Washington sits right next to some of the best fishing waters in the country, so it makes sense that fish and chips are a serious tradition here. From little seafood shacks along the coast to busy spots near Seattle’s waterfront, plenty of places take their battered cod and crispy fries pretty seriously.
This list rounds up 12 restaurants across the state where the fried fish is done right, whether you like it simple or piled high with extras. Grab some tartar sauce, pack the car, and let’s find your next great plate.
1. Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Seattle
Few names in Seattle seafood carry as much history as Ivar’s, which started as a small waterfront spot back in 1938. The Acres of Clams location sits right on Pier 54 with views of Puget Sound.
The fish and chips here use wild Alaska cod, and you can also try halibut or salmon versions when in season. The clam chowder is a fan favorite alongside the fried plates.
If you want a full sit-down meal with a water view, this is the spot to slow down. There is also a walk-up window next door if you are short on time and just want the classic to go.
2. Spud Fish and Chips, Seattle
Standing near Alki Beach since 1935, Spud is one of the oldest fish and chip operations in the whole region. The name is a nod to the potatoes that go into those hand-cut fries.
The menu keeps things classic with battered cod, prawns, and clams, plus generous portions of chips. It is the kind of counter-service spot where you order and then find a bench with a beach view.
I like this one for a lazy coastal day when you want food that has stayed true to its roots for decades. There are a few locations around the Seattle area, but the Alki original is the one with all the character.
3. The Crab Pot, Seattle
Best known for its steaming seafood boils dumped right onto the table, The Crab Pot on Pier 57 also plates up a solid fish and chips. It sits right at the base of the Seattle Great Wheel, so the location is hard to beat.
The fried cod comes crisp with a side of fries, and you can pair it with the restaurant’s famous shellfish spreads if you are feeding a group.
This is a good pick when part of your crew wants the messy boil experience and another person just wants a reliable fried plate. Everyone leaves happy, and the waterfront setting keeps things lively.
4. Pick-Quick Drive In, Fife
A roadside classic since 1949, Pick-Quick is famous for burgers, but the fish and chips deserve their own shout-out. The Fife location is the original and still draws steady lines.
The battered cod is fried to order, and the fries are cut fresh in-house. Because it is a drive-in, you can eat at an outdoor table or take everything to go.
Road trippers along I-5 have leaned on this stop for generations. If you want a break from the highway that feels like a slice of old-school Washington, pull off here and grab a basket.
5. Anthony’s Fish Bar, Seattle
Sitting on Pier 66, Anthony’s Fish Bar is the casual outdoor cousin of the pricier Anthony’s restaurants. You order at the window and eat outside overlooking Elliott Bay.
The fish and chips use fresh Northwest seafood, with cod as the standard and seasonal options depending on the catch. The fries and slaw round out the plate nicely.
I would save this one for a sunny afternoon when you want harbor views without a formal sit-down meal. It pairs well with a walk along the downtown waterfront afterward.
6. Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton
Tucked near Shelton on the Kamilche area of the Squaxin Island Tribe, Little Creek Casino Resort has dining options that include hearty comfort plates. It is a handy stop if you are exploring the southern reaches of Puget Sound.
Fish and chips show up on the casual menus here, giving travelers a filling bite without a long detour. The resort setting means you can make an afternoon of it.
This works well for folks heading toward the Olympic Peninsula who want a reliable meal along the way. The location bridges the gap between the highway and the coast.
7. Duke’s Seafood, Tacoma
Known across the region for a focus on sustainable seafood, Duke’s has a Tacoma location on Ruston Way with views of Commencement Bay. It is a step up in atmosphere while still keeping fried classics on the menu.
The fish and chips lean on responsibly sourced cod, and the chowder here has won plenty of regional recognition. The waterfront setting makes it a nice sit-down choice.
Pick this one when you want your fried fish with a side of sustainability talk and a proper dining room. The Ruston Way strip also has a walking path if you want to stretch your legs after.
8. Kalaloch Lodge, Forks
Perched right on the Olympic coast within Olympic National Park, Kalaloch Lodge is one of the more scenic places to eat fried fish in the state. The dining room looks out over the rugged Pacific shoreline.
The Creekside Restaurant here serves Northwest seafood, and fish and chips fit right in with the coastal setting. You are eating steps from the beach and driftwood-lined bluffs.
For anyone road tripping the wild western edge of the peninsula, this is a rare sit-down option in a remote area. The drive out is long, but the ocean view earns every mile.
9. The Depot Restaurant, Seaview
Housed in a former railroad depot from 1905, this Seaview restaurant sits near the Long Beach Peninsula. The building’s history gives it a character you do not find in strip-mall spots.
The kitchen focuses on fresh coastal seafood, and fried fish plates showcase the local catch. The Long Beach area is famous for its razor clams, so seafood runs deep here.
Save this one for a weekend on the peninsula, where miles of flat sand beach are the main draw. A good meal at The Depot rounds out a day by the ocean.
10. Blau Oyster Company, Bow
Operating on Samish Bay, Blau Oyster Company is a family-run shellfish farm that also sells fresh and prepared seafood. The setting is genuinely working waterfront, not a polished tourist stop.
Oysters are the headliner, but fried seafood plates give you a taste of the local harvest. Buying directly from a producer means the seafood does not travel far.
This detour off Chuckanut Drive rewards travelers who like their food close to the source. The scenic drive nearby is one of the prettiest stretches in the state.
11. The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive, Bow
Clinging to a hillside along scenic Chuckanut Drive, this restaurant near Bow offers sweeping views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. It is a destination meal, not a quick grab-and-go.
The kitchen highlights Pacific Northwest seafood, with local oysters and fresh fish as stars. The setting turns any plate into an event.
I would book this one for a special drive up Chuckanut when you want the view to match the food. Reservations are smart, especially on weekends and clear evenings.
12. Sluys Poulsbo Bakery area seafood spots, Poulsbo
Perched on Liberty Bay, the Scandinavian-themed town of Poulsbo is a fun place to combine sightseeing with a seafood meal. The waterfront district has casual eateries serving fried fish and chips.
The town’s Nordic heritage shows up in its shops and bakeries, and a fish and chips stop fits naturally into a stroll along the marina. It is an easy addition to a Kitsap Peninsula day trip.
Ferry riders and weekend explorers appreciate having a walkable downtown with water views. Wander the shops, grab your fried fish, and enjoy the bay before heading home.
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