Harbor Café
1411 4th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101
Harbor Café Menu
-
Main
-
snacks
-
sides
Healthy Meal suggestions for Harbor Café
-
Main
-
snacks
-
sides
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1411 4th Ave
Seattle, WA, 98101 - Phone (206) 340-9908
- Website https://www.chefrut.com/Cafe_Page.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:30 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Ming Z.
Followed my co-worker to this laid back mom & pop joint. It was a little weird at first, but I really enjoy the service here and of course, the food! The owners are super friendly and really down to earth. They are always quick and consistent, which is what I like. The daily special is always good. Wednesday is my favorite, the pot roast. They do have a lot of options on their breakfast and lunch menu. A lot of regulars come here to eat or take it to-go. Prices are great, everything is $7 bucks. Homemade feel, and delicious. I wish there were more places like this. Cheers!
(5)Garrett L.
Summary: Megh. Food: Not very filling, fairly small portion, and mostly pretty bland. One exception I've found, the teriyaki chicken does have good flavor. They offer a weird selection of foods. Service: Very nice people. Value: Fairly inexpensive, but I think there are other nearby option that are better. Location: Convenient downtown, though hidden from street view. Little seating area with base amenities. Not high end, but not meant to be. Comments: They don't wait on you, but they do deliver your food and get your dishes (if you linger a bit).
(3)Navi R.
Solid authentic Thai food restaurant for a quick lunch in downtown Seattle. I've been here regularly for about a year now and I'm still not tired of their food. The menu has great selections with all tasting great! There's also a daily special item that always catches my attention. Really, it's always a struggle to decide on an item. The food here tastes very authentic and has a homey feel to it which I thoroughly enjoy. My only wish is that their portion was a little bigger, not because of value, but rather, it does not hold me until dinner (gosh, I feel guilty for saying that). But for the price, the food is of great value. Run by very friendly owners - keep it up!
(4)Jon L.
It can be a challenge to find good cheap eats in downtown Seattle. Harbor Café is one spot I would put in this category. I was walking down 4th Avenue looking for a place to eat and came across their sandwich board on the sidewalk so I decided to venture in. If not for that board, I wouldn't have known that this place existed. It is on the same street as Potbelly and RN 74 in an older building near an investment brokerage. The restaurant is just past the elevators here. The offerings here kind of remind me of DeliNoMore except with a focus on Thai food. They offer breakfast items in the morning and for lunch they serve Thai dishes along with items like teriyaki chicken and some salads. There is also a daily special. Nothing on the menu is over $7.95. I went with the Thai curry noodle ($6.95) since it was cool outside. I paid for the meal and then took a seat across the hall in their dining area. My meal was then brought over when it was ready. I liked the dish. A comforting meal. Egg noodles were covered by a slightly spicy yellow curry sauce. The crispy noodles on top are sort of reminiscent of the ones that I had in the khao soi dish at Bai Tong. Service here is very friendly. The lady at the counter particularly who makes you feel at home. The same kind of hospitality I find back in Hawaii. I think I am being a little harsh giving a three here. This place is on the cusp of four stars, but I want to try more of the menu before giving it that distinction. If I were working in downtown Seattle, Harbor Café would be one of my regular spots for sure.
(3)Nina H.
I've come here a handful of times now and I like this place! I'm excited to come back again and again to try their daily specials as well as their noodle soups. Now that it's rainy and cold, the noodle soups will be perfect and I know I'll crave them for lunch. I've tried the fried fish over rice and the chicken chow mein, and both were very yummy! The fish dish wasn't a huge portion, but the chow mein was a big portion. Generous pieces of chicken and noodles. It's probably better to dine in so the noodles don't get too soggy. Their set up is really convenient and quick for to-go orders and dining in. Prices are also very affordable!
(4)Willy M.
Time for a review: It must be a sign that I stumbled upon their sidewalk sign when I wasnt paying attention and almost tripped over it. My fault. Glad I stumbled upon this place (figuratively & literally). Totally enjoyed my lunches! Pot roast with potatoes & veg was delicious(very homemade lunch like my mama would cook) and also the Thai curry noodle bowl with chicken (great curry flavor and egg noodles were great) was super tasty! Portions are perfect for lunch, not overly stuffed but definitely filling. I think all their items for lunch are $7 or cheaper. Hell yea! They have daily specials too so dont forget to check that. Order at the counter, go across the hall and sit and they will bring out your food, only about 10 tables or less in there. They brought out the food quickly and was super nice to ask us if we needed some hot sauce etc. They know people by name and lunch order which made me want to come back even more. Super nice people! A recommended lunch spot on this lil gem!
(4)Kristina V.
For seven bucks, the Panang curry exceeded my expectations. Wonderful flavor and viscosity. I only wish there was more, because I'm still hungry! Note: there isn't any signage outside of this business complex. Just follow the people walking in and out with food... You'll figure it out. Nice that it's right near work!
(4)Jonathan L.
The chicken noodle dish was good, but not much chicken considering the overall portion size. The people were friendly and my order was ready quickly, even though there were a few ordrs ahead of me. I observed at least 3 regulars chatting with what I assume to be the owners - that's always a good sign. If you are looking for a quick, healthy, and inexpensive meal, this is a good choice.
(3)Cee M.
Food is three stars but customer service is 5 plus stars. I love coming in to see everyone there. Good prices and good people.
(4)Monica B.
I've walked by this place many times, seen the sign, and wondered what was inside. A friend suggested that we meet here for lunch. I'm always down for a new place. I looked at the Yelp reviews and felt immediately encouraged. Yes! This gonna be good. The lady at the counter was friendly and it wasn't busy since we were there before the 12pm rush. We ordered then walked across the tiny hall to the seating area. It wasn't really what I expected, even after reviewing the photos but chairs and tables are all I need. I had the chicken noodle soup. The noodles were okay but the broth was very bland. My head whipped around looking for some seasoning and all I found across the room was soy sauce and sriracha. I added both to the soup but it didn't help. Sriracha is simply not the right seasoning, nor is soy sauce. :-( The chicken was tender but lacked flavor. I believe they let it boil out. My friend let me taste her crispy, fried white fish and while I think it tasted good, the portion was very small for $6.95. Unless I get a direct recommendation on a dish from someone I know, I'm not sure I'll be going here again.
(2)Mochi Y.
I was lucky to find this place. Quick, homemade lunch for $7 by a really nice couple. Can't beat it.
(4)Clark D.
I found this place entirely by accident. Actually, I think my sixth sense may have lead me here, but in any case, this is the best Thai cuisine I've found in the city or suburbs. Judy and Chef Rut treat you like a regular from the very first time you walk in. Judy somehow remembers my name, my order, and even bits and pieces of previous conversations. Chef Rut takes pride in his food and it shows. I've brought friends and clients, everyone loves it. Also, I typically request my spicy food at 37 or so stars, which they happily accommodate.
(5)Peggy R.
It was a cold and rainy day. The rain felt like little tiny daggers because of the wind. I had to walk the 2 blocks to get here because of all the wonderful reviews I've seen on here. I go to counter to order, and the super-nice lady gives me some napkins to help dry me off. I loved that tiny little gesture because it said so much about the service in this wonderful, hidden mecca of yum. I ordered the chicken curry, and was super impressed with the low price. The price was amazing, but it came to me so quickly - and was a pretty hefty portion for such a low price. Oh, and was it yummy - the chicken was tender and the rice was cooked perfectly - the veggies were also perfect. I will definitely be back; and next time I'm trying the swimming rama!
(5)Eugene C.
It's kind of hard to pin down the type of cuisine here since there's such a variety of things they serve (pot roast, teriyaki, swimming rama). If I had to sum it up I would say decent tasting homestyle cooking with an Asian emphasis. The "savory yellow curry" with chicken tasted like something my Mom would make. It was a fairly spicy curry similar to a Japanese style curry but less sweet. The pulled chicken is cooked separately and mixed into the curry. I would have preferred if the chicken was stewed together with the curry. Overall, it wasnt the best I've ever had in a restaurant but hearty and comforting nonetheless.
(3)Rohan M.
The place isn't hidden away in a cranny like some of the other reviewers have mentioned. Then again, I did find it on yelp first, so maybe I'm biased. I came in on a Thursday so I went with the green curry, which I found was lacking... in curry. The dish itself was quite delicious, and the lady stressed the white/lean meat. I also decided to get the pulled pork burger, which for a Thai place, was surprisingly good. I don't plan to give this place 4 stars for a pulled pork burger, so I will be back to try another daily special. The lady and the staff are quite friendly. She remembers your name the first time (quite possibly, to see what you said about her on Yelp :P), however, I did not get a chance to observe her calling other patrons by name, but I imagine it is an impressive feat. Protip: If you don't want to pay for parking and are with a friend, call ahead, then park in the 3-minute parking out front that no-one parks in, and have your friend pick up the meal. They even offered to come out to the street and drop it off, if you are by yourself and can pay by cash.
(3)Ray P.
If you work in downtown Seattle, you owe it to yourself to check this place out. It's in a pretty unobtrusive area of the block, right next to an e-Trade office, and you wouldn't know it was there, but for the blue shingle you can see from the sidewalk. What will you find there? There's no other place I'm aware of in the area that provides a similar experience. Two inveterate restaurant folks, with serious cooking chops, serving up perfect lunchtime comfort food, primarily with an Asian bent, mostly to-go, but with some seating in the adjacent space as well. The daily specials are terrific: Monday chow mein, Weds pot roast (like home-cookin' pot roast with fresh mashed potatoes and pan drippings, with veggies), Friday panang curry are my stand-bys. Other favorites are the soups and the thai curry noodle bowl. And it's very reasonable: under 8 bucks, including tax, for a hearty plate of meat, veggies, and a starch (rice, potatoes, noodles) depending on the dish. Oh, and the thin, crispy chocolate chip cookies are great as well. They are quick, efficient and friendly as all heck, and they know probably half of the patrons in the place, because it's primarily frequented by regulars. You should become a regular too!
(5)Beth A.
Harbor Cafe is my favorite lunch spot in Westlake. It features affordable prices and homemade quality food. It's a friendly place. When I walk in, Judy greets me by name. If it's not Thursday, I order yellow curry. They offer specials Monday through Friday. My favorite special is Green Curry Thursday. You can order food to go, or grab a seat. Harbor Cafe is a great lunch spot for people who work downtown. It's not fancy, but the food is predictable and satisfying.
(5)Wenn C.
I am still a fan, but I have to say, recently I ordered the pot roast (which is amazing by the way) but today I got literally 1/3 the amoutn of meat that I have gotten in the past. I overheard them saying it was the last batch for the day. I wich they would mentioned it to me.... I went at 2:00 pm so if you want a bigger serving I would go a little earlier and be sure to ask if what you're getting is normal serving size or ask for something they have more of. The food tastes amazing though, and the people always greet you with a smile:)
(4)Maria G.
What a mediocre place. I have been looking for a spot where I could grab a quick and satisfying meal for awhile in the Westlake area. I looked up on yelp for a lunch spot and this place showed up. From pictures, it looked promising. It was not difficult to find this place. It is located inside an office building. However, it has a sign on the outside so it is easy to spot. I invited a friend to come with me because I was so excited to try this place. They serve breakfast and lunch only. I asked for a recommendation because I did not know what would be a good dish to try on my first visit. I had the pot roast, yelp.com/biz_photos/harb… It was really mediocre. The portion is just right for one person and not enough to share with a friend. The beef was good but not thoroughly cooked. The mashed potato was okay and the three pieces of broccoli tasted like...plain broccoli. In other words, nothing too special about this special dish as it was highly recommended by the lady. I also tried the soup noodle, more like pho. Here is a picture: yelp.com/biz_photos/harb… It was so bland when it was first served. I had to put the Asian sauce in my soup to make it more flavorful. I never use the Asian bottled sauce whenever I eat out at Asian restaurants. But this was my first time ever using the Asian bottled chili sauce. I was pretty disappointed since I had high hope going in. Service was good and the cashier lady was super nice. This place is meant for quick work lunch. It is pre-cooked so it serves fast. You don't have to bus your table so you can just come sit down and leave right after your meal. There is a seating area with tables and chairs. If I do some back, I will probably try its curry dishes.
(3)Tom B.
I came in on a Monday and ordered the special, chicken chow mein. It was really bland and tasted like the can variety. I'm interested in coming by again and trying something else. The price was fair under $10.
(3)Jens P.
Very friendly owner. They have been here for 10 years and rely on word of mouth. Have great daily specials.
(5)Aaron S.
Food is really good. I had the Swimming Angel. Service is fast and friendly and you can tell they all love their jobs. My food arrived in less than 4 minutes. Inexpensive too. My lunch was $9, including a drink. It's in kind of a hidden dungeon. You walk through the building entrance, down a mysterious hallway lined with torches, and then like magic, it's a freakin Cafe! But it's not, it's a freakin Thai restaurant! The decor is no-frills. I mean it, not one frill. But it doesn't matter because the food is so good and gets there so fast and the folks are so friendly. Great place for lunch.
(5)Anthony C.
You walk into this place and it feels like you're eating at a friends house who has a mom that's an awesome cook. The staff are all very nice and helpful people who take pride in their jobs. The food was awesome, I had the "Swimming Angel" with Tofu instead of meat. Normally anytime I have almost any Asian food I'll grab some sriracha sauce and add it to the dish, but here it felt like that would just ruin the food's great taste. The only strange thing about this place that kept it from the five star rating was their silly tiny water cups. You get this big plate of food and then a shot glass to put water in. I found it amusing more than anything really.
(4)Robert J.
This place is unseen to the naked eye. Without yelp you would not know it was there. You will see a sign that says harbor cafe, but in order to get to the restaurant you MUST go through the lobby of an office building. That being said the food, service, and cleanliness is excellent. My boyfriend and I were in Seattle and we were looking for a lunch place. I wanted pho, and he wanted Thai. We settled on Thai and I'm glad we did because he found the Harbor Cafe. I LOVE Thai food, and I've had good, bad, and ugly. This place, while small, and difficult to find is a gem and so worth going to. We were greeted by the owner who rang us up and was super nice. They have daily specials that were super cheap and delicious. We both had the Panang Chicken and the curry was to die for. It was so fresh, and delicious, and perfectly spicy and the portion was a good size as well. I have not a single complaint about this place. Their Thai ice tea is delicious too. Almost like a milkshake. As we sat and ate our food we witnessed the opener greeting customers by name. Since this restaurant is downtown is must attract the business crowd. But she named like 10 customer's in a row which is an excellent memory. The bottom line: Their menu is not massive, they have daily specials, and it's a little hard to find. However, do not pass this place up because if us delicious.
(5)Carlee M.
Stopped in here while visiting Seattle for a conference. I wanted to try something local and not a chain. This is a small place in the back of a lobby of a building - with photo descriptions and a limited menu. For 6.95 - it was a great and yummy meal. I only had the Curry Thai Chicken but it was SO GOOD! Hope to go back one more time while I'm here
(4)Melody K.
Harbor Cafe is a small little lunch spot you could miss if you weren't specifically looking for it. I went for lunch with a coworker and was decently impressed with the Green Curry ( Thursday? special). But, the portion was a bit small and my coworker had a bunch of small hairs in her food. Definitely ruined the entire experience. I know she should have said something to the owner, or cashier but she was too embarrassed to talk about the hairs and have to deal with all of that. I doubt I'll ever come back there are better places around, for the same prices.
(1)Andy C.
I'm in town for a conference. The Thai Basil Shrimp is very good. The friendly atmosphere and reasonably priced menu are nice.
(4)Joe L.
The woman that owns the place is really pleasant. Their selection is pretty limited, I was surprised they didn't have phad thai, but the prices were great and the curry noodle bowl I had was quite good. Loved the hard boiled egg half.
(4)Kevin L.
I usually get the daily specials when I come here because they change daily and you know it's fresh. Wednesday pot roast is awesome and flavorful, a good choice if you are looking for some comfort food. Thursday and Friday are curry special (green and panang, respectively) days and both are great. Portion size is enough for a regular person.
(5)Vicky L.
Seriously the best Thai iced tea ever. Tucked inside one of the big business buildings downtown, Harbor Cafe is one of your typical Financial District Monday through Friday business hours place. Which is sad, because I could've eaten this all weekend long. I found this place after taking the light rail downtown to our hotel, and since it was 1:30 on a Friday (they close at 3) and we were hungry, we wanted the closest thing to us, which happened to be Harbor Cafe. We walked inside, a little confused about the location, but the lady came out from the kitchen area and greeted us. She was so sweet and nice, along with everyone else who worked there. I chose the special noodle soup, and BF had the panang chicken, which was the special of the day. We placed our orders and sat in the tiny eating area (probably seats about 20), and they brought us our food a few minutes later. My bowl of noodle soup was essentially just chicken pho, but it was flavorful and piping hot. So good for the soul. BF's panang chicken was not too sweet and a good-sized portion. But what REALLY killed it all was his Thai iced tea. It was a made-to-order tea so it was still warm while it mixed in with the ice cubes. They gave a little extra in a smaller cup (unheard of in SF!) so I tried some and fell in love. It had delicious tea flavor and was extremely creamy and smooth. You could probably freeze this and it would turn into the best Thai tea ice cream you'll ever have in your entire life. Just for Harbor Cafe, for future trips I'll make sure I land in Seattle before 3 PM on a Friday.
(5)Mary Cecilia M.
Clean, friendly, tiny little restaurant that all the locals seem to know but the tourists don't! Just be aware that it doesn't have a store front and you must enter from inside the office building and walk toward the back. Upon entering the restaurant we were warmly welcomed by the woman at the register--not at all what I'm used to from a hole in the wall. She was helpful with menu selections. I was deciding between a rice noodle soup and the salmon salad. I ordered the salmon salad since I'm soaking up as much salmon as possible during my Pac NW vacation. The fish was crisped (maybe a bit more than I prefer but I still enjoyed it) and dressed with a garlic sauce that was really tasty. It was the perfect portion for lunch. On my next visit, maybe when typical Seattle weather returns after summertime, I'll go for the more comforting rice noodle chicken soup--it looked delicious too!
(4)Ron M.
I know many of you have had that experience where you really don't expect that much out of restaurant and end up blown away after taking your first bite. That is what happened to me last Friday when I met up with Charlie D. and Jessica L. for lunch. I ordered their Friday special - Panang Chicken; and I was an instant fan! Plus the owners are so nice! How much of a fan? Well, I ended up having lunch there on Monday (Swimming Angel), Tuesday (Noodle Bowl) and Wednesday (Pan Seared Salmon) this week! Each of the dishes cost $6.95! Their daily special ($6.95) is as follows: Monday - Sauté Penne Pasta w/ Chicken Tuesday - Lemongrass Beef Wednesday - Pot Roast Thursday - Thai Green Curry Chicken Friday - Panang Chicken This place is easy to pass up since their sign is placed high up on the building and they are physically located at the end of the hall past the bank of elevators on the main floor. I've passed this place up many a time, but no longer. Random encounter on 4th Avenue in front of Harbor Cafe: Can you tell me where Oh, I think you mean Harbor City I can find Harbor Cafe? in Chinatown. Just take the bus \ tunnel and walk three blocks \ east on King Street. Right hand \ side. \ | O O_ |\\ | / \ / \ *Okay, I wouldn't do this to someone, but I'm thinking it!
(5)Joel M.
Did I eat at the same place that everybody else did? I mean, I'm sure that the owners are complete sweethearts and that they're trying their heart out here, but I didn't walk out a fan of this place. I'm sure that other people that have written reviews on here singing their praises are saying, "Great! More for me," and honestly, I think I'm completely fine with that. I had the Swimming Angel which a lot of people on here recommended. The chicken tasted very similar to what I've had in Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. The spinach tasted like frozen spinach recently microwaved. The yellow curry at my table seemed to have a great deal of curry powder with not enough sauce. I feel bad submitting this review as I really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, though, I just couldn't get into it.
(2)RJ E.
Excellent Lunch. Flavorful and reasonably priced.
(4)Richard W.
This is a really neat little place. Very clean, inexpensive, and has speedy service. Every day, they have a small list of plates that they're serving. The food is pretty delicious, but milder than I would prefer my Thai food to be. I would highly recommend checking it out if you can find it. (It's in the building between the E-trade and ScottTrade storefronts.)
(4)Lauren C.
Amazing! I have only eaten here once so far and got the chicken soup with rice noodles. The broth is phenomenal, chicken tender and veggies crisp. I really don't understand some of the negative reviews on here. Yes the menu is a bit of a hodge podge but the place is fast, convenient, delicious and the owners could not be more genuinely sweet. I came in right as they closed so I was going to change my order and get it to go, but the owners insisted I sit down and not rush. That soup is going to become my perfect rainy seattle day lunch!
(5)Patrick L.
Reading the reviews, this place might seem to be a bit overyhyped? It's a no frills place with great tasting simple thai food, cooked and served very quickly for take-out or dine-in, and affordably priced at $6.95 for most dishes. Based on the strength of Yelp reviews I ordered the crispy fish and my friend ordered the swimming angel. They are generous with the rice, so I had plenty left, and the fish was great, but I wish they'd put on a bit more of the veggies. Her dish was great, loaded with chicken, and she ended up with leftovers. It's kind of a weird location, at the end of a hallway on the bottom floor of an office building. Definitely appears a bit cold and uninviting, but oh well. The owners are super friendly and seemed to know everyone's names when they came in. I'll be back eventually, I'm sure of it.
(4)Andrew T.
I'm going to have to buck the trend here - Harbor Cafe is good, 3 stars is good from me, but it's not great. It's very returnable though. So don't take this the wrong way. It is nestled back in a little hallway, and the name, "Harbor Cafe and Deli" hardly conjures up visions of Thai food. I love Thai food, but I wouldn't have gone to just another nameless deli. I would never have found it in the first place had it not been Yelped so highly. I had the Thursday special, green curry, and it was tasty. Had a thickened gravy as compared to what I am used to, with almost chicken medallions rather than the "strips" of chicken I see so often. Also with a slightly eclectic mix of veggies too - some carrots, celery, and even corn in there with the green beans and bell peppers. All of it tasty. But it really didn't knock my socks off. The chicken was tender, the sauce had good flavor, and the veggies were good. Could have used more heat though. And maybe a little more basil flavor. I will probably be back. The price is right, everyone is MEGA friendly, and I want to try the Swimming Angel, as I have a weakness for peanut sauce.
(3)Nick B.
I've been here twice now and on the second time I made the classic mistake of not ordering a noodle dish. For some reason I decided to go with the chicken teriyaki which was a big mistake. The rice tasted old, dry and crunchy. The sauce had as much flavor as tepid water. The chicken was thoroughly uninspired and stringy. So now that I've gone with the bad, let me tell you the good. The swimming angel dish (or any of their noodle dishes for that matter) are phenomenal. Just don't make the mistake of not getting one of those. So in summary, it's hard to give a place more than 3 stars if some of their dishes are just downright atrocious. But now that you've come to Yelp and read this helpful review you won't make the same mistake I made!
(3)Akiva S.
Five stars. BLAM. No contest. No dissent. I absolutely adore this place and I absolutely adore the people who run it. They treat their regular customers like family which is something you don't get usually. Especially downtown. Now. Let's be honest here. This place is kind of weird. It's in a strange location: it's at the back of the lobby of an older downtown building in what looks to be an area that was specifically converted to be a restaurant. There are no windows. There is absolutely no way you'll be able to get over the idea that you're essentially sitting in a lobby, eating some of the best food downtown has to offer. But that's okay. It's very tidy, very clean, and I bet you no matter the hour you'll find at least th of the tables full of happy eaters. Let's continue to be honest: Harbor Café has a strange menu and a strange style. It's mostly Thai... but on Mondays, they have a spaghetti special. On Wednesdays, it's pot roast. I can't really explain that so I won't even try. It is worth pointing out that each day of the week, they have a special. it's the same every week. Pasta on Mondays. Lemongrass beef on Tuesdays. Pot roast and mashed potatoes on Wednesdays. Thai green curry chicken on Thursdays. And panang chicken curry on Fridays. I'm huge fan of Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The panang curry especially is seriously criminal. So frickin' good. It's the best Thai food I've ever had with Phayathai running a close, close second. So, yeah: the thing about this place, other than how awesome the owners are, is that the food is ridiculously good. Everything is very, very fresh. The vegetables are all crunchy, colorful, and delicious (so much so that I sometimes order extra vegetables). Everything is cooked perfectly. I go here about once a week and I have never had anything that wasn't unassailable. Aside from the specials (and I highly recommend them), they do have a full menu. This is where the 'Asian fusion' thing comes in to play. It's mostly Thai-themed but they dabble in other cuisines such as teriyaki and, I think, yakisoba. I highly, highly, HIGHLY (OMG I AM SO HIGH BUT NOT REALLY BUT YES LOL) the crispy salmon and/or white fish. It's fantastic. They also have, and this is where the deli part comes in, salads and sandwiches. I can't imagine coming here and just getting a sandwich or a salad but I'd be surprised if they weren't at the same quality as the rest of the food. There is a lot of pride and love in this restaurant. It's hard to not feel it. But there's also a lot of humility. It amazes me that Chef Rut pushes out such great food of such great variety and still displays such gratitude for the customers who come in to share in the manifestations of his recipes. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm getting all emo about it but Harbor Café is the real deal and I am violently loyal and maybe even slightly verklempt. If you happen to be in the area, give this little place a shot; I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed and I can guarantee you that they will be honored and grateful to have you. Go more than a couple of times and I can also guarantee that they'll remember you. This may not be Shag but you tell them Akiva sent you and nothing will happen except they might be happy that I sent business their way. I better end this review before I start crying tears of joy. PANANG CURRY THIS FRIDAY. MEET ME THERE AT 11:15.
(5)Shina R.
Ok, the staff was very nice and the food was good, but not great. The restaurant is in an office building like setting and kind of like a small cafeteria. I wasn't too impressed with the ambience. Seemed a little odd for a restaurant. I had the Thursday green curry special and it was alright. I wasn't too impressed and wouldn't really recommend it unless you work in the building.
(2)Sarah B.
Curry. A big beautiful plate full of delicious curry. Yum! I've heard of this place for years but never had the joy of getting to dine here. Well, I finally made the plunge with a co-worker and it is divine. First off, the pricing is incredible. I really do not have any budget for extras but this was a great surprise to find something affordable for lunch. Also, the portions are enough for two! Even better. The staff are incredibly sweet and remember the regulars. The service was quick. They have a nice little area to sit at but the only downside, it needs an overhead fan or something because jeez it was hot. The food itself is flavorful and really well done. I had been craving delicious comfort food and having a warm curry with enough spice and real veggies made my day. Definitely a great downtown lunch treat!
(4)Edgar V.
So, this is my FAVORITE downtown lunch spot. I didn't want to share it because it is so good and never crowded. It's in a bit of an obscure location - in the back lobby of a n office building. It's so cheap and super good I always get the Chicken Noodle Bowl or the Chicken Stir Fry. Today, I thought I would be less healthy and try the special (they have weekly specials each week day) - Pot Roast. OMG! It was so good - the meat was super tender, flavorful, and the homemade potatoes were outstanding. I highly recommend it. One bonus, after your first visit, they remember your name! :)) Great customer service.
(4)Christian J.
This is comfort food at it's best...a great find! I had a chicken noodle dish and it hit the spot. The staff is also very friendly.
(5)Shari d.
Wanting to give Harbor Cafe a higher star rating I came back on a Thursday and went for the green curry. And is was SOOOO GOOOD! The curry was spicy but the amount of rice was enough to cool that fire. I do wish that the chicken was a little more tender but it is OK the way it is. And the amount of veggies is right on...not too much and not too little. My coworker recently came here and tried the pot roast and said that it was really good. I also am intrigued to try the Friday special Panang Curry. Friendly staff and good food for a very good price. I am hooked!
(4)MJ A.
CURRY LOVERS GO HERE! Get the yellow curry with brown rice. It' s.so .good. Don't be intimidated by the location or the lack of decor- its good food.
(5)Chris C.
People, people! This is what I'm talking about. Put your monocles down. Take off those fancy pants. Come to the Harbor Cafe and enjoy simply great food prepared by sweet people. The value is tremendous. This is like a Thai version Shopsin's (NY reference) but without the agita and the intimidating menu. The owners are right there. The food is out of sight; especially the Swimming Angel. They have healthy options like extra veggies and brown rice. Sure, the kitchen is across a hallway. Yes, the bathroom is down the hall. Of course this isn't fine dining. You know who's got two thumbs and doesn't care? This guy.
(5)Clint D.
Two words: Swimming angel. Order it with extra spinach. Nom nom nom.
(4)Stefanie C.
Harbor Cafe rules! Convenient, FRIENDLY family-owned spot, great value, one of the healthiest options in Downtown, FRESH vegetables (the option to double veggies for only a $1)... everything is made to order (which is amazing), so I recommend calling in your order for pick up. They have daily specials that are sooo delicious. Plus, I didn't even know this but the Chef has flown around the world as an executive chef on private jets and also authored several cookbooks. My friends at the office go gaga over this food. I'm addicted. Now go see for yourself! :)
(5)Curt C.
What a dive. And not the good kind. I cannot fathom what possessed the other reviewers higher ratings. The place is a joke. I can only imagine that people who have never had even remotely authentic/decent Asian food would enjoy it. Hands down the worst Asian food I've ever had (and I've had a lot).
(1)Taylor C.
I am curious as to where the large amount of hype came from for this place. I can't see myself going out of my way to come back, pointing this place out to newcomers or bringing my friends from out of town. It's a clean, simple restaurant with plenty of the hole-in-the-wall charm. The staff is very friendly and helpful and engaged us in some banter as we perused the menu. But these kinds of no frills establishments are always judged primarily on the food. Patrons put up with the bare essentials of service and decor (which I don't mind) when you have a hidden gem that you want to support. In this case the food was pretty good but not to the point where a light bulb went off in my head and I felt the urge to spread the word. I ordered the Swimming Angel and my friend had the Salmon Salad. The portions were nicely sized, and I ate my fill, but I found it to be largely unspectacular overall. Worth a try if you love the cuisine, but I won't be beating down the door
(3)Daren D.
This is just a wonderful place. The owners/staff are friendly, cool, and seem to have a charming 80's appeal to them. o.0 ;) The gentleman even seemed to be rockin' a subtle mullet. The space is clean, simple, neat, and organized. I had the day's special which was ok. I'm betting there's probably something here that you'll really like, and I'd return to find out. Also, a sufficient condiments and water tray, and keyed bathroom. +1 on the 3 evenly-spaced historic photos on the wall.
(5)Ken L.
I have been to the Harbor Cafe dozens and dozens and dozens of times, and I LOVE it! I go because the food is delicious, competitively priced, of superior quality, with lots of variety, and the owners are wonderful people. I have tried many items on the menu, and I really like them all. The pork loin special on Tuesdays is one of my favorites as is the noodle bowl. The pot roast, Thai green curry, panang chicken, and swimming angel are all delicious. Rut and Judy (the owners) really take special care when preparing your food. The ingredients are fresh and delicious, and the food is prepared very well. Give it a try!
(5)Jason P.
Wow lunch in downtown for under $7! Not too bad :) This place is a nice hole in the wall to grad lunch in downtown. They cook up a menu of Thai food, each day having a special dish. I tried their lemon grass beef (Tuesday special) and it was good, soft and tender beef over a bed of rice. Good portion too! I'll be stopping in again to try the other dishes.
(4)Gordon S.
Loved the vibe! OK I'll admit I love cafe-style, 25-person office building eateries, but this one is special. The chef is semi-famous, and the prices are under-this-world (most everything is $6.95 or less). Beware though: closes at 3pm. Most items on the menu comprise in a broad sense,of protein + vegs in a sauce on rice. Many tasty variations! I had the traditional "swimming angel". Very tasy toppings; the rice (jasmine) was lumpy. Very friendly staff/owners.
(3)DeAnne E.
I didn't know this place existed until my friend told me. It's located in an office building towards the back. There were places to sit and the atmosphere was really quiet. The ceilings were high and our voices echoed throughout the room. I had the teriyaki chicken and I liked it. The lady at the register was really friendly. She knew it was my first time there and she explained the menu and the specials. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll probably come back.
(3)Alice T.
My go-to place if I'm in the vicinity. Solid lunch options. I haven't had anything that I didn't like. My favorite is the salmon salad. Great glaze on the salmon. Good proportions. This is a gem of a find.
(5)Curtis L.
This was nice find thanks to yelp. The place is tucked in the lobby of this office building. We were greeted promptly, directed to the menu and recommended the daily special which was lemongrass beef. You order at the counter and they bring the food to your table that you select which is located across the hall. My buddy ordered the special and I had the crispy white fish. Both served on rice with a sauce and was very tasty. The meal was light in the sense you don't get too much and it doesn't sit like brick in your stomach. Good if you are on portion control. All their dishes were in the $6.95 ballpark. So all in all, their service was great (the greeted you on the way in and thanked you on the way out), the price is reasonable, the food tasted good but was a little lacking in quantity. I would come back again but only when I am not absolutely starving.
(4)Jule G.
I've come here about 4 times now, and this restaurant is located kind of oddly. It's towards the back of the ground floor of what looks like a tall office building. Go past the elevators and you'll see the kitchen/cashier to your right and the tables and chairs to the left. The food Harbor Cafe serves is fairly basic. Many of their dishes are rice + entree dishes, such as rice with crispy fish or rice with curry chicken. The crispy fish dish was ok, but the green curry felt slightly greasier than I'm used to. I tried the noodle bowl today because I felt like pho but didn't want to go all the way to Long, so I settled for this instead. It's not pho at all, but just a nice bowl of rice noodles, some shredded chicken breast, spouts, cilantro, and onions in a chicken broth. It could be more flavorful, but they do have the rooster sauce there in abundance. This is a decent place to go for the price; just don't expect anything spectacular. Service here is really nice though.
(3)Elise L.
You know how out-of-towners always ask where the "locals" go in an attempt to avoid tourist traps? And you know what they really want is to be told that a tourist trap isn't a tourist trap, so that they can feel free to go to the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle or whatever, not so that they can find out what the best places locals regularly go to. Which is kind of a roundabout way of saying that Harbor Cafe is one of those absolute gems of a place that's little and local and perfect. It might not be the most impressive, but the food is solid and tasty, the tables are clean, and it's just perfect for the middle of the typical downtown worker's day. Plus, it's usually pretty easy to get a table in their dining area - though all bets are off on Thursdays, which is their ever popular green curry chicken day. I haven't had that dish myself, but their regular chicken curry is a solid example of a Japanese style curry. Decently priced for the amount, too - the curry usually makes two meals for me. Go a few times, and the owners will remember you. Yesterday, I was told "You're one of my new friends!" as I stopped by for the chicken noodle bowl (awesome Asian-style soup, rice noodles, lots of garlic). Not a reaction you're going to get at most places, and abosolutely charming for it. So tell your coworkers about it if they're looking for a new lunch spot. Chances are they'll be charmed by the no-frills good food. Just don't tell the tourists - wouldn't want to ruin the atmosphere.
(4)Derek S.
Reasonable lunchtime place with decent prices. Wouldn't complain about anything in particular but wouldn't compliment much either. All in all, not the most memorable place.
(3)Thames R.
Best breakfast sandwich in town. Fantastic healthy and yummy lunch options. Tuesday special is lemongrass beef, delicious!
(5)Bryan R.
Do you ever turn on the TV and see a sitcom cast sitting in a restaurant where the owner knows everyone's name, is really nice, and will even let Fonzie's band put on a show to raise money? The place exists, with the exception of the band part. Harbor Cafe, tucked away on the west side of 4th ave is home to some of the nicest staff, best food, and most reasonable prices in Seattle. I rarely leave work for lunch, but I know that if I do and I go to Harbor Cafe, I can get some really good food (served sit-in or to go) for a reasonable price. Personally, I'm a little torn between the yellow curry and the swimming angels for the top spot on my list, which probably justifies a little more research. The seating is like an enclosed food court, you can pay with credit cards or cash, and the woman behind the counter always thanks you for coming in and tells you to bring your friends-she's super sweet and you can't help but fight the feeling that you're leaving your grandmother's from your weekly visit. In all, a pleasant experience, good food, and affordable pricing--.
(4)Matt V.
Such a great find. The food is healthy conscious, VERY flavorful and the people here are so sweet!
(5)Tom F.
OK, this is important: YOU CAN GET JUST ABOUT ANYTHING WITH TOFU INSTEAD OF MEAT. My only concern about this place was that few options were vegetarian, but now I know this secret and this place is all the better for it. Also, the soups are incredible (though they are made from chicken stock). Hey, I'm only vegetarianish...
(5)G G.
Stopped by there on our way to SAM. The special was Pot Roast and oh my god was it scrumptious! Really savory, and the mashed potatoes were awesome. It's well cooked comfort food that focuses on fresh, whole ingredients without over spicing or salting. You can tell this was cooked by a pro chef. And the prices are incredible!
(5)Michelle W.
Say hi to Judy for me! This is a fantastic place to grab lunch for locals and tourists alike. While only convenient when on foot this place rewards you with good home-cookin and affordable prices. While I have seen a slight adjustment in portions since the economy downturn, the quality has remained the same. Plus, the portions were pretty big to begin with so now they're "just right" - a solid lunch with little, if any leftovers. Check out the revolving lunch specials. It isn't just like Monday's rice is Tuesday's fried rice...this place has some fantastic specials!
(4)Joe A.
Great place, friendly owners. I had the swimming angel for lunch & it was great, so I came back for the pot roast. They made it for me ,special, even though it wasn't on the menu until the next day. If you want quality food that is equal to any expensive restaurant for under 10 bucks then this is your place! The owner has been on Nat Geo and some other TV shows. He's often taken on VIP corporate jets as the head chef. The other review is correct. The map for this place is wrong. It's on 4th between Pike and Union. Look for the blue sign sticking out. Enter the breeze way and walk to the back. The restaurant is small, but don't let it fool you. The locals know this place is awesome. They're only open from 8:30-3pm I believe and I don't think they are open on weekends. Great food and cheap in an expensive area. You wont regret a visit to this hidden treasure.
(5)Angela B.
Owners were so friendly, the brown rice was cooked to perfection, and the sauce on the "floating angel" had a lovely and deceptively sneaking spice to it. Definitely not the place to go for ambience; it's tucked in a dark corner of the lobby of a high rise and is definitely a no-frills place. But the food was great, and it was perfect for a quick lunch.
(4)Debbie N.
Chef Rut & Judy make the greatest Thai/noodle/Asian dishes on the planet. They will customize any order to your personal liking and taste. Their location has sit down comfort & reminds me of a cozy coffee spot, only with spectacular food. Bring your appetite & easy on the wallet! I love this place. Make sure to try the Swimming Angel - Absolutely Delicious!
(5)Rob G.
4.5 stars. I love this place. The people who work here are so nice. The food is always hot and delicious. Reasonably priced and doesn't take very long. I've had the swimming angel about 15 times. Amazing. The crispy fish is also good, but I can't shake the swimming angel cravings.
(4)Sarah P.
curry is delish
(4)Lor B.
Downtowners will love this hole in the wall for lunch! My go-to place for a nice Salmon Salad that has a light teriyaki glaze & dressing. (Just went here for lunch today and it was made perfectly!) Great specials here as well - only $6.95 for a nice sized meal. The curries (both chicken and pork are good). Owners are really nice and you feel obligated to come back because of their graciousness! They renovated their sitting area not too long ago - bring a book with you and have a quick read while you lunch!
(4)Eric N.
This is the best lunch restaurant in all of Seattle hands down. They have all your standard lunch fare but also have a selection of amazing Thai dishes. All of them are delicious and you really can't go wrong. The owners Judy and Rut are incredibly friendly and seem to know every single customer that comes by and they all seem like regulars. I think I'm gonna be a regular too!
(5)N G.
Yelpers didn't let me down. This place was excellent. I had the panang curry (Friday special). The portions were good and well priced for downtown. The chicken was tender and not over cooked. The spice was just right for me. Nothing majorly negative to say. It could have been a little less salty, but nothing a little more rice didn't fix.
(4)Vicky J.
I definitely need to go to nicer-than-normal hole in the wall more often. It's kind of a mix of sorts of food and I tend to get them same thing everytime - Swimming Angel (Chicken, spinach, peanut sauce over jasmine rice.) Sounds simple enough but it's delicious. There curry is yummy, too. They also have tasty looking crab cake salads, pork sandwiches, salmon, and daily specials. And they even have brown rice! Also, the portions aren't too overwhelming so you don't feel like a heffer when you get back to work. Definitely a nice hidden gem.
(4)ShanDeezie M.
I feel like a better person after eating here...the crispy fish sandwich is to die for--everything here is always super fresh and really reasonably priced for downtown. More than this Chef Rut and his wife are THE nicest people around..today I decided I want them to adopt me..I ordered soup to go and they both got it ready for me, wrapped it up, and then gave me careful instructions how to reheat it . The place is a little hard to find at first, but once you do, you'll know it by heart. Fan-tas-tic!
(5)S D.
Friendly, sure. Five-stars? Most definitely not. I had the Thai Basil Shrimp - which consisted of 6 shrimp, 3 shreds of cabbage, 1 carrot slice and 1 green bean atop a big pile of rice. On the upside, the sauce was really good. But the meager meat/veg serving, combined with a hospital cafeteria atmosphere, did not a great lunch make. With so many amazing restaurants in Seattle, this one's not worth your time. I appreciate friendly service, but why come back if they're serving mediocre food?
(2)Tom d.
Great food. Very friendly, and warm service. Will become a regular spot for the downtown lunch options.
(5)NY Y.
Decent place for a quick and reasonably priced lunch.
(3)Jenny B.
I just discovered this place a couple of weeks ago. It's kind of a hole in the wall, and definitely a diamond in the rough. Can't believe I hadn't known about this place for the 2 years I've been working RIGHT across the street!! Fast and friendly service, and the food is AMAZING!!! Get the Swimming Angel and the Green chicken curry special on Thursday. I HIGHLY recommend this place!
(5)Priscilla N.
My Favorite Lunch Place EVER! I have been to this restaurant nearly every single week for the last six months or so, and I always have the noodle soup. (Yes, I'm totally addicted.) The soup is hearty and nutritious (they use no-hormone/antibiotic chicken, rice noodles, lots of veggies and no MSG) and it lets me avoid all of my ridiculously varied food sensitivities (in fact I was originally told about the place by a patient with lots of food allergies). The place is wonderfully clean (I'm picky), the food is incredible, and the service is amazing - the owner Judy, always remembers me and what I like (as she does with many of her other customers - probably because she has so many regulars). This is my favorite little hole-in-the wall lunch place. Every friend I've brought here (many) loves it and always ends up bringing other friends. Yes, the soup is that good. Oh yeah, they have other food too, someday I might have to try it, but I'm just too hooked on the noodle soup!
(5)Pam J.
What? I was disappointed! Frozen green beans, corn and carrots in my Thai food!? FAIL.
(2)Kelly F.
Still Amazing! If you are reading this, please go and try it! Today I'm very sad becuase i decided to try one of my old fav places and was seriouly disappointed.
(5)Thigh C.
I ordered Panang chicken - it's not the best but the owners are ultra friendly. Every meal is freshly cooked. It's also now my new "secret" place. It's not crowded during lunch break.
(4)Erik L.
Harbor Cafe initially surprises, it is hidden at the back of a hallway and has a cafeteria feel to it. Had I not heard of it on yelp I would have just passed by without even noticing it. The service is top notch, the lady at the counter was hilarious and quite patient and was all around just a lovely person to deal with. It was quite busy when I went there but I dont know if this is typical. When I saw it was a thai place I was expecting to find some Phad Thai and was a little dissapointed when I didnt find it on the menu. I had the tuesday special of lemongrass beef instead. The beef was delicious and and the sauce was amazing although the accompanyments left a little to be desired. Will I go back? Maybe if someone else wanted to go.
(3)Christine C.
Judy and Chef Rut are soooo nice! I go here at least once a week after being turned onto this place from a co-worker. I appreciate the establishments that take the time to get to know me and call me by name. Affordable and super fast, the only negative thing is that it took me nearly 3 years to discover this place which was basically a walk around the block for me.
(4)Zach C.
Food is quite decent and the staff is very nice. The location isn't great for eating in, but get take-out.
(4)Michael T.
This is a good solid lunch place with portions that don't make me feel bloated or want to fall asleep because I ate too much. Specials are good and like their spice.
(4)dj s.
Very home-like food though not special enough for 4/5 stars. I had yellow curry. Reasonable price, reasonable taste, fast, convinient. The staff was extemely nice and friendly but I'm not accounting for that in the rating -- just food.
(3)Julie K.
Harbor Cafe is GENIUS. The food is simple, but it is super tasty and at $6.95/dish, what a great value! The portion is pretty generous, but it does not leave you feeling like you need a nap after the meal. I love that it's SO fast and there is always a place to sit. The menu might be limited, but everything on the menu is good (okay, so I haven't tried everything on the menu, but I've tried at least half of them now and vouch for that much).
(5)N L.
Great food for the price. The service is very friendly. The lady behind the counter commented on a recent wave of new customers. I proceeded to explain to her what yelp was.
(5)Matt H.
Ok, I think that I ordered some food, but it was gone before I knew what happened! Honestly, I had the swimming angel. Excellent. As others said, the owners make the place great. Not much in the dining area, but I was just doing lunch anyway.
(5)Paul F.
Five stars at this price range. $6.95 Super tasty green curry special, spicy just right. I've worked across the street for a year but would never have found without yelp.
(5)Rick G.
Food was delicious. The decor was clean and simple. An inexpensive gem located in downtown Seattle! The best thing was the owners... soooo friendly and gracious. Winner! No wonder the locals and commercial pilots love this place. :)
(4)Sam T.
oh man. i know i reviewed this place before but their chicken pho is amazzzing. i love noodle soup but i've found myself becomming increasingly allergic to MSG. That being said I've found that most of my favorite noodle soup spots serve their soups with a ton of MSG and i leave feeling like i've drank ten cups of coffee. this place uses NO MSG in thier soup and yet their broth is loaded with flavor. the vegetables are fresh and the staff are super duper nice.
(5)Carol S.
Best darn breakfast sandwich in town for the money. Lunches are great too. try the daily special. the thursday green curry is my current favorite. This is a little hole in the wall inside the lobby of the 1411 fourth ave. building. There's a small seating area, or get the food to go. It's worth finding. Rut and Judy that run the place are both fabulous chefs and great people.
(4)Mike J.
Succulent. . .delicious. . .fantastic. . .cheap! The positive accolades I can give this place is endless. I was asked how I found this place, called by my first name, and welcomed back for tomorrow's special. Prompt delivery - it only seemed seconds before my order was ready. When I got back after my walk to the restaurant from Fifth and Bell Building, I dug into my choice - yellow curry - and it was out of this world! No place, and I mean no place, in Seattle does curry better. I can't wait to try the other menu choices! As I told the nice lady working there, I will be back, and I definitely will be back!
(5)