Foodies Find the Freshest Oysters in Seattle

“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beach.”

fresh oyster on ice with garnishEdrece Stansberry/Unsplash

In a city known for the ultimate in fresh oysters, this restaurant’s enduring popularity says it all.

After over ten years in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, this restaurant is a must-not-miss if you are in the area. They opened in 2010.

There is a trick to blending the elegance of France with the casual atmosphere of a local fishing pub. It’s a combination that invites you to come in and enjoy delicious food with no pretensions. 

This restaurant strives to serve the highest quality food and drink in an informal space that feels like home. 

Award-winning Chef Renee Erickson redefines the raw bar with French nostalgia and low-key American funk. There’s a lighter atmosphere, and it vibrates with fun and music.

He encourages you to use your taste buds as you travel the Northwest coast via the Oyster bar. 

The Walrus and the Carpenter Restaurant 

Decorated in a white and yellow theme, the marble tables and counter at the oyster bar are a nice contrast with the simplicity of whitewashed walls with informal stools for seating.

The location of the seating allows you to see the inner workings of this place that’s not so much of a restaurant, but more of a home. The team carefully, masterfully crafts plates of delicious sophistication. 

There is no rushing, every movement is purposeful and thought out. That’s how this restaurant turns out some of the best seafood in all of the Pacific Northwest.

There are lots of beautiful open windows and skylights to bring the outdoors in.

All plates are small and great for sharing. 

The careful shucking of the oysters is done with care, and each delicious fresh bivalve is placed precisely on ice. The work is painstaking as if they were diamonds being crafted by a jeweler.

Their menu changes daily and depends on what is fresh and available. Here’s an example of what is offered right now.

• The varieties: sirena and ruby oysters are from Chelsea Farms, Eld Inlet, WA. It’s an organic sustainable farm, with a focus on an environmental obligation to the South Sound and Pacific Northwest as a whole. 
• The blue pool, hama hama, and pickering passage oysters are from the Hama Hama Oyster Co., Lilliwaup, WA. It’s located at the mouth of one of the shortest, coldest, and least developed rivers in Washington State. That purity is reflected in the clean, crisp flavor of the oysters downstream.
• The olympic wild oysters are from the Olympic Oyster Co., Lilliwaup, WA. They are located where the Olympic Mountains meet the cold waters of Puget Sounds. These are a Natural Re-spawning Pacific NorthWest Oyster.
• The baywater sweet and indigo oysters are from Baywater Inc., Thorndyke Bay, WA. They are part of a collection of ‘deep green, family-run shellfish farms located in Thorndyke Bay and northern Hood Canal, and we are committed to simple, sustainable, and environmentally sensitive culture and harvest methods. 
• As part of their commitment, Baywater continues to operate without electricity, warehouses, or running water.

Order fresh bread as a side and lather it with butter. Other options include bites of grilled sardines, pork rillettes and vegetables drizzled with sauce gribiche. That’s a cold egg sauce in French cuisine, made by emulsifying hard-boiled egg yolks and mustard with a neutral oil like grapeseed.

Try a house soda, which is a great way to accompany the freshness of your meal. Wines, beer and inspired cocktails are also available. Your waiter will be happy to suggest a perfect pairing.

If you are in the mood for dessert, there are delectable treats to explore, including coconut cake, roasted Medjool dates infused with vanilla olive oil and salt, and a chocolate pot de crème that has melt-in-your-mouth cognac-caramel.

Open daily 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a happy hour Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

They’ve recently added more outdoor seating and you can make reservations via OpenTable. Make reservations at a link here.

4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

(206) 395–9227 Website: thewalrusbar.com

Sources: Female Foodie, and The Walrus and The Carpenter

“O Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The Walrus did beseech.
“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each.” Lewis Carroll

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