Our Story

The building that houses the café was constructed by Chris Boysen right after World War II. You can still see his namesake on the adjacent apartment building. Originally built as a neighborhood tavern, the building went through various identities over the decades. The last one being the infamous "Pat & Ron's Tavern" which closed in 1988.

After months of work on the space, it reopened in March of 1989 as Luna Park Cafe. The name comes from the former boardwalk park that existed in West Seattle in the early 1900s.

Over the years it has become a museum of sorts for all generations to enjoy. With a 1958 Seeburg Jukebox, other coin-ops like Pepe the Dancing Clown and the mini Orchestra above the front door, and plenty of nostalgic decorations, this diner is a haven to its regulars and a spectacle to newcomers. The idea behind the cafe is to serve delicious food and great milkshakes in a 1950s diner atmosphere.

Luna Park was an amusement park that operated on the northern tip of Alki Point in West Seattle from 1907 until 1913. Designed by famed carousel carver Charles I. D. Looff — who carved and installed Coney Island's very first carousel — Luna Park took its name from Coney Island's Luna Park.

Built on pilings, the expansive 12-acre boardwalk extended over Elliott Bay and was called the Greatest Amusement Park on the West Coast. Luna Park was accessible by the West Seattle ferry or the Seattle Municipal Railway's Luna Park Line. During evening hours the park was brilliantly illuminated, with each building and ride outlined in bulbs. Because of its extravagant lighting scheme the park could be seen for miles and was billed as a safe nighttime destination for women and children.

Luna Park's main attractions were Charles I.D. Looff's hand-carved carousel, the Great Figure Eight Roller Coaster, the Giant Whirl, Shoot the Chutes, the Canals of Venice, and the Cave of Mystery. Additionally, Luna Park hosted daily acts including clowns, jugglers and other buskers — like the costumed man in the Luna Park Cafe's logo.

The rides were disassembled and removed in 1913. The Natatorium continued to operate, changing its name to Luna Pool. In 1931 Luna Pool caught fire and the remains of Luna Park were destroyed in the blaze. Today the site is known as Anchor Park and all that remains of the Greatest Amusement Park on the West Coast are the original pilings, visible only during extremely low tide.