Rooftop Restaurants Seattle
Many of the best rooftop restaurants in Washington State can be found in the Seattle area. Not only is the city’s skyline a great view in itself, but the waterfront views of Puget Sound and Lake Union along with the beautiful backdrop of mountain ranges, have a special way of enhancing an evening out among friends, family, or with that special person in your life.
What better way to spend a night out than dining on some delicious cuisine on a classy rooftop, while taking in some of the best views of the Pacific Northwest? Whether you prefer a cozy and intimate rooftop dining experience, or something more grand, Seattle has a perfect rooftop restaurant for you. Read on to discover a few of the best.
The Mountaineering Club
Neighborhood: University District
Views: Seattle Skyline, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound
Cuisine: seafood focused/local cuisine with an upscale twist
Perfect for: A casual hangout with friends
Located on the 16th floor of the Graduate Hotel on Brooklyn Ave NE and featuring a more rugged vibe than other rooftop restaurants, The Mountaineering Club is a great place for mountain, lake and city views. Featuring a twist on some of our favorite casual eats, The Mountaineering Club food menu will please a variety of guests, with items such as truffle mushroom grilled cheese, or the wagyu and dungeness dog! This place would be perfect for a night out with friends.
They are also open for Sunday brunch, where you can enjoy something savory such as a mountain bacon benedict, or for the sweets lovers, a s’mores pull apart bread! Nestled in the cultural and educational hub of Seattle, there are many other sights to enjoy in the area before grabbing a bite- for the art enthusiasts, the Henry Art Gallery and Burke Museum are both worth checking out.
Altitude Sky Lounge
Neighborhood: South Lake Union
Views: Seattle Space Needle, Lake Union
Cuisine: Italian/Seafood
Perfect for: After work drinks with visiting colleagues
For a luxurious outdoor lounge and terrace on the 16th floor, Altitude Sky Lounge atop the new Astra Hotel is a popular spot, with its stunning panoramic lake and city views. Featuring a food menu for a variety of palettes, such as Italian flatbreads, or seafood dishes, and craft cocktails, Altitude is a great spot for classy share plates such as charcuterie boards. Think of it as a high-end Italian restaurant.
Highly rated by its guests, this beautiful new hotel would appeal to both the art enthusiast and technology-forward guest. It is immaculate, centrally located and has amazing views of the space needle and skyline. Once you have enjoyed some cuisine at the lounge and would like a place to unwind, take a short walk to the expansive waterfront boardwalk to enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of the city.
The Nest
Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
Cuisine: Meat, seafood, and vegan tapas
Views: Amazing sunset views showcasing Seattle’s waterfront and downtown area
Perfect for: Impressing a date
The Nest rooftop bar is a must if you really want to immerse yourself in the Pacific Northwest experience. Specializing in local seasonal food and handcrafted creative cocktails, this gem features one of the best rooftop bars, a cocktail lounge, and rooftop terrace, nestled above the iconic Pike Place Market in the heart of downtown Seattle. Fireplaces, plush seating, and greenery complete the relaxing and cozy terrace, and allow for an intimate and comfortable dining experience, without sacrificing class or luxury dining.
Not far from the Puget Sound waterfront, guests here can also enjoy great views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. The Nest is located at the top of the Thompson Seattle Hotel, a luxury, centrally located boutique hotel belonging to the Hyatt. After you enjoy some delicious food, head down for a stroll through Pike Place Market.
Monsoon
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Views: trees, 19th Avenue
Cuisine: Vietnamese/Pacific Northwest Fusion
Perfect for: Brunch with the family
Northeast of downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill is known for its bustling nightlife and foodie hot spots. Containing a cozier, less pretentious but still elegant rooftop terrace, guests can enjoy some delicious Vietnamese food with a Northwest flare in an airy, comfortable setting, complete with a treed canopy- the most tucked-away rooftop terrace in Seattle. If you are a dim sum fan, head to Monsoon on Saturday or Sunday for their dim sum brunch!
Along with its abundance of restaurants, entertainment venues, and eclectic shops, visitors to this area will also find beautiful parks to stroll through after enjoying some delicious food. Need something to do to walk off that delicious Vietnamese food? Head down three miles to the waterfront and visit the amazing Olympic Sculpture Park.
Mercado Luna
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Views: downtown Seattle skyscrapers
Cuisine: Mexican
Perfect for: Catching up with an old colleague
Three blocks from the Seattle Convention Center, Mercado Luna is known for its fun and vibrant Mexican dining experience. Mercado Luna contains several different venues for enjoying some Mexican flavors, along with a great glass of wine. With a covered and heated rooftop patio, this is the perfect spot for both warmer and colder months.
Before settling in at the restaurant, be sure to grab a seat on the rooftop patio above Mercado Luna, Patio Cielo. Here you will find the iconic food truck in the sky- pair an authentic burrito or taco with a beverage from their extensive mezcal and cocktail menu. For something fun to do in the area, a quick three minute drive will take you to
The Garage, a fun hangout spot with a pub, bowling lanes and pool tables.
The Fog Room
Neighborhood: Belltown, Pike Place Market
Views: downtown, Puget Sound
Cuisine: Meat and Seafood Share Plates with Vegan and gluten-free options
Perfect for: Birthday drinks with friends
Voted a must-see hotel bar by BuzzFeed and Best Rooftop Bar by Seattle Magazine, this venue features panoramic ocean views and live music. Located on the 16th floor of the Charter hotel and overlooking bustling 2nd Ave, The Fog Room Sky Lounge boasts the reputation of being Seattle’s only all-season rooftop bar, making it the best bet for outdoor dining in the winter months. The menu contains smaller plates of a variety of cuisines, such as spot prawn croquettes and lamb skewers.
For those who enjoy craft and signature cocktails, The Fog Room really has it all, with high-end spirits to enjoy at the end of your evening. This bar has put an upscale spin on classic cocktails, containing premium spirits, such as their signature Oaxaca Old Fashioned and Tommy’s Margarita. Seven minutes from The Fog Room is The Museum of Pop Culture, where you can immerse yourself hands-on with everything pop music.
Smith Tower Observatory Bar
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Views: downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, Cascade and Olympic Mountains
Cuisine: Asian-inspired Meat, Vegan, & Gluten-free friendly options
Perfect for: Impressing a visitor
Smith Tower is Seattle’s original skyscraper, dating back to 1914. For an historic-meets-contemporary stylish vibe with unbeatable views, this 35th floor lounge offers an intimate speakeasy setting and offers a variety of small plates, entrees and classic cocktails. Not to worry here if a table isn’t available right away, as these rooftop bars can become quite packed- wait for a table while enjoying a beverage at The Lookout on Level 22.
There are many other events throughout the year at the Smith Tower. For a family-friendly event, receive free admission to the Observatory Bar and Observation Deck, and catch local vendors and artisans on the first Wednesday of every month. For a couple’s date night experience, join a cocktail class on the first Thursday of each month.
The Pink Door
Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
Views: Pike Place and Elliott Bay
Cuisine: Italian
Perfect for: A quirky night out
Burlesque shows, trapeze artists, and delicious contemporary Italian food combine to create an unforgettable night of entertainment and dining at the Pink Door in downtown Seattle. Tucked away on Post Alley, look for the pink door, and follow the steps down into a cabaret style restaurant, for an unforgettable experience.
Aside from a variety of delicious pasta options, the menu features items such as the Chef’s Northwest fish creation of the day, and an extensive and creative Pink Door Casear list- try out their Dungeness crab Caesar for a true Northwest beverage. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, it is essential to book a reservation in advance, they are consistently full. A quick walk around the corner will take you to The Chocolate Market, Seattle’s Vintage Candy Shop, where you can indulge in some creamy rich ice cream or other delectable sweets!
Frolik
Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
Views: Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Perfect for: A pre-show dinner and drinks
Frolik possesses a hip and stylish vibe, with a mixture of long fire-pit tables and smaller, more intimate table settings.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and offering Happy Hour available Monday to Friday, Frolik Kitchen offers a delicious seafood menu indicative of the pacific Northwest. Enjoy classic American brunch and dinner menu items, such as a sweet potato hash or a basic burger while taking in the amazing views of the city, from the 5th floor of the Motif Hotel.
For those who would like to indulge in an adult dessert, Frolik has a very enticing ‘drink menu meets dessert,’ featuring items such as a Death by Chocolate Shot or a Strawberry Vanilla Shortcake Shot! For entertainment either before or after, check out what shows are playing at the iconic 5th Avenue Theater, only a minute away, or even just take a stroll through the beautiful building- its beauty is sure to leave you in awe!
MBar
Neighborhood: South Lake Union
Views: Lake Union, Seattle Space Needle, Seattle Skyline
Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Mediterranean, Pacific Northwest
Perfect for: Girls or guys night out
Located in the hip neighborhood of South Lake Union, MBar is a fantastic choice for those looking for some unique flavors of the international dining scene, while adding in some flair of the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy a variety of Middle Eastern fare, such as baba ganoush and za’atar chicken, and choose from a very extensive wine list.
To create a contemporary, culturally vibrant decor, dynamic pieces of local and Lebanese artwork can be found throughout the bar. Guests can enjoy an expansive outdoor space with flexible seating, fire pits, and heaters, allowing for an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, without sacrificing a modern and innovative feel. A few short minutes away from MBar is Lake Union Park, an urban park on the waterfront that celebrates the heritage of the area.
Little Water Cantina
Neighborhood: South Lake Union/Eastlake
Views: Lake Union, Olympic Mountain Range
Cuisine: Mexican
Perfect for: Weekend relaxing
This award-winning Mexican eatery has tons of charm and flavor, with an unbeatable lakeside view. Little Water Cantina has one of the best rooftop patios on Lake Union, where you can enjoy locally sourced, organic ingredients in your Mexican dish. Try a wild boar burrito or carne asada at one of the picnic tables. Much of its outdoor seating is covered and heated, providing comfort even on the colder days.
Every Friday and Saturday nights, attend the restaurant for Happy Hour, where you can enjoy sampling one or two of over 100 tequilas at a discounted price! While you are in the South Lake Union area, book a chartered electric sailboat tour around the lake for a relaxing evening with scenic views.
Columbia Tower Club
Neighborhood: Seattle Central Business District
Views: A beautiful view of the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, and the Olympics
Cuisine: Pacific Northwest Seafood and local/seasonal ingredients
Perfect for: Landing that big deal
A members-only club in the tallest building in Seattle, Columbia Tower Club can be found on the 75th floor, and provides sophisticated spaces for business networking. On the 73rd floor observatory deck, visitors can enjoy 360 degree views of downtown Seattle and Mount Rainier.
With many business amenities, as well as luxurious spaces to celebrate and create personal memories with others, this venue offers spectacular views of Seattle for all of your needs. The restaurant’s menu offers an extensive choice of cuisine, from razor clam linguini to shiitake coconut soup. As part of this members club, enjoy a range of events, such as wine tastings, private chef dinners, and live music!
Bellevue Rooftop Restaurants
Bellevue is a city on Seattle’s eastside, across from Lake Washington, and just ten miles from downtown Seattle. It is home to an abundance of outdoor parks, as well as a bustling shopping, business and technology hub downtown. The city views from Bellevue are just as beautiful as Seattle, in addition to scenic Lake Washington to the west and Lake Sammamish to the east.
While checking out this desirable area, be sure to stop in at one of these fantastic rooftop patios to take in the beautiful views.
Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi
Neighborhood: Downtown Bellevue
Views: Seattle skyline, Lake Washington, Mount Rainier
Cuisine: Asian-inspired wood-fire steak and seafood
Perfect for: Fueling up after a long day at Bellevue Square
Situated on the 31st floor of Lincoln Square South, Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi is a restaurant that will not leave you wanting more. This Asian and Contemporary fusion restaurant located in the Lincoln Square South Tower building, boasts amazing city and lake views while you eat your heart out. Their steak options are endless- from a 32 ounce porterhouse steak to the 45 ounce seahawk chop, the hungriest carnivores can leave satisfied. However, their menu is well-rounded, even including an edamame vegan burger for those guests on the opposite end.
Ascend also offers a happy hour menu every day of the week, as well as a brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday, where you can enjoy items such as steak and egg fried rice, or dungeness crab eggs benedict! Before or after your meal, enjoy a walk through Downtown Bellevue Park, just a few short minutes away, for some waterfront views and people watching.
Daniel’s Broiler
Neighborhood: Downtown Bellevue
Views: Olympic Mountains, Downtown Bellevue, Seattle Skyline
Cuisine: Surf and Turf Steakhouse with vegetarian/vegan options
Perfect for: An anniversary date night
Set on the 21st floor of the Bank of America Building, Daniel’s Broiler is the only high-rise outside deck for dining in the area. This elegant restaurant, with four locations in the Seattle area, will be sure to please steak-lovers, seafood lovers, and vegetarians, while enjoying stunning panoramic views. Indulge in fare such as a delicious filet mignon and lobster tail, or king salmon sandwich, while taking in one of the best seats for a sunset view that you can find in the Seattle area.
Make your first stop Prime 21 Lounge, a classy wine bar and contemporary speakeasy adjacent to Daniel’s Broiler. Another great draw to this high-rise restaurant is the piano bar, in which the live piano music creates a beautiful, jazzy ambiance to the dining experience. Before you dine here, check out the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, a top attraction in the Bellevue area, containing beautiful foliage of the Pacific Northwest.
W Living Room Bar
Neighborhood: Downtown Bellevue
Views: Downtown
Cuisine: American
Perfect for: A buzzy first date
If trendy and sleek ambiance is right up your alley, the Living Room Bar is the place to be in downtown Bellevue. Whether you want to enjoy a casual cocktail after work or take part in Bellevue’s nightlife during the weekends when the DJ is spinning some beats, this swanky venue adapts to all of your lifestyle needs and desires.
Located in W Bellevue, a luxury hotel belonging to the Marriott family, the Living Room Bar is in a prime location, only sixteen minutes from downtown Seattle, and nineteen minutes from Woodinville Washington, where you can explore some of the best wineries the country has to offer. Swinging chairs, heaters, and a large fireplace combine to bring all the cozy vibes to this rooftop patio, making it a perfect spot year round. For an upbeat vibe after dinner and cocktails, head to Lucky Strike in downtown Bellevue for some bowling, dancing, and a live DJ.
Other Great Date Night Experiences in Seattle
If after trying out one or two of Seattle’s rooftop bars, you are looking for more unique date night experiences, here is a list of Seattle Eastside experiences to help plan your next Seattle night out, and ensure it is a successful one! For the sports enthusiasts visiting Seattle, you can find the best seats at Lumen Field/Seahawks Stadium right here!
