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The Whale Wins, Seattle, WA
The Whale Wins, Seattle, WA
The Whale Wins, Seattle, WA
The Whale Wins, Seattle, WA
The Whale Wins, Seattle, WA

The Whale Wins

4.8
4.8
822 Reviews
$31 to $50
American
Top Tags:
The Whale Wins Cafe and Larder offers James Beard Award winning wood-fired fare and casual counter-style service all day, 9am to 9pm. We are focusing on safely meeting the needs of our Fremont and Wallingford neighbors with expanded dine-in, carry out, espresso, grocery and bottle shop offerings.

We are taking reservations for indoor dining and will take requests for limited patio seating. Please note, our patio is heated but not covered and our dining room is chilly with the windows open. In the event of inclement weather, we will call you to confirm or modify your reservation.

Check out our current menus on our website: thewhalewins.com. Our take out options are listed here as well!

We hope to see you soon! Until we meet at the table.....

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    American, European, French
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (206) 632-9425
  • Website
    http://www.thewhalewins.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Owned/operated by
    Women
  • Executive chef
    Renee Erickson
  • Private party facilities
    For larger parties or private events, please send us an email: events@eatseacreatures.com
  • Location
    3506 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
  • Neighborhood
    Wallingford
  • Cross street
    35th
  • Parking details
    Parking is also available in a lot behind the building, accessible from both Stone Way and 35th.
  • Public transit
    A covered bus stop for Routes 62 and 32 are just across the street.
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Larder Reservation

    Multiple dates available
    The Whale Wins' larder is stocked with our favorite wine, spirits, and specialty items. Dine in this intimate space with peek-a-boo views of our kitchen and bar.

  • Dining Room Reservation

    Multiple dates available
    Drawing inspiration from some of Renee Erickson’s favorite places in southern Europe and England, our dining room evokes a lively, light filled, cottage-like space with a view of our kitchen and wood-fired oven.

What 822 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Seattle / Eastern Washington

    American

  • Seattle

    American

822 Reviews

  1. LouisS

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    Roasted chicken flavor was not memorable meat was not tender. Gnocchi was so salty felt like burning my mouth. Picked veg not long enough in the pickle. Roasted potatoes overly salty as well. Eggplant was quite bland, flatbread lacking in flavor and a bit tough. Overall food was disappointing.

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  2. JenniferS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, friendly staff. Overall great experience.

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  3. Rina

    Seattle

    161 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    161 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Tasty food 👍👍👍 Lovely ambiance 👍👍👍 Customer service 👍👍👍3 stars Outdoor dining available Appropriately priced

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the “shared plates” concept. My friend and I shared a double pork chop that was super tender and flavorful. And there was enough left to take some home. Cucumber turnip salad delicious!

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  5. SusnL

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I ate from the brunch menu and greatly enjoyed my eggplant dish with flatbread. The drip coffee was great, too.

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  6. IwillbebackJack

    Seattle

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our food was amazing, the service was excellent, and the evening was a wonderful treat. The only downside is lack of parking in this neighborhood.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Phenomenal experience all around. Service, food, cocktails.

    Is this helpful?

  8. MatthewM

    Cincinnati

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Went on a suggestion and could not have been happier! Very good food!

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  9. janes

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    The food was delicious, the ambiance fantastic. The portions were small and pricey, but that may be the new normal. All in all, we had a great family dinner and will recommend it to friends.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Had a great birthday dinner with my wife and grown kids. The Whale Wins killed it again! The meal was wonderful and the service outstanding. Thanks!

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  11. xxnoname

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Excellent food, lots of vegetarian options. Service was mixed

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  12. MartinS

    Oxford

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food, thoughtfully put together. Zucchini bread particular highlight.

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  13. NYMama

    New York Area

    73 reviews

    5.0

    73 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This restaurant is the best! I loved everything about it. I enjoyed watching the chef slide pans of food in and out of the wood-burning oven. The food was original and delicious and not overdone. We started with chicken liver pate and sardines on toast and they were delicious. My entree, sable fish , was soft and rich and perfectly cooked. My spouse had a pork chop that he loved. The wine list is small and we’ll curated. One dessert, dates in olive oil, was a miss, but overall, we had a delightful and fantastic dinner at the Whale Wins. We felt like winners! The service was charming without being intrusive. Don’t miss the larder, which has items for purchase, including wines and vermouths as well as candles and packaged foods. We don’t live in Seattle but if we did, we’d be regulars.

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  14. Kelly

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Delicious meal. The gnocchi was a particular standout.

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  15. NancyS

    Seattle

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love The Whale Wins - it is a gem tucked in the neighborhood where you can escape all the city outside. Great food and service! Thanks for respite for a fun lunch and wine with friends.

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  16. MeganM

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are so happy we finally tried The Whale Wins - it was an awesome experience, especially for a last minute date night! The food was incredible and the vibe of the restaurant was energetic without being too loud. Already planning our next stop in

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  17. Mburd

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Warm and gracious service. Excellent dishes that are very fun to share. Literally everything we had from the menu, and it was many dishes, was delicious.

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  18. ShannonN

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience4
    Cute location. Great cocktails. Service was friendly but missed requested dietary restriction modifications. Value was so - so. My halibut was maybe 2.5 oz served with a side of spring onions. Very good, but not worth $34.

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  19. SeattleLocalGuy

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From start to finish, the meal was wonderful. The Lettuces is the best salad in Seattle. The anchovie toast is a flavor bomb. The Hama Hama clams left me wanting more. Every time we go back, we are never disappointed.

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  20. Fizzhead

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Superb food and service but the wine prices are nothing short of insulting.

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  21. NWFoodie

    Portland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delightful service, delicious food, and a place we will definitely come back to!

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  22. DavidT

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every dish and cocktail is a winner! Great integrated service.

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  23. LSW13

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always love our time here. We sat on the patio for our Anniversary dinner, gorgeous evening with little birds sounds everywhere. Staff is always top notch, fun and kind and very pro. We enjoyed chicken liver pate which was truly amazing, cucumber salad, gnocchi and the pork chop. Not sure we could pick a favorite, it was all amazing. The wine and cocktail list is always stellar. We laughed at ourselves that we love the seafood offerings here and did not have any this time around, but how could we say no to the well known pork chop, and I have a very soft spot for well made gnocchi. Love this place!

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Nice ambiance, great food. The wait staff is spectacular!

    Is this helpful?

  25. Zippyzop

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best meals I’ve had in some time start to finish. Service friendly and attentive.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Been here so many times and it’s always good with stellar service.

    Is this helpful?

  27. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best Halibut I’ve ever had! Casual, hip atmosphere. Great experience.

    Is this helpful?

  28. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Always a favorite of mine. Great, seasonal flavors and some staples that never get old.

    Is this helpful?

  29. DavidP

    Boise

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Unique decore, great food. All around great experience

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  30. MikeK

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    Wife had the buckwheat crepe ($18) I had the gorditas with chroizo ($20). Dishes were nice (very much appreciated the thick masa on the gorditas), but not worth the price. Maybe for a few bucks less? We weren't close to full when we left. It might have helped if the server hadn't forgotten the chicken liver pate we ordered, but at least they didn't charge us for it. The cocktails were also $18-$19 and mine had hardly any alcohol in it. If you don't care about value you'll enjoy it, but for me it's not *that* good to justify the prices.

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  31. MariaP

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every morsel was AMAZING! I would have ordered the entire menu! Great atmosphere....wish I could go back tonight.

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  32. FrankT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    overall5food5service1ambience5
    Reservation system confusion and a bit too controlling

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  33. JudyL

    Vancouver

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were greeted warmly. Service was excellent. The food was scrumptious. The ambience was lovely. It was also nice to have a sunny day so that we could have outdoor seating. It was a perfect experience all around ... and my other dinners at The Whale Wins have been the same. Thank you!

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  34. Alejandro

    Los Angeles

    66 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Whale Wins is always a "Winner" for food and ambience. Service is attentive, but not pushy. The menu is small, but nicely themed around the dishes coming from the kitchen. We highly recommend the roasted chicken. Lettuces heaping with parmesan cheese is classic, as are the roasted radishes and sardines. The salmon appetizer was a cross between sushi and lox. Not sure what to make of it. We'll be back soon! Alejandro

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 21, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    We sat in the larder room which was cozy and more intimate. It feels like you’re in a little French market. I booked for a birthday and they did a surprise toast for us which was really nice. The food is excellent. Portions are on the smaller side so you’ll want to share plates. It is a higher price point with limited pricing options which would be my only dislike. Overall great experience, food, and service and would recommend!

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  36. LoriV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing menu choices, each prepared to perfection! The staff was friendly, and very accommodating! I would say The Whale Wins is a must do for anyone visiting Seattle!

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  37. PatE

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a wonderful time. It was my birthday and they brought dessert with a candle so nice. The service was great but it truly was the food that was fantastic. The only thing I’d suggest is having the tables a little further apart. It was noisy until the table next to us left. GREAT RESTAURANT!

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  38. LuliC

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Used to be our total favorite spot, and I have made so many of the delicious recipes from her cookbooks over the year. However, the last two visits have been tough- one visit, the server was really rough to us, and hurried us out the door (because we had kids though it was 5pm, and we left by 5.45). This past visit, they were out of three of the menu items, and forgot to bring my plate until after the rest of my family was done eating.

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  39. PatK

    Seattle

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food, service, and atmosphere were great. One of our favorite restaurants and we will return soon!

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  40. ElizaSue

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Grabbed a table on the terrace for a Monday dinner with co-workers and it was a resounding good choice. We shared all the dishes we ordered (and had many of them) and some wine and found every bite and sip delicious. The service was also fab! Highly recommend.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from The Whale Wins using the Order Online button. The Whale Wins also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (206) 632-9425.

The Whale Wins is rated 4.8 stars by 822 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Whale Wins

3506 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103

Additional information

  • Cross street
    35th
  • Neighborhood
    Wallingford
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    American, European, French
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking is also available in a lot behind the building, accessible from both Stone Way and 35th.
  • Public transit
    A covered bus stop for Routes 62 and 32 are just across the street.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Women
  • Executive chef
    Renee Erickson
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.thewhalewins.com/
  • Phone number
    (206) 632-9425
  • Private party facilities
    For larger parties or private events, please send us an email: events@eatseacreatures.com

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