“Fresh salmon, grilled to perfection, with a side of breathtaking views.” Ray’s Boathouse and Café has been serving up just that for 50 years. Right here on Shilshole Bay, Ray’s has become a Seattle institution. Ray’s Boathouse and Café isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a piece of Seattle history.
Ray Lichtenberger started it all in 1939 as a humble boat rental and bait shop. He later added a coffee house. By the 1960s, fish and chips were on the menu. Then in 1973, Russ Wohlers, Earl Lasher, and Duke Moscrip transformed the place. They envisioned a steakhouse approach, but with seafood. Fresh, sustainable, and simply grilled to let the true flavors shine. Ray’s Boathouse and Café became a pioneer in the Pacific Northwest food revolution. It championed local ingredients, microbrews, and wines. Even Julia Child herself took notice, enjoying a Puget Sound tour courtesy of Russ’s seaplane in the 1990s.
Ray’s Boathouse and Café was also ahead of its time in sustainable seafood practices. In 1976, they acquired their own wholesale fish buyer’s license. This allowed them to buy directly from the fishermen, ensuring the freshest catches long before “sustainable seafood” became a widespread concern. Ray’s Boathouse and Café also introduced Seattle to some now-classic dishes. They were the first to reintroduce Olympia oysters, the region’s only native oyster. They also popularized singing scallops, Loughborough Inlet spot prawns, and Copper River Salmon. And did you know that Ray’s Boathouse and Café played a role in the comeback of the Olympia oyster? In the 1980s, they added commercially harvested Olympia oysters to their menu. This helped revive interest in the species.
Ray’s Boathouse and Café has faced its share of challenges. Two major fires, one in 1987 and another in 1997, nearly destroyed the restaurant. But each time, with the support of the community and the dedication of its staff, Ray’s Boathouse and Café rose from the ashes. Even a young Chris Cornell, before his Soundgarden fame, worked here as a line cook in the 1980s. He even attended the retirement party of longtime chef Wayne Ludvigsen in 1997. Ray’s Boathouse and Café has also been recognized with prestigious awards. In 2002, it received the America’s Classics award from the James Beard Foundation.
Over the years, Ray’s Boathouse and Café has witnessed countless proposals, weddings, and celebrations. It’s a place where memories are made, against a backdrop of stunning waterfront views. So next time you’re at Ray’s Boathouse and Café, take a moment to appreciate its rich history. It’s more than just a meal. It’s a taste of Seattle’s past, present, and future.