When we have such a short summer and such a looooonggg winter, we don't want to waste a single drop of sun — especially when good food is involved.

So whether you’re looking for a rooftop, a waterfront location, or just something outside — we’ve got you covered with 35 spots and an interactive map to help you find one near you.

The camera's facing the wrong way, but we promise the beach is just on the other side of this lens. | Photo by Kathryn Barnard, via Driftwood

🌊 Near water

Driftwood | 2722 Alki Ave. SW
Opened in January 2023 by a husband-wife duo, the menu offers dishes like rockfish crudo, glazed pork belly + manila clam steamers, and carrot gnocchi.

Bowriders Grill | 101 NE Northlake Way
No need to get out of your boat — just pull up to the dock while you're enjoying the Lake Union waters for burgers and bottles of wine.

Duke’s Seafood | 1111 Fairview Ave. N.
Peep the lakefront views and a direct line of sight on the Space Needle, plus stop by on Mondays for half-priced bottles of wine. We'll cheers to that.

Pub 70 | 2801 Alaskan Way, Ste. 103
This one's a hidden gem with a patio directly over the water — fish + chips are just better that way.

Agua Verde Cafe | 1303 NE Boat St.
Allow us to set the scene: tasty food, a bright patio space, and rentable paddle boards + kayaks.

Marination Ma Kai | 1660 Harbor Ave. SW
Pair your spicy pork tacos with outdoor seating directly on the water taxi pier and a gorgeous view of the downtown cityscape.

Westward | 2501 N. Northlake Way
We challenge you to try and find a beachier restaurant in Seattle than this one. Waterside seating, outdoor fire pits, and fresh local oysters will keep the good vibes going.

Ray’s Boathouse | 6049 Seaview Ave. NW
Pro tip: Book your reservation an hour before sunset and try to snag a table near the westward-facing windows. You'll thank us later.

Maggie Bluffs | 2601 W. Marina Place
The fry baskets and “killer grilled cheese” will be a hit for all ages.

Elliott’s Oyster House | 1201 Alaskan Way
The restaurant’s giant oyster platters and a view of Puget Sound in the background is a great way to spend the afternoon.

Six Seven | 2411 Alaskan Way
Heavily-wooded interior decorations, a patio suspended just above the water, and a menu that highlights the area’s best wines — how do you top that?

Aqua by El Gaucho | 2801 Alaskan Way
Nothing says luxury like a juicy New York Strip, a fine Cabernet, and dessert accompanied by up close views of the bay.

Daniel’s Broiler - Leschi | 200 Lake Washington Blvd.
This restaurant in a converted 1919 boathouse hosts panoramic views of the Cascades and Mt. Rainier.

Grab your honey for an excellent sunset view at SLU's mbar. | Photo by SEAtoday

🌇 Rooftop spots

mbar | 400 Fairview Ave. N., Floor 14
This swanky downtown spot’s rooftop views are perfect for a good photo op.

Altitude Sky Lounge | 300 Terry Ave. N.
You know what they say — the higher the elevation, the better the charcuterie boards. Okay maybe we just came up with that, but there's real potential for a case study there.

Mountaineering Club | 4507 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Clear skies mean getting to gaze upon the great mountain vistas from this restaurant 16 floors up.

The Nest | 110 Stewart St.
Even the Great Wheel can’t get you views of the Sound like this — sip on a stunning cocktail on the rooftop of Seattle's Thompson hotel.

Flora Bakehouse | 1511 S. Lucile St.
You really can't go wrong with anything on Flora's pastry menu, but we especially love the soft serve ice cream that comes in a croissant cone.

Terra Plata | 1501 Melrose Ave.
Catch us sipping wine out here on this garden terrace alllllll day — this Mediterranean spot is also equipped with blankets and overhead heaters to fight off that evening chill.

Smith Tower | 506 Second Ave.
It’s a little touristy, but it's popular for a reason — the views can't be beat.

Rooftop Brewing | 1220 W. Nickerson St.
The name of this brewery really says it all — gaze out upon the Lake Washington Ship Canal with suds in hand.

Old Stove Brewing | 1901 Western Ave., Ste. A
This is your lifeline if your out-of-town visitors are getting a little hangry after walking around Pike Place Market — impressive views of the Sound + good snacks will set things straight.

Ascend Prime | 10400 NE Fourth St., Ste. 3100, Bellevue
This one’s a stunner with its creative dish plating and distant views of downtown Seattle.

Hard to feel pessimistic with a juicy IPA in your hands (also, RIP Alina's glasses that were later lost to the wild). | Photo by SEAtoday Staff

⛱️ Patios

Tim's Tavern | 9655 16th Ave. SW
This patio with live music has one main rule — no bozos allowed. Not that any of our readers would fit that bill anyways.

Victory Hall | 1201 First Ave.
Pregame all your summer sports events at this giant outdoor beer garden across the street from T-Mobile Park.

The Deck at DeLille Cellars | 14300 NE 145th St., Ste. 100, Woodinville
The patio area attached to the winery's beautiful restaurant is where you'll want to sip on that award-winning wine.

Paseo | 1760 First Ave. S.
Memories of your first sandwich bite at this Caribbean joint will haunt your dreams.

Bottlehouse | 1416 34th Ave.
The airy wine bar’s patio is coastal, bright, and great for a summer afternoon break.

Optimism Brewing Co. | 1158 Broadway
Sitting with a locally-brewed beer in the sunshine will fast track your way to being an optimist — just prep for some extra crowds on the weekends.

The Pink Door | 1919 Post Alley
Picture this: a bottle of bubbly, a plate of lavender honey budino, and the lights of the ferries glowing from the Puget Sound below you — it’s a summer dream.

Linda’s Tavern | 707 E. Pine St.
Patios don’t need to be all glitz and glam — sometimes all you need is a greasy, comforting brunch in the shade.

The Lookout | 757 Bellevue Ave. E.
The Lookout’s fenced-in patio hidden within the trees feels like a tucked away secret.

Rob Roy | 2332 Second Ave.
A craft cocktail is already a treat — but sipping one in the sun on this bar’s urban patio adds an extra layer to the experience.

Bake’s Place Bar + Bistro | 155 108th Ave. NE, Ste. 110, Bellevue
This restaurant’s patio is covered + surrounded in greenery — not a bad choice if you’re looking to enjoy warm air while avoiding those UV rays.

Cantinetta | 10038 Main St., Bellevue
The patio’s cozy, fur-covered chairs make it so hard to leave — especially after a glass of wine or two in the sun.

🗺️ Dining map