Tools

Map

Green star Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club (University District)

1303 NE Boat St
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 545-8570
Website

Begin by paddling away from the Agua Verde Paddle Club with someone you like. Proceed in tandem to marvel at the water, at the Montlake Bridge as seen from beneath, at the flora and birdlife of the Arboretum, at the beauty of our fair city, and the richness of life itself. Upon paddling back, toast each other and it all with Agua Verde’s margaritas, made with fresh juices, whilst enjoying ridiculously yummy Mexican food. Yes!
Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

  • Features: Good for Groups
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Serving Hours: Mon-Sat Lunch 11 am - 4 pm Dinner 4 pm - 9 pm
  • Price Range: $-$$

Bar Details

The Stranger's Reviews of Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 3.45000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (32) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club
32
Clever restaurant with very tasty if overpriced food. Nice to rent a kayak too.

I can't think of a worse place to take a group though as there is frequently a long line to get in with just a couple of people, let alone your office worker buddies.
Posted by onboard on May 26, 2009 at 10:53 AM · Report
31

Overrated

Some of the most mediocre Mexican around. Everything has way too much sauce and it all tastes like ranch dressing. The meat is always dry, and the beans are like setting concrete. The salsa is the only good thing. People like it for its nice atmosphere and because they've never had a good taco bus or even Taqueria Guyamas.
Posted by matt on December 11, 2008 at 4:17 PM · Report
30

Terrific flavors and great margaritas

Everytime I have been here it is exceptional!! I have brought friends family, and they are never disappointed. Great people watching and the margaritas are the bomb!!! I haven't even started on the fish tacos!! So delish! Great flavors, so good!! Highly recommended for friends, family and dates.
Posted by Capitolhill Resident on September 20, 2008 at 3:42 AM · Report
29

5 stars for TACOS!!

Agua Verde is great. Service is minimal and slow, tables are crowded and not always cleaned, often the wait is long...but the tacos are so amazingly tasty. I've actually never ordered anything other than one of their 8 (10?) different taco incarnations. Each is delicious. (My dining companions have sometimes ordered other dishes, and they have seemed happy with them). I love the variety of sides and the salsa bar, plus the commitment to sustainably caught/farmed products is to be commended. It's not fancy or fine-dining, but it is VERY tasty taqueria style dining.
Posted by Tracy on May 12, 2008 at 2:10 PM · Report
28

Great view!

Sorry but thats about it. I had the veggie burrito which was really bland. Friend had some meat stuff which he said was similarly uninspired. Fortunately, no wait when I was there or I'd been really bummed. 2.5 stars (mostly for the view). Maybe its just not for me since I'm vegetarian?
Posted by Biju on May 11, 2008 at 9:52 PM · Report
27

Only Game in Town

I'm convinced this place is only popular because of its proximity to the wretched food at the UW Rotunda; where else is there within a half mile? Wait staff is clueless and the service and food quality is extremely variable. More than once I've wondered if this is some kind of homeless rehab center sweatshop. Happy hour can be OK if you're early and the weather cooperates. One of Seattle's most overrated restaurants.
Posted by JimBob on March 6, 2008 at 9:40 AM · Report
26

Perfect Day...

A perfect day for me would be kayaking in Portage Bay and then eating a plate of tacos with Portabello mushrooms from Agua Verde. Down it with a horchata fresa (cinnamon rice milk with strawberries) and a margarita on the rocks, and I am in heaven.
Posted by KM on February 9, 2008 at 5:56 PM · Report
25

blah-and

Food is bland rather than flavorful, waiters are nary to be found when you're ready for a refil, drinks are pricey, lines are long. Some of the dishes are good, but it's hit and miss. Only worth it on a really pretty day when you've got plenty of time.
Posted by natbot on December 28, 2007 at 3:15 PM · Report
24

Agree with something changed...

Something has changed, and it's not for the better. The last couple times I visited what used to be a favorite I was very disappointed. The place is over crowded, the staff constantly confused, the food has gotten mediocre, and I couldn't tell my Margarita from a glass of punch...VIRGIN punch that is. Don't bother.
Posted by Lisa on November 14, 2007 at 2:32 PM · Report
23

Meh.

The food here is decent - nothing is great and nothing is horrible. I get breakfast and lunch to go from here a few times a month. The carnitas and bacalao tacos are dependable and boring. The chorizo and potato breakfast burrito is edible. This is a good place to go for desperation hunger, but I wouldn't recommend it for anything special.
Posted by mmm...donuts on November 1, 2007 at 8:13 AM · Report
22

Good but busy

Close to UW so it's usually busy, but has good "Mexican" food . . . not real Mexican, but close enough. Good value, and the service is pretty quick. Has lakeside seating so you can watch the boats go by while you eat.
Posted by grasshopper78 on August 19, 2007 at 9:44 PM · Report
21

huge lines, great times

this is one of only places on the water that is laid back and has good food. that alone makes it good. the food is good, nothing spectacular to me. they should expand though because they do a huge business and the wait can be very long sometimes.
Posted by antiquated_aardvark on August 16, 2007 at 5:50 PM · Report
20

Love This Place

Yes, the wait is long and occasionally the place gets a little hot, but the food and atmosphere totally makes up for it. I love the rock fish tacos and the cheesy potatoes are soooo yummy. Their margaritas really pack a punch, so watch out. The view is gorgeous and wait staff is friendly. Great for a casual meal with friends.
Posted by crzy8 on August 16, 2007 at 5:28 PM · Report
19

something changed

My friends and I lived in the dorms of south UW campus, less than a 5 minute walk from this place. During our sophomore year, we went for our usual Friday night meal... and suddenly they CHARGED for the chips and salsa. So I've boycotted it ever since. Yeah, it's tasty. But if you can't give me some fucking chips and salsa after I waited 45 minutes to eat at your restaurant, I'm not going.
Posted by mytaxidermist on August 15, 2007 at 7:00 PM · Report
18

My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The bright rooms, the view of the water, the lightly battered and fried cod tacos, the plump little pintos with cojita cheese, the tasty salsa bar--what's not to love? Ehrm, except the always stale and crappy tortilla chippage and the (nearly) boozeless margaritas. Oh but damn, that blended mango-rita tastes so good I order it anyway.
Posted by Mizjames on August 9, 2007 at 3:49 PM · Report
17

Unique and tasty Mexican food

I usually go there for lunch, since I work nearby. There is often a line but it moves pretty quickly, long enough for me to decide what to order. The food is delicious and doesn't seem as fattening as most Mexican restaurants. The place is colorful,open and airy, and has a nice view of the water. And I like the way they give you paper mache fruits as the marker for the servers to find you and give you your meal. It's not too pricey. I think this place is great.
Posted by Kim on August 9, 2007 at 2:25 PM · Report
16

not worth the wait

Food is too gussied up. Flavors never seem to work that well. I realize I just want my "mexican" food to be more rice, cheese, beans, tomato salsa, and meat - their use of cabbage just doesn't work that well.
Posted by Brecky Brown on August 1, 2007 at 10:51 PM · Report
15

hey wha happened?

this place actually used to be good. now, any time i go there, no matter what day or time, there is a line out the door and the food quality and dining experience has gone out the window. what was once a place with a relaxed atmosphere and creative food prep has turned into a mediocre hellhole with bland food (e.g. the yam tacos are dry, flavorless and pulpy). at this point, you may as well go to chipotle on the ave to get some uninspired mexican food - they may not serve margaritas there, but it is arguably a lot more interesting (and cheaper) to watch drunken shitbags slide by on foot on the ave as opposed to watching drunken shitbags slide by on their yachts from the overcrowded porch at agua verde. i pray nightly that this crisis will pass, and agua verde returns to its previous glory, but i'm not holding my breath...
Posted by kinkos on July 30, 2007 at 3:30 PM · Report
14

yesss!

can't believe my first time was last week to enjoy this cute, delicious little gem of a restaurant. the guac and chips rocked my world, view was amazing and the prices were very fair.
Posted by babysonfire on July 23, 2007 at 11:28 PM · Report
13

Fish tacos! Spicy rice! Waterfront! Good times.

Go eat fish tacos on the waterfront! And if you’re feeling particularly sporty, you can walk down below Agua Verde and rent a kayak after you’ve had a couple catfish tacos and Dos Equis. I wouldn’t say that they have the BEST fish tacos in town, but it’s a pretty cool little place. If it’s particularly crowded, which is likely if you’re visiting during dinner rush, they also have a take out window and there are a number of picnic tables nearby where you can sit down to enjoy your meal.
Posted by GoTime on July 20, 2007 at 1:45 PM · Report
12

Love this place!

I've always had a good experience here. The food is very healthy, the view is awesome, and you can take a kayak out after lunch.
Posted by Lost_in_Space on July 18, 2007 at 2:04 PM · Report
11

Good food, but better to go

One of the nicest places to go on a sunny evening. Great food and surprisingly decent drinks on their outdoor deck over looking the cut, it’s enough to make any one relax. Of course the real secret is getting your fish tacos to go, as to avoid a long line for seats, and bad service, then head up to the UW campus and enjoy. Be sure to hit the salsa bar before leaving. Well worth eating at if you are in the area.
Posted by Bdiggity on July 18, 2007 at 8:19 AM · Report
10

Great food and great location

As one of the few restaurants close to the health sciences building this place gets a lot of lunchtime traffic, and for good reason. The food is tasty, and the deck is great for sunny days
Posted by mtnmd15 on July 11, 2007 at 9:49 PM · Report
9

dual purpose

Though I understand some of the gripes from reviewers, I'm not going to pan the place because every experience I've had there has been good overall. I love a good taco and haven't been disappointed yet. However, I am a vegaquarian so I can't comment on the carne. I recently had the tortas and it was wonderful. Just dropping by for food and (weak but tasty) drinks gets 4 stars from me. Hitting them up on a sunny day to rent a kayak to paddle around for an hour or two- then getting food... That gets 10 stars.
Posted by Unoriginal Andy on June 13, 2007 at 2:04 PM · Report
8

Yam Tacos!!!

The first time I went to Agua Verde I was so pleasantly surprised by the sauteed yam tacos that I have been a fan ever since. One of the best veggie dishes I've had in this town. The fish tacos are also perfectly prepared and delicious evry time I get them. My only gripe is that their margaritas have everything in them but booze. They taste great, but you might as well just have juice. Yes, I'm a lush. Weak drinks are a scourge to be stamped out.
Posted by Rat Bones on June 12, 2007 at 12:16 AM · Report
7

Thank You Ana Maria

I thought it was just me. Everyone seems to love this place. But after going there three or four times I failed to see what all the hoopla was about. Everything seemed pretty mediocre. The location is good, the deck area is nice... but that does not a restaurant make. They also can't quite figure out how to take orders and serve you like a normal restaurant. They have figured out how to make you wait in line. Given the options, I'd give it a miss.
Posted by Charles on June 11, 2007 at 9:41 PM · Report
6

Not impressed

First of all, as I have lived in Mexico most of the past two years, I learned not to judge Seattle mexican restaurants on their authenticity. Mexican food in the United States is just a different cuisine than (comida)food in Mexico, even at restaurants claiming to be more authentic, as AV does. I've found the food and salsas to be too bland and sweet. The carne(beef and pork)was too dry as well. The usual problem with US Mexican food is that there is too much chile added just for fire, not subtle flavors as in Mex., AV has neither. Many of the ingredients(cabage, jack cheese, creamy dressings) mandatory with various tacos I noticed would not be served in Mex(where nothing is mandatory in your tacos). The "special organic chips" are from Trader Joes or Whole Foods, big deal. The atmosphere was what you would expect next to a university(packed with young drinkers) and service was okay.
Posted by Ana Maria on June 9, 2007 at 9:23 AM · Report
5

Still love it after all these years

Great food and unbeatable location. The margaritas always seem a bit watered down but they are still delicious. Service, however, is truly awful. Yesterday I ordered tacos de dorado with rice and beans. When it was brought out, there were no rice and beans, and the server gave me some cock and bull story about how it had to be ordered on some separate check at the initial order, or something like that. When I got out my receipt to prove my order, I noticed that what I ordered wasn't itemized, just a total, so there'd be no way to prove my order. Seems slightly scammy to me. Servers should be more concerned about customer service instead of basically telling people to fuck off.
Posted by Dwight Schrute on June 5, 2007 at 8:52 AM · Report
4

Nothing wrong with the service!

I've been going to AV for 8 years. There's nothing wrong with the service -- they're crazy busy, but generally very apologetic if they don't serve you right away. They subtracted a couple of margaritas from bill when we weren't served promptly. This is Agua Verde: it's going to be busy. Go there expecting anything else, then get cranky, and they probably won't be very nice. If you love lingering over fantastic, affordable food while enjoying some of the best views in the city, this is the place to be.
Posted by seattleeco on June 4, 2007 at 8:55 AM · Report
3

Great food terrible service

the lameness of the service is only outdone by the greatness of the food. I thought (hoped) that this was just a singular experience but repeat visits have confirmed that you will be treated poorly and eat remarkably
Posted by flounder on June 3, 2007 at 2:39 AM · Report
2

Great food and location

I usually get the boniato taco (sweet potato) and think it's great. Chunks of sweet potato mixed with grilled onions and topped off with cotija cheese and some kind of tasty dressing. They can keep their cranberry slaw (or whatever it is). The coconut flan is yummy. Happy hour has good deals but get there early on sunny days as the place gets jammed.
Posted by Tim K on May 29, 2007 at 12:30 PM · Report
1

first try very good

looking for a nice place to get some sun next to the water... accessible, great atmosphere, fast and friendly service, good food, decent prices, great dipping sauces and drinks! i recommend the carnitas, the limonada and the coconut flan.
Posted by trollswagen on May 28, 2007 at 6:56 PM · Report

Add a review


Click the stars.

Optional

Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club
Nearby and Recommended

Big Time Brewery & Alehouse (Bar, Restaurant)
University District 4133 University Way NE    phone (206) 545-4509
  • 4.11000/5 Stars.
 (based on 9 reader reviews)
Cafe Racer (Bar, Cafe)
University District 5828 Roosevelt Way NE    phone (206) 523-5282
  • 4.27000/5 Stars.
 (based on 11 reader reviews)
Shultzy's Sausage (Restaurant)
University District 4114 University Way NE    phone (206) 548-9461
  • 2.57000/5 Stars.
 (based on 7 reader reviews)
Cedars Restaurant on Brooklyn (Restaurant)
University District 4759 Brooklyn Ave NE    phone (206) 527-4000
  • 3.11000/5 Stars.
 (based on 28 reader reviews)
Taste of India (Restaurant)
University District 5517 Roosevelt Way NE    phone (206) 528-1575
  • 4.29000/5 Stars.
 (based on 17 reader reviews)
Thai Tom (Restaurant)
University District 4543 University Way NE    phone (206) 548-9548
  • 3.70000/5 Stars.
 (based on 23 reader reviews)

Are we missing something?

Need to correct our info about Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club?

!Add or Edit
Location

The Stranger Suggests

Critics' Best Bets
Music Arts & Food