The Best Seafood in Seattle
From the James Beard–honored oyster bar The Walrus and the Carpenter to a Puget Sound shellfish farm's own counter — where to eat the Northwest catch.
Seattle's seafood runs on cold Puget Sound water, and the reference point is The Walrus and the Carpenter — Renee Erickson's James Beard–honored Ballard oyster bar where the raw bar, steak tartare, and pan-roasted mussels set the citywide standard. Around it: the sustainable-seafood institution Ray's Boathouse, the shellfish-farm-owned Taylor Shellfish oyster bar, the waterfront fire pit at Westward, and Fremont's crab-roll counter Local Tide. These are the picks worth seeking out, each scored and verified by Dim Hour.
A note on the catch: Pacific oysters (Kumamoto, Shigoku), Dungeness crab, geoduck, sablefish, and salmon are the Northwest canon. Some of these are sit-down rooms with a view; others are walk-in oyster counters — both are listed.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Renee Erickson's Ballard oyster bar and a James Beard semifinalist — the bright, tiled room that reset Seattle's raw-bar standard. Raw oysters, steak tartare, pan-roasted mussels, and grilled sardines. Book on OpenTable.
Ray's Boathouse
The Ballard institution on Shilshole Bay, a Seattle Magazine "Best Seafood" mainstay with a waterfront view. Sustainable Northwest seafood — sablefish, oysters — done with decades of polish. Book on OpenTable.
Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar
The Capitol Hill oyster bar owned by Taylor Shellfish, the Puget Sound shellfish farm — about as fresh as it gets. Freshly shucked oysters, geoduck sashimi, and Dungeness crab. Walk-in.
Westward
A Wallingford waterfront room on Lake Union with a beachside fire pit — oysters, wood-fired whole fish, and s'mores by the water. The scenic special-occasion pick. Book on OpenTable.
Local Tide
A Fremont counter for the Northwest catch done casual — the Dungeness crab roll is the signature, with shrimp toast and daily seafood specials. Walk-in, lunch-friendly.
Shaker + Spear
A Belltown room with a Pike Place–sourced, seafood-forward menu — oysters, whole roasted fish, and seafood paella. A reliable downtown sit-down for the catch. Book on OpenTable.
What is the best seafood restaurant in Seattle?
Where is the best oyster bar in Seattle?
What is the most classic Seattle seafood restaurant?
Where can I get the freshest oysters in Seattle?
What seafood is Seattle known for?
Where is the best waterfront seafood with a view in Seattle?
How expensive is seafood in Seattle?
Do Seattle seafood restaurants take reservations?
How many restaurants does Dim Hour cover in Seattle?
Dim Hour scores every restaurant on food, service, ambiance, and value, and verifies every listing. This guide is updated as the catalog changes. Explore all Seattle restaurants →