Salmon Bay Cafe's hip and fun staff serve traditional American breakfasts, lunch and dinner, great coffee, and beer, wine, or cocktails from our full bar. No small plates, no gastro-novelties-Ballard already has plenty of joints like that. Our goal is to offer something different: comfort food with home-cooked deliciousness.
Great meals at great value!. C'mon down to the waterfront and check out working-man's Ballard: fisherman-sized omelets, habit-forming seafood benedicts, two-fisted sandwiches and full plates for hearty appetites. We have great veggie options, too. Not hungry for hash browns today? Substitute a small mountain of beautiful fresh fruit.
Great meals at great value!. C'mon down to the waterfront and check out working-man's Ballard: fisherman-sized omelets, habit-forming seafood benedicts, two-fisted sandwiches and full plates for hearty appetites. We have great veggie options, too. Not hungry for hash browns today? Substitute a small mountain of beautiful fresh fruit.
Reviews (25)
Marissa C.
Jan 17, 2022
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David Stearns
Jan 03, 2022
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It has the feel of an old diner, booths that have a step up into your personal area with polished benches. It has a friendly staff and hardy meals. Great views of the maritime life on the canal. Not quite as old as some of the other buildings/businesses a few blocks away. Nonetheless, it has a familiarity simular to a favorite pair of driving gloves or blue jeans. A very homey place to share a meal with someone.
Joe Sestrich
Dec 27, 2021
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Katy H.
Nov 29, 2021
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Daniel M.
Nov 25, 2021
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Blackjack Sass
Nov 11, 2021
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Pam L.
Oct 03, 2021
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Finally found a place that I'm comfortable in, in Ballard! Comfortable booths, pleasant music playing at a comfortable volume, good food, reasonable prices, good service, nice environment.
I'm over 60 and have only lived in Ballard for 5 months. I'm not comfortable with the hip, trendy, loud, overpriced, hectic places I've found here, but unfortunately this is the area that had a senior housing apartment available, so here I am, an older, laid back Oregonian, living in a place and culture somewhat foreign to me.
I had a mimosa and a senior breakfast, with scrambled eggs,
I'm over 60 and have only lived in Ballard for 5 months. I'm not comfortable with the hip, trendy, loud, overpriced, hectic places I've found here, but unfortunately this is the area that had a senior housing apartment available, so here I am, an older, laid back Oregonian, living in a place and culture somewhat foreign to me.
I had a mimosa and a senior breakfast, with scrambled eggs,
Bailey L.
Sep 17, 2021
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Aj
Sep 13, 2021
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Erika P.
Sep 11, 2021
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Abby H. Bighouse
Aug 13, 2021
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Scott W.
Aug 12, 2021
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Ballard's Secret In-Plain-Sight -- Salmon Bay Café
Why isn't this place more packed? It serves delicious, hearty, and sometimes innovative diner fare until 2pm (3 on weekends), at great prices, in a neighborhood not known for sit-down cheap eats. The current owners cleaned the place up a few years ago, retaining the nautical theme that has been delighting fisherfolk and dockworkers for ages. They updated the banquettes and added a full bar. These days the servers are less sneery and more cheery (sorry sassy waitress lovers). The café is bright and airy, not dismal like the bars nearby
Why isn't this place more packed? It serves delicious, hearty, and sometimes innovative diner fare until 2pm (3 on weekends), at great prices, in a neighborhood not known for sit-down cheap eats. The current owners cleaned the place up a few years ago, retaining the nautical theme that has been delighting fisherfolk and dockworkers for ages. They updated the banquettes and added a full bar. These days the servers are less sneery and more cheery (sorry sassy waitress lovers). The café is bright and airy, not dismal like the bars nearby
Matt W.
Jul 30, 2021
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Jim M.
Jul 11, 2021
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Grant L.
Jun 24, 2021
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The best breakfast place in Ballard. Have tried multiple menu items and it's all good (especially a fan of the crab melt, but also the best cinnamon roll in town!)
If you're in the mood for a boozy brunch, their cocktails are excellent as well.
There's not much else to say, if you want a really good breakfast/brunch place in Ballard, this is the place.
If you're in the mood for a boozy brunch, their cocktails are excellent as well.
There's not much else to say, if you want a really good breakfast/brunch place in Ballard, this is the place.
Dennis Kangas
May 12, 2021
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Sean M.
May 05, 2021
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This place is sleeper good. Seems to be family run, and they are all super personable, even fully masked up. Speaking of that, was great pre-COVID, but every time I've gone during COVID they've made it feel comfortable and safe with spacing/masks/everything with whatever Stage we've been in. I stick mostly with the Breakfast foods at anytime of day, and their Bloody Mary was very very solid. My partner usually goes for their lunch style items and they've also been hits. Can't recommend this greasy spoon diner enough!
Mike F.
Mar 06, 2021
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I am so glad that a few years ago new owners took over Salmon Bay cafe. It's back to being a good little breakfast and lunch place.
Today's biscuits & gravy was slightly disappointing. A little short on sausage and a little short on quantity of gravy to go with the yummy, fluffy biscuits. C'mon guys another half cup of gravy on your biscuits isn't gonna kill your profits. Plus today must have been "ration coffee day". I got coffee right away after being seated, but then was mostly finished with my meal before I was offered more. All the while watching other
Today's biscuits & gravy was slightly disappointing. A little short on sausage and a little short on quantity of gravy to go with the yummy, fluffy biscuits. C'mon guys another half cup of gravy on your biscuits isn't gonna kill your profits. Plus today must have been "ration coffee day". I got coffee right away after being seated, but then was mostly finished with my meal before I was offered more. All the while watching other
Erica P.
Nov 08, 2020
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Stumbled across this awesome spot when we were cruising for breakfast on our way out of town.
You can miss me with breakfast at a fancy spot; I don't want to put on my Sunday best to eat bacon and eggs. Salmon Bay Cafe has the kind of atmosphere that beckons you to come in in your jeans and kicks and have a stick to your ribs breakfast.
Definitely try the eggs Bennie, they were delicious and the hollandaise sauce was excellent!
You can miss me with breakfast at a fancy spot; I don't want to put on my Sunday best to eat bacon and eggs. Salmon Bay Cafe has the kind of atmosphere that beckons you to come in in your jeans and kicks and have a stick to your ribs breakfast.
Definitely try the eggs Bennie, they were delicious and the hollandaise sauce was excellent!
Thelma M.
Jun 18, 2020
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YES I am a fan!! The service was great and I ordered, this morning, a single pancake with the french toast meal. eggs, bacon (2) and a side of slightly crisp hashbrowns with a small cup of OJ and a cup of coffee!! The frenchtoast comes sliced in half 3 slices of bread.
Between the two of us our bill was $54 and worth it!! we did have to enter wearing a mask, although the mask came off in order for us to eat. There was a table for 2 outside.
This restaurant is located by the Ballard waterfront by Fredmeyer. There is plenty of parking!!
Good food and Good Service im a fan!!
I will try to
Between the two of us our bill was $54 and worth it!! we did have to enter wearing a mask, although the mask came off in order for us to eat. There was a table for 2 outside.
This restaurant is located by the Ballard waterfront by Fredmeyer. There is plenty of parking!!
Good food and Good Service im a fan!!
I will try to
Guahan F.
Feb 17, 2020
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M. M.
Aug 30, 2019
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Susan H.
Jun 08, 2019
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Mattea D.
Dec 28, 2018
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Salmon Bay is a somewhat remarkable diner on Shilshole in Ballard - it has parking and it's exactly as you expect it to be from the outside. It's a diner and it's quick, inexpensive and great for breakfast (why I came). Walk in from the side, wait to be seated at a booth or grab a spot at the bar, the atmosphere is super casual - just people looking for a meal. I came on a weekday so it wasn't full, just a few other tables.
I ordered right away: Joe's scramble and a cup of coffee. Scramble with toast and hashbrowns, though here were other choices (normal diner!). The food
I ordered right away: Joe's scramble and a cup of coffee. Scramble with toast and hashbrowns, though here were other choices (normal diner!). The food
Casey K.
Aug 19, 2018
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One of the hard things about leaving the east coast is finding a great diner on the west coast, which are usually few and far between. However, this little hidden gem in Ballard is the perfect west coast diner that you've been looking for.
Each weekend is usually packed with locals. It offers a quaint dining experience, located near the locks.
They feature a "Fresh Baked" item every weekend as well, anywhere from a blueberry muffin or some other interesting combo. The cinnamon rolls are brought in but they are both super fresh and delicious.
I've gotten a few different omelettes
Each weekend is usually packed with locals. It offers a quaint dining experience, located near the locks.
They feature a "Fresh Baked" item every weekend as well, anywhere from a blueberry muffin or some other interesting combo. The cinnamon rolls are brought in but they are both super fresh and delicious.
I've gotten a few different omelettes
