My family of four went to Ray's Cafe for Thanksgiving dinner because I didn't feel like cooking a turkey for just me, my husband and my two little ones. Ray's Cafe has a well-reknowned Thanksgiving... More

My family of four went to Ray's Cafe for Thanksgiving dinner because I didn't feel like cooking a turkey for just me, my husband and my two little ones. Ray's Cafe has a well-reknowned Thanksgiving buffet which always sells out. So we made the reservations well in advance and off we went. The parking lot was extremely crowded and we immediately opted for the free valet parking. That came in really handy. We had to wait several minutes for our table and the kids were restless. They gave us a great table at the window, with a view of Lake Union. The waitress took forever to come and take our drink order. It happened sometime during my turn at the buffet (my husband had gone first and I went second). Overall, the waitress was very slow, not even checking back to see if we needed refills on our drinks. I ended up asking the busboy for more Diet Coke. The buffet was good. In addition to turkey and prime rib, they had lots of fresh shrimp and tuna sashimi. The desserts were two-bite size and very good. I do wish they had a buffet offering for the kids, such as chicken strips or grilled cheese sandwiches. The kids were stuck eating the adult food. My son doesn't operate that way so I had brought him a Lunchables to eat (although we still had to pay for his buffet meal). Their website is http://www.rays.com/new/
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We went to Ray's Cafe and wow. The rolls taste homemade, the hummus is seriously the best I've ever had (with a nice lemon splash), the salads are large and hearty, and the desserts are warm, sweet... More

We went to Ray's Cafe and wow. The rolls taste homemade, the hummus is seriously the best I've ever had (with a nice lemon splash), the salads are large and hearty, and the desserts are warm, sweet and comforting. But the fish entrées are really the stars... they were so fresh and were flavored perfectly. I got the blackened rockfish and it had just the right amount of spice so not to overpower the taste of the fish but still add a nice kick. The service was great, despite how crowded the place was (make sure to make reservations). Originally we had planned to eat outside, but the hostess suggested we sit inside to avoid the cold wind from the water. We took the advice and were satisfied with the warm ambiance of the interior (filled with lighthouse pictures and a fireplace). All in all, a great place to take an out-of-town guest you want to impress!
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My husband and I took our friends from out of town to the cafe at Ray's Boathouse. We went on a Friday night and only ended up waiting 25 min. - they don't take reservations. We watched the sunset... More

My husband and I took our friends from out of town to the cafe at Ray's Boathouse. We went on a Friday night and only ended up waiting 25 min. - they don't take reservations. We watched the sunset and they handed out nice fleece blankets! The food was okay but definitely cheaper than the restaurant below!!! Overall, it's a bargain for a romance dinner. The sunset (around 9pm) was awesome with the mountains, water, and boats coming in for the night. Definitely recommended!
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Ray's Cafe upstairs from the fancy Ray's Boathouse Restaurant is a good retreat on a beautiful Seattle day or on a mixed-weather day when you want to watch the clouds come in. They don't take... More

Ray's Cafe upstairs from the fancy Ray's Boathouse Restaurant is a good retreat on a beautiful Seattle day or on a mixed-weather day when you want to watch the clouds come in. They don't take reservations for the deck and reservations for inside are always recommended as it has been busy every time I've been there (4 times now). If you do make it out to the deck bring a light jacket if the weather is partly cloudy. Otherwise you can request a blanket. The food is really good cafe food. It's nothing to write home about specifically, but it is tasty and hits the spot when you want to relax with friends or a significant other. Or, you could just enjoy a good book and the view while snacking. There's plenty to choose from on the menu, with options for everyone. Drinks abound as well from cocktails to a decent selection of beers. Going to Ray's Cafe is a classy experience even if the fancy restaurant is downstairs. Dress is casual here and there are no pretentions by guests or waitstaff. It is even good for visiting family or friends. Don't forget the sunglasses on hot days, but they do have a canopy to protect you from the sun and when I asked for sunscreen they let me have some.
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With my visiting sister, and her family in tow, Alex and I went to Ray's Boathouse last weekend. From the free valet parking to the crayons to entertain the kids, Ray's Boathouse provides the... More

With my visiting sister, and her family in tow, Alex and I went to Ray's Boathouse last weekend. From the free valet parking to the crayons to entertain the kids, Ray's Boathouse provides the service needed for a relaxing meal. I know, it seems stupid to go to a seafood restaurant and not order seafood, but the portabello sandwich with sweet potato fries were too tempting to pass up. And while everyone got on my case, they couldn't stop snatching my fries when I was not looking. Also, try the spinach salad as a starter--the dressing is to die for.
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I've only been to Ray's once, but I remember it vividly. I don't know what got into me, but I ordered the clams, and they were absolutely wonderful. With a side of fries it was a practically... More

I've only been to Ray's once, but I remember it vividly. I don't know what got into me, but I ordered the clams, and they were absolutely wonderful. With a side of fries it was a practically perfect meal. Might sound weird at first, but try it!
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We have spent 2 anniversaries here; we will continue go back without hesitation every year. A bit sappy, but hey, when you find something love, stick with it. Halibut, yes. Salmon, yes. Anything... More

We have spent 2 anniversaries here; we will continue go back without hesitation every year. A bit sappy, but hey, when you find something love, stick with it. Halibut, yes. Salmon, yes. Anything with dungeness crab, yes yes. Veggies are always fresh and very well prepared. Staff is better than 5 star, very, they stay out of your face, they dont touch your water glass when refilling, and they are professional...which is not always the case around Seattle. There really are not too many views that beat this. Make a reservation that allows you to watch the sun set over the Olympics and the Sound. BTW, the cafe on the second floor kicks a$$ as well.
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