These Washington Friday Fish Fry Spots Keep Crowds Coming Back Every Friday
Friday night in Washington means one thing: fish fry season is officially open. Families pile into cars, regulars claim their favorite seats, and the smell of hot oil and fresh cod fills the air.
There is something about crispy batter, golden fries, and a side of tartar that turns an ordinary weeknight into a ritual worth repeating.
I have chased that perfect crunch across the state, and trust me, these spots deliver every single time.
1. Ivar’s Acres of Clams
Seattle’s shore smells like hot fries and the fryer’s gentle hiss, and regulars know the counter crew by name.
Cod comes crackling to the table with tartar and a view of ferries sliding past, the kind of simple, perfect plate people return for every Friday.
I sat at the rail once, watching a tugboat chug by while my basket cooled just enough to touch. The batter stayed crisp even as the wind picked up, and the fries disappeared faster than I planned.
This place has been feeding Seattle since the waterfront had more docks than tourists, and the recipe has not changed much.
2. Alki Spud Fish & Chips
Beach light on aluminum tables, gulls hovering, and baskets of cod that snap when you bite. Since the nineteen-thirties, Friday at Alki has meant fish, fries, and sea air that clings to your sweater all the way home.
The line moves fast even when it wraps around the corner, because the fryers never stop and the crew has the rhythm down. You grab your basket, find a table facing the water, and let the salt breeze season everything just right.
No fancy plating here, just paper, crunch, and a view that makes you forget your phone exists.
3. Sunfish
When the neon sign clicks on after their typical winter break, Friday lines form because locals crave the paper-lined trays, halibut or cod, and a view that turns dinner into a beach memory.
The menu stays tight, the fish stays fresh, and the crunch hits different when you are sitting ten feet from the sand. Halibut gets a slight edge in flavor, but the cod holds its own with a lighter, flakier bite.
I always order extra tartar because one little cup never survives the first three fries, and I have learned my lesson the hard way.
4. The Lockspot Cafe
Dock talk drifts in with the breeze while plates of panko-crisped fish hit the pass. It feels old-Seattle in the best way: hot, flaky fillets, a squeeze of lemon, and boat horns somewhere in the background.
The panko coating gives the fish a lighter, airier crunch than traditional batter, and it soaks up less oil, which means you can finish the whole plate without feeling weighed down.
Fridays bring a mix of boat owners, neighborhood regulars, and tourists who stumbled onto something real.
The patio fills first, so grab a spot early if you want to watch the locks in action.
5. Ray’s Cafe
Friday at sunset, Puget Sound turns gold and so does the batter on Ray’s true-cod. Folks grab a window seat, watch the boats, and chase each bite with coleslaw that tastes like summer.
The fish arrives thick and tender, with a batter that crisps up without turning greasy. Coleslaw comes on the side, tangy and cool, the perfect contrast to all that heat and crunch.
I have seen people order a second round of fries halfway through their meal, and I cannot blame them because the kitchen keeps them hot and salty until the very last one.
6. Wally’s Chowder House
Port-town cozy, with plates of all-you-can-eat cod at lunch that make Friday feel like a celebration. The fry stays light, the chips stay hot, and the chowder sidecar never seems like a bad idea.
The all-you-can-eat deal runs during lunch hours, and it is the kind of offer that brings families, retirees, and anyone who knows how to pace themselves through multiple rounds.
Cod arrives in manageable portions so you can keep the quality high without feeling rushed.
Chowder comes thick and creamy, loaded with potatoes and clams, and it pairs with the fish like they were always meant to share a table.
7. Pacific Inn Pub
Ask around and you will hear a friendly chorus: that panko-battered fish is a Seattle essential. The deck fills first on Fridays, baskets disappear fast, and the tartar gets scooped clean.
Panko gives the coating a crispier, more delicate texture than traditional breading, and it stays crunchy even after a few minutes on the plate.
The pub keeps the vibe relaxed, the portions generous, and the fries hot enough to require a little patience.
I have watched entire groups polish off their baskets in near silence, which is the best review a fish fry can get.
8. Tides Tavern
Sail in or stroll up, and you will find crispy cod and halibut on a menu locals have trusted for decades. The room hums on Fridays, the water glints outside, and the first bite crunches like a small firework.
Halibut runs a bit pricier but delivers a meatier, sweeter flavor that makes it worth the upgrade. Cod stays the reliable favorite, with a lighter, flakier texture that pairs perfectly with malt vinegar.
I have docked here after a long day on the water, and there is something about eating fried fish with the smell of saltwater still on your hands that just hits right.
9. Lobster Shop
Windows to Commencement Bay, shoestring fries piled beside a lingcod fillet, and a steady Friday rhythm of families and friends sharing baskets and stories.
Lingcod brings a firmer, slightly sweeter bite than traditional cod, and the fry here keeps it tender without drying it out. Shoestring fries come thin and crispy, the kind that vanish before you realize you have eaten half the plate.
The view does not hurt either, with ferries and freighters sliding past while you work your way through the basket, one salty, crunchy piece at a time.
10. The Fish Peddler on Foss Waterway
Harbor light on steel and water, and a fryer that turns out crisp, tender fish with the kind of consistency that makes a weekly habit. Plates land hot, fries stay crunchy, and the waterfront stroll afterward seals the deal.
The menu rotates based on what is fresh, but cod and halibut hold down the Friday lineup with reliable, flaky perfection. Tartar comes housemade, with a little extra tang that cuts through the richness of the fry.
I have walked the waterway after dinner more times than I can count, and the combo of good fish and cool air is unbeatable.
11. Anthony’s HomePort
Marina views, panko-crusted cod, and that steady Anthony’s polish keep TGIF crowds flowing. Three-piece baskets pair with slaw and fries, and the dining room buzzes like a dock at tide change.
Anthony’s delivers a slightly more polished experience without losing the casual, come-as-you-are vibe that makes a good fish fry work. Panko keeps the coating light and crispy, and the cod stays moist and tender underneath.
Coleslaw arrives cool and tangy, balancing out the heat and salt, and the fries come seasoned just enough to keep you reaching for more without needing extra condiments.
12. Bennett’s Fish Shack
Surf town energy, trays stacked with golden fillets, and a line that moves with purpose. Friday regulars swear by the crisp batter and the just-out-of-the-oil heat you can feel through the paper.
The shack keeps things simple: order at the counter, grab your tray, and find a spot to dig in. Batter comes out light and crunchy, with a hint of seasoning that does not overpower the fish.
I have stood in that line more times than I care to admit, and every time the first bite reminds me why I keep coming back, even when the wait stretches past fifteen minutes.