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    The Garrison

    4.1 (77 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Garrison Photos

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    THE GARRISON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Garrison

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    Clams
    Maria L.

    I'm obsessed with the Garrison! Always delicious food, always amazing service and good vibes only! I had the pleasure of meeting the owner at taste of Washington and he was really genuine and friendly as if I needed another reason to love this place! If you haven't been you gotta go! I somehow end up getting the same things, they are just so tasty! Oysters, crab puff pastry and the clams. Nom, Nom, Nom.

    Sable
    David H.

    Ok I'd probably give this place more of a 3.5 than a 3 but... I'm basing this more off of what I got versus everyone else (seafood boil). This was my first time trying out the garrison and it was pretty much what I thought it'd be: good vibes + ok tasting food + pricier than it should be. I paid around $72 for my seafood boil + a cocktail + a rainier + a 20% tip. Tbh I would think that would be a steal if you told me that's how much I'd be paying before getting to the restaurant. I guess I was just not that impressed by the seafood boil itself. It came with crab, bread, potato, sausage, clams, corn, and shrimp. The seasonings/oil combo was mid. The crab legs were small and overcooked. The shrimp was pretty good! The clams were tiny and meh. The corn was also super tiny and unlike any I've ever seen in a boil. The sausage and potatoes were ok. Idk. Maybe I just have higher expectations from being spoiled with bomb seafood boils at southern or Asian restaurants, but this was just underwhelming (although again, it was a more affordable seafood boil at $39-perhaps the perfect example of you get what you pay for). With that said, everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals and I did think their chicken + crab roll entrees looked solid! All in all, I guess I'd go again if someone asked me to come thru--I just wouldn't get that seafood boil again tho hahaha

    Anne O.

    A perfect birthday happy hour at The Garrison My husband and I stopped into The Garrison in Ballard for his birthday happy hour -- on a Monday, no less, when most places are closed -- and we were blown away from the moment we sat down. The service was genuine, warm, and perfectly attentive, the kind where you feel cared for without ever feeling hovered over. The atmosphere is cozy, intimate, and effortlessly sultry -- the kind of space that makes you want to linger over another glass of wine. We started with the oysters, and wow. Fresh, cold, clean, and that perfect buttery finish that only the best oysters have. Easily some of the best we've had in Seattle. The Delicata squash & endive salad tasted like fall on a plate -- bright, seasonal, and beautifully dressed. The crab puff pastry was buttery, flaky, and filled with sweet, delicate crab. Pure savory heaven. The Brussels sprouts were crispy, caramelized, and deeply flavorful -- some of the best I've ever had. And the herbed fries? Gone before we even realized it. Always the sign of a winner. As a thoughtful birthday touch, they offered my husband a complimentary dessert of his choice. He picked the banana split, and it was the perfect nostalgic, decadent ending to an already amazing evening. The Garrison is a true gem -- especially on a Monday when options are limited -- and perfect for date nights, celebrations, or anytime you want an elevated, delicious escape. We left happy, full, and already planning our next visit.

    Clams and Brussel sprouts
    Sherry B.

    Restaurant is right off for market Street so parking could be a challenge. Went during happy hour, and it was a pleasant surprise. They have a very good happy hour menu with discounted oysters, drinks, appetizers, and entrees. Oysters are half priced off before 6 PM. We got clams and brussel sprouts as appetizers and they were really good. The clams were paired with local shop's bread and it was fresh. Had sablefish as a main entree and it was really good as well. If I had to be picky, the wait time between the main entree and appetizer was pretty long. We fully finished the entree and had to wait a little before the entree came out. Other than that, no complaints from our first visit!

    Inside - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Kyle W.

    This place is located in the busy part of the Ballard neighborhood which is nicely accessible by 40 bus or by car with ample parking along the back streets. I went here for happy hour on a Monday and it was not too busy. We ordered quite a lot of items, to get over $100 in spend for 2 people so that we could both use InKind for our own promotions. Felt like a 3.5 stars but rounding it up due to good service. These are the items we tried - Caviar - Nicely arranged and topped with a good amount of caviar. I liked this dish but it felt pre-made since the outer layer was not that crispy. - Local clams - the sauce was quite tangy and the clams were not the freshest, but I love all the other aspects (the salami, the bread, and the onions were amazing) - PNW crab puff pastry - kinda meh. There is a good amount of crab and there is a salad to make it a bit more complete, but the vinaigrette in the salad seeped into the pastry to make it a bit unpleasant. - Crab & caramelized leek dip - very good. Creamy and rich, with a good amount of crab. I have been craving a similar dish so this adequately satisfied my cravings. It comes with a good amount of chips. One of the better quality to price item. - Chicken liver mousse - a bit too heavy for my liking. Looks pre-batched with the layer of fat on top that breaks into a solid as you dip into the dish. I can't complain too much for it being $8 but this dish was not quality. The bread was fine at the beginning but quickly felt stale - Aztec (cocktail) - love the slightly savory notes in this corn-based cocktail - No baggage fees (mocktail) - sweet yet tangy. For the price being similar to some of the HH cocktails, I would get the cocktail but it is a good mocktail for those that don't drink alcohol. - Bread pudding - small but decadent. I liked the caramelized orange slice and the bread pudding texture was good. There are some chocolate chips as well. Service is good as they keep topping up our water and checked up on us once in a while. Price-wise, it is not the best compared to neighboring restaurants but it is a good deal to go during happy hour. Quality-wise, it felt like some of the dishes were pre-made a while ago which also kind of confirms why the dishes came to our table within 5 minutes of ordering. Worth a visit once if you want a quick meal and especially if you have InKind and want to take advantage of their promotions and/or use your InKind credits!

    Susan S.

    Came here for Happy Hour Oysters were $24 for a dozen, Smoked Salmon Toast for 10. Orders a Radler and a beer. Server comped a beer as there was a little spill on the first one and brought over some Brussels sprouts as a result of the kitchen making an extra one. Super friendly server, good food. Definitely will be back. The place has a cool vine and we could talk comfortably.

    Brunch menu
    Celina T.

    Hands down the best brunch spot so far by where I live on this part of the city. The crab benedict was amazing (with large chunks of fresh crab meat) and the breakfast sandwich was also delish. Make sure to ask for homemade hot sauce on the side for the crispy side potatoes. I've also had the best bloody mary and french pressed coffee with my meal. The service is top notch where the servers are super attentive and will check in on you to get your feedback about the drinks/food. Kudos to the server who suggested we should try their homemade hot sauce? The interior gives off vintage and midcentury modern vibes. I love the silk banner running across the wall. Sucha cute place for date nights and holiday celebrations.

    Golden gardens
    Gargi R.

    I'm a huge fan of their sister restaurant, Le coin so I was excited to check out the Garrison. We came here on a Monday night without reservation and were seated quickly at the bar. The ambience is cozy. They have crab night on Monday, and I'm a huge fan of crab so I ordered the crab roll. I ordered one of their house cocktails, golden gardens. The cocktail was delicious, fruity and nutty. However, I thought the crab roll was disappointing. The crab tasted dry and I thought there was too much going on (wasn't a fan of the salad topping). Next time, I'd probably only get a drink over here!

    Resturant
    James S.

    First time here so may have missed out on some stuff. First and most, most expensive all you can eat Brunch in Seattle that I have been to. I saw it on YouTube so had to go try. Overall, food was delicious and filling. Service is great for a small resturant. Employees are helpful and polite. Plates are cleared as soon as you go get more. Now the negatives: Parking is hard to find and if you are lucky a vehicle is leaving as you are coming. Pricey all you can eat brunch. Coffee is separate price for a pricey brunch. Side note: This place is in Ballard so be prepared to be looking for parking.

    Oysters (full of cream, aka spawning)
    Nikki T.

    I went here for a quick solo happy hour, and I'm sorry to say it was disappointing. I planned to be quick, so I told the hostess to seat me wherever was easiest...and apparently that was an awkward small table in the completely empty restaurant. There was a manager type that kept staring in my direction, as if it was unheard of to dine alone. I think it speaks to the way they approach hospitality- everything made me feel awkward and overall it was not a very warm environment. However, the two servers that checked on me were friendly-- especially the female server that was making conversation and checking on how I liked everything. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I was disappointed... For context, I ordered 12 oysters and a dirty vodka martini. When I ate the oysters, they tasted a bit creamy. I wish I sent them back, as I realized halfway through that they were likely spawning. But again...that's my mistake for ordering them in the warmest summer month. Reading reviews on here made me realize this was not an isolated incident. They didn't taste bad. Just a bit creamy...which now makes me shudder... The thing that actually made me upset was the martini. It was made from a house brine that was reminiscent of black olive juice, barely salty, and had one lone olive. $14 on happy hour special. All in all, the two items came to $50 with tax and tip. I will come back and try it again to make sure this wasn't a fluke, but for now I'll just add this to the list of over hyped, under delivered restaurants in Seattle.

    (10/3/24)
    Marie B.

    The stars aligned with traffic and street parking to meet up with fellow Yelp Elite/IGer CC for Happy Hour at The Garrison (10/4/24). Happy hour is available from 3-5pm and CC was able to snag a 4pm reservation. Originally, there was very limited onsite and sidewalk seating. But during our visit, The Garrison recently opened their additional expansion. Our waitperson mentioned that the former Hotel Albatross space is being renovated in increments. Definitely much more spacious! HH NA and cocktails are pretty pricey, however, my Old Fashioned was well executed and strong ($12). HH dishes ordered included a crab/leek dip with homemade chips, clams with toasted artisan bread, and chicken liver mousse with baguette slices and cornichons. CC did not favor the texture and flavor of the chicken liver mousse. Instead of having it get composted, I opted to just have both orders. Side note: the packaged up leftovers remained tasty even the day after. She definitely enjoyed the flavorful clams and crab dip; both were more to her liking. Our waitperson had that balance I appreciate when dining out. Welcoming, knowlegeable, perceptive, and unobtrusive. Her service alone earned a star, for a total of five. With so many places to dine in Seattle's popular Ballard neighborhood, The Garrison is a standout for happy hour.

    Breakfast sandwich
    Maxine L.

    Have been meaning to try this place after seeing it on Yelp! I love me a new brunch/seafood restaurant. Came here for a weekend brunch and was pleasantly surprised. The interior is clean, cozy, and aesthetic. The servers were also super kind and welcoming. I ordered the breakfast sandwich and the churro doughnuts. The sandwich was 10/10 fire. The brioche buns are nice and fluffy, the egg, guac, and ham inside are juicy and tender. The breakfast potatoes were also amazing. I love the fried sage and feta cheese. Brings regular potatoes to the next level. The churro doughnuts were okay! Super fluffy and airy, but not that much of a strong cinnamon flavor. If you like your desserts subtle, then this would be good. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience. I'm super intrigued by their HH/dinner menu so you bet I'll be back again to try their seafood.

    Endive salad, scallops and crab puff pastry were all great.

    This place is must! If I could only eat at 1 place in the greater Seattle area it would be this. Ambiance, food and service were unforgettable. Most importantly was the food. Amazing.

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    5 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Best seafood value in Seattle! Amazing happy hour and excellent cocktails. The the service is phenomenal

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    One of the most amazing food experiences we had, highly recommend this restaurant! Their HH is great and we had great service.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing space deceiving from the outside. Food was delicious service excellent. Had a wonderful night with friends. Will be back.

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    9 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Warm bartender and very nice wait staff with the knowledge of all services. A very friendly environment; I will go back

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great place and food and service and even the music was very good. We are also glad that they are open late.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Staff was delightful, the bar was intimate, and the food was delicious. We had a great dinner and I'm looking forward to next time!

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    1 year ago

    Newly redone dining room in the back - beautiful. Had a delicious crab benedict and banana bread for brunch. Good happy hour here.

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    Page 2 of 2

    The Garrison Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Garrison

    What are the hours for happy hour?

    3-6pm, 10pm-12am

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    The Coupe & Flute - Table

    The Coupe & Flute

    4.6(110 reviews)
    7.3 miBeacon Hill
    $$

    I came here for an early dinner with a friend on a Sunday. It wasn't busy at all and it's a very…read morecute spot to go to for a little girl time. I got the St. Germaine spritz and we shared the lemongrass steak nachos, frites, and kimchi arancini! St Germaine spritz: I love a cocktail/alcoholic beverage that is on the sweeter side. I don't really love when can I taste the alcohol in a mixed drink so this drink was definitely up my alley. It was super refreshing and had a nice bubblyness to it. Lemongrass steak nachos: the lemongrass was definitely a standout taste in these nachos which I loved! I loved the combo of the fresh ingredients like the cilantro, lemongrass, and cabbage with the steak and queso, it helped to balance all the flavors and didn't feel heavy Frites: pretty standard tasting fries, not too skinny and not too thick which I liked! The chili mayo had a nice smoky sweet flavor and it was a great dipping sauce! Kimchi Arancini: these were crispy and had a nice gooey cheese in the middle which definitely had a cheese pull. The kimchi taste I felt was relatively mild which is great for people that don't want such a strong sour kimchi flavor, I love kimchi so I could've definitely had it stronger. They do give you a side of kimchi to go with it, but I didn't love the kimchi it came with. I'm used to getting kimchi from Hmart or other Asian grocery stores but this was pretty mid to me. Overall I would definitely come back to try their other dishes and cocktails! Their brunch menu looks good and I'll probably be back for that next time.

    This is my go-to spot whenever I'm in the mood for a casual drink. Definitely a great place for…read morechampagne and wine. It's a cute, cozy neighborhood spot with good food, reasonable prices, and a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Every time I come, I end up ordering the cauliflower and the bao buns--they're just that good. On my last visit, I tried the galbi-jjim bao, which was generous in portion and really flavorful. The cauliflower dish feels almost like a fresh salad, light and easy to eat, and the gnocchi with chipotle sauce had a nice subtle kick. The focaccia and sardines paired perfectly with champagne and white wine. Right next door is Homer, a very popular restaurant, and I've been to both--but honestly, I prefer this place. Maybe it's a bit less trendy because there aren't many main-course options, but everything I've tried here has been consistently delicious. Overall, it's just a comfortable, inviting spot that's perfect when you want good food and a relaxed drink. Also staff are friendly and welcoming. I've been back many times and will definitely keep coming.

    Photos
    The Coupe & Flute - Tempura battered cream puffs with berry compote

    Tempura battered cream puffs with berry compote

    The Coupe & Flute - Inside

    Inside

    The Coupe & Flute - French onion soup in front. Good!

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    French onion soup in front. Good!

    McQueen Champagne Bar - Great atmosphere here.

    McQueen Champagne Bar

    4.6(52 reviews)
    12.0 mi

    Such a cute little spot! Great patio and we came on a beautiful day…read more The patio was full by the time we got there, which I think was 2 or 3pm. But that's fine because we sat at the bar and hung out with the owner. My husband I did a different flight. We are such suckers for flights because we have no idea what we like, so those were fun. I think he got the Drama Queen and I defaulted to the other one. Lol. We also got the Gorgonzola Toast. Which, those roasted red grapes were a bit too strong for me, but my husband loved them. There's SO much to offer here that we will definitely be back to try and enjoy more bubbles. Great spot to hang out with friends, and enough small bites to keep you from going over the edge while still enjoying yourself. We will definitely be back!

    Went on a Wednesday evening for a small celebration and had the place entirely to ourselves--such a…read moretreat. My husband and I each ordered the Drama Queen flight ($46), which included three bubblies: Duval Leroy Grand Brut, Levasseur, and Dumenil. Each one was distinct and thoughtfully selected. We added some nosh--truffle chips and the whipped ricotta with baguette--simple but delicious pairings. To top it off, she suggested a "Royal Treatment" as a happy ending to our flights: a 4-oz pour of Lambrusco. Totally unexpected and very different--almost grape-juice-like, yet rich and port-adjacent at the same time. Surprisingly enjoyable. What really made the evening special was the experience. She played our favorite 80s music, shared fascinating stories about the grapes and vineyards, and made the whole night feel personal and relaxed. Overall, a fun, intimate evening and a great spot for a quick bubbly celebration. Would absolutely go back.

    Photos
    McQueen Champagne Bar - Champagne Lombard

    Champagne Lombard

    McQueen Champagne Bar
    McQueen Champagne Bar

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    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant - Wines, Champagne, Bubbles, Cava, Prosecco

    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant

    3.7(120 reviews)
    28.1 mi

    I want you to celebrate my friend's birthday. I've been here twice now for a girls brunch…read more Both times the establishment has been very accommodating wasn't as busy so seating was easy. They are little staffed so service was slow, but it was understandable since she would explain each time and apologize to each time she came to the table for the delay I would definitely recommend four girls brunch. Everything girly they have really great areas to take photos.

    I really wanted to love this place because the atmosphere is nice and it has a lot of potential,…read morebut unfortunately our experience was just okay. The food itself was decent, but definitely overpriced for what you get. We ordered a cheese plate and a salad. It took well over 45 minutes just to receive the cheese plate, and then another 35+ minutes for the salad to come out. That felt excessive, especially considering the restaurant wasn't busy when we first arrived. There was a bridal shower happening, which is totally understandable and of course events can impact service. However, at the time we were seated, it wasn't crowded at all. The service was also disappointing. Our waitress rarely checked in, and we eventually had to go up to the bar ourselves to ask for napkins and water refill. Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience, but for the prices and the wait times, I expected much better service and efficiency. I understand maybe we caught them on a off day, but for being my first experience I'd consider giving it another try, but improvements in attentiveness and timing would make a big difference.

    Photos
    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant - Cocktail Menu

    Cocktail Menu

    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant - Rosé Menu

    Rosé Menu

    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant - Small bites, salads and sides menu

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    Small bites, salads and sides menu

    Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Parlor - Cornmeal fried oysters with lemon aioli, pickled cabbage; and jalapeño

    Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Parlor

    3.9(389 reviews)
    4.1 miRavenna
    $$

    The taste of the food here is on average pretty good, but the overall experienced is sabotaged by…read morehigh prices and some poor presentation. The worst offender is the NW black cod. The black cod was not the center of the dish literally or figuratively: it should have been labeled a black cod salad because for 35 dollars it was a giant pile of salad with a tiny sliver of cod served on the side. It is offensive to call this a main course with how the dish is plated and portioned. The rest of the menu suffers from similar compromises: the lobster rolls are pretty good but very small for 33 dollars. Some of the other menu items were a lot better in presentation and value. The mushroom risotto and the cheeseburger were some of the better items on the menu. The oysters were also very good. There's some bright spots here but the overall experience is very compromised by some landmines on the menu. I would come here specifically to sample a few oysters and for the cheeseburger but not for any other items if you are expecting an actual meal. You can easily drop 80+ dollars and leave feeling like something was missing.

    Went here for happy hour with a friend this week. Definitely won't be coming back anytime soon. I…read morehate to say that but it's the truth. We came mostly for happy hour but there wasn't much that intrigued us on the menu. We did split half a dozen oysters that were served with the most boring and basic mignonette and no lemon. The texture on the oysters was off enough to the point we hoped we wouldn't get sick later. The side salad on the happy hour menu we did enjoy, along with the burger. I'd come back for the burger and salad and that's it. The server left much to be desired and really impacted our experience. I know it's hard for restaurants to survive in Seattle with how expensive everything is. It's also expensive for people to go out to eat in this city. Definitely would prefer to spend my time and money elsewhere.

    Photos
    Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Parlor
    Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Parlor - Crab croquettes

    Crab croquettes

    Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Parlor - Oysters On The Halfshell

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    Oysters On The Halfshell

    Local Tide - Dover and Fries ig @snapped.by.neel

    Local Tide

    4.6(501 reviews)
    1.9 miFremont
    $$

    I came here with a friend today around 2pm! There was a line to order but we didn't mind waiting,…read moreSunday afternoon on a sunny day so we expected it! I've been wanting to try this place for awhile and I am so glad I finally did! We ordered a few things to share and every single dish was delicious! Shrimp toast: this was a great appetizer to share! Very crispy and the sauces on the side gave it a more complex flavor! It came with a sweet mayo and chili sauce. The chili sauce is definitely spicy if you can't handle spice so beware on how much you're using if that's the case. I also really enjoyed the slaw that came with it, it was very refreshing and it had a bit of sweet mayo flavor to it, I think it's the same as the dipping sauce but I could be wrong! Fried oysters: these were delicious! I think fried oysters can be a hit or miss for me, sometimes the interior can feel too dry and feel kinda of mushy-like, like I'm eating bread rather than seafood. But this had great texture on the inside while being crispy on the outside! The sauce on the side tasted like a pepper aioli which gave the oyster a nice tang *the fried dishes were great but after having a few, it definitely felt heavy, so this would be something I share with someone else vs eating it on my own Smoked salmon belly dip: I really enjoyed this! It was creamy and had chunks of salmon in it. It wasn't too dense or thick so it was perfect for scooping onto the kettle chips. The kettle chips were lightly salted so it was the perfect combo with the dip. Clam chowder: wow I absolutely loved this! This is different than any other chowder I've had. While I love a white creamy chowder from your typical seafood places, the base being a fish stock definitely brought out the seafood flavor vs a white chowder feeling like a cream base. This chowder still felt creamy and rich without the seafood flavor being overpowered. Rockfish bowl: the crab rolls were sold out by the time we made it to the register so we opted for this instead and I am so glad that we did. I didn't really expect this to blow me away but this was such a refreshing dish that balanced out the fried dishes we got. It used viet flavors that you may typically find in a banh mi which made it refreshing and had great texture from all the different fresh ingredients and fried garlic. I also loved how the fish came in patty form mixed with pork, it was flavorful and moist. I love any type of fish tofu/patty, I think it really makes fish flavorful when it sometimes can have a really mild flavor. I'll definitely be back to try the crab rolls!

    On the higher price-end, Local Tide has a small menu of gorgeous healthy and fresh dishes!…read more The shrimp toast is 100% in the top 3 bites I have had in Seattle, absolutely no doubt!!! Just be mindful that the portions are a little small for what you spend though

    Photos
    Local Tide - Inside

    Inside

    Local Tide - Fried Oysters

    Fried Oysters

    Local Tide - Smash Burger

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    Smash Burger

    The Walrus and the Carpenter - hama hama clams

    The Walrus and the Carpenter

    4.2(2k reviews)
    0.5 miBallard
    $$$

    Best oyster bar in Seattle, excellent raw seafood bar. Spot prawn crudo and Pacific oysters are a…read morestandout. Outstanding service and staff that really know their seafood. Renee Erickson's team always does excellent with small plates. The endive salad with toasted pistachios was delightful, refreshing, and well-made. Sit at the oyster bar and order a glass of your favorite crisp white or bubbly. Always a good time, great vibes. Usually love the steak tartare but the night we went they were using some odd aioli that I didn't care for.

    The Walrus & Carpenter is a place I wanted to love, and there's definitely a lot to like here. The…read morespace is fantastic and very inviting, with a lively, cozy feel that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy the experience. The food is good across the board. The oyster selection is always fantastic with a great variety to choose from, though they do feel a tad pricey. The bread is fabulous, really well done, but at the end of the day it's still just bread. The tartare is solid and enjoyable. I was a bit disappointed in the sardines as the walnut pesto and shallots overwhelmed the fish, which on their own are delicious and didn't need that much going on. The cheese options are another highlight and something I do quite enjoy. Overall everything here is solid and well executed, and I understand why it's popular. For me though, it never quite reaches exceptional. It's a good experience, just not one I find myself going out of my way for.

    Photos
    The Walrus and the Carpenter - Atmosphere

    Atmosphere

    The Walrus and the Carpenter - Steak Tartare*

    Steak Tartare*

    The Walrus and the Carpenter - Veruca Salt

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    Veruca Salt

    Barnacle

    Barnacle

    4.2(136 reviews)
    0.5 miBallard
    $$

    Stayed at an Airbnb nearby and been scoping an oyster place nearby and decided to take my wife and…read moreher parents to share a bottle of wine and have some oysters and apps. The hosts were great and flexible by means that we got here right before close and all that was left was wine and oysters from the adjacent restaurant but they let us relocate next door where they had more options in terms of food. So we ordered 2 dozen oysters (there was no advertised price), bottle of wine (62 bucks) clams, cheese, and another side dish, and a few beers. Food taste was great but very small portions for the money. I believe the steamed clams was like 30 something but barely a pound so we ordered another one. Thought the total bill for the 4 of us was going to be around $200 but was shocked to see a $510 dollar bill for some small apps and wine/beer. Turns out they up charged the oysters imho so was 120 for 2 dozen and automatically added 22% gratuity without ever disclosing any of this. We were still hungry and had to uber eat afterwards. We could have gone to Ruth Chris steak house for the price of 4. Our rental car also was smashed into off the street and window was missing as well as our son's back backpack. Very disappointing day . I seldom take the time to write up a review but this deserves disclosure to forewarn others that it is expensive

    Went here for a girls' night and loved it! The oysters were absolutely delicious, easily one of my…read morefavorite spots. The bread paired perfectly with our oysters and wine. The environment was cozy, and the service was friendly and took the time to explain the oysters and drinks, which we really appreciated. Highly recommend for oyster lovers!

    Photos
    Barnacle
    Barnacle
    Barnacle - Inside

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    Inside

    The Ballard Cut - Tommy steak. Get in there!

    The Ballard Cut

    4.4(317 reviews)
    0.1 miBallard
    $$$

    The Ballard's Cut is an absolute gem -- a true Seattle staple that deserves every ounce of praise…read moreit gets. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere captures you: modern décor, intimate lighting, and a warm vibe that feels both upscale and inviting. Everything is immaculately clean and thoughtfully designed, setting the tone for an exceptional dining experience. If you're a bourbon lover, this place is paradise. Their collection is incredible, but what truly sets them apart is the service. The Bourbon Curators, Ms. Hannah and Mr. Tommy, along with our amazing waitress Ms. Sassy, make you feel like a VIP from start to finish. They welcome you with open arms and create a personalized bourbon journey -- teaching you about flavor profiles, history, and how to discover different palettes you never knew you had. It's not just a drink menu... it's an experience. And the food? Michelin-worthy. We shared the Autumn Chicory Salad and the homemade Autumn Mushroom Pasta -- both beautifully crafted, rich in flavor, and perfectly paired with the bourbon experience. Every bite showed off the kitchen's talent and passion. We were actually recommended this restaurant by strangers we met at the Seattle Space Needle -- and wow, did they steer us right. The Ballard's Cut surpassed every expectation. If you love bourbon, phenomenal food, and top-tier service from people who treat you like family, then this is the place. Do not miss it.

    We came as a family of six. We were all unimpressed…read more It started with bread. We ordered it, it never came. When we asked, our server blamed a "computer system outage." For bread. I genuinely don't know what to do with that explanation. The food took so long. I ordered my steak medium rare and it arrived overcooked. I thought this was a steakhouse and yall can't even cook a steak medium rare? One person in our party never received their salad despite asking multiple times. Their stupid steak dish is $50 entree with zero sides. I added cauliflower for an extra $17 charge and received something I could have made in five minutes. Finally, we tried to order dessert and were told they were out of the item we all wanted. This place is a ripoff with terrible service.

    Photos
    The Ballard Cut - Main dining area.  There's outdoor seating.

    Main dining area. There's outdoor seating.

    The Ballard Cut - "The Cut" Tomahawk Ribeye

    "The Cut" Tomahawk Ribeye

    The Ballard Cut - Whiskey flight

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    Whiskey flight

    The Garrison - seafood - Updated May 2026

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