Crispy, chewy, buttery calamari is a favorite seafood snack that’s ideal for sharing. Since it’s hot, light and salty, it also makes for great happy hour snacking! Check out these eateries, which are notable for their calamari dishes...
Bastille Cafe & Bar | 5307 Ballard Ave NW | 206-453-5014
Happy Hour: Daily, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Although calamari didn’t make it to Bastille’s list of happy hour specials, it’s still a delicious dish to snack on before you enjoy the restaurant’s acclaimed French dinner fare. Their take on this classic seafood dish is the Calamari a la Planchette, served with roasted piquillo peppers and alubia blanca beans, and a sprinkle of capers and tarragon.
Cantina de San Patricio | 1914 Post Alley | 206-443-2150
Happy Hour: Daily, 4 - 7 p.m.
Start your authentic Mexican dinner in the Market off right with Cantina de San Patricio’s oh-so-good Calamares a la Parilla. It’s calamari Mexican-style, with the squid grilled and marinated, then served with a flavorful and rich chipotle sauce. Wash the grilled squid bites down with one of the restaurant’s featured happy hour cocktails.
Doc’s Marina Grill | 403 Madison Ave S | 206-842-8339
Enjoy calamari the classic, crispy-fried way at Doc’s Marina Grill on Bainbridge Island. The menu is stocked with all kinds of tasty seafood dishes, and their calamari is a craving-satisfying specialty. It’s served hot with rich pesto aioli for dipping.
Highliner Public House | 3909 18th Ave W | 206-216-1254
Happy Hour: Daily, 4 - 6 p.m.
Appetizers are where it’s at when you dine at Highliner Public House. Sure, the entrees are delish, but you simply can’t skip shareable snacks like Fried Pickles, Pub Wings, or Dungeness Crab Cakes. Highliner also serves up a great Pacific Calamari dish, with tender fried calamari that’s served with a tangy house-made lemon garlic aioli. Grab, dip and munch!
Place Pigalle | 81 Pike Street | 206-624-1756
Happy Hour: None
As one of the city’s best French restaurants, and a confirmed favorite for high-end dining in Pike Place Market, Place Pigalle is also a hotspot for great calamari. The eatery’s Calamari Dijonnaise is made in garlic and ginger with spinach and cremini mushrooms in a dijon cream sauce. Yum!
Virginia Inn | 1937 1st Ave | 206-728-1937
Happy Hour: Daily, 4 - 6 p.m.
Head to the Virginia Inn, just steps away from Pike Place Market, for a more casual approach to seafood and New American fare. Calamari is just $5 (half off) at Virginia Inn for Happy Hour! This toasty, delicious take on fried squid is polenta crusted and fried, then served hot with a flavorful chipotle aioli.
