Salty's on Alki

FABULOUS view of Seattle across the Sound. I have ALWAYS gotten GREAT service and GREAT food, even when I brought 20 people and arranged for separate checks(not easy on the servers). Everyone in my large party of "out of towners" agreed that the food was excellent and service was GREAT. I have always gotten GREAT food, cooked exactly to order for Lunch and Dinner. Brunch is a buffet so a few things are cooler than I like, but still good. I recommend Salty's at Alki to EVERYONE that is looking for a GREAT seafood meal.

Pros: GREAT seafood for a Market price

Cons: Should make Reservations

Posted 10/17/09

We arrived at 3:00 for Happy Hour. We were told there wouldn't be any food for 45 minutes although Happy Hour starts at 3:00. We enjoyed the view and drinks and finally ordered an appetizer. It came cold inside, yet burned on top. The table behind us summoned the server to complain about hair in their food. The server was inept and charged us regular prices rather than Happy Hour. Yes, the view was great but not worth the $25.00 and hassle. There are hundreds of wonderful Seattle Happy Hours with great food and some with views. Don't waste your time.

Pros: Great view

Cons: Horrific food, terrible service

Posted 07/17/09

The only thing special about the food is how expensive it is! Even the happy hour prices are too high. You are definitely paying for only one thing here- the view of Elliott Bay and Seattle.
If you're entertaining out-of-town guests I would recommend taking them here.

Pros: Great skyline view of Seattle

Cons: Overpriced

Posted 05/01/09

The food here is pretty good (though eating too much seafood during their lunch buffets is an easy way to get sick). The view is also great. That said, people hype this restaurant too much. It's good, but it's not top-tier either in food or ambiance.

Pros: Great view; Decent seafood

Cons: Overrated

Posted 04/23/09

The view was incredible here and we had great service. I did not think that the food was very good. I ordered Alaskan King Crab legs and they were over cooked and did not seem that fresh. They were also on the small side. My husband ordered a steak cooked medium and there was absolutely no pink. The appetizers were okay but the crab cake tasted a bit like tuna. The atmosphere was nice...not too stuffy, not too casual, but the food was very mediocre. (I noticed that another reviewer commented on the smell when entering and we noticed the same thing right away. Once seated at our table we could not smell anything, but it was a turn-off.)

Pros: view & service

Cons: food quality, odd smell when entering the restaurant

Posted 03/21/09

The place had the best views of downtown Seattle. However the service was really bad and not just at our table. At the tables adjacent to ours as well.

Had to wait for an hour after our appetizers to get the entrees. Never asked if we wanted more to drink or even filled water. Could not find the waiter at all. When the Dessert option came he said it's on me and then he put it in the bill. This was on a weekday, not crowded at all. We were very disappointed.

Food is okay, but service really poor...Expect to be there at least 3 hours. You may get out of a swanky fine dining place faster...

Pros: View

Cons: Service - Really bad

Posted 03/19/09

While I haven't been to a brunch in a while, I had my fair share of brunch experiences in the past. However, none of them compared with Salty's. We went there last Sunday to celebrate a special occasion and it turned out that we picked the right place.

The service was outstanding (beginning with the greeting), the restaurant is beautiful and the view spectacular. And, the food is simply amazing! The selection is tremendous and everything is fresh and tastes delicious. The two minor complains I have are: I would have loved to see some different fresh breads and jams (I am a bread & jam person) and, secondly, I wish I had six stomachs like a cow...

Highly recommended - you will not regret it.

Pros: Best buffet, amazing view, outstanding service

Cons: Fresh breads would be a great addition to the brunch selection

Posted 12/15/08

As a newcomer to Seattle from NYC, I am a foodie on a mission. I like to discover the new spots, the hot spots and the unknowns. In this case I was told that I should check out Salty's for the view, the ride across the sound and the brunch. For many it is easy to create a brunch so I thought dinner first. If it is good, then Brunch. I was not disappointed on either count. I went for dinner and found my steak ("Fun Guy") to be of good quality, the caesar salad crisp and flavorful, the seafood chowder with Sherry quite good and the service (Macenzie) spot on. This lead to my interest in going to Salty's for brunch a week later (10/12/08). With the dinner having been of good quality and taste I had expectations for the brunch. Those expectations were met. Amazing spread, good quality, good service and price appropriate. I will tell you that you would not go wrong utilizing this brunch for an event or for a periodic stop for local product and quality eats. In addition, if you happen to get there on a day when Macenzie is working, you would not be disappointed by the quality of service you receive.

Pros: Location, Service, Brunch

Posted 10/19/08

I could write a book about how great everything was. The seafood was super fresh (i would almost think that they caught it to order) and everything was perfectly cooked (except for the raw oysters ; ). I ate the best crab legs I've ever had. The filet mignon with truffle oil was incredible as was the potato that came with it. The wine selection was also fantastic. The view was so amazing that I had trouble concentrating. The service was perfect. Professional and courteous. When the bill came, considering what we got, I was very pleased with the prices. Definitely worth every cent.

Pros: Impeccable food, service and a jaw dropping view

Cons: dont show up on a weekend without a reservation! It was very busy.

Posted 10/02/08

I highly recommend the Sunday brunch buffet. Lots of different items to choose from, feels like a Vegas buffet yet with much higher quality food. Dinner tends to be a little on the expensive side, so I'd stick with the Sunday buffet.

Posted 09/10/08

My friends and I were there on Sunday 8/10 for brunch. We haven't been there for 2 years so we were excited to eat good food with a view and no kids (our children) to bother us. We were seated promptly but our waitress was slow to greet us. In addition, she was very unfriendly when we ask to refill our coffee. We noticed she was extremely talkative to tables next to us but very short with us. The food was o.k. I am very dissapointed in the service as well as the food. I did voice my opinion in the survey and decided to voice my thoughts here too. It is time for me as well as my friends to go somewhere else especially for $38.75 per person!!!!

Posted 08/11/08

My wife and I as well as friends go to Salty's on Alki several times a year for the Sunday brunch. The experience is usually enjoyable and the food is excellent. This last trip this past Sunday 7/20 was not worth the $320 bill that we had.

#1 -- The downstairs dining room (South side) near the dessert table smelled like wet dog. We were seated directly next to the dessert table and for the hour and a half we were there watched 3 children continually play with the food getting their grubby little hands over everything. While it shouldn't be the responsibility of the staff to babysit these kids they were disrupting our table the majority of the meal. The kids parents were obviously too stupid or tired to exercise any supervision. While I felt for the wait staff the manager should have had the cajones to tell the parents to control their kids or they would be tossed into the Puget Sound.

#2 The majority of the food was cold. Still tasted decent but for $38 a plate kind of expect the food to be at least warm.

This is the first poor experience I've had there. I've never had a problem paying the high prices because the food and experience were worth it but this time I left the place thinking that I probably should start trying some other brunch venues.

Posted 07/21/08

The drinks were perfect! You could easily get smashed without knowing it.
The appetizer's were great. Try the Oyster shooters those are different but very good.
The dungenous crab was bland... I liked the appetizers better.

Pros: Great Drinks, Great Appetizers

Cons: Crab was so so - definatly not worth the price.

Posted 07/06/08

I've been going to Salty's for Brunch for many years. My family just loves it. My husband isn't much of a seafood fan but that doesn't stop him from enjoying it just as much as the rest of us. There are so many fresh choices, YUM! I recently decided to try them out for dinner. It was even better than brunch. Service was perfect, as usual, not snobby or corny. The view was of course amazing but the food.... Fantastic! I had these seared scallops that blew me away. So good I went back the next week because I had to have them again. Skip the coconut prawn app, because you can get those anywhere. Oh and if it's still on the specials menu, you have to try the gazpacho with Dungeness crab!! I?ll be back for more of that too!

Posted 07/17/07

We will not be back!!! We made reservations as recommended for Brunch last weekend. When we arrived 5 minutes early, we were told that it would be half an hour wait. So we waited, waited and waited. No offering of water or anyting in that heat!!! The staff seemed to be running around, never engaging and annoyed with everyone who was there. When we finally satt down to try and eat, the majority of the food was cold, my wife asked the server if we could heat up the food on our plates in the microwave, and he seemed put out by the request. Cold and bland food shouldn't even be nominated for the best of!!!!

The restaurant is dirty, dusty and needs some desparate attention to detail. The area where the buffet is located is covered with grease and just gross. For that much money, we'd rather battle the tourists on the waterfront in some of the newer restaurants.....

Pros: Watching teh chaos....

Cons: Having to endure the chaos...

Posted 07/17/07

We went to Salty's for the first time this past weekend and had a great time. The view is amazing, everything from the Columbia Tower to the Space Needle sits across the bay. The service was earnest, well-timed. The food was very good- in fact, we were expecting something standard like a McCormick and Schmick's but found some really inventive dishes that delivered. With so many great places to frequent for dinner in Seattle, we rarely return to the same place in the same season. For Salty's, we will make an exclusion!

Posted 07/16/07

Salty's may be known for its view and seafood but it's the friendly wait staff that have my husband and I and our friends and familes coming back time and again. They go out of their way to make you feel welcome and special. We bring our daughters here for their birthday year after year. We entertain business clients (great way to schmooze a client). We bring friends and neighbors. If someone doesn't like seafood, they have steaks, salads, pasta (which turns into a vegetarian dish easily, just ask). It's really got everything. (If you don't see what you want be sure to ask. If you have any issues, just let a manager know!) We especially like the way they include wine suggestions on their daily fresh sheet. Very nice touch. Our daughters really love the white chocolate cake they serve free for birthdays (and balloons to boot). It's definitely THE place to take out-of-town visitors which means it can get crowded and busy during the summer, but it's worth the wait (just be sure to make reservations). There's just no better place to show off Seattle and it's incredible location on Elliott Bay with the mountains in the background. And they have the "Nordstrom" friendliness and we'll take care of everything mindset. Salty's is synonymous with Seattle! We always vote for Salty's during the Citysearch annual vote. They so deserve it!

Pros: Salty's is synonymous with Seattle!

Cons: Make reservations in advance!

Posted 07/15/07

Salty's on Alki is an absolute must! My friends and I were there last night on the deck and had the time of our lives! We had incredible food..don't miss the halibut oscar..YUM!!! The desserts are to die for!!!! Great drinks, great food, great service, great time! Our server, Patrick, was the best! He never missed a beat, from beginning to end... great menu suggestions and his fantastic personality, he made the night fun and fabulous!. We can't wait to go back next week for another fun time! Thanks for a great time Salty's, from a true fan!!

Posted 07/12/07

After reading some of the reviews on this site, we decided to check it out while in town last weekend. We should have listened to the real ones on the second page!!! The front desk was extremely rude, even though we were only 5 minutes early for our reservation, they made us wait another 20 minutes, didn't even offer for us to sit in the bar. The server was unapologetic about our wait and seemed put out that we were trying to get a view, but were stuck in the corner next to a loud server hangout... The steak was overcooked, ordered medium rare and was sent out well done, so much for Prime Beef. When the second steak came out, they simply dropped it and ran, hoping it was correct.... They seem so stuck in the 70's with some of their food, the fried fish martini was horrible, cold and left much to be desired. The chowder was a saving grace. The black pepper sauce on our salmon was way too overpowering and why blacken the best fish in the water, Yukon salmon? The spice was awful.

Pros: Chowder

Cons: Everything else....

Posted 07/09/07

I was invited to dinner at Salty's last week and wow have things changed! I was so impressed with the food and service I made a reservation to spend the 4th of July there as well. One of the servers told me that they hired a new chef about a year ago. What a difference! I had the salmon. It was perfectly cooked and the sauce was a perfect touch. This place is not just about the view anymore. It is about great food and the view! My vote: If you have not been there in a while, go give it a try.

Pros: Great view and food

Cons: should make a reservation

Posted 07/01/07

There's no place like it in Seattle! When you put this incredible view of downtown Seattle across Elliott Bay (the glass windows of the skyscrapers reflect the sunset across the water - wow!) together with fabulous Northwest seafood (hey, there are steaks too if you gotta) made with absolute class, you have to agree there's no place like it in all of Seattle! We had great service (server was very very friendly) and couldn't ask for more. The menu included recommendations for wine pairings with their special seafood dishes (halibut and salmon). Wild salmon is all the rage now. If you know anything about Seattle, you know you must have wild salmon when it's available. Now is the time in the Pacific Northwest! Nothing else like it and Salty's is the epitome of great places for wild salmon. We asked for a window table and even though everyone does we were lucky and got one (all the tables have views though since it's terraced - very nice way to share with everyone in the place!). Okay, I ramble on but really it's worth the time if you have to wait in line. The place is very popular after all! We say try it, you'll love it! We go with friends, as a couple, with groups, or go on your birthday and they'll give you FREE cake.

Pros: Fabulous view, fabulous food, fabulous waiters!

Cons: Very popular so it can mean you have to wait. But it's totally worth it!

Posted 06/28/07

Loved the a la carte menu. Not a fan of the buffet. But alas I don't go when the buffet is on, so it's all good !

Pros: View, Seafood

Cons: Parking

Posted 06/24/07

We made reservations over a month ago for 11:00 on Mother's Day. Little did we know what we were in for... Let's start off with the cattle call of people waiting for terrible food. The line was out the door when we arrived to try and check in. We were told there was already a wait and that it was to be expected, even with a reservation. The front desk staff should be given a class in being considerate!!! They were completely rude and looked confused and scared with all the people waiting. After being sat 30 minutes late, the server was just as rude as the front desk, looked like a common theme for the day!!! We had to go through the buffet numerous times just to get some food, it was either cold or empty. If you want to try and dine with the masses, for terrible food and rude service, then this is for you. If not, stay away from the trap. Overpriced and underrated, just look at their reputation and listen!!!!!! We should have!!!!!

Pros: None

Cons: Rude staff, terrible food, tourist trap

Posted 05/12/07

terrible service from the time you make your reservations to the time you leave.
do not go to this restaurant.
the all-you-can-eat brunch is way overpriced but unfortunately this is one of the few places that has it in seattle so it is popular and has very little competition in the area. go a-la-carte at the many other restaurants in town if view and hunger are not on your priority.
the view is what draws people to this place. have low expectations and your experience will be more tolerable.

Pros: view

Cons: service

Posted 05/04/07

As a frequent business traveler to Seattle, I was looking for a seafood restaurant with a view to take clients. The food was so average and the service from the hostess to wait staff was very poor, not even the view could salvage the evening. Upon returning home, I read all the reviews and have just one question. Why have the rude hostess and waiters not been fired?

Pros: View

Cons: Service, rude staff, average food for price

Posted 04/05/07

My husband and I decided to take our parents out for dinner. The decision to go here was last minute, for I had heard about Salty's on television. Of course I looked up this place on line to get directions, and saw that the place was rated 2-4 marks on prices, with 5 being the most epensive. I thought, "well, I am not very hungry, so I will just order fish and chips or an appitizer". I was secretly floored on the prices. An appetizer was about the same price as most dinner's elsewhere. I am not trying to sound cheap, but if you have not eaten here before expect to spend money. We made reservations about 4 hours in advance, and we arrived 20 minutes early and were seated right away. The staff was sort of snooty, and the hostess did not smile at us at all. But our waiter was more than happy to serve us, and was pleasant and attentive. We got to sit facing the view, which was spectacular at night. I would go back, but this time only with my husband. We did bring our two children with us, and although other parents also broght their kids along, It was more of a romantic evening kind of place.

Pros: wonderful seafood. The Sunday Brunch is not to be missed. They have oysters on the half shell included in their buffett.

Cons: the parking was scarce and the lot was full of puddles. Hostess could brush up on her social skills.

Posted 11/24/06

For a decent price, when you go to brunch, you get... such a great meal! Mountains of crab, fresh waffles, eggs, pastries, other seafood... Writing this review makes me want to go sometime soon!

On top of the great food (I think my fiance and I typically make 3 trips back to the buffet when we go!), they also are fortunate enough to have a fabulous waterfront view. One of my favorite breakfast spots.

Posted 11/23/06

I like the view of Seattle from this place. You can see how nice is Seattle are. I like the brunch alot but the food for dinner is not that great. I think this is a wonderful place to take someone that's is new to Seattle or maybe a romantic dining.

Pros: Nice View, Easy parking

Cons: The host up front is not to friendly

Posted 11/19/06

A very classy place! A great setting fo business professionals. I would recommed sitting near the back of the restaurant. The view of downtown Seattle is stunning, a great alturnative to the needle for those afaid of heights. This is one of those places that is a little expensive, but the atmosphere and great food require a little splurging.

Posted 11/03/06

This is definitly a hot spot for business professionals or retired folks with some money to spend. The food was geat and you can't beat the view but expect to drop at least $30 per person. I don't know what their lunches are like and I hear good things about the Sunday brunch but my diner was a pleasan experience.

Pros: Food, view, atmosphere

Cons: Price

Posted 11/01/06

We dined there last sunday with party of five. The host wasn't very friendly, nor does the waiter is attentive. The food is good but not great. You are paying for the view basically. The restaurant get a fantastic view for the lake and the whole enviornment. The prime beef is good, and the made to order omelete is nice, and the dessert is fantastic. Their chocolate fountain is great too! I had big hope for the oyster, but my appetite was ruined after I saw a little, live, warm on my oyster shell. The shrimp and the crab legs were just ok. Their smoke salmon turned into cooked salmon after only two rounds. You might be disappointed if you are a food critics or a gourmet. But if you just want to relax and enjoy a view with family and friends, this is a ok place to be. I'd recommend their dessert if you are a sweet tooth.

Posted 09/30/06

I do not eat seafood and was a little sceptical about eating here but dinner is good. What really got me was the Sunday Brunch which is now also offered on Saturdays. A little bit of everything, so be ready to eat a lot of good food because once you start you don't stop!

Pros: Love the view absolutley gorgeous

Posted 09/21/06

I heard many things about this view. It was amazing as everyone said! My love and I came on a Friday night. We were lucky enough to find a seat outside. Our waiter, Adam, was very busy. The service may have been distributed a little better, but he as attentive as he could have been. We had a wonderful meal, great wine, and a fantastic desert. It was perfect for my last dinner in the states for a while. I had a wonderful time with my love and enjoyed a fantastic view and dinner. Salty's is a must try for any romantic couple in Seattle.

Posted 09/01/06

Although the lunch and dinner there are good, go for the Saturday and/or Sunday brunch. All I gotta say.

Pros: location, environment, selection

Cons: parking if you don't wanna 'valet' it, can be pricey (which is expected)

Posted 08/24/06

My companion and I thought our host was very rude. When we approached her, she was very condescending because of the way that we were dressed and because of our younger age. We had just come from the beach, so we were pretty dressed down. She automatically assumed that we could not afford dinner, so she asked us if we would be eating an entire meal there. She then did not seat us, but let us wander the restaurant to find seats. When we came back unsuccessful, the manager found a table for us. The host was unapologetic as well. We felt that in a restaurant of that class, we felt that we should have been treated much better.

Pros: view

Cons: bad service

Posted 08/18/06

I've been to Salty's several times. I love Alki and I love seafood. However, I have only had a good experience when sitting for Oka, a friendly Balinese waiter that has worked at Salty's for several years. He is certain to make you feel like the only one in the restaraunt!

Posted 08/06/06

My friend and I took a visiting friend (from Denmark) because we wanted her to have a special experience. It was mortifying. Our service was horrible and it was not very busy. The food was mediocre at best. She had to send back her salad twice because she asked for the dressing on the side and was finally told that it always has dressing on it?!! And then they didn't even take it off the bill! The manager was at our table for probably 20 minutes and all she managed to do was give us a card for someone who wasn't even there. No apology, nothing taken off the bill. Really lame.

Pros: View.

Cons: Service or lack thereof

Posted 08/03/06

Unlike a lot of previous reviewers, we received excellent service from our server. She was very attentive and delivered everything we asked for. The view is FABULOUS but unfortunately the food did not live up to expectations and the price we paid. Our bill for an appetizer sampler, two entrees , two KIDS MEALS and drinks came up to $130. I'm not going to go into pricing details as one can find them on the Web, but with those prices, we expected a better culinary experience. Food was just OK. It's too bad because we really wanted to like this restaurant.

Pros: Fabulous view, attentive service

Cons: Food and presentation does not justify price

Posted 07/04/06

Though I've lived in Seattle for seven years, last Saturday marked my very first trip to legendary Salty's on Alki. I partook in the brunch with a group of friends, and am pleased to report that the experience completely exceeded my expectations. Although we did not score a window or outdoor table, the atmosphere was still pleasant and comfortably elegant. As the brunch is an all-you-can eat affair, I arrived anticipating the food quality would be sub-par. I could not have been more wrong! Every dish was delectable, from the oysters on the half-shell to the marinated eggplant & squash. Mountains of fresh shrimp and crab legs were enjoyed by our table, along with mussels, lobster ravioli, perfectly ripe strawberries, and penne pasta salad. The offerings are so vast, there is simply no way one person could try everything, and I didn't even attempt the traditional "breakfast" offerings (potatoes, sausage, eggs, omelettes made to order, scones, biscuits, waffles, and more...). Following our seafood extravaganza, we still managed to taste some of the many delicious and aesthetically-appealing desserts such as creme brulee, coffee-rum cheesecake, ganache tartlets, rich chocolate mousse cups, and fluffy lemon chiffon cake. All the while, we were attended to by an incredibly polite and prompt server who was quick to bring more OJ, clear away shell-laden plates, and explain the finer points of brunching. Whereas I believe I ate enough crab to last me the next few months at least, once I've recovered I'll certainly return to Salty's for brunch!

Pros: Superb brunch food, great Alki waterfront location

Posted 06/26/06

My boyfriend and I have now dined at Salty's twice. The first time was in Oregon. The view was fab and so was the service and food. We decided to go back to Salty's on Alki. We made reservations and requested a seat by the window (a must!) and were seated promptly. The hostess was nice and I recieved multiple comments by her. However, once our server (his name was Brian) arrived I knew I would not be enjoying Salty's as much as I did before. He seemed to rush us a bit, and paid little attention to us from what I think is his assumption that we would not tip well. My boyfriend ordered the clam chowder (which is awesome) and I the ceasar salad (mediocre, needs a bit more dressing). He did not give us crackers with his chowder. We had to ask and wait for atleast 10 minutes before recieving any. We did not get any bread, which made me upset because every other table was given bread the moment they recieved their drinks. It was dissapointing that we had to ask for things that are included with the meal and other people were given with not having to say a word. In addition to not recieving the items we should have and having to ask for them, Brian seemed a bit "too good" for me and my boyfriend. Bottom line is, if you plan to go to Salty's, remember you must look "rich" (he was being overly nice to the "rich" men sipping wine at a table next to us) to be given good service.

Pros: Great view, Awesome food.

Cons: Service.

Posted 06/18/06

My fiance and I brought her parents to Salty's when they came to visit. We had been there before and sat in the lounge and enjoyed the food. We made a 7:30 reservation and arrived about 10 minutes early. We were told they were running a few minutes behind but should have us seated shortly. When I went to check on our reservation 30 minutes later I was rudely told, "we'll seat you when we get a table! We can't make people get up!" I overheard this being said to several people by the host and manager. We were finally seated over an hour after our reservation time. The waitress was friendly but not attentive. It took forever (almost 25 minutes) to get our order taken. On a positive note the food was very good and the view was nice. However, the service and attitude will keep me from returning.

Pros: Good Food, Great View

Cons: Rude host and manager, Slow service

Posted 05/04/06

Well it is FABULOUS especially the deserts! The chocolate fountain...yummy. The only bad thing I will say about brunch is--if you don't like seafood well the menu revolves around it.

Posted 12/04/05