Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Half Shell

    4.3 (217 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Half Shell Photos

    HALF SHELL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

    You might also consider

    More like Half Shell

    Recommended Reviews - Half Shell

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Beatrice W.

    One of my best childhood friends came to visit because she says the seafood here is the best. The waitress was so nice to all of her tables. The drinks and food arrived quickly. It was enjoyed by everyone. $2.00 oysters in the happy hour were wonderful. My husband loved his steak frites. The steamed artichokes were great. I normally stay away from restaurants that have a large group of tourist I was pleasantly impressed. Will return again

    Info tab
    Karl C.

    Half Shell is a wonderful seafood restaurant just north of Pike Place Market that really highlights the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. We started with fresh oysters, which were beautifully presented over ice with lemon and mignonette. They were incredibly fresh and delicious. We also tried the Dungeness crab roll, which was packed with sweet crab and served on a perfectly toasted bun. Everything tasted fresh, high quality, and thoughtfully prepared. The atmosphere is warm, stylish, and relaxed. The wood interior, Pearl Bar, and outdoor patio make it a great place to enjoy lunch, dinner, or happy hour. The cocktail menu is also impressive and pairs perfectly with the seafood. Service was friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout our visit. If you're looking for excellent seafood near Pike Place Market, Half Shell is absolutely worth a visit. We had a great experience and would happily return.

    Roast oysters
    Michael W.

    I'd have to start by saying this place have the best and freshest oyster selections anywhere! It's that good that we ended up coming here for 3 days straight during our short stay in Seattle. We ended up trying 5 different kind of oysters all sourced locally and they're all just spectacular! Creamy, umami and oh so fresh! Hammersly, Eld Inlet and Cliff point among others. BTW their roasted oysters are also really good - larger size, fresh and juicy not overcooked. Pro tip: The best part is during happy hour from 3-6pm (and also maybe during lunch hours?) they're only $2 each which is a steal! Other than the oysters we also had the smoked black cod which is out of this world and a MUST GET in my book. The seafood assortment called the Pearl Platter if I remember correctly - it is a good way to sample a little bit of everything. It has the smoked black cod, snow crabs, scallops aguachile, shrimps, and oysters. Service is always prompt and friendly. They have cozy indoor seating as well as a patio seating with nice view of the waterfront area. My favorite drink here is the dillenger which is smooth and balanced with a hint of dills. Can get busy at times so book ahead if possible. Located in the quieter section between Pike Place Market and Belltown. Highly recommended. 15 minutes walking from Pioneer Square area.

    Atlantic Beach Pie
    Helen C.

    Bit of a late review, but pulled up to Half Shell for the Spring Restaurant Week menu with a few friends. It wasn't too hard to get a weekday reservation for 4 and it's located right on the waterfront of Pike's Place, but it was pretty easy to find street parking nearby. Overall, the food was a little inconsistent in quality across the board, but the vibes are excellent for a nicer night out. Oysters (4/5): Super fresh and they have a rotating set of local options. We went with the waiter's recommendation, which were super sweet and a bit salty. One of my friend's had never had oysters before and they were pleasantly surprised by the way it wasn't too fishy! Clam Chowder (4.25/5): Clam chowder was actually probably one of the best bites of the night. Super creamy and luxurious with a good amount of clams. Shrimp Cocktail (2.5/5): Unfortunately, the shrimp were overcooked and too chewy. A real shame because the shrimp are huge! Surf N Turf (2.75/5): Mixed feelings on this one. The scallops were really small, but delicious, fresh, and sweet. The beef cut was some sort of awful hangar steak that didn't feel fresh. A bit small for a main and roasted potatoes were just okay. Lobster Roll (4/5): The bread was warm and nicely toasted with butter. I wish there was a bit more lobster to improve the ratio, but the quality of the lobster was nice! Atlantic Beach Pie (4/5): Very very tart, but I loved it especially with the fresh whipped cream. The saltine crust brought a good amount of salt as well.

    Drinks menu
    Charli O.

    You need reservations on Saturday nights! Had a reservation with three friends and we were seated right away. Decor was understated with some rope details and big jars of oyster shells. Excellent service. The food was very good - my first time trying halibut and it was scrumptious. The sauce (chili oil?) was quite spicy. The passion project drink was tasty and the pound cake dessert was enough for two to share. The prices seemed as expected for a downtown Seattle fish spot.

    Scallop Appy
    Carol C.

    We had a celebratory work event with a group of about a dozen of us, so we started with appetizers from both the happy hour and dinner menus. The warm potato rolls were sooo good--soft, buttery, and delicious. The clams and fried green tomatoes with crab were also tasty starters. For my entrée, I ordered the scallop appetizer and the NW chowder. The scallops were delicious, but the chowder was a little on the thick side for me. Others ordered the salmon, which seemed to be a bit overcooked and on the dry side. We shared all of the desserts, and the lemon fennel tart was a hit. The coconut cream pie wasn't quite as good as I remembered, mostly because the whipped cream could have been a little sweeter. Service was smooth considering the size of our group, and everyone had a good time.

    Christopher D.

    Half Shell is a lovely neighborhood seafood spot, especially if you can catch happy hour. We went for the $2 oysters, and they were delicious, fresh, simple, and exactly what you'd want from a casual Seattle-area seafood place. I do wish there were a few more topping options for the oysters, but the quality itself was great. The outdoor seating was really nice, and the staff were pleasant and welcoming. To be honest, Half Shell and Mr. Fish next door feel very similar to me in terms of service, vibe, and food quality, so I almost think of them as companion spots. Both have that relaxed, fresh-seafood feel. Would I fight the terrible parking, traffic, and pedestrian congestion just to come here? Maybe, maybe not. If someone suggested it, I'd happily say yes, it's a lovely place for a casual seafood evening. But I probably wouldn't go far out of my way for it.

    Happy hour menu
    Stef A.

    For a oyster lover, this restaurant is amazing. They have daily happy hour special with $2 oysters. They're tiny but super flavorful and briney. The tapatio champagne mignotte was the perfect additional topper. The rest of the menu was also super tasty. We had the scallop agua chile, fries with the same mignotte made into a mayo, and the dirty gin martini dip. I wanted to order more dip to take home it was that good. The agua Chile was also super fresh and light and perfect for a hot summer day. Service was attentive but not overbearing. Really well decorated restaurant in a great location.

    This place warrants 5 stars plain and simple. I enjoy splurging on food and I would come back here anytime. The happy hour oysters were awesome but the star of the show was the Dungeness crab roll because it is perfectly cooked and seasoned with the buttery fluff of the brioche roll and the fries went in harmony with the roll. Alexandra and Brennan embody hospitality and service and that in itself would bring me back to this wonderful establishment.

    Halibut.  Just added to the menu!
    Barry C.

    I had some guests from out of town who wanted fresh oysters and seafood and we decided to give this place a try. Located at the north end of Pikes Place (across the street from Cutters) is this gem of a find. We made reservations online and was able to get seated quickly (it fills up fast). Looking at the menu it looked like we also timed it with happy hour (double win!). We quickly place an order for two dozen oysters (at $2/ea it's a steal) while we perused the menu. After ordering the oyster platter arrived and it was so fresh, chilled and tasty. We quickly devoured it. Moving into dinner, some got the crab rolls, but I settled for the new menu item: halibut. The delightfully savory halibut was moist and served with a nice side of potato and was as perfect as one can make a halibut dish. I would eat this again in a heartbeat. If you are in the Pikes Place market and wanting a break for a nice meal, this is the place to pop on in. Be sure to do a reservation as they do fill up quickly! Hope you get to enjoy it soon too!

    Dungeness Crab Roll, Washington King Salmon, Neah Bay Halibut
    Salma S.

    Half Shell was a truly incredible experience. It's my last night in Seattle, and my dad and I wanted authentic Seattle seafood to end our stay - and this was the perfect place. We ordered the Pearl Platter which is a sampler, and everything was exceptional - the seafood was all so fresh and delicious. The mains were amazing - I especially enjoyed the halibut. The ambience of the place is very pretty - it has a nautical feel with coastal decor to match the gorgeous waterfront views. Our server was amazing - she was so friendly and funny, and she really created a lovely vibe. I enjoyed this meal, it was definitely my favorite I had while staying in Seattle. A perfect way to end my trip!

    Happy hour oysters on the half shell
    Falah M.

    They've got a great happy hour, even on weekends as we went on a Saturday around lunchtime. Cute outdoor seating as well. Would definitely go back!

    Roasted oysters
    David H.

    $2 oysters.... All day?! SAY LESS Hahahha but fr, I've been wanting to check out their happy hour for a fat minute now and I'm glad I finally got to! We got a dozen oysters, two roasted oysters, a mini crab roll, a cheeseburger, and two drinks. The total for everything (including tax/tip) was a little over $100. Everything was solid! The oysters were most def our favorites. I wish they had crack sauce to pair w but, alas, hahah. The roasted oysters were ok but at $4.... I mean sheesh I'd rather have 2 raw oysters ya feel me. The crab roll was prob our least favorite thing we tried, which is crazy bc it was still good haha. The cheeseburger was ono!! Go chance em! As of right now, they've had their $2 oyster deal for 2+ months now!

    See all

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Marketing A.

    Marketing A.

    Thanks for dining with us!

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Will X.
    516
    1613
    528

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mohamed K.
    20
    141
    82

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Marketing A.

    Marketing A.

    Thanks, Barry, for the nice review and for dining with us!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Marketing A.

    Marketing A.

    Thanks for the great review!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Marketing A.

    Marketing A.

    Thanks for checking us out! Hope to see you back soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Marketing A.

    Marketing A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark K.
    189
    131
    128

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of An C.
    386
    179
    697

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Marketing A.

    Marketing A.

    Thanks for dining with us!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Marketing A.

    Marketing A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Half Shell

    Is there a happy hour?

    Think it's daily 3-6 pm

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Old Stove Brewing - Pike Place

    Old Stove Brewing - Pike Place

    4.3
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Keep coming back here for amazing food! Dined there many times and food was absolutely fantastic…read moreand so many great food to choose. I came there for dinner and had the Bacon Clam Chowder and Pepperoni pizza which taste so good. They have good quality of food and everything taste so wonderful. The place was so nice and they have great setting. The ambiance was so pleasant. Nice experience dining there.

    Came in on a Friday night and learned that Old Stove Brewing gets busy for a reason! All the…read moreoutdoor tables were full when we arrived at 6, so we put our name on the list for inside and waited about 30 minutes. The oysters were the main draw for me, and they were totally worth the visit. Old Stove serves them with a savory watermelon sauce in addition to a traditional cocktail sauce--eaten together, it's a flavor explosion that I can't quite describe. We also enjoyed the garlic everything fries, which were delicious! We just had to try a flight to sample the brews. There are some really good beers available here, especially the Belgian blonde, citra pale ale, and the stout. I did not really care for the seasonal sour (grapefruit, I think)--to me, it just tasted like a sour and nothing more, but someone with more interest in sour beers would probably enjoy it just fine. Despite the busy night, our server checked on us regularly and was very personable, stopping to chat with us about the local sports scene. There's plenty to look at, inside and out. If you can snag a seat outside, you'll get to enjoy the waterfront. Inside, the decor is industrial but fun. Not sure if this runs all the time, but when we were there, the tvs were playing vintage beer ads, which was quite fun. They also sell some pretty good t-shirt designs. Overall, Old Stove Brewing is the perfect combo of good location, good food, and good beer. Definitely recommend a visit when in the Pike Place area!

    Photos
    Lively Interior at Old Stove
    Lively Interior at Old Stove
    Poblano Mac n cheese
    Poblano Mac n cheese
    Outside patio

    See all

    Outside patio
    Shaker + Spear

    Shaker + Spear

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    While visiting Seattle for a few days, I made reservations at Shaker + Spear and wasn't quite sure…read morewhat I wanted to order. I noticed the salmon on the menu and decided to give it a try since I was looking for something a little lighter. I am so glad I did. Without exaggeration, it was the best salmon I've ever had. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the sauce and accompanying ingredients brought everything together beautifully. Every bite was outstanding. Beyond the food, the atmosphere was fantastic, the service was friendly and attentive, and the bar offered a great selection of cocktails and spirits. If you're visiting Seattle or looking for a great dining experience, I would absolutely recommend Shaker + Spear. The salmon alone is worth coming back for.

    Nice and easy restaurant attached to a hotel. Service was rather slow this evening as there was…read moreonly one cook in the kitchen. It's nice to watch the staff cook because it tells you that the food is fresh. I have high expectations for seafood in Seattle. However, I was disappointed with the scallops as it tasted raw and cool to the touch in the center. I'm not a scallop expert but this one missed the mark - the flavors were off with the sauce (tasted earthy). Presentation and color looked good, but this didn't taste good. Also came here breakfast several times. I don't have pictures, but each time the breakfast was amazing!

    Photos
    Welcome note..
    Welcome note..
    Mussels
    Mussels
    Grilled Tiger Prawns*

    See all

    Grilled Tiger Prawns*
    The Capital Grille

    The Capital Grille

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$$

    On Monday, June 8th, 2026, I celebrated my birthday at The Capital Grille with my son and his…read moreamazing girlfriend. From the moment we entered and my son gave his name for the reservation, I was greeted with happy birthday wishes by the hostesses. His girlfriend met us there, and she was already seated. The table had confetti in celebration of my birthday. I was so impressed and truly honored that someone from The Capital Grille took the time to write me a personal birthday card from the restaurant. WOW! Our server, Antonio (Tonio), was professional, attentive, kind, patient, and fun. He was incredibly accommodating, especially to the member of our party who had a gluten and red bell pepper allergy. He was a major part of making sure our experience was a very memorable one. The food was absolutely delectable! I had the surf and turf with lobster tail and medium-well steak, which was topped with jumbo lump crab meat and rich béarnaise sauce. The other guests dined on Cooper River salmon with risotto, along with seared scallops and lobster risotto. The night ended with the most beautiful surprise, which included a well-decorated plate with "Happy Birthday," a cheesecake topped with burnt sugar, and fruit compote, also a chocolate espresso cake that had my taste buds dancing. Thank you to the management and staff at The Capital Grille for making my actual birthday dinner a night to remember. The restaurant is beautiful and very clean. This is so important to me, because I check the health inspection score to determine whether or not I will dine at a restaurant.

    We stopped in at lunchtime for a cup (or bowl!) of clam chowder after reading so many great…read morereviews. We were on our way to MOPOP and definitely weren't dressed for a place this nice. The moment we walked in, we thought, "Uh-oh, maybe we should turn around!" But nope--the hostess greeted us immediately with a warm welcome and made us feel completely comfortable. Even without a reservation, we were seated right away. Our server came by quickly, and I ordered an Arnold Palmer because I'd been drinking way too much all week and needed a break. Let me tell you--that was hands down the BEST Arnold Palmer I've ever had! For lunch, I ordered the clam chowder and the NY Strip Frites, served with fries and two dipping sauces. Do I remember the names of those mysterious green sauces? Absolutely not. But what I do know is that I'm not usually a sauce person, and by the end of the meal, I was scraping every last bit off my plate. They were that good! Everything was delicious, the service was fantastic, and the atmosphere was welcoming despite our very casual appearance. I'll definitely be back on my next trip so I can experience even more of the menu. And one last thing: as we were leaving, they handed us these tiny candies that packed a surprisingly huge punch of flavor. I'm still kicking myself for not getting the name of them--or any of the sauces, for that matter. If the staff happens to read this, just know that when I come back, I'm heading straight for that candy bowl. No shame whatsoever!

    Photos
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

    See all

    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.
    Zig Zag Cafe

    Zig Zag Cafe

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    Went as part of a retirement meet up for some colleagues. We had a table for 10 on a busy busy…read moreThursday night. Service was great! They kept our drinks and water topped up. I didn't try the food as I was running between events, but everyone I was with seemed very pleased. The location is also ideal for any waterfront activities, and it's surprisingly spacious inside. A little loud, but that's the way of any bustling eatery in this area. Would go again!

    It's the night before FIFA and the city is alive with the pulse of summer. Zigzag Café tucked away…read moreon a terrace right beneath the Pike Lake Market is probably one of the best secrets of Seattle. When you come to town you want to visit this place... Maybe because of the vibe, maybe because of the mood lighting which is a sultry red, maybe because of the fresh signature roses, maybe because of the outstanding bartenders... Maybe because there's a patio outside under the stars and the lights, but the outstanding cocktails are always past of the experience. But you never get less than outstanding service when you walk into the ZigZag Café. Starts from the top with the owner and filters all the way through the bartenders, servers, and the hostesses. I tried the passionfruit colada and shifted to a whiskey sour with egg whites. Outstanding was the Burrata with yummy fried garlicky lentils, sweet heirloom tomatoes garnished with a generous springy of micro greens and drizzled with a glorious balsamic reduction...and chewy, thick slices of grilled sourdough. Perfection. Bartenders Eli and Ricky were top-notch de rigueur-- this place only has the best bartenders (including the legendary Murray ruled the bar for an era ) -- and Hannah was the hostess with the mostest. Every time I left my seat at the bar I would come back to the folded napkin. Simply amazeballs when the place is so packed. Because it was a Sunday night there was an amazing jazz trio. They started at eight and went through 1030. Not too loud so we couldn't speak but sultry and rich and soulful with joy. No cover charge -- just all part of the extraordinary hospitality that exemplifies the iconic ZigZag.

    Photos
    Bartender mixing drinks
    Bartender mixing drinks
    Burrata salad
    Burrata salad
    Pretty bottles

    See all

    Pretty bottles
    Can Can Culinary Cabaret

    Can Can Culinary Cabaret

    4.3
    (738 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    20 years in business

    Can Can in Seattle was honestly the TOP event of my entire trip! It was giving burlesque meets…read moreold-movie vibes and I absolutely loved it. From the funky, cute aesthetic when you first walk in to the intimate and vibey seating area, the whole experience was so fun. The desserts were 10/10! I had the Nutella beignets and a mocktail and OMG I'm still mind blown by how good they were. The show is nearly 2 hours with breaks in between, but it went by SO fast. The entertainment was amazing, there was so much audience engagement, and we laughed the entire time. I would 100% recommend this experience! Just a heads up, it is 21+ and you are NOT allowed to record, which honestly makes it even better because you get to actually be present and enjoy the show. Definitely buy your tickets ahead of time because they SELL OUT quickly! One of my favorite memories from Seattle and something I would absolutely do again.

    This place was pretty interesting. Met my aunt for brunch and they have a pretty solid wide variety…read moreof breakfast and lunch things on the menu. The staff were super cool and attentive. I think they have a room for shows and dinner too if you're into it. I had fried chicken and beignets that come with a spicy honey butter that was excellent. Spread it all over the chicken and you'll be happy. The beignets were a lil too firm for my liking but powdered sugar and syrup cures all. Definitely an interesting spot to hit if you're staying in the pikes place area. I'm sure it's fun to see a show too.

    Photos
    Main stage
    Main stage
    Chicken & Beignet
    Chicken & Beignet
    Dinner with the Show

    See all

    Dinner with the Show

    Half Shell - bars - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...