Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union

Name: Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union
Address: 391 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA, United States, 98109
Telephone: (206) 462-6400
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

761 Reviews

$30 and under

Breakfast

Top Tags:

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

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 7, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 80 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(206) 462-6400

Other options

Order online

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
Website
http://www.portagebaycafe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Lauren Richardson
Private party contact
Tracy Buck: (206) 551-4084

Location
391 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
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

Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict$17.50
dungeness crab cakes with lemon & dijon, 2 poached eggs*, fresh hollandaise, tarragon garnish.
Smoked Salmon Benedict$15.50
2 poached eggs*, portlock smoked local sockeye, fresh hollandaise.
Classic Benedict$14.00
2 poached eggs*, house-cured molasses ham, fresh hollandaise.
Wild Mushroom Benedict$14.50
seasonal mikuni wild harvest mushroom blend, sautéed with dry sherry, cream & fresh organic herbs, 2 poached eggs*, fresh hollandaise.

Grains

Organic Steel Cut Oats$8.50
slow cooked in water & finished with your choice of organic 2%, soy or rice milk. comes with a trip to the breakfast bar!
Pumpkin & Millet Porridge$11.50
millet, roasted organic sugar pie pumpkin, almond milk, cinnamom, cardamom, nutmeg, stannards maple syrup, homquist hazelnuts.
Winter Granola Parfait$10.50
toasted organic oats, pecans, flaxseed, allspice, ginger, nutmeg. topped with cinnamon & clove pear compote, organic vanilla yogurt, drizzle of shipwreck honey.

House Favorites

Migas$13.50
3 eggs* scrambled with chipotle & cumin, tillamook medium & sharp cheddar, fresh basil, homemade salsa & sour cream, folded into a large flour tortilla. avocado salsa garnish, herb roasted organic potatoes.
Fancy Breakfast Sandwich$14.50
2 scrambled eggs*, prosciutto de parma, manchego, house-made fig jam, organic arugula, on grand central bakery como bread. served with green salad or herb roasted, organic potatoes.
Farmer's Hash$14.50
3 scrambled eggs*, a variety of local, organic, sustainably grown fresh vegetables, roasted onions, fingerling potatoes, fresh herbs. served with toast and your choice of: locally sourced corned beef, uli's apple chicken or maple pork sausage, house-cured molasses ham or pepper bacon
- Portlock Smoked Local Sockeye Salmon$15.50
- Vegetarian Option of Sautéed Mushroom$12.50
- Vegan Option of Sautéed Mushroom and Tofu$12.50

Pancakes

Classic Pancakes$11.00
organic bluebird grain farms heirloom wheat, organic yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla.
- Make it Dave's Way One Pancake Topped with One Egg*$10.50
Buckwheat Pancakes$12.50
organic buckwheat flour, ginger honey compound butter.
Swedish Pancakes$12.00
rice & tapioca flour cakes, almond extract, lingonberry compote, lingonberry compound butter.
Vegan Banana Pancakes$12.50
rice flour, hemp milk, fair trade bananas.

French Toast

substitute our unbelievably good gluten-free bread in either of the first two meals below for $2

Classic French Toast$11.50
house-made challah bread, rich egg batter, cinnamon garnish.
Bananas Foster French Toast$13.00
classic french toast, sun liquor rum caramel sauce, sautéed organic, fair trade bananas.
Oatmeal Cobbler French Toast$12.50
classic french toast, oatmeal-crumb crust, seasonal fruit compote, vanilla crème anglaise. sorry, this item cannot be made gluten-free.

Eggs

egg dishes feature eggs* from steibrs farm, a slice of house-made organic wheat toast and your choice of herb-roasted potatoes or simple green salad. substitute fruit or braised heavy greens - $3. substitute our house-made, gluten-free toast - $1.

Phil's Breakfast$9.50
3 eggs any style*, choice of pepper bacon, housecured ham steak, or uli's apple chicken or maple pork sausage. whole wheat toast.
Rancher's Breakfast$16.50
phil's breakfast minus the toast. add your choice of a short stack or two pieces of our classic french toast, or one of each to take to the breakfast bar.
Joe's Scramble$14.50
your choice of chicken or pork sausage, organic baby spinach, beecher's flagship cheddar, mikuni wild harvest mushroom blend.
Mediterranean Omelette$14.50
uli's lamb sausage, organic potato, greek olives, feta and house made tzatziki.
Winter Fritatta$12.50
roasted butternut squash, crispy sage, nutmeg, salumi pancetta, house made ricotta, organic arugula, balsamic reduction drizzle. served with fruit (instead of potatoes).
Goat Cheese Omelette$13.50
organic baby spinach, scallions, chef's choice mushrooms from mikuni wild harvest, local twin oaks goat cheese.
Chile Verde Pork Omelette$12.50
carlton farms pork shoulder, braised in banana leaves, alvarez farms chile verde, queso oaxaca, cilantro lime crema, fried plantains.
Classic Ham & Cheese Scramble$13.50
house-cured molasses ham, beecher's flagship cheddar, fresh herbs, scallions.
Huevos Rancheros$11.50
fried corn tortillas, cumin spiked refried beans, 2 eggs your way*, house-made pickled vegetables, pico de gallo, cilantro lime crema, samish bay queso fresco, scallions.
Smoked Salmon Tartine$14.00
toasted slice of grand central bakery como bread, portlock smoked local sockeye, herbed buttermilk cream cheese, topped with 2 scrambled steibrs eggs, pickled red onion.

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

Noise • Energetic

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

d
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.
MB
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!
OT
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.
m
mikeyb
London
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience3
Great food as always. Always busy and, hence, noisy.
JN
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
GP
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.
OT
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.
OT
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
CG
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.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Seattle
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
10/10 as usual, congratulations and keep it going !
B
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..
OT
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.
RL
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.
s
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.
CH
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.
OT
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! 🐾
w
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….
l
liketoeat
Las Vegas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, friendly folks, good for a weekend brunch
S
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.
R
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
RR
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!!
A
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.
OT
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.
OT
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.
P
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.
n
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.
S
Smiles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Great food, AMAZING service. Definitely will be back again!
AH
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.
RM
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.
F
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.
JC
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.
RR
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!
OT
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
LB
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.
E
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.
H
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
c
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!
CS
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!
KB
KarenB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Wonderful fresh food and great service! I definitely recommend
OT
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

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 7, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 80 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(206) 462-6400

Other options

Order online

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

Website
http://www.portagebaycafe.com/
Phone number
(206) 462-6400
Private party contact
Tracy Buck: (206) 551-4084

Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Other options

Additional information

Huevos Rancheros

Oatmeal Cobbler French Toast

Bananas Foster French Toast

Benedicts

Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict$17.50

Smoked Salmon Benedict$15.50

Classic Benedict$14.00

Wild Mushroom Benedict$14.50

Grains

Organic Steel Cut Oats$8.50

Pumpkin & Millet Porridge$11.50

Winter Granola Parfait$10.50

House Favorites

Migas$13.50

Fancy Breakfast Sandwich$14.50

Farmer's Hash$14.50

Pancakes

Classic Pancakes$11.00

Buckwheat Pancakes$12.50

Swedish Pancakes$12.00

Vegan Banana Pancakes$12.50

French Toast

Classic French Toast$11.50

Bananas Foster French Toast$13.00

Oatmeal Cobbler French Toast$12.50

Eggs

Phil's Breakfast$9.50

Rancher's Breakfast$16.50

Joe's Scramble$14.50

Mediterranean Omelette$14.50

Winter Fritatta$12.50

Goat Cheese Omelette$13.50

Chile Verde Pork Omelette$12.50

Classic Ham & Cheese Scramble$13.50

Huevos Rancheros$11.50

Smoked Salmon Tartine$14.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

FAQs

Does Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union restaurant rated?

Is Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Other options

Additional information