Fireside Burien — Restaurant in Burien

Fireside Burien, located at 15212 6th Ave SW in the heart of downtown Burien, Washington, is a cozy Midwest-inspired tavern that delivers a delightful dining experience with its retro vibe, warm hospitality, and a smash burger that’s nothing short of spectacular. From the moment you walk in, the inviting atmosphere—complete with vintage beer signs, warm wood accents, and a laid-back yet trendy ambiance—sets the stage for a memorable meal.

The star of the show is undoubtedly Fireside’s “Drive in Style” Smash Burger, a masterpiece that elevates the classic burger to new heights. This double-patty delight, served with melty American cheese, crisp pickles, and a tangy special sauce, is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The patties are smashed to perfection, creating irresistibly crispy, lacy edges that give way to a juicy, flavorful center. The soft, toasted bun holds everything together without overpowering the star ingredients, and the accompanying fries (or optional tots or side salad) are the ideal crunchy complement. For those craving a twist, the Oklahoma-style Smash Burger, with its caramelized onions and zesty yellow mustard, adds a nostalgic punch that’s equally satisfying. Every bite is a testament to the care and craft Fireside puts into its food, making it one of the best burgers in Burien.

Beyond the smash burger, Fireside Burien impresses with its diverse menu of Midwest comfort food, from Ritz-cracker-crusted walleye to hearty tater tot hot dish, all served with a side of charm. The cocktail menu is equally stellar, with creative drinks like the Minnesota Mule that pair beautifully with the meal. The service is top-notch—friendly, attentive staff make you feel right at home, whether you’re a regular or a first-timer. During my visit, the server’s enthusiasm for the menu and quick recommendations (like not skimping on the mustard for the Oklahoma burger) made the experience even more enjoyable.

The vibe at Fireside is perfect for any occasion—whether you’re catching a game, enjoying a romantic dinner, or gathering with friends for happy hour. The restaurant’s 4.2 rating from over 200 reviews speaks to its consistent quality and appeal. With its central location, great food, and unbeatable smash burger, Fireside Burien is a must-visit for anyone in the Seattle area looking for comfort food with a side of nostalgia. I’m already counting down to my next visit to savor that smash...

Updating my review. We did get an apology from Fireside and so happy we get to go back and enjoy our time there. Went for lunch last week and service was on point and food, well food is always good there. So happy we are on the mends with them and glad they reached out and apologized for the inconvenience. That’s what matters! Mistakes and misunderstandings happen but it is ow you own them. ———————————————————————-

I hate, hate giving bad reviews but honestly, we were not given a chance.

We are usuals and go there quite often, twice or three times a month as this is our preferred place for a date night( for the last year since, we are new to the area) . Food and cocktail were great. So to come to the reason why the 1 star review. We were meeting with friends who made a reservation for 5:45pm on a Sunday night. We got there on time for but host took like 5-7 mins to help as there were people in front us. So time came and we were told there weren’t enough waiters/waitresses to serve and got to wait… we are all nice and accommodating people we offered to step aside to all the came after us while we wait…. Come to our surprise that the couple behind us got seated to a table of 6 ( hind side we were 5 people).

CAUSE THEY GOT TO THEIR RESERVATION 10 minutes earlier and we were ON TIME!!!!!!! In what world did we get bumped to being on time, to someone being early?!?!?!?!

Manager was unhelpful and he kept saying he was trying to help but there was no solution other than apology! I mean, he knew host made a mistake but come on, apologize instead of giving us the run around. It is the decent thing to do.

Guess it should be noted to the reservation to BE on time does not guarantee a table, being early does.

So, so disappointed! We, me and husband won’t go...

I enjoyed this restaurant. My 1st time here. We shared a Swedish meatballs appetizer. Generous sized flavorful meatballs in a mushroom sauce & crispy garlic toast on the side. The French onion soup was good. I wondered if there was a bit of a sweet Sherry in it. I had the ritz cracker breaded walleye. I personally found the breading to be a bit thick but it was crunchy & the fish was not overdone. It came with a very lightly dressed coleslaw. I had salad (generous size) that tasted fresh & had a nice assortment of halved yellow, orange & red cherry tomatoes plus cucumber slices. My dining partner had the onion burger with tator tots. All I know is I got one tot & no bite of the burger! Lol. We were full & didn't get dessert. They were sold out of cheesecake so we could have had key lime pie or a date cake with a sauce over it. We wondered if it was a date (as in dried dates) cake or if it was just called date cake & meant to be shared. Wish the menu had been specific about that.

I was pleased with the overall atmosphere of the decor- from trophy mounted northern pike to walleye to bass to an assortment of deer & a pheasant that I noticed. The fireplace was lovely & made the upper dining cozy & inviting. I do wish the music had been instrumental & not a repetitive group of about 6 rock type songs.

I plan to go back. The Salisbury steak & tutor tot casserole are my next entrees to try! Or the walleye sandwich. I think the description...