Lunch Has a Fresh New Look at Ray’s Cafe

Lunch Has a Fresh New Look at Ray’s Cafe

Man eating a salmon teriyaki salmon bowl at Ray's Cafe in Seattle.

Patio season has arrived in Seattle, and there’s no better place to soak it all in than Ray’s Cafe on the Ballard waterfront. Just in time for sunnier days and waterfront lunches, we’re excited to introduce a refreshed lunch program that brings new energy—and plenty of flavor—to your midday plans.

Our 2nd floor Cafe now features a dedicated lunch menu, separate from dinner, giving guests even more variety and reasons to visit throughout the day. Whether you’re stepping away from work, catching up with friends, or simply craving a delicious casual meal with a view, lunch at Ray’s Cafe is designed to feel both easygoing and special.

Available daily from 11:30am to 3:30pm, the new lunch menu highlights a mix of vibrant, seasonal dishes and satisfying classics. Dive into the Teriyaki Bowl with your choice of chicken or salmon, served with jasmine rice, broccolini, and a savory-sweet glaze. For something plant-forward, the Cauliflower & Quinoa Bowl layers bold textures and flavors with lemon-tahini dressing and herbs.

Craving comfort? The Chicken & Chips delivers crispy, hand-breaded chicken strips with golden fries, while the Pan-seared Ling Cod offers a refined take with green garlic purée, wild rice, and toasted hazelnuts. Our Housemade Falafel brings bright Mediterranean flavors to the table, and the tacos—featuring either local catch or king oyster mushrooms—are perfect for a lighter, shareable bite. View our full Cafe lunch menu at rays.com/cafe/cafe-menu

Pair it all with fresh air, waterfront views, and good company, and you’ve got the ultimate Seattle lunch experience. Join us at Ray’s Cafe and discover your new favorite midday escape.

Dive Into New Spring Menus at Ray’s!

Gorgeous greens, tender peas, radishes, strawberries and more fill Ray’s Boathouse and Cafe’s new Spring menus. The perfect dishes to usher in nicer days.

Here’s a peek below, then explore our full menus here: 1st floor Boathouse and 2nd floor Café. Join us this week at Seattle’s best waterfront restaurant for a casual lunch or gorgeous seafood dinner!

1st Floor Boathouse
Burrata & Strawberries
strawberry vinaigrette, radish, Tarragon, toasted sesame seeds, basil rosemary cracker
Arugula Salad
basil lemon vinaigrette, watermelon radish, snap peas, cucumber, feta, blueberries
Dungeness Crab Cakes
red pepper aïoli, arugula, pickled fennel, charred shishito, lime (pictured)
House Smoked Sablefish
Harissa roasted green cabbage, cabbage cream, chimichurri, toasted walnuts

2nd Floor Cafe
Smoked Scallop & Bay Shrimp Salad
arugula, mixed greens, snap peas, watermelon radish, goat cheese, citrus vinaigrette, herbed breadcrumbs
Jerk Seasoned Sockeye Sandwich
green goddess dressing, sliced cucumber, pickled red onion, butter lettuce, King’s Hawaiian bun
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Alaskan Weathervane Scallops, house smoked bacon, sherry beurre blanc, charred lemon GF

1st floor Boathouse open nightly for dinner 5-9pm, happy hour 5-6pm. Reserve today.

2nd floor Cafe open daily 11:30am to 9pm. Accepts walk-ins for lunch, happy hour (4-6pm), and dinner.

Summer Lunch in the Cafe!

Albacore Cobb Salad, fresh seafood at Ray's Cafe in Seattle WA

Grab a friend and catch up over lunch at Ray’s Cafe this Summer!

Choose from so many fresh seasonal menu items with the best PNW seafood you love!

Ray’s upstairs Cafe opens daily at 11:30am. Walk-ins welcome. See you soon!

Ray’s Cafe Menu Highlights

Oysters on the Half Shell rotating selection with red wine mignonette

Alaskan Tanner Crab Cajun Boil red potatoes, corn on the cob, Cajun butter sauce

Charred Corn & Dungeness Crab Salad shredded romaine, lime aïoli, cherry tomatoes, onion, avocado, cotija cheese, jalapeño, cilantro, lime

Smoked Scallop & Bay Shrimp Salad chilled smoked scallops and bay shrimp, mixed greens, shaved fennel, avocado, grapefruit, Marcona almonds, citrus vinaigrette

Seared Oregon Albacore Cobb Salad pink peppercorn crusted tuna, romaine/spring mix, red wine vinaigrette, house smoked bacon, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, cucumber, 6 ½ minute egg

Fresh Wild Alaskan Halibut garlic whipped potatoes, sautéed green beans, roasted grape & fennel salad, Banyuls gastrique 

Ahi Poke Bowl soy-ginger marinated tuna, sesame encrusted rare tuna, wasabi aïoli, jasmine rice, wakame salad, pickled cucumber, edamame, carrots, wontons

Steamed Alaskan Tanner Crab WA asparagus, fried Yukon Gold potatoes, butter sauce, lemon

Seared Dungeness Crab Cakes cucumber-peach salsa, basil-lime aïoli, blistered mini sweet peppers, basil

Blackened Neah Bay Rockfish Sandwich whole grain mustard aïoli, avocado, red onion slaw, ciabatta bun, choice of French fries, sweet potato fries, Caesar salad, or garden salad

Pan Seared Sea Scallops coconut milk-green curry sauce, jasmine rice, fresh mango-cabbage slaw, crispy shallots, Thai basil, lime

Spring Pea Cacio e Pepe bucatini, pancetta, green peas, snap peas, cacio e pepe butter, breadcrumbs, herbs

Roasted Zucchini and Yellow Squash sautéed quinoa, mushrooms, spinach, roasted red bell pepper sauce

Grilled Double R Ranch Bavette Steak roasted baby carrots, toasted walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles, Banyuls gastrique

Cafe Lunch Served on our First Floor thru February 9

Albacore Cobb Salad, fresh seafood at Ray's Cafe in Seattle WA

Ray’s Cafe will be undergoing maintenance now through Thursday, February 9 and will be closed during this time.

Our Cafe lunch menu will be available daily from 11:30am-3pm in our first floor Boathouse during this time. For dinner we’ll offer our regular Boathouse menu with the addition of some Café favorites including our Burger, True Cod Fish & Chips, and Seared Oregon Albacore Cobb Salad.

Our limited time Shellfest menu will be available for both lunch and dinner.

Hours of operation January 2-February 9:
Lunch – 11:30am-3pm (last seating at 3pm)
Dinner – 5-9pm (last seating at 9pm)
Happy Hour will not be offered during this time and we will be closed from 3-5pm.

Lunch is walk-ins only. Please reserve Boathouse dinner online here.

Thank you for your patience during this time!

Ray’s Cafe Reopens Indoor & Outdoor Dining June 11

Ray’s Cafe will partially reopen its indoor and outdoor dining areas starting Thursday, June 11! Seattle’s best seafood restaurant will be open rain or shine from 11:30am to 9pm for lunch and dinner daily, and happy hour Monday-Thursday from 4-6pm.

We can’t wait to see our wonderful guests again! We are putting the safety of our guests and staff first and foremost and ask for your patience while we all work through this new era of dining out. We will be practicing social distancing in all areas of the dining room and ask for your participation and cooperation.

A few things to note:

  • Cafe is walk-in only, no reservations accepted currently
  • Groups of 5 people or less are permitted
  • All tables will be spaced 6ft apart
  • Touchless digital menus and disposable menus will be available
  • We kindly ask that all guests wear masks while not seated at their table
  • Our staff will wear masks at all times
  • Hand sanitizer will be available to everyone
  • We will have a dedicated team member continually sanitizing surfaces throughout the day

We invite you to peruse our Cafe menu online prior to your visit to familiarize yourself if you choose. We look forward to seeing you!!

Easter Egg Coloring Party at Ray’s Cafe April 20!

Join us on the Café Deck for our annual Easter Egg Coloring Party on Saturday, April 20 at 11:30am benefitting Mary’s Place!

A $15 donation per table (up to five people) will get you eggs and a dye kit to create beautiful Easter eggs! 100% of your donation will go to Mary’s Place to help shelter local families in need.

The Café’s full menu will be available for purchase and the event will be held rain or shine on our heated and covered deck. To reserve call the Café at 206.789.3770!

About Mary’s Place
Mary’s Place empowers and supports struggling families by providing shelter, nourishment, resources, healing and hope in a safe community. For more information on Mary’s Place and to get involved visit marysplaceseattle.org.

Ray’s Boathouse Joins FareStart Guest Chef Night July 9

This summer, Ray’s Boathouse is proud to partner with FareStart for a special Guest Chef Night on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The evening will bring together great food, community connection, and an important cause that continues to impact lives across Seattle. Our Executive Chef Kevin Murray and the Ray’s culinary team will collaborate with FareStart …

6049 Seaview Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107-2690

BOOK A TABLE  AT RAY’S BOATHOUSE

Ray’s Boathouse elevates local, sustainable seafood with global flavors and Northwest inspiration nightly.

BOOK A TABLE  AT RAY’S CAFE

Classic seafood dishes with seasonal preparations in our upstairs Café overlooking Puget Sound.

MAKE A RESERVATION

Simply choose either Ray’s Boathouse or Ray’s Cafe in the first drop down, then find your table.

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