Outdoor seating at Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56. Photo source.
It’d be a crime not to dine outdoors during the long-awaited Seattle summertime. Don’t get caught indoors on the days when the sun is beckoning al fresco diners. Consider this list a handy-dandy guide when it’s time to rally the troops for an open-air rendezvous.
Ballard Loft | 5105 Ballard Ave NW | 206-420-2737
The folks at Ballard Loft know how to embrace a nice day: cold beer, grilled burgers, and fresh air. When the sun is out, you’ll find the garage-style entrance wide open. Take a seat on the patio or enjoy the breeze from the shaded loft-side tables. If you’re in to catch the latest game on TV, no worries -- you can still follow the action from the deck.
Bastille Cafe | 5307 Ballard Ave NW | 206-453-5014
Especially in the summertime, a cafe brunch, light lunch, happy hour, or dinner are best enjoyed right under the sky. Bastille’s greenhouse-style side patio sets the mood just right. Savor an elevated small plate, entree, or summer salad with a chilled beverage in hand and you’re on your way to seasonable perfection.
Doc's Marina Grill | Multiple locations
Got a weekend afternoon to fill and an appetite for some adventure? Doc’s two locations in Port Townsend or Bainbridge Island serve as highly accessible out-of-town escapes. Enjoy the Pacific Northwestern scenery along the short journey, then fuel up on the harborside deck. Doc’s is a perfect family-friendly destination for fish and chips at lunchtime (with a beer on the side for the adults in your crew), while simultaneously offering an ideal date setting with ultra-fresh seafood courses best paired with a tropical Mai Tai or signature mixed drink.
Duke's Chowder House | Multiple locations
Depending on your Duke’s location of choice (you’ll find six to choose from in the Seattle area), you can’t go wrong when you’re met with a combination of the following: patio seating, the answer to your seafood cravings, burgers and sandwiches stacked high, and refreshments served cold. You’re gonna want to add this spot to your list of go-to summertime hangs.
Elemental Pizza | Multiple locations
Once you’ve shopped ‘til you’ve dropped at University Village, look for the Elemental Pizza storefront as a beacon of hope and hunger-busting. Grab a courtyard table, take a breather, and refuel with a woodfired pizza.
Elliott's Oyster House | 1201 Alaskan Way Pier 56 | 206-623-4340
If you’re near downtown Seattle and have a hankering for seaside happy hour in the sunshine and salty breeze, wander down to Elliott’s Oyster House. Snap up some deck seating right on Pier 56 -- some of Seattle’s most prime real estate. The casual waterfront setting is perfect for slurping fresh oysters on the half shell or digging into the full menu of seafood bites. Enjoy with a cold Pilsner, Chardonnay, or icy cocktail, then treat yourself to tipsy, sky-high views at the nearby Great Wheel. When all's said and done, you’ll be just down the steps from legendary Pike Place Market.
