

Featuring Seattle’s finest waterfront dining with views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, Mt. Rainier and the Space Needle. The expansive outdoor deck is especially attractive on summer evenings when spectacular sunsets await. Indoors, the spacious lounge and 85 ft. lighted wave bar is a showstopper in its own right. The Puget Sound serves as both the backdrop and the inspiration for the menu at AQUA with fresh daily selections of fish and 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® Steaks prepared on an open-pit charcoal grill in the exhibition kitchen. AQUA by El Gaucho is part of the Fire & Vine™ Rewards program.
Elegant steakhouse offering a menu of high-end classics like Angus beef & seafood.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2801 Alaskan Wy Pier 70, Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 956-9171
Website: https://aquabyelgaucho.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: tripleseat.comsevenrooms.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
AQUA by El Gaucho | Waterfront Dining
AQUA by El Gaucho – Visit Seattle
AQUA by El Gaucho (@aquabyelgaucho) – Instagram
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Reviews
The interior leans upscale with modern-classic touches, and live piano music adds an elegant, romantic vibe. You can instantly tell this is the type of place people come to celebrate.
I was taking photos when James, the general manager, came right over and asked how he could help. Without me even asking, he knew I wanted to capture the sunset. He personally unlocked the outdoor deck gate so I could step out and get the perfect shot. That’s when he introduced himself and shared that he’s originally from Santa Monica, now recruited to Seattle. This restaurant is so lucky to have James. He’s the type of manager who’s professional, personable, and not afraid to roll up his sleeves. I kept noticing him throughout the night helping the staff, delivering food, and checking in on guests. That kind of leadership sets the tone for the entire restaurant.
Bob was our server and he also did an amazing job. Even with how busy the night was, he never once forgot about us. He coursed everything perfectly, even though we ordered all at once, and gave us excellent recommendations. My boyfriend and I split everything, which was perfect for tasting:
Passion Mojito– strong but really good!Sancerre Wine– crisp and perfect with seafood.
Caesar Salad- classic, done right.
Grilled Spanish Octopus- charred just enough for a smoky edge, paired with romesco sauce such perfection.
Alaskan Black Cod- buttery, tender, caramelized edges with crispy leeks that added the best crunch.
Sauteed Foraged & Cultivated Mushrooms- earthy and meaty, a must if you love mushrooms.
Broccolini- nothing fancy, but still tasty.
Baileys Chocolate Caramel Bread Pudding (James’s pick!) – OMG, demolished in 5 minutes!
Every single staff member we encountered was attentive, friendly, and on point. Between James going above and beyond and Bob’s flawless service, the hospitality here is truly top-notch.
If you’re looking for a date night restaurant or somewhere to celebrate a special occasion in Seattle, this is it. Aqua by El Gaucho checks all the boxes, unforgettable food, a killer view, and people like James who make you feel like a VIP.
From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional—attentive without being rushed, and genuinely warm. We didn’t even realize until later that we were the last guests in the restaurant because the team never made us feel like we’d overstayed.
Every dish was memorable. Our group shared generously and everyone had favorites—from the ceviche and Westcott Bay oysters to the chowder, sea bass, black cod, ahi tuna and salmon. There wasn’t a single miss.
We’re so grateful for such a relaxing, delicious evening with friends in a beautiful setting. We left feeling proud to share one of our favorite Seattle restaurants—and our guests left even more in love with this city.
Thank you to every member of the Aqua team. We’ll happily be back.
First, the decor is atrocious. I wish I took a picture of the entrance. It appears to have been designed by a teenage girl in 2006. Second, it was empty. Other than our group there were only 2 other small tables and 2 people alone at the very large bar.
As for the food: The appetizers for the table were terrible. There was a crostini with an unidentifiable topping that I couldn’t eat more than 1 bite of. The flavor still haunts me. The steak skewers had no taste. I wasn’t brave enough to try the shrimp, but my husband said it was awful. Our dinner and dessert were great though. I had steak with mashed potatoes with asparagus and my husband had salmon. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. The creme brulee and carrot cake was delicious too.
I want to mention that the servers were very friendly and attentive. No issues there.
Overall, it was very meh and I’m happy I didn’t have to pay for it (it was a company dinner).
This was a special night for our family. Our son tried raw oysters for the first time, and they were incredibly fresh — a perfect introduction! Both he and my husband ordered the lobster tail, served with creamy mashed potatoes and tender broccolini — everything was cooked to perfection. I had the halibut paired with zucchini, and it was light, flavorful, and beautifully presented.
Our server, Leann, was absolutely amazing — warm, attentive, and made us feel so well taken care of. The service alone makes this spot worth visiting.
Yes, it’s on the higher-end side, but the atmosphere, exceptional food, and top-notch service make it well worth it. Highly recommend for a memorable night out in Seattle!