The salad days of summer are the payoff for living through months of rain. We love to take advantage of the steady sunshine and the daylight that lasts well into night by eating outside whenever we can.
Because outdoor dining is so hard to come by in Seattle, we don't limit our search to any one particular kind; instead, we look for the best of it all, from fries served in paper-lined baskets at a plastic table to seared scallops and a glass of Pinot Gris in white-tableclothed elegance.
What all of these places have in common is that elusive combination: a great outdoor setting and tasty food.
More Seattle sites to visit • China in Seattle • Seattle soul • Bargain Seattle Best view$$; lunch and dinner daily. 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W.; 206/782-0094.
Most romantic
A cozy and eclectic atmosphere is just a flight of stairs
down from the Post Alley entrance marked only by the eponymous
Pink Door. The patio beckons
diners with views of Elliott Bay and oodles of charm. A pasta dish,
a bottle of vino, and an adoring sweetheart should complete the
picture at this bit of Italy in Pike Place Market.
$$; lunch Mon-Sat, dinner daily. 1919 Post Alley; 206/443-3241.
Best oysters
Don't miss the staggering variety of oysters served with
clever frozen champagne mignonette at
Elliott's Oyster
House. The patio is perfect for soaking in the sights of
Elliott Bay. Progressive happy hour starts at 3 p.m. Monday-Friday
with chef's choice oysters for 50 cents each. The price increases
20 cents every half-hour, but you'll be too content to notice.
$$$$; lunch and dinner daily. 1201 Alaskan Way; 206/623-4340.
Best fish 'n' chips with kids
This is Seattle, after all, where not just any fish will do.
At
Little Chinook's you can choose
between salmon, cod, and halibut (prawns and clam strips are also
available) to accompany the crispy seasoned fries and poppy
seed-studded coleslaw. The patio furniture overlooking Fishermen's
Terminal leaves something to be desired, but kids love watching the
boats.
$; lunch and dinner daily. Fishermen's Terminal, 1900 W. Nickerson St.; 206/283-4665.
Trendiest
Salads and seafood stand out on the ever-changing menu at the
pretty
35th Street Bistro. Cool down
with a cucumber martini while absorbing the Fremont scene.
$$$; lunch and dinner Tue-Sun, brunch Sat-Sun. 709 N. 35th St.; 206/547-9850.
Best boatside burger
Nestled among the boats at Elliott Bay Marina, Maggie Bluff's
Marina Grill has perspective-enhancing water-level views of
downtown. Arm yourself with a burger and a beer and while away a
summer's day, or take advantage of $3.99 buckets o' clams and crab
bites during happy hour (3 p.m.-6 p.m. daily).
$; lunch and dinner daily, breakfast Sat-Sun. 2601 W. Marina Place; 206/283-8322.
Best brunch
Baked eggs and homemade scones and coffee cake are served on
the charming brick patio of
Madison Park
Café. Well-behaved dogs and cats are welcome.
$$$$; dinner Tue-Sat, brunch Sat-Sun. 1807 42nd Ave. E.; or 206/324-2626.
Best sidewalk dining
Considering that so many months of the year in Seattle demand
indoor dining, a surprising number of restaurants here bother to
store a few tables to pull out to the sidewalk once summer arrives.
Tom Douglas's take on a Greek diner,
Lola (
$$$$;
breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily; 2000B Fourth Ave.;
206/441-1430) serves up season-perfect grilled food and a Greek
martini (made with feta-stuffed olives).
At Le Pichet ( $$; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily; 1933 First Ave.; 206/256-1499) you can experience a bit of Paris while grabbing a meal or simply an espresso and watching the town walk by.
