First of all, Alki Beach doesn’t feel quite like quintessential Seattle, does it? Especially along Beach Drive, it resembles San Diego more than the Pacific Northwest, minus the cold winds.
One summer evening, we made our way to Alki Beach Park. The sky was clear, the day was warm and sunny, and the water looked almost bearable, so why not spend the evening at Seattle’s closest sandy beach?
I quickly realized, though, that the water was still far too cold for my skin. Instead of standing there numb in the water, I decided to look for a good fish-and-chips spot where I could grab something to eat and enjoy it by the beach.
I came across Sunfish completely by accident, or perhaps it was simply the first place in my line of sight. Either way, I headed in. The menu all the seafood classics but I was only in mood of some good old fish and chips.
I ordered the halibut fish and chips to go, and while I waited, I got a chance to take in the space.
The view from the restaurant was lovely, and the interiors had the charm of a quaint beach shack. They fried the fish fresh to order, and once it was ready, I carried the box out to the beach.
Sitting by the water, I watched the crisp, golden batter glisten in the sunlight. Steam drifted out as I opened the box, and then came the first bite.
Ooh, the crunch was simply music to my ears. The batter was perfectly crisp, while the halibut inside was hot and flaky. There, by the beach, I had discovered a new favorite fish-and-chips spot.
Sunfish was the perfect casual dining spot perfectly suited to an evening by Alki Beach. Best of all, I got to eat the fish and chips minutes after they came out of the fryer, still hot and crunchy, rather than packing them up from the waterfront and travelling home, when that crispy coating can understandably turn a little soggy.
Finding Sunfish felt like a happy Alki Beach accident, one of those simple Seattle summer discoveries where hot, crispy fish and chips, a view of the water, and a little beach-shack charm come together perfectly.
Owned and operated by brothers Michael and Peter Vassiliou, Sunfish is the kind of low-key beachside spot that makes you want to slow down, enjoy your food fresh from the fryer, and linger at Alki a little longer.
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