The Walrus and the Carpenter

I feel like I found the best oyster place I’ve ever had. The oysters range from 3 – 3.75, but worth it. They were all so fresh and shucked right in front of you! The oysters came out really quickly. The beef tartare was just as delicious!

Had a wonderful experience here tonight — oysters to die for, great wine list, steak tartare/​red snapper ceviche were diviiiiiiine…
The service here is ON POINT. Our server, Jarad, showed extensive knowledge on the wine list and oysters — he made us feel so at home and truly made our meal memorable.
The place was packed (no surprise there), music was bumpin’ and the atmosphere was relaxed. We will definitely be back.

Only stopped in for a drink and some Oysters, which were amazing.
My Moscow Mule was just okay, my wife’s Old Fashioned was good though.
2 drinks, 4 oysters a piece of cheese $ 55 a little pricey, but I was craving oysters and I got em.
Headed to another Stowell spot for dinner at the Bramblin Cross which was amazing so I forgive them.

Oh man. This place is awesome. The wait is long because this place is TINY… but it is SO WORTH IT. I came here for the first time on a Friday evening and the wait for three of us was about an hour. We ended up waiting about 50 minutes, and everyone agreed, if we had eaten elsewhere, it would’ve been a shame.
The oysters were incredible. They’re listed on the menu as «market price» — our waitress just chose a variety for us and every single one was AMAZING: Wolf, Nisqually, Reach Island, and Dabob Bay. We all loved «Wolf» a lot. So incredibly fresh and delicious.
Other dishes:
— Scallop crudo: SO flavorful with just the right amount of spice. The scallops were fresh and just… perfect.
— Asparagus: Perfectly cooked! Might skip this to try something else next time, but definitely worth a try especially bc asparagus are in season right now :)
— Steamed clams: Really great dish, be sure to drench the grilled bread in the sauce. YUM.
— Duck confit: The combination of the duck plus the green garlic pancake and maple syrup — so GOOD and unique! Definitely try this!
Overall, the service and food here are really stellar. I will most definitely be returning as soon as possible… hopefully I’ll be able to swing by for their happy hour at some point!

I finally made it to The Walrus and the Carpenterrr. Sure, I had to speed to Ballard and may have ran a red light along the way, but the happy hour hype is real. REAL. 50% off oysters from 4 to 6PM on Mondays to Thursdays. If I had not been in the area earlier then who knows how long it would’ve taken me to enjoy this Seattle icon? I heard that people line up right before the 4PM opening and was really afraid that this was the case; but fortunately, I came and was able to find a few open seats at the bar.
What was kind of weird and threw me off was when I went up to the bar looking for an empty stool and asked one of the patrons if she was saving it for anyone, which she wasn’t. Right as I was about to sit down after she answered, one of the staffers sharply asked me if she could help me and I told her I just wanted to take a seat at the bar. She then in an abrupt and harsh way said that it may be best if I sat on the other side of the patron or at the far end of the bar in case a couple walks in, like I should’ve been considerate enough to have known that on my own. Her tone came across as slightly rude, as if I was intruding when I came into the restaurant. So, yeah. That was a bit offensive.
I ended up moving to the end of the bar by the kitchen, which is where many of the staff came and went, taking dishes to the kitchen, ringing up orders and getting drinks from the bartender (who was my server). Since I was sitting right there I could hear most of the staff chatting, and at one point one of the servers was talking about a customer’s attire to one of the other servers. It was so gossip-​y that the other server ended up walking over, just to see who the customer was that the other server mentioned and they then blabbed about the customer’s barely-​there attire. It seemed a little off-​putting and snobbish, and clearly, they didn’t realize that I could hear everything. Minus one star for the attitude of the staff here, especially when there is a 20% service charge on your tab. I mean my server, the bartender and others were helpful and nice, but the server who patronized me when I came in and the gossipers make this place imperfect when it has the potential to be otherwise.
Four stars though because the oysters, most importantly, are absolutely amazing. They really are the best I’ve ever had. I ended up ordering the Hama Hama, Fanny Bay, Dabob Bay, and Golden Mantle oysters. I only ordered nine at first, since I already had dinner plans but ended up getting another plate of six because they were so deliriously good. My favorite were the Golden Mantle, as they had a sweet yet savory taste to them. The oysters come with a champagne-​vinaigrette mix with shallots, French shredded horseradish and lemon wedges. I highly recommend you try all three of these accompaniments. The vinaigrette and horseradish really just add all that much more to the oysters. At the bar you can also see one of the chefs shucking oysters right in front of you. The oysters are market price, and most of the ones I ordered were $ 3.50 per oyster, so the happy hour deal is a really great price. The happy hour also includes a dollar off beers, some cocktails and some wines. In total for 15 oysters and a pint I spent about 47 bucks, which includes the 20% service charge. If I had more money I’d be dining here a lot more.
The space is small, and the longer I was there the more people came for dinner service, which was a wait for some parties. The bar filled up quickly, especially during happy hour. I’m glad I came on the earlier side (around 4:45ish). Street parking is easy to find. The décor and overall aesthetic is lovely, and is obvious of that Renee Erickson twang. I also love that the servers wear denim aprons! I just can’t give this place five stars with how I was treated when I first walked in and what I heard some of the servers say about their customers. Better luck next time.

Great happy hour oyster deal! We ordered a dozen oysters and they were one of the freshest oysters I’ve ever had. I ordered the steak tartare– also fresh, but not that amazing. I would only come here for happy hour cus it’s pretty pricey.

Came here for a birthday dinner with family. Since they are health nuts, did not try the fried oyster but had raw oysters, salad etc. but will definitely come here to try the fried oysters next time.
Now that I have stated my lament, on to the actual review.
Bread and butter: Not sure what butter it was but boy what it whipped. So whipped, it just spread with the slightest touch. ;) Suffice to say it was definitely something. Loved it and it paired well with the wine.
Wine: Being a fan of buttery full bodied, low acidic chardonnays, we got the Walter Scott Chardonnay based on their recommendation which paired well with the oysters, clams and bread.
Oysters: Absolutely amazing! We tried Church Point, Hollie Wood and Dabob Bay — All of us loved Hollie Wood, Dabob bay was a personal favorite but came in second due to slight echo or after taste but Church Point was least favorite due to a slight fishy taste. We tried one of three different kinds and then orders 2 each of the Hollie Wood since we loved them.
Salad: Had the special arugula salad, grilled sardines, salmon crudo and steamed clams. Loved the sardines. Steamed clams and Arugula salad came a close second. Expected the sauce of the clams to be slightly more flavorful as dipping sauce for the bread but it was more watery than flavorful. Did not find the salmon crudo to be good at all. None of the flavors in the salmon dish went well with each other which was disappointing.
They brought out a birthday dessert which I already cannot remember but I did appreciate it! Will definitely come once more, try another chardonnay, some more oysters (fried and raw), and the maple bread pudding

Of the many things I miss about Seattle, this amazing oyster extravaganza is one of them. By their very definition, oysters have to be fresh and in season to be good. That is what Walrus and the Carpenter prides itself on. And because the servings are created from different types of oysters, it affords one to gain the differences in the full spectrum of the flavor profile.
Served minimalist, everything here is a treat.

I had this restaurant bookmarked for a while know, ever since the first trip to Seattle in 2014.
And finally I was able to check it out. Being a big sea food fan I’ve heard a lot about this place.
It’s very small, but very cozy. I’m sure place is busy on the weekends, so it’s probably a big waiting list.
I came in on Thursday around 7 and was seated right alway.
Everything on the menu looked good. My server, Max, suggested to try oysters, that he would choose for me. And man those oysters were good! Best I’ve ever had! So fresh and delicious! Each oyster plate comes with a note, so you know what kind of oysters are there, which is a great idea, because you will remember your favorites for the future.
I’ve also tried beet salad (amazing), halibut carpaccio (to die for) and big boy blue cheese plate.
I’ve enjoyed everything that I ordered, and will definitely come back next time I’m in town.
Portions are not big, so consider ordering a couple of things, if you are hungry.
There’s also a 20% gratuity added to every bill, for the servers. Amazing idea! Working in the industry myself, I know how many people don’t tip, especially if the bill is too high. That protects the server from cheap customers. And yes 20% is well deserved, because service is outstanding ! Thank you Max!

Setup: late dinner before the airport
The good: OYSTERS! And just about everything else on the menu. Beef tartare was some of the best I’ve had. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Intimate atmosphere with a come-​as-​you-​are attitude.
The bad: not bad, but not as memorable were the clams with chorizo. Oyster prices a bit high at $ 3.50 each
Observations: booth seating can be a little hard to get into if you’re short and/​or not very skinny. Tables are very close together also.

High quality tapas for a reasonable price. This place has gotten a good amount of hype and for good reason. This restaurant is good. They could use more space and waiting for a spot can take awhile if you come at a peak hour. However, if you come within 15 – 30 min before they open, there usually is no wait or at least is a small wait.
Got the salmon, the steak tartare, duck prosciutto, and the scallops. The scallops came with some carrot sauce (I think?) and was my least favorite. I would have to say the steak tartare was my absolute favorite. It comes with a raw egg on top of the tartare and toast so you can spread it. Overall, all the tapas are tasty and you really can’t go wrong, it just depends on your preference that day!
Their service is great! Would definitely come back here again.

I had to convince my group that driving to Ballard would be worth it for this place and afterwards they all understood why. The service, ambiance and most importantly, the food is amazing here. The oysters are definitely the highlight. So good and fresh.
To the waiter that took whisky shots with us… you are the man! I’ll be back.

With high expectations, I came out a little disappointed after eating at the Walrus and the Carpenter.
Over the years, I had heard rave reviews of Walrus and the Carpenter. And yes, I really wanted to love this place. Named after the characters in one of Lewis Carroll’s poems brought to life in one of my favorites Alice in Wonderland, I was already in love with the concept and thought the food would be the same.
Located at the end of the hallway, the restaurant and its outer exterior emanates the maritime atmosphere one would expect with its name. The coral reef chandelier is definitely the most impressive display. It is a very small place with very few places to sit. At my sister’s advice, my friend and I got their around opening and was easily able to find seats. As the night went on, however, it was clear that it would be much longer wait for those who were to come later.
Here are some of the few things we tried:
Raw Oysters: Definitely the reason to come! They have a list of the fresh raw oysters that are available that arranged by the level of brininess. Although faint, there are definite hints of the sea and the quality of each of the oysters were great. It also helps that when you order a bunch of these the display is just amazing. NOTE: They do have happy hour pricing from 4−6pm Monday through Thursday!
Fried Oysters: A nice small hot bite to eat but I preferred the raw oysters. When they first come out, the golden brown coating is piping hot and provides a nice crunch. Paired with a nice aioli, these suckers are good but it felt like the oyster flavor became lost.
Steak Tartare: Although the tartare had been tenderized to a nice consistency that spread well on the toasted bread and flavored ever so slightly, it was just an okay dish. Perhaps I am not a fan?
Octopus: While I loved what their concept, I wasn’t completely in love with the execution. On the plate you see slices of thinly sliced octopus that are paired with carrots and almonds. The octopus was not stringy or chewy like most and had a very rich flavor that closely resembled bacon. However, the dish did not really delight my tastebuds so it was again just okay.
Roasted cauliflower: I was not a fan of this really odd cauliflower dish that was strangely cold and vinegary. Although it had been roasted, any hints of those flavors were covered up with an overwhelming acid taste The puffed rice that it is paired with was good but seemed unnecessary since the cauliflower was still crunchy. With the bagna calda dressing, it does help cut into the acidity, but still doesn’t save the overall dish.
In terms of service, I had no complaints. The staff was very knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. The parking is available for free on the street.
Overall, Walrus and the Carpenter is an ideal place to go for raw oysters (especially during happy hour) but I would personally not go for any of the other dishes.

It really is worth the wait (that you’ll usually have) and lives up to the hype!
My only «critique» is that they have a 20% Service Charge in lieu of tipping — this is something that is taking off in Seattle, so we’ll probably have to get used to seeing it more. (FWIW I work in sales, so I find it irritating that we’re guaranteeing a 20% tip regardless of how the service was.)
If there’s a wait — which there usually is — we try to hop into Barnacle or Staple and Fancy for a drink before our table is ready. We prefer to sit at the Oyster bar where the action happens.
You *must* get the bread plate — fresh and delicious! We usually start with that and a round –or two, or three– of oysters. The staff is always very educated on taste and size. I love how they list out the oysters on a sheet and have you work counter clockwise from the lemons so you know what you’re eating.
I’ve never had a plate of food I dislike from their veg, meat and fish menu.
Perfect location for out of town guests to get the feel and flavors of the PNW with a creative chef, and then enjoy Ballard for an after party!

A top ten dining experience. We were seated immediately at the bar-​the space is small, but bright and seaside modern. The wine menu is very French (not my region of expertise), but the bartender didn’t hesitate letting me taste a few. We started with an oyster flight, ranging from mild, to briney like the sea. The champagne vinegar concoction was a perfect compliment. Ahi tuna with caraway, French onion soup, and Brussels sprouts with quinoa followed. Best in class for everything, with the Brussels sprouts tipping into my ‘best ever’ bucket.
Great service, fabulous soundtrack, and an oyster happy hour. Go now.

THE
BEST
OYSTERS
IN
THE
ENTIRE
WORLD
ARE
HERE
Thanks, the Walrus and the Carpenter (or perhaps Jeff H., hah), for ruining my life, because I can’t just have basic oysters anymore. *snap snap*
Guys, this place alone is worth a trip to Seattle. Also, PRO TIP: oysters are 50% off 4−5p and 25% off 5−6p M-​F. They’re well worth the full price, too.

Major disclaimer: My review is based solely on one visit – so far… hopefully more to come!! – & I didn’t pay the bill so I really don’t know how much my awesome friend paid for this amazing meal. Also, according to «awesome friend,» we got lucky with an unusually short line ahead of us (we arrived at 3:30 pm), & basically no wait once the doors opened. Sweeet! ;D
That said… if I lived in Seattle, I think the quality of the food, customer service & ambiance was so great that I’d definitely be willing to brave the wait & prices every once in a while. I absolutely loved all of their oysters on the half shell, and their FRIED OYSTERS were possibly the best I’ve ever had (perfectly cooked, super tasty, not too briny, with just the right amount of crunch to the batter)!
I really liked the layout of their raw oysters on the menu (listed in order of least to most briny), as well as on the plate (accompanied by a handwritten list, clockwise starting from the lemon wedge). I’ve never enjoyed such a wide assortment of these delectable mollusks, one after the other, but you really can tell the difference between each one! We also had their special raw offering of the day – the «savory clam” – which I’d highly recommend if it’s available.
The staff was very professional, personable, attentive without «hovering,» and took the time to explain everything to us when we ordered & when our food arrived (b/​c most of us had never been there before). The ambiance was also great… cozy, comfortable and just upscale enough to justify the prices, hehehe. 0=) Next time I’m in Seattle, I definitely hope I can make it back there… I’m practically drooling already!

My faith in shellfish has been restored!!!
I’m honestly not the biggest fan of oysters so I was nervous coming here but I’m so glad I did!
Fresh oysters: you can choose from a variety
— easy to eat
— comes with two side sauces and lemon
— DELICIOUS
— favorite = sea nymph oysters
Fried oysters:
— perfectly fried
— a little fishy (stay away if you can’t handle)
— cilantro sauce was amazing!
Steak tartare:
— MY FAVORITE
— comes with an egg yolk on top
— crunchy thinly sliced bread chips
— I don’t know what’s in it but I love it
Our waitress was also super helpful in guiding our orders since we were oyster noobs
Also the coolest dude works in the open kitchen preparing most of the food. When we left he said thank you to us and I almost fainted from his suaveness LOL
Definitely a must try in Seattle!

My time in Seattle was short but so glad my friend took me here.
Between three people, we shared:
— 3 dozen oysters — I wish I had taken note on the ones that I liked but at the end of the day, they were all heavenly
— steak tartare — nothing wrong with eating raw beef when they prepare it like this
— scallop crudite — this was amazing… great texture, great flavor, fresh!
— foie gras — missed the mark for me
This can add up quickly so I would reserve a visit here for a special occasion.
Great service– our bartender knows how to make his drinks; my moscow mule was perfection. Loved the style of the restaurant and great size for smaller groups (no more than 4 seems to be ideal).

If you’re as curious as the little oysters in the Lewis Carroll poem, then you should make your way to the Walrus and the Carpenter, a pearl of a seafood restaurant located in Ballard.
Forget about ordering the prepared dishes here; having heard raves about the fried oysters and steak tartare, I was disappointed with the quality of the food, which, while good, was not earth-​shattering. The main reason to come to Walrus and the Carpenter is for the oysters! The oysters are listed on the menu according to brininess (least to most). I don’t have the most discerning palate, but enjoyed the oysters we ordered. If you’re planning to order a lot of oysters, I would recommend coming during happy hour (4−6PM M-​TH), as oysters are 50% off until 5PM and 25% until 6PM. Since each oyster is priced in the $ 3 – 4 range, happy hour is a must unless you’re a big spender. Here’s a breakdown of everything else we ordered:
Octopus ($ 13)
Thinly sliced octopus served with pureed cumin, carrots, and almonds. (We nixed the almonds due to my allergy.) The octopus by itself was a bit salty, but had a meatiness that resembled bacon. The lightly flavored carrots and cumin ameliorated the saltiness, making this a decent dish.
Fried Oysters ($ 14)
Until dining here, I was a fried oyster virgin. The fried oysters here had a nice coating with a light flavoring. The cilantro aioli added a creaminess to the crunchy batter and smooth tofu-​like texture of the oyster. Overall, a good dish, but I don’t get the raves.
Steak Tartare ($ 16)
Again, never had steak tartare until dining here. I thought the texture of the meat was very nice, contrasting the crunchiness of the rye toast. But, aside from the creaminess of the raw egg, I didn’t particularly find the dish that flavorful. Yay for texture; nay for taste.
Roasted Cauliflower ($ 10)
I’d been on a cauliflower winning streak on this trip, but this dish disappointed me. The cauliflower probably could have been roasted a little longer, as it was still a bit tough (not in a crisp, crunchy way). The cauliflower seemed to have been sprinkled with vinegar, which didn’t really enhance the dish. The same could be said for the puffed rice; its crunchiness was unnecessary given that the cauliflower was still tough. We had to have the bagna calda on the side due to the butter, but I’m not sure that would have saved the dish. I felt like I could make a better cauliflower dish at home.
Service here was fantastic, but perhaps that should have been a given since a 20% service charge is already included in the bill. Prior to coming to the restaurant, I was nervous about the menu, as most prepared plates featured ingredients to which I was allergic (dairy or nuts). Thankfully, our waitress and kitchen staff were very accommodating and understanding. Don’t let a dairy allergy or intolerance stop you from dining here; the kitchen can accommodate most things quite well, even if the raw oysters are the main attraction.
Free street parking is available on side streets. Otherwise, be prepared to use one of the pay stations nearby. I’d recommend coming as close to the restaurant’s opening time as possible, as the restaurant has a reputation for being packed, even on weekdays.