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Celebrate Washington Wine Month at Ray’s!

Washington Wine Bottles at Ray's Boathouse and Cafe

March is Washington Wine Month and Ray’s has partnered with one of our favorite wineries, Long Shadows Vintners, to offer a special lineup of wines by the glass.

Try them all in our 1st floor Boathouse and 2nd floor Cafe this month. Our Wine Director Darrell has some excellent pairing ideas to make ordering easy and so delicious. Cheers!

Poets Leap Riesling
Columbia Valley, WA 2024
Cafe Pairings: Thai Mussels and Sablefish Sake Kasu
Boathouse Pairing: Korean Chili & Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna
Complex off-dry Riesling with white blossoms, bright citrus and minerality

Cymbal Sauvignon Blanc
Columbia Valley, WA 2023
Cafe Pairings: Seared Oregon Albacore Cobb Salad and Dungeness Crab Cakes
Boathouse Pairings: Pan Seared Diver Scallops with Pork Belly and Grilled King Salmon
Japanese pear, kumquat and green papaya with freshly cut grass and clove. Intense yet beautifully balanced

Pedestal Merlot
Columbia Valley, WA 2020
Cafe Pairing: Grilled Ribeye
Boathouse Pairings: Grilled Ribeye and Filet Mignon
Aromas and flavors of ripe plums, chocolate, spicy oak, and graphite define the aromatics. This Merlot is concentrated, has ripe, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish

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Easter at Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe April 5, 2026!

Guests dining at Ray’s Boathouse seafood restaurant and bar on the Seattle waterfront

Gather the family at Ray’s for a delicious Easter brunch or dinner at Seattle’s best waterfront seafood restaurant on Sunday, April 5, 2026!

Easter reservations are strongly encouraged for our 2nd floor Cafe grand holiday buffet and our 1st floor Boathouse holiday menus. We can accommodate parties of 10 people or fewer, including high chairs.

RESERVE RAY’S 2ND FLOOR CAFE HERE.

RESERVE RAY’S 1ST FLOOR BOATHOUSE HERE.

CAFE EASTER BUFFET (2nd floor)
Enjoy our Cafe grand holiday buffet from 9am (first seating) to 8pm (last seating). $110 per person including coffee, juice and sodas (excluding tax and gratuity). $50 for children 5 to 11 years of age.

Menu
Complete range of appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts, plus Ray’s traditional carving and shellfish action stations featuring Northwest seafood. Breakfast items will be served on the buffet until 3pm then we will transition to a dinner buffet until 9pm.

The Cafe Bar will be open from 9am (first seating) to 8pm (last seating) and is seated on a first come basis. Cafe Bar is 21 and over only.

BOATHOUSE EASTER BRUNCH & DINNER (1st floor)
Boathouse Brunch
10:30am (first seating) to 3pm (last seating)
Enjoy our best-selling a la carte Boathouse appetizers, salads and entrées along with holiday inspired breakfast and brunch specials.

Boathouse Dinner
3pm (first seating) to 8pm (last seating)
Enjoy our full a la carte dinner menu alongside an $85 Easter inspired 3-course dinner menu of appetizer, entrée and dessert (beverages, tax and gratuity not included). Full children’s menu available all day.

Kindly review our Easter guidelines for a seamless experience!
*Reservations for parties of up to 10, including highchairs.
*All of our availability is posted on RESY. If the time and party size you are seeking is not listed, it is not available. This includes Cafe Lounge high top seating.
*All reservations are for inside tables only.
*We cannot accommodate window seating requests.
*Walk-ins are only accepted for our bar top seating in the Cafe and Boathouse bars (both ages 21 and over). Our Cafe Lounge high top seating accepts reservations but is also ages 21 and over.
*Sorry, no promotional discounts available. Loyalty cards accepted and encouraged!

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Contest: Does your love story involve Ray’s? We want to hear it!

Does your love story involve Ray’s Boathouse, Cafe or Catering? Tell us and win dinner for two on Valentine’s weekend!

Maybe you met while working at Seattle’s most iconic waterfront restaurant, had your first date with us, got engaged, or married at Ray’s — or your parents or grandparents did?

We want to hear it!

Share your story on Instagram or Facebook from January 15-31, 2026 and  be entered to win dinner for two at Ray’s 1st floor Boathouse on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026!

No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents 21+. Ray’s employees are not eligible. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.

Full contest details below. Cheers to love and cheers to Raymances!

 

Ray’s Boathouse & Café Raymance Contest Official Rules

Contest Period
January 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM PST through January 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.

Sponsor
Ray’s Boathouse & Café (“Ray’s”), Seattle, WA.

Eligibility
This contest is open to legal residents of the United States who are 21 years of age or older at the time of entry. Current Ray’s employees (including Boathouse, Café, Catering) are not eligible to win.

How to Enter
During the contest period, eligible participants must:

1. Post a photo on their Instagram feed featuring themselves and their partner (or their parents/grandparents).
2. Include a caption sharing how their love story is connected to Ray’s (meeting, engagement, dates, marriage, etc.).
3. Tag @raysboathouse in the caption and/or photo.
4. Ensure their Instagram and/or Facebook account and post are set to public.

Bonus Entry
Participants may receive one (1) additional entry by sharing their post to Instagram and/or Facebook stories and tagging @raysboathouse. Limit 3 (3) entries per person.

If you share your post on both Instagram and Facebook and tag @raysboathouse in each, that will count as two (2) entries.

Prize
One (1) winner will receive a romantic 3-course dinner for two (2) with wine pairings from the Ray’s team, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at Ray’s first-floor Boathouse dining room. Winner will choose 3-courses from our Valentine’s menu available that weekend only. Prize is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. Ray’s covers 3-course dinner, wine pairings, taxes and gratuity.

Winner Selection & Notification
The winner will be randomly selected by an automated program. The winner will be notified via Instagram direct message by February 2, 2026, and must respond within 72 hours to claim the prize. Or another winner will be selected.

Instagram Disclaimer
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram. By entering, participants release Instagram from any responsibility related to this contest and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

Publicity Release
By entering, participants grant Ray’s the right to use submitted photos, captions, and Instagram handles for marketing and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.

General Conditions
Ray’s reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not comply with these rules or to cancel or modify the contest if necessary. All decisions are final.

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Valentine’s Day 2026 at Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe

Ray's Boathouse Iconic Red Neon Sign in Seattle, WA

Waterfront Dining in Seattle, February 13–15, 2026!

Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day weekend with unforgettable waterfront dining at Ray’s Boathouse & Café. From Friday through Sunday, February 13–15, 2026, our iconic Seattle restaurant invites you to enjoy thoughtfully crafted menus, warm hospitality, and sweeping water views that set the stage for a truly romantic experience.

Whether you’re planning an intimate date night, or a relaxed afternoon together, Ray’s offers something for every style of Valentine’s celebration—from elevated seafood dining at Ray’s 1st floor Boathouse to cozy, casual dining at Ray’s 2nd floor Café.

Reservations are highly recommended and now open for the holiday weekend!

Reserve Boathouse (1st floor) – Available February 13-15 from 5-9pm

Reserve Cafe (2nd floor) – Reservations available Saturday, February 14, from 11:30am-9pm (last seating). Special menu available February 13-15.

Valentine’s 3-Course Menu at Ray’s Boathouse
Our 3-course Valentine’s menu at Ray’s Boathouse highlights seasonal ingredients and refined flavors, making it a standout choice for a special evening at a waterfront restaurant in Seattle.

Choose one course from each section of our special menu:

Appetizers

  • Ahi Tuna Carpaccio, arugula, toasted pinenuts, extra virgin olive oil, shaved parmigiano Reggiano, lemon, chive
  • Chicken Liver Mousse, pomegranate molasses, za’atar, cornichon, lavash cracker
  • Crab and Truffle Raviolo, dashi broth, chive oil
  • Red wine poached pears, whipped goat cheese, watercress, toasted hazelnuts, EVOO

Entrees

  • Grilled Double R Ranch Filet Mignon, pomme puree, roasted baby carrots, sauce bordelaise
  • Grilled Alaskan King Salmon, sauce cardinale, smoked ikura, fried fingerling potatoes, sauteed spinach
  • Wild Mushroom Risotto, caramelized onion, garlic-caper-chili vinaigrette

Desserts

  • Chocolate Budino, miso caramel, chocolate sable cookie
  • Raspberry-Lime Tart, raspberry pastry cream, lime curd, pistachio crumble
  • Olympic Mountain Creamery Ice Cream and Sorbet

Our full Boathouse menu will be available February 13-15 along with our Valentine’s 3-course. 3-course menu is $90 per person plus tax and gratuity.

With candlelit tables and expansive water views, Ray’s Boathouse offers an elevated Valentine’s dining experience that feels both timeless and romantic.

Valentine’s A la Carte Specials at Ray’s Café
Looking for a more relaxed, casual dining option without sacrificing flavor? Ray’s Café delivers with a Valentine’s specials menu that’s approachable, vibrant, and perfect for a laid-back date by the water.

  • Shaved Beet & Carrot Salad, citrus dressing, clementine orange, arugula, toasted pistachio
  • Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tataki, jasmine rice, carrot ginger puree, sauteed green beans, miso beurre blanc
  • Grilled Herb Marinated Petite Tenderloin, fried fingerling potatoes, seared broccolini, pomegranate gastrique
  • Raspberry-Lime Tart, raspberry pastry cream, lime curd, pistachio crumble
  • Chocolate Budino, miso caramel, chocolate sable cookie

Full Cafe menu will be available February 13-15, along with special a la carte offerings from Chef Kevin including the above two items.

Reserve Your Table
This Valentine’s Day weekend, treat your special someone to exceptional seafood, warm service, and one of the most beloved water view restaurants in Seattle. Whether you choose Ray’s Boathouse or Ray’s Café, your celebration will be framed by the beauty of Puget Sound and the flavors of the season.

Reservations for February 13–15, 2026 are now available. We look forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day with you at Ray’s!

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Shellfest Is Back at Ray’s This January!

Fresh Manila Clams at Ray's Boathouse and Cafe in Seattle for Shellfest

Shell yeah! We’re celebrating the bounty of local shellfish all January at Ray’s Boathouse and Cafe with the return of Shellfest!

Chef Kevin and team have prepared a special Shellfest menu filled with new offerings of fresh, local mussels, clams, oysters, crab, prawns and more.

Join us now through January 31 at Seattle’s best seafood restaurant before these Shellfest dishes disappear!

Come for a casual lunch in our 2nd floor Cafe or enjoy a beautiful, cozy winter dinner in our 1st floor Boathouse. The Ballard waterfront is stunning year round, and the icy waters of Winter make for extra delicious and flavorful shellfish.

Check out our Shellfest menu below and plan your date! Come with friends to enjoy a catch up gathering or make it a Seattle date night and try a little of everything.

Shellfest Menu

• Oysters on the Half Shell – 3-4 varieties
• Steamed Manila Clams – garlic, ginger, sake, miso-lime butter, cilantro, grilled baguette
• Moroccan Mussels – spiced tomato sauce, parsley, cilantro, fried chickpeas, grilled baguette
• Fried Oyster Po’boy – deep fried pacific oysters, hoagie roll, remoulade, shredded lettuce, tomato
• Hawaiian-style Garlic Prawns – spiced shell on prawns, charred lemon, herbs, jasmine rice
• Baked Oyster with Compound Butter – bacon-kimchi OR garlic-herb
• Littleneck Clams on the Half Shell – passionfruit mignonette (based on availability)

We source our shellfish from local producers and mongers so you get the best quality every time, including Taylor Shellfish. Taylor is known for its fresh “tide to table” ethos, and has been a family-owned and operated farm, growing high-quality, sustainable shellfish in the Pacific Northwest since the 1890s.

Let our talented servers and sommeliers guide you and pair the perfect glass or bottle of wine with our Shellfest menu!

See you soon at Ray’s Boathouse and Cafe! Open daily on the Ballard waterfront starting at 11:30 am for lunch, happy hour and dinner.

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Cozy Holiday Cocktails at Ray’s!

Cozy Up with festive Seattle holiday cocktails at Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe.

Rainy season has officially arrived in Seattle, and there’s no better way to warm up than with a hot, handcrafted cocktail by the waterfront. This December, Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe invites you to grab a table by the fireplace, soak in the sweeping Puget Sound views, and sip on a lineup of cozy, seasonal drinks that pair perfectly with lunch or a relaxed afternoon escape. If you’re searching for the best waterfront dining in Seattle, this is your sign.

First up is the Sweater Weather, a rum-based hot toddy-style cocktail designed to warm you from the inside out. Featuring Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, Amaro Montenegro, St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram, fresh lemon, and a chai-tea simple syrup, this soul-soothing sipper is aromatic, gently spiced, and irresistibly comforting.

For a festive classic with a fruity twist, try the Warm Blueberry Mulled Wine. This holiday favorite blends red wine with Christian Brothers brandy, blueberries, clove, cinnamon, orange peel, and star anise. It’s rich, fragrant, and full of nostalgic winter flavor—perfect for slow sipping while watching the water shimmer outside.

Rounding out the trio is the decadent Hot Buttered Rum, a rich and velvety winter classic. Crafted with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, brown sugar, cinnamon, clove, butter, nutmeg, and topped with whipped cream, it’s indulgent, comforting, and utterly satisfying.

Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, meeting friends for a midday toast, or planning a cozy date by the fire, these festive Seattle holiday cocktails are the perfect way to celebrate the season. This December, come experience the magic of warm drinks, waterfront views, and holiday cheer at Ray’s—where Seattle’s winter feels a little brighter, and a lot cozier.

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Shop Ray’s Gift Cards This Holiday Season!

Holiday Gift Cards from Ray's Boathouse in Seattle

Give the Gift of Ray’s: Share the Flavors of the Season

Holiday gifting in Seattle is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by sharing the warm, welcoming flavors of Ray’s Boathouse and Ray’s Café. Whether you’re thanking a teacher, treating a coach, appreciating a colleague, or surprising a loved one, Ray’s holiday gift cards are a thoughtful way to support a beloved Seattle seafood restaurant while giving the gift of an unforgettable meal.

Ray’s gift cards are available to purchase online 24/7, making holiday gifting easy no matter how busy the season gets. Choose email delivery for a quick, last-minute surprise, or select traditional mail for a classic gift that arrives right to their doorstep.

Your recipients can enjoy their Ray’s experience in either of our two unique spaces:

  • Ray’s Boathouse on the first floor, offering an elevated waterfront dining experience perfect for date nights, special celebrations, or anyone who loves expertly prepared seafood with sweeping Puget Sound views.

  • Ray’s Café upstairs, a relaxed and welcoming spot ideal for casual lunch, family dinners, weekend bites, or sipping a cocktail while watching the sunset over the Olympic Mountains.

A Ray’s gift card is more than a present—it’s an invitation to savor local flavors, reconnect with loved ones, and enjoy one of Seattle’s most iconic waterfront dining destinations. From fresh Pacific Northwest seafood to comforting seasonal favorites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This year, give a gift that supports local, tastes incredible, and feels special every time it’s used.

Give the gift of Ray’s—and share the joy of great food, great views, and great company. Cheers!

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Steakhouse Pop-Up All December at Ray’s!

Steakhouse pop-up at Ray's Boathouse in Ballard

We’re thrilled to bring back our guest-favorite Steakhouse Pop-Up at Ray’s Boathouse!

Seattle’s best steakhouse pop-up features a limited number of steaks per day served with classic steakhouse sides like Loaded Baked Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Oysters on the Half Shell more! Plus, the option to add special sauces or compound butter. Or make it really special and add Hollandaise and Dungeness Crab for an Oscar style steak!

Enjoy these delicious specials at Seattle’s best waterfront restaurant through December 31, 2025 in our first floor Boathouse and upstairs Cafe (excludes 12/24 and 12/25)! Our Cafe will offer the menu for lunch and dinner. So get out and enjoy a delicious holiday lunch at Ray’s Cafe this December!

Reserve your table today in the Boathouse, our Cafe is walk-ins only (except on select holidays). Cheers!

Steakhouse Pop-Up Menu

Grilled RR Ranch Steak GF
choice of cut served with demi-glace and seared broccolini
• 8 oz Sirloin
• 8 oz Filet Mignon
• 14 oz Ribeye
• 12 oz Strip Steak

Sauce/Butter Addons
• Mushroom Cream Sauce
• Salsa Verde
• Calabrian Chili Butter
• Hollandaise (ADD 2oz Dungeness Crab for Oscar style)

Accompaniments
• Loaded Baked Potato – bacon, sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives
• Mac & Cheese – fusilli pasta, Tillamook white cheddar, parmesan breadcrumbs
• Sauteed Mushrooms – garlic, shallot, sherry wine, butter, herbs
• Prawn Cocktail
• Wedge Salad – Iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing, diced red onion, cherry tomatoes, scallions, bacon
• Alaskan Tanner Crab Cluster GF – steamed with butter sauce
• Oysters on the Half Shell GF/DF – Shigoku or Miyagi with red wine mignonette

Steakhouse Burger
house ground 8oz burger patty, caramelized onion-bacon jam, blue cheese, garlic aioli, arugula, crispy fried shallots, brioche bun

Steakhouse Wine Pairings

GD Vajra Barolo ‘Albe’
Piedmont, ITA 2021
The 2021 Barolo Albe continues to be one of the best values the region has to offer and punches far above its weight class in this vintage. The nose is ripe with fresh, layered notes of pure red cherries, fresh flowers, anise, and refined spices.

Pedestal by Long Shadows Merlot
Columbia Valley, WA 2020
Full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe plums, chocolate, spicy oak, and graphite define the aromatics, and it’s concentrated, has ripe, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. The blend is 84% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Malbec, raised in 75% new French oak.

See you soon!

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Bristol Bay Salmon Week 2025!

Celebrate Bristol Bay Salmon Week on the Ballard waterfront at Ray’s Boathouse!

Wild sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay have a distinctive wild flavor and ruby red flesh. At Ray’s, Seattle’s best waterfront restaurant, we honor the hardworking fisher people of Alaska, by simply grilling this beautiful fish over applewood with salt and pepper, to let the fish shine.

Enjoy our Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon special from Chef Kevin at Ray’s Cafe and Boathouse from November 17-23!

Grilled Fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon with onion soubise, sauteed Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, hazelnut gremolata

Who does Salmon Week support?
Seattle Salmon Week supports the 8,000+ Alaska fishermen and the long-term protections of Bristol Bay by sharing the story of its salmon and its people and taking a step further to connect patrons with the food on their plate.

About Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon + Bristol Bay, Alaska:

With its vibrant red color and incredible taste, Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon is a showstopper on any plate. Packed with heart-healthy omega-3s and essential nutrients, it’s one of the world’s most sustainable superfoods.

For over 130 years, generations of small-boat fishermen have been hand-harvesting this wild salmon in the pristine waters of Bristol Bay, Alaska. This region is home to the largest wild salmon run on the planet! Each summer, more than 8,000 fishermen head out to Bristol Bay to bring this rich, abundant, all-natural salmon to families and tables across the U.S.

Bristol Bay isn’t just a place, it’s a living symbol of sustainability and community. Vast, spectacular, and thriving, it’s an ecosystem that has supported fishing families for over a century. And thanks to world-renowned fishery management, it continues to deliver the premium, wild-caught sockeye that chefs and seafood lovers can’t get enough of.

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Christmas Eve and Day Dining at Ray’s 2025

Join us at Ray’s for festive Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining!

Our 1st floor Boathouse and 2nd floor Cafe will be serving up your favorite dishes and seasonal specials on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25, 2025!

Reservations are available now and strongly encouraged for both dates for groups of 10 people or fewer (including highchairs):

Reserve Boathouse Christmas Eve – first floor
Reserve Boathouse Christmas Day – first floor

Reserve Cafe Christmas Eve – second floor
Reserve Cafe Christmas Day – second floor

Reminder: Ray’s Cafe opens at 12:30pm on Christmas Day!

RAY’S 1st FLOOR BOATHOUSE
Christmas Eve: reservations from 2pm (first seating) to 8pm (last seating). 3-course holiday menu with soup or salad, choice of entrée, and dessertfor $85 per person (beverages, tax and gratuity not included). We will also serve our normal menu offerings.

Christmas Day: reservations from 2pm (first seating) to 8pm (last seating). 3-course holiday menu with soup or salad, choice of entrée, and dessertfor $85 per person (beverages, tax and gratuity not included). We will also serve a limited Boathouse a la carte menu.

Full children’s menu is available both days. Boathouse bar will be open with the same offerings for guests ages 21 and over, no reservations taken.

1st Floor Boathouse Christmas 3-Course Menu
choice of one per course

Appetizers
• Everything Bagel Crusted Albacore, pickled red onion, rye bread crouton, charred scallion whipped cream cheese
• Butternut Squash Soup with maple crème fraiche, crispy fried Brussels sprouts, and spiced pepitas
• Spinach & Red Beet Salad, blood orange, sherry vinaigrette, goat cheese, almonds

Entrees
• Prime Rib of Beef, garlic whipped potatoes, seared broccolini, demi glace
• Applewood Grilled King Salmon, sweet potato puree, sauteed radicchio and kale, maitake mushrooms, vanilla cranberry sauce
• Orecchiette Pasta, escarole, white beans, toasted breadcrumbs, grana padano

Desserts
• White Chocolate Peppermint Crème Brulee
• Clementine Cake, candied clementines, whipped mascarpone
• Olympic Mountain Ice cream or Sorbet

RAY’S 2nd FLOOR CAFE
Christmas Eve: reservations from 11:30am (first seating) to 8pm (last seating). Normal Cafe menu along with seasonally inspired a la carte specials.

Christmas Day: reservations from 12:30pm (first seating) to 8pm (last seating). Normal Cafe menu along with seasonally inspired a la carte specials.

Full children’s menu is available both days. Cafe Bar & Lounge will be open with the same hours and menus with no reservations needed, ages 21 and over only.

Café Christmas A la Carte Specials

  • Butternut Squash Soup,  maple crème fraiche, spiced pepitas
  • Chicories Salad, treviso, Belgian endive, blue cheese crumbles, sliced pears, candied walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette
  • Prime Rib of Beef, garlic whipped potatoes, seared broccolini, demi glace
  • Maple-Miso Marinated Black Cod, ginger-garlic green beans, jasmine rice, chili spiked cucumbers
  • White Chocolate-Peppermint Crème Brulee

Kindly review our Christmas guidelines for a seamless experience!
*Reservations for parties up to 10 guests (including highchairs).
*All reservations are for inside tables only.
*We cannot accommodate window seating requests.
*Walk ins are only accepted for our bar top and lounge seating (ages 21 and over).
*Sorry, no promotional discounts available. Loyalty cards accepted and encouraged!

We look forward to celebrating the season with you and yours at Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe!