Goldfinch Tavern

Goldfinch Tavern is a Pacific Northwest fine-dining restaurant and lounge located at 99 Union Street inside the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle in Downtown Seattle, Washington. Created as a culinary partnership between acclaimed local restaurateur Ethan Stowell and the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, the tavern takes its name from the American goldfinch, Washington’s state bird. Situated directly across from the Seattle Art Museum and one block south of Pike Place Market, the restaurant draws travelers and locals for coastal seafood, dry-aged regional meats, and unobstructed views across Elliott Bay, the Seattle Great Wheel, and the Olympic Mountains.

What to Expect at Goldfinch Tavern

Designed by Tokyo-based interior design firm EDG and Seattle architecture studio Olson Kundig, the dining room pairs warm Pacific Northwest cedar and blackened steel with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Puget Sound. A double-sided fireplace anchors the lounge, while custom bronze sculptures and glass installations by regional artists reflect the maritime character of the Central Waterfront. Guests can dine at white-oak tables along the western window wall, gather at the marble-topped raw bar and cocktail counter, or book the private dining room for business dinners and celebrations.

The kitchen operates daily from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM across breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, afternoon lounge service, and dinner. Menus highlight seasonal ingredients sourced from Western Washington farms and Salish Sea fisheries. Signature offerings include freshly shucked Penn Cove oysters, Dungeness crab eggs Benedict at breakfast and brunch, cedar-plank wild king salmon, house-made squid ink pasta, and the Goldfinch Wagyu Tavern Burger topped with Beecher’s Flagship cheddar. The kitchen also prepares dedicated vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes upon request, paired with a cellar emphasizing Washington State Cabernet Sauvignons from Walla Walla and Red Mountain alongside Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs.

• Puget Sound Window Seating: Floor-to-ceiling western windows frame panoramic views of Elliott Bay ferry traffic, the Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57, and sunset light over the Olympic Peninsula.
• Pacific Northwest Seafood & Raw Bar: Daily selections feature Washington coastal oysters on the half shell, Dungeness crab cakes, geoduck crudo, and wild-caught Alaskan halibut and king salmon.
• Ethan Stowell Signature Pastas & Steaks: House-extruded pastas, dry-aged ribeyes, and the signature Goldfinch Burger made with American Wagyu beef and local artisanal cheese.
• Weekend Brunch & Daily Breakfast: Morning service starting at 6:30 AM serves Dungeness crab Benedict, brioche French toast, seasonal fruit plates, and espresso roasted in Seattle.
• Fireside Cocktail Lounge: An inviting bar and hearth lounge pouring barrel-aged Pacific Northwest spirits, local craft beers, and a curated Washington and Oregon wine list.

Goldfinch Tavern at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

To secure a window table overlooking Elliott Bay for dinner or weekend brunch, book a reservation at least one to two weeks in advance through the Goldfinch Tavern official website or via OpenTable, timing your evening seating 45 minutes before sunset. Walk-in guests can typically find seating at the bar and fireside lounge during weekday afternoons. Arriving via public transit is straightforward: take the Sound Transit 1 Line light rail to Symphony Station (formerly University Street Station) at 3rd Avenue and Union Street, then walk two blocks west down Union Street. Drivers can use the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle valet at the 99 Union Street porte-cochere or park in the public garage beneath the Seattle Art Museum across 1st Avenue.

Located on the lobby level of the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, the restaurant and lounge are fully wheelchair and stroller accessible via step-free street entrances, automatic doors, wide dining room aisles, and ADA-compliant restrooms. Because of its central intersection at 1st Avenue and Union Street, a meal here pairs easily with Seattle’s premier cultural and waterfront sights. Walk directly across 1st Avenue to explore the Seattle Art Museum, stroll one block north to browse the stalls and fishmongers of Pike Place Market, or take the Overlook Walk and Union Street pedestrian stairs down to Pier 57 and the redesigned Seattle Waterfront Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours and best times to dine at Goldfinch Tavern?

Goldfinch Tavern is open seven days a week from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM, serving breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner. The most popular time to dine is roughly an hour before sunset, when evening light illuminates Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, while weekday mornings between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM offer a calm setting for breakfast meetings.

How much does a meal cost and are reservations required?

The restaurant falls into the $$$ price tier, with breakfast and brunch plates averaging $22 to $38 and dinner entrees ranging from $36 for handmade pastas to $75 or more for prime steaks and fresh Pacific Northwest seafood. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner and weekend brunch, though the bar and fireside lounge accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.

How much time should I budget for dining at Goldfinch Tavern?

Plan on spending 60 to 75 minutes for breakfast, weekday lunch, or cocktails and oysters in the lounge. For a full three-course dinner or leisurely weekend brunch by the windows, budget 1.5 to 2 hours.

What is the dress code and is the restaurant accessible and family-friendly?

The dress code is Pacific Northwest smart casual, welcoming neat dark denim, collared shirts, sweaters, and cocktail attire. Located on the step-free lobby level of the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle with spacious table spacing and ADA restrooms, the dining room comfortably accommodates wheelchairs, strollers, and families with children, offering high chairs and a dedicated kids’ menu.

When planning your Ridgecrest travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and american restaurant in Ridgecrest, pair this stop with standout local spots including Olvera's, Tokyo House Japanese Restaurant, Mon Reve, and Matt's in the Market (0.2 km away).