I came here to meet up with friends for happy hour recently, and had such a nice time! Half Shell is situated just outside of the busiest parts of the Pike Place area, so it's easy to get to but actually relaxed. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, as well, so it's a great place to meet with a group. We had 6 oysters each off the happy hour menu, which were perfect plump Hama Hamas that day. I also had the cheeseburger with a side of fries, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The cheeseburger was juicy, well seasoned, and perfectly cooked, and I especially loved that the lettuce and onion were shredded thinly. To wash it all down, I had a couple of spritzes, and really enjoyed the "a rose is a rose". Service here is friendly and quick, and we felt very well taken care of. Half Shell is honestly a perfect place to have a meal with friends. It's central and easy to get to, there's lots of seating in a gorgeous restaurant, and the food is great! Will be working this into my rotation. read more

"My wife and I recently visited Seattle to catch a Mariners game on September 8th. During our trip, I was craving fresh oysters on the half shell and noticed 'Half Shell' nearby, which had solid reviews. My wife doesn't eat oysters, but she was happy to join me. We took two seats at the bar and were essentially ignored for the first five minutes by the bartender. Eventually, she dropped off two glasses of water without saying a word. Since no menus were offered, I walked over to the hostess stand to get one myself. The bar was full, but most guests already had their food, so it wasn't a matter of the server being overwhelmed. After another five minutes, she finally came over and asked, 'I see you have a menu, do you want to order anything?' I nearly said no we just wanted water, but I took the high road and ordered a dozen oysters. The oysters arrived quickly via another staff member and were genuinely very good--though the accompanying sauce was so bland and neutral that the oysters were better off plain. However, we were never asked if we wanted drinks. I would have loved a beer, but without knowing the options, I decided to stick with water, finish up, and leave. During the entire time I ate, no one checked in on us. When I asked for the check, the bartender's demeanor changed instantly. She was suddenly friendly as she handed over the payment terminal--clearly putting on a nice act right when it was time to leave a tip. We both saw right through it. Would I recommend Half Shell? Yes for the oysters, but a hard no for the service and atmosphere. We won't be returning." read more

Came here after we heard about happy hour $2 oysters. We ordered half a dozen and I got a strawberry negroni to sip on. Strawberry Negroni: The negroni was quite good and not very bitter at all. Oysters: the oysters were super fresh and so yummy. We enjoyed it so much we ordered another half dozen. Roasted Oysters: We also ordered the roasted oysters which were also great but we felt the panko breadcrumbs gave it a weird texture. Overall, great oysters for happy hour. The place is also super cute and well decorated, and our server was a beautiful man. Would come back again! read more

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Half Shell brings together two Seattle institutions - Tom Douglas and oysters (and other seafood) into a space formerly occupied by Etta's. But now, the room has lightened up, the menu has become a bit more casual, and the daily oyster HH is exactly what Pike Place Market needed. On a recent visit, they had 2 types of oysters of which one was on HH, which happened to be Hama Hama's. Oysters were fresh, well-shucked and a great deal at $2 a pop. The rest of the menu also is solid. I loved the smoked black cod here served with ritz crackers, sour cream and a very yummy fennel jam, as well as snow crab legs, which are super easy to eat. You can get all of these with the Pearl Platter too. The crab roll was also very good, but I have yet to try any of the grilled fish here. They also have a surprisingly good smashburger too. Service has always been good during my 4 visits. Definitely worth a visit if looking for oysters and more at the Market. read more

Half Shell - Scallops aguachile - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Seafood at Half Shell was definitely calling our names for happy hour! For our table of 7, we ordered 4 dozen oysters, the mini Dungeness crab rolls, green fried tomatoes, the Dirty Martini Dip with hand-cut fries, and the roasted oysters. Everything was incredibly fresh, and we loved every bite! The service was excellent, and the staff made our experience even better. If you're visiting Pike Place Market, I definitely recommend stopping by Half Shell for fresh seafood and a great happy hour. Be sure to get there early for happy hour it gets busy, and it's well worth it! read more

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Solid spot. Service was great, staff was attentive and easy to deal with. Ambiance was on point, good vibe for a seafood/bar spot. Oysters were amazing, some of the best I've had in Seattle. Crab roll and fries were delicious, no complaints there. Let the waiter pick a few drinks for me and he nailed it! Would come back for sure, just leaving room since this was a first visit. read more

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Great place, amazing location! Sat outside during happy hour oysters got a few apps was all pretty good! The chowder was very good, drinks were all potent and tasty. Service was pretty good too dont really have anything to complain about! Would recommend and definitely would go back when back in town read more

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Half Shell is a wonderful seafood restaurant just north of Pike Place Market that really highlights the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. We started with fresh oysters, which were beautifully presented over ice with lemon and mignonette. They were incredibly fresh and delicious. We also tried the Dungeness crab roll, which was packed with sweet crab and served on a perfectly toasted bun. Everything tasted fresh, high quality, and thoughtfully prepared. The atmosphere is warm, stylish, and relaxed. The wood interior, Pearl Bar, and outdoor patio make it a great place to enjoy lunch, dinner, or happy hour. The cocktail menu is also impressive and pairs perfectly with the seafood. Service was friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout our visit. If you're looking for excellent seafood near Pike Place Market, Half Shell is absolutely worth a visit. We had a great experience and would happily return. read more

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I'd have to start by saying this place have the best and freshest oyster selections anywhere! It's that good that we ended up coming here for 3 days straight during our short stay in Seattle. We ended up trying 5 different kind of oysters all sourced locally and they're all just spectacular! Creamy, umami and oh so fresh! Hammersly, Eld Inlet and Cliff point among others. BTW their roasted oysters are also really good - larger size, fresh and juicy not overcooked. Pro tip: The best part is during happy hour from 3-6pm (and also maybe during lunch hours?) they're only $2 each which is a steal! Other than the oysters we also had the smoked black cod which is out of this world and a MUST GET in my book. The seafood assortment called the Pearl Platter if I remember correctly - it is a good way to sample a little bit of everything. It has the smoked black cod, snow crabs, scallops aguachile, shrimps, and oysters. Service is always prompt and friendly. They have cozy indoor seating as well as a patio seating with nice view of the waterfront area. My favorite drink here is the dillenger which is smooth and balanced with a hint of dills. Can get busy at times so book ahead if possible. Located in the quieter section between Pike Place Market and Belltown. Highly recommended. 15 minutes walking from Pioneer Square area. read more

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Bit of a late review, but pulled up to Half Shell for the Spring Restaurant Week menu with a few friends. It wasn't too hard to get a weekday reservation for 4 and it's located right on the waterfront of Pike's Place, but it was pretty easy to find street parking nearby. Overall, the food was a little inconsistent in quality across the board, but the vibes are excellent for a nicer night out. Oysters (4/5): Super fresh and they have a rotating set of local options. We went with the waiter's recommendation, which were super sweet and a bit salty. One of my friend's had never had oysters before and they were pleasantly surprised by the way it wasn't too fishy! Clam Chowder (4.25/5): Clam chowder was actually probably one of the best bites of the night. Super creamy and luxurious with a good amount of clams. Shrimp Cocktail (2.5/5): Unfortunately, the shrimp were overcooked and too chewy. A real shame because the shrimp are huge! Surf N Turf (2.75/5): Mixed feelings on this one. The scallops were really small, but delicious, fresh, and sweet. The beef cut was some sort of awful hangar steak that didn't feel fresh. A bit small for a main and roasted potatoes were just okay. Lobster Roll (4/5): The bread was warm and nicely toasted with butter. I wish there was a bit more lobster to improve the ratio, but the quality of the lobster was nice! Atlantic Beach Pie (4/5): Very very tart, but I loved it especially with the fresh whipped cream. The saltine crust brought a good amount of salt as well. read more

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One of my best childhood friends came to visit because she says the seafood here is the best. The waitress was so nice to all of her tables. The drinks and food arrived quickly. It was enjoyed by everyone. $2.00 oysters in the happy hour were wonderful. My husband loved his steak frites. The steamed artichokes were great. I normally stay away from restaurants that have a large group of tourist I was pleasantly impressed. Will return again read more

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Walking Pike Market area and I needed to take a break. Then,,,,, I found Happy Hour sign here! They just opened but half of seats were already occupied. Must be good! When I got inside, the receptionist asked me table or counter, I was by myself so whichever is fine so she escorted me to the counter seat. It's a good size of the restaurant whether you're dining solo, enjoying a date night, or catching up with friends and family. I ordered half dozen of the oysters on the half shell-shucker's choice and mini-tini. When I ordered at the counter, the staff said I can pick mini-tini from regular martini menu. Oh, that's great. So, I chose "i dream of aquavit" and she told me "it's a little bit weird flavor, is it okay?" What? What's mean weird flavor? But I was interested in, so I told her I'd like to know "weird flavor" lol! Shortly, my "weird flavor(lol)" mini-tini came and it looked cute, taste was okay. I don't like sweet cocktail, so it's good for me but hard to explain by words. lol! My half dozen of oysters on the half shell, fresh, sweet sea flavor, and yum!! I enjoyed my break time and I'd like to come back & try regular menu!!! read more

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We had a celebratory work event with a group of about a dozen of us, so we started with appetizers from both the happy hour and dinner menus. The warm potato rolls were sooo good--soft, buttery, and delicious. The clams and fried green tomatoes with crab were also tasty starters. For my entrée, I ordered the scallop appetizer and the NW chowder. The scallops were delicious, but the chowder was a little on the thick side for me. Others ordered the salmon, which seemed to be a bit overcooked and on the dry side. We shared all of the desserts, and the lemon fennel tart was a hit. The coconut cream pie wasn't quite as good as I remembered, mostly because the whipped cream could have been a little sweeter. Service was smooth considering the size of our group, and everyone had a good time. read more

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Half Shell is a lovely neighborhood seafood spot, especially if you can catch happy hour. We went for the $2 oysters, and they were delicious, fresh, simple, and exactly what you'd want from a casual Seattle-area seafood place. I do wish there were a few more topping options for the oysters, but the quality itself was great. The outdoor seating was really nice, and the staff were pleasant and welcoming. To be honest, Half Shell and Mr. Fish next door feel very similar to me in terms of service, vibe, and food quality, so I almost think of them as companion spots. Both have that relaxed, fresh-seafood feel. Would I fight the terrible parking, traffic, and pedestrian congestion just to come here? Maybe, maybe not. If someone suggested it, I'd happily say yes, it's a lovely place for a casual seafood evening. But I probably wouldn't go far out of my way for it. read more

Half Shell - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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You need reservations on Saturday nights! Had a reservation with three friends and we were seated right away. Decor was understated with some rope details and big jars of oyster shells. Excellent service. The food was very good - my first time trying halibut and it was scrumptious. The sauce (chili oil?) was quite spicy. The passion project drink was tasty and the pound cake dessert was enough for two to share. The prices seemed as expected for a downtown Seattle fish spot. read more

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For a oyster lover, this restaurant is amazing. They have daily happy hour special with $2 oysters. They're tiny but super flavorful and briney. The tapatio champagne mignotte was the perfect additional topper. The rest of the menu was also super tasty. We had the scallop agua chile, fries with the same mignotte made into a mayo, and the dirty gin martini dip. I wanted to order more dip to take home it was that good. The agua Chile was also super fresh and light and perfect for a hot summer day. Service was attentive but not overbearing. Really well decorated restaurant in a great location. read more

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Half Shell is a delightful seafood joint near Pikes Market and they have a solid happy hour. $2 oysters, even if tiny, are fresh and tasty (mignonette is light on the shallots). $4 roasted oysters are delish and definitely worth getting a couple - the nduja adds a punch of flavor. The mini lobster roll ($14) has a good bit of lobster and right balance of lemon aioli. burger is a fair, meaty burger done well; may not be the most remarkable but good for the price. Service is nice and it's a sleek and inviting vibe inside with a view of the water. read more

I had some guests from out of town who wanted fresh oysters and seafood and we decided to give this place a try. Located at the north end of Pikes Place (across the street from Cutters) is this gem of a find. We made reservations online and was able to get seated quickly (it fills up fast). Looking at the menu it looked like we also timed it with happy hour (double win!). We quickly place an order for two dozen oysters (at $2/ea it's a steal) while we perused the menu. After ordering the oyster platter arrived and it was so fresh, chilled and tasty. We quickly devoured it. Moving into dinner, some got the crab rolls, but I settled for the new menu item: halibut. The delightfully savory halibut was moist and served with a nice side of potato and was as perfect as one can make a halibut dish. I would eat this again in a heartbeat. If you are in the Pikes Place market and wanting a break for a nice meal, this is the place to pop on in. Be sure to do a reservation as they do fill up quickly! Hope you get to enjoy it soon too! read more

Half Shell - Halibut. Just added to the menu! - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

$2 oysters were amazing! Exactly what you're looking for. Staff nice and place isn't too packed if you get there early enough. read more

Half Shell - Oysters - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Half Shell was a truly incredible experience. It's my last night in Seattle, and my dad and I wanted authentic Seattle seafood to end our stay - and this was the perfect place. We ordered the Pearl Platter which is a sampler, and everything was exceptional - the seafood was all so fresh and delicious. The mains were amazing - I especially enjoyed the halibut. The ambience of the place is very pretty - it has a nautical feel with coastal decor to match the gorgeous waterfront views. Our server was amazing - she was so friendly and funny, and she really created a lovely vibe. I enjoyed this meal, it was definitely my favorite I had while staying in Seattle. A perfect way to end my trip! read more

Half Shell - Dungeness Crab Roll, Washington King Salmon, Neah Bay Halibut - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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$2 oysters.... All day?! SAY LESS Hahahha but fr, I've been wanting to check out their happy hour for a fat minute now and I'm glad I finally got to! We got a dozen oysters, two roasted oysters, a mini crab roll, a cheeseburger, and two drinks. The total for everything (including tax/tip) was a little over $100. Everything was solid! The oysters were most def our favorites. I wish they had crack sauce to pair w but, alas, hahah. The roasted oysters were ok but at $4.... I mean sheesh I'd rather have 2 raw oysters ya feel me. The crab roll was prob our least favorite thing we tried, which is crazy bc it was still good haha. The cheeseburger was ono!! Go chance em! As of right now, they've had their $2 oyster deal for 2+ months now! read more

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Cowabunga Dudeee! Half Shell located near Pike Place delivers a genuinely GREAT seafood/oyster experience! We visited as a party of 3 on a Saturday night and was very impressed! Tried a selection of 18 oysters and every single one was excellent, fresh and crisp. *TIP* If you're a pickle lover you must TRY "THE DIRTY SHUCKER". A dill based martini made with a dill vermouth! OUTSTANDING! Easily one of the highlights of the visit, along with the warm pull apart potato rolls which should be considered mandatory ordering! The Dungeness crab roll with charred lemon aioli was delicious; Rich without being heavy, and the hand cut fries were perfectly done and addictive. Everything was delicous, but if I may give one criticism (and the only reason this a 4-star review). The Smoked Black Cod - AMAZING, served with fennel jam, sour cream...and RITZ CRACKERS? Sorry I know thats nitpicky, but the ritz just seemed out of place in this fine dining restaurant. However barely even worth mentioning! Service was absolutely perfect. Attentive, friendly, and well paced without hovering. The environment was cozy and enjoyable, making it an easy place to settle in and actually relax. Overall, this spot nails what it is trying to be. Excellent seafood, great drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere. A strong four stars and very much worth a return visit. read more

Half Shell - Dungeoness Crab Roll - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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$2 oysters for happy hour?! The minute I saw this, I booked it over. Honestly, everything on their HH menu was quite delicious, including the mini dungeness crab rolls, oysters (both raw and roasted) and the shrimp nugget sliders. Honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything on this menu. One of the best eats in my Seattle trip by far! read more

Came to this place after walking around beautiful Seattle and was craving oysters! We saw half shell! Heard about the happy hour but we missed it. I ordered a martini which was just okay but ended up having a glass of champagne. We then ordered a dozen oysters to start, steak frites, grilled artichoke and asparagus and clams. The oysters were amazing. I love mine with Tabasco and the vinegar sauce. The steak was perfectly cooked and I love a grilled artichoke. The clams were the star of the show. With pesto wine sauce. Delicious. This is a perfect place to come for happy hour, drinks with friends and enjoy Seattle summer. I will definitely come back. read more

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I visited Half Shell with a couple of friends during happy hour to enjoy their $2 raw oysters. I was initially a little nervous because I've had negative experiences with oysters before, but fortunately, I enjoyed my experience here. I had anticipated a wait, but there wasn't one on Friday around 3 PM. We were seated almost immediately, and I have to say this place is so nicely decorated. It felt really classy, and the view from the windows was much appreciated. FOOD: Raw Oyster (4.5/5) - The available daily selection of oyster was the wildcat. I'm no oyster connoisseur, so I don't have a sophisticated review of its flavor profile to provide, but I will say it had a nice buttery texture and wasn't fishy. Extra delicious with a generous topping of Tabasco and lemon juice. Roasted Oysters (4/5) - I also enjoyed these. The butter and breadcrumbs were a nice pairing, but I'd prefer the raw oysters, especially considering the slight price differences. I also heard some amazing things about their mini dungeness crab rolls, but they were considerably pricey and we already had a long day of eating planned. Maybe next time I'm back in Seattle! Happy to also report that I did not experience any upset stomach issues after dining at Half Shell! read more

Half Shell - Raw Oysters - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This place warrants 5 stars plain and simple. I enjoy splurging on food and I would come back here anytime. The happy hour oysters were awesome but the star of the show was the Dungeness crab roll because it is perfectly cooked and seasoned with the buttery fluff of the brioche roll and the fries went in harmony with the roll. Alexandra and Brennan embody hospitality and service and that in itself would bring me back to this wonderful establishment. read more

Half Shell - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Walking towards pike place and saw this restaurant had a happy hour...with $2 oysters. Stopped in and were amazed by the quality of the oysters. My husband had a local beer with a dozen and a half oysters and stated he wanted more. I had a mini lobster roll and shrimp sliders.... So so good, but the real star here are the fresh oysters. Server was great and even recommended a local beer they serve from the brewery across the street. My husband dreams of this place! read more

While visiting Seattle, we wanted to make sure we sat down for some seafood. We came for happy hour to try the oysters, the plain ones were pretty good but I would recommend the roasted oysters. In addition we ordered some crab rolls which I felt stole the show, they were awesome and buttery, I would definitely get those again on our next visit. read more

Half Shell - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Yet another Tom Douglas good work. Order pretty much everything on the happy hour menu. All were good. The dirty martini dip was a bit strange. Very crisp and thin potato chips with a dense blue-cheese base "spread" (too dense as a dip). They don't quite go together. We, of course, had a dozen of oysters and they were perfectly balanced on the brininess, creaminess, and a bit texture. Then we had the baked ones. They were satisfyingly fatty and a crunchy top layer. Crab rolls were with Brioche, of course, and filled with good crab meat just right. Then we ventured into the dinner menu and order clams and black cod. Both were excellent with the black cod a bit too intensely seasoned. Tom Douglas is not shy on experimenting. I am glad he did again. read more

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We went for happy hour and enjoyed it. We got a spritz, a mini tini and a dozen oysters. Some of the oyster were pretty small but they were tasty! read more

Half Shell - Oysters - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We were visiting Seattle and, on our walk back to our Air BnB we passed this place and it was advertising happy hour oysters for $2. You can't pass that up and we didn't! In fact we had happy hour here 3 days in a row. They are right past Pike Market Place so a very short walk if you're in the area. Happy Hour is from 3-6 and the oysters are $2. The only catch is you can't pick the oysters. They have one type of oyster a day that is part of the happy hour price. However it is a good variety. We had 3 different kinds on our 3 back to back visits. The three we had were Pacific XS, Skookum and Pickering Passage. We ordered anywhere from a dozen to a dozen and a half on each visit. I also had a really good Sour on the first visit and my honey had a local beer each time. I can't say enough good things about the oysters. We don't have many fresh oysters where we live so this was such a treat for us. Every oyster was so creamy and I swear we had to comment after each one how good they were! We only ate oysters here so no idea how anything else is on the menu. If you like oysters this is the place to go if you're in the area. read more

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They've got a great happy hour, even on weekends as we went on a Saturday around lunchtime. Cute outdoor seating as well. Would definitely go back! read more

Half Shell - Happy hour oysters on the half shell - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Happy hour 3-6pm. Mini martinis and $2 oysters We were on our way to a brewery and were sucked in by oyster and happy hour... Still going to the brewery (Old Stove) almost across the street read more

We have now been to Half Shell 4 on 4 occasions: 3 for dinner and once for lunch. We have ordered the seafood towers, oysters, and several fish entrees. On each visit, the service was great - friendly, down-to-earth, and very helpful. The restaurant is clean and the tables are oriented to maximize the views. The menu changes based on availability, but we have never had anything that we did not like. The oysters have all been delicious, and the server's description of the difference of each type of oyster was spot on. What prompted this review, however, was the swordfish (off menu special) that I had last Thursday. I always love swordfish, but this was the flakiest, juiciest and most flavorful swordfish that I have ever had. Half shell has become our go-to seafood place in Seattle. read more

I really liked this restaurant. Everything was good but my favorites were the shrimp nuggets and the coconut pie. It's their only dessert so it's very good. The crab roll and cod were also great. Fries that came with the roll were big and thick so good. Cod was so soft and I loved the veggies that came with it. Servers were friendly. Not hard to get a reservation here. Very cute on the inside. It is expensive. Not many entrees under 40$. Good location right near waterfront and pikes place. Would recommend. read more

Half Shell - Coconut cream pie - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Sitting here on a drizzly dreary early Saturday evening, during a work trip, and always happy to tuck into a bunch of uber fresh and oceanic oysters. Happy hour here is 3-6 PM nightly, $2/oyster and they are serving wild cats tonight. A lucky bakers dozen (13) and all of a sudden the overcast, grey skies are gone away... Highly recommended bar area. Staff couldn't be more professional and nice! read more

Half Shell - Oyster Happy Hour (3-6 PM $2/each) oh yeah !! - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I love fresh oysters. I'll even grill them at home, so I have pretty high standards! Their oysters were incredibly fresh, and I loved that they offered several different variations to choose from. Whether you prefer them raw or with different toppings, there's something for every oyster lover. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

We went during happy hour and luckily there wasn't a wait. We also got seated facing the window so we had a nice view of the water. I believe the raw oysters were $2 during this time and there were some other foods/drinks that were also cheaper Raw oysters: 5/5. I forget which type of oyster it was but I thought it was really good Roasted oysters: 4/5. These were really good but pretty saucy. Just personal preference but I preferred the raw oysters read more

Half Shell - fresh oysters - Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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$2 oysters is something to be excited about! We came here for Happy Hour and were seated at a cozy spot enjoying three kinds of oysters of course. Besides the oysters we had Ginger Shrimp Nugget Sliders, Mini Dungeness Crab Rolls, and the Painted Hills Cheeseburger. Everything was delicious! The restaurant is beautiful. And service was excellent! read more

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Oysters oysters and more oysters. These were fantastic fresh oysters. They have a $2/oyster deal and we enjoyed 3 dozen oysters! Comes with standard oyster condiments - lemon, vinegar with onion, tabasco. We were looking for oyster happy hours and decided on this place on Pike Street. It was a safe choice! No food poisoning reviews lol. They were very busy on Saturday evening and it was hard to flag down a server to order more oysters or pay our bill. Indoors is charming and very bright, considerably quiet. read more

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