Driftwood - Seattle

Mally was a PHE-NOM-EN-AL server. So wonderful and knowledgeable about the menu and the area. We were visiting for vacation and this has been a staple of our stay. The food and drinks were to die for and dessert was even better. Highly- HIGHLY recommend!

You get what you pay for and this place is expensive and well worth it for a beach side West Seattle joint. Service a 10+. Was able to read the table and was really awesome. Food was amazing. Legit farm to table. The menu was a bit of a tough read as it is only a few items but our server pointed us in the right direction and the 4 plates that we shared were all absolutely excellent! Even though expected, absolutely spotless- clean in every way including the restrooms. Drinks- one of the best Old Fashions I’ve had in Seattle, and I have had a bunch. Decent wine list. You need a reservation and a expect to pay $250 for two with 2-3 drinks each but you will enjoy this place. Great for a first date.

Been coming to this beautiful spot that’s dedicated to all things Washington since their opening . Amazing sustainable fish cooked to perfection over charcoal and do not miss their produce. Vegetables and fruits are superb. The space is bright and airy and you can’t beat the views onto Puget Sound.

We thoroughly enjoyed dinner at Driftwood. The food is vibrant and fresh, and the service is top notch. The black cod was lacking in flavor but excellently prepared. The pork was next level delicious and a massive serving size. The blueberries & beets salad was refreshing, as was the crudo. And you can never go wrong with house made rolls! I didn’t get a photo of it but we also ordered the hazelnut pie for dessert, which I will be daydreaming of for years to come. I was disappointed that the mocktail menu didn’t specify all the drinks come in cans/bottles and are not made fresh in house.

Driftwood offers an exceptional dining experience, and Erin, our waitress, made it truly unforgettable. From the moment we sat down, her warm, welcoming demeanor set the tone for the evening. Erin’s attention to detail was impeccable—she was knowledgeable about the menu, offering great suggestions and ensuring our every need was met without being intrusive. The food was delicious, with beautifully crafted dishes that matched the top-notch service. Erin’s professionalism and charm truly elevated our visit, making Driftwood a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable night out.

Had a wonderful anniversary dinner here on a sunny Alki Thursday. So many hits; pull-apart rolls, oysters, salmon tartare, heirloom tomato dish, salmon with fingering potatoes. Drinks (both boozy and N/A) were fantastic. Best part was our bartender Adam who was knowledgeable, funny and very sweet.

I freaking LOVE LOVE LOVE DRIFTWOOD. The food is so fresh and the dishes are alway so innovative. I came to Seattle for a 3D2N vacation and ate Driftwood for both dinners. It was absolutely magnificent. The burnt barlette pear salad is to die for. I’ve never had a better “salad” in my life. Everything and anything you order will be absolutely delicious

Driftwood is everything I wanted as a tourist in Seattle - great ambiance, friendly service, and ingredients so fresh they take the time to list their local purveyors on the back of the menu. I don’t think it’s possible to have a bad dish here. Also the Alki Beach area is adorable. Easily the best meal we enjoyed while visiting the city.

My friend and I were in awe of this restaurant. To start we sat facing the water and had the most gorgeous view of the Seattle skyline. Our server was attentive and warm and gave us solid recommendations. We shared the rolls which came with this honey butter and it melted in your mouth. My friend had the blueberry beets dish and I enjoyed the rockfish. We closed out the evening with their olive oil chocolate cake and it was so good. I also enjoyed the watermelon gin cocktail. This restaurant is beyond special and I can’t recommend it enough.

Having been thinking about trying this place for a while. Then a foodie friend recently recommended to us again and we saw they have their 2nd anniversary tasting menu event coming up - it was a sign, we had to go. It was a wonderful experience. The dishes were very well designed and executed. Innovative but not aggressive! Delicious. We were particularly impressed because they created these with local and seasonal ingredients and components. Not always easy to orchestrate these together. The service was nice too. We recently had a Michelin 3 starred dinner in Paris, and we feel if Driftwood is in Paris, it will def have Michelin star. lol. We personally like Driftwood over the 3-starred restaurant. If you haven’t try, you should go. They were also extra generous on their anniversary celebration. We were floored. We can’t wait to bring friends here in the summer time. The nice view during dinner time would be even more pleasant.

Been here twice now and I can confidently say that this is one of the best places in Seattle I've eaten at in years. From the food, the service, as the great cocktails. I highly recommend the smaller plates, like the potato dish. Fantastic flavor. The rolls they have are some of the best I have ever eaten

wish i lived closer. if you want some real good seafood, instead of typical ones you may have heard from others, this is the place to go and explore your palate.

We had a fantastic meal with Driftwood tonight! Loved all our small plates (didn't try the entrees) and really enjoyed their unique cocktails. Really appreciate the quality and creativity that comes out from using only local ingredients. Will definitely be back!

My husband had an accidental datenight at Driftwood last night; and we are so happy we did. The amazing way they imagine food is beyond talented and special. We feel really lucky to have experienced such an incredible dinner in Seattle. We will be back!

Had a lovely sunset dinner tonight at Driftwood! It's such a beautifully designed space that gives you a sense of ease while you take in the view. Service was excellent, and I loved how most of the staff support every table and we had the opportunity to talk and interact with them! With the menu changing often (with everything being fresh and locally sourced!), we savored every bite of our appetizers and mains. Definitely save room for dessert, too. 10/10 would recommend.

Driftwood is one of those rare places that proves simplicity, when done right, can be extraordinary. Everything I tried was outstanding—from the bread to the seafood to dessert. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared, perfectly balanced, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of restaurant that makes you want to come back again and again. Effortless, honest, and absolutely delicious.

Listen. The food here is FANTASTIC. Some of the best we've had in Seattle. The menu changes seasonally so I recommend coming regularly throughout the year if not more often. Service was wonderful, prices are commensurate with the experience and the incredible eats. Can't beat the location either.

We had Driftwood at the top of our date night bucketlist for a couple years now and WOW, it was just as amazing as we hoped. We’ve been lucky enough to dine at some high end restaurants around the world and this evening and set of dishes we had at Driftwood was synonymous with our most memorable ones. We really appreciated the locality and special care that goes into purchasing ingredients from small farms and businesses around the PNW, it really tells a story of the region while feeling like youre eating art. Driftwood felt more like a dining adventure than just a dinner out of the house. Will be recommending it for years!! Cant wait to see their cafe open later this year!!

This was one of the best meals I’ve had in Seattle. I came here for a special occasion and was blown away by the thoughtfulness of the food preparation, ingredient sourcing, service, and cocktails. I can’t wait to come back. Keep up the great work!

one of the most special places in Seattle. I always try and visit when coming up from Portland. incredible service, delicious and beautiful seasonal plates, a perfect cocktail and wine list, and a lovely cozy atmosphere. right across from the water, too, so you can get in a leisurely scenic stroll before or after your meal. love you Driftwood and so glad y’all exist.

The BEST people serving the BEST food, in an amazing location. It’s very rare you get to dine in a place that lives their values: the purveyors and producers they support, the work they put into supporting other small businesses, the care the show for their staff and guests, and their whole community. Small businesses like these are why make our city special, and oh, it’s DELICIOUS! Beautiful views! Professional service!

This is easily the most fun meal you can have in West Seattle, and one of the finest in the city. We see the chef every weekend at the West Seattle farmers market buying produce to use in the coming week’s service. When you talk about seasonality, I have never seen a spot that embraces it harder than here. We have dined here numerous times over the last several years, and they only continue to exceed their previously incredible standard. Can’t wait until next time!

The most amazing vegetable dishes I've ever had - they make vegetables tasty and a delight. Classy atmosphere. Classy staff. Stands by their principles to nourish their community in both sustenance and democratic values ✊

This restaurant and the people who own it are incredible! The food is innovative and hyper local. They frequent farmers markets and use only the best produce, meat and seafood from local purveyors. They care deeply about their community and they bring the farm to table concept to a whole new level. The end result is one of the best meals you'll have in Seattle! They are located on Alki Beach with a great view. You can watch a stunning sunset while you enjoy a fantastic meal!

Driftwood is hands-down one of the best restaurants in Seattle. The food is always fresh, local and creatively and beautifully prepared. Their focus on PNW ingredients and seasonality in every dish is unparalleled. The service is attentive without being intrusive and the Alki setting add the perfect setting for a date night or a just a memorable dinner. We love to bring out of town guests to Driftwood to have a culinary experience with foods this area has to offer. Driftwood is a true standout in the city's dining scene.

Easily the best restaurant in West seattle. Ambiance, service, food all top notch. We are fortunate enough to live very close and pop in for a drink and appetizer at the bar and dinner frequently. The menu is ever evolving and seems to find a way to improve upon an already amazing dish every time. We look forward to their seasonal menu updates throughout the year. Their commitment to quality food and service keeps us coming back. Their commitment to social equity and being great humans is the cherry on top.

From the moment you step into this place you experience the beauty of the atmosphere beautifully designed and artfully crafted by the owners. You feel the warmth and welcome of the lovely staff that are always accommodating and wonderful. The food is a love letter to some of the best that our very local PNW has to offer and chef Dan is always in the kitchen ensuring that every dish is finished to perfection. If you are looking for something special, with inventive dishes that will satisfy, nourish, and take you on a culinary adventure of flavors you must try Driftwood. I crave the dishes here. Seriously a gem in Alki and owned & run by some of the best people.

A truly world‑class restaurant with the soul of a neighborhood gem. The food is extraordinary, the kind that pauses conversation because everyone needs a second to take in what’s happening on the plate. Every dish feels intentional, creative, and executed with the kind of precision you’d expect from the best kitchens anywhere in the world. And yet, despite the caliber of the cooking, nothing about the experience feels pretentious or distant. The team is warm, attentive, and genuinely delighted to take care of you. It’s rare to find a place that delivers this level of excellence while still feeling personal and deeply human. Seattle has many great restaurants, but this one stands in a category of its own - easily among the very best in the city.

Love the focus on locally sourced foods. Cocktails are delicious and unique. Always get the dinner rolls! Excellent views of the Sound if you sit at the window. One of the best restaurants in Seattle that cares about its community. 💚

Driftwood is an absolute gem in our neighborhood of West Seattle. The food is incredible - locally sourced ingredients and wines that are perfectly tailored for the season. The cocktail menu is also super fun. The atmosphere is great - everyone there is knowledgeable and very kind. We've been three times now and each meal keeps getting better!

Driftwood has been on my list since it was recommended by a friend over a year ago. My only regret is how long I waited to come! My wife and I came tonight and had one of the best dining experiences we have had since moving to Washington several years ago. We are both major foodies and are highly selective when it comes to eating out. After eating here tonight, I really can’t say enough about how impressed we were. We ordered 6 different items between bites, small plates and the main. The sizing and quantity of food and the presentation were spot on. Each dish was as fresh as fresh can be from the oysters to the carrots, squash, beets and bok choy - this was true farm to table food and the quality was 100 percent evident in each bite. The main, lamb, was cooked to perfection. Shout out to the chef and to our waitress Erin and our host Kennedy! Thank you all! You will see us back soon.

Driftwood is an absolutely fantastic establishment. Chef Dan and Jackie have transformed what was once an old pub into a captivating, welcoming restaurant that truly celebrates the essence of the Pacific Northwest. Their commitment to using primarily local PNW ingredients shines through in every dish. The seafood and produce are always standouts—fresh, vibrant, and prepared with impressive technique. But don’t sleep on the pork chop either; it’s easily one of the best in the city. Every plate reflects creativity, skill, and a deep appreciation for regional flavors. Chef Dan and Jackie have created something special at Driftwood, and it shows from the first bite to the last. Highly recommend.

The best, original, and creative flavors with fresh WA ingredients that I’ve eaten in years. Low-key, low pressure, but perfect service. Airy yet sophisticated ambiance. SO worth a drive from other ‘hoods. And Alki is very special in the winter - views of the city and ferries passing in the night. No problems with parking. And again, the food! Really amazing.

This place is amazing. Everything is fresh and local. If you want peak PNW, look no further. The ambiance is carefully curated. The food feels fresh and light. You leave feeling nourished. I love that even the alcohol and stemware is from the greater Seattle metro region. The cod and bok choy are my favorites but honestly you can’t go wrong. I’m also super excited for their bakery opening! We love grabbing coffee here when the pop up is open.

Had a glowing beautiful experience here with an old friend. The kind that made me happy to live in this city. Incredible innovative hyperlocal dishes that were super interesting, and the sea breeze was wafting in from Alki the whole time. Even if the food weren’t so nice I would love this place for location alone, but the whole experience is wonderful. We’ll be back!

We were in town and wanted to eat somewhere in the Seattle area not by the tourist filled downtown so we chose to visit Alki beach where we could see the sunset. We had some issues with the drinks as they did not have basics like cranberry at the bar, no diet sodas. Understand they don’t carry Coke and Pepsi products but not having even local type diet was odd. Additionally they were very limited on the spirit brands considering the prices of the restaurant. For food we had their homemade rolls which were very good along with their honey butter. For our main course we had the rockfish and pork chop. Both were very very good with nice presentations. The pork chop was very filling and a large portion. We finished it with their hazelnut dessert, which was average. Overall the main course made up for their gaps in their bar choices. However, this place is more expensive than it should be for the level of service and options they provide.

Good 👍 food 🍱 and drinks🍹in beautiful 🤩 downtown Seattle. Much of their menu consists of all - local fresh ingredients, including their cocktail🍸menu. Fine views of the Ocean 🌊 are also included with your meal 🥘 here .

My friend had expressed a desire to celebrate his birthday at a recently opened restaurant in West Seattle. To my surprise, the restaurant was very nice to accommodate a table for our party last Saturday, even though we had given less than 72 hours' notice. Upon entering, I couldn't help but appreciate the clean and refreshing ambiance of the place, which exuded a beach house vibe. The sleek bar and kitchen added a touch of sophistication. The staff members were friendly, and our food arrived promptly, leaving no room for complaints in terms of service. Out of the four of us, three thoroughly enjoyed their meals. As for me, I found the overall experience to be decent. The dishes and drinks, however, failed to impress me. Each dish seemed to possess a different, eclectic flavor profile, which didn't quite align with my taste preferences. The dishes also tended to be rich, which wasn't to my liking. Nonetheless, I did find the rockfish dish to be quite enjoyable, but the rest of the offerings fell short, earning only three stars in my book. I must admit that I found our bill of $345 to be rather pricey considering the overall experience. Considering my lukewarm experience, I don't think I would make a special trip to Alki solely to dine at this restaurant. However, if I happen to be in the area and feel like splurging, I might consider giving it another chance. It was disappointing to note that the restaurant did not offer a complimentary dessert for the birthday boy. My overall rating is 3.75 stars for this place.

It's was squarely mid but extremely pricy. Excellent plating. The salmon tartar was super salty and $20 for a smattering of sungolds with stone fruit? I dunno, didn't vibe. Was more pretentious than delicious.

TL;DR - I won't be back. Way too expensive for shoddy service and atmosphere, but the food was enjoyable. Glad I did not spend extra money on drinks and dessert. Food: Unique flavor combinations that pleasantly surprised me. The cook on the dishes was executed very well. The salmon dishes were my favorite! The only down side to the food was that one dish came out a little cold (clearly sat for awhile despite being deep fried onions) and they erred on the richer side so it was hard to finish the plates. Service: The most disappointing aspect was the service. It felt like we got the bare minimum for any restaurant - no waiter that introduced themselves, different staff bringing us food, no one checking in on how the food was. Our food came out at weird timings, with a long wait time between appetizers and the main course. I also reserved this as a birthday dinner and included that as a note, but this was never mentioned so I assume no one read the reservation notes. I've had way better service at take out restaurants so it was really disappointing at a "fine dining" place. Atmosphere: Lackluster. The decor is lovely but we spent the entire meal sitting next to empty, dirty tables from the people who left before us. The poor service contributed to the unwelcoming atmosphere. It truly felt like everyone was ready to go home and close up, it made me want to leave quickly.