Best Outdoor Dining: Westward
By Seattle Mag November 10, 2025
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.
In a city known for unmatched water access—and rainy weather eight months a year—outdoor dining becomes a coveted prize. And while there is no shortage of options for enjoying a meal with a view, Westward is a tried-and-true pick, unique in its full-city snapshot straight down Lake Union.
Originally opened in 2013, Westward became a warm-weather hot spot thanks to its gravel patio packed with Adirondack chairs and jaunty striped umbrellas. In the summer of 2020, two years after James Beard award-winning chef Renee Erickson acquired the restaurant through her Sea Creatures restaurant group, it underwent a refresh. That included the outdoor dining portion, which now boasts a large deck populated by tables and chairs, and, in clear weather, a new batch of striped umbrellas (canvas tents and heaters go up when the season changes).
Because it’s under Erickson’s name, you can count on the freshest seafood, from a hearty selection of local oysters to halibut, salmon, and the famous clam dip with homemade potato chips. Sure, we’re currently in a stormy season, but what’s more Pacific Northwest than bundling up to enjoy the region’s bounty with a gorgeous water vista as the backdrop?
2501 N. Northlake Way, Seattle | (206) 552-8215 | westwardseattle.com
About Best of the Best
Everyone loves a winner. And when it comes to Seattle favorites, there’s no shortage of opinions on which places, spaces, and bites deserve top honors. This year, we did things a little differently—our staff weighed in, debating and voting to determine the best of the best across the city. We also ran our annual Readers’ Choice poll for comparison (and yes, there was overlap in just one category). Here’s to celebrating all the winners, no matter who cast the vote.
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