Ivar's Salmon House Reviews

I recently met a friend here during my first trip to Seattle and was very impressed with the food. We had a pretty good spread of everything from 4 or 5 appetizers, to main course, to coffee. Everything was delicious, very well prepared/presented, and the service was great. Not only was the food great, but the view of the skyline and Lake Union was incredible. Highly recommend this place for dinner!

We met friends for a delightful meal with a delightful, fun server. The atmosphere is fascinating, with the Northwest and Native American motif.

It's worth a visit if only for the architecture and history. We enjoyed Alaskan halibut, salmon, crab cakes, and weathervane scallops. The knife and fork wedge salad was huge and delicious, enough for two to share. The decor is beautiful, and there are good views of the water.

I was invited to this dinner by a friend who knows this place well. His choice did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was good and the view of Seattle was amazing.

Great backup option if Salty's on Alki is booked out. You still have a good view of the Seattle skyline, and Lake Union is beautiful on a sunny summer afternoon (watching all the boats going back and forth is fun too). There's nice outdoor seating as well. I loved the indoor aesthetic. Really captures the historic "frontier indigenous forest" vibes of the region. Service was attentive and engaging. We came early around 4:30pm on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't busy then. Our server was fun and appreciated his recommendations. I kept it simple--king crab bisque bread bowl. Super good, but I did notice the "bowl" seemed to have *more bisque* than the "bread bowl", even though the bread bowl is more expensive. Hmmm, okay. :) Free parking across the street reserved for restaurant patrons. Pretty close to Gas Works park so you can add it before or after on your itinerary.

This place was recommended by a friend who used to live in Seattle. First the positives: -The view was really nice. We really enjoyed that - Good service Negatives: - Prices were high - Food was meh - Took forever to get our food - My mom had an issue with her food (wasn't what she ordered) so she had to send it back. They didn't really do anything to make up for it other than to bring her what she ordered Overall it's a nice place but there are a lot of nice places in Seattle

The Ivars certainly know how to prepare seafood, and the wine selection (Pinot Noir etc) was surprisingly good. I was not thrilled however that they put our party (5 people) in the middle of the room instead of ocean view.

This is my favorite Ivar's. It is built like a Salish long house with a wonderful collection of carvings. Despite a huge bank of windows on the south side looking out to the lake and the city, it still gives the feeling of a real long house with all the dark walls and wood. The salmon here is always fabulous, you can smell the smoke from outside. If you join the birthday club you get the serving entree free on, or about, your birthday. Ivar's never disappoints.

Some days you just need to get away from the pressures of life and home, On a nice day, Ivar's is a great place to do that. If you sit outside you get a great view of Lake Union and all of the boaters. One great secret this place has is its bar menu. While not as extensive as the one in the restaurant, it still has a descent selection and the prices are lower. I had fish and chips, just because I love Ivar's fish and chips, It was great and the sun and warm breezes made it even better. A good place to go.

Great food, I had the Grilled Blackened Halibut with Roasted Red Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Corn Relish, Carrots Planks. All of it was delicious. Service was good, but a small bit slow but they were very busy.

I made reservations and asked for a table by the windows, and we were not disappointed! We had the BEST table....in a small alcove with windows on three sides and an amazing view of the water, boats, Seattle skyline, etc. We loved watching the yachts go by and the seaplanes land. The service was fine. The food was delicious. We had salmon, of course, including a salmon pasta special. The food was kind of pricey. The dessert menu had a "dessert trio" for $13 where you could pick three different dessert items. This was a great way to share a dessert and allow the three of us to try different things. I wish other restaurants would offer this choice. My only complaint was that there were bread plates on the table when we sat down. We asked about bread and were told it was "$4 for a basket or $1 per roll." Seriously?? With such high prices, the least they could do was provide complimentary bread!

really great meal here (not cheap). We had a beautiful view across the lake of the Seattle skyline. Our server, Jesus, was very friendly and did a great job looking after us and getting our orders correct. I went with the trio of halibut, salmon and scallops. It was exceedingly tasty. I even enjoyed the local Hefeweizen beer.

We had the seafood sampler with salmon, scallops, and halibut. Delicious! Lovely setting right on the water watching the boats go by.

I never had Copper River Salmon. The waitress went through a long speech about how great it is. I ordered it. It was over cooked. I have had much better from my local North Carolina grocery store. She asked me how it was. I told her not very good. She didn’t even bother to send over a manager. Conversely, my wife got the crab legs which were excellent. You would think that a place with Salmon in their name would serve very good salmon.

This is an establishment that is clearly resting on its laurels. Service was slipshod, food completely unremarkable. The New England chowder was glutinous, the fried seafood platter over-battered. The portions were generally on the small side. Would not return.

Seattle area has enjoyed late October sun and temps in the high-60s/low-70s so we took advantage and motored in from Lake Washington on 16 and 17 October for lunch. On the 16th - Served by Marcus, who took opened up the patio .. so we sat next to our boat and had a great lunch with libations ... So, on the 17th - We did a repeat, this time served by Natalie and we sat in the bar and again had a great lunch with libations ... Observation, the sun deck is wonderful, but it is a further walk from the kitchen than the bar and it gets crowded on those sunny days, so patience is a good thing to bring along. Ivar's Salmon House remains one of our favorites, and now that we can motor up to their dock, it will continue to be

Just wasn't what we expected not friendly, food could've been a lot better. Sorry wish I could give you a better review

After a wonderful wedding at Seabeck some of us gathered for dinner at Ivars. Food was quite good and the view was outstanding. Kind of pricy for a Florida Boy, bot average for Seattle, from what I understand.

We stopped there mid-afternoon for a light meal. We had chowder, shrimp skewer and fish and chips with a great view

We've eaten here for years, and love to take people from out of town, to sit next to the windows and watch the activity over Lake Union. This time we enjoyed the 3 pc fish & chips ($17.50), the soup and salad with crab ($21), a Crab Louie ($30) and a True Cod BLT $16). Server was friendly and upbeat and the remodeled interior very nice! We didn't sit outside on this visit but love to on nice sunny days. You order and take your food around to tables to dine. Fun!

Using my birthday coupon from Ivar's, my long-time friend and I had a wonderful lunch. My friend is allergic to onions which were in the sautéed spinach. We informed the waiter who returned her plate to the kitchen to replace the spinach without onions. Promptly he returned with her plate. She found one piece of onion among the spinach. We told the waiter who apologized. As we completed our meal he arrived with a complementary dessert for my friend: warm strawberry rhubarb tart ala mode. A truly wonderful dessert. The cook had provided the dessert and came to our table to apologize. The wait staff were attentive without being intrusive. Of course, we will go here again.

Pros:The deck is next to the water so perfect for a sunny day. The servers are very nice. Cons: there is significant traffic noise on the deck. The food is very overpriced for what you get. The salmon sandwich portion was shockingly small and over cooked. Our group won’t eat there again

Since my daughter moved to Seattle we have dined at Ivar’s on every visit. The staff is friendly and helpful and the Salmon is the best. This visit was no different, we started with Calamari and a seafood salad that was nicely presented. I had the Alaskan Salmon sampler and my wife had the Alderwood grilled salmon. Both were excellent. We will return.

I want to start by saying the building and the authenticity and history of the salmon house are great. I thought that the place where we were eating was amazing. And that was it. Everything else was a bust. I absolutely hated eating here. I have never been more disappointed with a meal especially with how expensive it was. The cocktails were nothing special. The chowder. Oh dear. I've been to Ireland. I've been to Boston. If you've ever been to anywhere that actually knows how white New England chowder should be made than do not, absolutely do not order the chowder here. I had heard it was famous. It should be famous for how awful it is. It has no pepper, no salt, virtually no clam flavor, essentially no flavor at all. It was a massive disappointment considering how many people have raved about how good it is. If you know what chowder should taste like, don't order it here. Or maybe try the salmon chowder and see if that's good. I then got halibut and chips, not a hard dish to mess up right? Nope. Driest halibut I have ever eaten in my life. That poor fish gave up its life to be butchered and ruined.

Visiting from TN (and a previous Atlantic City local - missing those NJ beaches and seafood!) - we wanted fish and we got it! GREAT combination meal with salmon, halibut, shrimp and yummy rice, and my hubby got a nice fish and chips meal served with Vinegar (like it should be!) Excellent server - Izaiah was very personable, attentive and we received wonderful service! We had a hard time getting to the Salmon House (crossed a bridge 2 times and U-turned twice) but well worth the 3rd try on East Lake Ave E! The view of the city and the water was a nice plus on a rainy afternoon.

Restaurant specialized in seafood and renowned for its salmon. I put 3 stars because the dishes are of variable quality. Excellent grilled salmon sockeye, very good cioppino but halibut was medium as well as appetizers ( crab cake, coconut shrimps or crispy calamari). Friendly service but our waiter had black pants eliminated and dirty, which does not look very good.

Ivar's is a great place to go, especially when the weather is nice and you can sit outside. The view of the lake and boat traffic makes for interesting viewing. This time around we had mussels, and I had fish & chips. Ivar's has made a recent change from complimentary bread and butter to making it a charged item. That's too bad but what can you do. The mussels were good but the mild spicy sauce surprised us. It was ok but the expectation was a white wine based sauce. The fish and chips are always a safe bet.

We were at Ivar’s for our son’s 32nd birthday with his wife and our daughter and her fiancé. I hadn’t been to the Salmon house since the 1970s. It’s really a tourist destination now and it felt like they were just throwing food at you. The wait staff was nice enough, but it felt almost like you were at one of the restaurants at Disney land.

Went back to Ivar's after not going for a while, and remembered why we stopped going. Service was only fair and the food was disappointing - not bad, just not what would be expected from an iconic Seattle establishment. Bartender got the drink order wrong, and my salmon came out dry as a bone. They did replace these with the correct drink and new order of salmon, but neither of those things should have been necessary. Great setting, lovely space, but they really need to do some work in the kitchen and front of the house to bring this place up to snuff.

I was underwhelmed by my entree, especially at those price points. I was going to choose one of the salmon preparations with a sauce but I didn't. Instead I went with the salmon trio. It was very dry and not very flavorful. I don't know how the rest of my party felt about their meals. I would think twice about coming here again for salmon. Server was pleasant, no issues. We sat outside on the deck. Nice to watch the activity on the lake.

Ivars has a wide assortment of foods (and cost) but the fish and chips ordered through the front window were great and surprisingly inexpensive. We ate on the barge and watched the boats. (Go down the side of the building to the tables.) Even had slices of lemon in their free water. Nice experience on the water.

First of all, please know that spending time on the deck of Ivar’s Salmon House is one of the most pleasant things in life. Enjoying good food and drinks with friends makes it better. However, when service is mediocre it detracts from the experience. Recently went there with friends for our annual get together. Parking was easy and we were seated promptly, and welcomed seating in the shade on a hot day. Our waiter came by and barely took notice of us after taking our order. When one person pointed out her wine glass had a chip in the rim and the glass was cracked, he barely made a sound, said he would replace it and asked if she was ok. No apology. When another person asked for a gluten free food recommendation, he barely pointed out a salmon dish and hardly acknowledged her concern. That was even after she told him she had a severe allergy to gluten. He said, “Yeah, yeah, that selection should be fine. I’ll write a note to the kitchen.” Quite dismissive. Finally, we had to ask for the bill and instead of asking us if we wanted separate checks, he brought us one big bill. When we asked for him to put specific amounts on each credit card, he offered to bring us separate bills. So, we had to wait again. And this time he brought us 4 bills with 3 pens. What a lack of attention to detail. If we were not having such a good time amongst ourselves, we would have talked with management. Food was not as good as usual, so that was a bit disappointing as well. Will give it another try as I have had many good experiences and memories there.

The seafood here is excellent. The service is also very good. The view of Downtown Seattle is outstanding. Highly recommend.

Very Courteous and professional. Great location. Prices are not bad and receive notification of reservation.

Great salmon choices as well as many other choices of seafood. Service was excellent and it’s a great spot with a water view. Great spot all around!!!!’

The late wasn’t long! Patio at sunset was nice! The portions are huge here btw! Got the two piece halibut (fries need some help, slab on some rosemary or garlic and salt) the chowder is delicious and no skimping! My youngest had their buttered noodles and he loves them. My favorite thing was the chopped salad with fresh shrimp and crab! Everything was great, along with the service! I wish they had some live music, that would have been amazing out on the patio! The view is fantastic, fish is fresh and service was great!

Chose Ivar's Salmon House for a business dinner - the room has a warm character and history, and it is possible to maintain a conversation. The food was good, but not exceptional - there is a bit of room for improvement. Service was very good.

This was a visit from my son and my grandchildren. Whenever my son visits Seattle, I try to take him out for salmon since it is not a specialty found where he lives on the East Coast. During this trip we went to Ivar's Salmon House, as it has been a custom of ours for years. While the salmon was good, the mashed potatoes were rather dry and I found the clam chowder to be rather disappointing in comparison to years past. I brought this up to the waiter who called the manager over; at which point I expected the chowder to be comped as is often customary at a fine dining destinations. Instead of this, the manager laughed and walked off. I have never experienced rude behavior like this before, and it has certainly reduced the likelihood of my returning. It is sad to see as a Seattle native who has been going here since the 70s. I will likely be taking my business to Cutters in the future.

This was our best meal in Seattle Not only was the food superb but the view… got lucky with a table by the window to watch the boats going by. We both ordered off the specials menu which featured seasonal fresh Alaskan halibut. Wife got the halibut and I got their trio of salmon, halibut and scallops. …$45 and $46 respectively. I am usually not a fan of salmon as its usually dry, but this was cooked perfectly, nice and moist and flavorful, as was the halibut and scallops. Also split (ok I hate most of it) a bowl of their clam chowder. Never had clam chowder with bacon before and that really made the difference. . The bacon they add gives it a smoky flavor. Wonderful (PS, i tried their red chowder at their take out window and i did not like the red) The place is not cheap as without drinks or dessert it cost us about $130 including tip and taxes. I would definitely go there again (we also went another night to the take out window outside at Ivar's Seafood Bar. Not quite that good. but see my other review on that).

excellent house margarita. beautiful views while seated outside. watching people go by in boats, and chatting. everyone is lovely here, and helpful. I'll be back. this was a go to spot back in my day.

Have been here twice since the Salmon House re-opened from the pandemic. I must compliment the Ivar's organization for making it just the way it was in the "before times," only with masks and sanitizer. Everything on our plates looked and tasted like before, perfectly cooked salmon with beautiful green beans on the side, crispy and well-seasoned fried calamari, beautifully composed seafood salads, nice crackly sugar crust on top of creme brulee, ahhhh. What a nice way to take a break and feel normal again, I can take the need to mask-up with food and service this good!

We were a party of 8 on a Sunday to celebrate a birthday. The server had no idea about the menu, we were given bad advice. One of our party waited much longer to be served with his appetizer and it was the wrong one. Our main courses were cool and generally overcooked. Because we were a largish party no-one wanted to be awkward and send their meal back. In hindsight we should all have done it.

Scenic views from restaurant but a lot of flies inside. Food not great. Pasta drowning in oil and only a few tiny pieces of salmon in it. Very overpriced! I was disappointed that I wasted time and money eating here when I only was in Seattle for 2 nights.

This restaurant was recommended to us by the hotel. What a great place! We got seated right away on a Sunday evening, sat near the windows so we could see the boat traffic on the water and had the best service!! We had the Crispy Calamari for appetizer and I had the Chinook Salmon for entrée. WOW!! Perfect salmon on jasmine rice! Paired with the Scuttlebutt's Night Circus Coconut Coffee Dark Ale and it was sublime!! The only negative thing is the parking. The lot connected to the restaurant is quite small, so you have to park across the street if its full. This can be tricky since its on a slight curve and oncoming traffic can be difficult to see.

The young Asian and young white guy have snobby attitude ! And I thought it was soda bottle like the sign says And I said it wrong and the chick was all know it all And at least offer a drink carrier 4 drinks was hard carrying it !! And it Seattle I lock my card Have some patience sorry it not fast enough I like protecting my money in case some one steal or I loose it in the city Like a responsible adult You need associates with better customer service and friendly attitudes

A friend from the area brought my family here, and it may have been the best salmon I have ever eaten! I am searching the menu for the exact name, but cannot find it online, so it may have been a special. All of us enjoyed our meals here. The shrimp dishes were good, the kids were happy, and I was delighted!

Gorgeous location, PNW longhouse interior, or pleasant outdoor seating. Multiple seafood options, especially salmon, well-prepared and presented.

My wife and I were in Seattle this fall. We always look forward to a dinner at IVAR's. We enjoyed the king salmon as well as the service and view of Lake Washington.

It had been 20 years since my last visit to Ivar's and was craving it's great clam chowder weeks before the trip. Oh I was just what I remembered! I love going back to restaurants that keep their quality standards and flavors. Don't miss the salmon sushi bowl appetizer, also very good. Try going at sunset if it's summer and sit on the terrace, eating so close to the water makes the evening magical. Don't miss it!

We were out all day on Lake Union with the kids and grandkids. Ivar's was the perfect place to dock our boat and have a 4 p.m. dinner. My 2 grand daughters split the salmon, french fries and green beans. I had the salmon skewers and fish taco (appetizers) and they were plenty filling. Hubby ordered the calamari which was delish! and more than enough for the 4 adults, i.e., a huge amount! Service was excellent even on a game day which made it busy but festive. Oh, and the view of Lake Union was lovely. I would definitely recommend Ivar's Salmon House!

An excellent place to bring out of town guests to.The salmons are fantastic. View is spectacular and ample parking.

A group of us (family and friends) had dinner here last Saturday evening. The view is spectacular with part of the Seattle skyline visible across the water in the evening as the sun slowly sets. The restaurant is expansive and commodious. There is a native lodge American theme running through the decor and wooden beams. The wait staff is courteous and helpful. The wait for the food is not too long. The food is well-prepared. Most of us chose either the seafood medley or one of the salmon platters, as well as one of the desserts (the warm apple crisp with ice cream trumped the tiramisu and cheesecake in our opinion) and were pleased with what we got. The place is not cheap, which keeps the review below a five star value; but what you're getting, beyond the view, is cuisine, not mere food. It's well worth the price.

Worst fish n chips...no fry food aroma or french fries without fry's aroma. The crust were tough......,...,...........m

We visited with our young child along with another family. The wait staff was accommodating and helpful. The seafood selection was very good, we got a sampler of Northwest local favorites. It was very fresh and tasty. The restaurant was just fancy enough, however did not make us feel uneasy about having children with us.

This past summer we did a lot of boating and there was nothing better than stopping at the Salmon House for dinner. Amazing food and a staff that would bring everything right to the dock for you. Highly recommend!

Amazing seafood with great views. Seafood had great taste, was cooked well and seasoned perfectly. We all left full.

My wife and I were celebrating our 53rd anniversary, Thursday evening, 18 August 2022. On the recommendation of a friend, we chose Ivar's Salmon House. We arrived at 700p for our 715p reservation. Within 20-30 min it became clear that Ivar's was not a good choice. We had a little wait, and were seated inside because "there are no outside tables," despite several empty tables visible from the window. The dining room had an odor, and stale air, so we requested to be moved, when an outside table was available. The hostess made a quick move (no tables?) to the deck. Our server arrived promptly, with water. We ordered iced tea and a glass of wine; the iced tea took 10-15 min, and the wine was served about 30 min later. No food order has yet been placed, as our server was nowhere to be seen. 45 min into our visit, the server returned for our food order. Our order was placed by pointing to the special menu, for items that we had chosen- king salmon with morels and asparagus for both of us. "The kitchen is really backed up," said our server. Another 20 min, and food was delivered, not by our server, but by another staff. We commented that the sockeye salmon, broccolini, and potatoes were not our order, only to be told we would need to take that up with our server. But he was nowhere to be found. We cornered a bus person, and asked to see our server. When he arrived, he insisted that we received what we had ordered, but took it back to the kitchen, noting "The kitchen is really backed up." 20+ minutes later he reappeared with the same entree, sockeye/potatoes/broccolini, again insisting that that was our order, but that there was "no asparagus or morels anywhere in the house." "Why are they on the menu, if they are not in the fridge? We ordered king salmon, also, not sockeye." We rejected the entree, to the same admonishment- "this is what you ordered," and "The kitchen is really backed up." "I will put a rush on it." We are now 90+ minutes into our visit, and all we have is iced tea, wine, and a second "gratis" glass of wine. So far, the anniversary dinner has become painful. Thirty minutes later, king salmon arrived- with potatoes and broccolini. The salmon was very good, but the potatoes and broccolini were still potatoes and broccolini. Meanwhile, many tables were seated, dined, and left during our sojourn. AND at least two of them had plates with asparagus on them. By now we were quite attentive to the goings on around us, and had taken several pictures of the Seattle skyline, as late afternoon slowly, painfully, turned to night over the course of our stay. We finished dinner at 950p, and left- nearly three hours, a new casual dining record for us. What a relief to exit. And the bill was only $150-200 (+/-) for an evening of aggravation, and a poor start to our anniversary visit to the Seattle area.

All six of us were pleased with our meals and the views are beautiful! Sunset was lovely from the deck!

Nice view, good food and more than average service. We were 3 of us, food was very good. We had salmon, Fried Northwest Platter and Dungeness Crab and Goat Cheese Dip that was good enough for all. I had not been in States for a while and to my surprise was they had already set tip menu and it was weird. It was 18%, 20 % and 22%. I had worked as a waiter while I was a student in NYC, I never seen such a thing. Also, it was not worth more than 10% service. We were ambushed to pay something that was not really fair.

#IvarsSalmonHouse @ivarsclam, by the famous #Ivars, sits on #LakeUnion. Modeled after a Native American longhouse with indigenous art and history, it contrasts beautifully with the modern skyline of #SouthLakeUnion. The salmon with #huckleberry sauce and the rich, creamy clam chowder were outstanding, especially with Columbia Valley wine 🍷 サーモン好きさん必訪🙌 #アイバーズサーモンハウス @ivarsclam は、クラムチャウダーで有名な#アイバーズ 手掛ける #ユニオン湖 を一望できるシーフード店 ネイティブアメリカン(インディアン)のロングハウスを模した建物には、先住民のアートや歴史が息づく。対照的なシアトルのシリコンバレーと称される#サウスレイクユニオン のビル群も遠くに、シアトルらしい食文化を体験できます。 サーモンを#ハックルベリー ソースでいただく1皿、濃厚なクラムチャウダーが美味でした。コロンビアヴァレーのワインとの相性も抜群

Visiting Seattle and was really looking forward to seafood. The only reason I am giving 2 stars is because my meal was really good. Otherwise it would be 1 star. The service was absolutely horrendous. Ordered an iced tea which was never delivered. Asked for bread and it was delivered after I was done eating my meal. We were given the happy hour food menu, but never told that there was an actual menu we could have ordered from. And the time delay between all waiter interactions was long! So much potential, but the service ruined the experience.

Worst chicken I ever didn't eat. Ordered Chicken Saltimbocca. Tasted like it was frozen last year and cooked last week. Accompanying mashed potatoes were a gluey, tasteless mess. Another diner had the chicken sandwich--also terrible. Should have stuck to fish and chips. Hard to mess up. Staff is very nice and friendly. Food not so much.

Hosted a dinner for 70. The6 handled it with ease. Great food, bar set up. Obviously the best was the salmon and shrimp. Very well set up, on time and accurate bill. Thanks for a great event!

We went for dinner on a trip while part of the special Olympics Seattle. Seated very quickly, made reservations via open table. Serve was good as was food. The view was outstanding. Daily specials and regular menu choices. Delightful dinner.

Nice place to have seafood in Seattle. Oysters are amazing with a cold beer, and don't forget to invite your friends!

I had a guest from Ohio, and after a day of touring Seattle, we wanted to relax in a nearby waterfront restaurant. We drove by Lake Union and found Ivars. I love seafood but I think the pricing is too steep. We did get a gorgeous view of the lake, but I think we can get the same food somewhere else for less the price. The battered fried seafood(fish. Oysters, clams etc).. they weren't over the top great. Enough I guess to satisfy you. But the clam chowder is what they do best! If you want to try authentic clam chowder.. ivars is the place to go. The ambience was nice and rustic. The server was great. They can just really do better with their pricing.

Even though this is a Salmon house they have a varied menu that can satisfy most people. The service is excellent and they work hard to meet all of your needs. Most of the seating has a view of the water and there is always great activity.

Was hoping for more. Prices were very high. Flavor was blah. Service was ok. We did get a nice table near window with fabulous view which improved our experience. The sockeye salmon order was raw. They took it back and returned with a complete new plate, prepared perfectly. The Halibut meal was also on the underdone side, but eatable. The Northwest plate was ok, but lacked flavor. The scallops were good, but not as good as those from Boston. The salmon was dry. The halibut was ok. For $37 would have expected more from this meal. We got the dessert item where you could sample three items. The first on the list was best. A vanilla bean type custard with tasty crust, crepe brûlée’s type. We walked there from the Graduate hotel. Took Lyft back. Would not go back. Will try another spot next time.

We decided to dine right next to the water and it was a beautiful day to do so. The place is a piece of history, and the staff was friendly and helpful. The portion sizes have shrunk since I visited in the mid 90s, but the flavor and conscious collection has remained the same. An excellent establishment, hopefully it will be less than 25 years before we can visit again.

Enjoyed fish & chips (4pc for $10.79), clans & chips ($8.79), a bowl of white clam chowder ($6.25), cornbread (2.50 each) and a lemonade ($3.25). Grandkids loved it and we had to go back for more fried clams.

My wife and I had a fantastic time here for lunch on a rare sunny day in Seattle. We sat outside on the water and took advantage of the sunshine. The food was good but I felt the portions were a bit small for the price. I had a shrimp dish with only 4 shrimps for about $20. The service was excellent and I would certainly go here again on a rare sunny day in Seattle.

Four of us had a super lunch at the Salmon House. As expected the food was delicious and the service was great. On a balmy summer day the weather added to the fun.

Tourist trap with lots of people wearing tshirts and flipflops chowing down. Teeny portions and the salmon and halibut were dry and overcooked. Ive had much better on the east coast. Server was horrible and place felt dirty. View was pretty good. Neighborhood was really industrial feeling and not nice.

This is a definite must stop to enjoy fresh seafood. I ordered the trio (salmon, halibut, and prawns) and my husband had fish (halibut) and chips. Let me say that it was AMAZING! Thanks to the gal at the Harley Davison store for recommending this place.

This was a tough on to review. It’s really a 3.5. The ambiance is AMAZING!!! 5+! But it’s called The Salmon House and the salmon was over cooked and the crab cakes were just so-so. And it’s not cheap! That was nearly a $40 salmon and we expected better. The fish and chips and clam chowder was good. Drinks were good. It’s definitely not terrible, just not a great value. It’s worth going once to see the inside!

Again a great place to be. Food and location is authentic and great. Friendly staff, clean location. Unfortunately the place is terrible cold-30% of the guest keep their jackets on because they were freezing

Enjoy Lake Union views and delicious fresh Northwest food. This is a place for a special meal; menu items can be pricey. Wait staff is friendly, helpful, professional; several people at the hostess station ignored us momentarily while they were chatting, but then we were seated right away. Free parking.

Sat on the deck, enjoying great food, cold beer, excellent service and the Blue Angels of SeaFaire overhead. Had the clam chowder and fish and chips and they were as good as always. A must visit for anyone from out of town.

Well of course we went to this place to partake of the seafood and the view but the unexpected winner of the evening was the steak in my husband’s surf and turf dinner He said it was the best steak he has ever had in his life and that is saying something because the man has eaten a lot of steaks! So go for the view and try the seafood (which was also quite delicious) but don’t discount the steak, you won’t be disappointed

The menu stated that all salmon was to be cooked “medium “ but mine was well done and dry. The server delivering drinks mixed up my non-alcoholic drink with my daughter’s alcoholic drink.

When you are in Seattle no visit is complete without at least one stop at an Ivar’s location. The Salmon House has beautiful Pacific Northwest decor and a water view. Crab cakes got the party started. Then we enjoyed salmon and clam chowders in the bread bowls, blackened Sockeye Caesar salad and sandwich. It doesn’t get any better than this!

This is one of our favorite places to eat and our go-to when people come visit from out of town. The food is always really good - especially if you like salmon. There are other options, like steak, if you don't appreciate fish. Prices have gone up quite a bit and the service has changed a little lately. Still very good and worth the visit.

Unbelievable that I am writing a poor review for what was my favorite restaurant in Seattle. I have dined here over the last 15 years, ensuring family and friends are our guests as I travel from Ohio to visit Seattle. Meeting a highly respected colleague that resides here in Seattle, my wife and I wholeheartedly agreed to meet at Ivar’s “under the bridge.” The restaurant itself with the view was as beautiful as ever. However, my meal, as well as my wife’s, was so disappointing! My salmon duo dish was crap; the salmon was dry and tasteless. The mashed potatoes were dry and starchy, and the vegetable medley was cold and wrinkled…obviously cooked yesterday and reheated. My wife’s Halibut and Chips was an embarrassing display of two small, thin pieces of what appeared to be Tilapia which was cold and tasteless, as were the fries. I hate that we were the recipients of prior prepared food to help out the financial bottom line of this restaurant. Will not return…thanks for nothing. Oh…the hostess and waitress were both very pleasant.

My brother in law and his wife took my wife and I to this restaurant. The food here is excellent and pricey. When you’re in Seattle, stop by this restaurant for good food.

I have been here several times, it's a great place to have a meal with friends or colleagues. Had the king salmon last time, it was a fantastic meal. And the building itself is amazing with a great view.

Huge waterfront restaurant. We were there for an early dinner on a nice day in September and had a wonderful time. The restaurant has a large number of outside tables plus great views from inside the restaurant. It also has plenty of parking (very rare in Seattle!) As to the food ... The food is good! If you are seeking Michelin starred food you will be disappointed, but if you just want a good solid meal at a very reasonable price you'll be quite happy. There is a lot to pick from on the menu and the service was great. Enjoy!

We went to Iva'rs for Brunch before going to the float home show the food was fair they only had one server for 50 people in are group so service was poor I will not go again

My travel friend and I met a friend here for dinner. I laughed when he told me he had been dreaming about his salmon all day. My friend and he enjoyed their salmons immensely. Not being a salmon lover. OMG. What did I just admit!! lol. I had a delicious meal of another fish. We had a lovely view. It was a great choice.

We discovered that Ivar's was about a 5 minute walk from our hotel, so went there for a nice seafood dinner. We were very impressed with the restaurant. We did not have reservations, but were offered immediate seating in the bar area. It was a perfect spot with excellent views of the lake and the drawbridge. I wish I could now remember our server's name. (Could it be Anthony, whom another reviewer mentioned? Ask if he remembers the couple who needed a to-go box to go pick blackberries after dinner.) He was so great and went over and above to ensure a nice experience for us. My Alaska Sockeye Salmon with peach and nectarine salsa was perfect- really the best salmon I've had anywhere, and my husband enjoyed very much his salad and Clam Chowder. This is obviously a very busy and popular spot in an amazing setting. Beautiful views!

This was our second time visiting Ivar’s while boating on Lake Washington and Lake Union. It’s such a convenient location with great views. The service is terrific. They have a good selection of cocktails and food choices. My suggestion is to sit outside and enjoy the wonderful weather and views.

Started with 5 scallops that were cold. Followed by crab stuffed Alaskan halibut which was less than impressive. It takes effort to ruin halibut. The crab stuffing reminded me of canned cat food. The green beans were over cooked but the mashed potatoes were very good. Lovely views and wait staff. Handicapped bathroom stall lacked toilet paper. Bathroom floor needed to be mopped around the stall dividers.

The food was good, but not Excellent like it use to be. Have been coming here to this restaurant since the late 70's. It use to be my favorite place to eat in Seattle. Now the portions are very small and the Salmon did not have the alder wood flavor. They did not even have the corn bread that was so famous. I hope they bring it back to the way it use to be. This use to be so great.

Did lunch recently and had window seats overlooking the water. Savored the Alder Smoked Chanterelle Sockeye Salmon and the Himalayan Sea Salt Halibut. Both were delectable. Had a lovely dessert. We very much enjoyed the interior decor and looking out across Lake Union towards the Space Needle. Service was swift. Idyllic and tranquil setting. We had last dined there long ago when we were in the Seattle area and were still impressed with what this particular Ivar’s still had to offer. Parking was limited but we snagged a Space out front.

No trip to Seattle would be complete without a visit to Ivar’s Salmon House. We have visited Ivar’s several times, but this is the first time we’ve been able to sit on the patio. Gorgeous view of the city and the Space Needle. We ordered off the Happy Hour menu and I had the Salmon Sampler which was excellent. My husband had burger and fries and he was very pleased.

Two friends said this place is great; another called it average. I’m going with below average. I felt the same about Ivar’s on the waterfront in Seattle (September ‘24). The halibut was cooked nicely, but the gooey sweet chili sauce tasted exactly like the one I buy at my grocery store. The rice was made days ago or sat under a heat lamp for a very long time — dry, crunchy, translucent, awful. It’s very nice sitting near the water on a sunny day despite the inescapable loud noise of the highway bridge overhead. Good view of the Needle from a few outdoor tables. FAR better places within a 10-minute walk.

Never really gave it any thought (being from the east coast), but was surprised to see different species of salmon (although it does make sense!). Tried the sampler on the "bar menu". Really liked the coho salmon. Sat outside on a glorious, clear evening and watching the boats come and go. Beers are priced right!

Nice atmosphere and great views of Lake Union. Floor to ceiling windows allowed views of parades of passing boats of all varieties. We were there during a thunder and lightening storm so it was a fantastic light show. Great, well prepared but over priced food. Excellent, knowledgeable service provided by our waiter, Brett Bud Light draft $6.75 more expensive than in Alaska where supplies need to be shipped or flown in House Chardonnay $8.50 / glass / reasonable by /Seattle standards Mini crab cakes (not Baltimore type but tasty) $16 3 piece Halibut & Chips $28 Salmon Sampler (2 oz each King, Coho, & Sockeye) $36 Peach & Blueberry Shortcake (delish!) $9 Our dinner with 20% tip was $150

We celebrated my birthday here! At the time, indoor dining was very limited, and you could only have a party 5 or less. We initially thought we'd have 6 people, so we booked two tables of 3. However, we found out that one of our family members couldn't come, so we changed the reservation. We felt very comfortable with the precautions that had been put in place. There were very few diners allowed in at any time. Our tables were spaced more than 6 feet apart (more like 10-12.) Our server wore a mask and gloves. We kept our masks on while talking and ordering, only taking them off to eat. The menu at this time is limited to mostly salmon dishes. That was ok with us, but some people might be disappointed. We all enjoyed our dinners immensely. All of the staff were kind and courteous, although we knew that their jobs were stressful. We had a wonderful view of the water and sunset. It was a terrific celebration!

I found Ivar's searching for a restaurant where my husband and I could eat seafood *and* our five-year-old would be entertained. Ivar's was perfect. The food was not life-changing, but it was very good. The service was excellent yet laid back; perfect for a family with a young child. The staff helped arrange a table where our little one could look out of the window at the passing boats. They had the staple kid-friendly coloring place mat, crayons, and a little paper diver's mask. They also had raspberry lemonade, which our daughter adored. We got to watch the sun set behind the space needle, a memory my daughter still talks about.

Perfect place on the bay for a cocktail and take in the view. Super large and busy place but if want to get in and out go directly to bar !!!

Salmon House used to be our favorite Seattle restaurant - but not anymore. We hadn’t been here for a couple of years - just recently moving back to WA. We took our son, who was here for a visit and found it quite disappointing. The food was blandly presented, the salmon was over cooked, the bread was dry and not up to par. There still are a couple of saving graces: 1). The service was very good and 2) the decor is still beautiful with the Native American art work enhancing the water view from nearly every table.

This was the perfect place for our daughters wedding reception dinner!! The staff was very courteous and helpful! The food was amazing .. especially loved the chowder and blackened halibut! Great views as well! We will visit again when we’re back in Seattle- loved it!! Thanks!!

Sat in the bar at a table closer to the window but still had the same food menu. I got the northwest sampler (salmon/halibut/scallops) and friend got the Salmon sampler. Pieces were smaller than I expected but were still good. View from where we sat was just awesome. Boats going past, drawbridge going up, felt like a real experience. If not from Seatlle, could be a little more difficult to find. At least that is what i thought. Enjoyable dinner. Would be back.

We went for lunch on the Saturday before Mother's Day. It was my mother, my sister and my husband. We had reservations and were seated at a table by the window. Our server was Jesus. He was wonderful. He was friendly, informative and efficient. We all ordered from the 2 for $25 menu. Also ordered a bottle of wine. The food was delicious. We had a wonderful time. It was a great lunch with delicious food and wine, a great server, Jesus. Also two other servers helped out with our table. It was such a lovely time. We will be back.

Sitting on the outside patio allows you to enjoy the boat traffic through the Lake Washington Ship canal while you enjoy the excellent preparation of salmon and halibut. Truly a memorable meal.

The food was quite tasty (loved the white clam chowder & fish 'n chips). Drinks on the costly side. We ate on the deck, which has a superb view of the city & boats going to & fro, providing a very nice atmosphere. The restaurant was very busy, so it took a while to get our food, but, the view made the wait worthwhile. The service was excellent - our waitress (Denise) was very attentive & friendly. We'll definitely be back when we return to Seattle!

This is an excellent spot whether for lunch or dinner. Beautiful view if seated outside or window seats inside. Our waiter "Felix" was the very best. So nice & so sincere. Enjoyed it all.

We were lucky to get a table by the window overlooking the lake, with the Seattle skyline and Space Needle in the distance, the dock below, and boat traffic on the lake - wonderful ambiance and food. The seafood is superb, can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The restaurant is meant to be a replica of a Northwest native long house, and is decorated inside and out with spectacular Northwest native art. It is somewhat on the noisy side, but it is a very large space, and didn't find the noise disconcerting at all. The staff were all professional, friendly, and courteous. It is somewhat expensive, but not at all out of line for a restaurant of this caliber and quality. The food was totally excellent, and there is an extensive wine and beer selection in all price ranges. Limited free parking is available. There are several Ivar's restaurants in Seattle and throughout the area, and I'm sure one can't go wrong visiting any of them. This one is especially great due to its location on the lake and all the Northwest native artwork. Hightly recommend, check out their websites for locations and menu.

My brother-in-law raved about this place so we had to try it. My salmon combo was pretty tasteless, very bland. It was prepared well though and the sides were excellent. I can’t quite pinpoint what made the salmon so tasteless. The clam chowder, of course, was delicious. My wife’s Fish and Chips platter was excellent. Anything above a 3 is overrated IMHO. Service staff was very helpful and should be commended.

Great view from anywhere in the restaurant. Been around for years so they do know what they are doing. Decor is a bit dated so look past that and enjoy your meal. Service was prompt and well versed with the offerings. One of the better meals you will have while in Seattle.

We dined at Ivar’s Salmon House for dinner. Our table was by the window overlooking the lake. We watched the boats and a beautiful sunset during our dinner. Of course, our meal started with the famous clam chowder. It was delicious! Between three of us, we had king crab legs, crab Louie salad, and fried oysters. The food was amazing and service was great! Don’t miss this restaurant while in Seattle!!

We went for happy hour and to enjoy the beautiful lake views. The seafood brochette was delicious fresh fish shrimp and veggies. Mussels with red curry were also a hit. Restaurant decor is lovely with many interesting indigenous sculptures.

I got here at 11:50 for a noon reservation. I asked for a water view as I’m traveling from out of state and said that. I got a crappy table and really had to delay until another group left and got a better table. Waitress too 15 minutes just to serve me water. There were 3 other groups who came in after me, waitress told them about the specials before she came to my table. When she came (after spending time at 3 tables that came later than I did) she just asked me what I wanted without saying anything about the specials. Ruined a great trip and I’m not coming back again. I haven’t even had the food but my experience is horrible

We found this restaurant on Trip Advisor! It’s a great place for Northwest seafood - we enjoyed the combo plates that included salmon, halibut, and shrimp or scallops. The restaurant recreates a traditional salmon house in the shore of a lake, with hanging boats and fishing gear as well as carved wooden decorations. Great for families or large groups. The only drawback is that it is a ways out from the city center if you don’t have a car. A cab ride from Seattle Center ran about $15-18.

Had dinner here on a SUN evening, outside seating on the water. Server Nick was attentive. Wife had a salad and crab cakes starter, I had the Taste of the Northwest (two kinds of salmon and some large scallops). Food was great! Negative: traffic noise on the bridge about 80 feet above your head.

Very nice restaurant food portions were just the right amount. Priced were reasonable. Sat outside was a lovely view of the water and boats. Staff was very helpful and friendly. If I ever make it to Seattle again will definitely eat here again

The restaurant is right on Lake Union with a view of the Space Needle. Food is great, but you pay for the location. I had the fish and chips which was very good

We tried both Ivar’s restaurants in Seattle and noted that the food was just not as good as in the past. The Salmon House has great views of Lake Union and you can watch kayakers, boaters and Kenmore Air floatplanes taking off. In retrospect, one would be wise to skip the restaurant and with bring your food around from the carry out. I don’t think there is any difference in the quality anymore and the price is much more reasonable. Sad when one raves about the decor and view, but not the food.

We ate here the night before our cruise out of Seattle. The restaurant is like a cabin and is pretty neat. I ordered the cedar plank sockeye salmon and it was pretty good. A family member had the fried cajun salmon and.....well lets just say salmon is not a fish that should be fried. The pound cake for dessert was ok, similar to that you can get at Sams or Costco. The location is the best about this place though. Itis on the water and very scenic.

Been to this establishment before and so far it has us coming back. The chowder was very tasty, one of our favorites, and we had a Caesar salad with blackened Sockeye Salmon which was done perfectly. On Lake Union and a great view of downtown Seattle. Next time in town, we will be there!

I had never wrote a review but this had to be my first. Had reservations at 12:00pm and wasn’t seated till 1:15pm. On top of that we had to wait another 30 minutes to get our food.

We were visiting from Philly for a family function and I was celebrating a special birthday. Being that that the restaurant is named “Salmon house”, we expect to have some good salmon. That was not the case. One of us ordered the sampler and got three very dried up pieces of salmon that looked like 3 thick potato chips. I had ordered the cedar plank sockeye salmon . We all requested that the salmon not be overcooked and were told by waiter that they always cook the fish to medium. They all came very well done. Nothing is served on a cedar plank which is what I expected and which is how they do it in Alaska . Also I got the wrong side dish. Mine was supposed to come with cornmeal based side dish and it came with the same mashed potatoes that everyone else had. We had a nice efficient waiter but he never once checked back with us to see how we liked our entrées and to see whether or not they were cooked to our liking etc. We come from a great restaurant city so maybe my expectations are high but I don’t think that’s it. This Ivars needs to do a whole lot better. The decor of the restaurant is really outstanding and we really enjoyed the Pacific Northwest decor along with all the indigenous peoples art and artifacts. The setting cannot be beat on beautiful Lake Union. It was a very hot 90 degree day and at least they had AC.

First stop from the airport visiting a friend in Seattle! The best clam chowder, sourdough rolls, and fried calamari... all this with an amazing view and super nice staff! Browse around the restaurant... great artwork & history!

Building was beautiful, rustic and Lodge- Like inside with lots of totem decor. View of Lake Union and all the boats was very nice. Food was mediocre and over priced. Drinks were just OK. If you want great food I wouldn't go here (maybe just for a lunch of fish and chips).

My favorite place to eat in Seattle, hands down. Every visit feels special from the moment you walk in — the dining room is surrounded by stunning Pacific Northwest Coast art that celebrates Indigenous culture and creates an atmosphere that’s both elegant and deeply rooted in place. It’s the kind of space that makes you pause and take it all in before the first bite even arrives. The food is consistently outstanding. Each dish feels carefully crafted, with fresh local ingredients and beautiful presentation. I’ve tried a range of menu items over several visits and have never been disappointed. The flavors are vibrant yet balanced — true comfort food elevated by creativity and care. Service is attentive without being intrusive, and the staff are knowledgeable about both the menu and potential drink pairings if you're feeling unsure. My dining partner, who has celiac disease, absolutely adores the flour-free chocolate cake — it’s rich, decadent, and perfectly portioned. It’s wonderful to see such thoughtful options for guests with dietary restrictions. The restaurant works well for all group sizes, from intimate dinners to celebratory gatherings. Noise levels can get moderate during peak hours, but conversation is still easy.

The view was great, especially around sunset. Unfortunately, the salmon was horribly overcooked, which is not what you expect at a salmon house! Service was attentive, but, as mentioned, the food was sub par. Not worth a repeat...

Great service, friendly, efficient and right on time. Good salad, great fresh fish on the menu and good wine and liquor selection.

If you want a quick lunch they have a walk up counter with plenty of choices of seafood and tables right there or you can sit by the water as well. Quick convenient and enjoyable

Took our travel companions here for a night before cruise dinner! We have been here before , but they had not. We all enjoyed the food and views!

We made a reservation days ahead, but still ended up waiting 20 minutes to be seated. Waiter was a little odd, but nice enough. Dinner was fine, but nothing special, price was a bit higher than expected. All in all an OK choice, might be better in the summer sitting outside by the lake.

Had a very nice lunch with a beautiful view of Lake Union and the activity on the Montlake Cut. Food was excellent, service was friendly and helpful. The decor is historical and attractive. The thing I like the best is that if you want to just sit and talk before or after your meal there is no pressure to move you out. I've been taking employees and business friends here since 1985.

Beautiful views, I would recommend the place for some drinks and bay view. The service was good. The food was good, but if you are foody, this is not a place for it.

We sat outside right on the edge of Lake Union with a great view of the Seattle skyline and the Space Needle nearby. Gorgeous views, and great food. Loved their salmon, and clam chowder the best! Will definitely return to this location which is a bit away from downtown but still close.

We return each visit to Seattle we return to Ivar's Salmon house for its amazing views. IIvars is a legend in Seattle with several locations but we like this one best. Great family restaurant. Food was ok (more coleslaw please) - what I like is you have the option of going the take out stand and eating on the dock or having the inside restaurant ambience which replicates a longhouse - wooden canoe -various wood carvings just beautiful. Our server Anthony (who we teased about working at Ivars) was superb. He was quick witted replying back his middle name was Ivar! We look forward to returning soon!

From the moment we walked in the door, I was disappointed! The hostess was quite rude, and more interested in chatting with her coworkers than fulfilling my reservation. We had to wait 20 minutes past our reservation time to be seated, when we were then told to order all of our courses at once, as the kitchen was too busy to course our meal. I understand this is a somewhat casual restaurant, but with some entree prices exceeding $30, the service should be far better. The food was decent, but not worth the money. I recommend finding a spot in the Capitol Hill area, instead of this “tourist trap”.

Was out running around, and was getting hungry I needed to find some dinner. We've had excellent meals with excellent service from the Salmon House previously and thought why not go there again as we've enjoyed all our previous experiences. Well this time things were a bit, well, not so good. While we were seated fairly quickly, and to our surprise without requesting it we got a window seat right above the water, that was a nice treat. 10 minutes later our server actually shows up to get us water, by then we had been ready to order for at least 5 minutes. He took our order with minimal interaction with us and that's the last we saw them until he brought our food, and then no further interaction with him after that, I didn't even notice a passing glance from him, on the numerous times he walked past our table to assist others. The only staff interaction we had was with his replacement who took our plates and brought us our check. Our drinks, which were just water, stayed empty for more than half our time there, which honestly is unacceptable. Not one of the servers even checked on us during our meal, to check that everything was all right. And I know from my previous visits that they typically bring dinner bread to the table which was not offered or even mentioned by our server. So is this still a thing here or not, I don't know. Even when we had finished our meal, none of the servers even asked if we were interested in dessert at all. When are replacement server did finally check on us we've been done eating for nearly 15 minutes, and awaiting at least a water refill, but we just asked for the check so we could leave. Generally the food was good, though the vegetables were overcooked and quite limp, and the serving size seems to have been downsized quite a bit, as after spending as much money as I did, I still left hungry, and I went to Dick's Drive-In to get more food (and better service this day) I also recall from my last visit that they were not allowing tips to the servers as they were being compensated accordingly so the tips were not required, but the tips section on the receipt was back, so are they not paying their employees well anymore? I don't know, but based on the service I received, I would have been better off going elsewhere. I'd get better bad service at a Denny's than the service I got on this visit, and certainly got better service at Dick's Drive-In.

We had an early dinner at Ivar's. We were seated quickly without reservations. The view from our table was fantastic. The wait staff was enthusiastic and attentive, but we did not feel rushed. The crab bisque was quite possibly the best I have ever tasted. Everyone enjoyed their fish entrees with the exception of an order of fish and chips, which our British friend felt was not authentic. Overall an excellent experience.

Not the best fish and chips I've had and probably won't go back if I'm in Seattle again. Maybe inside the restaurant it's a better quality.

Right on the water with views of downtown and the boats coursing through the busy channel, we had a positive dining experience. Our waitress was experienced and accomplished, providing us with good service and hospitality. The dinner of King salmon was very tasty. Unappealing in appearance, the purple potatoes were quite tasty and the brussels sprouts were good and a healthy choice. My only disappointment was the bread. We had a mixed basket and neither type of roll was good. They were dry without much to distinguish them from one another. We dined indoors, but the waterside patio looked wonderful. We saw some people arrive in boats. It was an ideal choice for dinner on our last night in Seattle.

Located right on the water, The Salmon House is one of Seattle's most beloved local restaurants. True Northwest cuisine with some of the best seafood dishes. A must if you travel to Seattle. You will not be disappointed.

I’ve been coming here for 20 years and still love it. It’s an experience just walking into the building with its northwestern indigenous art. The views are great, the food is beyond divine and overall great deal for the evening.

We ate there last night in the dining room and had white fish rather than salmon. It was a large piece, draped over rice and with green beans on the side. All excellently prepared. Split a Caesar salad which was ideal since it was large. Seated along the window, so the view was great looking down the lake to the Space Needle. Two changes from the last time we ate there: (1) cornbread is no longer offered gratis to start your dining experience and, (2) the ticket receipt has the typical tip suggestion listed.

I have enjoyed the salmon house a lot over the years but my most recent experience on 6/5/2023 was poor. First, the bartender told me happy hour was over even though it was only 5:45, then he made a stupid retort when I said it didn’t end until 6:00. (It’s 5 o’clock somewhere he said dismissively.) He finally agreed that I could get HH prices when I showed him the menu that said HH went until 6 and he checked the clock. When the check came, I had been charged prices above those shown on the menu. The bartender explained that prices had gone up but had not been updated on the menu. He did not offer to make an adjustment. When I complained he was irritated and called a manager over (deal with this he told her .) So from start to finish the service was rude, and watch out for those price increases.

We lucked out by being seated at the far window table with the best view of Seattle and the boaters navigating the busier-than-usual waters during Seafair weekend. Ivar’s offered multiple varieties of salmon prepared a variety of ways, but even some locals had not tried and compared the flavors of three varieties of salmon side by side until the Ivar’s experience, which encourages us, too. The menu offered other locally grown foods. In season during our visit, peaches, cherries and berries influenced accompaniments and desserts. Incredible meal. Attentive service. Glad to see and talk to so many Seattlites here as local patronage says a lot about business.

The views and clam chowder are the best things about Ivars. The crab cakes were nicely seasoned and surprisingly the salmon was the least favorite. Would definitely go back again.

Last visit was AUG 2021 with my wife - this time was 6 family members, we ate inside, dinner on a THU evening. Server Jesus was great. Split the crab dip, all of us had drinks. Entrees were Taste of the Northwest, crab cakes, and NW seafood platter. The seafood was outstanding.

This is a 1... I have had better fish from the local diner than here, its terrible. Resturant is cold and under heated... The name says it all amd should have meant it all but we ordered 2lb King Crab and Halibut and Cod Fish and Chips... The Crab legs were over boiled and final apart when removing from the shell the Halibut did not tatse like the big flaky Halibut I know... The Cod was ok... But instead of receiving a nice fillet of fish both Halibut and Cod were served in the form of chicken strips. I know we are not going gold star but a name and place like this I had expected so much more...

Impressive wooden carvings decorate this restaurant. The extensive seafood menu gives lots of variety showcasing the great seafood of the Northwest. My favourite is the salmon sampler which cooks 3 different salmon varieties by the same method so you can compare to see which one you prefer. All are delicious.

In Seattle overnight to catch a cruise during Seafair, we decided to visit the Salmon House as we’d done in past years. So glad we did. It didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t decide which was best. The delicious classic dishes, the cocktails, the delightful views of Lake Union or the timber lodge building that would feel at home in a National Park. Ivar’s Salmon House is definitely worthy of a visit.

This is a good place to soak in a beautiful day in Seattle. They have everything from fish tacos to crabcakes to the more expensive Cedar Plank Wild Sockeye Red Salmon. Most in our group got the clam chowder and an order of calimari; one person got fish/chips and I got the crab cakes. Overall, the food is solid, the view is beautiful and they make good cocktails. I would definitely visit again.

I love this restaurant. Food is always hot and the view is amazing. The perfect place to take your out of town guest.

We had not been to Ivar's for years and were pleasantly surprised at the decor and menu which seemed to be upgraded from last visit. We ordered our entrees and also a bread basket of 2 sourdough rolls and 3 very small cornbread muffins and two small dishes of whipped butter for what seemed to be an outrageous $4.50 extra. One of my out of town guests buttered his muffin and after tasting it said it tasted odd. We sniffed it and saw it had lavender added which wasn't pleasant. We asked the server to replace the butter and he said we already had another dish of plain butter and that would be wasteful. He said when we finished the other butter he would give us some more. (Were we naughty children?) We finished the bread but dared not ask for more due to his lecture about being wasteful. The food was delivered and all was extremely delicious and satisfying. We had noticed what sounded like a delicious peach blueberry shortcake dessert on the "specials" sheet on the menu when we gave our original order and thought we might like to try it or perhaps another dessert. Upon finishing our meal the server started to bring our check without asking if we wanted anything more. We asked for a dessert menu. He plunked down a small plastic dessert card but no special dessert was listed. When we asked he said "Oh you probably want the peach dessert" We said we wanted to read the description. He declined to bring us the specials menu that described the dessert and said it was peach blueberry shortcake and we didn't need to read the description. We ordered the dessert which was disappointing. To summarize, what could have been a memorable meal (gorgeous scenery, lovely restaurant and good food) was not what it should have been due to our various interactions with a server who was more interested in making the meal about himself and his opinions rather than about paying guests. I would visit again, especially with out of town guests but would hope not to et this server again. I hope management noticed my little note of disappointment on my bill.

Most tables are near large windows where you can view boats, kayaks, and paddle boards surrounded by beautiful trees near the lake. The food selection was amazing, fresh, and eye appealing. So delicious!

Salmon House was packed on a Friday night and service was swift and friendly. Tried the salmon chowder (could have been a tad warmer) but the sour dough rolls are terrific. My guests enjoyed the Dungeness Louie and Black and Blue Salad.

Ivar’s Salmon House is a one of a kind place that is not replicated anywhere else. It sits on Lake Union look south towards downtown Seattle. Better yet, the clam chowder here is just the best. Included with your visit is the fabulous Indian are work. My pictures explain it all. You absolutely have to place Ivar’s on your to do list when in Seattle.

Situated on the Seattle waterfront with both indoor and outdoor seating. This is predominantly a fish restaurant, serving large portions! A good selection of both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Friendly and helpful staff.

Went with my girlfriend who had Salmon and I had Fish and Chips. The view was beautiful and the ambience of the restaurant was very attractive. The restaurant and restroom were immaculate. Excellent table service. It is a little expensive but the seafood is absolutely fresh. There was a 1/2 hour wait even for an early lunch, but it was a pleasant wait. Many families with young children apparently eat there, because we saw many parents with very young children. Definitely I would return!

I really enjoyed Ivar's. I got the grilled salmon sampler. It was King, Sockeye and Coho in a nice balsamic sauce with a ginormous hunk of red potato mashed (meaning the skin of the potato was in it) and zucchini, yellow squash and carrot. I thought it was cool that they have a dish where you can try all three side by side. And the view was spectacular. There was a hoverboarder out there and seaplanes flying by. I can only imagine the scene in summer. The atmosphere is very casual and comfortable. I went late afternoon and had no problem getting a window without a reservation. I think anyone would feel at home. Service was fine, the employees were very nice and helpful. The food was good, albeit expensive, but you're not just paying for the food. You're paying for the view, you're paying for nostalgia, and the food is a uniquely Seattle experience. It's a landmark. Go ahead and do it that one time if you've never been, and just decide if you want to go back. I definitely would.

So disappointed - lacking flavor, lettuce on salad was wilted. Service was thin, good energy but not enough waitstaff. Used to be a place to go for a special occasion. Now staying away. A missed opportunity to make use of that beautiful building and view. Left feeling tired and uninspired.

Wonderful lunch here. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I always eat at an Ivar's restaurant everytime I visit Washington. This was my first time here at the Salmon House. The view from the table we had was beautiful. Service was wonderful as well. I hope to visit here again. Highly recommend.

Amazing view while enjoying delicious drinks and food. It is worth visiting this restaurant to enjoy a great meal. Everything we ordered was simply delicious. I highly recommend it.

I had the Happy Hour conventional (or was it traditional?) mixed drink and clams. It's like a MacDonald's Happy Meal for adults. Great deal!

This is a great place for family celebration. Food is good with gluten free options. Not too vegetarian friendly. Wonderful historical First Nation pictures line the walls near the restroom. Recommend make a reservation and ask to sit near the window because the view is spectacular.

For 20 years, we've gone to Ivar' Salmon House whenever we have out-of-town guests who enjoy fresh seafood, great views, and good service. Typically we choose a late luncheon, skipping the lunch crowd but still able to benefit from lunch menu pricing. (note: this is NOT the touristy place downtown, but closely located to downtown on North Lake Union and much better). As usual Ivar's Salmon House met all expectations. August 10, weather and window view was glorious (lots of boats, planes, paddle-boarders). The sunny deck was packed with counter service and patio dining, but the inside was almost empty refreshingly quiet. Fresh menu had 3 salmon choices, we ordered one of each and sampled King, Sockeye, Coho. My dish was the Snow Pass Coho prepared with mushrooms - excellent! Started with shared appetizer of coconut shrimp and cornbread muffins. One person had shrimp cocktail which came with a very nice crab/avocado topper. We usually have a sampling of their wonderful desserts, but had to pass so that we could make it over to tour pike place market. Always excellent table service. Thank you Ivars for again providing a wonderful seafood experience for visiting friends!

We had reservations for 5:15 on a Friday night and even though the restaurant was crowded we were seated within 15 minutes of our arrival. (I would strongly recommend reservations as this appears to be a very popular venue.) The building itself is beautiful with its exposed wood decor, Native American influence and excellent views of the lake. Our server was very good however, through no fault of his own, he was spread over several tables. When our food arrived it was very appealing in it's plating but the flavor was beyond belief. I had salmon, scallops and halibut and each were delicious. Everyone else in our party was also very happy with their meal.