Canlis is one of Seattle’s most admired Pacific Northwest dining destinations, offering far more than a standard restaurant experience. Located at 2576 Aurora Ave N in Seattle, WA 98109, this iconic restaurant has earned its reputation through exceptional cuisine, polished hospitality, and an atmosphere that feels both refined and genuinely welcoming.
With a strong 4.60-star rating from 2,765 reviews, Canlis has become a trusted choice for guests who want an evening that feels carefully considered, beautifully presented, and truly memorable from start to finish.
At the heart of the Canlis experience is a commitment to elevated dining with real variety and thoughtful comfort. Dinner is the signature experience, and reservations are required, with dinner reservations strongly recommended to help ensure a seamless visit.
Guests can choose from dine-in service, on-site services, or takeaway, giving them flexibility without compromising the restaurant’s high standards. The menu reflects the best of Pacific Northwest dining and offers something for a wide range of tastes, including alcohol, beer, cocktails, coffee, spirits, healthy options, and vegetarian dishes.
Canlis is also known for standout offerings such as a great beer selection, great cocktails, great coffee, great dessert, a great tea selection, and a great wine list. For special occasions, business dinners, or intimate gatherings, the private dining room adds an extra layer of exclusivity and comfort.
Live music and a fireplace contribute to the atmosphere, creating a dining setting that feels warm, elegant, and distinctly memorable.
Every detail of Canlis is designed with guest comfort, accessibility, and convenience in mind. Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and restrooms help make the restaurant welcoming to more visitors, while practical amenities such as a bar on site, restroom facilities, Wi-Fi, and free Wi-Fi make each visit easy and enjoyable.
The atmosphere blends cozy, historic, quiet, romantic, trendy, and upmarket qualities, making it an appealing choice for couples, friends, professionals, and anyone looking for a more refined night out. Payment is simple and convenient, with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
Known for dinner, dessert, seating, and table service, Canlis delivers the kind of full-service experience that leaves guests feeling well cared for and eager to return.
For diners seeking a truly special Pacific Northwest restaurant in Seattle, Canlis offers the rare combination of exceptional food, attentive service, and a setting that makes every occasion feel important.
Whether you are planning a romantic evening, celebrating a milestone, or simply looking for one of the city’s most respected dining destinations, Canlis provides the quality, comfort, and confidence that turn a meal into a lasting memory. Call +1 206-283-3313 to reserve your table or plan your visit.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Canlis
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
With a hint of seaweed salt
Takimiso and scallion
Sea salt and truffle oil
Breaded twice-baked potato with cheese and bacon
Fried Walla Walla onion with caviar per ounce of Caviar
The classic, with bacon, mint, and lemon
Oyster emulsion, coastal greens
Alliums, miso, caviar
Six ounces of American Wagyu with french fries
sunchoke, hazelnut, nori
nougatine, milk ice cream
koji, spruce tips
Hear from our valued guests
Canlis was an incredible dining experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely amazing—beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The wine list is over 100 pages and could feel intimidating, but the sommelier was so approachable and made excellent recommendations that paired perfectly with our meal. Our server was kind, attentive, and struck the perfect balance between friendly conversation and professionalism. We had a beautiful view of Gas Works Park and the Seattle skyline during sunset, which made the evening even more memorable. I left full, happy, and already looking forward to coming back!
WHY are you reading reviews about ostensibly one of the best restaurants in the United States?!? It’s absolutely DREAMY. Every. Single. Part. (We saw a blue Subaru the valet brought out front as we were leaving. Nobody got in for several minutes, after which the valet drove it away and brought *our* blue Subaru up, lol. No shade; they were awesome!!!)
An unforgettable dining experience! Canlis combines world-class cuisine with a breathtaking view over Lake Union and the city skyline. Every course was beautifully prepared and full of creative flavors, and the service was impeccable — warm, professional, and attentive without being overbearing. Perfect for celebrating something special or just treating yourself to an extraordinary evening in Seattle:)
One of the Finest Dining Experiences ever. From the beginning, the valets, to the friendly hostesses, to the server to the management was absolutely impeccable. The food was not only incredibly tasty, but presentation was beautiful. The service really stood out. Overall, a top notch dining experience.
The best service I’ve ever experienced in the US. The food was not only incredibly delicious but beautifully presented. Every staff member moved with perfect timing—serving the dishes and pouring drinks at just the right moment. And when we left, our car was already waiting at the entrance without us even asking. Truly exceptional.
Adding more pics from the recent revisit; loved this season's menu as well❤️ ========== Finally visited Canlis and we're looking forward to future seasons. Elevated atmosphere and flawless service: welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely attentive. Menus were thoughtfully curated, beautifully plated, and tasty! Every course of the menu felt well balanced. My favorite from the night was the Halibaut and the Cherry Bomb dessert.
Love the mid century modern building. This was my first visit and I went solo. I booked an early time, 5:15 and had a window view. Service was amazing. If you work in any sort of service roll, you should visit to see what top service is. Arrive hungry as there are so many more courses than the 3 you order. I'm usually not a fan of service charges but the service here is as amazing as the food, and they don't ask for a tip on top which is appreciated. Free valet only parking.
Canlis: Seattle's Icon Delivered on a unique evening. As Seattle natives, my family and I finally made it to Canlis, and wow, it lived up to my expectations of being classy and special. My wife, teenage daughters, and I loved it and had fun, from the food to the service to the amazing atmosphere. We are a big fan of French cuisine and eaten at some fantastic places in paris, but Canlis held its own with a truly unique Seattle vibe and a cool story behind it all. Even for a guy who lives in REI gear, getting dressed up felt right. The elegance here is just different from anywhere else in Seattle. Let's talk food. Every dish was a hit. The table side salad was a fun, fresh show. The Northwest chowder with geoduck was inventive and delicious. And that focaccia bread service? Amazing. My pork dish was packed with flavor, rich but perfectly balanced by the cranberry. Everything was beautifully plated and served with genuine care. The service was top notch. Our waiter went above and beyond, even arranging a kitchen visit for us at the end, which the girls loved (being top chef fans they loved the call outs of ‘yes chef!’). The wine pairing was spot on too, with some great French and even a cool German wine, all perfectly matched to the courses. We were lucky to be able to try their famous soufflé which they brought back this week! Amazing. Canlis isn't just dinner, it's an experience. A really special treat for all of us, creating some awesome memories. If you want Seattle's best, Canlis is absolutely worth it.
Canlis Restaurant is truly one of the finest dining destination. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed with warm hospitality and an atmosphere that perfectly blends elegance, comfort, and timeless charm. The restaurant’s architecture and breathtaking views of Seattle’s landscape create an unforgettable setting for a special meal. The food at Canlis is nothing short of extraordinary. Every dish is thoughtfully crafted with precision, creativity, and exceptional attention to detail. The tasting menu beautifully showcases seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, and each course feels like a work of art both in flavor and presentation. The balance of textures, the depth of flavors, and the innovative combinations make the dining experience truly memorable. The service is impeccable. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about every detail of the menu, and genuinely passionate about making your evening special. Their recommendations on wine pairings elevate the entire dining experience. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, hosting a meaningful dinner, or simply indulging in world class cuisine, Canlis offers an experience that exceeds expectations on every level. It’s not just a restaurant it’s a destination
I recently photographed a wedding upstairs in the Canlis Penthouse space. It was beautiful, intimate and so fun. The couple packed it to the max (stated seating size is 25-80), but everyone was still able to move around between tables when needed. The staff is incredible and the food was unforgettable. It was awesome because they even let me go up on the roof with the couple for a few photos of Lake Union!
Common questions about Canlis
Canlis is located at 2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States, Seattle, WA 98109, United States.
You can reach Canlis by calling +1 206-283-3313.
Canlis has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 2765 customer reviews.
Canlis features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Canlis features the following service options: On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Canlis features the following highlights: Fireplace, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great tea selection, Great wine list, Live music, Serves local specialty.
Canlis features the following popular for: Dinner.
Canlis features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Healthy options, Private dining room, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Canlis features the following dining options: Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Canlis features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Canlis features the following atmosphere: Cozy, Historic, Quiet, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
Canlis features the following crowd: Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists, Transgender safe space.
Canlis features the following planning: Reservations required, Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Canlis features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Canlis features the following children: High chairs, Kids' menu.
Canlis features the following parking: Free parking lot, Paid parking lot, Plenty of parking, Valet parking.
Business Features
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