Canlis
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | December 11, 1950 in Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Founder | Peter Canlis |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Area served | Pacific Northwest, United States |
Key people | Mark Canlis (owner), Brian Canlis (former co-owner until 2025) |
| Products | New American and Pacific Northwest cuisine |
Number of employees | 100+ |
| Website | canlis |
Canlis is an upscale dining establishment located in Seattle's Queen Anne district, offering a menu focused on New American and Pacific Northwest flavors, with scenic vistas overlooking Gas Works Park and the Cascade Mountain range. Established in 1950 by Peter Canlis, it continues as a family-operated enterprise employing more than 100 team members.
As one of the most decorated eateries in the Northwestern United States, Canlis is ranked among the top 20 restaurants nationwide by Gourmet Magazine. It has maintained continuous recognition, including the Wine Spectator Grand Award since 1997, and was described by The New York Times as "Seattle's most elegant and finest dining venue for over six decades."
History
The Seattle branch of Canlis was inaugurated on December 11, 1950, following Peter Canlis’s initial venture with Canlis Charcoal Broiler in Honolulu starting in 1946. Motivated by local builder Jack Peterson, Peter enlisted architect Roland Terry to create the restaurant’s design, which has become a hallmark of Northwest Modern architectural style. The brand later expanded with additional locations in Honolulu (1954), Portland (1959), and San Francisco (1965). Canlis is acknowledged as a trailblazer in Northwest cuisine, with Peter Canlis credited for influencing what is currently recognized as Pacific Northwest culinary tradition.
Following Peter Canlis’s passing in 1977, management transitioned to his son Chris and daughter-in-law Alice who ran the restaurant for thirty years before transferring ownership to their sons Mark and Brian Canlis. In 2025, Brian, part of the third generation of owners, plans to leave to collaborate with restaurateur Will Guidara in Nashville, leaving Mark as the sole proprietor.
Live piano performances have been a longstanding tradition at Canlis; notable pianist Walt Wagner held residency from 1996 through 2016.
Chefs
8th - James Huffman - June 4, 2025 – present.
Awards
- Wine Spectator: Grand Award recipient from 1997 through 2022
- James Beard Awards: Received 15 nominations including honors for Outstanding Wine Program (2017), Design Icon (2019), and Best New Chef Northwest (2019) awarded to Brady Williams