The Verdict
Salty's is owned by Gerry and Kathy Kingen; Gerry, who also founded Red Robin, launched the Salty's waterfront concept in 1980 and transformed the old Beach Broiler into Salty's on Alki in 1985 (company history). Every one of its 240 main-room seats faces Elliott Bay and the downtown skyline across the water.
The kitchen leans on Northwest seafood — chilled Dungeness crab, Emerald Acres oysters, slow-roasted prime rib — and the house signature is the towering White Chocolate Mousse Cake. The headline event is the Sunday seafood brunch buffet, an all-you-can-eat spread of crab legs, oysters, prime rib and made-to-order dishes priced at $99 for ages 16 and up (brunch menu).
It is a special-occasion room rather than a quiet chef's table: large, busy and view-driven, with a wine programme that has held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since 2003. Come for sunset, an anniversary or a celebratory brunch, not for an intimate dinner.
Why It Works for a Birthday or Anniversary
The skyline view, the celebratory scale and the over-the-top brunch make Salty's a natural for milestones. Book a window table at sunset, and the room does the work; the kitchen will mark a birthday or anniversary, and the dessert cart is built for it.
Who It's Not For
Not for diners chasing a quiet, intimate dinner or cutting-edge cooking. Salty's is a large, lively, view-first operation, the Sunday buffet is a scene, and at $99 a head for brunch it is a splurge built around the setting. Skip it if you want a small, chef-driven room.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the seafood brunch at Salty's on Alki?
The all-you-can-eat Sunday seafood brunch buffet is $99 for ages 16 and up, $50 for ages 10–15, $25 for ages 5–9, and free for children under four. It includes Dungeness crab legs, oysters on the half shell, slow-roasted prime rib, and made-to-order omelets and pasta.
Who owns Salty's on Alki?
Salty's is owned by Gerry and Kathy Kingen. Gerry Kingen, who also founded the Red Robin chain, started the Salty's waterfront-seafood concept in 1980 and converted the former Beach Broiler into Salty's on Alki in 1985. The restaurant remains family-owned and operated.
What is the signature dish at Salty's on Alki?
The house dessert signature is the towering White Chocolate Mousse Cake. On the savoury side, the menu centres on Northwest seafood — chilled Dungeness crab, Emerald Acres oysters and slow-roasted prime rib — with the Sunday seafood buffet as the headline experience.
Where is Salty's on Alki and does it have a view?
Salty's on Alki is at 1936 Harbor Ave SW on the West Seattle waterfront. It is built for the view: all 240 main-dining seats face Elliott Bay and the downtown Seattle skyline across the water, which is the reason most diners book a window table at sunset.
Also in Seattle
Browse the full Seattle restaurant guide, or compare waterfront and view rooms like Aqua by El Gaucho and the city's benchmark, Canlis. For more, see our Birthday and Impress Clients guides.