The Boat
A unique Vietnamese eatery in a boat-shaped building, celebrated for its incredible garlic chicken and destination-worthy pandan waffles.
Highlights
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The Boat
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A unique Vietnamese eatery in a boat-shaped building, celebrated for its incredible garlic chicken and destination-worthy pandan waffles.
Parking & Seating Advice
Arrive early for easier parking. Avoid peak hours for a more relaxed dining experience due to limited seating.
Spice Level Caution
Be mindful of the chili sauce on tables; it is very spicy for some diners. Use sparingly.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Vietnamese
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Unique Vietnamese Garlic Chicken
Indulge in the incredibly delicious garlic chicken, a signature dish with crispy exterior and juicy interior. Served with turmeric rice or dry peanut sauce noodles.
Destination Pandan Waffles
Experience must-try pandan waffles, described as one of the top five things to eat in Seattle. Light, fluffy, and perfectly crispy with a coconut cream sauce.
Charming Boat-Shaped Ambiance
Dine in a unique, cozy atmosphere within a building charmingly designed like a boat, creating a memorable and distinctive dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Parking & Seating Advice
Arrive early for easier parking. Avoid peak hours for a more relaxed dining experience due to limited seating.
Spice Level Caution
Be mindful of the chili sauce on tables; it is very spicy for some diners. Use sparingly.
Enhance Your Meal
Consider adding a fried egg to your dish for an extra layer of flavor and richness.
Cash Payment Inquiry
If paying with cash, ask about potential discounts that may be offered by The Boat.
Tips
from all over the internet
Parking & Seating Advice
Arrive early for easier parking. Avoid peak hours for a more relaxed dining experience due to limited seating.
Spice Level Caution
Be mindful of the chili sauce on tables; it is very spicy for some diners. Use sparingly.
Enhance Your Meal
Consider adding a fried egg to your dish for an extra layer of flavor and richness.
Cash Payment Inquiry
If paying with cash, ask about potential discounts that may be offered by The Boat.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Boat garners praise for its unique and delicious Vietnamese garlic chicken and its standout pandan waffles, often hailed as a must-try in Seattle. While the food is frequently lauded for its flavor and generous portions, some diners note inconsistencies in execution and service attentiveness. The cozy, boat-shaped building adds to the charm, but the intimate space can get noisy during peak times.
"This is a gem of a restaurant! Not your run of the Vietnamese pho and vermicelli spots, this place offers unique dishes. We tried the Com ga mam toi(comes with turmeric rice, salad and broth) and the mi tron(comes with "dry" peanut sauce noodles and broth) and had to get an order of the pandan waffles.
The garlicky lightly fried Cornish hen was amazing, juicy sweet, and perfectly crispy. The rice and noodles both were delicious as well and the accompanied broth was well balanced and seasoned which felt like the cherry on top of an already loaded dish.
The real showstopper was the panda waffles. O. M. G. this is destination food!!! Easily one of the top five things to eat in Seattle. The kinda thing when friends come in visit i will take them straight here. They were light and fluffy on the inside with perfect crispy buttery exterior. And the coconut cream sauce was another unexpectedly amazing thing to add to these waffles with a sweet but slight salty touch that pairs just right with waffles. I'm literally drooling writing this!
If visiting Seattle...
YOU HAVE TO EAT HERE!"
Roam & Wander
"I had been curious about The Boat for a while and finally stopped by for dinner on a Friday night. The experience was a bit mixed for me.
We ordered the Com Ga Mom Toi, which came with garlic Cornish hen, yellow rice, chrysanthemum salad, and chicken broth. The portion was generous and the presentation was nice, but the flavors didn’t really land for me. The hen was cooked well but was on the sweeter side, which just isn’t my preference. My partner liked it though, so it might come down to personal taste i guess. The chicken broth was decent, and the turmeric rice was fine as well.
We also got a side of noodles with fried egg, but the noodles were a little tough. I ended up adding some broth to soften them, which helped.
Somethings to consider from my experience - My water glass had something in it, and the server didn’t seem to notice or offer a replacement. The space is also pretty noisy with limited seating, so it’s not the most relaxing place to sit and eat.
Overall, I’d say the vibe is very casual, but the attention to detail just wasn’t quite there for me."
Nadia S
"My family and I visited on a Saturday around 12:30 p.m., and we were seated right away. Within about fifteen minutes, the restaurant quickly filled up, becoming lively and loud.
Our food arrived in about 20 minutes. The portions were generous and the flavors were well-balanced. This restaurant specializes in chicken, so the menu is limited.
A sign on the door states, "No pho served here.""
Jo Li
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Boat is famous for its unique Vietnamese garlic chicken (Com ga mam toi) and its exceptional pandan waffles, considered a top-tier treat in Seattle.
No, The Boat does not serve Pho. Its menu is specifically focused on other Vietnamese chicken dishes and waffles.
Parking can be challenging, especially during peak hours. It is recommended to arrive early or consider paid parking nearby.
The restaurant has a cozy and charming atmosphere, housed in a building uniquely designed like a boat. It can become lively and loud during busy periods.
Reservations are generally not needed, but the restaurant can fill up quickly. Arriving early is advised, especially on weekends.
To avoid crowds and ensure easier parking, consider visiting during off-peak hours. Weekday lunches are often more relaxed.
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Where To Eat When You’re Visiting Seattle - Seattle
At this pink landlocked boat in the CID, the scent of fried garlic and chicken skin mixes with toasting waffles. You should settle down here at one of the small disco ball-lit tables or wrangle a stool at the bar to admire the hive of activity. The short menu offers garlic-flecked cornish game hen done three ways—with egg noodles, egg noodle soup, or pandan-infused rice (our personal favorite).
Seattle’s Best Lunch Spots
The dinghy-shaped building that once housed the original Pho Bac is now an all-day restaurant that serves a single dish: Com ga mam toi is a garlic-crusted half chicken, fried crisp and sticky with fish sauce. It comes with rice or a sidecar of noodle soup and a great little salad. While the food menu is hyper-focused, the drinks menu is surprisingly broad, filled with cocktails, Vietnamese iced coffee, and a memorable pandan iced tea.
15 Of The Best Brunch Spots In Seattle, According To Yelp Reviews
The Boat is a colorful, eclectic space serving up just three dishes: Com ga ma toi (Vietnamese garlic fried chicken), egg noodle soup, and pandan waffles. The food is so good, you won't feel you're missing out on more choices. No reservations are needed, and you can head down to The Boat for brunch every day from 11 a.m., though it's closed Tuesdays.
Most Unique Restaurants in Seattle with a 'Lil Something Different
website | get directions | neighborhood: Chinatown-International District | cuisine: Vietnamese fried chicken. One building over from the famous Pho Bac is its smaller sister restaurant, The Boat. Cleverly named for the building’s boat-like shape, it features a hyper-focused menu centered around Vietnamese fried chicken.
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