Seattle Fish Guys has become a neighborhood anchor by doing the simple things uncommonly well: fresh fish, honest portions, and a friendly counter that remembers your favorites.
Tucked on 23rd Ave S, this seafood market and cafe pairs stellar poke with seasonal catches and smoky house specialties.
With a 4.6-star reputation and lines that speak for themselves, it’s the place locals send friends who ask, “Where’s the good stuff?”
Read on to discover what turns first-timers into regulars—and why the name keeps growing on steady craft.
A Market Built on Morning-Fresh Seafood
Seattle Fish Guys stands out as a seafood market first, cafe second, which explains its loyal following. Displays brim with bright, glistening fillets, seasonal shellfish, and specials that change with the tides.
Staff guide you toward what’s best that day, offering honest advice on cooking and pairing. Smoked salmon samples often seal the deal, revealing a house favorite with deep, balanced flavor.
Quality control is obvious: clean counters, tidy cases, and cuts that respect the fish. Whether you’re grilling at home or grabbing lunch, freshness is the constant. It’s that reliability that built the shop’s name.
The Poke Bowl Standard-Setter
Ask regulars why they return and poke tops the list. Bowls arrive heavy with sizable cubes of fish—spicy salmon, shoyu ahi, or creamy scallop—tossed to order and anchored by rice showered in furikake. Add-ons like ika sansai and crab salad bring texture and snap.
Portions are generous enough to split, with prices reflecting quality and heft. Flavors lean clean and balanced, avoiding sugary glazes for well-seasoned sauces.
Even skeptics concede: freshness carries the bowl. While seating can be limited, poke travels well, making it an ideal to-go staple. It’s no wonder many call it Seattle’s benchmark poke.
Smoked Salmon That Steals the Show
The sleeper hit is the smoked salmon, a cut that regulars insist you grab before checkout. It’s silky yet meaty, with smoke that whispers instead of shouts, letting the fish’s sweetness linger.
Samples often spark impulse buys, and for good reason—this is picnic, charcuterie, and breakfast-bagel gold. Compared to many smokehouses, the cure here strikes a rare balance: not too salty, never dried out.
It flakes beautifully, shines in chowder, and elevates salads. If you buy one thing beyond your poke, make it this. Many swear it’s the single best bite in the shop.
Chowder and Comfort in a Cup
Beyond raw bar freshness, comfort cooking thrives here. The chowder is a quiet champion—creamy without cloying, generous with seafood, and balanced by herbs and smoke. It’s ideal on drizzly days, as a side to poke, or a standalone lunch.
The shop’s cafe sensibility means hot items rotate, but chowder’s a reliable warm-up. Pair with taro chips for crunch or a slice of smoked salmon for added depth. Locals tout it among the city’s best, praising its consistency and honest value.
If you think chowder is predictable, this cup is poised to change your mind.
How to Order Like a Regular
Arrive early for peak selection, especially weekends. Start by scanning the case and asking what’s just come in; staff steer you toward the day’s winners. For poke, choose one to three proteins—spicy salmon, shoyu ahi, scallop—and add sides like ika sansai or crab salad.
Ask for extra furikake if you love umami crunch. If dining in, note limited seating; many opt to take bowls to-go. Don’t skip a sample of smoked salmon.
And check operating hours—most days run 10 AM to 6:30 PM, earlier close on Sundays. Simple moves, big payoff.
What Locals Say (The Real Talk)
Reviews paint a nuanced picture: big portions, ultra-fresh fish, and standout flavors earn raves. Many call it Seattle’s best poke, praising the creamy scallop, spicy salmon, and generous furikake. Some feedback notes variability in certain items like uni or rice texture, and prices reflect premium quality.
Seating can be tight, making takeaway popular. Still, a 4.6-star rating across thousands of reviews says the experience consistently delivers.
Want a pro move? Pair poke with smoked salmon mac and cheese for comfort stacked on craftsmanship. It’s local love grounded in real, repeatable wins.
Plan Your Visit
Find Seattle Fish Guys at 411 23rd Ave S, a convenient hop from downtown with street parking nearby. Hours run 10 AM–6:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and 10 AM–5:30 PM on Sunday—check before you go.
Call +1 206-485-7388 for availability or visit the website for menu updates. Expect a bright, modern space with a market up front and cafe service along the counter. It’s popular, so midday lines are common yet quick.
Consider ordering to-go during peak hours. Either way, you’ll walk out with seafood that tastes like it traveled the shortest distance possible.
Why It Endures: Craft Over Hype
Seattle Fish Guys thrives on a simple formula: buy great fish, treat it respectfully, and serve it generously. There’s no gimmick—just precise cuts, dialed-in sauces, and a team that cares about consistency.
The result is a place where market shoppers and lunch crowds share the same confidence. Whether you’re building a home-cooked feast or chasing the city’s best poke, you’ll find craftsmanship on every plate.
Even when tastes differ, quality remains the common ground. That steadiness has grown a name recognized well beyond the neighborhood—and it’s why the next visit probably won’t be your last.