The top 10 restaurant patios for Seattle-area summertime outdoor dining
May 29, 2021 at 6:00 am Updated May 29, 2021 at 9:05 am
MARINATION MA KAI
West Seattle
1660 Harbor Ave. S.W., Seattle; 206-328-8226; marinationmobile.com
Every outdoor dining setup listed here has myriad charms, but Marination Ma Kai wins when it comes to a combination of the best food at the best price with the best view. Behold, across the gleaming Puget Sound, the Seattle skyline looking like a souvenir — a vista that makes everybody feel instantaneously on vacation. Partake of the Hawaiian-Korean fusion food by ordering at the counter, in volume — the kalua pork sliders and kalbi beef tacos (four for $12) are pretty much required, as is the kimchi fried rice ($8.50), Spam musubi ($4.50) and shaved ice ($4.75). Then to the patio bar, serving lots of tropical cocktails, frosé, cold beer, Jell-O shots … why not? If you’re marooned in West Seattle due to the broken bridge, Marination Ma Kai in summertime is reason for celebration; to get here from elsewhere, the water taxi from downtown Seattle makes a better designated driver than ever.
— Bethany Jean Clement