Huge fan of this place. Almost everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. The take on the clams was fun and I have never had them served that way before. Next time I would try some other things before ordering the deviled eggs again. Crab tots were good. Fish and chips were amazing and the burger was decent! French fries were delicious. I would absolutely order the cauliflower and the oysters again! Service was great and all the servers were attentive and kind. You must order the coconut margarita, it was delicious!
Nestled in the heart of Friday Harbor, Downriggers offers an unparalleled dining experience that seamlessly combines delectable cuisine with breathtaking views. From the moment we stepped into this waterfront gem, we were treated to a culinary voyage that left an indelible mark on our senses.
The ambiance at Downriggers is simply enchanting, with its inviting decor that complements the picturesque surroundings. The expansive windows afford diners a front-row seat to the mesmerizing beauty of the harbor, making it the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience.
The culinary journey began with an extensive menu that showcased a fusion of flavors and a commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our taste buds were tantalized with each dish, demonstrating the chef's dedication to crafting culinary masterpieces.
The service at Downriggers was impeccable, with a staff that exuded warmth and professionalism. Our server was well-versed in the menu, providing helpful recommendations and ensuring that our dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
In conclusion, Downriggers in Friday Harbor is a culinary haven that seamlessly combines exceptional food with breathtaking views. Whether you're a local looking for a go-to spot or a visitor seeking a memorable dining experience, Downriggers is a must-visit destination that will leave you longing for more. Our evening at Downriggers was a celebration of flavors, a feast for the eyes, and an experience we will cherish for years to come.
I ate here with my cousin and thought the food was delicious. My cousin doesn't like sushi or raw fish. We both ordered the salmon and the middle was still raw. She wouldn't eat it so we sent it back to get the full piece cooked. They made another but it was still raw inside so she just ate the cooked parts and left the rest. I love sushi so I ate it all and thought it was delicious. Great drinks and views also. They had outdoor seating but it had a 25 min wait so we sat inside. The waitress was very nice and accommodating to my cousins requests.
Gave our dog her own water bowl! Patio views are fantastic. Servers are a little cold but the food portions were massive and the food tasted pretty good. Husband loved the smoke salmon sandwich with sauerkraut, I loved the spicy prawn pasta. Westcott bay oysters were average.
Our first stop as we walked off the ferry. The location is superb, so close to the center of town, and the view just cannot be beat. We sat outside right next to the waters edge, and totally enjoyed ourselves. The ambiance, service and food were all top notch. We had the Clam Chowder soup, Dungenous Crab Tots, (wowzers!) and blackened Cod Tacos. So darn flavorful! There is just something so unique about sitting outside with all the aromas swirling around, the fresh air, the seagulls crying out, boats bobbing about down below in their slips. Yes, you have arrived... highly recommend!
A truly memorable experience began at the door, with a very warm welcome by the hostess. Entering the dining room, perched above the beautiful Marina, with views for miles and miles, we were seated and greeted promptly by our server who told us the hostess had already told him we were going to need to order right away in order to catch our ferry in time, so he said he would be making sure the kitchen rushed our order. We ordered promptly, and within 5 minutes, our first plate arrived at our table (we ordered several appetizers for our meal.) We had the amazing crab tater tots, the freshest house salad, crab deviled eggs and a superb tuna poke! All...so...delicious!! The atmosphere was absolutely lovely and the service by the entire team was flawless. Never has a dirty or empty plate sitting on our table for more than a few seconds!! Can not wait to return! Brava!!
I had a lovely date night here recently. We ordered the clam chowder, the steamed mussels, the Chef's Board, a side of fries with the malt vinegar aioli, and a berry crips for dessert.
The mussels were excellent. The sauce was delicious, they were didn't scrimp on quantity, and they were perfectly cooked. I also liked the crostini they were served with.
The chef's board was delicious too, and quite large. My one critique would be that there were only two cheese selections and two meat selections. I would've also liked the inclusion of a honey or something sweet to accompany the cheese. Having said all that, it was delicious and included a good variety of fruit, mustard, and candied pecans. They also did something I love, which is they included a bunch of crostini to go with everything, most places don't provide enough bread and I really appreciated the inclusion.
The fries were perfect, and the malt vinegar aioli was very good.
The cup of chowder was great. We just drove up from San Diego and stopped everywhere to try a cup of chowder (this is chowder quest 2023). Out of the 15 or so cups we've had so far I'd place this one in the top third of contenders.
The mixed berry crisp was pretty good. I thought it was a little heavy on the crisp and little light on berries. It was tasty, I'd probably say like 3/5 stars. Next time I'd maybe just get an ice cream cone while walking back to our room.
The real star or the show was the view. We were there during golden hour and it was an absolute joy watching the light change as the sun set over Friday Harbor. Watching the ferries come and go was also great.
The hostesses were all super friendly and helpful, as were the servers. They provide heaters for every table, and blankets too. Thoughtful touches for sunset dinners.
Overall a great experience. Usually I find restaurants in these locations are overpriced and live off of their locations, but Downriggers breaks that mold.
I’ve had better. We split the scallop gnocchi and thought it was okay but lacked seasoning or some other kick to it. The crab and artichoke dip was quite good. It was recommended to dip the fries into the dip but I didn’t find that to be special. The included bread was just fine.
We visited better restaurants on the island however this still deserves a decent rating. The Apple crisp was good but included spices I don’t care for.
Nice place, good ambiance, great views. The line can look long but it moves quick. Staff was quick, professional and nice. Food was well cooked and I highly recommend the cod tacos. Large wine and cocktail list. Best wine in the place was Fidelitas red blend, but I might be partial 😉. Check it out when in Friday harbor.
Updated- Dinner Review: We were provided gift card for the subpar lunch experience. Really appreciate the management’s effort to keep the quality high and listen to customers. Visited this place again for dinner as the food was good. This time our experience was completely different. Food was great, ordered Seasonal Salmon, Roasted Cauliflower and Crab Tots. We were served by a different person, and the staff was very prompt. I’m definitely going to visit this place again.
Lunch Review: Bad experience! Food is ok, but service is awful. Waited 50 minutes for food and 30 minutes to get the check.
We’ve been coming to San Juan Island for years and just now made it to Downriggers. Food was good. Not great. But very good. The atmosphere and view from the patio is second-to-none. Service was friendly, but unpolished. Somewhat pricey for the quality of food and service, but happy to pay for the view. Very satisfied. Will certainly return.
We had a great meal at Downriggers. We had a cozy corner table. All the food was amazing. The waiter was fun and friendly.
We loved eating here in late August 2023. The kids' menu has items to color that are San Juan Island themed - very unique, appropriate for the area, and a nice change from corporate licensed characters. Also love that salmon is on the kids menu - a nice change from the typical kids' food offerings. On the adult menu, I had the salmon dish, which was awesome.
Not sure where to start, but I’ll try. First, we LOVED everything about the restaurant—location, view, service, atmosphere—but mostly we adored the food. After a day of disappointments in the city and on Camano, we were so ready for yummy, healthy food and the Downrigger did not disappoint. We had the crab tots, crab deviled eggs, tuna poke, and a house salad … oh and the lavender lemonade. Soooo delish. We wanted to just spend the night there and try the rest of the menu!
Great service, our dishes were flavorful and worth the price. Highly recommend the deviled eggs as an appetizer. I had one cocktail and it wasn’t anything special, but we did enjoy their wine.
It's probably best to make reservations ahead (generally speaking) but not everyone lives with that much foresight. Luckily we managed to get a table with limited waiting in the winter, which probably means something. As advertised, the food and the views are all noteworthy, especially if you can catch a sunset here! The prawns were somehow elevated from simple prawns to capital P Prawns here, and I'm not sure how (I think they were grilled with a metric butt ton of butter but after a while i stopped trying to figure it out). If the cook is reading this, please tell me!
The chef created a wonderful menu that won't dissapoint. The Bar has so many unusual crafted cocktails that go well with the food. Then there's the view. Can't be matched with the beautiful rustic decor. We ended up going there three times in one weekend. That's how good it was.
The food was really great! We ordered salmon, roasted cauliflower and crab tots and all of them were delicious. I would definitely recommend this place.
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