The White Swan Public House
Seafood restaurant · South Lake Union
1001 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Highlights
Buzzy dockside joint with patio, serving sustainable seafood, local brews
Buzzy dockside joint with patio, serving sustainable seafood, local brews
"Welcome to The White Swan Public House, where there’s a toddler throwing french fries at their mom on your left and a picnic table full of Sperry catalog models on your right. The patio at this Amazon-adjacent seafood shack in South Lake Union is perfect for a casual dinner, especially if you decide to shove every document off of your desk and leave work two hours to make the Happy Hour that starts at 3pm. Once you get here, fish and chips are yours for the taking." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente
"The smart move is to visit this Lake Union spot after the sun goes down. You won’t have to wait for a table, the water looks even more beautiful lit up by party boats and booze cruises drifting by, and if you’re lucky, an otter might glide past. The oysters here are great, served with an array of sauces in little droppers that make the whole thing like a rhubarb-infused mignonette science experiment." - kayla sager riley, gabe guarente, aimee rizzo
"Seattle has no shortage of touristy seafood spots, and at first glance, The White Swan Public House fits the bill with its nautical decor and waterfront views. But it avoids most other cliches. The food’s pretty good (as long as you stick to the seafood), and the atmosphere leans more tasteful than nauseating. Yes, this Lake Union spot gets mobbed on any inclination of a warm afternoon, but visit after the sun goes down and you’re golden. There won’t be a long wait for a table, the water looks even more beautiful lit up by party boats and booze cruises drifting by, and if you’re lucky, an otter might glide past. RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE Food Rundown Raw Oysters The oysters here are great, served with an array of sauces in little droppers that make the whole thing like a rhubarb-infused mignonette science experiment. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Hushpuppies Tasty deep-fried crab and cornmeal balls swim in a melted butter soup by the time it hits your table. Good thing we’re not mad at butter soup. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Fishwich While so many fish sandwiches are fried into oblivion, this one has a light pan sear and a still-recognizable fillet. The bacon adds a nice hit of salt, and the fish stays tender, meaty, and flaky. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Cheeseburger The menu promises two smashed patties, but like a lot of burgers out there, they’re more smushed than truly smashed. That extra thickness turns this toppings-loaded situation into a bit of a clunker. It’s a fine burger, but not worth making a special trip for. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley" - Kayla Sager-Riley
"A lunch or dinner at White Swan Public House is very easy to plan. This is a seafood spot on Lake Union where you can spread out on a picnic table under string lights and be grateful that it’s not February. The best part is how versatile this place is—you could keep things casual with fish and chips or a double smashburger alongside local beer, or celebrate something (anything) with oysters on the half shell and a bottle of Chandon." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"Even if you’re grabbing something quick to take back home, it doesn’t mean you can’t also get a great view of Lake Union. That’s where White Swan comes in—it’s right on the water, and they serve some great seafood. Options range from cornmeal-crusted cod and chips to a fishwich BLT, and you can call your order in if you’d like (their number is 206-588-2680)." - aimee rizzo
