Portage Bay Cafe - Roosevelt Reviews

High end breakfast with great service and coffee to boot! Gluten free options abound as well. Fresh ingredients were oblivious with each bite. I went for the Seattle Benedict with Dungeness Crab and sautéed heavy greens…perfect, delicious, and worth the price tag. Sunday brunch time is packed.

Great place for breakfast. Just down the street from Watertown hotel. Had the Rancher's Breakfast. Lots of food but it was fabulous. French toast was phenomenal as well as the breakfast bar with fresh, organic fruits, nuts, whipped cream.

We were hungry and didn't really want to wait for seats on Saturday late morning, but it was totally worth it! We got seats at the breakfast bar, which was loads of fun watching the cooks work their magic! The breakfast was one of the best and filled us up completely! Will return

Next door to our hotel and didn't visit until our last day - what a shame, the food and the service were second to none. Would have visited again if we hadn't had to fly home! Arrived about 11am and had to queue outside for about 10 mintue, but well worth the wait. The pancakes were to die for!

A group of three from our company went for breakfast. We had to wait for about 30 minutes since we did not have a reservation. I dont feel that is an issue. Once on our table the service was fast. The breakfast was amazing. Great flavors. It is a pricey place for breakfast. I will go again to try a different item on their menu.

I ordered the pancakes (two giant ones) and went to the fruit bar. I topped my breakfast with five different types of fresh fruit and dribbled it all with syrup. It was delicious, but in the end I could not clean my plate. A lively Sunday am vibe. How can you not like a restaurant that has rowing sculls hanging from the ceiling.

Wow!!! This is a place that really knows how to do breakfast right. If you leave here not feeling great, it’s your own fault. The service and food were exceptional. My only criticism is that the coffee was a bit bitter for my taste...

This was a great breakfast place on a short trip to Seattle. We had a hard time deciding what to get but everyone was happy-- a mushroom and ramp omelette and the breakfast bar toppings (fruit and whipped cream) were hits. Our server was friendly and got us some extra butter, etc. when asked. The restaurant is a little noisy so don't go here for quiet conversation.

Wow. This place was really busy on a Sunday morning for brunch. We had a reservation for a friends get together after church. We had to wait a while for our table, but not too long. It was pretty noisy. Not surprising in a space with lots of folks enjoying themselves. Service was fine. The food I would say was only average. I had the Dungeness crab omelette. Not sure if the crab was fresh or canned. (Suspect canned). Food was priced moderately with large portions. Parking was convienient no problem finding a spot even though the place was overflowing. They have three other locations in the Seattle area. Think tat we will try some of the others before returning here. Overall liked it.

Good , by UW on first floor of the University Inn ( Pineapple).Clean, very wholesome food. Service good. Parking okay. Prices good. Would eat there again.

Great fresh food. Plently of French toast dishes. Fresh fruit bar to add to your French toast of pancakes. Great omelettes. It's always a go to when I'm in Seattle.

1 * because it had Fresh squeezed orange juice because it came in a bottle. . The rest was absolutely hideous. I can't understand what people are thinking. This place is even close to edible. Stale English muffins on eggs benedict, three-day-old bacon, fruit still frozen, pancakes that can be used to saddle leather. Sweet potato pancakes at with so much sugar, I can feel the enamel melting off my teeth.

From putting our name down on the list at 10.30am, getting a seat at 12.40pm then waiting another 20 minutes for our order to show up, we really wanted our lives back. Staff are lovely, food is average. Beware!

Walked in on a Sunday morning to find a 45 minute wait. We got a table within 20 minutes. The food is fresh, organic, locally grown when possible, plentiful, tasty and arrived pretty fast considering The place was packed. Friendly , efficient service . All said a must stop in Seattle .

They have sweet and savory brunch options. Their breakfast burrito is A++ and their topping bar is phenomenal. Most of their food is locally sourced. Our wait was about 20 mins and definitely worth it. We grabbed rhubarb sandwich cookies on our way out and they were also amazing.

Wonderful atmosphere and friendly waitstaff, and a delicious menu. The Dungeness crab Benedict was awesome. Would definitely return!

Convenient location .consistent with Portage Bay special treats....love the addons for pancakes!! The people are friendly.

The menu looks quite interesting. We ordered the granola French toast and the biscuits and gravy. We had considered dishes with a verde mole sauce. The waitress brought a sample and it is the first green mole sauce we’ve seen that was somewhat clear and had no typical chocolate like richness and density. The French toast was dry as the bread had not been soaked for any length of time. The biscuits and gravy come with two choices of gravy, sausage or vegan. The woman at the next table ordered the sausage gravy, but asked the waitress if she had gotten the wrong gravy as it had little flavor. She had had the same dish at another location and thought that it was much better. We agreed. Disappointed.

Went for breakfast twice and was pleased both times. Usual variety of upscale egg , cereal or pancake offerings with quick service, good coffee, and tasty food. I did feel that you were being up sold to large portions at a higher price with no really good small portion offerings. You know, half order for 2/3 price of whole! Other than that I would recommend to others.

After three days of searching for a decent restaurant near our hotel (Watertown Hotel), we found the Portage in a direction we had not tried, identified by the crowd of people standing outside, waiting to get in. Finally a good sign. The food was excellent and service was top notch. It was a great and last meal before leaving the University District.

PBC has done a great job of converting to outdoor dining. Their patio under cover is roomy and cozy. Tables are at least 6' apart, they have invested in wind protection as well so it is very comfy. They also have lovely bistro tables out front for a nice day or evening! No need to miss their beautiful fruit bar because they bring you all the delectable flavors in an individual serving!

The good reviews online brought us to this cafe for Sunday brunch. As promised, the food and service were very good, but it is unlikely we will ever go back as the sound level is deafening when this place is busy. Bring your earplugs!

First of all, if you are planning to go there at a high volume time (i.e. mornings on the weekends) make a reservation. This can easily be done on line and it saves you from having to wait (potentially for a long time) to get a table. As we were there on a Sunday morning we enjoyed the breakfast menu. The menu does have some unique twists to your traditional breakfast/brunch items. However, all I wanted was a plain vegetable omelette which they were more than willing to do for me. One person in our party had french toast which was a little sweet for that person' taste. The restaurant was a little loud. They did keep my cup of coffee filled on a regular basis.

Had a late breakfast there in the middle of the week. The place is a bit crowded but very kids friendly with attentive servers. We all ordered a version of the Farmers Hash with different add-ons: The choice of mushrooms was very good but our favorite was the pepper bacon. Yum!

Food is creative outdoor seating is nice. Coffee almost too strong. In our ordering we were not told items were upcharged. Generally when ordering …. Most restaurant staff will offer choices and explain when there is an upcharge. Of five bread choices I choose English muffin which I find out is only one with an upcharge. Then I was offered potatoes, salad, or fruit. Again no mention that fruit is a five dollar upcharge! 1/2 full bowl unripe pineapple, some grapes and a couple chunks of barely servable melon. When I mentioned to our waitress Sarah, that it would be good to advise of the up-charges, when guests place the order, she stated “it’s on the menu” ( yes it is, in reduced font at the top of the category. ) So just a heads up.

The rude waitress overpowered the poor value and mediocre food. She was unable to accommodate my food allergy (Canola oil). OK, but her inability to suggest anything except a fruit bowl with 6 small pieces of fruit for $4 was pathetic. Every request by me or my dining partner elicited a sigh, rolled eyes or a voice that indicated she would rather be somewhere else. Maybe I should have been more assertive (I could literally see other options that did not contain Canola oil) but really I just wanted to get out of there and if not for my dining partner, I would have simply left after the initial poor interaction. I understand that Canola oil is a bit of a rare food allergy but Canola oil is not high on the list of healthy food. Restaurants use it because it has a high flash point and is very cheap.

Your in for a special treat at The Portage Bay Cafe. The fresh fruit, whip cream with Nuts Bar is absolutely spectacular!! Order Eggs Benny with Pancakes & a pitcher of mimosas.... then take a trip to the fresh fruit, whip cream & nuts bar..... ahhhhh spectacular!!!! Outdoor seating is wonderful, the staff moves with speed & the friendly atmosphere makes this one of the best breakfast/brunch experiences around!!!

Delicious, fresh meals! Excellent coffee. So many choices, it was hard to decide, but the French Toast with the fresh berry bar was a great selection as was the traditional Eggs Benedict. It was a pricy breakfast, but worth it to start our one day in Seattle!

The french toast was amazing but really two of us could have shared one portion (and we like to eat!). Especially when you top it off with the beautiful fresh berries and whipped cream, it was a meal and a half. Great start to our day. Nice outdoor patio where they give you blankets if you are a bit cool. Excellent staff.

Brunch here was amazing! Definitely recommend the Bananas Foster French Toast and a mimosa! It does get noisy inside with lots of overlapping conversations and dishes clanking, but not unbearable. Gets very crowded on weekends, so make reservations for sure!

This was a quality restaurant with excellent staff, fair prices, a welcoming atmosphere and upbeat vibe. Our party of three ate there for brunch - many choices for both meat-eaters and vegetarians. The berry and whipped cream bar was beautiful and impressive! I would recommend this place to anyone and I'm quite discerning of quality!

My colleagues and I had lunch here. Tasty fresh food options for vegetarians, people who love eggs and meat, and those of us with food allergies. I had a generous portion of salad with falafel and pita. Friendly servers. Would definitely come again.

We were just visiting the neighborhood, and this place came recommended by folks in the area…and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The place was packed with a line out the door, but worth the wait. Consider reservations. A great menu by folks who care about food. Service was excellent, and the food amazing! We’re definitely coming back…we need to try out all the other menu items. Thank you!

Wow. I had huevos ranchero It was a huge portion and super delicious. We liked it so much we are going back tomorrow for breakfast again

Everything about this place is great; the food and drinks are amazing, the atmosphere is amazing, the service is fast and friendly, and they have a free fruit bar with a good, fresh selection of fruit. The only issue I have is just that everything is expensive. I’ve never been to a breakfast restaurant where pancakes costed over $20. A cup of chai is also $6, and if you split a plate with someone at the fruit bar that’s an additional $9 (one solo plate is free). If you are trying to find a place to eat on a budget, you’re better off looking elsewhere—but if money isn’t an issue, this will probably be the best breakfast place you’ll go to.

Wonderful food! I'm not really a breakfast person, but make it a habit now to visit this fine, lively establishment. Close proximity to UW as well.

Went here with co-workers for a staff retreat. Food was ridiculously overpriced ($19 for an omelet and cup of coffee). It did come with toast and breakfast potatoes, enough food for 2 people. However, the omelet was plain, and the mushrooms and vegetables on the inside of the omelet were uncooked and cold. The omelet itself was leukwarm. The server was great. We were a table of 8, and she kept our coffee cups full and asked each of us specifically about the quality of our food. I was polite and said "great" because I didn't want to be rude, although the food was far from great. Wouldn't go back here. Also very loud and not the best place to try to have a meeting.

Went there for breakfast yesterday; we were lucky to get in quickly based on what I have heard people say about this place and based on what I have seen people queueing on Roosevelt during my previous drive-bys......it seems to be an extremely popular place around UDub....so we timed it nicely about mid morning. We ordered omelets and different kinds of eggs benedicts to share amongst us. I ordered a Seattle benedict with dungeness crab and it came with avocados and arguela leaves and it was fantastic.....price is a little steep ~ $23 for a breakfast.....ouch! and the quantity was enough for me to gulp it all....my parents ordered scrambled eggs with cheese, mushrooms, sausage and spinach...and it was delicious but again for a price tag ~ $20, the quantity was not enough. My wife ordered a veggie benedict and that too was delicious but for the price I would say the quantity was a little skimpy. So, based on my observations, I would give this place a B+ grade. Good place but pricey and portion sizes are smaller.

We were there at 8:30 a.m. with our family of 7, but did not have to wait more than about 10 minutes. Good breakfast but on great. I had the classic benedict which had the drawback of English Muffins which were toasted so hard it was nearly impossible to cut with the steak knife they provided. The hollandaise sauce was also a bit sparse. I would suggest ordering something else. Service was excellent. Fresh orange juice was a plus.

We must have come at the end of shift (trying to give benefit of doubt). Downright surly waitress that took us 4 attempts to get all of our beverages ordered. Food was blah. Expected the eggs over easy to be runny into the hash-instead I go hard cooked eggs set over cold roasted veggies and a cold slab of under toasted bread. Will NOT be going back.

Pretty neat breakfast place near the University of Washington. Had a hippie feel to it. Food was great, they push the home grown, organic, free range products. Cool toppings bar.

Pancakes were the best. Awesome food here. You must go here for brunch when u are in Seattle. Highly recommend.

This place was great. We were after a proper American brunch & this hit the spot perfectly. Vast selection of eggs, pancakes, French toast, full meaty breakfast, burritos etc. My son is coeliac so we were thrilled that he had such a wide choice: he went for the French toast with bacon & sausage but was torn between this and 1of the 3 (yes 3!!) g/f pancake options. Toast was gorgeous & huge portion so have some in a take-away box for tomorrow’s breakfast. The rest of us went for pancakes with as much fruit, nuts, cream & maple syrup as we could handle from the breakfast bar. Washed down with fresh juices all round. Big thumbs up! Warning: if you go at the weekend expect a long wait for a table, queues were down the street. We went on a Monday morning & walked straight in.

Since I now live on the East Coast after 23 years in Seattle (sob) - it is a treat to come to Portage Bay when I'm back for a visit. My recent visits were during a rare Seattle heat wave & I appreciated being seated in the cooler areas at my request. I had the Breakfast Sandwich one day & the Goat Cheese Omelette the second day. Both were delicious, inspired & very fresh.

Loved my breakfast and the berry bar! Great Chai tea! There were 6 of us and we all enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere. # of us are gluten-intolerant and loved the options.

I tried to eat at the Portage Bay in Ballard the last time I was in Seattle but the wait was ridiculous and I didn’t have time to go. Someone had recommended it to me last year so I wanted to try again. I brought my son to the location on Roosevelt and it worked out! We were seated right away and the restaurant was busy, but we were served really quickly. We shared the Swedish pancake which was really good and while it is thin like a crepe it was really fillling. If you order pancakes at PB you can also go to the bar. This bar is loaded with berries and of desireable toppings. I may have overdone it (hey, berries at expensive where I live), but going through the bar was fun. Service was good and prompt and we were in and out within 45minutes. Note: the cold brew they offered surprised me and not in a good way. It’s $5 and when the server came it arrived in a can with a glass of ice. I thought it was going to be some in-house prepared cold brew, but it was not. Don’t get me wrong, it tasted fine but I could have bought that at the store for cheaper and taken it to go.

Such a cute breakfast spot. They have a nice selection in the menu and the food was all delicious. It was a chilly day and they had blankets for diners to wrap up with!

Staff is always friendly, the food is great and the atmosphere is convivial. Conveniently located, close to the University area. On the weekend, it's popular, so reserve a table in advance.

They have a fruit bar! I love that! In general I can see why this spot is the popular eatery it is - advice: get there early to get a seat.

We ate here for lunch and found the food fresh and competent. It was one of many meals during a week in Seattle and it wasn't especially memorable, except I remember my sandwich literally fell apart when I picked it up. Bread was dry and I ended up eating it with a fork. Typical kind of bistro type food.

Fantastic food, many options, great service. The jam was amazing, the veggie hash was the absolute best. The fruit was fresh. Highly recommended.

We stayed in the Watertown hotel just along the road from the cafe so this was the perfect spot for breakfast. A good hearty selection with some great French toast options, which include access to the well stocked breakfast bar! Friendly and attentive staff and service was very efficient.

We were looking for light lunch one Saturday, and we stumbled upon the Portage Bay Cafe. Apparently we were the only people in Seattle who had never heard of it, because it was mobbed, and there was a long line waiting. It was extremely noisy, but it was near UW, and no one there was over 18 - except us. And certainly no one was in a wheelchair. They most considerately seated us immediately, however. The food was excellent. Two of us had Swedish pancakes, and the third had eggs Benedict. The service was friendly and efficient: no wait, even in a place as busy as this. If you don’t mind the noise, it’s a great place.

The service was a little chaotic. Before traveling here, I looked online and they didn't tell me I needed a reservation. I approached the front they told me I should have made a reservation (maybe they should put that on their website). Given all the good revews this place had we were put on the list for 1.5 hour wait. The bar/lounge is open seating so we waited about 1 hour before we decided to just sit at the bar and have some brunch. The breakfast bar that everyone raves about was just OK i've honestly had better. The fruit didn't seem very fresh (especially the berries raspberribes, blueberries, etc). I chose the pancakes and my husband got the french toast. Like I said, it was ok. For $15 a plate I would have expected a side of eggs/hashbrowns. If you want a combo your looking at about $20ish per person. It was a good experience but I probably wouldn't go again. There are much better breakfast places out there for cheaper!

Food speaks for it self. Very popular we chose it because of the gluten free options. We had pancakes and the burrito and GF French toast. Food was great service was good the kids loved the topping bar. Food is organic and locally sourced. Price for four 2 kids 2 adults 56 with tip. Almost a 5 if it wasn’t crazy busy. Worth the wait.

Just visiting the area and found this restaurant based on high reviews. We love the food here and came back the next day to try other things. The bananas foster French toast is exceptional with a rich distinct flavor that is not too sweet. The Migas was so tasty and full of flavor, loved it. Everything on the menu is creative and comes off inspired to us... Finally someone who cares about presenting food in all its glory!

The most overrated restaurant in Seattle. Ten years ago I thought so, but forgot, and today we went back, We waited a half hour after being seated, had to ask for more coffee, and my eggs benedict was barely warm and I should have sent it back. My partner's Swedish pancakes did not melt in your mouth like they are supposed to. To make things worse the prices are high, a cup of very ordinary coffee was $3,75. the eggs benedict almost $18, I won't forget again!

In a 4 day trip I had breakfast there twice. Once it was just me and two little children. Definitely a time when kind, fast and attentive service helps. The second time was an adult meal. The food was top quality and well prepared. All the egg yolks were to the requested doneness. I felt it was a very good value.

Breakfast here is amazing. I had "West Coast Eggs Benedict" and my friends had various waffles and pancakes that came with access to the fruit bar. Once they got their food, they got one trip through the fruit bar which had several types of berries and other toppings including whip cream. BTW: they also serve very good espresso drinks. We all left well fed and happy with our entrees.

This fun local restaurant is wonderful for brunches, as its menu is fantastic - especially the pancakes and waffles, which are sublime. They also have great omelets and interesting breakfast sandwiches. It's a big restaurant, but it still takes a while to be seated, so have patience while waiting in line (we waited about 30-35 minutes). Because it was so busy, it took a while for us to get our food, but it was worth it. The portions are pretty big, but you'll be hungry enough for it after waiting in line.

We've been there twice within the last month - both times for brunch. Reservations the first time and non-resv the second. Both waits were long waits... although you are able to have a cup of coffee while waiting (which when outside and cool, is good). We had varying meals from crab omelettes, goat cheese omelettes, french toast, etc., and all were superb. Knowing that the food is local and organic is really good. The fruit bar which compliments your pancake/french toast is a real treat. Coffee tasty. Service very good. I would have given five stars but felt the price was about 10-15% too high, especially given the volume of business they do...

I ate breakfast four times at Portage Bay Café on Roosevelt in the U District. I tried the breakfast burrito, pancakes, french toast, and huevos ranchers. All were excellent. The toppings bar for the pancakes and French toast was great. Their coffee is quite good, crucial for a breakfast place. Service was excellent. They open at 7 am. Dining area is comfortable and immaculate. Prices are high, but the quality makes the food worth the price. Definitely worth a try.

We really wanted to like Portage Bay Cafe. Our older son lives nearby so we drive by a lot. We always see a crowd outside on the weekends and have wondered what's the reason. So finally, we made a reservation online for a 11:15am brunch on Sunday. First thing we noticed entering the cafe was how noisy it was. If you have issues with noisy places, this would not be the place for you on weekends. Even though we arrived on time, we had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. Service was great. We ordered 2 Farmer's Hash Bowls, a Breakfast Burrito and the vegan Banana Pancakes (which included the famous breakfast bar). Our food took a while to arrive and although everything LOOKED great, we thought the food was just fine, especially for the price the cafe charges. The breakfast bar was a nice touch though. There are other breakfast places that offer just as good food for cheaper. I don't think we will be back.

We came here based on local recommendations. Glad we had reservation as the Sunday line was immense. While the food was ok, and that is generous, the ambiance, serving and plating left a lot to be desired. Serving biscuits and gravy in a raised edge plate made it hard to navigate. Same for Farmer’s Daughter bowl….serving toast on top of this left nowhere to butter the toast. Just awkward and felt unnecessarily cost-cutty. Very loud here. Some cushions on the hard chairs could help. Or turn off the music! Super loud! Our waitress was hmmm a bit difficult. When we asked if the migas had anything like tortillas in it, like the recipe calls for, she said we were thinking of chilaquiles. Nope. Then we got “it is like a quesadilla” which also threw us, after which she said “it is our interpretation of the dish.” Um ok. Just call it a burrito! We had high hopes and recognize that sometimes things just don’t go right but this felt like many an unforced error followed by subtle gas-lighting. Sorry, but when someone says something might be wrong, best not to give them the impression that they are the confused party. Finally the sneeze guard over the fruit bar is not sufficient. Come on y’all. The host dude owner manager in the cool purple pants gets a special shoutout for keeping it fun and weird all at once! Viva!

Made a reservation for 12noon waited till 1220. Crowded. Coffee is beyond horrible. Undrinkable bitter burnt worse than starbucks. Waited half hour for food to come. Classic eggs benedict is nothing like classic. Muffins are burnt. Bacon is not back and yolks dont pop and there is no hollandaise sauce. Dry overcooked with a boring side of potatoes. Honestly the worst overhyped breakfast place i have ever been too. Overpriced garbage. Never again.

We ordered a lot! Service was great, we made a reservation! Def need to! We got the eggs beni with smoked salmon (not your typical smoked salmon), french toast, breakfast burrito and breakfast sandwich. The fruit station is great! OJ is fresh! Our server was attentive and great! Will def go back!!

My boyfriend had heard of this place so we decided to check it out. The food was AMAZING. It also had a good vibe with nice music. Would definitely go back!

Wow! I’m a fan. The breakfast bowl is a great mix of texture and flavor. The French toast is epic! The waffle Bar looks like something from Food Network... Check it out!

Not much to say other than best breakfast in Seattle. No competition. Super french toast and fixin bar and the eggs any way they serve them up are superb. Nice service and quick delivery for a busy restaurant. Go here for sure!

This was our second visit to the restaurant -highly recommend reservations, even for breakfast! The food was delicious -fresh and presented beautifully! We had a variety of food at our table - eggs benedict, cinnamon french toast, oatmeal cobbler french toast and migas, all were delicious! My husband loves a cup of good brewed coffee and he gave theirs two thumbs up! The restaurant has a neat cafe atmosphere with lots of conversations and nice music in the background. :)

I was at the UW and we decided to take a short walk to the Portage Bay Cafe for a brunch. The food is spectacular, the service is friendly and the setting is super comfortable to spend time with friends. We loved the egg dishes even more than their famous breakfast breads and topping bar.

A wide selection of eggs, french toast and sides. Ll arge servings that could be shared. Good coffee. Great serrvice.

Portage Bay has been a go-to for over a decade. I stopped by in September to fill up on the waffle bar. Specifically on the whipped cream. Great coffee, great service, and a wonderful atmosphere, especially if you ever rowed crew. Thanks for the memories -- keep them coming.

Loved having the opportunity to have brunch with our UW kids this morning. We had the reservations for a month and were so glad we did as the place was hopping! Our table was outside and I was a bit worried with the cool Seattle Temps but with their blankets and heaters It turned out to be fine. The service was good and we had a leisurely breakfast. I much prefer Canadian bacon on my eggs benny but that is just personal preference. The fruit bar was a big hit with our kids. We will come back and next tome I will Order the bananas foster French toast!!

Came for brunch sadly with no reservation! Was a wet day but there was outside seating with umbrellas and rugs and heaters so we stayed So glad we did the food was amazing 🤩 The service was great despite the weather Our server Lily was our ray of sunshine on this dull damp day Make sure you visit you’ll miss a trick if you don’t

Apparently, this place is kind of famous for breakfast/brunch food and I can understand why. I had the buckwheat pancakes and tried the challah french toast. There is a "fruit bar" where you can add all kinds of fresh toppings to your food (comes with certain entrees only). The chai tea was great. Portions are quite large and you could easily split these dishes or have lots of leftovers. The place was packed at 8am but I didn't have to wait in line. This place was pretty loud but enjoyable and they also have a covered patio, I saw someone go out there with their dog, so I assume they're dog-friendly.

We were overall slightly disappointed by our breakfast at Portage Bay. The food is great and it’s probably the best place to find gluten free breakfast food. However the place was very crowded and the service pretty poor. Our waiter was overstressed as he had to tend to too many tables probables and made many small ordering mistakes. Lastly the food was not very hot, which is for me a “no no”.

Really great breakfast spot. I had the blt and my friend had an omelette but everything on the menu sounded amazing! The banana French toast looked particularly good! Massive portions so would recommend sharing with a couple of sides if you’re not a big eater. Staff were really friendly.

Portage Bay is the absolute eden of gluttony. My standing order is their Benedict sampler - a delicious trio of three of their creamy, rich, filling benedicts (crab, ham & cheese, florentine are the three flavors I think). Hats off to you if you can finish this dish! Even better, you can walk around U-Dub just down the street to come out of your food coma. If you're a fan of omlettes and seafood, their Dungeness crab omlette is awesome. For its pricetag, there's a solid amount of fresh crab that's complimented well by the other ingredients. An honorable mention is their pancakes (and unlimited toppings bar). There's endless fruits, nuts, syrups and creams for you to enjoy! This place is an absolute gem. Don't miss it!

Absolutely delicious! So much food! The atmosphere was amazing! Definitely worth the trip! Vegan options and outside cafe dining.

I always find a way to make sure this restaurant is included in my trips to Seattle. I have been to most of the other locations, but still like this one the best. If you plan on a Sunday there can be quite the wait. I recommend a different day. Wonderful food, great variety and modern fair - gluten free etc.

We had a great brunch here after moving in our daughter to her university dorm. Really great flavors using local ingredients. Very busy - but highly recommended.

We were staying in the University district and our hotel didn't have a restaurant so we were looking for a place for breakfast. Portage Bay Cafe was a couple of blocks away and was a real treat. We had a hearty breakfast with prompt service and excellent coffee served in a full sized mug. The menu was full of items we would have liked to try and we'll looking forward to coming back again.

We ate here during our stay at the Watertown Hotel which is just a 3 minute walk away. The atmosphere and food, and service, was excellent. A fun place for a good breakfast. Lots of great menu items. I had the pork belly benedict. Yum. Go there, it has something for everyone.

We had reservations here on a Friday morning of Easter weekend for 9:45 am. We got there 15 minutes early, and it was so busy we had to wait outside. They had indoor and outdoor seating, and we were seated indoors. They were very accommodating with our breakfast requests. It was a good place to go for breakfast.

It's located right next to my hotel so stopped in for Breakfast. The service was good, the food came fast. It's a bit pricey but the portions are large. My only complaint is their freezer is apparently outside and there were people coming in and out the whole time right next to our table so we'd get this arctic blast every few mins. I'd go again but get another table.

My son recommended this place when we visited and it didn't disappoint! The pancake bar was amazing, with 5 different kinds of berries- couldn't finish it all. Others in my party enjoyed a tasty omelette, and to die for sour dough bread. The only negative was that the employees kept going in and out of this outside door to the back(and leaving it open) giving us and our food a freezing cold draft, about 8 times during our meal. They seemed oblivious to it.

This was a friendly place with delicious food. We had breakfast. One of us has celiac disease and must be gluten free. This place had numerous GF dishes, including French toast and blintzes. Great coffee, organic ingredients, a gem!

Go early, go often would be a good mantra for this hidden treasure. We enjoyed the Eggs Benedict trio sampler with crab cake, salmon and West Coast preparations, the “21 Acres” Omelette with delicious roasted veggies and loads of crispy bacon bits, and the fluffy original French toast with house-made challah bread and access to the heavenly spread of seasonal berries, nuts and toppings at the DIY Breakfast Bar. Even the coffee was a wake-up call: organic, fair-trade dark roast by local label Fonte coffee. Service was cheery and extremely efficient. Be sure to book a table for peak times, and look for free parking behind the restaurant.

Easy enough access from the Roosevelt Station and lots of tables inside, with a few available outside (weather permitting). Attentive service and huge portions; indeed, should we complain about the latter or wish they came in regular and extra large sizes?

I enjoyed breakfast at Portage twice during our stay. The deck was clean and spacious. The food was very good both times.

PBC is my all time favorite restaurant - I was miserable, depressed and lonely living in the dreadful, soul-less, overpriced and overhyped city of Seattle (easily the worst place I've ever lived in) between 2006 and 2009 but nothing perked me up quite like paying a visit (typically biweekly) to Portage Bay. The berry bar alone, coupled with the delicious but not-at-all overpriced brunch options was enough to make me want to bring others (and treat them) to Seattle's best breakfast/brunch location. When I revisited in late June, I didn't expect anyone there would remember my presence and patronage (the last time I went was spring 2015), but to my delight one of the waitstaff recognized me, and this fact alone was enough to make my trip to a city I had come to despise slightly more pleasant. I strongly recommend going on weekdays or coming early to avoid the crowds on weekends. In all my travels, there's simply no place I'd rather eat at (even if it means visiting a city I dread).

Portage Bay Cafe blew us away. Yes, breakfast, including some standards, but everything so perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. No wonder the menu lists a chef, a sous chef and a pastry chef—it shows. Don't miss the fruit, granola and yogurt bar, or the scone of the day or even just simple eggs or omelets or coffee (deep and rich) and iced tea (I'm so picky—this was great). Our server the first day, Sho, made us feel so at home, and so it was a no-brainer to return the next day. Can't wait to return. Again!

This was an accidental find, and we were lucky to have passed by. The food was outstanding with very generous portions. The multiple types of Eggs Benedict was a beautiful plate. Everything we had was extremely fresh . Very close to the Chittenden Locks.

Stayed several days at a hotel close by and made a reservation online and was able to skip the large line waiting on the sidewalk for a table. Service was good but really that was the only positive. Food was decent but really nothing special and the prices were outrageous. A bowl of oatmeal $11 and a single can of coke $2.75? Kids single pancake was $7 and came with no sides. No one in the group cared to return during our visit.

We stayed one night in the Seattle University District and had breakfast here this morning. We were traveling with our pup so we sat out on their nice patio. We loved our waiter Michael and the food was delicious. I highly recommend the lemon ricotta pancakes with a trip to their awesome berry bar! My husband had the Joes special scramble and that was very good too. I see why they have so many great reviews and they got busy early on Monday morning. Make a reservation if you can.

Extremely busy with a long wait for seating and service, ambience loud to deafening. The crab omelette was good while the smoked salmon Benedict had to be sent back given poor preparation. Table hygiene and preparation are borderline, e.g. empty cream pitcher. Prices are high for mediocre to poor service and cuisine, you can do much better elsewhere.

The hotel where I stayed didn’t have a breakfast option, so I went looking and found this cool spot. It’s vegan and vegetarian friendly, but also has lots of options for people like me, who are not. I ordered the ranchers breakfast and wasn’t disappointed. The berry bar looked amazing and was included with my French toast, alas I’m boring and like my French toast plain. Would definitely return.

We were staying at the University Inn next door and were really pleased to find the Portage Bay Cafe next door. What a great breakfast/brunch spot! Excellent and varied menu choices, the french toast was amazing! Would thoroughly recommend. Very, very busy on the weekend so try and reserve if you can but definitely worth the effort to go!

Healthy place to eat. Had the delicious breakfast sandwich. Love the fig jam on it. Food was good and filling. A bit pricey though, but still good eats.

Busy, but definitely for a well earned reason. Delicious portions, great sides bar (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, peach, whipcream...). They make you feel at home. I recommend booking a table.

Had a fantastic brunch with my wife & a friend here. Cool local college student feel, bustling with energy. Had the local dungeness crab cakes, which were delicious. Nice coffee that was constantly re-filled without having to ask or look for a server. Nice part of Seattle. We would definitely come back!

Very popular brunch place. Remember to make reservations or you’ll join the long queue during weekend morning. Food is decent, come in large portion. Had crab cake egg Benedict and it was ok. Coffee and tea get to refill for free. To me there’s too little greenery in the plate so won’t come back again.

The food was very good all in all, but there were some problems. It might be wise to check the fruit in your fruit bar. I immediately found a rotten strawberry in one of bowls.The whipped cream shouldn’t be whipped until it starts to break. Otherwise, you end up with butter and you pretty close to that. I will come back one day, but I’m gonna stay away from your fruit bar.

Son took us here for brunch and it’s a feast! I ordered the Rancher’s breakfast that comes with 3 eggs any style and perfectly roasted potatoes, choice of breakfast meat and choice of pancakes or French toast. For the pancakes and French toast, they have a buffet bar for all the delicious toppings you ever can imagine. I ate it all by myself and surprised everyone. It was that good... Place is super busy and good news is they do take reservation. Service was prompt and friendly...

We had an awesome breakfast while visiting the Seattle area. The breakfast bar that included all kinds of fruit topping and delicious whip cream included with waffles , pancakes or French toast menu option was amazing. Service was fast and friendly.

Two days we chose to have breakfast here, rather than at the nearby hotel. The portions of food are rather huge, and you get a good selection of beverages.

When I lived in Seattle, this was my favorite place for breakfast. Now, when I visit, I make a point to go at least once. Obviously, from time to time service can be variable, but the food is great.

Great menu and came here for brunch as it was reviewed so well on Trip Advisor. The wheat bread is simply delicious and I had the crab omelette. Hubby had fry-up which he enjoyed. Coffee menu is limited to just drip coffee which is a let down seeing as Seattle is so big on coffee. Overall we enjoyed it but £50 is a lot for a breakfast! Still - worth a visit especially if you want to eat lots! Don't bother coming here if you're on a diet!

This is a really delicious food place. I especially love their brunch breakfast - the toppings bar is very generous with lots of good options (including rasberries, almonds, whipped cream, etc). The only con that I see is the wait time is really long, and I'm most of the time deterred from going there because of it. For the same money I can go to another cafe with maybe a view and no wait. I would love it more if they took reservations.

Sunday morning breakfast, fortunately we made an online reservation and avoided the line. If you do have to wait in line they provide coffee for those waiting. There is also an option for outdoor seating. Helpful and pleasant staff make this a go experience. Lot’s of food options, with a “toppings bar” for pancakes and French toast. We would definitely go back!

Portage Bay is well hyped for its fresh and healthy ingredients and the fun of piling on heaps of fruit and toppings from their waffle bar. It's all pretty decadent and you should be sure to be good and hungry before attempting a breakfast of such magnitude. The appearances are great and make for fabulous food fotos. Taste is also quite good, but somewhat less than the hype of many reviewers. Service was less than stellar. I would rate this place a "3" were it not for the impressive presentation and photo ops!

Easily THE BEST breakfast place in town. Not only is the food out of this world, so is the customer service. My last visit at the end in February, Michael was incredibly attentive and awesome to work with. We can’t recommend this place enough!

I absolutely love the Portagé bay cafe! If you are in Seattle it is a must visit! Thy have fantastic breakfasts with a great toppings bar. Everything there is amazingly tasty and the service never disappoints!

Visited on a Tuesday morning for my birthday breakfast/ brunch . Shown to a table quickly , no problem that we were waiting for a member of our party. Had coffee whilst waiting . I ordered the banana foster french toast which included a trip to the breakfast bar ( fruits , nuts , whipped cream etc) to top . I managed 2/3 rds ! So lovely to have tasty food which has been sourced responsibly. Everyone should visit whilst in Seattle.

Wow! A must have visit for breakfast or brunch (portions are huge so you won’t need lunch!!) We ordered the PBC Sampler and French Toast oatmeal cobbler which entitles you to visit their fabulous fresh fruit berry bar. The crab and smoked salmon in the PBC were delicious and fresh and the french toast was divine! Sho was our waitress and was so friendly and constantly refilled our bottomless coffees... Well worth a short Uber trip out of town.

It's a big restaurant. We've waited our turn about 40 minutes. Inside is quite noisy, because of large amount people there. An atmosphere I liked and friendly service. The food was good, but three of us ordered Benedict eggs, two dishes were with almost hard eggs. And another thing is that I've found a hair in my plate but not sure was it mine or not

We have never tried this place before and are so glad we did. Our breakfasts were awesome and organic! The fruit was fresh, and our egg dishes delectable. We cannot wait to go back!

Had read reviews and visited the Roosevelt Way location on last day of vacation in Seattle - notwithstanding that it is a busy place, it has great service, great food and a great atmosphere.

This place is reasonably nice and the service is average to above average. The food is average to below average. There isn’t anything exceptionally wrong, but it’s just an expensive ihop food-wise.

I had the vegan pancakes, delicious. The fruit buffet is a nice touch and reasonable prices. Great start to the day.

Is it reasonable to fly from California to Seattle just for breakfast here?! This place is fabulous. It served the best gluten free French toast that I have ever had, but everything was fresh and delicious! I would not visit Seattle without going here but then I might visit Seattle just to go there! We made reservations for a Sunday morning and so glad that we did. It was very busy.. Service was friendly and efficient!

We are arrived at this restaurant without reservations, and although they were quite busy we were seated quickly. Our breakfast arrived not long after, and it was absolutely delicious. I would describe this as a "farm to table" establishment with lots of fresh, local fare. Highly recommend!

I’m not typically one to eat breakfast but I was traveling to Seattle and decided to take myself out. It was truly fantastic. The pancakes were delicious and the bacon was perfect. Good job Keith.

I had lunch here and ordered one of the days special a crab cake bang mi along with coffee. The sandwich came but the coffee never arrived. The best part of the sandwich was the salad that accompanied it, made of fresh tender greens. The sandwich I found disappointing because, to me, the baguette overwhelmed the filling of three meatball sized crab cakes and slaw. The first check I received charged for the coffee, but was adjusted when pointed out to the waitress, who did offer a free cup of coffee to go. My suggestion is to order the salads.

If you are hungry they will cure you. The portions are immense. And the food is really very good - the crab cake benedict is totally lush. It opens nice and early, a plus if you're awake from 3am (as I was) Also you've got to love the decor: their toilet is decorated with pictures of toilets from around the world. It's the little touches, isn't it? Actually, no, it's the huge delicious breakfasts. But the little touches are great too.

What a great place. Hot breakfast two days in a row. Spicy scramble, pancakes, and French toast to die for. Berry bar with whipped creme a must to top off the sweets. Fantastic coffee and people. Definitely check it out.

We had breakfast at 9:30 on Sunday. The restaurant was already busy. The food is great. The topping station for the pancakes has fresh fruit and whipped cream. I had the steak crab omelette, it was great.

The brunch topping bar is super fun and has a lot of variety, both fruit and nuts! The French toast is great here.

I highly recommend Portage Bay to anyone looking for a good brunch on a Sunday morning. I've been to this location twice now and have enjoyed my experience both times. You absolutely must make a reservation for this place, as it is always packed. You might still have to wait even if you do have a reservation. Note this is a bit on the higher end for brunch prices, but well worth it in my opinion. I also love how friendly the staff here are!

Amazing breakfast!! Some menu items come with access to the breakfast bar which is a late variety of fruits and other toppings. Great service. Close to Watertown Hotel and UW.

Good farm fresh food in a busy UW district. Most of the tome there is s waiting line. The food is a n excellent quality and taste good. A bit on the pricy side for breakfast. The space it’s self is echoing- noisy for conversation. They do have a very good gluten free bread with the farmer breakfast

This became our go to breakfast place for our recent visit to Seattle. The food is fresh, well prepared, ample potions, that can be made to order. The staff was excellent. To sampled a number of items off the menu and all were excellent.

We came for the Dungeoness crab grilled cheese, which they were out of (at 11:30 am) and were obviously disappointed. There were no other unique or super appealing options and reluctantly ordered something else, but they got the order wrong so one meal came late (a wrap) and was so badly wrapped, was very difficult to eat. Our waitress seemed to not care on all accounts and did not offer any kind of apology for our obviously not positive experience. The food is local and uses all fresh and delicious ingredients, but we were very disappointed.

This was always my go-to place in college for a nice, organic, home grown meal. This place has the best food around and everything feels fresh and amazing. If you get the pancakes, or french toast, you get to go up to the bar area where you can load up on fresh fruits, butter, whipped cream, maple syrup, you name it! They always have the best service here too. However, if you plan on going here on the weekend for breakfast or lunch, make sure that you make a Reservation! The line is always out the door :) it's that good!

This place does take reservations. Food is very good, portions are big. Usually a long wait, so reservations are recommended if you don't want to wait.

Loved this. Enormous meals. Definitely eat half and take the rest home. Friendly staff. If you are going for breakfast, go early as possible. We were there by 7.30 on a Sunday got in easily. 15 mins later there was a massive line up. Loved their meals and the breakfast bar. Highly recommended!

Large portions, quick service and great tasting food. First day I just had side orders of eggs and bacon when I saw how large the portions were. Second time i had the eggs benedict and shared the meal.

The food is good. We made reservations for noon, but was not seated until 12:30 pm. I think it's just an issue with this location.

Seattle Benedict was exceptional. Delicate flavor was punctuated by wonderful arugula. Mimosa was potent! Placed in backroom which was not beautifully arranged but server was magnificent. One member of the party arrived late and did not get any negative vibe. Wonderful service.

Our food choices were delicious - we ordered breakfast burrito, pancakes, omelet. The serving was too big; none of us could finish so if you are not used to eating a lot of food in the morning then split a dish. All of our choices were very good and we would return again.

Hands down, this is the place for breakfast in the U District! I had the "special" strawberry cobbler french toast and added a side of bacon - OMG! The portion was generous, the flavors were amazing, and I left as one very satisfied customer. The restaurant uses organic, locally-sourced meat and produce, which not only adds to the freshness of the dishes, but supports local farmers - always a major plus for me. For those who care, there are GF or Vegan options to choose from, as well.

Excellent choice for breakfast or brunch, the food was delicious, and they have a very friendly staff, kids and pets friendly as well. Offer seating outside with nice blankets, love the concept. Totally recommended. My suggestion is to make a reservation if you want to go.

Staying nearby and found this place. So glad I did. It was very difficult to decide between all the fabulous choices but I went with the Swedish Pancakes and they were simply awesome! Very generous portion and you also get to top them off at the fruit and berry bar which was great. Strong, delicious coffee and great service. Highly recommend!

Arguably one of the best lunches I’ve had in Seattle thus far. Fresh and light ingredients fill you up without making you feel stuffed. A little loud inside but it’s definitely not overwhelming.

My sister-in-law had "local knowledge" of this place, and I am so glad she knew to make a reservation well ahead of time. The energy is high, the service is pretty quick, and the ingredients and preparation top notch. So many choices for brunch! Light and airy, the place hosts a huge capacity. The noise level is high from all the happy people, but if that is not a problem for you, I highly recommend this place.

Nice breakfast place in Seattle close to UW. The menu was full of good breakfast options. I tried the migas while the wife went for the pork belly benedict and the kid got the mini Phil. The portions are large and we were stuffed. The pancake topping station looked interesting but we didn't order either. Will try that next time we are in the area. Definitely a good place to have breakfast in Seattle and will come back.

Bread was excellent -- I had eggs benedict and it was good. I'm not a potato fan so I didn't eat that. OMG the fresh Apple Juice was soooooo gooood! I'd go back for that alone.

Ambiance : 9/10 Food: 10/10 Coffee: 9/10 Portage Bay is absolutely perfect for pretty Instagram pictures and the concept is wonderful a buffet of toppings breakfast style I enjoyed everything including the attentive but not overbearing service It is slightly loud when it's busy but I enjoyed the energy

I went to this place with my family the first time. I am a Pancakes lover so of course I got those. The waiter brought me two huge pancakes with maple syrup and if you get pancakes you can serve yourself with fruits you can find close to the kitchen. I fell in love with this place immediately! Not only for the tasty food they make but also because they use organic ingredients.

This restaurant is amazing for a weekend brunch! Very original dishes! The PBC Benedict Sampler is a great way to try some specialty Benedicts. Order a pitcher of mimosas for the table! On our last visit the special was their biscuits and sausage gravy, such a great kick! They also do the best breakfast potatoes around and strong coffee as well! Ask to sit on the patio, they have heaters and blankets!

I frequented here on numerous occasions whilst in Seattle. The service was great and there were plenty of menu options. Speedy service and good quality food too.

We were told the wait would be 30-40 minutes. We waited over an hour to be seated. We ordered shortly after being seated. We waited 45 minutes after that for our food. The heated patio was cold and noisy. The food is great, but it’s not worth the price to put up with these conditions.

They pre-season the fried potatoes that come with almost anything on the menu -- way too salty, bordering on inedible. Toast was limp. They do make an excellent Eggs Benedict, but otherwise, not very good. Cooks look like they don't care. But excellent waitress this morning. Covered the whole busy room without breaking a sweat.

Great breakfast choices with healthy options as well as gluten free. Good service and fair pricing. A breathe of fresh air

From the outside, Portage Bay looks like a basic coffee shop on any corner in Seattle. But what a surprise when we wandered in one Saturday morning to discover an amazing brunch scene. Patrons were lined up outside sipping on free coffee while they waited for a table. The two of us were seated at the counter right away. Although the meal was somewhat expensive the portions were such that we were able to save leftovers for a second meal at home. I loved the "pancake" bar that allowed me to garnish my buckwheat pancakes to my liking. The chilaquiles were "fantastic". I was disappointed to have to choose as the menu was extensive with something for everyone. I can't wait to go back for a weekday lunch. It's too bad that it isn't open for dinner.

This place is amazing! The breakfast portions are huge so if you are not a big appetite person share or get a kids meal. The fruit bar and fresh whip creme is amazing! It's a great breakfast spot

Very busy so we were late to get seated, seemed overbooked. Once seated an excellent experience. Our waiter was fantastic, helpful and also advised the best way to order at the optimal price. Food was excellent and friendly service throughout. Great value for the quality and quantity of food and not rushed at all even though we were seated almost at brunch closing and ate until way past closing. Thoroughly recommend brunch here

This used to be such a lovely place. The increase in the number of restaurants from on to several has resulted in mediocrity. We keep forgetting and return. Today, a burning hot latte.....nice foam design but too hot to be a latte. Eggs benidict were ok. Would have loved to have the English muffins toasted and the"ham" had no taste. They were ok.

Visited the cafe for breakfast. Figured it must be very good, because when we drove by, there was a huge line waiting to be seated, and the place was packed! We weren't wrong. The place has great food, and great service. The wait to be seated was not long at all, but of course that will depend on the day. Food came out pretty quick and was tasty. Great selection of choices. Prices are fair. The only reason there is 4 "stars" rather than 5 is because of the seating. You have to either sit outside at patio tables, or sit at these long family style tables.

Did I say breakfast? I meant to say "french toast." Three huge slices, and when you top it off at the breakfast bar with fruit, nuts, and whipped cream; "french toast heaven." There are 3 or 4 of these in the Seattle area, this one is near the "U Dub." Brunch is all day Sat/Sun @ this location & 'til 10:30 a.m. M-F.

Busy lunch place but they handle it well. Quality food. Had the burger sans blue cheese. very tasty. home fries were great. next time we'll try breakfast.

Portage Bay Cafe on Roosevelt near UW is a great spot to eat quality food and have a nice atmosphere. I had ricotta lemon pancakes, delicious with a trip to the berry bar!!

We had reservations for Sunday morning breakfast, and so glad we did. The place was packed with a long waiting list. We were seated within minutes. The service was average, but the food was fresh and delicious. Huge portions that could easily be shared. A bit pricey, but it's downtown Seattle, so to be expected. Definitely noisy and crowded.

Had a lovely breakfast with family. Food was yummy and bountiful. Didn't love being sandwiched in so tightly that I couldn't get out of my seat without disturbing another table to get up to go to the bathroom. Do want to go back and try other dishes!