Bowriders Grill

Bowriders is a restaurant on Lake Union. It's got access from the road plus the dock where you can pull your boat or paddle parts up. The gas station for boats is right here, so mooring your boat can be difficult. They have a smaller menu, with prices being ok for the portion size. They have about 3 dozen tables here, with a back area that can fit probably a dozen people alone. The staff here are really nice and quick with drinks and service. The food here is good, the burger is the best and the grilled cheese was solid. Overall it's a great spot for summer drinks or a quick stop for gassing up your boat and a snack.

This restaurant is a very nice hidden spot. We came here on a rainy day but they have a covered area with heaters everywhere so it’s really nice. With the upbeat jazz music… it makes this place super cozy and we literally were eating next to the lake 🙂 probably 10 steps away from the water! The owner is super friendly we got to chat a bit. We ordered three dishes and it’s just about the right amount for two people. We plan to come back here soon!!

Mathew was super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Great view! Fun to hear the chicken wire around plants is to prevent beavers! There’s cozy fire pits, spare blankets, tasty food and interesting beers.

My husband and I recently had our Wedding Welcome Party at Bowriders - and it was everything and more. After a brief cancellation due to their current temporary close, the team put me in touch with a new member of their staff, Elias, who was determined to make our event happen, even during the closure. Elias was absolutely incredible to work with from start to finish. Bowriders put on amazing party for us complete with a custom Seattle-focused food and drink menu and the absolute friendliest staff. We are rooting for Bowriders to re-open soon! If you’re considering hosting an event at Bowriders, let this be your sign - especially if Elias is on the case! Thank you for working with us and making our day so special, Bowriders. We know you made an exception during this pause in business and we could not be more thankful.

We found this place by accident. Truly a hidden gem!! Matthew is incredibly nice! In addition to the delicious Salmon skewers and tacos, he offered us a mouthwatering red velvet cupcake and tea on the house! The place has a fire pit, heaters, and BLANKETS. Reasonable prices and great food. Incredible view of Lake Union and downtown! I can keep talking about this place for ever! Definitely coming back! Highly recommended

I looooove this place! The staff are some of the nicest people and I had the best salmon and shrimp skewers here. I was shocked by how juicy and perfectly cooked all the food was. We also got to sit at the shore of lake union and watch the city skyline and people watch boats that came by. Highly recommend.

Food had a good flavour, but too small portion sizes, even for our European standards. No value for money. They had a 'limited menu', not the same as online. The views are stunning, but I wouldn't recommend going here to eat.

A great place to enjoy good food and great views on a warm summer evening. MUCH less crowded and a MUCH more pleasant atmosphere than the adjacent establishments. Note the "hidden" part of "hidden gem" though. You're looking for a small walkway on the east side of Westward. It took us a while to find it and we've lived 5 blocks away for close to 30 years

Great food! Great atmosphere with the lake in the background and my favorite SkyKraken Hazy IPA on tap.

I liked this place. $79 for 2 salmon sandwiches, bag of chips and 2 glasses of wine. Wine and the sandwiches were amazing but for the price tag I wanted more than a small bag of Flamin hot cheetos. I also wish they had a full bar. The chips and salsa were good but the "salsa trio" wasn't necessary- I'd rather a full tub of the green stuff than 3 small cups that my chip can't fit in All good tho - Great ambiance. Order at the counter. Right on the water. Tall stools and Adirondack Massive hot sauce bar

Great view, great music playing, and great food. Had the fish wrap which had a nice sauce with pineapple, etc. BBQ sandwich was not very filling. Fish sandwich was just okay. Local root beer on tap was good.

Great ambiance and hot dog was perfect. Paired with the wine and beer that they had to offer as well.

Great views of Seattle - Mediocre food - Slow service - Limited space. I love this spot because of the location. It's a great place to see Seattle by the water. However....saw on the reviews people raved about this place and outside of the location, I simply cannot rave. Weekend nights are busy, waited 40min in line to order and then an additional 30 for food. Only a handful of the seats have the money shot of the water - it was competitive to get good seating. We got chips, a beer and a glass of rose and then the bbq chicken and bbq pork sandwiches. I won't remember this food for any reason besides the pickled onions lol. I did enjoy those. The bbq was lacking flavor and some of the chicken was over cooked. Sandwiches are big I'll give them that, but wouldn't order again and can't recommend.

The food was pedestrian at best. The burger was bland, the fish taco flavor was masked by loads of poorly picked jalapeño. Steak kabobs/bites were the best item, my companion enjoyed them. Staff was kind, but the boat fuel dock staff was outstanding.

The steak tacos are delicious. The view is beautiful. The service was friendly. A great location for a restaurant.

We pulled up with the boat and were greeted by staff who helped moore us up. Trevor was so friendly and welcoming! We all had different meals and everyone loved their dish. I had the smoked salmon BLT and it was amazing. The views were great and the way the set up ordering before sitting down really helped with crowd management. Can't wait to go back!

Food is not good. Ordered a burger. Burger patty reminded me of something I would get at a 7-11. But the view is wonderful. I recommend going there for drinks and the view. Staff were really nice.

I stopped by this restaurant with a friend visiting from out of town on a Friday afternoon. The place was empty so we were able to find plenty of seating right by the water, which was a plus. The staff were super friendly, the place had plenty of street parking, the ambience was great, and there was no wait when we arrived - all great! I wish I could give this place a higher rating but the food was so awful. I ordered a chicken quesadilla and my friend ordered a burger. That quesadilla was... the most bland quesadilla I've ever tasted. It didn't taste like anything. Had to think for a second if I was sick, but nope, the quesadilla just tasted like... nothing. Sadly left the restaurant disappointed because I expected a tasty meal

Pulled pork sandwich is amazing. Mathew the chef told me it is smoked 4 hours. Also the salmon sandwich is a big filet of salmon so def a great portion and a great choice. Wine selection is also amazing. Beers on tap are cold and hit the spot. Shrimp tacos are serving of 3. Super tasty! We also had steak lollipop which is 2 steak portions- delicious like 2 meat sticks. Spacious patio seating and 2 large couch areas. Nice to see dog bowls for pooches and sand buckets for kids to play in the sand. The view of the water at sunset is stunning. At night seeing all of Seattle was very romantic.

Beautiful views and delicious food! Bowriders is located right on the water giving you a beautiful view and fresh breeze. The menu is perfect size with sandwiches, salads, apps, and beers. My table got the salmon tacos, burger, bbq chicken sandwich, and salmon wrap and we were all very pleased with our food! You order at the front + find a seat and they serve you once ready. Service was quick and super friendly.

What a stunning location. We were at Gas Works and the view was so beautiful from there, I wanted to continue the experience. I simply googled "wine" in the area and searched for waterfront options. We walked from Gas Works to Bowriders Grill, which was a little tricky. We arrived at the restaurant and found a sign that they're closed because of water issues ? Thankfully we explored further and saw people sitting at tables. Turns out we were actually at the restaurant next door called Westward. It was confusing but you have to walk down a pathway through a shipyard to get there. I'm glad we made the effort to figure it out. Beautiful restaurant with beautiful views and great service and great prices! Highly recommend!!

I've never felt moved to write a Yelp review but the food here was SO BAD I needed to warn people.

Great view, good food and beer. A sunny day w a bit of line, but moved through quickly and efficiently.

I really wanted to like this place. Ambiance is great but the food is at best mediocre and took way too long to get our order. Our group ordered three orders of the shrimp tacos and two were prepared one way, and one came out completely different. Go for a drink, skip the food.

We tried to go to this place three times. Two out of three, we showed up exactly at their opening time (12:00 pm) but they had a notice on the gate that they open at 1:00 pm. At this day and age, who doesn't keep their hours online up to date? The one time we made it, we waited in line for 20 mins. We showed up at the cashier to order. She said food prep would take 60 mins. ?!?!? If that's the case, why make people wait in line without giving them a warning? My conclusion is that this place counts on their beautiful location but they don't prioritize customer experience. I feel disrespected as a customer. Never again.

A little hidden gem on the water. Not fancy and food meets expectations. Overall, would recommend going for a drink.

As my 12 year old said - 5 stars! What a gem of a find after going to Gas Works Park. Opened in 2021. Fun spot with deliciously, cared for and curated food. We had bbq sandwich, shrimp skewers, grilled cheese, hamburger and drinks. Overlooking the lake and downtown Seattle with plant of outdoor seating. We sat at the "boat" seats that had a fire pit and relaxed while enjoying our good food. Can pull up to boat dock for gas too if you had a boat. A place to check out and support! Thanks for your kind service.

I came across Bowriders Grill when I was searching for a spot with a view to enjoy the perfect weather we had today and I'm so glad I discovered it! This place is a vibe, from the view to the music and the smell of bbq, all three of us loved it! Great spot to grab a drink + food and enjoy the view. Also, if you have a boat you can dock right in front and tie up your boat! Looking forward to coming back!

We had the salmon skewers, shrimp skewers, lamb skewers, and hummus and they were all fantastic. Matthew, the owner, is polite and attentive and friendly. The view of Seattle is excellent with a patio right on the water. Don't be afraid to come here when it's not sunny and warm outside, half of the patio has a windscreen and is still beautiful on gray days.

I really liked this spot. Gorgeous view of SLU and the food was honestly really tasty and reasonably priced. My piece of salmon was massive! Very casual spot to catch up with friends and sip on some wine. Be prepared to be patient because parking can be hard on sunny days being so close to Gasworks, and the food wait can be long if it's busy but that just means more time to chat! You can get chips and cookies while you wait for your meal if you're hangry. I loved watching the boats go by.

Poor quality food, I got the shrimp tacos. $20 after tax. My buddy got the shrimp skewers which were normal grilled and seasoned shrimps. The shrimp tacos were pre cooked frozen little unseasoned shrimps with zero flavor. The rest of the taco was extremely average. I didn't even eat the other two tacos. Very unappetizing

First time visiting. Had the salmon sandwich. The piece of salmon was big and cooked well. Would highly recommend this place

Nothing more than a food truck on the lake! View great, food average at best, seating and process to order horrific!

Great place on the waterfront that's closer than Westward. Loved the salmon skewers and elote. What's interesting is that they took a boat and cut it into four pieces to make benches around a fireplace which is very cute. There's also Adirondack chairs to sit in as well. They had a limited selection of beers and wines at the moment. I will definitely be back

The views here are stunning!! This is like a little hidden gem. The food was pretty good and basic. Definitely coming back here to enjoy the views and have some drinks!

Couldn't recommend this place more! Beautiful setting for lunch, drinks or dinner. Right on the water, perhaps the closest you can get at any restaurant. The service was excellent and the salmon sandwich was to die for. A little difficult to find the entrance but keep looking, it's worth it. You can even boat up, they have their own personal dock!

One of my most favorite places I visited in Seattle while here on vacation! The location is incredible with their patio. We sat on the patio and watched the boats go by and drank great wine. It was unmatched. You can order a decanter of wine for such a great price. I also LOVED the salmon Cesar. Can't wait to visit again next time in Seattle.

Nice BBQ joint, loved the beef ribs. Has a pick up dock space in front, has a gas station as well.

Solid restaurant. Nice view of lake Union. Good quality food. Knock for no French fries and then rices are high.

This place is down an alley right next to Wayfair - you might miss it if you miss the sand which sign which we did... anyway. Super friendly. Great sandwiches. What I like the most is that they cut up the chicken and bacon (we had chicken Sammy on potato bun, BLT wrap and chicken wrap) into bite sized pieces. Lots of flavor. The place was shiny and clean. Huge on the lake where things start to feel a bit dingy. Outside seating is lovely. Some Adirondack chairs and a cool cut out boat turned into seating around a fire pit. Looks like you can dock your boat and get carry out or eat in. This is a gem. Check it out!

The food and ambience was great. However would suggest some change in music thay was playing. Maybe some chill lounge due to the view.

Perfect place to chill with some good food on a sunny day. Watch the sea planes land. Enjoy delicious bbq food, relax with a glass of wine /beer with an excellent waterfront view. Can't beat this.

Great fast casual food on the Lake Union waterfront. Pleasant location to grab a bite and beer or wine on a sunny day.

Amazing food, bevies and peeps! Nothing beats grabbing food to go for the lake Great place for date night as well :)

This place is incredible! We were a big group in pretty bad weather, they pulled the heaters close to us and got food out very fast! It was so homey and incredibly nice! Thank you for such amazing service, we'll definitely be back soon

Ok, great outdoor patio dining alert! I just discovered Bowriders Grill. It is on Lake Union, just east of Westward (which also has great outdoor dining), but it's pretty well hidden and very easy to miss. They have heaters, a screened off patio (screen not plastic so good airflow), they even have blankets! And it's right on Lake Union, so the view is amazing. You should go. I want this place to stay open!

I saw the chef licking his fingers in between making my food. I am disgust. Doesn't seem quite clean. The shrimp tacos have me the biggest stomach ache.

This place is amazing! Gorgeous views and a great selection of food/beverages - what more do ya need?! The sun just came out for the first time in ages and this was SUCH a perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon. Definitely my new summer go-to spot!

Excellent views, tasty food, and wonderful service. This place is a bit hidden - it's right next to Westward - but make sure you don't miss it! There are heat lamps and it's open on weekends through the winter. We ordered the shrimp skewers, salmon sandwich, and a side salad. The seafood was fresh and the sauces were great. We also loved the banana bread pudding for dessert!

Hard to believe that I reached out to this business to cater a party for 40 people leaving messages through their website contact page and leaving 2 voicemails and never heard back from them over the past 3 weeks. Suffice to say that I would not use them now and certainly would not bother going to eat there. I'm guessing you just don't need the business.

Great view and awesome location! the outdoor seating was so fun and they have heaters ready to go for winter. love the bike parking as well, easy hop down from the Burke trail. Service was super welcoming and friendly. Would love to see more vegan options in the future, but my friend who had the salmon said it was really good.

Came here on a friend's recommendation and we were not disappointed! Not only are there beautiful water views, but the food is top notch! We had the shrimp skewers and salmon sandwich, both were delicious. We'll be back to try more soon!

I keep telling my friends about this place as it's a fun place to hang out in the sun, take in the great view, and people watch. The food is solid and there is nothing better than sitting in their Adirondack chairs either under the umbrella or in the sun. They also have a boat that has been converted into seating space with cushions around a fire pit for cold evenings. I don't know why it's not busy all the time. My guess is it's the discreet entry which is a gravel walkway between a fence on one side and the boat racks on the other. It's a hidden gem!

Great food, great location, great service, price affordable. The owners are very friendly and nice

Waste of space for a restaurant on the water. I wanted to like it since it is a great location but the food and drink options are laughable for the price. I wish I had a picture of the chips and salsa. The salsa container was the size of a sauce container compared to a large basket of chips... no exaggeration. Do not waste your money. Bring your own food and drinks to gas works or go to the nicer looking restaurant next store. I ordered a chicken sandwich and while the chicken was good it was not worth what I paid and came WITH A TINY BAG OF RUFFLES that one could buy from costco

Love this hideaway on the water with way better views than Westward next door! Casual, comfortable, great selection... my perfect neighborhood bar with the million dollar views and waterside fun. Delish shrimp too!

Website says they close at 10 pm. Walked up at 8 pm on a Friday night and they informed us the kitchen was closed. Would be nice to have that on the website....