As the weather gets warmer and we Seattleites have more friends and family visiting us, we are always trying to find the best place to take in this clamtastic city of ours. In a place as beautiful as the Emerald City, it can be tough to pick a favorite, so we did all the hard work for you and compiled our top five choices for the best views in town. 

The Pacific Northwest is a special place, a magical area where sea and mountains collide and fresh seafood and lush greenness abound. I’ve spent the last few years fervently exploring the PNW and I’ve fallen in love with it. The bigger cities are fantastic and not to be missed, but there’s just something special about the smaller towns and regions that always keep me coming back for more. 

Have you ever noticed how many seagulls are always hanging around outside of Ivar’s Acres of Clams and Ivar’s Fish Bar at Pier 54? Some might say they’re our best customers, always coming back for more. But sometimes we have to wonder – are they just in it for the free food? Whatever the case may be, we’re sharing our step-by-step guide to deliver the perfect bite every time. 

Around this time every year, commercial family fishermen near Cordova, Alaska gear up and fish at a moment’s notice for wild Copper River King and Sockeye salmon. The season is closely managed for a sustainable harvest, often with 12-hour fishing windows for these hardworking men and women. May 18 was the first opening of the season, and during the first two-day fishing period, a whopping 93,000 fish were collectively caught, landing promptly into gentle handlers for shipping to restaurants and retailers all over the world.

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of sweet, sweet summertime (just about). We’re embracing, but still anticipating, the warmer weather the best way we know how – with delicious food, of course! There’s nothing like Seattle sun and what better way to welcome the upcoming summer months than outside over a barbeque?

Finally! After the wettest Seattle winter (and start to spring) on record, the skies are just starting to clear to make way for sunshine. Tree blossoms have burst open at long last, pollinators are making the rounds and the first harvests of the Pacific Northwest have shipped or can be found at your local farmer’s market. Here at Ivar’s full-serve restaurants, spring has certainly sprung.

Last Saturday, Ivar’s Acres of Clams and Executive Chef Chris Garr were invited to participated in the annual Bacon and Beer Classic at Safeco Field. More than 4,000 food and beer lovers ascended upon the field sampling dozens of tastes. Chef Garr’s twice bacony dish was voted as the Best Savory Dish. This was the second award for the team within the four years of participating in the event. By popular demand, enjoy the award-winning recipe for your next gathering.

“Opening Day” is a popular tradition here in Seattle, and throughout the Northwest, as the first Saturday in May marks the official start of boating season. Seattleites ditch their rain jackets and reach for sunglasses and sunscreen to embrace warmer days. In celebration, vessels big and small flock to Portage Bay and parade slowly through the Montlake Cut. The annual event brings together local boaters and water aficionados alike in one of the nation’s largest regional celebrations of water, boating and springtime. 

Spring time in Seattle usually means sunshine and clear(er) skies. That welcomed weather tends to get everyone outside. Whether you’re visiting Seattle or have grown up here, we tend to overlook places that we might not know exist, or have always wanted to visit. Well, we’re here to give you a few ideas to get out of the house and dive into Seattle’s hidden gems.

Ivar’s is looking for the best school of fish for our 14th annual Teacher of the Year program. We need your help to find some of Washington state’s most inspiring teachers as we see the remarkable impact they have on students every day. Wewant to honor the educators who really do make a difference!

In shell-a-bration of Mariners opening day at Safeco Field on April 10, we’re sharing one of our favorite stadium food choices, but don’t just take it from us, we’ve served our award-winning local cuisine to nearly one million hungry sports fans every year. Now, that’s a lot of Keepin’ Clam!

On this April Fool’s Day, join us as we look back at some of our favorite pranks through the years, many which have already stood the test of time in Pacific Northwest lore. Whether excited for a “new” venture or shocked at the possibility, Ivar’s has always had one hand stirring the pot (no we’re not talking about our chowder, though someone is probably stirring that right now).

Spring in the Pacific Northwest means more sun breaks, longer days and beautiful bright blossoms, but it also rings in a very tasty treat at Ivar's: fresh Alaska (Pacific) halibut! For a very limited time, our first-of-the-season, fresh wild Alaska halibut will be featured on fresh sheets during lunch and dinner at Ivar's Acres of Clams, Ivar's Salmon House and at Ivar's Mukilteo Landing.

March is Taste Washington Wine Month, and at Ivar’s we’re uncorking a few beauties from our own collection of fabulous Washington wines in shellebration. Whether you care to taste Washington at your own private table, wish to join us for a spirited winemaker dinner, or sip-and-swirl your way through an extravaganza of Washington wine, we’re all in to show you the way!

Did you know our famous Dancing Clams actually have o-fish-al names? That’s right. Meet Clem and Clara, our mascots, or clamscots as we like to call them. They were named after the characters that appeared in the Ivar’s whimsical comic strips from the 1950s, and have a storied history dating back all the way to 1985.