Reviews of AQUA by El Gaucho. (Restaurant) in Seattle (Washington).
AQUA by El Gaucho
2801 Alaskan Wy Pier 70, Seattle, WA 98121, United States
Description
Information of AQUA by El Gaucho, Restaurant in Seattle (Washington)
Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.
We still haven't received any review on this business.
Map
Open hours of AQUA by El Gaucho
Sunday
Closed
Monday
4–7 pm
Tuesday
5–9 pm
Wednesday
5–9 pm
Thursday
5–9 pm
Friday
5–9 pm
Saturday
4–9 pm
Popular times
Monday
17 | |
---|---|
18 | |
19 | |
20 |
Tuesday
17 | |
---|---|
18 | |
19 | |
20 |
Wednesday
17 | |
---|---|
18 | |
19 | |
20 |
Thursday
17 | |
---|---|
18 | |
19 | |
20 |
Friday
16 | |
---|---|
17 | |
18 | |
19 | |
20 |
Reviews of AQUA by El Gaucho
Misha Smith
My girlfriend brought me here for my birthday & Wow was I amazed. The food was so delicious & the service was beyond exceptional! Starting with valet parking to having my birthday celebrated & the octopus & champagne was delivered right away as we looked over the menu. I ordered the Abyss & what a great show that was to watch it being made! & Wow was that thing good. We also had table side Cesar salad & that was one of the best I’ve had. The servers we simply amazing always on the point & meeting our needs. Join the Revelers club & you can get discounts. Perfect birthday dinner celebration.
Michele LaBare
Our office recently hosted an event here. I've never been to this location. Parking was a breeze (for Seattle) and if you are inclined to let someone do the parking for you, use valet! This restaurant is beautiful! Everything from the beginning or of event until the end, was top notch. There was no detail missed (I have previous catering experience so I can be picky!) The food was five stars and the cheesecake that I tasted, was the best I've ever had! The food was beautifully presented and it was simply outstanding! Many guests complimented how tasty everything was. Our servers deserve a shout out as well because they were the icing on the cake with their attentive attention to all of our guests - Angela, Adam, and Kate. Even the captain popped in to make sure things were running smoothly! I will definitely use this venue for future receptions and hopefully, someone, someday, will take me here for dinner!
Jackson Hong (xenoverse)
We discovered AQUA a few years ago and have been regular visitors ever since, maybe a couple of times a year. We like the view from their outdoor seating area that’s why we usually only go in summer.
Parking is mandatory valet and the service from the staff has been consistently good over the years. Their menu also has not changed much at least for the last 3-4 years, which can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. I personally hope to see something new on the menu every time we visit.
We love the grilled octopus but the last couple of times we felt it did not taste as good as it used to. Mostly because it lacked the charcoal taste which we absolutely loved in grilled octopus the first time we had it in AQUA.
Service has always been good and consistent over the years and they have a 20% service charge to ensure all their staff are making a sufficient wage.
Overall we like this place and will be going back in the future but I do hope they change the menu a little with maybe a few more new dishes every year.
Jessica Durney
Best fine dining experience I've had in a very long time. Our server Bob was fun, super competent, and knowledgeable. Cocktails were fun and generously poured. Wine list has a bunch of great local wines! And the food was absolutely phenomenal -- we had miso black cod, scallops, and yellow fin tuna for dinner and everything was absolutely perfect. Great holiday decor made this the perfect new years eve dinner spot for a fancy night out.
Kimberly Pham
The four stars are for the staff! 3 stars on the food and wait time. All the staff here are so sweet, friendly and very kind. We enjoyed our evening conversations with them. Been a while since I revisited this restaurant. Felt like the food quality had gone downhill. Great presentation but quality, taste, and freshes are not up to standard. I ordered a smoke old-fashioned it was very good but pretty much disappointed with the glassware and ice. $24 for a drink I'm expecting to have at least a whole cube of ice instead of a half cube of ice, my drink got water down pretty fast. The positive thing is watching them put the old-fashioned together.
I love the location and staff. Hopefully, the food will improve on my next visit.
Dave
What fabulous experience! AQUA isn’t just about the amazing food! The staff was so attentive and top notch but still allowed us to totally relax and enjoy the evening! Our server Peter and managers Rena and Brian were so professional and friendly! Aqua had elegance in everything!
Now, let’s talk food. Peter made a perfect table side Caesar. The scallops were perfectly seared. The ahi was so fresh and the steak perfectly cooked and seasoned.
The crab mac and cheese, street corn, and wild mushroom side dishes were mouthwatering!
Then there is the view. It just envelops you!
One of the most wonderful and enjoyable restaurants ever! A must do!
Wei-ju Wu
We made a reservation in advance to celebrate our anniversary. We were surprised with a congratulations card with the staff signatures and flower petals at our table ! And every staff person congratulated us. This is the best we've ever been treated at a restaurant and the attention to detail is astonishing. Shoutout to our server Alex, you rock 😊
The view is great since the location is right by the water and they had live piano music playing at all time while we were there.
The right mood and atmosphere for trying out their seafood dishes, we had an octopus appetizer, and black cod and giant scallops as our main dishes, accompanied by cocktails and wine and finished with a creme brulee for dessert. Everything tasted great and was the right portion size.
When our car got returned by the valet parking we found some great chocolate chip cookies by the restaurant in there, rounding up the great impressions.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this place for celebrating your special events or if you want to treat the special ones in your life to enjoy great seafood in a lovely setting.
Lori M
Went here for my birthday. They had a birthday card waiting for me at the table. Very friendly staff who made our dining experience fun and lovely. Very upscale without the stuffy vibe at some restaurants. The food was amazing! I wish I lived closer because I’d be here all the time.
Dini Moorhouse
The food was truly an experience. Every single item ordered was fabulous. The amount of time it took to receive our meal was frustrating. Our server was super nice, extremely difficult to find. He must have been overworked because he rarely had time to check on us, refill drinks, etc.
Ana Lucia Varon Ocampo
Came here to have dinner at sunset. Sunset was beautiful. The service here is exceptional. I'm very thankful that they had a vegetarian dish. The risotto was delicious. My husband had the ribeye and he said it was good. They also have half sides, which is nice if you want different sides but not a ton of food.
sally sua
The food was okay. We order 3 options from the happy hour menu. It was a little salty. Service was okay too. Server was attentive but was not offer any dessert.
Katiebkind
Everything about this experience was truly perfect.. for those who read my reviews you know I don’t sugarcoat things I tell things as they are… this experience again was perfect! Our server was Steven and he was exceptionally excellent! For the portions its like they have it down to a science of how much to give you… when we left we didn’t feel hungry or over fed, we were just content! The flavors were exquisite and the views were spectacular! It may seem like a lot of money but I can promise you it is 100% worth it. The food, the service, the pampering, the views… it doesn’t get any better than this!
Yuchen Zhang
I know I am going against the grain here but I just found my dinner here to be OK.
Views: Can't be beat. Love watching the sunset over the water and the lighting is just so nice. I bet when it's warmer, it's even better to sit outside right next to the water.
Service: Spectacular. I can tell after 10 mins that there is definitely some sort of water policy where they are not allowed to have the water line in a glass to go down past like a cm. After every sip we took, the water was filled immediately. It's like they swoop in out of nowhere with that water refill. Our waiter was great, patient and gave us some recommendations.
Food: This is where all the disappointment lies.
Soy Calamari - flavors were food. Wished it was not soggy and more crispy.
Filet Mignon - Asked for it to be medium rare and it was perfectly cooked on the inside for sure but that's where the goodness stops. There was no sear on the outside and there was no seasoning. We definitely had to season it ourselves with more salt and pepper to make it taste better. The sear was definitely missed. Disappointing.
Scallops - came with butternut squash ravioli and apple butter - should've predicted that the whole dish was going to be sweet and one note. Couldn't even enjoy the delicious scallops that I had been craving for. Needed another layer of flavor there for sure.
Crab Mac & Cheese - heavy and drenched in cream. Again, there was no flavor - just cream. Needed seasoning and something to balance the heaviness. We basically took the crab meat off the top and left most of the mac and cheese. I also found the dish to be on the colder side, not actually cold but just luke warm which is not great for such a heavy creamy dish.
Brussels - better of the 2 sides we got. The flavors were much more enjoyable for this and much needed to break up the blandness of everything else.
Bread Pudding with Ice cream - again, just not very good. The caramel was the best part and that was soon eaten and everything that was left was just bland. The bread pudding was also luke warm, didn't melt the ice cream on top at all.....
For the price tag, honestly, I am very disappointed in this dining experience. A previous reviewer mentioned the blandness and the palate was made for older people and that resonated with me too..... everything was one note and had a lack of seasoning. Nothing was "bad" I guess but everything was just "meh."
Kimberly Hetrick
The personalized birthday card for my partner was a lovely touch. I also greatly appreciate their asking about food allergies and putting a 20% tip for service on the bill. The staff deserve that money and I know that so many people do not tip fairly or at all. The service was superb! The ambiance was exceptional - love the outside dining area. Food beautifully presented - especially loved the edible flowers on the tomato burrata salad. We will be back! The live music was the perfect touch!
Ben Matthews
Good food and great views. The server was attentive and knowledgable. The wine list was pretty good - and I always appreciate local wine inclusions. Food was excellent - with the whole tail lobster being a particular highlight. My only criticism is that they automatically add a 20% service charge to your bill irrespective of party size - which is a practice I distinctly dislike and have removed a star as a result.
Avi Rakesh
I heard a lot about their King Salmon, from TV shows and friends. The view from their back porch was stunning. You could get lost watching the sunset or the sailors go by in their sail boats. The food was amazing and the ambiance even better.
Jym McMurdo
My wife and I spent a very special occasion here tonight and was blown away by everything. The service was amazing. The front of house staff was extremely friendly and accomodating. The bartender (it was his third day on the job) made an outstanding Negroni while we waited for our outside table. Our server, Andrea, is one of the reasons why we will come back. She was funny, charming, attentive, and knew her menu and wine pairings.
Then there was the food. We shared the wicked shrimp and the clam and muscles starters. Shrimp was huge and the sauces were delicious for both. Then had the tableside prepared Caesar which was one of the best I've had. We had the scallops and the yellowfin for our main courses. Scallops tasted great and were cooked perfectly. Yellowfin was crusted and seared, and melted like butter in my mouth. The heirloom tomatoes and radishes paired with the tuna very well. We both shared generous sides of their corn and potatoes. We ended the night with the recommended bread pudding and an espresso.
Couldn't have asked for a better night, location, service or company. Brian and staff did an amazing job. Highly recommended.
Oh, also loved that there were cookies waiting for us in the valet parked car when we left for the night. A very nice touch!
juhani jääskeläinen
Seafood restaurant near the Seattle waterfront, entrance is a bit tricky, it's on the right side of the building.
The food was delicious, just remember there's a 20% service charge with the check. I had great time eating there. It was closer too 100 $ when eating there.
Hyunseok Gil
Ordered course during Revelers Appreciation week. Every dishes were great and great service. only complain is parking entrance sign. at night, it was really hard to see.
Jon Hirschy
Once again another 5 star experience at AUQUA.
My wife and i love going here. The service is impeccable, the food is flawless and the atmosphere is calm and beautiful.
Tsedi
Great service, amazing food, the vibe was really nice. I went there for a friends birthday and they gave us complimentary birthday cake and card. The outside has view. Parking place they also validate your parking. The outdoor seating was my favorite. 100/10 I highly recommend it.
Michael Barto
Excellent food and service. The steak was quite good. I also had the cod and I think my favorite part was the mushrooms. Amazing. But the fish was also good.
Peter Bremer
Great place for a sunset dinner. Celebrated the 1st anniversary with my Girlfriend here. The provided exceptional service; they even gave us a personalized card. The fired chicken was delicious, as well as the New York Steak, Potatoes, and Crab Mac & Cheese. Sadly did not have room for dessert. Highly recommended!!
Kahealani
Walked in without a reservation at 4:30 pm on a Saturday and was sat immediately. Service was attentive and friendly. Rolls were delicious, oysters, steak, mashed potatoes, and crab Mac n cheese were perfect.
Michael Kerns
My partner and I enjoy our anniversary at Aqua each year. Gracious service and wonderful ambiance. The cuisine is always five star. Aqua is the restaurant of choice for all of our special occasions. I highly recommend the Chilean Sea Bass.
Soomee Moon
Scallop risotto, fried calamari, chowder soup,.. everything was great and staff were kind. Just that it was pretty dark so photo quality is not that good.
Dax Rich
A fantastic meal. Table side Caesar salad, table side scotch, and phenomenal entrees. The steak and the salmon were unparalleled and are two perfect choices when dining. The chocolate cheesecake was also outstanding, easily one of the best I have ever had.
The staff was excellent as well - a very attentive and personable waiter, and the manager checked in on us periodically. It was Restaurant Week which is why it was so busy for a Wednesday night, yet despite the busy restaurant, the food was quick and the staff was present.
Great dining experience on a breathtaking spot overlooking the water.
Mariely Norris
Amazing food, service and view. One of the best fine dining experiences we've had.
Chris Goldman
AQUA is El Gaucho's best contemporary experience right on the water front in Seattle. We love the live piano music, bar service, and all the food.
Natalia
Delicious meals and great atmosphere. The service was impeccable and impressive. Loved it! The salmon was great as was the cod!
CK OnePlus
Top notch service. Elevated yet still casual (good thing because I was in jeans and a t shirt) ambiance.
Oysters were amazing. Both kinds with a clean briny flavor and sweet tasting. The accompanying sauces did well to highlight the flavor and not mask it. Only regret was getting a half dozen; I should have gone for the full dozen.
Perfectly prepared sea bass in a delicious umami miso broth/glaze. Paired with earthy vegetables providing different textures to the meal.
Megan Conklin
Beautiful restaurant, very attentive and knowledgeable staff. Loved the outdoor seating view. The food is incredible. We had table side caesar salad and Paul (our waiter) did an amazing job. The scallops were very good but not very filling so it's hard to justify the cost. The fried chicken was surprisingly very good! You HAVE to try the bread pudding.
Samantha Gouin
We LOVE Aqua! From the moment we walked through the doors of Aqua it was so inviting. They made our table especially special for our anniversary. Our service was amazing and our server KK was the best!!! She was kind, professional, funny, we absolutely loved her! In addition to that, the food was MELT IN YOUR MOUTH fabulous! The atmosphere was so great, I have been looking for a nice, fancy place to go where we aren’t sat next to annoying, loud people dressed in casual attire. I just wanted a place to dress up and have a beautiful evening and this is what Aqua provided. We will definitely be back!
Karli Jennings
Really beautiful spot with an amazing view! Went here for a company event so only had the appetizers but had a great variety quality (including for vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian). The service was also fantastic. Would love to go here again for a date night. Parking downtown is always a nightmare but they offer valet for ($12?).
Gwendolyn Hoene
We went around 4:45 and caught the sunset over the water. Amazing views!! Our server was great and people were seated across the restaurant and not all bunched in the same section. The food was outstanding! I had the calamari appetizer, Chilean sea bass as my main, and a creme brulee dessert. We used the valet parking and had two warm cookies waiting in our car when we left.
Stephanie Molina
Surprise birthday dinner for 19 was fantastic! Friendly staff and professional. Thank the wait staff for the amazing experience :) They allowed floral arrangement and balloon set-up prior to party to add a little extra. Great appetizers and filet mignon, yummy! Great experience. Will recommend to all my 10K followers. Thank you!
Melanie Howell
We had a private event at Aqua and it was delightful! We had a spot out on the patio under a tent. The weather was perfect, the hosts were fantastic and the food was phenomenal. We watched a beautiful sunset. We could see Mount Rainier perfectly. It was a wonderful evening and a great way to end our week long meeting in Seattle!
Paul Guenther
Had the best dining experience here!
Kevin was our server and we really enjoyed his professionalism and personal attention to our table.
He made us feel like we were guests in his home. Dinner was so laid back and fun as it should be.
NOT RUSHED.
Kevin was very knowledgeable on all the Desserts, Drink Selections and Entrées.
We had Copper River King Salmon*
nettle and ramp gnocchi, bacon, mushrooms, charred artichoke sherry cream
The Halibut*
radish and mint caper salsa verde, spinach, warm vadouvan carrot butter
And we split a Maine Lobster Tail.
The Salmon was perfectly prepared and was like silk.
The halibut with mint caper salsa was an eclectic mixture of flavors.
And naturally the Lobster was perfect as well.
I highly recommend Aqua by El Gaucho and if you can request Kevin that will heighten your dining experience
Lyndsi Holmes
Tory was a delight as a server. We should have listened to her and ordered the Halibut she recommended because the salmon was dry and couscous tasteless. The piano was so loud we could barely hear eachother but the view was nice. We appreciated the birthday card and dessert for the birthday boy but were hoping to have at least 4 star food at a restaurant of this ilk. Without Tory's warm and welcoming presence this would have been a 1 star review.
Steven Warwick
Great staff and good food and drinks. Some of the drinks are dangerous in that they taste great and you don't notice the alcohol consumption.
C DeGuzman
Amazing service, food, and drinks.
Had specialty cocktails, oysters, seafood dishes, and dessert. It was all so delicious, making a great dinner/night out.
Confirmation email said valet or self park to find out the garage is valet only, so we looked for street parking and walked.
krazy 8
Good customer service.. a little bit pricey but its worthwhile, treat yourself when its the right time to do so. Love the interior design(floor decorations) of the building. Unsure what to get? It actually depends on you. The salmon was great but only thing is, im a athletic man so it did not fill me up.( always expect that at fancy restaurants)
Cameron Griffith
I wanted to leave my own review because it wasn't clear in others:
There is valet parking and it is $12 but they can add it to your bill so some people may be thinking it's complimentary.
The food is $$$ but it is very good and the atmosphere is of course classy. Other people may have better descriptions here.
Buddy Long
Food was great service was super good. Very pricey. We had the steak and lobster brussell sprouts and corn, cesar salad,crab lettuce wraps , and bread pudding for dessert. My hats off the all of the staff!
David Johnson
Nirvana, Dre, Queen, Tupac, and Mozart were all belted out on the piano.
The service was amazing. The food was divine.
Excellent dinner out - an experience I need to enjoy again
Heather Jech
Food was absolutely delicious, they did an amazing job and was completely worth the price! The suggested wine by the sommelier paired just right, the service was spot on, we were very happy for selecting this as my mothers 50th birthday dinner.
Devin Olsen
We went here for an engagement party and it was honestly some of the best service we have ever had at a restaurant. Our drinks were never empty and any questions we had were immediately answered.
The food was great, I recommend the diablo tenderloin.
ALAN AHRENS
Great restaurant with great view of Elliott Bay, the Olympics, the ferries, etc. Great atmosphere inside and on patio. Excellent service. Aqua is very willing to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities.
Meredith Mains
Very inviting yet elegant atmosphere. Yummy food though portions are small. Loved that the tip is included. It just saves any angst and debate.
Thejas Hiremath
Great appetizers, good drinks, good deserts, excellent ambience and service. The views are incredible from their patio dining. Just FYI, it can get chilly at night outside so come with a jacket. They have warmers and blankets however.
The main entrees leave a little to be desired at a restaurant of this caliber. The chicken I had was overly salted and did not have a balance of flavors. The lobster was overcooked and chewy. At this level of pricing, I expected a better and more delicate touch of flavors. Overall, I would go for the location and appetizers and deserts.
Cris Jesse
Amazing ribeye steak, unbelievable!! Corn and brussel sprouts were so good! Octopus appetizer with sweet potato was good as well!
Service was amazing. They treated us very well! Would go again whenever we can afford it!
Amanda Root
Aqua is truly a nice dining experience!
Beautifully open interior and large long bar top with a lovely outdoor patio along the water.
Our service was excellent, wine glasses always full, water refilled constantly, knowledgeable staff in regard to the menu, food delivered in a very timely manner.
I have been to a few business dinners here, so there’s always been a lot of apps ordered and different entrees and every time all of my party seems to leave full and happy!
For my most recent experience at AQUA, we started with oysters (3 different varieties, can’t quite recall the specifics but each were delicious in flavor and the accompanying mignonette and cocktail sauce were divine), octopus cooked perfectly, and salmon tartare which was very nicely done. I had the sea bass as my entree which was prepared beautifully with a rich lemon sauce, cauliflower and crab. Very large portion of fish. The salmon and halibut entrees seemed to be a hit as well. For dessert I had the creme brûlée which was creamy and nicely prepared. The bread pudding was ordered as well and is apparently outstanding!
Valet parking for $12 I believe. If you’re looking for a nice dining experience in a very popular location in Seattle, AQUA shouldn’t disappoint!
Deepthi Chowdary
We went their for my birthday. Awesome place for a romantic dinner with killing views of Seattle Pier. Expensive food with good starters and desserts. Their crab cakes are finger liking tasty. Main course isn't worth of the money. Especially halibut is super bland with no taste. One more thing to note here is no matter how many people group you are, you are charged with 20% service fee.
But their service is note worthy. All of their staff are polite and courtious.
Stephanie Du Bois
Great food and great services!!! The only down fall is valet was $12 (when it was The Water Front Seafood and Grill it was complementary or opitional). Ask for Sarah and she will tell you the bread pudding is to die for and she's right!!! What a great way to spend my 20 year anniversary!!!!
Lorriann Rodriguez
Perfect romantic dinner! Celebrated my birthday here and though we didn’t get to sit outside (due to weather), it was very beautiful. They had live piano music and service was very attentive.
pragnesh “z space”
It was an amazing evening with terrific experience at Taste Washington Wine Tasting kick off event at Aqua. This Red and White event at the Elliott Bay location with choppy waves, heaters on the deck, great wines from several top notch washington wineries inside the warm and cozy restaurant was amazing. Food options- from pizzas, sushi, fresh and cooked oysters, octopus tacos+++ were excellent.
Aqua Team- from valet men to hostesses, chefs behind the open kitchen, Oyster shucking team, piano music, pass on appetizers team- just about everyone put up a terrific orchestrated evening. Attitude makes a difference in one's experience of a place. Aqua Team does it the best. Many thanks to my Chase Team for the invite.
Want to celebrate special occasion? Check out Aqua.
Louise Chui
Old school classic restaurant with a live pianist. Sadly all the food was way too salty but the servers were kind enough to remake some of the dishes. Seasoning may be off but cooking was on point.
Romantic vibes and dim lighting make the restaurant ideal for special occasions.
Stacey Bassett
I wish I could give Aqua more stars! The restaurant is well appointed, classy and extremely pleasant. The view is breathtaking. The restaurant is at Pier 70, meaning it sits on a dock that jets out over the Puget Sound!!! We watched as ferry boats, cruise liners, and barges sailed off to their new adventures.
The food was spectacular. Even the salad was out of this world. I mentioned that if every salad tasted like this, I would eat more salad. The pecans were glazed beautifully and the apples really packed a punch.
The entrees were outstanding! My date had a fillet with a lobster medallion on top. It was lightly drizzled with a bearnaise sauce. My dinner was white truffle risotto. The risotto was cooked perfectly. Atop it sat creamed leeks and mushrooms. Both of our plates were completely empty by the end of the evening.
Dessert was the perfect compliment to our meals. Andrew had a chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream, whipped cream, and strawberries. It was also accompanied by a plate of various nuts and hot chocolate syrup, yum! I had the creme brulee that was topped with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, even better.
The entire time we were dining, we heard smooth jazz that the pianist was playing. His music added to our enjoyment of the evening. Next the gentleman that parked our car left us chocolate chip cookies for us to enjoy later. We enjoyed every aspect of dining at Aqua.
Rob Hill
Was really looking forward to trying this place, as El Gaucho is probably my favorite restaurant. First, let me say- Aqua is a beautiful restaurant. The location and interior decor is really nice. Slightly brighter than El Gaucho but perfect for its waterfront location. I was also pleasantly surprised to see some Gaucho favorites on the menu (wicked shrimp, Diablo tenderloin). We kicked off the dinner with some craft cocktails, and appetizers which were excellent. Dinners consisted of ceasar salad,the surf & turf, some scallops, the crispy chicken and sides of corn, and squash. Lobster gnocchi was a big hit! Ceasar salads were a little disappointing. A Goucho classic, that is completely different here.Very thin dressing and was more like a garden salad than a ceasar, and no classic tableside prep. As you would expect, steaks and seafood were cooked to perfection with excellent flavor and presentation. The only dissapointment was the crispy chicken, that wasnt crispy at all and was over cooked in some areas. However, this was quickly remedied by our waiter. Overall though, a fine meal and I wouldn't hesitate to return- and I will.
Note- as others mentioned, expect 20% service charge added to bill regardless of party size.
Kojo Kwaw
Dave was absolutely as amazing as the food , calamari was the best I’ve ever had steak and scallops.. made me my gf feel like we were the only ones in the restaurant truly thank you
Shawn McRae
Great Meal with beautiful views. My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and thoroughly enjoyed our shared seafood platter. Only question was why did they add a 20 percent gratuity to our bill when we were only a party of two? I have seen this done on larger party sizes but not when there are only two. We would have tipped more than 20 percent ( and actually did as our server was excellent). I prefer to make that choice myself rather than have restaurant dictate!!
Alexandre Aratame
The best salmon I have ever eaten. It's the first salmon that I felt tender like meat. I recommend ordering medium rare. The ingredients blend perfectly to create a incredible flavor. If you have the opportunity and the money it's a incredible experience. It cost us around 100 dollars per person, it's not cheap but it's 100% worth it.
Xiaojing Ji
Food is really tasty and services are wonderful. Definitely will come back. I found an interesting dish on Google reviews and asked the server. I have been told that it was no longer on the menu but they said the chef can still make one for me(I really appreciate this). Don't miss out their dessert.
Leighton Ginn
Beautifully situated on Pier with views of the Space Needle and the ocean. The food was great. I was there for a party and it was nicely catered, service was great. This place is ideal for a date or big celebration.
Katie Dube
When we first came in we waited at the the bar for a very short period time, it was wonderful and the bartender was incredible! The wait staff is great, the food is good I wish I could say it was five stars but it's not quite there.. but it's very close! The beef was excellent the oysters were excellent.
Curt Warner
When you're ready to treat yourself in the best culinary way possible, you'd be doing yourself a favor to end up at this fine dining establishment.
My partner and I started with kumamoto oysters, which were superbly fresh and paired with AQUA's house-made cocktail sauce. We then moved on to the main course; beautifully prepared scallops for her, and a medium-rare filet mignon for me, with a side of fire-roasted asparagus to share. Her scallops were divine, and I don't believe I've ever had a more perfectly prepared and flavorful filet.
Though we were feeling properly satiated after entrees, we splurged for the chocolate chip cookie sundae, complete with honey-roasted peanuts and a boat of the smoothest chocolate sauce that you can apply as liberally as you'd like.
The wine and cocktail list is extensive, though you can bring your own bottle of wine if you don't mind a corkage fee. Either way, there's no shortage of impressive drinks to choose from.
Whether celebrating a special occasion or just taking an opportunity to get out of the house, you'll be glad you experienced this upscale Seattle staple which does everything just right. Bon appétit!
MFSN Rep
I wandered in for early appetizer, more casually dressed than I would otherwise, as it was still early Saturday afternoon. Restaurant bustling already and I was greeted by the nicest people - from the valet to the hostess 'Madison', to several managers - many of which remembered me from many months prior. So welcoming I blush. Octopus appetizer and martini outstanding. How they can make a big event / special occasion restaurant but also create a vibe of just a really nice small friendly neighborhood restaurant is amazing. Multi-talented, great team there.
Michael Barbieri
Our Server Pedro was incredible. Every single part of the evening from valet, to the greeting by the hostess, drinks before dinner. A fabulous piano player to the food...was a 10.
Chris Flett
We celebrated our son’s high school graduation with friends and family at your restaurant. The overall experience was terrific. The staff was attentive. The food was outstanding, from the appetizers to dessert. The wicked shrimp appetizer was a favorite. Our party enjoyed the salmon, halibut, and scallops entrees. The bread pudding was the perfect closer. Getting in and out was a snap, thanks to the on-site valet parking. The valet leaving cookies in the car was a really nice touch. We enjoyed three courses together over a a couple of hours, then headed to T-Mobile for the ceremony. Thank you for helping us create a memorable night for him.
Bill Wu
Came here for my 30th birthday.
Ambiance 5/5 - live piano man
Food 4/5
Cocktails 5/5
Service 5/5
Abc
Great food!
Good service.
Views are great!
Live piano was being played, the staff were all professional, most ingredients are from local sources!
Valet Parking in FREE, included in dining fees.
Prices are high, plus mandatory 20% added to the bill, plus tip-at your own discretion.
Barbara Schneider
This was the best holiday party we have ever had! The venue was spectacular. The food was top shelf. And the wait staff were well trained and professional. This is the best place for a holiday party!!!
M Montejano
My overall grade for AQUA is: A-
Right on the water, this is a great location for a restaurant, especially a seafood restaurant.
Inside, very large restaurant, which makes the acoustics very tough when you're trying to hear the person across the table.
Service, very professional and nice.
Cocktails, excellent. They were able to make everything that our party wanted.
Menu - it was a little bit more limited than I expected. Not much in terms of fresh fish - that I noticed. I ended up with the scallops which were absolutely delicious. That said: $20 per scallop???? Wow!!
Wine list - limited but decent. We ended up with a Chablis which was very nice with everyone's seafood.
The sides were very good.
All in all - a delicious, albeit expensive place to get some seafood on the water.
Michael Misty Byrd
We've been to Aqua once before prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we had a wonderful experience back then. This time, we were celebrating our son's movie premiere and couldn't think of a better place than Aqua by El Gaucho to celebrate his achievement. We weren't disappointed. The establishment was just as we remembered. The location, view and ambience was spectacular. The staff and service were friendly, professional and attentive, and the food and drinks were fantastic! We had an amazing time! We will be back. In fact, we'll be attending the play, Hamilton, at The Paramount on August 20th with family friends, and I've already booked our reservation.
Anthony Hogan
My wife and I highly enjoyed our experience at Aqua. Our experience in the dining room was very memorable as they made our first anniversary dinner a special one. The staff signed a card and made a nice roses display on our table. Mikiya made our dinner experience very enjoyable with his attentiveness, his excellent drink and dinner recommendations, along with his personal touch with his service. Our food was very well prepared. We would highly recommended this place to anyone who loves great food and would like a grand dining experience.
Selena Hutchins
Always love coming here and so happy to know that the quality has survived COVID. Aqua is the best place to dine in Seattle.
Mihaela Lebo
The best food I ever tasted in a long long time. Excellent service !!!! Definitely I will go back . Me and my husband had a great time and enjoyed every bit of the food
Gloria Kung
We went for a business dinner. The restaurant is beautiful with a nice water view. We ordered seafood bliss, crab cake and some other appetizers. The seafood bliss is great! The crab and shrimp are fresh and the cocktail sauce is thick but not heavy. I got the filet Aqua for my entree, which is 8oz filet and a bite of lobster. The lobster tastes wonderful but probably would get too rich if it’s a bigger size. The medium cooked filet was a bit salty and dry on the outside. The first couple bites were yummy but tasted dryer and dryer afterwards. Finally, we got the creme brûlée for dessert. Wow, the creme brûlée is delicious! Highly recommended.
Overall, this restaurant is quite pricey but would be a great choice for business meals. Service was a bit slow as well.
Erin Phair
Came for a company event. The food was delicious and the view was stunning. Great location for a walk along the water after dinner. Will come back for a date night for sure.
Mel Merz
Delightful dining experience. Chef really impressed us and our server, Lauren was courteous, personable, and attentive.
A Mitchell Landers
Beautiful day, beautiful outdoor dining. Delicious dinners, attentive wait staff & wonderful ambiance. We had a great wedding anniversary dining experience.
Kristina Bradley
Celebrated our Anniversary here and it did not dissapoint! Ambience is very classy, with the piano playing and ocean views. Our server Jeffery was on point all night. Food was outstanding.
christine sams
We had a beautiful anniversary dinner. Even the staff gave us a card wishing us happy anniversary signed by everybody at Aqua. Make Chilean sea bass was amazing. The martinis were perfect it couldn't have been a better night. Our waitress was excellent and professional. Thank you Aqua!!
Andy Sutedja
Good place to eat between April to October. Good view to watch the sunset. The food tastes good but not that spectacular.
Tegan Tigani
A spectacular place for a splurge! I was dining solo, but they made me feel like a queen. I was welcomed to a booth set up for me to take perfect advantage of the view and hear the pianist. My Jasmine cocktail was as elegant as the surroundings. They gave me full bread service for one. The Caesar salad was light enough to just feel like an indulgence rather than the artery-cloggers one gets some places. The curry black cod was served on the bed of fragrant curry sauce so I could appreciate the delicate richness of the fish and the sauce. It also came with attractive and fresh arugula, roast cauliflower, and roast carrot, so I didn't need to order a side veg. Staff was warm, gracious, and thoughtful throughout.
Dave B
Great food, amazing views, and relaxing environment. The restaurant is on the end of the pier, making it a little confusing to find, but it means great views of the water. When we were there, there was a pianist, playing jazzy versions of modern television theme songs. It was fun to try to figure out which theme song was being played. Service was fantastic and very attentive.
Katrina Lee
Delicious as always! My parents were celebrating their anniversary, and the staff put red rose petals all over the table, and wrote "Happy Anniversary" on both of our desert plates! Such sweet touches!
Jacob Velazquez
This place is AMAZING! I had their Wicked Shrimp and Rack of Lamb, OMG it was so delicious. The service was great as well. We will definitely be back on our next visit to Seattle.
S Truswell
Updated review with 3rd visit- We did a return visit at the request of my daughter who turned 18 and loves seafood and “fancy restaurants”. She and I had the seafood Bacchanalia, which included a large crab leg, a piece of fish (salmon), four scallops and four shrimp, a sizable lobster tail, and a high pile of mashed potatoes and asparagus. For a starter we had oysters and steak bites (the sauce was very good), and we had a soup course. The corn soup with the crab was very good. We did wait a long time between our appetizer and the soup course. Dessert was ok- the cocktails are well done and the service was great. The waiter did a good job of making her feel happy on her birthday and “grown up”. Valet parking is included which is nice for downtown.
2nd visit- Came here with my dad to celebrate his birthday. Great service- we needed to be moved to a different restaurant table because the bar was very loud and my dad couldn’t hear our conversation. Food was good but not memorable. Waitstaff was top notch. I prefer the bellevue El Gaucho. I did get a kick out of the light fixtures; my dad said they look like Pokémon.
Luc Vincent
Top notch place, though you pay dearly for the experience. Nice ambiance with live piano music. Great wine selection. My king salmon entree was delicious and cooked to perfection.
Ben Nedved
Old fashioned was good, great views, pasta was a bit bland, crab cakes where amazing, miso marinated black cod was good.
Hailey Vasquez
Unbelievable food, drinks, service, and views. Could not have been a better experience!
I loved the oysters and the Rose Collins cocktail. The free shuttle service to and from is also fantastic. Great place for dates and big parties!
Jeremy Davis
Always a great experience here! Phenomenal service and the food has never disappointed. Aqua is our go-to for celebrations because we know we're guaranteed to have a great time.
Adithya Raghuraman
Cool restaurant with limited but surprisingly good vegetarian options
Shasta
The outside view was nice and the waitress was very friendly and attentive. The food had amazing flavor, but the NY steak was a bit tough. For a $70 steak I would not expect it to be tough especially when it’s cooked medium rare. We also had the wicked shrimp appetizer and they also seemed a little tough. The scallops were amazing! Overall the dining experience was great, food had great flavor, but the food was tough maybe overcooked?!?!
Annmarie Maricic
Aqua has become one of our favorite restaurants. The food is always delicious and while it may be a little pricey, it’s well worth it for the experience you receive. We have been there several times. Our most recent visit we were celebrating an anniversary and the table was covered in rose petals and a card was waiting for us wishing us a happy anniversary signed by the whole team. Pedro was very attentive and provided us with a great experience. The piano player creates a great ambiance, the valet was quick and friendly and left chocolate chip cookies in our car for us. In the summer the patio is right on the water and has great views. I’m assuming there are heaters because people were out there tonight as well. We’re revelers club members so the rewards are nice for future visits, birthdays, and anniversaries. If you’ve never tried Aqua I definitely recommend!
Wayne Anderson
Aqua by El Gaucho is expensive but as they say worth the money spent. Outstanding experience defined to by end service, kind staff, and the desire to create an experience.
For the best experience the tables just inside the windows on the outside walls of the pier will complement your meal with superlative views on a clear day.
Ayla Sanchez
Food was amazing and service was even better! The crab lettuce wraps were yummy and The salmon was to die for 🤤🤤 …
Eric Regalia
We had some apps the ribs were awesome and we had two different shrimps the panchetta prawns were the business
Mario Estevez
During restaurant week, had the nettle soup, steelhead entree and chocolate mousse. Great!
Juana Mangaoang
We shared three starters, which were good. I had the black cod entree, which was delicious, but the large pieces of accompanying veg (baby bok choi and maitake mushrooms) were hard to eat (and I could've used a spoon for the broth).
My hosts were from out of town and enjoyed the seafood and the view. If you're going in summer, I highly recommend sitting on the terrace.
Peter Anderson
Aqua has a great wine list and whiskey selection, and you will enjoy great views across Puget Sound from the dining room and outdoor seating areas. Our service was incredible and the food was amazing.
Tommy Krahn
The only disappointing part of my visit was the moment when I realized that AQUA might be the best dining experience I ever have in my entire life. We had made a reservation for my birthday, it was our first time dining at an El Gaucho owned restaurant, and I now understand the hype. We felt cared for immediately upon walking in. The service was immaculate, the staff really pulls out all the stops. Big thanks to Brian and the rest of the FOH crew for a truly memorable evening, we hope to return soon.
Kimberly Bodinet
Amazing food. Had a few special dishes sent from the chef. Great service from Quinn.
Parker D
Always a good experience here, but especially great coming in for an impromptu visit tonight and having Lauren covering our table. She was awesome and totally read the more casual experience we were seeking tonight and It really enhanced the experience. She surprised us with a dessert at the end that played into our earlier conversation about Dairy Queen Blizzards and it was the perfect cap to the evening. Thank you Lauren, you are outstanding!!
Tessa Schrader
Lasting impression was it's VERY Expensive. About $125/head for 3 course meal and two glasses of wine.
Offered two excellent vegetarian options. A Goat cheese pasta and a mushroom/potato medley. We also had the tastiest fresh bread brought to the table. Our waiter was on point, attentive and professional. We signed up for the rewards program, it's a good deal! Will come back for special occasions in the future.
Jodie Abrams
We had a great experience and the food was amazing. Definitely recommend the Thai curry muscles and clams. The staff was super friendly and definitely added to the overall experience.
Jake Berthelot JB-Imaging
Absolutely unbelievable. Excellent service from the host all the way to management. The setting was beautiful but it wasn't too stuffy. You could tell the staff has fun working here. I've worked in restaurants for 15 years and I've only been in one other place that compared on all levels. They have truly created a wonderful culture at aqua El gaucho and it shows in everything they do.
Lindsey Hughes
The view was wonderful as was the service overall with a few exceptions. I can't comment much on the food and will explain. I was there with a large party and a set menu. I asked to order outside of the set menu since I didn't want red meat or seafood and was told I had no other option. I ended up ordering the steak because it came with mashed potatoes and asparagus and sounded like a better option than scallops or halibut. They served the filet rare after I ordered it medium well. Even upon sending it back and asked for it to be medium well again, it was still medium rare upon return. I gave up and just ate the sides. The dessert was really good and one of the servers apologized for the issues with my food. I later found out they allowed another in our party to order a vegetarian meal and this was very upsetting to me as I was told that I couldn't order anything not on the set menu. Overall I think it would be good if not stuck with a set menu containing limited options. I would be open to trying it again.
Kim Kasch
Wonderful food, great service and spectacular views. A fantastic night on the waterfront.
Matt Krachunis
Impeccable service. Amazing steak and lobster. Great location. Awesome ambiance. Well worth it. Free valet!
Cindy Fan
All the dishes I tried here were divine and the service was top notch. I had the jumbo scallop pasta, a steak, and the crab Mac n cheese and each was perfectly cooked and had balanced flavors, including the drinks. I would highly recommend the scallops.
Jonathan Romero
Anniversary dinner, food was okay, not good! My fried chicken had way too much batter, mashed potatoes were gummy. Very very pricey! Great service & a nice view. We were given a table next to a door to the outside patio. So, every couple of minutes a chilly breeze would bathe our table, very annoying considering I called and asked for a table with a good view for our special night.
Alex Benton
AMAZING! My family and I had the pleasure of spending our last night of vacation dining at Aqua. It was a wonderful experience to say the least. Our server Matt made the evening as perfect as could be. We were served delicious drinks along side some of the best food I have ever tasted. From oysters, to scallops, to beautifully cooked salmon, it is safe to say that our experience at Aqua was one for the books. If you get the chance to visit the Seattle area I 100% recommend making a reservation! Hats off to the chef Maggie and their delightful staff :)
Me Simplicity
Whether due to the pandemic, supply chains or other... At the time of this review, the juice was simply not worth the squeeze... Oddly enough I was also surprised the interior seating wasn't climate controlled... The doors to the outside seating were open allowing some Puget sound air, humidity and smells occasionally...
The bartender re-made my Manhattan twice before I switched to whiskey neat. Heavy-handed on the bitters and both attempts unbalanced...
Equally, the smaller menu was limited and felt basic, yet the price point remained inflated.
Overall a disappointing experience, at what used to be phenomenal.
The highlight of the experience being, the pianist, who played my favorite song on request.
Zero photos with this review as there was truly nothing inspiring to photograph. After 8 drinks, four appetizers, three mains and two desserts...
Underwhelming to say the least.
Ken Brennan
The bourbon selection is awesome. Had Pappy for the first time. Also the filet Oscar was perfect.
Nora Shek-Braidford
Excellent crab legs and steak. Professional friendly staff
Michael Pollock
Superb food, ambiance and service all made for a wonderful evening at Aqua.
Mr Pounderosa
Pricey but great seafood. Excellent location off the pier with beautiful views, day or night.
Definitely a place to take your date.
Parking is a bit annoying to find but straightforward.
Syd Moray
I love the atmosphere there. Classy, but not totally pretentious and, the staff is always friendly, inviting and knowledgeable. There wasn't a live pianist this time but, that's totally fine. There was still pleasant music in the air. Even though this wasn't my first time at this location, I'm normally shy about seafood for reasons of texture but, tonight I was feeling adventurous, and I shared the shrimp scampi with my fiance. To people who like seafood, I know shrimp scampi is nothing, but I thought it was amazing! Not only was the texture perfect but, more than that, the sauce was something new and incredible to my palate! Thank goodness for the lovely bread the provide, because I cleaned the plate entirely. I will definitely keep this dish in mind next time we decide El Gauchos sounds like a good idea!
Julie Benefiel
Finally a place that doesn’t overcook seafood! Everything was amazing, black cod was buttery and delicious, steak was perfect temp and seasoned well, lobster was the best I’ve ever had, juicy, tender and flavorful! The service was lovely and attentive. My new favorite restaurant!
Brad Benz
You really can't go wrong here. Top notch cocktails, appetizers and entrees served in one of the most beautiful settings Seattle has to offer
Sheraz Malik
Excellent view, especially at sunset. Steaks are good - not great considering the prices. Good place to celebrate and have a romantic evening nevertheless. They can, however, bring more verity to the menu.
Mary lynne
Breathtaking sunset views, piano music to soothe your soul and, fabulous food with a great wine list
Glenn Buck
Ambiance was perfect with Christmas decorations. Service was excellent. Salmon was good but not outstanding. The black cod my wife ordered was fabulous and the pot de creme was decadent.
Kaylee Stutts
The food is excellent, and the atmosphere is relaxing. We sat by the window and got a nice view of the bay. Make sure you join Reveler’s club (free to join + $75 birthday credit) if you plan to dine at any other fire & vine restaurants. This was our first visit to AQUA but definitely won’t be our last.
John Carrico
I didn't taste anything bad. The atmosphere was classy and fun. Staff was great. I honestly wish the food had a bit more complexity and wow factor. My wife and I spent ~$350 for a $200 experience. I understand rent is expensive though and every place is recovering from covid so ... I still would go here
james skinner
Have not gone to the restaurant but I love riding my bike there to enjoy the view from the end of the pier.
Chris Wearing
I don't regularly eat fine dining, so this experience was a dream for me. The service was stunning and the piano was a great touch. The $59 salmon does indeed taste way, way better than the $20 salmon you can get anywhere.
T. Christon-Stewart
The staff, the location, the food... all of it is above 5 star. Meticulous to detail, beautiful presentation, and fare that you literally savor every bite of. Portions are just enough and complementary to all the flavors on the plate. Whether a special occasion, or simply to treat yourself to a fine dining experience, AQUA truly satisfies.
Sean Joseph
It was a great experience, from start to end. The stuff was amazing always helping and listening to our need/requests. Thank you so much for making it such a wonderful evening.
Andrew Novion
It reminds you that Seattle has some beautiful scenery. As long as you have a large enough inheritance of cash to enjoy it, a secure and reliable car to travel with, and definitely try to venture while the sun is still up. Prices are very high, food is better than some places but, worth the money? Eh.
Seems to be gauged more towards very wealthy people that have money to burn, and might be regulars, but the experience and food overall is without the value satisfaction. There are places that charge less and provide more.
Seems they don't have a problem removing homeless tents in the immediate area though... kind of interesting these days...
(Ps - try not to hit tourists on e-scooters when you're coming and going.)
antoniobarksdale
The atmosphere is extremely pleasant.
The view perfect.
The service is second to none!
The food…is to die for!!
They taking painstaking efforts to attend to every detail of your experience. 👌🏾
Greg Couch
Fine dining, great staff, tasty dishes and a view of the water as well. Can't get much better than this! We shared the large ocean platter for two and crab cakes for appetizers. Every single item was fresh, perfectly prepared and delicious. I mean every single item! Cannot say that very often! This was a perfect experience for us and we will come back for special occasions. We had a few special drinks and a perfect dinner experience for about $275.00. That includes a 20% gratuity automatically included. We found parking on the street that is free after 8pm but you can get valet parking for $12. I will use the valet parking next time, just to enhance the experience and shorten the walk.
MRMafia Lazycooken
Wonderful dishes made by the cooks even when ask to make something of not there menu. Waiter was extremely nice and easy to talk too, there almost nothing to dislike about this place, only thing I saw that was little off was the bread was that served while you look at the menu was a little difficult to bite and tare a piece off, you almost have to like ter it off by hand into bite sized to eat it with complete enjoyment. Liquor option is quite large in wine it look like varying the cost per bottle I believed. You can't go wrong with trying this place at least once.
Jennifer Nicole
Aqua was AMAZING. Everything was excellent, the food, the ambiance, the views, everything. The menu was perfect - enough choices to offer variety, but a few things done really well. The wine list by the glass offered excellent choices, making it easy to pair with their delicious food. 10/10 would go there again! Definitely a must-visit!
Jerome M. LaRocca
One of our favorite restaurants. And we were excited to celebrate my wife's birthday with our adult children and spouses. Food and service were first rate, with only the bar being a disappointment. While those that had the pineapple martini were happy, the mojito I ordered was terrible; mint not muddled and tasting like poor quality grapefruit. Sent back after one sip for a Hendricks g&t, which was weak. Hopefully this will improve.
John Evdemon
Pricey but great place for a romantic dinner date. The piano player has a great sense of humor and was playing a jazzy version of 2001: A Space Odyssey (Thus Spake Tharathustra) when I was there. Great water views.
Anxious Fur
I've never been to a place like this! Definitely a 5 star experience! You can make reservations & check out their menu online before you go as well! I had the hazelnut capalletti, it was literally the best thing I've ever tasted in my life! Our server was such a gem & we hope he'll be there to serve us on our next visit!
Heidi Bruns
Excellent, excellent. Great food. Great service. Great selection of food.
Allan Markus
Great views, excellent service, and very good food. It is very pricey but you get what you pay for here with the combination of the views, service and food. Make sure you go at sunset it is a beautiful view of the sound. The macaroni and cheese with crab was absolutely delicious.
Joshua Francis
Great food and a fantastic view overlooking the harbor. We had a business dinner at Aqua and the food selection is great and the sides all taste delicious.
Dave R. (seabiscuit)
This felt like we had boarded a cruise ship for dinner. Very flamboyant, but not worth the high prices we paid. The food was adequate, the service was ok. 3 stars because the view was good.
Ruth RH
First, the good...the food was exceptional. Every one of our dishes was absolutely amazing. Sadly, the drinks were so-so. My daughter sent one back and the others were only okay.
The waiter was excellent and exceptionally patient, explaining everything and coming back several times as I could not decide what I wanted to order, especially because I had trouble reading the menu. We ordered two appetizers, three main courses, and two desserts and all were well-presented and superb.
We were having a wonderful celebration of my daughter’s graduation (she was visiting from out of town) until the check came. They had added a “service charge” of 20% which was then taxed. The server informed us, “no tip is necessary. It is included.” I tend to tip well and like to see good service rewarded. However, I do not appreciate a restaurant deciding to simply add a fee for "service", which is really a fee for a cost of doing business. Also, tips are not taxed.
The management explained that the real reason for the fee was due to the fact that restaurants now need to pay servers and staff a minimum wage as well as health insurance. Ahhhh, so, in fact I was not paying for my service and the tip was not included. I was, in fact, paying for the restaurant's costs of doing business, which never sits well with me. I explained why I found this utterly offensive. When I explained that increasing their pricing would be more honest, they told me they could not do this and remain competitive. What an absurd explanation! He further explained that I was not the first to make this complaint, as if this was supposed to somehow make me feel better. Instead, that simply tells me they do not listen to customer concerns.
As a relatively new resident of Belltown, I sought recommendations for this celebration. Aqua came up many times. I guarantee that I will not make the same recommendation after our very important celebration was ruined.
Do better, Aqua, for your customers, your staff and your community!
Corey Harmon
Very pricey but great food and excellent service!
Harold B
Excellent, attentive service with comfortable ambiance. Wonderful self menu. Enjoyed the freshly shucked oysters and the well prepared halibut. To top it off, the bread pudding was something to dream about. Lauren thank you for a great evening.
Rachel Wille
Just celebrated our wedding anniversary here. I have to say it was nothing short of amazing. We arrived for our reservation and were asked if we would like to wait for a table outside. Today was a beautiful day- if it is a beautiful day wait for the outside table it is worth it. We waited maybe 10 minutes. The restaurant has all glass windows so you can see the views from inside as well but outside was much better. Worried about chilly weather once the sun goes down? Not a problem they offer blankets for you to wrap up in! Everything is paced very well. We ordered fried calamari as a starter we loved that the sauce was drizzled lightly on it already., I ordered the Chilean sea bass, it was delicious!! My husband had the crab stuffed prawns he also enjoyed it very much. For dessert we had the dark chocolate ganache which was decadent. Our server and the other servers were extremely attentive and made sure we had everything we needed and that everything was to our liking. We had such an amazing experience I highly recommend it!
Stuart Holden
The service is like the views...unbelievable! Our server got excited about certain dishes when describing the menu. That's exactly what I want to experience before ordering my meal. If she has had all of this and works here I thought I would really be in for a treat. And we were. The food is beautiful, fresh and delicious. My suggestion is add a crab leg to whatever you get. I thought just one crab leg but it's huge. Or maybe just get the crab legs to begin with. They're that good.
Charles Thompson
My wife and I are visiting from Oklahoma for the first time and I found this restaurant on Google Maps and decided to try it based on its views and ratings, I was not disappointed on either point.
This restaurant is located at the end of pier 70 and the evening we visited the sun was shining and the temperature was about 80 degrees. The view was amazing as we sat on the patio.
Our server was Carly and she did an amazing job of offering advice on food. I was torn between the dry aged steak and the Copperhead Salmon. Since I have access to great steaks at home I chose the salmon, it was amazing. My wife had the prawns, they were delicious as well.
The manager came by several times to make sure everything was great.
It was our anniversary so Lisa had to have our picture taken with the bay in the background.
As Carly was alerted to our anniversary from our picture taking, she had the kitchen write happy anniversary in chocolate on our dessert plates. It was a very nice touch.
Lisa had the bread pudding which was amazing and I had the ganache which was also delicious.
We had a great experience and could not have asked for more from this restaurant.
Steve Hiday
Excellent swanky seafood spot on the Seattle waterfront. Expect to pay top dollar but receive top-notch service and dining in return! On last visit I had the surf 'n turf - amazing! Excellent wine list as well. Great place to bring a client or a date.
Elizabeth Vaughan
Amazing food, beautiful views,and attentive service. The lobster gnocchi were melt-in-your-mouth tender with a delicious sauce. A well chosen menu with something for everyone and a robust wine list. Check the prices before going so you don't get sticker shock this is not for the faint of budget. One star off for the 20% "service charge" (not a tip!) that you don't find out about until the end of the meal. I get that they are trying out a different pricing/compensation model for their staff,but it's quite an unpleasant surprise for the consumer. Overall, a wonderful night out for a special occasion.
Adriana Mora
one of the best places to actually enjoy the good atmosphere, the very familiar waiters. excellent food. Thank you very much and congratulations to all the staff
Siddharth Suri
I spent $50 on a pasta with a ridiculously small portion. I wouldn't be full even if I ate 3 of them. The restaurant is very loud so it's not the classiest or cosiest spots in town. If you manage to snag a water side table , it might be ok to have a few glasses of wine. Otherwise I find it very hard to recommend Aqua by El gaucho. I walked out $200 poorer (2 persons) hungry and irritated. Very gauche.
Joon Park
Amazing service, food, and view. A+
Timothy Ritzer
Great service. Definitely upscale, and the prices show it. Food was delicious, drinks were tasty, and reasonably sized unlike other places. Would recommend for your special occasion!
Rose White
We came here December 2019 for one of our Anniversaries. Everything was amazing!! We spent about $500 for two. We did order a bottle of champagne, steaks and appetizers. The wait staff was amazing, the atmosphere was romantic, and the food was so delicious. Once COVID is over, we’ll be back.
corinne Johnson
We were there for a special event. The food was wonderful, the location and view were great. The wait staff was very on point. A great experience.
e j
Share all sentiments concerning the dry fish. Ordered halibut and was not impressed, even though I understand it’s currently in season. Also ordered the king crab legs but I’ve had better. Coming from DC I was looking forward to a fabulous Pacific Northwest dining experience. This was not that. Nice view. Otherwise, for the price, not impressed.
Christopher Lollini
Good food. Everything was delicious. Waiters were very attentive. Location was great. Live pianist. Be prepared to pay for the view. Wide open space, well lit, and not terribly noisy. Parking can be tricky if you are looking for street parking, but you can easily use the parking garage on the pier and I believe it’s complimentary.
Alaks Sevugan
Location and the ambience was great. It was pricey and they charge 20% service charge for everyone.
Food was a big let down - Steak was hard, dry and salty. I had requested medium rare but what turned up was almost well done. Mashed potatoes had to be ordered separately and I have had better at Daniels Broiler.
Hands down Daniel’s Broiler Steak is much tastier and cheaper!!
CJ Butcher
Very nice plus, bit on the expensive side, but great food, and drink. Service was very good, though a tad slow at times. We ordered our main course at the same time we asked for wines for dinner...food showed up first?? It was all very good, and our server was very nice.
Only real issue I had was that a 20% tip was already included on our bill, for 2 people. Had I not had good service...how do I let them know they didn't earn the 20%? Seemed odd to me. Big parties, I get it, but for 2?
Denise Hagglund
Honestly, I loved the service and atmosphere the most. Very elegant, though many guests were not wearing nice clothes. We had two appetizers, two meals, two desserts, and three drinks. The food was great, but we spent almost 300$ and for us personally we would rather have gone to a different place. We liked it but not for that price.
Betsy Finn
Very fancy, lovely waterside view. You get a nice view of the city too, from the pier. Attended a function here and had the fish option, which was delicious. Dessert was tasty also (bread pudding with ice cream?). Bathrooms were very clean and well kept. if you plan to be outside, a jacket might be in order, as it is breezy on the water's edge.
james carr
Awesome food, great service. Ambiance is very nice. Prices are on the high side, but the food is definitely worth it. Ruth's Chris, eat your heart out.
Natalie Badkar
Good drinks, great food and amazing dessert! Perfect date night. We had a table on the water and it was picture perfect. I had the swordfish which was really good but my husband's Alaskan halibut was amazing. And be sure to save room for dessert. The bread pudding is life changing!! Expensive but worth it.
Meghan Schott
The food was good. I went during restaurant week but I was willing to pay real prices (here for a conference, had no idea it was restaurant week). I ordered extra from the set menu, yet the service was odd. Very nice however brought out silverware for dessert when I was 10 percent done with entree and brought out bill when I had only taken one bite. Also brought out dessert wine when still had half glass of other wine and half the entree. For as upscale as it is you would think they understand basic dinner etiquette. Like I said food was good, glad I went during restaurant week since unclear if worth their normal prices.
Derek Brummer
The service was fantastic. Seriously they went out of their way to make our reception as special and amazing as possible. If you want a place to handle everything than go here. It was just amazing. I can't stress enough how pleased I am with this establishment!
Gerard
Overpriced and underwhelming...I was expecting far greater quality of seafood and drinks for the exhorbitant prices, however, I was let down and do not recommend Aqua.
Arianna Caldwell
I absolutely love this place. I eat there once a week and I enjoy the piano playing of Benet Fleck ❤️🎹 I would love to try the entrees but the only thing that is getting in the way are the prices. Most of the menu are is extremely overpriced They should really consider lowering the prices so more people can enjoy the dinners. Most of the meals are 50 to over 100 dollars that is way too pricey.
Karen Williams
Amazing seafood, generous servings and very friendly staff
lee white
Was there for a private event, food was excellent, wine enjoyable. I have eaten here many times and its always good although it has been several years. It is a pricey option in an area where there are many many restaurants at lower cost. Yeah the view is great when outside but when seated not so much. Like me i would suggest doing this place once in a while.
Shelly Baker
I've been going to Aqua for YEARS! It's my absolute favorite place to go to celebrate just about anything, and I also often take my clients. The food is fantastic! The views and the ambience are stunning! But the service is by far the most top-notch in the city! It's always been such a wonderful experience! From the management to the sommelier to the wait staff to Ben the piano player... Every detail is 5-star and totally exquisite! If you haven't been, do yourself a favor and GO! I would highly recommend the Wicked Shrimp as an appetizer and the Bread Pudding for dessert! But if you're looking for a dazzling, table-side, show-stopper, get the Emerald City Volcano for dessert! You'll impress the pants off anyone you bring!
Connor Anderson
This place is AMAZING. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Seattle area. The staff is very attentive and see that all the food is served properly. They really take care of you here. My family enjoyed everything that was served to us and the food didn't disappoint at all. From the appetizers to the desserts, everything was amazing. I'll definitely be going back in the future because of how well my experience was. Not to mention, the view is phenomenal! I highly recommend AQUA! Great for family or date nights!
Debra Reynolds
Ambience is perfect. Service great but getting food orders out was like a bad episode of Hell's Kitchen. Steak was too well done. Dessert shell was hard but filling was lovely key lime.
Robert Fertig
Delicious food, helpful servers, comfortable atmosphere. Highlights included Chilean Sea Bass for entree and calamari for dessert - they were each some of the best food I've ever tasted, so light and buttery.
The restaurant is quite expensive and I would not come here frequently as I don't have the budget - but for a once a year celebration, this is the place I would choose to come.
Dan T
The staff executed every stage of our meal in an utmost friendly and professional manner. The food was excellent. Our meals of choice were the seafood plates. They were all brought out and set before us at the same time. Preparation of the food was spot on. Will we return for another visit? Certainly.
Lyndsay Toensing
Great staff, options for everyone. Not cheap, but we'll worth the occasional splurge.
Marla Fields Stetina
I love seafood so I had high hopes when a friend took me out for my birthday . We shared the seafood platter for two. Scallops ,shrimp were delicious and perfectly cooked. Lobster tail was cold. Crab leg, halibut, was just ok and for the price definitely not worth it. Service was good and accommodated my gluten allergy. The club chairs are horrible and uncomfortable. So only 3 stars makes it not worth it. I want this place to be good so please let me know when you get rid of those chairs and find a way to serve those lobster tails warm and I'd come back. Crab legs might need better sourcing tho.
Rebecca Schade
Just alright. Had the geoduck appetizer, which was very fresh but lacking flavor. Husband had the ling cod, which was cooked nicely but just “meh” on the flavor side. I had the sablefish, which was cooked beautifully but the sauce was sickly sweet and ruined the fish. The Brussels sprouts were also cooked beautifully but were way too sweet (especially with the fish being so sweet). The two items together were very off-putting.
On the upside, the bread pudding was truly delicious (sweetness not a problem in this dish, obviously), the ambiance was beautiful, and the service was stellar.
I was truly disappointed in the execution of the food. The quality of the ingredients was great, but I expected more thoughtful, fine-dining caliber food for the price. Flavor-wise, this was banquet food.
Stop in for dessert and a drink, but skip dinner.
Stuart Alldritt
AQUA has always been my favorite place to go for a really nice meal. The food is amazing here: lots of very fresh seafood and land-meats. The ambiance is fantastic: every time I've been there's a been a live pianist playing a variety of music. And of course, their house cocktails are all fun twists on classics.
Andy Olson
One of the best dinner experiences ever. Great service from our server James. He was excellent and took great care of us. The food was outstanding and you can't ask for a better location. Highly recommended
Michael Holtz
Business dinner. Ate almost everything on the menu (shared), the clam chowder sticks out as my favorite starter. The steak was only decent (New York) and for the price I think it should have been better. Dessert was amazing (cookie brownie) but HUGE so share! Service was top notch.
László Popovics
This place is wonderful. In the pier you have nice atmosphere about the bay. At the night when we walked back to our hotel we heard the voice of large fishes like whales, but unfortunatelly we didnt seen them. The food was really delicious with very kind staff. I think this place is absolute is on my list when I return to Seattle. Both the steak and the wine was memorable, and I had really good time with the company I have at the event.
kristina soltys
Always classy with an exquisite meal choice. Their crab stuffed prawns were incredibly rich- you might think about splitting the 4 large ones, which we did and were satisfied with. The tuna is always my favorite. Great ambience with the live piano makes for a romantic experience. Highly recommend
Tosha P.
The bread pudding is the BEST! Very friendly staff, beautiful atmosphere and piano music. A bit chilly and the spot we were in was pretty dark. I know it's not really a kid kind of place but I was pleasantly surprised that they were prepared with crayons and a kid menu for my 7 yr old as we were having a special date night
Anthony Wardell
It's worth the price! I nearly cried with joy when I tried the Alaskan King Salmon with morels. I have truly never tasted anything that good before. I don't know if I can ever go back to eating fast food. It's like coming out of Plato's cave and experiencing reality for the first time after having tawdry after-thoughts for meals my whole life.
I'd say if you want the full experience, expect to pay about $150 per person. We did it in a more budget friendly way, and they treated us to dessert because it was our honeymoon, but yeah, it's not cheap--but who the hell cares? I also wish I didn't have to drive afterwards because the booze is excellent! While it's not the sort of establishment I'd get "krunked" at, I would try and sample as many of their unique offerings as possible, and take a cab home!
Also, for how classy this place is, I love how they made us feel at home. The pianist started playing Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and I nearly lost my mind! He made grunge sound like upper class music, which I previously would have scoffed at the idea and thought it to be impossible, but I have been corrected.
And don't forget the lovely and dramatic view of the brooding Puget Sound. We didn't get a window seat, but they put rose petals on our table for our celebration, so we really didn't care, and even in the booths in the back you can still have a lovely view.
Truly, this was a once in a lifetime experience for us, but hopefully not for you.
Note: because I'm kinda trashy, I tried to use Visa gift cards... They don't take those.
Lola Pugh
I have been here twice, but its a 10/10 experience. Best view if you can get a window table. Book well in advanced. General rule..if a restaurant is rated $$$ or $$$$, make sure u look decent. I see too many people look too casual or look like they just came from the club. Not that kind of place.
Tso “Chucky Cheese” Pigu
Excellent place, great view, true of an El Goucho experience. Very friendly waitstaff. Great food flavors.
I did order a salmon medium rare and it came out dry. Perhaps an oversight. I ate it anyway. The flavor was still good.
All things considered, still a 5/5 experience. Watch that grill time! Salmon easy to overcook.
brian andersen
This place was absolutely fantastic! We got their Copper River salmon meal, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, key lime pie, and crème brûlée. Everything we got was literally perfect and the best of each respective dish we have ever experienced. The service was fantastic and the views are incredible. Highly recommend this place to anyone that loves seafood.
Launita Solomon
Oh my goodness the food was absolutely delicious!!! The atmosphere was perfect. It was a memorable evening. Friendly and accommodating staff. The perfect establishment for a special occasion or just a superb meal. I'll definitely return!!!
Randy Lau
Food is great, although this place would be in the pricey category. Great location on the waterfront with beautiful views and live piano. On sunny days, you can sit on the patio. Parking is complimentary valet and easy to get to. There is a service charge of 20% automatically applied which does seem to take a little of the service away, but it's not too noticeable.
Alina Araujo
Superb service and delicious food! We celebrated our anniversary and felt very special! Thank you for such nice service! Look forward to coming back!
Kurt Wiesenbach
Great meal and experience. This is a high end restaurant with high end pricing, but an exquisite night out with all the ambience you need for a memorable evening.
Johny Nguyen
We went here for Seattle Restaurant Week. Service here is very attentive. Food had great presentation and was tasty as well. We went at night, but I'm sure the views during the day would be amazing. We paid $12 for valet (their only parking option) and they let us pay at the valet station or on the bill. Note: they don't take the Costco GC if you do Seattle Restaurant Week... Was a bit disappointed in that.
Joshua Minoda
Let me start off by saying the food and service was good. I wouldn't change a thing on those parts. For me though I wouldn't pay as much as I did for the food I got. Let me reiterate the food was good (perfectly cooked seafood) but I can't justify the price. The atmosphere is very casual at Aqua. The place where I do think this place shines is being a welcoming place for all to enjoy a better dining experience. The service was on point and never once made me feel unwelcome. I'm torn with giving the three but overall for me I think I didn't fit well with the restaurant. Aqua couldn't have changed anything because they were great.
Anton Churlin
Another beautiful experience at Aqua. The service from the Valet through the front desk people who seat you and the servers is outstanding. Our server last night Kandra was excellent. Fun to talk to and her service level was the highest. Of course the views, ambiance and the food in the restaurant are the best.
Rohini Mettu
Service was slow today but I consider it an outlier. Great view, we got to see the sailboats race at sunset. Fresh seafood, all in all made for a lovely date night.
Tanya Thomson
Great food and even better service!!!
Highly recommend!!!
Stephen Hannan
Went the other week for my anniversary and had an incredible time with some wonderful seafood and view. We had a big spread with the seafood Bacchanalia but would definitely recommend it for two people dining here. The view from the patio on the water was great with the sunset as well. Will definitely be back for some other important celebrations
Carlee Price
Yes the views are lovely. The service however is mediocre and the food hit & miss. Cocktails were slow to arrive but tasty. We ordered wine with dinner, the sommelier poured each of us a glass then asked if he could set it aside on ice, he'd make sure to top us up as needed. That was the last we saw of him. We ultimately had to ask the waitress if our wine was still around (by this point our plates were clean and every glass on the table empty) and could we have it. Our sides arrived at the table more than 5 minutes after our mains. And why pray tell in a restaurant this size have they only four toilets in the ladies room? Why after paying $60 for an entree am I having to wait in a queue for the facilities? The pancetta wrapped prawns were good; the Alaskan Halibut was dry & tasteless. Overall, an overrated venue great for tourists and people who enjoy overpriced, mediocre food and Applebee's-level service. PASS.
La Lacrema
My son and I had a lovely dinner at AQUA. Even though he was ordering off of the kids menu, the staff made him feel special. Our server was spectacular-- attentive, humorous, informative, and hospitable. We enjoyed the food, the piano player brought out a special song for my son, and we were made to feel like important guests even though the staff was in the midst of the bluster of restaurant week. Thank you, AQUA, for a night my son and I will always treasure!
Steve Holmes
The service was good and the quality of the food was good, but the preparation was uninspired and unremarkable. The salad that accompanied my tuna was dry and had no flavor. The oysters were just okay.
If you're prepared to spend this amount of coin for a meal, there are far better options.
Trisha P.
I'd love to give this place 5 stars, but can't.
The food, the atmosphere and the staff definitely are 5 star material, but I was shocked that they didn't seem to have a clue how to make cocktails.
The Old Fashioned should have had a large single cube of ice. Instead, it was a glass full of ice which waters it down in seconds. Yuck.
And my lemon drop was made with sweet and sour cocktail mixer. I have no words for that....
Lexington Tredway
Went here for Valentines Day this year. It was the best seafood I’ve ever had. My boyfriend had the lobster and said it was the best lobster he’s ever had. Bring the $$$$, though it’s worth it for the quality and the experience. Definitely save this one for special occasions.
Amanda Curtis
Took my Valentine here over the weekend. It was confusing trying to find the door; I saw the sign on the building, but didn't know if the restaurant was upstairs or down. (It's downstairs. Also, a question I had that I couldn't find an answer to: The valet parking is free.) Our waiter was very attentive and helpful, the piano player was great, and the drink (a white cosmopolitan) was delicious. The food was good, but I didn't think it was worth the price. Overall, I'm glad we went, and I'm also glad I had a gift card that covered half of the bill.
Ryan Gregg
Still one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. During the summer months this place has a fantastic view of West Seattle and Puget Sound well into the evening. During the darker months, the view is mostly black, but the food makes up for it! The focus is on seafood, but the steak is usually perfectly cooked and always delicious. Don't skip out on the bread pudding dessert, it's one of the best I've ever had.
Brad Daniels
Service, ambience, and view were all fabulous. The food was just OK. We had a decent salad, and the fish was very nicely prepared, but the sides were bland, starting with very boring bread and proceeding to the most boring mashed potatoes I've had in a while. For these prices, I expect more, and there are many places in the area where I can get it.
Susan Hauck
In all the years we've been having drinks, having dinner or holding parties, we have never been disappointed. Bravo to the staff, leadership and talented chef's that make that possible. Great seafood chowder, amazing king crab legs, and my favorite, the seafood stew !
Crystal Ellington
Absolutely delicious food. The salmon was cooked and seasoned to perfection. Waitstaff went above and beyond and suggested bread pudding as a substitute because they were out of creme brûlée. The bread pudding was AMAZING. I can’t wait to go back!
Michael Lambert
Delicious food!! The steak and the halibut were both incredible, and beautifully presented. It was a great dinner for our honeymoon
Tristan Graham
A higher end seafood establishment right on the waterfront. We were told it was a "must visit" in Seattle and we were not disappointed. The oysters and scallops for appetizers were both exceptional. For the main course I had the blackened cod and we shared the crab mac and cheese, both of which I would certainly recommend. Do save room for desert if you can as the bread pudding is legendary !
Ian Galvan
The food and service is amazing. From the greeting to the valet they leave no stone unturned providing an dinner service to remember
Natalie Weiss
We went here for dinner with a slightly larger group. All of our food and the service were absolutely fantastic, thank you for this great experience!
Andrea Nichole
For the price, the food was just ok. Our server was super nice and attentive and was very mindful of my allergies and I appreciated that. I'd go back for drinks or happy hour but probably not for an expensive dinner
Bruce Rodich
Elegant restaurant. Valet parking at the door. On the water with a huge patio if you arrive early or want to have a cocktail outside. Absolutely beautiful bar with highly skilled people creating delicious concoctions. The food: fish-fowl-or on the hoof... is perfectly prepared and exquisitely plated. The staff is top notch and engaging with a huge depth of knowledge about the menu. I always have a nice time here.
Dennis Kornbluh
Good food? Check. Ambience? Yep. Service? Mostly excellent with one bizarre exception. Views? Well, it was dark, but I bet they're nice. They certainly have a primo location on the waterfront between Myrtle Edwards Park and The Edgewater hotel. Value? Be prepared, because this place is expensive. We paid an average of $139 per person sans dessert or even a bottle of wine. Drinks at the bar: $71 (including automatic 20% "service"). Dinner for 4 with a few more drinks: $484 (again, "service" included). Grand total: $554. Fortunately, we parked our jalopy down the street for free, though valet parking is available.
When we arrived, I was surprised to see that they were not packed on a Saturday night. Still, they put us at the bar to "wait for our table" because that's where you begin emptying your wallet. It's a long, beautiful bar, blue in color and shaped like a wave. I paid for part of it. Four drinks, $71.
The restaurant has a lovely, modern decor with windows overlooking the sound (we could make out the ferries passing by). I love live music, so the presence of a piano player was a plus, although the music selection was a bit too pop-focused, when jazz would have been more sophisticated. But that's just my taste.
Once seated, we ordered a dozen oysters of different varieties, all from the Puget sound, which were served on ice, good and fresh, with lemon, tomato horseradish salsa (nice) and vinegar accompaniments. They were on the small side (we were forewarned), but we weren't told which were which. Polished those off in a few blissful slurps.
More drinks: a Manhattan, a margarita, and two glasses of Cakebread Cellars chardonnay @ $25 per 6oz serving.
For entrees, we ordered the bone-in ribeye (cooked medium rare, scrumptious), Ahi tuna (thick cuts, peppered and singed, with a savory bordelaise sauce, very tasty), and the scallops (also served rare, with a texture like butter, scrumptious). I had the Chilean Sea Bass served over cauliflower and dungeness crab with a lemon beurre blanc sauce. Big chunks of crab, and the fish was tender and tasty. We shared everything and no one was disappointed.
So, the bizarre thing. We had a lovely meal, were enjoying ourselves and mulling dessert, which we decided to skip. The server, after placing the bill on the table, tossed the pen a few feet and it bounced to a stop in front of me. The gesture was disrespectful and seemed out-of-character. I found myself wondering if we had done something provocative, but I could think of nothing (other than "failing to order dessert", which is not a criminal offense). What an unfortunate end to an otherwise pleasant experience.
Denise Bertinazzi
Best fish I've had in the states. The calamari was not cooked right. The fish chowder was incredible. Creamy, light, and had chunks of white fish that melted. We had a for 2 fish platter. The lobster was boiled but it still had a body to it, not tasteless mush you have to drown in butter. The grilled shrimp where incredible. Perfectly slightly teased with black grilling. The scallops also teased with the black outside but soft and melting. Not slimy if not cooked right. The white fish melted in your mouth. The mashed potatoes were with little bits of chunk and peal and awesome. The asparagus tender to perfection. A must go.
Doug Clark
Came here to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. This is a very large restaurant in a great location looking out over Puget Sound - had a beautiful sunset the night we were there. The food was excellent and the service good. This is a place we'd come back to.
Shannon Giannetti
Aqua is always a delight. The service is top notch and they always go above & beyond to make sure you're having a good experience. The food isn't imaginative by any means but, it's certainly delicious. Wine selection is right on par with an El Gaucho ownership & the bar program is spot on. Happy Hour in the summer is my absolute favorite time to visit Aqua.
Jeff Sherman
Terrific restaurant on the water, with fantastic views, delicious food and great service! Went for my first time to celebrate my and and friend's birthday and we all had a great time and loved the selection of seafood. Highly recommend giving them a try. :)
Samantha Fleck
Dined with AQUA for a birthday and anniversary celebration and it was an unforgettable night. We arrived to our table with roses sprinkled atop and a card signed from the whole staff. Mira took amazing care of us, she was knowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations. Started with the octopus appetizer (on Mira’s recommendation) and it was phenomenally cooked. We had the sommelier visit our table when he saw us looking over the wine list and gave us yet again great recommendations for wine. Mira truly made our night special. If you’re looking to book a table here for a special occasion or for a great night BOOK A TABLE!! THANK YOU MIRA AND THE AQUA TEAM FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING!
Miss A
I came here for a work Christmas party and absolutely enjoyed myself in every way. The atmosphere is beautiful, the waiters we're impeccable, the entrees where amazing and the staff was more than happy to please their customers. Thank you all for your part in making our Christmas party A Night to Remember!
Chase Chalker
Great food and service but the late 80's is a weird theme choice for a fancy place.
Make sure to check out all the paintings that your grandma probably still owns. The muscular baby giving rocks to it's dad who's a pair of legs while two birds watch is a hoot.
Gabriel Pratt
I'm sure it's good at what it does. Just had some beers here. Poor beer selection. Even Appetizers were out of my price range for a business happy hour.
Great view though, nice weight staff, and I'm sure the food must be top notch.
Lester W
Nice seafood on the bay. While it was good, the atmosphere felt slightly forced - unlike regular el gaucho. The seafood was fresh but not exciting. Our fish dish was small and a bit dry.
Slave to the Frame
Amazing views. Creative menu. Live piano. Exceprtional well trained staff. Wine list is the best in the state. Its a little pricey but you get what you pay for. They have a great loyalty program too!
jhu paradox
Was here for restaurant week. Both the special & regular menu offered gluten free options. Entries from both menus were delicious. Good view, good drinks, excellent service, also live entertainment (piano man).
Jeffrey Katz
Rochelle provided excellent service and the food was impeccable. 10/10
Douglas Dickinson
Pricey, but we absolutely got our money's worth. Most tables have great views of Puget Sound and the Olympics.
The staff were attentive and knowledgeable and had no problems working around food restictions, and the food: wow. My Alaskan halibut was almost sliding apart, moist, and delicious. My wife's king crab was to die for.
We loved the live piano music that, in addition to the expected fare, included a lot of tunes that made us smile: Wham, U2, the Pink Panther, Led Zeppelin, 80s & 90s pop, Nirvana, and more!
Valet parking was validated for free with dinner.
Jonathan Thier
Definitely high quality food. Definitely really great service. But for the same price point I think there are better options.
Tom Brown
We had a wonderful dinner, great service, excellent waiter, almost at 5, but I have had a five-star and there is a little difference. Pretty great experience, I would recommend this restaurant to anybody.
Heath Jarchow
Words cannot describe my first experience to Aqua by El Gaucho! From the decor to the staff to the piano player to the food to the wine list to the desserts; this place exceeded expectations i didn't know existed! Everything was beyond first rate! It all started with mind blowing crab cakes for an appetizer (with the perfect hint of lemon zest and plenty of crab meat, these are the best i have ever consumed), followed by the best Lobster Bisque i have had the privilege to overwhelm my taste buds with! Just as you think, "how could this experience get any better" out comes the most exquisite Chilean Sea Bass cooked to perfect desired tenderness all throughout compliments of the chef! To finish the most memorable dining experience my wife and i have had the privilege in sharing, the crowning jewel was bestowed upon us in the form of creme brulle' and the chocolate cookie sundae!
Rob Gerlach
Some of the most sophisticated, most sincerely attentive table service I've ever experienced. Superbly fresh seafood, artfully prepared and presented. Luxurious amounts of time between courses (a rare treat). The whole experience was expertly crafted to feel memorable and special. I witnessed a world-class team running at peak performance and left feeling like my evening here was well worth every penny.
Ian Saunders
Firstly, El Gaucho is one of my absolute favorite steakhouses in Seattle...which prompted me to try Aqua. Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing...the food was prepared well, but the service was inconsistent and the atmosphere/ambiance was really well-below expectations. While it may be unfair to compare/contrast directly with El Gaucho, it certainly was the baseline comparison for me, which likely underscored the stark contrast. Again, the food was as expected and quality (we tried both steak and seafood options throughout the multi-course meal), but...if you want to steak, go to El Gaucho - - if you want seafood, there are better options.
Elisabeth Blees
We joined Chase the head bartender at the bar and tried a number of incredible concoctions he came up with. The food there is also amazing. But Chase is the best, and his cocktails are the very best I have ever had while out at a restaurant or bar.
Marlene Burns
A highly acclaimed, Seattle waterfront seafood restaurant, Aqua By El Gaucho offers an elegant, lively atmosphere and outstanding service. We dined on a busy Thursday night, and were seated in a lovely, romantic booth as requested. The noise level was low-medium and conversation was easy. We were impressed with our server, who was very knowledgeable as we quizzed him on different options. We selected the Northwest Clam Chowder, Dungeness Crab Salad, side Maine Lobster Tail, and an entree with 1/2 Chilean Sea Bass and 1/2 Plancha Seared Scallops. We were also delighted to find Dom Perignon by the glass. The food overall was very good but not great. We did not like the clam chowder as it was mostly heavy cream with not much flavor. The other items were average, in my opinion, of what you’d get in the top seafood restaurants at home in Scottsdale, AZ. We expected their Seattle seafood to be next level outstanding and it wasn’t quite that.
Charles Crews
One of the best locations for a restaurant over the water, with a pretty view. The food was great - crab cakes and key lime pie. However, the restrooms were horrendous - like purely disgusting. Wish I would have taken a picture, because the restroom filth was an odds with how nice the place was in the dining room. But it makes one think that is the public areas like the bathroom are that gross, what are the place like that are private!?!
Molly Woo
Very popular place for dinner, great water views with live piano music
Dmitriy Sashchenko
If service wasn’t as good as it was, I would of given 2 stars. I honestly very disappointed with my meal. It cost $48 for the meal. Tasted no more then $20 worth. Very lazy. No starch or veg. Just 3 lamb steaks. Too much food on plate. Could of easily had only 1 steak with a veg and starch. Only had sautéed onions as a side.
Heather
Some of the menu items were truly excellent but my black cod entree tasted so fishy that I couldn't eat it. I even tried to mask it with lemon but couldn't choke it down. A huge disappointment, especially from a fine dining seafood restaurant!
Marva Bright
Great ambience, excellent food, and great service. I had the Chilean seabass which was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Our wine Choice was Pinot Noir and Dessert was creme brulee. Great place to meet up with friends and have a drink or two. Also, wonderful for special occasion.
Mike Bollenbacher
One of the most impressive wine lists in Seattle. Service outstanding but overall a little pricey. Food was very good!
Julie Coulter
Everything here was fantastic! We had a large party with a variety of appetizers, meals, and desserts and we have no complaints!!! Honorable mentions: pancetta wrapped prawns, crab cakes, Seafood platter (can't remember the full name), Frenched rib steak, NY strip, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Emerald City Volcano, Bailey's bread pudding, dry lavender soda...So amazing!
1Ukrainochka
New Year eve was absolutely amazing at Aqua by El Gaucho. Good atmosphere, good service. I was a little disappointed that chef didn't have his lamb dish as I was looking forward to it, but our awesome Desiree quickly fixed that by suggesting seabass dish. Amazing. Love it. Thank you and Happy New Year 2017.
Paul Ainsworth
Reassuringly expensive. Nice location on pier 70 with beautiful views. Nice piano music for ambiance. Excellent wait staff. Valet 12 dollar parking on location. I enjoyed the event I went to here.
Joseph Resendiz
My girlfriend and I moved to Seattle 6 weeks ago and are really into enjoying each others company and fine dining. Our experience from the moment the Valet person greeted us, the Hostess taking us to our table which was decorated with Rose pedals, and the server Isaiah having such a pleasant character and demeanor was Fantastic.
Everything from the ambiance, the decor, the majestic view from our table was one of the best experiences we have ever encountered. It was really amazing to see every aspect of the Aqua's Team perform at such high quality for everyone to enjoy. But the most profound experience of all was the quality of the food which was absolutely Exquisite.
On such a memorable day, every component that Aqua brought to our evening was Incredible.
Thank you!!
Tim Merritt
Nolan the bartender went above and beyond the normal level of service to accommodate our need's. The food and drinks were excellent as well! We look forward to experiences at this fine dining establishment many times in the future. We will also be sure to recommend that friend's and family members visit this true Seattle icon!
Dannielle Pantaleon
This place was gorgeous 😍 the pianist was awesome ☺️ food was on point! 💕 …
Jessica Bredow
Great service, and amazing food! Nolan was an excellent server and was very attentive to our needs. Kelly the manager was very friendly and went above and beyond to make sure our dinning experience was that exactly- an experience. Sivi the GM is a miracle worker and was delightful to work with. Thanks!
Jym Silvan
Great place for dessert and can't beat the view. Piano player was always great.
John King
Nice views, decent food but overly loud and hard to have a conversation due to the acoustics of the setting. Minors or not allowed to sit in the area near the bar so if you show up before the dinner hour and hope to enjoy the sunset while sipping a glass of wine, don't bring your kids. Considering the price and the "ok" quality of food, the value is insufficient and we will not be back.
Gerry Sladowski
What a perfect evening as we celebrated my Birthday.The views are amazing.and I so enjoyed the sea bass and my husband had the tuna. The fish was so fresh and prepare just perfectly. It was very relaxing with the piano playing in the back ground. Kelly and our server, first class, thank-you to all. Gerry Sladowski
David White
My wife and I thought it was perfect! Waiter was wonderful, view was great, food was spectacular and they gave us a ride back to our hotel! We're not used to spending that much for dinner but it was worth every penny.
Lei Cheng
Wicked shrimp cooked kind of boring way ,sauce didn't bring any flavor out of shrimp even makenit feel kind of fat and oily.
but French fries was great ,only because that black truffle aioli ,so good .
the view make money all worthy
Gregory Waterhouse
This is a birthday staple. Its a plus when you know the employees serving you by their first name. I didn't even like bread pudding, until I was introduced to aquas rendition...My go to is the Sea bass and the Alaskan King 🦀 legs. The copper river salmon when available!!! The halibut go dummy too...the whole menu damn near slapping. And don't 4get the White COSMOS!!!!!!
cocomarsh1
Amazing NY strip steak. I know this is a seafood restaurant. But the steak was amazing. Next time I try the Waygu A5 $24 an ounce minimum 4 oz. Great view. Not for the faint of heart in the be wallet. Check it out, coming from a NYer steak snub.
Tamara Wedell
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Have always loved El Gaucho, so for my birthday this year, we went down to Aqua. It was perfect! Enjoyed our outdoor table overlooking Elliot Bay, and the food, drinks and dessert were fantastic! Highly recommend!
John Shearer
My wife wanted to come here for her Birthday in November. We completely enjoyed the experience. The service were available but not intrusive. Executive Chef Peter Levine is one of the best in the city..hands down. We could not recommend this place more..As 20 year Seattle residents this is where we will bring our out of town guests.
Patricia Albert
This is a beautiful restaurant with great ambiance. The service is very good although the waiters can be a little snooty. I ordered an old-fashioned but received a manhattan instead. It just felt as if the wait staff were preoccupied.This is a special occasions restaurant as the prices are quite prohibitive.
Renate Huber
Swordfish was delicious! It's the new alternative to steak(haven't tried the steak yet). Stuffed prawns mouth watering!
4 years later(update) Menu may have been limited due to it being NYE...
FOOD: 🐠 🥩 🥕 🥬
Grilled Sea Bass* Braised radishes, turnips, kale, curried carrot butter. -59
Filet Mignon* 8 oz, buerre monté ~72
DRINKS: 🍸 🥃
Mitsubachi: whisky by Suntory, honey simple syrup, fresh lemon, lavender bitters ~16 (smooth & strong)
Fire Up Manhattan:
Luxardo cherry infused bourbon, angostura bitters, carpano antica vermouth ~16
APPETIZERS:
Local Fresh Oysters*🦪
Half dozen, pomegranate saké mignonette, horseradish cocktail sauce ~27
SIDES:
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
pancetta, hazelnuts, kimchi apple aioli ~16
Crab Mac ‘n Cheese
dungeness au gratin, strozzapreti, white cheddar and parmigiano reggiano, garlic butter, cream ~29
DESSERT:
Creme Brulee
raspberry sorbet, mint, fresh berries ~13
PORTIONS: small (as most fine dinning spots)
ENVIRONMENT: Dim lighting and spacious
Anthon Gillespie
Be prepared to pay more than what you would at a few other nearby places but it is worth it. The sushi here is fantastic and the staff is very friendly. The fish is fresh and the sushi combinations are absolutely delicious. Highly recommend trying this place out.
Francisco Villar
Incredible loved this place food was excelent service was the best
Stacey Bean
Great service, food, drinks and location!!
Sofi T
If you hang around me long enough, you know I overuse the word "fancy". This place is fancy! There is free valet parking, but it can be hard to find. You have to turn in towards the water, right where the road starts curving; drive all the way down the lot to get to the valet. Initial entrance is a little strange and not "fancy" - bunch of chairs lined up theater-style leads to another inner door and then you see how nice it is on the inside. Food was amazing! Perfectly cooked scallops. Great date spot.
Hasin Gandhakwala
One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. My wife and I went there for our one year wedding anniversary, and the staff was fantastic. High quality food with vegetarian food options by the water. Highly recommended if you're looking for an upscale restaurant.
Daniel Mar
Father's Day buffet was great.The biscuit/gravy and salmon were particularly good. Dessert offerings were a little disappointing but everything else was terrific. Perhaps consider macaroons mmmm
samadipa saha
The staff were courteous and nice .The ambience was very nice with live piano being played. However I feel the food could have been better for the price.
Niladri Sannigrahi
Excellent service and awesome view! The price point is a little excessive.
K Martin
The best restaurant in Seattle! Came here for my birthday celebration and sat right next to the window which overlooked the water and boat docks, the view was as spectacular as the food, service, and ambiance. This is a very formal restaurant although I have seen people, and have gone myself, dressed in jeans a t-shirts and heels. We have someone playing live on the piano and will take song requests if you please.
Jeanie Lee
It's hard to have a bad experience with an amazing waterfront view that they offer. I celebrated my birthday here this year and they made it extra special by arranging rose pedals on the table along with a birthday card signed by the staff. And of course, I was satisfied with the entrées we got - Maine lobster tails, grilled Chilean seabass.
Steve S.
Awesome food and great view!
Yuri Yulaev
We have been going to this place for various reasons but it has always great food and live music. It's pricey but the service is impeccable.
nere Molina
Love it, specially at sunset ❤
Austin Wilbanks
I don't know which was better, the scenery or the cuisinery! All around, top notch!
Tally Koren
Great spot right on the boardwalk by the Sound in downtown. Amazing service and quality of food. Aqua made my birthday celebration so special. Thank you!
Mari “Seadjgirl” Odette-Kanotz
We did a corporate party photo booth and the food and views are awesome!
Miracle “GodsMyrical” G
Kind servers, well seasoned food, good amounts and chill environment.
Christine Lemme'
My favorite restaurant in Seattle. Their filet mignon is the best I have had in my life!
Cat
Amazing food all around especially there bread pudding. Amazing service and ambience! They won't kick you out, we stayed an hour and a half after closing.
jammie Stancombe
OMG the grilled Hawaiian swordfish was so tender in succulent that I finally understand what they say when they mention food melting in your mouth. It's pricey but it's the best food I've ever had in my life. It's so good that between that and the Seattle atmosphere that I may have to seriously contemplate moving out here.
Cameron Lowell
Dropped by recently to grab dinner with a friend. Started with a beer in the bar which was happy hour price, but I was surprised that my beer rose to full price because I brought it to the table. Had the cioppino, it was good but not great. Overall a pretty average experience and not really worth the $35+ price tag.
Edit: Per the owner's comment, my review is for the correct location. This is AQUA on the waterfront, part of the El Gaucho group. I mistook the Cioppino for their "Seafood Stew", but the experience was the same. I am not mistaken on the Happy Hour though - it might not offer HH deals any more, but when I went the drink was purchased in the bar section at discount.
M
Amazing ambiance. Amazing service. Amazing food. All this during Seattle Restaurant Week when most places skimp to make up for the cheaper dinner prices. This was easily the best meal of the year and that was four months ago.
Il-Sung Lee
One of my favourite places to go for a drink and some food after work when I'm in Seattle. Very classy with great sunset views and good seafood. They also have a house bourbon that's fantastic
Adam Jones
Talk about unbelievable taste and quality. Wow! Attentive service that is helpful and kind. Bring your expectations because they will be met for sure. On site validated valet parking is the cherry on top. You are for sure to taste quality in EVERY bite.
A M
Service was excellent as always. Food is delightful but sadly due to staff shortage the menu has been condensed so not all my favorites were available.
David Burg
Excellent view from the deck for private business events. Good service, food, valet parking on site. Not quite the very top gastronomic cooking is the only reason not to give the final star.
Stephen Fofanoff
Exceptional fine dining seafood restaurant on the water. Had the Seafood Bachanalia... It was a feast and everything was prepared exceptionally well. Our server Matt was friendly, efficient and detail oriented. Dinner was a pleasure.
Braden
Great food, great cocktails. Expensive. If you sign up for rewards program you get a $75 credit if you spend $150+ twice a year - once on birthday and once on anniversary
Jorge S Cerda
We did the Aqua 20th anniversary dinner and it was excellent and a great value for the dollar. On top of that the service was great. Highly recommend people checking out Aqua!
Carl Sanderson
Absolutely phenomenal food and great service. We went here for my wife's birthday and she had a great time. The piano music was perfect as the night went on. I could not recomment this restaurant enough.
Ben Lee
Quite possibly the best meal and experience I've had in my life. Opening the doors after walking the dark pier and shooing away the many homeless of seattle's waterfront is like entering a club hosted by DiCaprio in "The Great Gatsby"
Eric Jain
Excellent service and ambiance, good food. But maybe skip the raw seafood, given the recurring food safety violations... Removing another star for the deceptive 20% "service charge" which does not include tips.
Trina Miller
I made a reservation around 6pm and enjoyed the beautiful sunset! I ate oysters as starter, steamed mega lobster tail as main dish and dungeness crabcake as dessert. The amount of Mega lobster was enough to two adults. I think steamed dish was not very my type, but lobster tail was huge and felt very luxurious. Oysters were fresh and special vinegar sauce(?) served with oysters was interesting.Crabcake was so-so delicious. I actually enjoy crabcakes and english chowder whenever I visit Seattle all the time. I definately recommend Aqua by el gaucho for people who want to leave special memory in Seattle!!!
Amjad Khan
A large resturant located off a pier with great views of the bay. Its Mainly sea food, but the menu is extensive.
Most of the party ordered sea bass which was excellent as was the service.
jo herrera
For our anniversary was great and accommodating
Brendon A
I get to watch people waste money on seafood that didn't even come out of the water they're sitting over while I load up on crabs from the waterfront, easy 8lbs of crab for the cost of 6 dollars worth of chicken.
Susan Schmitz
Just had dinner at Aqua and it was incredible! The food was fabulous and the service was superb. I will absolutely be back and would recommend it so highly. Winter was our server and was so accommodating and kind.
Diane Laucius
Special. That is how we would define our Aqua evening ... Special. We came because we wanted to celebrate a family event, and ended up as excited about our event as we were about Aqua! First class food and service, paired with a postcard view of Seattle's iconic wharf, and you have an epic Seattle evening. Bravo Aqua!
Derrick Kobrin
Great atmosphere! Great food and great staff! Kelsey is the best. I had a wonderful experience here.
Jack Roland
This is the best place to take your clients to. It's pricey but definitely worth it. Every client I took here has been impressed with everything about it. The food is truly amazing.
Wes Wahlin
Old and tired. Food was good, but I expect more. Service was good, but not great. There are much better options at this price point.
Taylor Lippe
Very good. Pretty expensive. Idk what the f zagat means cause the cheapest bottle of red wine is like 70 bucks. Nevertheless, fantastic seafood and wine, but fairly pricey. If you have red wine left and are getting a dessert, get the chocolate ganache, holy moly, thank the old gods!
Josh Larson
In Seattle on business. Finished my day at AQUA--on recommendation of hotel concierge. Could not be more satisfied! Everything here is excellent. The meal was incredibly delicious. Looking forward to coming back.
Tom Wood
Waitress was very nice and gave us great service. Their seemed to be a disconnect between prices posted on the internet and actual prices. Food was very tasty but it was so very expensive, even while being happy hour.
Linda Gray
I was talking photos at a Quinceañera party! And the staff was outstanding!! So helpful and genuinely nice! The food was amazing! And the VIEWS to die for!! Excellence!!
C Rose
Lovely food and staff. I had a wonderful anniversary dinner here and they made me and my boyfriend feel very special. I highly recommend!
Patti Bailey
Words CAN NOT describe. We enjoyed ourselves dining here. The Staff was just as wonderful as the food. Well worth the experience!
Prerit Das
Stunning experience. It was rather price-compelling, but that aside, the food was amazing, and the servers were very kind and useful. I would highly recommend this to anyone during a special occasion.
Wendy Warner
I just had Mother's Day brunch. Fabulous food , view& staff. We had shell fish ,crepes,omlets ,salmon,breakfast& cheese& desert,drinks. Everything I tried I would have again!Thanks Bob& Yvonne& Jenna.
Faye Comer
View gets a 5! Service was fine, food was fine.
Sara McKinnon
Mikiya, our server was excellent. All 6 of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Great experience! LOVED the pianist - he was fantastic!
Ronie Dunlap
Celebrated our 11 year anniversay. We started our night off at the bar. Chase was a great bartender and my husband loved his Fernet Me Knot. We were welcomed by Rena while sitting at the bar. Through out the night Rena continued to check on us. While Evan our server was very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed and more. Were Revelers Club members the reason we continue to stay at El Gaucho Inn, dine at El Gaucho and Aqua is because of the amazing food and impeccable service. Thank you Rena, Evan and Chase for making this night a special evening. We will be back for the El Gaucho food and service.
ajay pillay
Beautiful establishment, interior decor is elegant and views of the sunset over the waters are mesmerizing. Some of their signature dishes to try for are scallops, king crab and side of corn.
Brian Otto
Attended an outdoor wedding. Staff was incredible and food choices were delicious!
Carrie Stuart
Awesome appetizers, especially the octopus and the tenderloin. My Peach Bourbon Smash was delicious and our service was attentive.
Romulo Zambrano
Prime food. Amazing location with an incredible view. The staff is 5 Stars. One of my top places to come back!
Patricia Harris
Restaurant is at water's edge with beautiful views throughout. Wonderful pianist who plays classics to modern music to accompany your good food and wine.
Kristi Sonmore
Amazing food, atmosphere, incredible service and view!
Jessica Y
Great decor, great service, and most of all really great food!
LaGrant Maye
Food was delicious, the cyt of meat was definitely the best I've had here. It's pricey but very good
Jeremiah Anderson
The food was out of this world and the service was exquisite. Romantic dinner at sunset with the wife away from the kid's. I highly recommend this place.
Kamiko
The seabass was perfectly seared. All the flavors on the plate complimented the fish. Wine recommendation for the meal was on point.
Casie Pauley
Delicious seafood and great service, ambiance was nice as well. Coming from San Francisco and having had exceptional seafood at half the price, I do feel like this place is over priced.
George Bonaci
The foods and service are spot on. All El Gaucho restaurants are always consistent and high quality. I would safely say that all El Gaucho restaurants are the best high end dining option in the Seattle area.
Ryan Lott
Took 2.5hrs to get the food. Food was cold and not that good.
christopher perez
Amazing food and drink. Pricey but quality is worth it. The tuna was amazing and the seabass was cooked to perfection.
James Dassa
Good food There for new year's eve celebration it was fun!
Marie Chay
Over priced! For the price you pay, you would think your entree will come with a side. Wagu steak was super salty! Not worth it Service was great, but we will never go again.
Niki Arya
Just sat at the bar for a round of drinks and phenomenal service and views. 10/10
Roelof Nel
It's okay, the steaks were over priced and mine was cooked dry. I can make better stalk at home. Just seems so over priced.
Zev Chonoles
Food was delicious, and service was absolutely top-notch! A little on the expensive side but still a great experience 😀
Mikki Townshend
An amazing dining experience. The staff are incredible, the service impeccable, food is delicious and the view just rounds out a perfect evening.
NC Curry
Great as always and we took our kids for the first time. Sam was a great server and made us all feel special and welcomed!
Leslie
Superb food excellently served surrounded by stunning views. And the seats were very, very comfortable. We were there for several hours.
Cintia Tavella
Overpriced, we had booked a table outdoor and they gave it away when we were only 5mins late. Also they tool a long time to bring the kids dishes
Bradley Swope
Came here for a night out with my spouse. The filet mingon was excellent and the service was great.
Michael Fausett
Our waiter, John, was personable and gave great recommendations. Food was great and we enjoyed the atmosphere. An excellent close to our Seattle trip.
s cronin
Pricey but good atmosphere and food was excellent. Get there after sundown on a nice day or you'll have the sun in you face. Any earlier bring your sunglasses.
Lawrence Butler
Was there with a group from City University. Meal, service was suburb..
Photos from north side of group area.
Andrew Toi
Excellent food and service... scotch cart wheeled around like some places have cheese carts. Will be back for sure.
Rodrigo Baca Gutierrez
Went only for a drink but it has a nice atmosphere, live music and good service. Need to go to try the food although it looks really good
Stephanie Rogers
Fabulous place for amazing steak and celebrating
Brian Wiggins
Birthday dinner for my beautiful lady. Staff, food and sunset was just what she needed.
Tha k you Aqua!
Brian Perkins
The service and dinner were beyond outstanding. Our group was
very impressed with how our large party of nearly 40 was handled.
Leigh Macaulay
Delightful food and even better service. Kelsey was fantastic! Will happily return.
James Moneyhun
Everything was perfect. Great wine (we brought our own :-)), great appetizer, great entrees, great dessert, terrific service!
Milisa Zornes
Most Excellent
Nolan and bar crew fantastic the captain was awesome and the event lady Carly was wonderful the meal was great I give them a 5 star
Laura Coon
The steak was amazing, but I have to mention the brussel sprouts and bread pudding - the best I have ever had!
Shandrika Williams
Beautiful settings and great food. Come ready to be impressed with the fresh seafood and drinks. On of the best restaurants in Seattle!
Alex
Overpriced restaurant.. If you want a fancy restaurant with the view of the harbor, this place is a good place. Food is just okay, def not worth the price.
ALISTAIR FYFE
Great food and wine by the glass.. definitely commercial operation not intimate or romantic despite the fabulous water views.
Harry Hanses
Everything from the food to the service to the view is on point! The cocktails have cute names and are more delicious than anything I have consumed until this point in my life!
Patrick Harding
One of the best places to eat in Seattle. Tje staff are all super nice, and do forget the view at sunset.
TY custom
Food was good but nothing to go crazy about I had surf and turf and have had a lot better steaks. And it was WAY over priced.
tony potts
It is a little on the price side but great food. I had the tasting menu and loved the Dungeness crab salad.
matt rarey
Service was 8/10. Food was good. Very friendly staff. Especially the hostess.