The Walrus and the Carpenter

Food was really mid and came out extremely slow. Service was really shitty!!! Waiter had a attitude and our napkins never came. They force a 22% gratuity charge, will never ever come again

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Overrated, overpriced and overhyped just like almost any other similar places in Seattle. From the tasteless Wallnut Sardines to overpriced oysters from the polluted inlets near Tacoma.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 3

Idk what others are complaining about. This place is on point with its food. The collar was one of the most unique takes on fish I've ever had. Amazing smoky flavor with large chunks of fish. The oyster selection was incredible albeit pricey at 5 a pop but definitely worth it to try. Only disappointing thing was the goat cheese which was super dry and brittle near the rind.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Ruined our anniversary. Service was bad. A plate of cheese takes more than 30mins to arrive. Turns out our waiter forgot to put in the order and only had two refills of water throughout the whole dinning experience. Had to give a mandatory 22% for that service

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Food was amazing, but our service was horrible. Our waiter was rude and condescending. And once we got our bill we figured out why. 22% was added for gratuity and service. So I guess they figure they don’t have to give you good service when they are already guaranteed a tip.. We only had a party of 3. And will not be back because of the service fee and the horrible service we received.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 1

Oysters out of the world. Tomato salad and zucchini salad so delicious. Clams and octopus also wonderful!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything we ordered tasted amazing! The zucchini salad was an unexpected highlight!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Just Oysters Oysters All Oysters Just Oysters on Ice

Oysters were good. The beef tartar wasn't very good, it was very salty and sour, so we didn't finish it and mentioned the staff we didn't enjoy it but they still changed us for it.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Started with a plate of oysters, each one briny and fresh, then moved on to smoked trout with a side of bread. Flavors carried a clean, balanced depth, nothing felt heavy. The whole evening leaned casual yet quietly polished.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

An obvious Seattle favorite for the last 10 plus years, this place does not disappoint! With indoor and outdoor seating this lovely joint in Old Ballard finds itself nestled within a total experience space. In the basement is a private event area for events, and on the street side is Staple and Fancy serving as an Italian eatery and bar. This building is a one stop shop for drinks, events, and fantastic seafood and Italian. The Walrus and Carpenter itself has excellent service staff that can walk you through and needs or wants. The food itself is impeccable, with a choice selection of local Washington oysters and other mains such as the Plum Salad, Billy’s Tomatoes, Scallop Crudo, and Hama Hama Clams. All of which we had and enjoyed immensely. The drink menu also has many choice options such as the Burbank and Marvin’s Garden which are all fantastic. Highly recommended seafood place- but you already know this as The Walrus and Carpenter is one of the best places in Seattle for seafood.
Doors open at 4pm, and the line starts at 3:45-3:50. No reservations, walk ins only. If there’s no room inside at tables, there’s also a bar that can accommodate.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

22% service charge to all customers so they can keep the menu prices deceptively and artificially low. How is this legal? Why by scammy? Charge customers whatever you want, but reflect it accurately in the menu prices.

And let’s be clear, this charge doesn’t go to staff, as stated on their menu it goes directly into the owners pockets.

$400 and left hungry.

Pros - great service. Bread is spectacular. Fresh oysters.

Cons - no way ‘market price’ for an oyster is $5/ea. Only tapas style meals so you will leave hungry unless you spend more than you plan.
22% service charge that goes to the restaurant and NOT to the staff. 6 oysters, 2 ‘mains,’ & an order of bread was almost $100. Once the service charge was added it was $120. Am I supposed to not tip the staff that are working their tail off?
I understand being a boutique style restaurant and pricing yourselves appropriately, but egregious greed & price gouging customers is a different story. Your workers make you who you are & that service charge absolutely impacts the amount being tipped to workers. Oh not to mention that tips are split between all workers. YIKES. Owners need to rethink their business plan.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

$5 per oyster. Really small portion of tapas. Spent $250 for four and not full at all. Everything is very salty.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

A cozy oyster bar with creative small plates.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Terrible service with a 22% service charge and overpriced oysters

Food: 3

Service: 1