The Brass Kraken: A Local Pub with Stellar Views and Tasty Fare

Stunning views, FANTASTIC service, and flavorful food! I ordered a burger with a GF bun and a side salad. The Angus beef was very juicy and flavorful. The salad had fresh crisp veggies. They had fans around moving the air and keeping things cool, which I appreciated.

We visited The Brass Kraken a few times while staying in Kingston, and every visit was a great experience. The staff were incredibly friendly, helpful, and polite when ordering, which really made us feel welcome. The restaurant was clean, and the food came out hot and exactly as described on the menu. The dry-rubbed chicken wings were especially delicious—perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. On one of our visits, the weather was absolutely perfect: sunny and crisp, which made the experience even better. You really couldn’t ask for more. There’s also a free parking lot right in front of the restaurant, so parking is easy and stress-free. We’d definitely stop here again when we’re back in Kingston.

Honest score would be 4.5, but I’ll go 5 stars. Old school dive bar vibe right on the waterfront in downtown Poulsbo. Pros: Funky, low ceiling bar with a bit of outdoor seating when it’s ever warm enough. Good ‘dive bar’ food, although they got rid of their Reuben sandwich (what are you thinking Brass K?!). Nice selection of beers. They usually only have one or two ciders though. They do tots instead of fries, which is great with us. Solid, if slightly over-seasoned clam chowder. It’s good. Good but also over-seasoned tots. Calamari is nicely battered but could have stayed in the frier for another 30 seconds (it was a bit greasy which tells us it needs to be cooked a bit hotter and longer). Wasn’t rubbery though and had good flavor. Cons: Tiny kitchen so you’ll wait a long time for your food. If you’re over 6’5” tall, you’ll need to watch that you don’t crash your brains on the beams. Service: A bit mixed here. Most staff are super friendly but occasionally there’s this one not-so-happy person. Otherwise great! Slightly off the tourist street so more locals here. It’s surprising though because it and the place upstairs are the only two restaurants on the water with waterfront views. We like it and go fairly often, but they need to bring back the REUBEN!!!

Such a great bar and restaurant with an amazing view. They have a dog friendly outdoor space overlooking the water. The shrimp basket was really good. Wish the fries were a little crispier but still okay! The clam chowder was SO good. There was a lot so definitely could be shared.

Essentially a tavern with okay food and an okay view. The service is above average. We ordered the shrimp basket 3.5/5 (shrimp were good, tots over fried), elk burger 4/5 (patty needed seasoning), and chicken breast burger 4/5.

When I go out to eat the atmosphere is my top priority, and the view is great and the vibe of the bar is perfect. Stopped here for lunch while visiting the city and had a nice time. My wrap wasn't anything too special but the tater tots were perfectly crunchy. I also got the cheese curds which were also very delicious.

Second time visiting and: I’m obsessed. Great service, good food, chill and fun atmosphere. Saw a seal from my seat!

We ordered both the chowder and the shrimp. The chowder stood out—rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, making it our preferred dish. The shrimp was fresh and enjoyable, though it could benefit from a slight refinement in seasoning or preparation. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the bay, and enjoying a beverage on the patio adds to the relaxed, scenic atmosphere. Service was efficient with a reasonable wait time. Note that parking nearby is limited, so be prepared for a short walk. Overall, a pleasant dining experience.