Laughing Oyster Restaurant

Spectacular service yet again! This place has been THE place to bring out of guests, and this time I brought my parents who visited us all the way from Japan.

We booked a night in one of the oyster beds in early October, and Scott & Shannagh and chef Xavier went above and beyond - accommodated us last minute and served us a private dinner (it was a Monday and they opened the restaurant just for us).
The sablefish and deep fried oysters are to die for! The carrot & ginger sauce matched perfectly with seared tuna. I’m obsessed with their kimchi mashed potatoes, it goes surprisingly well with the seafood. If my cat @grumpyclover was a human she would’ve devoured everything too.

The cabin was absolutely lovely, very cozy beds and warm. The smell of logs filled the cabin and it amplified the atmosphere. Shannagh even let us borrow her garden shovels to pick oysters and clams.

I can’t wait to come back for another seafood platter, and continue to support this amazing local business ❤️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was awesome ! We had 6 different appetizers. Now I have 6 favourites.Tha Happy Hour special is so reasonably priced! We went there for dinner but could not get thru the apples. Wife & I are definitely going back next weekend!
We are locals also! My favourite Restaurant in Powell River / Lund ever Best views of the Ocean

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Was turned away on a Thursday for not having a reservation. Be sure to call ahead

Service: 1

Overpriced ($12 for 3 tiny slices of bread that should have been included with the 4x $36 entrees) Friendly but annoying server that was more suited to Denny’s rather than a high end establishment. Food mediocre to passable on a quiet mid week dinner.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

The Laughing Oyster was a big disappointment on Sunday evening August 24. The Calamari appetizer was served cold and tastless after waiting over 1 hour . The food was extremely overpriced and bad. $40 for a seafood shepard pie entre. We were overcharged for beer which was limited, not even what was offered on the menu. When we complained about the Calamari we had a young lady with braces give us attitude. Too bad we didn't read the poor reviews from other guests beforehand

We had two fish players at 180 dollars each and mussels as well. Was here several years ago before Covid and the food was great but this time we were very disappointed. Worst mussels and seafood i have ever had. Fishy and old and the sides of mashed potato mush were horrible. Lovely location but next time it's drinks only. Crazy expensive for such poor quality

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 3

Amazing food, amazing service, and amazing view!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We came by due to a recommendation and were sorely disappointed. We had crab cakes, which were pretty good though basic and not too much to write home about. The mains were mid. I had the halibut and my husband ordered the sablefish, both dishes were average and the flavours from the garnishes didn’t really flow too well though I liked the kim chi mashed potatoes. The dessert was also fairly standard. I will hand it to them on the drinks front - the zero proof blackberry press was extremely good.
It could be that we’re spoiled for good food as Vancouverites, but generally, our impression was that the meals were not worth the price. It came across as pub food fare.
Unfortunately, the service was slow too, which was understandable later in the day when a couple of big groups came in but it was like that from the start when the place was deserted. As an example, our water was never refilled.
The view is beautiful of course though the decor left us a bit confounded - maybe it’s supposed to?
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend it. Wish we had tried the Boardwalk Restaurant instead.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

Be sure to call to confirm reservation times!

We were so excited about eating there for the last night staying around Desolation Sound. We had emailed the management to push our reservation back later in the evening and Scott emailed back offering 7:30. We confirmed via email.

When we arrived they had no record of our reservation change and had closed the kitchen after we didn’t show for our original time. Another party showed up and they we turned away too, saying there was no record of their reservation.

So heads up. Menu looks great but we didn’t get to try it, location and atmosphere looked great, but be sure to call to confirm reservation times!

Excellent Seafood! Our Server Rylyn was a doll!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We enjoyed delicious oysters and a beer with our name on it, thanks to the amazing staff who provided excellent recommendations for coffee shops and breweries. If anything, we found it a bit overpriced.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Great seafood in an out of the way place with great views of the inlet.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

This is a difficult review - the expectations were high based on other reviews and word of mouth and the price point aligns with the higher end of fine dining. Unfortunately the food does not come close the expectations or price. Don’t get me wrong - the food is above average for the area, but the price point should be closer to 1/2 of what your pay… I find it difficult to recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

The food was disappointing- halibut overcooked and side potatoes and other vegetables seasoning not pleasant to taste. Overlooked by the staff.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 2

The food ( sable fish) portion was small and tasteless. The flies were all over our persons and everyone around us meals. Terrible atmosphere

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 3