Ivar's Acres of Clams

Ivar’s Acres of Clams is a full-service seafood restaurant on the waterfront at Pier 54, with Elliott Bay and Puget Sound forming the backdrop. The setting combines a relaxed dining room with a lounge and an outdoor patio, giving diners a choice between an indoor meal and open-air seating beside the water.

The restaurant’s character is closely tied to the history of the pier. Exposed fir beams and a restored sign from the building’s earlier days add visual detail to the refreshed interior, while broad windows bring in views of passing ferries, fireboats and the surrounding waterfront activity. The patio offers a closer connection to the breeze, boats and occasional gulls.

The menu focuses on Pacific Northwest seafood, with preparations built around fish, shellfish and other seasonal ingredients. Seafood classics sit alongside dishes featuring varieties such as wild salmon, halibut, Alaska king crab, Dungeness crab, prawns, Manila clams and scallops. Chowder and fish and chips provide familiar choices, while the broader menu reflects the region’s coastal cooking and the restaurant’s long-standing recipes.

A separate Pier 54 Fish Bar provides takeout service for seafood favorites, making the venue suitable for a quick waterfront stop as well as a seated meal. The restaurant also offers group dining, with the dining room, lounge and patio providing different settings for shared meals and gatherings.

With its historic pier details, water-facing location and seafood-centered menu, Ivar’s Acres of Clams suits diners looking for a classic waterfront restaurant, visitors interested in Pacific Northwest cooking, and groups seeking a meal near the promenade. The combination of indoor dining, patio seating and takeout gives the venue flexibility for relaxed meals, casual stops and gatherings by the bay.