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Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union, Seattle, WA

Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union

4.7 (1136)
$30 and under
Northwest
391 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 148 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for brunch
  • Kid-friendly
  • Neighborhood gem
Located in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Downtown Seattle since 2005, this location continues the Portage Bay Cafe mission of local, organic and sustainable fare. From our Crab Cake Benedict to our signature House-Made Challah French Toast, our items are carefully crafted to use the best seasonal and organic ingredients available. Chef Pedro and his team create monthly specials to further highlight our food-producing partners.

Portage Bay Cafe at South Lake Union is a large, airy, boisterous space with lots of energy and we have outdoor dining all year round. We look forward to serving you soon.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Northwest, Organic, Breakfast
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Fri 8:00 am–1:00 pm Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Lake Union / Eastlake
  • Cross street
    Harrison St.
  • Parking details
    Choose between metered street parking and an underground garage. The garage has a discounted rate of $2 on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Public transit
    The South Lake Union Streetcar runs directly past our front door. Heading north, choose the Terry & Thomas Station. Going south, take the Westlake & Thomas Station.
  • Additional
    Beer, Cafe, Counter Seating, Delivery, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 1,136 people are saying

Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Seattle / Eastern Washington

    Great for brunch

  • Seattle / Eastern Washington

    Kid-friendly

  • Seattle / Eastern Washington

    Most Booked

  • Seattle

    Great for brunch

  • Seattle

    Kid-friendly

  • Seattle

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Seattle

    Northwest

  • Seattle

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union is a "Seattle standby" renowned for its "delicious" food and "super friendly" staff. The breakfast bar, featuring an array of berries, is a "huge hit." Though bustling, reservations help manage wait times. It's a vibrant spot offering "amazing" brunch options and accommodating service.
1,136 Reviews
  1. Cristina

    Houston1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Muy buen restaurant, la comida muy vasta y el servicio excelente

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  2. Shane

    Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful place to have Sunday brunch! We were greeted warmly, sat swiftly (reservation probably helped here), and treated professionally with kindness and humanity. The food is truly delicious (I had the Seattle Benedict, which comes with Dungeness crab). We sat outside under an umbrella and had a lovely experience. Truly felt at home there. We will all be back time and again.

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  3. Rachel

    Chicago / Illinois7 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    I really don’t get the hype. $70 for mediocre food (no booze). The French toast was DRY and bland. Service took forever. And it was too loud to hear each other. The toppings bar looked like half of it was from a can. And the coffee was awful. Just. Don’t.

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  4. Heather VIP

    Seattle / Eastern Washington24 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a fabulous table outside with amazing service and fantastic food. The lavender honey mimosas were amazing!!! It was a perfect place for eight of us to get together for Birthday Brunch! Thank you 😊

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  5. Olivia

    Portland / Oregon1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The lemon ricotta pancakes were amazing!!! The service was quick and friendly. Portage Bay Cafe is a 10/10 brunch spot

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  6. Michelle VIP

    Los Angeles23 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent breakfast. The Swedish pancakes were divine! Bacon was perfect and the potatoes were very well seasoned. The fruit/topping bar was glorious! Service was friendly and attentive. The noise from the kitchen/clearing station was disproportionately loud and I was startled numerous times during the meal by the sound of plates being bussed but I’ll remember that next time and ask to be seated either outside or far from the kitchen. I definitely recommend you spending a leisurely brunch being delighted by their menu!

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  7. Heather VIP

    Seattle / Eastern Washington27 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    They were overbooked. We were seated 20 min after our reservation. Half the food came out 30 min after our order and the last two meals came out 10 min later. Two of the meals were cold. The waiter checked in once when we flagged them down. Then when they brought the bill, he read out loud each item ordered and the bill total. So all my guests heard the total bill amount. Overall, not the best Portage Bay experience.

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  8. Jerry VIP

    Seattle / Eastern Washington4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great place for Father’ Day. Seated on time, with reservation. Good service and food.

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  9. Kathy

    Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Such a delightful Seattle standby. Staff is super friendly and efficient! The food is consistently delish!!! Always a delight to dine there. It can be a tad noisy but that’s OK😁

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  10. Scott

    Seattle / Eastern Washington5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Great. Food is divine. Can’t beat the pancakes. Lovely.

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FAQs

Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (206) 462-6400.

Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union is rated 4.7 stars by 1136 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Seattle / Eastern Washington
  4. Seattle
  5. Lake Union / Eastlake

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 148 times today
Google Map for Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union

391 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Harrison St.
  • Neighborhood
    Lake Union / Eastlake
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Fri 8:00 am–1:00 pm Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Northwest, Organic, Breakfast
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Choose between metered street parking and an underground garage. The garage has a discounted rate of $2 on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Public transit
    The South Lake Union Streetcar runs directly past our front door. Heading north, choose the Terry & Thomas Station. Going south, take the Westlake & Thomas Station.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Cafe, Counter Seating, Delivery, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
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