Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Seattle / Eastern Washington
  4. Seattle
  5. Lake Union / Eastlake

Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union

4.5
4.5
761 Reviews
$30 and under
Breakfast
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. In addition to our famous brunch items, our menus include a variety of amazing salads and sandwiches.

Chef Lauren and her team create weekly 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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 80 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Breakfast, Farm-to-table, Organic

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Fri 8:00 am–1:30 pm Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (206) 462-6400

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Lauren Richardson

  • Private party contact

    Tracy Buck: (206) 551-4084

  • 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

Popular dishes

What 761 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Seattle / Eastern Washington

    Great for brunch

  • Seattle / Eastern Washington

    Most Booked

  • Seattle

    Great for brunch

  • Seattle

    Kid-friendly

  • Seattle

    Healthy

  • Seattle

    Most Booked

Sort by

  1. dinealot

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dining there 5 days in a row shows how much we like this place.
  2. MartyB

    Unspecified

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Very busy on a sunny Sunday morning, but the staff kept things moving smoothly. We didn't feel rushed and our service was timely and friendly!
  3. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall3food5service5ambience2
    It’s a popping location on Sunday. But man… wish they’d limit their table cap by a third. Too loud and too many people. Food is good however.
  4. mikeyb

    London

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience3
    Great food as always. Always busy and, hence, noisy.
  5. JyotsnaN

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food2service1ambience3
    Shakshuka doesn’t taste great have something else the waitresses doesn’t know the menu
  6. GregP

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Service and staff were excellent. Really enjoyed our breakfast and location is great. Very central to everything downtown.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent food and service. Unsurprisingly, the restaurant was quite noisy. Regardless, I would definitely come back.
  8. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best pancakes and challah french toast!!! Brunch for lunch on a weekday is the way to go with this popular place
  9. CelesteG

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall2food4service3ambience1
    So busy, waited way past reservation time to be seated when we got there in advance. They had us sit in the back room where it was so dark and ambiance was terrible. Food was okay. Better to just eat at another place.
  10. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    10/10 as usual, congratulations and keep it going !
  11. Bubba

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I made a reservation for mid morning. The restaurant had 25 people eating in line. They honored the reservation and got us right in. The staff were great - didn’t seem hurried though I knew they were busting their buns. Food was delicious..
  12. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience5
    Food is always great but, unfortunately this time, no one asked us even once if we wanted more water or coffee. Our server was very nice and helped me correct my order without extra charge.
  13. RebeccaL

    Seattle

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I brought my visiting family, including two kids under 5, and we had a delightful time. Service was attentive. I love the berry bar.
  14. shannonh27

    Seattle

    20 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Great food and fun, energetic environment. Service was ok...didn't do much other than deliver food and drinks to table.
  15. ChrisH

    Seattle

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Food is almost always delicious here. My wife and I brought our two kids and the atmosphere is good for this because it is so loud you can’t hear the baby crying a little bit LOL. I got my entree 20 minutes before my wife’s came which was a little disappointing. They did a nice job accommodating our 5 year old so bonus points there.
  16. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    French toast and fruit bar was awesome! Love the pet friendly patio! 🐾
  17. wannabe

    Seattle

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Super friendly and patient server! Really enjoyed her service and personality. Wish I could remember hee name….
  18. liketoeat

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, friendly folks, good for a weekend brunch
  19. Sydney

    New York Area

    44 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall3food2service1ambience1
    The waitress was very rude to us. Mind you, we were hosting clients and the treatment from our waitress made the situation even more awkward. We ordered a French toast which came with access to the berry bar plus paid an additional $5 for a second person to access the berry bar. Our waitress gave us an additional plate to use for the berries. When we went up, we were yelled at that we had to bring the massive plate WITH the French toast in order to access the berries? What’s with all the rules? We’re paying customers. The whole situation made us feel really uncomfortable and ruined the experience.
  20. Robin

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience3
    Generally disappointing. Menu has diversity so I wanted to try many things but we went with the two kinds of french toast which were kind of dry. Fresh fruit and whipped cream were delicious. Service was perfect. Noise level on their not busiest day was really intrusive. Acoustics are just bad. Although we used to think this place was special, we probably won’t be back
  21. RaelyndR

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience3
    Service was so bad. We had ordered coffee and needed a refill shortly after receiving on food. We asked for a refill and our server disappeared. She checked back in on us 20 minutes later when we were almost finished with our food and we asked again for the coffee. Coffee finally came with our check!!
  22. Andy

    Vancouver

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Definitely a place I would go back during my next visit to Seattle. Very busy place on a Saturday morning.
  23. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    Cold food, slow service. Pork sausage tasted like cardboard. Multiple requests for first cup of coffee.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Rancher’s breakfast was good! We went with our toddler and they were out of high chairs, we were not offered a kids menu, I had to ask a couple times for a cup with a lid and straw.
  25. Pairadux

    Seattle

    48 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    We’ve had great meals and good meals here but this time not so good. They were out of crab so couldn’t get what I really wanted so settled for the biscuits and gravy. Not much sausage in the gravy and very little flavor. Menu states cheddar biscuit, roasted potatoes 2 eggs and pork sausage gravy. They put the potatoes down then 1/2 of the biscuit on top of them, then gravy on top of everything. The other half of the biscuit sits on top. It’s more like potatoes and gravy.
  26. nickname

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience1
    had a reservation for the patio yet still waited 30-45 minutes to be seated inside.
  27. Smiles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Great food, AMAZING service. Definitely will be back again!
  28. AlvinH

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Breakfast is always delicious. They never disappoint. Perfect place for a breakfast meeting.
  29. RozM

    Atlanta Metro

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Went for Sunday brunch and was very good. Enjoyed the bar with fresh fruits and whipped cream. Definitely large portions. Make sure you make a reservation.
  30. Feli

    Philadelphia

    18 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I had an early reservation and it pretty busy at 9am. I chose to sit at the counter since I was a party of 1. The service was good as well as the food. I did not like the chicken sausage, it had a weird taste but the huevos rancheros…YUMMY!!!! I would definitely go back on my next visit.
  31. JuliaC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Really really tasty. Expensive and crowded, but the food is so good it's worth it.
  32. RachelR

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great, as always. It is quieter at/by the bar than in the larger dining area. The place was packed, but staff was patient, had everything under control, and it was amazing!
  33. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    We were in a side room with piles of catering stuff- the mood was a bit off
  34. LindaB

    Fayetteville

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was delicious and arrived promptly. Our waitress was friendly and efficient. I love going here for breakfast/brunch.
  35. Eater

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    Whipped cream was great! However, eggs and omelette were served barely warm, even though it wasn’t busy at all.
  36. Henry

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    REALLLLYYYY GOOOOOD!!!! SPOT ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN ITS A LITTLE BIT LOUD BUT OVERALL IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE
  37. chrism

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    The food was, as usual, exception! The host who has greeted us for decades, first at the University venue, and in the last 5 years at Portage Bay, stopped by our table to chat and reminisce. How can you put a price on that? My only complaint - and that's too harsh a word - is the noise level. I don't usually come on a Sunday morning so was surprised by the high decibels. Thursdays are better!
  38. CayS

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best meals I’ve ever had! The fruit bar is amazing! And the gluten free options are fantastic, so it can accommodate everyone!
  39. KarenB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wonderful fresh food and great service! I definitely recommend
  40. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Got is in right away, no waiting. Even though we were early. Love the people that work there.

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union using the Order Online button. Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates. Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (206) 462-6400.

Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union is rated 4.5 stars by 761 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 80 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–1:30 pm Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Breakfast, Farm-to-table, Organic

  • 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

  • Executive chef

    Lauren Richardson

  • Additional

    Beer, Cafe, Counter Seating, Delivery, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo