Seattle Clam Chowder That Rivals the East Coast

A lot of soup was harmed on the hunt for the best Seattle clam chowder. I love it so much because it brings back powerful memories from my youth.

It reminds me of all the fish shacks I ate at every summer down the Jersey Shore. Or those times I ate it for lunch while touring potential colleges in the New England area. And I’ll never forget having homemade Manhattan-style chowder at my aunt’s annual clam bake.

Since Seattle is a big seafood city, I thought having great chowder would be a given. You can imagine my surprise when I learned that there are unfortunately a lot of versions that don’t live up to the ones you’d find on the east coast.

Obviously, that realization made me say, “Challenge accepted.” I went on a mission trying as many chowders as I could, making sure to order every chowder on a menu to compare the New England, Manhattan, and even Jersey styles you’ll see on menus.

The result? This list of the best clam chowder in Seattle that even east coasters would approve of.

Best Seattle Clam Chowder

I’ll update this list as I find more of this quintessential Seattle food, but here are the best clam chowder in Seattle, in order of my favorites!

Chinook’s

website | 1900 W Nickerson St (Interbay) | what to get: Boston clam chowder

Chinook’s is a fancier restaurant owned by Anthony’s right in the Interbay fishermen’s terminal. I went there almost a decade ago for my dad’s birthday and thought I remembered not liking it, but I was inspired to go back when someone told me they had great chowder.

I was pleased to discover there’s a more casual fish counter spot called Little Chinook’s attached to it. So I ordered all three of their chowders to put them to the test. They have a Boston white clam chowder, Manhattan red chowder, and a New Jersey chowder, which is a mix of white and red that doesn’t actually exist in New Jersey (similar to how everyone thinks we say “Joisey”…no one says that).

Out of the three, the clear winner was the Boston clam chowder. It’s super creamy with the perfect amount of salt, evenly diced potatoes that match the size of the clams, and a healthy dose of herbs. I liked how it had more going on so it didn’t hurt your throat with just one note of cream, but still tasted like that quintessential chowder.

Seattle Fish Company

website | 4435 California Ave SW (West Seattle) | what to get: smoked salmon chowder

Am I allowed to put a salmon chowder on the best Seattle clam chowder list?! I hope so, because Seattle Fish Company’s version is the best I’ve had in the city. It’s so good, it’s one of my favorite places to eat in West Seattle.

The smoked salmon gives that earthiness you get from bacon in traditional clam chowder, but this soup has tomatoes in it that creates a beautiful pink hue. Plus you get hearty chunks of fresh Pacific Northwest salmon…no skimping here! This soup reminds me of a cross between clam chowder and cioppino, the popular Italian tomato broth soup with a ton of seafood.

clam chowder poutine from one of Seattle's best seafood restaurants

If you’re a purist and prefer to stick to clams, they also have a great clam chowder that you can get served in a cup or over fries a la poutine style (I know, my mind was blown too).

Pike Place Chowder

website | 1530 Post Alley (Pike Place Market) and 600 Pine St (Downtown) | what to get: New England clam chowder or a chowder sampler

I’ll let you in on a secret: in my self-guided Pike Place Market tour I recommend skipping Pike Place Chowder. Gasp…then what is it doing on this list? Well, hear me out.

Pike Place Chowder is one of the rare touristy spots in Pike Place that actually lives up to the hype. The chowder is excellent. However, it’s not worth waiting in line for a few reasons.

First, they have a Pacific Place location that’s often less crowded. Second, you can order pick up online to skip the line. Lastly they deliver nationwide, so why would you waste a meal during a trip on something you can ship home as a souvenir? Soup travels and reheats really well, so save that appetite for something you can only experience during your trip!

This place has the most chowder options on its menu than any other Seattle chowder restaurant. You’ll find scallop chowder, oyster chowder, and even bisques. The best part? You can get a sampler to try 3. If you’re like me and never able to choose, this is a god send!

Make sure the New England clam chowder is in your sampler. While I want to say some of the more unique versions are better, you can’t beat their classic version. It’s creamy with a lot of depth of flavor, but is less chunky than others so the clams really stand out.

Metropolitan Grill

website | 820 2nd Ave (Downtown) | what to get: New England clam chowder

Yeah, I’m just as surprised as you that one of the best clam chowders in Seattle is at one of the city’s best steakhouses. Metropolitan Grill’s version is a classic New England style served with just the right sized potatoes and a super smooth broth. I love how they don’t include bacon in it, as I find the meat can often overpower the seafood vibes. Yet they season it with paprika to give it just enough kick to keep it interesting.

Love burgers? Met Grill is making one of the best burgers in Seattle.

bowl of Seattle clam chowder with paprika garnish

Shawn O’Donnell’s

website | 3601 Fremont Ave N (Fremont) & 508 2nd Ave (Pioneer Square) | what to get: Donegal Bay clam chowder

This Irish pub has a few locations around Seattle and the rest of Washington. After trying their clam chowder, I get why. It’s a New-England style with a great creamy consistency and huge chunks of potato and clam. But what makes it special is the spicy kick thanks to cajun spice. It’s the perfect base to dip their excellent Irish soda bread.

Beardslee Public House

website | 19116 Beardslee Blvd Ste 102 (Bothell) | what to get: New England clam chowder

I like a chunky clam chowder, and Beardslee Public House has the chunkiest of the soups on this list. The broth is a bit thinner so it doesn’t feel too heavy, but it’s still hearty given the mix ins. You’ll find large pieces of clam, potato, celery, and onion that meld together perfectly into an irresistibly comforting spoonful of clam chowder.

Beardslee Public House has a really great all-around menu. Check out what else you can order in my guide to the best lunch spots in Seattle.

person picking up spoonful of New England clam chowder

Jack’s Fish Spot

website | 1514 Pike Pl (Pike Place Market) | what to get: northwest style clam chowder

Jack’s Fish Spot is an often-crowded fishmonger in Pike Place Market. They have a grill with a few stools where people order and perch enjoying fish and chips, oysters, and soups.

I really enjoy their clam chowder. It’s creamy and chunky, with flecks of herbs that give it a speckled appearance similar to how fresh vanilla bean makes patterns in custard. You can often get chowder much faster here than you can at Pike Place Chowder, so it’s a good alternative when you’re visiting the best restaurants in Pike Place Market.

Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe

website | 6040 Seaview Ave NW (Ballard) | what to get: Ray’s clam chowder

Ray’s is one of the best restaurants in Seattle with a view. You can choose to eat at the fancier restaurant downstairs, but I prefer the cafe with the great deck upstairs. Plus, that’s where you’ll find a great happy hour that of course has chowder.

Ray’s clam chowder is a white New England style. It’s probably the most bacon-y of the ones on this list thanks to their house-smoked bacon. But don’t worry, you can still taste the clammy goodness in their excellent version of this classic east coast soup.