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The Walrus and the Carpenter

Seafood Restaurant, Gastropub, and Cocktail Bar$$$$

Ballard, Seattle

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8.9^/10

682

ratings

Ranked #1 for seafood restaurants in Seattle
Has a stamp of approval from CNN and Travel + Leisure
"The bread/butter, cheeses and steak tartare are perfect."(20 Tips)
"Food is amazing, loved the Samish Oysters, tomatoes and peppers"(112 Tips)
"For all you bourbon lovers, go for mustache ride cocktail!"(5 Tips)
"Oysters, octopus, smoked trout, and steamed clams, Oh My!"(6 Tips)

202 Tips and reviews

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oysters
happy hour
good for dates
trendy
mustache ride
healthy food
bar
comfortable ride
off-menu items
cute
gluten-free food
desserts
salads
outdoor seating
Campari
big portions
bright
breweries
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Marta BeckerMay 8, 2014
go to the patio, it is cute and the heaters works wonders! The smoked trout and lentils is amazing, as well as the scallops Tatar and the red wine sausage. Anything really, you can't go wrong!
Condé Nast TravelerOctober 26, 2016
Experiencing Renee Erickson's menu is like reliving her life as it relates to the food of the Northwest. The menu changes daily, but a big plate of regional oysters is a must.” - Ford Fry Read more
Mingfei YanAugust 28, 2016
Oysters! Expensive but fresh and tasty. 4-6pm are their happy hours. Drink is good. Beef tartar is nice too.
Cameron SMarch 14, 2015
Been here 10+ times
Excellent cocktails and food. Get a pre-dinner drink at Barnacle while you wait for your table.
Gina GlickOctober 6, 2017
Oyster bar with small plates. Though not cheap, each dish is thoughtful and amazing! We really liked the Hannah cheese (rotating cheeses), fried oysters, raw scallops, and beet dishes.
jennifer hanAugust 25, 2014
one of a handful top restaurants in the city that doesn't take rezzies. go when they open at 4pm to snatch up a table for drinks and seafood. afterwards, head down the street to hot cakes for dessert.
David TownsendDecember 31, 2013
Loved every bit of this place. Excellent oysters. Grilled sardines, beef cheek terrine and steak tartare Also bartender made an excellent cocktail of gin, dry vermouth, absinthe, soda and celery
EpicuriousOctober 2, 2014
Snagging a table at The Walrus is no easy task. Arriving alone cuts down on that wait dramatically and puts crispy fried oysters and awesome vegetable-foucsed dishes into your more immediate future. Read more
Ashley RoseJuly 6, 2019
On a Friday night expect to wait 1.5hrs for a table. Service was off- drinks and plates forgotten, two and a half hours. Oysters were worth every second.
Cem HamamiMarch 12, 2014
Try a sampler of all oysters in the menu as they're all differently amazing. Fried oyster plate is also a good option for people not comfortable eating raw. Chrome Satan draft beer is splendid.
Arminda Guillama-RodriguezJune 27, 2012
Tiny and very popular, make sure to get there early to snag a table, but well worth the wait. Oysters are fresh, bartender knows his stuff - try to get a seat at the bar to watch all the action!
AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014
The best oyster bar in Seattle is the Walrus and the Carpenter. I also like the rustic hallway leading to the modern resto space. Read more
MarionAugust 12, 2018
Oysters are to die for. Great grilled sardines, good flan.
Christine HaDecember 12, 2016
Small plates. Seafood-centric. Put your name on list & go for drinks next door. 🦀🐟
CNNDecember 3, 2014
About a dozen oyster varieties representing the West Coast, from California to Alaska, are piled into wire baskets, topped with ice, and labeled with chalkboard signs. Read more
Aaron AllonNovember 25, 2018
Fabulous oysters. Mushrooms off the charts. Scallops also really interesting yet simple. Basically can’t go wrong.
Nate SJune 14, 2018
While this is place is known for their oysters/seafood, there’s plenty to try for non-seafood eaters. The bread/butter, cheeses and steak tartare are perfect.
EpicuriousOctober 7, 2014
Enjoy the spiced carrot salad, dotted with brightly acidic currants, pistachios, and sweet honey alongside a dozen oysters and a pint of Double Mountain Brewery's Dry Hopped Pale Ale. Read more
Solly BgollySeptember 27, 2015
Yum all yum. Our waitress was great, my Moscow Mule was great, the oysters were out of this world, and we loved the steak tartar. Yum yum yummy.
Christina TroitinoJanuary 12, 2014
winning game plan: oysters, steak tartar + then tell the bartender what you're eating to make you a special off the menu cocktail to perfectly pair. this place is great.
Trophy Cupcakes and PartyJanuary 23, 2012
Perfectly selected, perfectly chilled oysters- beautifully shucked right before your eyes (if you sit at the bar)...order a glass of bubbly and you are pretty much in heaven. Get there early.
Cathy MabeeApril 19, 2012
So happy to see Renee's place ranked as one of the best in the US...the downside is not being able to get a table anymore. Plan ahead!! It is a good 2 hour wait on weekends.
hello_emilyMay 2, 2016
THE OYSTERS. Also the steak tartare is the best I've ever had and the asparagus is great too.
Brad WilliamsNovember 5, 2015
Best oysters I have ever had, hands down. Love the vibe of the whole place too
Irene MorenteAugust 16, 2018
Best oysters I’ve ever had. Thought it was impossible to live up to the hype, but they do!
Mutineer MagazineNovember 27, 2013
An assortment of oysters and bubbles is always a winning combination. Try some local craft beer after your bubbles; Bellevue Brewing ESB is a winner.
Travel + LeisureMarch 19, 2013
Pristine shellfish displayed on a gleaming zinc counter are the main event at this handsome Ballard oyster bar. The shucking itself is a work of art. More places to eat like a local: tandl.me/12ufz7c
Cusp25June 4, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Enjoy the oysters! The porcini salad was delicious- thinly sliced and raw with shards of cheese
Seattle MetNovember 9, 2011
With seven oyster varieties daily, W&C is a nosher’s paradise, not a dinner house, so plan accordingly. Then plan to wait, as dozens crowd the line ahead of you, and reservations aren’t accepted. Read more
Samantha JonkerJune 22, 2015
Everything! Best oysters I've ever had, amazing steak tartare and fantastic cocktails
Mitch ThompsonJuly 22, 2013
Delicious oysters and cocktails! Particularly like the mustache ride (and the sick mustache on our server). Sammamish Sweet were the best oysters.
Jade RolandSeptember 18, 2017
Wonderful oysters, good service, very trendy. Would go back!
Rachel PostonOctober 23, 2018
Amazing oysters! Everything was delicious and fresh. A must-do!
Lu B.March 21, 2018
The oyster bar is really good.. and there are good wines to pair with.. including sekt and champagne!
Mark McGiffinJune 29, 2013
Spend time with the Oyster menu and look beyond the usual go-to NW favs. We discovered Treasure Cove oysters that blew our minds. Oh and my wife loved her Mustache Ride.
Elena NadtochiyFebruary 16, 2016
Great food, but same can be found at many other places in Seattle for much cheaper. Definitely not worth the wait.
EaterJuly 28, 2011
Yes, the seafood is delicious, but Renee Erickson's oyster bar also offers seemingly simple small plates that keep the tucked-away dining room reliably packed. [Eater 38 Member] Read more
Ruby NAugust 18, 2016
This place is amazing. Great vibes and oysters galore. Other stuff is good too. Great wine list.
Kevin SkobacOctober 31, 2013
Go early, it might be the most popular place in the city. If you have a wait, stop in at the bar Barnacle next door. The oysters were fantastic.
Vincent TanMay 6, 2016
Very fresh oysters and seafood was amazing! Best in Seattle town
Taka TMay 17, 2013
Try the Assorted Oysters - #oysters are super #fresh here at #thewalrusandthecarpenter. Maybe the best oysters in USA so far
Sarah FoleyApril 15, 2015
Oysters, octopus, smoked trout, and steamed clams, Oh My! All delicious. Not your typical dining experience.
Denise FFebruary 21, 2017
This place is just great and delicious. Happy hour time gets really busy. Amazing staff.
Alex LeeNovember 3, 2015
My goodness so good! Best seafood in Seattle.
Bunny RJune 30, 2018
Been here 25+ times
Know that there will be a wait. Know that it's worth the wait.
Kate DempseyJuly 30, 2011
In this case, the NY Times was dead on. A must-visit in Seattle. The pinot bianco is lovely, ask for oyster recommendations and try the swiss chard.
Rachel SmithOctober 16, 2015
Oysters, oysters oysters & cocktails! You can't go wrong!
Jo LJuly 29, 2013
Get in early or try weekdays otherwise prepare to wait at least 1.5 hours before you get seated. They don't take reservations. Menu changes daily.
Felicity MouldSeptember 23, 2017
The staff can be a bit short but they run a tight ship in a small space so I forgave them. Food as always is excellent 👌
Amy RobertsonNovember 2, 2015
The oysters are definitely the highlight; but the other seafood dishes are worth saving room for

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