible to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The portions are generous with very fair prices. The wait staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. Views of the Fisherman's Terminal adds to the overall experience.