This Marination location on the West Seattle peninsula features a grand view of the city skyline and Elliott Bay. Among the popular Korean-Hawaiian fare are Spam sliders, kalua pork tacos, and kimchi fried rice. The spacious outdoor seating area is conveniently close to the pedestrian water taxi, which runs directly from downtown to Alki.

There are places you take your dad when you want to impress him, and places you take your grandpa. This Belltown waterfront surf-and-turf restaurant is more in the latter category: There’s a piano player in the dining room, tableside Caesar salad and poke, flashy cocktails, even primo cigars on the menu (you probably, probably won’t be able to smoke them outside on the pier). The real star, though, is the wraparound view of Puget Sound — the restaurant is literally on the edge of Pier 70, so you can’t really do better view-wise. And with Aqua’s happy hour menu, you could actually have a burger and cocktail here for under $30.

The Space Needle’s bar is known for its slowly rotating floor and views of the city 500 feet above the ground. Reservations for Loupe’s dining and cocktail experiences go for $125 on weekdays and $175 and weekends; the price includes cocktails and a tiered “tower” of meat, seafood, or vegetables. You also get admission to the Space Needle, which may fit the bill for those hosting out-of-towners who want to booze it up at the city’s famed landmark.

Chef Nick Novello’s installation at this famed downtown waterfront restaurant makes the touristy spot worth revisiting. Local oysters, crab sourdough toast, and smoked salmon are a few of the standouts. Plus, not only is the place parked under the Great Wheel, but it also offers a four-course dinning experience on the ride itself, for those who aren’t afraid of heights.

Pike Place Market is full of restaurants advertising views of Puget Sound, but Lowell’s gets bonus points because you get your pick of views — the first and third floors let you look out at the water, and the second floor is a bar overlooking the market that serves as an ideal people-watching outpost. Whether you’re splitting a fish and chips with your kids on a much-needed break from market-crawling or doing some pre-game drinking before you head over to the stadiums, Lowell’s is a welcome reprieve from the noise.

Inspired by the speakeasies of yore, the bar atop the historic Smith Tower comes with serious 360-degree views that stretch over downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and the Cascade and Olympic mountains. Bites include potstickers and noodle bowls, and the classy vibe is perfect for special occasions. The bar also has cocktail classes for small groups.

If you have a boat on Lake Union you can dock at this no-frills grill; landlubbers have to park on the street and follow signs down a gravel path to get to Bowriders. Either way, once you’re there, you get to eat a burger and sip a beer with a side of a panoramic view of the lake and the skyline. In winter the covered and heated patio makes for a great spot to watch the Christmas ships.

When Saint Bread announced that it was expanding to include dinner, it was welcome news — the Jensen Marina–based bakery occupies an ideal corner of Portage Bay, and it should be regarded as more of an all-day hangout spot than merely a place to grab (delicious) pastries. You probably already know that you can have a great time with an Americano, avocado toast, and this waterfront view, but remember that you can enjoy that same view with a cheeseburger and a beer. 

This former Rainier Beach service station in a historic tudor-style stone building was transformed into a bakery and cafe in 2015. With views that open up to Lake Washington, Stone House offers salads, sandwiches, breakfast all day, and an excellent array of pastries. Don’t pass up on Laina’s handmade ice cream and boozy milkshakes.

Seattleites who still fly the flannel with pride may get all snooty about the Bellevue-by-way-of-Vegas vibes at Ascend, and it’s true that the place is literally on top of a mall, 30 floors above a Capital One Cafe to be precise. But it’s worth the elevator trip for the supervillain’s-eye view of Bellevue, the lake, Seattle, and (on clear days) the mountains. The lavish food pairs perfectly with the luxurious atmosphere — think koji-smoked Wagyu beef cheeks sliders for happy hour, seared foie gras as a starter, and top-quality steaks for dinner.