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Cutters Crabhouse, nestled at 2001 Western Ave in the heart of Seattle’s vibrant waterfront district, is a standout destination for seafood lovers and aficionados of classic American fare. Renowned for its celebration of fresh, local ingredients and masterful preparation, this restaurant offers a compelling dining experience that beautifully captures the essence of Pacific Northwest cuisine.
The menu at Cutters Crabhouse is a treasure trove for those seeking bold, satisfying flavors. Savor the iconic Crabhouse Sampler, which combines an array of succulent crab preparations, or indulge in the elegantly spiced Spicy Jambalaya that bursts with deep, smoky notes and tender seafood morsels. The Oven Roasted Crab & Artichoke Dip is a heavenly blend of creamy richness with a delightful crab-forward finish, perfectly paired with freshly toasted bread. For a refined start, the Fried Calamari Misto offers a crisp, golden bite with just the right hint of seasoning — a must-try according to many guests.
Cutters also excels in delivering refined surf-and-turf options such as the Crab Stuffed Sole accompanied by asparagus and a delightful summer pepper medley, all enveloped in a delicate white wine butter sauce. Meanwhile, the lavish King Crab Legs, though a premium choice, come served with herb couscous, market-fresh vegetables, and drawn butter, offering a commanding seafood indulgence for special occasions. The Manny's Pale Ale Battered Fish & Chips provide a comforting, crispy alternative infused with subtle herbal notes and an artichoke caper tartar that complements every bite.
As for sweet endings, the dessert menu shines with highlights like the rich and indulgent Chocolate Turtle Cake, balancing molten chocolate with crunchy candied pecans, alongside the refreshing tang of the Key Lime Pie featuring the famous Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime juice. For those craving a cozy finish, the Butterscotch Bread Pudding layers butterscotch brûlée and pretzel toffee crunch for an unforgettable closing bite.
The atmosphere at Cutters Crabhouse perfectly matches the quality of its cuisine. Situated with panoramic views of Seattle’s bustling waterfront, the interior pairs classic white tablecloth elegance with a relaxed, inviting vibe. Guests consistently praise the attentive service, citing staff like Benjamin and Ethan who elevate the experience through warm hospitality and genuine care. Whether seated comfortably at the upper bar area or tucked by the window soaking in the mesmerizing water views, diners find themselves enveloped in a setting both sophisticated and authentically Pacific Northwest.
Real guest experiences reflect the depth of what Cutters offers. Joe Rendon found the fried calamari to be a standout, “extremely good” and highly recommended, while Sandeep Bhalla praised every element from service to ambiance, calling the crab dip “absolutely to die for.” Adam Bernard applauded the restaurant’s “unmatched” waterfront view and fresh, delicious seafood that justifies its value. Families appreciate Cutters as well, with a thoughtfully curated kids menu ensuring younger guests enjoy everything from grilled salmon to classic grilled cheese.
While most reviews praise the impeccable freshness and flavor, a few note that certain items like the pricier crab legs can sometimes be a bit heavy on saltiness, yet this does little to detract from the overall exceptional dining experience. Cutters Crabhouse stands as a true Seattle gem—perfect for both special evenings and casual indulgences, where the bounty of the sea is always at the forefront.
In sum, visiting Cutters Crabhouse means treating yourself to vibrant, expertly crafted seafood dishes in an ambiance that marries elegance with unforgettable waterfront charm. It’s a destination where local flavors are celebrated, service shines, and every bite tells a story of Seattle’s rich maritime heritage.
We had Benjamin as our waiter, and was able to get Seated on the upper section of the bar area right away. Benjamin was a cool guy and very hospitable, the food is pretty good, got the fried calamari and would highly recommend that to anybody! Also got the crab artichoke cream cheese dip with bread and that was extremely good. Got the crab sushi roll, we're not recommend especially for the price. I got two rolls and happy hour with everything a little bit cheaper and each roll came with four individual slices, portion size was a joke for the sushi roll. And was not good at all, but everything else was good. My dad is vegan and they didn't have many vegan options so my dad got asparagus, mushrooms and bread and was happy with that. Would recommend anybody, but the prices are expensive. Definitely go to happy hour
Cutters is a really nicely located restaurant. The maîtres d' was exceptionally courteous and welcomed us immediately, that man has hospitality skills. He was well dressed too. The view of the water that this restaurant offers is unmatched, and the white tablecloths are a great touch. The seafood was fresh and delicious, with classic menu items at reasonable prices for the quality. I recommend the steamed clams (picture attached). Our server was exceptional as well, not intrusive but still diligent and professional. They have a great wine list as well as a comprehensive beverage offering. I recommend Cutters, 5
Great find, great food and service! We stumbled upon this restaurant on a Sunday night while going through Pikes Place Market. We had an hour before we had to head to the airport so we got a nice table at the bar with a great view. Benjamin our server was on top of it! He was great. Everything we had was so delicious! We got the calamari to start, we shared the clam chowder which was amazing and had the steamed clams and the wedge as well. We definitely recommend this place and we can't wait to go back to try some of the other yummy food on the menu!
The absolute best food experience of our entire trip! Everything we ordered was delicious, but the crab dip is truly phenomenal—it is absolutely to die for. From the speed of the service to the beautiful ambience and, most importantly, the unforgettable food, every element was perfect. Thank you for making our evening so memorable. We can't wait to return!
Dining solo and going all in for my one day and night in Seattle. If it weren't for Ethan's excellent service and attention and the view, I would be leaving a different review. The local oysters were fantastic, wish I'd ordered a dozen instead of a half. The $125.00 crab leg dinner left me hungry and was also way too salty and briny... that made me question the freshness. My least favorite of the night; the Creme Brulee - it was the shallowest custard ever, the custard was equally as thick as the caramelized sugar on top. Thankfully I had ordered garlic bread with my dinner too so I left mostly content. Thanks to Ethan, I still enjoyed my time at Cutters and would go back, but being more careful or specific with my orders.
Reviews show a mixed bag of reviews. I can definitely see the difference in shifts and service. However, they had a long line to get in and did the best they could. We were seated over looking the Puget Sound/bright colored ferris wheel. Great views! The server gave us several great suggestions for dinner but we started with a couple appetizers. The sashimi, fried cheddar curds and fried calamari were excellent. We got the grilled salmon that had a drizzle of cherry vinaigrette on it with a risotto and the crab cake with a corn mash. Great food but service was just ok. I would recommend going in earlier for lunch and would likely have a better experience.
We tried this place recently for lunch and had a good experience. We made a reservation for 11:45 and our table was by the window overlooking the water. We tried the poke and a couple sushi rolls (rainbow and crab and avocado). My daughter enjoyed her grilled cheese. The kids menu items come with an ice cream sundae at the end. Our service was great. We would definitely recommend checking it out.