Virginia Inn

I hadn't been to the Virginia Inn for a long time. It is still a great place for a bite. They were really busy with a large group, but got us sat pretty quickly and got our food order quickly. We ordered fish and chips and the burger that were both tasty and with good portions. The burger is made with brisket which was a great addition. The burger was cooked to perfection and had great flavor. Location is great next to Pike Place and Belltown. The fish and chips were fantastic, lightly breaded, good portion with the fries and loved the tartar sauce. I loved that they were lightly breaded as they were not too greasy and really flavorful.

Opened in 1903, the Virginia Inn is one of the oldest restaurants in Seattle and even predates the famous Pike Place Market. I stopped in for lunch when exploring the downtown area. The restaurant is beautiful with dark wood and tile floors. I took a seat at the bar and ordered Fish and Chips, which was done in no time. The plate came with two pieces of fish, seasoned French fries, and a small portion of coleslaw. The breading on the fish was good, which was a little different than other places as it was lightly breaded almost like a rub. The fish was ok; a little bland. The slaw was also different, not the typical mayonnaise base, but good. The service was ok.

No crowd on a Thursday at 5pm. We came here because they had gluten free options. Super happy with the fish and chips! It’s a cornmeal type of batter that was more like Southern fried fish, but the fish was of a much higher quality. The house made tartar sauce was the best I’ve ever had!! They have a cute patio and the vibe was laid back. Highly recommend this place.

Had dinner with the family Friday night recently, late December, and had reservations. We had reservations at 6:30pm but it was not full when we walked in. Take your chances I guess with or without a reservation. The service was good and the food was good as well, but nothing was outstanding...solid would be a good description.

Gumbo soup was unexpected delight. It was so good I almost forgot the pic. Wonderfully thick broth (and gluten free). Well done! Companions all loved their food too.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect Seattle Breakfast Spot! We had breakfast at Virginia Inn, and it was the perfect way to start our day in Seattle. The atmosphere is warm, historic, and full of charm—like stepping into a cozy piece of the city’s past. The food was fantastic! We ordered the Eggs Benedict and smoked salmon toast—both beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The ingredients were fresh, and the portions just right. Coffee was strong and smooth, and the service was friendly and relaxed, making us feel right at home. Located just a short walk from Pike Place Market, it’s a great spot to sit, enjoy a calm morning, and watch the city wake up. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a quality breakfast in a classic Seattle setting.

What a wonderful downtown Seattle restaurant! Everything was priced reasonably and tasted better than what we paid for. The service was incredible and we had the nicest server. We walked in at 6pm on a Saturday and were able to get seating right away. We had the halibut fish special which took us to another universe, the clam and salmon chowder, and beet and arugula salad which was perfectly divine. I highly recommend!

We have walked from The Mayflower Park Hotel to the Seattle Center to the Olympic Sculpture Park down by the water and then back up to eat at Virginia Inn. We both got the Smoked Salmon and Clam Chowder. Very yummy

What a great menu this place has! I was visiting my sister in the city this weekend, and she suggested we try this place with all its gluten-free options. We passed by around 4 planning to walk the market and easily made reservations at the door for 530. It's a cute little restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating and plants climbing everywhere! Our server was so friendly and very thorough in making sure our orders came out perfectly. We shared a couple of orders of beautiful golden fried calamari, then my sister had the pork belly as her main, and I indulged in the gf fish and chips! It was all amazing! I didn't ask if they had gf pasta, but my bro-in-law had the lamb ragu and said it was perfect. With so many gf options, I couldn't resist ordering the clam chowder and carrot cake to go! Can't wait to return

Amazing food and a gluten free dream come true!! I found Virginia Inn on a gluten free app while visiting from out of town and I'm so happy to have tried this restaurant! We were seated immediately on a Friday at lunchtime at a table on their patio. It's an excellent spot for people watching. Most of their menu is either gluten free or can be made gluten free. We tried the calamari, which was hot, crispy and delicious! The pickled onions and jalapeños paired perfectly with it along with fresh lemon aioli. A true treat for someone who hasn't ate calamari in over a decade. For our mains, we tried the gumbo and salmon and clam chowder. The chowder was a 10 out of 10 for us. Creamy, warm and had a nice amount of seafood and vegetables. The herbs and seasoning were a great match in flavors. The gumbo was great too, the flavor was on point with nicely balanced flavors and a scoop of rice to balance out the savory flavors. The service was quick and everyone was friendly. We'll definitely return next time in Seattle!

I chose VI primarily because of the gluten-free options for a celiac colleague and very glad she could enjoy so many things off the menu. Had trouble when calling to make a reservation for 7 people for our team dinner but I left a voicemail and then sent a message through Yelp because I figured I'd rather have a written confirmation thread. Karl messaged me back very promptly and first thing he asked was if we had dietary restrictions! A+ for not needing a credit card for the reservation and just trusting that we would show up (and we did!) like a restaurant should. Samantha was an amazing, friendly, and attentive server who made notes of allergies per diner's order, which is super important to us so very much appreciated, especially triple-checking the nut type (walnuts) on the carrot cake for our one team member. We have an office spreadsheet of dietary restrictions! Samantha also took the best photos and has really pretty eye makeup. Karl and Samantha also took care of the window(s) at the back, opening and closing the blinds so we weren't blinded/sweltering and then in the dark. I actually liked that spot. It was perfect for noise level and on my side of the table, I didn't have anyone walking behind me. Only drawback to that spot was that people were walking past on the other side of the table to get to the bathrooms. Side note - the guy in the black t-shirt who was helping at the table was great too. Very on the ball. Food was pretty good! My colleagues seemed to enjoy their dishes - our core team finished every last scrap on our plates - we're particular about that. We ordered 3 small plate appetizers (calamari, olives and curry cauliflower); mains for everyone; and dessert for five of us. We were cognizant of the closing time and left at about 8:05 pm but nobody rushed us out and we'd actually arrived at 5. The front windows were open but minimal bugs so that was great for airflow and for feeling safe with germs about. My only notes are that the gumbo needs more rice to accompany it (though my colleague who asked for more was quickly granted their wish) and that the one women's washroom stall toilet makes weird repeated flushes and was *not the cleanest.* The garbage was also really full and needed to be emptied so maybe that should be a 6 pm kind of task on the regular. All in all, very happy with my choice and would highly recommend. There's definitely something for everybody and the service was wonderful from reservation to departure.

I recently had dinner at the Virginia Inn and it was a wonderful experience from start to finish! Kids Burger: The kids burger was a hit with my little one. It was perfectly sized, juicy, and came with a side of crispy fries that were devoured in minutes. The presentation was appealing, and it was clear they put thought into making it kid-friendly and tasty. Soup du Jour: The soup du jour was a pleasant surprise. It was a hearty and flavorful concoction that felt like a warm hug in a bowl. The ingredients were fresh, and the seasoning was spot on, making it a perfect start to the meal. Calamari: The calamari was cooked to perfection--crispy on the outside and tender inside. The accompanying dipping sauce added a nice kick, making each bite delightful. It was a generous portion, great for sharing. Shrimp and Grits: The shrimp and grits were the star of the show. The shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, and the grits were creamy with just the right amount of cheese. The dish was well-seasoned, and the flavors blended beautifully, making it a comforting and satisfying choice. Overall, the Virginia Inn delivered a delicious and memorable dining experience. The food was top-notch, the service was friendly, and the atmosphere was cozy. Highly recommend for a family dinner or a night out!

Lots of glutenfree options and good fries! Stopped here after having a few hours to kill in Seattle. Found it by searching for gluten free fish and chips. Turns out, their whole fryer is GF so they also have fries. I have to say the fries were the highlight of the meal - they are the perfect thickness and good seasoning. We got the fish and chips and chowder and both were good - I wouldn't change a thing about them. The service was also perfect. Our waters were always stocked and our server was friendly. Overall was a good place - I am glad we stopped by this place to give it a try.

This was a cute place to sit and people watch. Fish and chips were really good and service was solid. Has an old saloon feel. Good bar. Food selection was pretty standard for a tourist area. Give it a shot.

This is the second time I've been here. It was easy to get a seat and the atmosphere was relaxing and so cute with the plants around. The Bloody Mary was good as well. The service was awesome too.

Prompt, courteous, professional service. Clean, friendly atmosphere. Delicious food, incredible options. We'll be back in the near future.

Cool building with list of history going back to its 1903 founding. Full disclosure, we just had a drink at their old bar. They have a nice selection of local drafts. Service was great, looking forward to dining here on a return visit.

Chose this spot as somewhere close to the Moore theater for dinner before a show and so happy we did. We made reservations for 5:30 on a Saturday night but they had plenty of room when we arrived. Asked if we were just doing drinks or wanted dinner so they are good with people taking up tables just for drinks. Nice open space with exposed brick walls and nice character. Doesn't feel like you are in downtown Seattle. Host and waitstaff were friendly and attentive. Companion had the chowder and scallops and I had the Cesar and VI cheeseburger. We were both offered smaller sizes for our starters although they were not listed on the menu as two sizes but we gladly took that offer. Chowder was rich and flavorful, Scallops were perfectly cooked, burger was tender and juicy. Great pick and will definitely go back again.

The ambiance was fantastic, the food was incredible, and the service was impeccable! Our server was always making sure we were doing well, and kept drinks topped up. The outdoor seating is great for people watching, with views down 1st Ave.

We had the fish and chips (Rock fish?! I'm a fan now!) and the fried chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy. DELICIOUS!! Do not sleep on this place!! We also got right in on a Saturday.at lunch time. Brunch menu was awesome

Friendly staff. One guy, presumably the manager, greeted us at the front door. He told us some of the history of the Inn and its significance to the area. The eggs Benedict were perfectly cooked and they had gluten free options for breads.

A Seattle historic GEM that gets better with time -- it is a consistent treat with pleasant service, comfortable decor, and good food. What more could you ask for? Outside seating a plus . Great gumbo, chicken sandwiches are all excellent.

The gumbo was amazing... restaurant was super cute, staff was superb. Totally recommend!

Cioppino was terrible, overpriced, seems like the mussels were picked too early and gave the soup a weird funk and aftertaste we couldn't finish it. The curry cauliflower was better. Server was nice and helpful, gave tastings of the ciders, and the restaurant was nice but noisy

Delicious food and great service. Reasonable prices. Lamb ragu Fish and chips Cioppino Chicken beast with polenta Fish of the day, halibut with mushrooms, olives, and potatoes (chef's kiss) Would order everything again!

Gluten free heaven! So thankful to have so many GF options. I was craving fish and chips and found this place, but got so much more! We sat outside and enjoyed people watching while enjoying our meal. We started with drinks and a calamari appetizer. The calamari (gluten free) came with pickled onions and peppers that had the perfect kick to them. I got the fish and chips (gluten free) and my travel buddy got the steak salad. The fish and chips was amazing. I haven't found many places that successfully execute the gf fish and chips (normally the breading around the fish separates and breaks off when you bite into it) but they did an excellent job! The steak salad was more of a steak with a side salad, but it was so fresh and delicious (and who's Gona complain about more steak than expected?!) We finished with the cheesecake, it was good, but not particularly notable. Our server was fantastic. They were very attentive, but not overwhelming and kept our waters full! We also had pleasant interactions with other servers working, good vibes is always an added bonus. Hoping to visit again next time I'm in the area!

I stopped in for a quick dinner around 8:30pm (they close at 9pm). They were courteous and accommodating even though it was so late and I was almost the last person in there. I ordered the Wild Mushroom pasta which was fresh, homemade pasta with at least 3 or 4 different types of mushrooms. And it was tasty and wonderful, and I had someone checking in on me every now and then. So what's the catch? NONE. They were pleasant and attentive and the pasta dish was really good. They were friendly and understanding, and I had a great meal with great service. I am pointing all of this out because it's so easy to complain about the littlest things. Yet this restaurant went out of their way to feed me a great pasta dish with no reservations and late notice. They could've told me they were closing but they said that they'd gladly seat me. I'll be heading back there again and I'll make a much-earlier reservation next time. But thank you for the great dinner.

Great chowder, nice wine, Great service, great window seats, yummy coffee, Brussel sprouts were great

Had an amazing, quick dinner here. We were fading after a flight from the east coast and they took great care of us and got us on our way. The shrimp and grits was excellent and had a nice kick. My wife had a halibut puttanesca special and thought it was very good. Nice spot, would definitely go back.

The outside sign is authentic and quaint and draws you in. We were walking by and decided to give it a go. The food is amazing (see the pics - we left NOTHING behind. The bacon, oh(!) the bacon!! Paula is so beautifully kind and attentive to her guests. The service and atmosphere are on point.

Loved the steak blue cheese salad! So close to pikes place and has a cute patio in the summer.

Celiac friendly. Dedicated grill. Very much appreciated. Thank you. Can tell there are a lot of thoughts put into each offering. Definitely worth a visit!

Our party of 4 ended up here on a crowded Pike Place Friday afternoon as we wanted to sit down and not bump elbows with strangers while trying to eat. We were greeted quickly and sat in a booth. Atmosphere was pleasant enough, everything was clean. Upon looking at the menu, there wasn't a huge selection but simple means more in my opinion. We ordered two fried chicken sandwiches, one cheeseburger and one blue cheese steak salad. The burger was reported to be delicious and worth the $23. The fried chicken sandwiches, both who ordered were overall happy with their meal. For the steak salad, it was ordered without red onion and tomato, picky eater. No where on the menu did it mention cucumbers. Mini diced cucumber cubes throughout the lettuce and hardly any blue cheese. The steak portion of the salad was good but not worth $26. I am a firm believer you HAVE to mention all ingredients on the menu! Had I'd known cucumbers were in it as well, I would have gone for the burger. 3/4 of us left the establishment fulfilled.

My wife and I had delicious salmon and clam chowder. Wanted more but the owner's wife advised us they were swamped and changing over from brunch to dinner menu and it would be quite a long time to order anything other than chowder. We thanked her and ordered the delicious soup. We were surprised it did not automatically come with oyster crackers. I asked our waitress for oyster crackers. She brought me one small package; none for my wife. I then asked for some bread. They brought a plate with three small slices of French baguette. I thought it absolutely ridiculous when I saw the bill included a three dollar charge for the bread. "One dollar" per very small slice. Despite the delicious chowder at this restaurant, we would not return with their "nickel and dime" charges!

I would have given this place a 4 or 5 except for the start we had. In short the older male server is rude. Longer version... We stood at the front of the restaurant to be seated, but since we had a dog (10 lbs and calmly in my arms) we didn't really want to go inside and just stand there. A waiter (older "gentleman") walked past a few times without acknowledging us, so we sat at a table outside that gave us a view of our vehicle. (We were on the road camping and had gear on the roof rack.) I went back inside to check in and was immediately greeted with attitude by that same server. He snidely told me about how one should first check in upon arriving. I said I understood and apologized, but said we had a dog and was hoping that it was all right that we took this table outside. He asked how many and I told him, three. He responded by telling us that normally we should be seated in a different area. I said I understood, but was hoping that we might stay at an outside table where we could see our vehicle. He listened to our explanation, then told us that we were blocking two empty tables with the way we seated, and then allowed of us to move to a cramped table around the corner that didn't really fit three. We sat there for a moment until a younger female waitress came over to take our order. She was polite, and we asked if there was anyway we might switch to a table that could better accommodate three and didn't have us roasting in the sun. She allowed us to move back to the table we started at, which we thanked her for. The rest of meal was quite nice. the entire restaurant was half empty and it was 3:15 PM

It's very much ok! If you're starving and there's not a wait, pop inside - sure. But nothing really stood out to me here except the history and feel of the corner restaurant. We had the Italian Sausage Frittata and the Fish & Chips. I wouldn't order either again. Frittata lacked flavor and spice although the large chunks of Italian sausage - it could've been crumbled more, remove the large potato wedges, and add some pepper, onions, and spinach for more flavor. Similar to other reviews, Fish & Chips is flavorless - not a juicy seafood fish chosen as the base. Tarter sauce was bland too. French fries were good. It just wasn't worth it for the price. Loved the historical feel but the place lacked cleanliness and had a weird odor.

We were able to walk right in an get a table! Great service and great food! Small menu but great options. I got the chilaquiles special and the hubs got the traditional eggs benedict, both absolutely delicious! The Irish coffees packed a nice punch! 100% would come back.

My husband and I had lunch here as we didn't want to eat directly in the tourist section. It was about half empty so we were seated immediately. The service was quite fast and we enjoyed our food. I appreciated that they had gluten free marked on the menu and both of our dishes ended up gluten free so we were able to share. I would love to come back and try their brunch!

I got the fried chicken and biscuits and was pleasantly surprised. Thankful the chicken was boneless. Biscuits had a little different texture than expected but good. My only complaint was my water smelled like a fish tank.

My partner has an autoimmune condition and is doing an elimination diet to try and address it. She brought her own food here to join us and other friends for dinner (all paying customers) and the owner refused to let her eat her food without charging her a "corking fee". Really owner? Wow Avoid this place

Great service! We were warmly greeted and had wonderful recommendations made. The Bloody Marys were delicious and only $10 (much less than we'd pay back home). I had been wanting to try this place since I first saw it in "Singles" more than 30 years ago.

Best dinner in Seattle! Amazing fresh fish .mouth watering cioppino for me and perfect fish and chips for hubby. Chilled beer and a summery fizzy thing with a straw for me. Our waiter was delightfully quirky and attentive. Amazing old school ambiance..We were Crowdstrike in Seattle...please go and say Beth sent you!

My family and I tried this historical establishment for the first time and it was unfortunately quite disappointing. Everything we ordered was overcooked and not under seasoned. (I usually eat bland food so this is saying a lot) I ordered the VI Classic off of the brunch menu. It came out without bacon so I informed a server that they it seemed like they forgot the bacon. To their credit, they promptly brought out a side order of bacon. Sadly, the bacon came out quite charred. It was so crispy that the bacon broke apart when I picked it up. I asked the host (who I believe runs VI) if it was customary for the bacon to come out so crispy and she told me that it usually comes out this crispy. She did ask if I wanted them to remake the bacon but had lost my appetite at that point and didn't want to order bacon I would not eat. I got the sense that it seemed liked I was being an overly particular customer. You be the judge. Check out the photo of my bacon. Is this how most people enjoy their bacon? With so many other options in the market, I would not recommend The Virginia Inn as a top pick for brunch.

I stopped in here with some colleagues for an early lunch and was not disappointed. The burger was delicious and the fries were even better! Our server was on top of things and made sure we had everything we needed without hovering. The vibe in this place is awesome - lots of plants, very calm and chill.

We ate here Sunday night, 4/28/2024. It was very, very good. The only thing that kept it from being five star was the ribeye steak had just a tad too much salt for my taste. My wife had fresh halibut and it was perfect. Service was excellent, the wine was fantastic (2019 Syncline Subduction Red Rhone Blend). If you're in Seattle stop in and enjoy.

The service at this place was terrible. From the hostess to our server. Quite rude actually. The food was mediocre at best. Drinks also terrible. The only good thing was the location. Sadly we won't be returning. So many other options and great places.

Great staff, kind and helpful. Cute restaurant up a block or two from Public Market away from the crowds. My daughter had the biscuits and gravy, and she attests the gravy and biscuits tasted like they had just been prepared freshly in the back. I had the fish and chips, which was a generous portion to say the least. My 12-month granddaughter loved the flaky fish inside, too. Modest prices, as well.

The service was really good. The wait staff really knew the menu and followed up with our every need. I had the burger which was tasty with the fries. My partner had the mushroom pasta which was sort of bland. Drinks were also good. The restaurant is in a good location and the outdoor seating has a good view.

Very friendly staff, food was tasty and came fast. Maybe a touch pricey, but I would come back to try again.

Food is delicious and the owner is incredibly polite. He made us feel very welcome and insured us that we could stay as long as we'd like while we wait on our flight. Would recommend!

Fish and chips is gluten free, but not great. They use rockfish which is a small flake and pretty flavorless. The breading is very thin if you're into that however. Would be improved with a cod, haddock, or halibut fish and chip. If you need a gf f&c ghost fish is a lot better. Fries were good but limp. Likely would not return, there's better for the money.

Unpopular opinion: Brunch menus with limited items make the best food! (quality over quantity). They literally have a single page brunch menu which they only serve on the weekends. Our go to items here are: - Cold Smoked Alaskan Salmon Egg Benedict - Fried chicken and biscuits (this combo surprisingly doesn't get served in enough brunch places) - French Toast (their Crème anglaise on the side is to die for!) Probably not a super popular place for brunch, but I highly recommend it.

I really like the decor, furniture, and the location of this place. However, I'm puzzled by the food; maybe I came on a bad day when the chef was absent, but it definitely didn't meet my expectations for a fine restaurant. The dishes seemed more like something quickly put together by someone without much of culinary training.

I had a really good Reuben Sandwich here, and also sampled my girlfriend's chicken sandwich. Solid good food food. As a rule of thumb, I believe you can test the quality of a place like this by sampling its Reubin. And this Reuben is really high quality. Great corned beef. Quality rye. Quality sauerkraut. I definitely approve. Also, a full bar with well-made cocktails. It's all a bit on the pricey side, but given the location (right new Pike's Place Market) I'm sure the rent is high. Also, given location, there may be a bit of a wait. This is a gem of an old school bar/restaurant in the heart of the tourist district. So if you want to get out of the crowd for a bit and check out a classic, it's well worth your time.

Food was amazing! And our server Sam absolutely killed it! Made us feel right at home! Food came quick and the fried chicken with biscuits and gravy is some of the best I've ever had! Will definitely be coming back!

Friendly servers. Terrible food. Ordered Cioppino and steak frittes. Fries were good. Steak was passable but not cooked to order (med rare was more medium). The Cioppino was pretty much bland, kind of seafood plopped into tomato sauce. True Cioppino has flavor - herbs, a little heat, some depth. Maybe don't offer sophisticated dishes and serve simpler fare that can be prepared well even with inexperienced staff. Disappointing.

This was a cute spot. We went for brunch as a group & got right in. The waitstaff was very attentive but not overly attentive. The French toast was delicious. I asked why were the hashbrowns more in cost than the breakfast potatoes & they explained that the hasbrowns are shredded on site. They were excellent. I'm not mad at the breakfast potatoes either. I had a little situation & made a comment to my companions, not to the waitstaff & they were quick to offer to correct it. I said I was okay. They still corrected it. It felt like folks have been fussing at the staff so I'm sad about that. Overall a great spot.