Ivar's Salmon House on Lake Union prepares to reopen next week The iconic Seattle restaurant had to close last year due to the pandemic, but things are looking up, with one location opening on May 17 and another set for June. Author: Chris Cashman Updated: 8:52 PM PDT May 12, 2021 SEATTLE — One of Seattle's oldest and most iconic restaurant chains is slowly digging its way out of pandemic-induced closures. Ivar's President Bob Donegan told KING 5 that the Ivar's Salmon House on Lake Union will reopen to guests May 17. "We're happy as clams, you might say," Donegan said during an interview Wednesday. Ivar's is wildly popular with numerous locations throughout Puget Sound, but the restaurant chain was not immune to the struggles of the pandemic.