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    Half Shell

    4.4 (194 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks 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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    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.

    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!

    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!

    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.

    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.

    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!

    Oysters
    Hannah Y.

    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!

    Dungeoness Crab Roll
    Cody A.

    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.

    $2 Oysters during Happy Hour!
    George V.

    I went here for the Happy Hour specifically for their $2 oysters and I enjoyed it. Love the ambiance of the store as well!

    Raw Oysters
    Katherine N.

    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!

    Coconut cream pie
    Winter B.

    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.

    Painted Hills Cheeseburger with American cheese, lettuce, onion, and tartar sauce!
    Elizabeth H.

    $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!

    Baked oysters
    Sin-Yaw W.

    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.

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    Good was really good, and our server was very sweet! Drinks are a little over priced, but they were strong.

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Half Shell

    Is there a happy hour?

    Think it's daily 3-6 pm

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    Shakers and Spears has a warm, welcoming vibe, and the service was genuinely friendly. The kind of…read morebrunch spot where you feel taken care of. The Dutch baby was the real winner: chewy, and puffy golden edges, blackberries, candied nuts, and a fruit drizzle. That was the most memorable thing on the table. The fish sandwich was fine but a little underwhelming. Crispy bacon and a generous salmon fillet, but the bun came out cold, which threw off the whole bite. At around $25, that detail matters. The most disappointing thing were the Fries, which were on the harder side. Tables are tight, so plan for elbow-to-elbow seating. Worth it for the Dutch baby. I'd order differently next time. Food was 3 stars, but 1 star for our server.

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    Dinner with the Show

    Half Shell - bars - Updated June 2026

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