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    Half Shell

    4.3 (212 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Half Shell Photos

    HALF SHELL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Half Shell

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    Drinks menu
    Charli O.

    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.

    Roast oysters
    Michael W.

    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.

    Atlantic Beach Pie
    Helen C.

    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.

    Baked Oysters

    Had an excellent experience at Half Shell and would definitely consider this a must-have stop when visiting Seattle! The oysters were the highlight of the visit. The baked oysters were absolutely delicious rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The fresh oysters during happy hour were just as impressive, incredibly fresh and a great value. The service was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. I also really enjoyed the ambiance it had a relaxed, welcoming feel that made it easy to sit back, enjoy some drinks, and take your time with the food. If you're a fan of oysters or seafood, I highly recommend checking this place out. Make sure to stop by during happy hour and try both the fresh and baked oysters. Definitely a spot I'd recommend to anyone visiting Seattle!

    Happy hour oysters on the half shell
    Falah M.

    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!

    Scallop Appy
    Carol C.

    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.

    Christopher D.

    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.

    Happy hour menu
    Stef A.

    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.

    Halibut.  Just added to the menu!
    Barry C.

    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!

    Dungeness Crab Roll, Washington King Salmon, Neah Bay Halibut
    Salma S.

    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!

    Alex R.

    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.

    Roasted oysters
    David H.

    $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!

    Jonathan M.

    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.

    Dungeoness Crab Roll

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    Great for family reunions. Happy hour is fantastic. Everyday a special drink. Will come again.

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    6 months ago

    Great customer service. Lovely valentines theme. The waitress was very nice and welcoming.

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    Thanks for dining with us on Valentine's Day!

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    Page 4 of 6

    Ask the Community - Half Shell

    Is there a happy hour?

    Think it's daily 3-6 pm

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    This is it, the emperor of Seattle dive bars. Inimitable. Sui generis. My favorite place to hang…read moreout in downtown Seattle when bad decisions and fun are on my agenda. Time without number I've found myself here, be that first dates, my birthday, or New Year's Eve, and it always feels like home. If home were a clown/carnival themed acid trip of a pinball arcade bar, that is. And what's not to love about that? The bar tenders here are cool and friendly people who pour drinks with a heavy hand, and understand the mission: get the patrons who want to be drunk, drunk. The first few times I visited, I felt a leeriness about ordering food. But once I got over myself, I kinda fell in love with the menu, and I've probably eaten everything on it (including the clam chowder). Their hot dogs are wonders to behold, utter symphonies for the senses, and I refuse to visit Shorty's without getting one. Best dog in Seattle? Why yes. I think so. To paraphrase one reviewer: "Take your date here. If she doesn't like it, she's lame and you shouldn't waste your time with her anyways." Shorty's is the bomb.

    The male bartender was extremely rude. As soon as we walked in, he aggressively asked for our IDs…read more Then, while my cousins and I were looking through the food menu, he barely gave us a chance to read it before saying, "I'll take whoever is ready to make my life easier." That's not something paying customers want to hear. I ended up ordering a drink for myself while the guys were looking at the menu because they were doing a food hop, and us girls were doing a bar hop. During that time, the bartender came back to our table at least four times within about five minutes. Instead of being attentive, it felt pushy and aggressive, especially since they were still deciding what they wanted. I've been here a few times before, but after this experience, this will definitely be my last visit.

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    Manzoku Izakaya

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    Manzoku Izakaya offers a budget-friendly AYCE option for yakitori that is hard to find anywhere…read moreelse in the downtown Seattle area. There is a caveat though, which is that they only have select items in the AYCE menu. The ambiance of the place was inviting enough for us to give them a try! There is a 90 minute window for AYCE, and you can order a maximum of 3 items per person every 15 minutes. All orders have to be made from an app on your phone so make sure you have a fully charged device! When we logged in the app, it was confusing to manage at first so we worked with the server to put our orders in. She had to put in our orders for us a couple of times and then we figured out how to work the system after that. To do the math for those reading the review and maximize the number of items you can order with the 90 minute window, you can potentially order up to 18 sets of skewers per person. Each set of skewer has two sticks. My hubby and I missed a few items from our order but we were getting full after my 10th skewer and his 15th skewer so it did not matter too much! The AYCE menu also has options to order zaru soba, corn cheese, and takoyaki! Presentation is great but I wish the flavor matched the visuals. The standout skewers for us were the boruta pork and the wagyu beef tongue. I was really hoping that the yakitori would be crispier and had more of a smokey flavor but I really can't complain too much for the price point. The food is solid but not like a wow, I have to come back here again! We only saw one server for the busiest part of the night, serving 8 tables all at once. She made sure that our glasses were never empty and she treated us warmly. Wile the decor and the general atmosphere are pleasant, the quality of the food would not merit another visit for me.

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    Seattle's Thai scene is hotter than sticky rice freshly unwrapped at the table and somewhat less…read morelikely to burn one's fingers. Thai cuisines vary depending on the region, but in general Thai food is known for balancing sweet, salty, spicy, and sour flavors. It also features a generous helping of fresh herbs and coconut milk. This results in bold, complex, and often herbaceous dishes. Located on Second Avenue in Belltown, Bangrak Market is named after the most famous market in Bangkok, where we had our first dinner in Seattle. The reservation was easily made via their website. Upon arrival, it was pretty busy and felt like a market when one stepped inside thanks to the colorful streamers and decor. The decorations were so unique, especially the baskets used throughout the space, and the whole vibe instantly transports one to Thailand without actually being there. It has such an energetic and party-like vibe. The music felt like one's in a bar, and the atmosphere was super fun. My partner, his family, our friends, and I managed to get a big table for a party of 14. With so many menu options, one can order with confidence. For starters, some ordered the Fresh Garden Rolls (Tofu), Chicken Satay, and Kao Mun Gai. As the main meal, we ordered Tom Yum Nam Sai (Chicken), Pad Thai, Pad See Eww, Kao Pad, Kao Pad Supparos, and Gang Kari. The food was amazing, full of flavor, and authentic. Everything was beautifully presented and made with fresh ingredients. Portions were decent and the price reasonable. The service was excellent and super friendly. From the wait outside to our meal, this establishment was buzzing, packed with patrons having a great time, food flying out of the kitchen, and that fun, chaotic energy that tells one you're in the right place.

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    4.1
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    I'm no wings connoisseur but I've had wings I didn't like. These I loved! So crispy and flavorful!…read moreI got the lunch special of 8 wings and the house lager for $18. Good deal as I brought 4 wings home with me. I got the lemon pepper seasoning and it was perfect, not really wet but very crispy and tangy. The fries were actually really good too, thin and crispy, not just an after thought. I get what people say about the blue cheese. It's not a dressing or dip really. Hard to tell what to do with it. Press the blue cheese crumbles against the chicken. With my leftover wings at home I used my own blue cheese dressing to dip. But really the wings are so flavorful on their own, they don't need dip. The bartender was friendly and gave great service. Dark bar atmosphere but clean and as a person alone here in the middle of the afternoon, I was very comfortable sitting at the bar.

    So glad I found this place on a whim. Was craving some wings and it was right by our hotel with…read moregood ratings. We went by and saw the vibe so decided to give it a change. We sat in a booth, the inside was so cool, clean and the server was so chill. We knew we're going to order fries and wings. The only qualm I had was with the loaded wings was that they stayed "blue cheese" not blue cheese dressing or sauce. We were expecting crumbles or something along that nature. The melted cheese and blue cheese sauce made it very wet and hard eat... you had to dig... don't get me wrong it was still good. Just misleading. The wings were good they do tell you that it's going to be a wait and they are small. And they are. So don't be surprised, make sure you order more or you will be hungry. I would go back! It was fun And the wings were yummy!

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