Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Seattle

A year ago, a group of friends and I embarked on a seafood adventure that brought us to Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar. While the long line and less-than-ideal customer service initially had us a bit concerned, what awaited us inside was a feast for the senses that made every moment of the wait worthwhile.

Our anticipation was palpable as we stood in line, the aroma of the sea wafting towards us, and the sound of laughter from happy patrons filling the air. The line seemed to stretch on forever, and the wait was undoubtedly longer than we had hoped. But we were determined to try the famed seafood of Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar, and we held our patience.

When we finally made it inside and were seated at a rustic table with a view of the bustling oyster bar, we couldn't help but smile in anticipation. The atmosphere was lively, with the clinking of oyster shells and the chatter of fellow seafood enthusiasts creating a warm and welcoming ambiance.

We decided to dive straight into the heart of the menu, ordering an array of oysters, clams, and mussels. The freshness of the seafood was undeniable, and the briny taste of the oysters transported us to the sea itself. Each bite was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to sourcing the finest, most flavorful seafood.

As we indulged in our seafood feast, we couldn't help but notice that the customer service left much to be desired. The staff seemed overwhelmed, and our interactions were brief and somewhat curt. However, the quality of the food more than made up for any shortcomings in the service.

In conclusion, our visit to Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar a year ago was a culinary adventure that we still fondly remember. Despite the long wait and less-than-stellar customer service, the freshness and deliciousness of the seafood offerings exceeded our expectations. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best culinary experiences are born out of patience and a willingness to overlook minor inconveniences in favor of exceptional flavors. If you're a seafood lover, Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar is a destination you won't...

Disappointed by my first visit here and, upon reading other reviews, it seems I am not alone in my experience.

The quality of the food here was the saving grace for the lack of service, and I feel like 3* was as generous as I could possibly be.

I was overwhelmed by choice when I sat down to dine and, as I was on my own, I had asked the waiter if he could assist.

He REALLY could have cared less. He answered my questions as briefly as possible and it was like pulling teeth to get a whole sentence out of him.

As I was dining solo, I ordered the geoduck chowder and, upon receiving a tiny bowl of soup, I added on the baguette with butter and a NOLA-style oyster.

Now, I’m not a needy diner. I don’t require much but a full glass of water and friendly service. I don’t require conversation, I don’t have food intolerances and don’t ask for food to be made other than how it’s supposed to be… but a “hi, how are you… do you have any questions?” These small things are appreciated.

I don’t know if it’s because a service charge is ALREADY included in your tab, or if this guy was somehow annoyed by me or having a bad day in general… but he really could not be bothered.

Each of my dishes was dropped on either side of my (I was sitting at the bar) without so much as a peep before he walked away. Twice, I said “thank you” before realizing that he wasn’t even there anymore.

Meanwhile, the table next to me was beinf helped by a female in a baseball cap who seemed to be having a great time with her customers, which made the difference in service all the more evident.

The food was good, though portions are small. Except the baguette (really good! From a local Seattle bakery, I believe) which was a lot for one person.

I really wish I could say more than that, but because how disappointing the service was, the food could have been amazing and it really would not have made a difference in my experience.

Would like to come back to try other dishes, not sure it’s...

1/25/2025. Between kids, divorce, and inflation I don't go out much anymore because of the cost and I find that I usually don't get the value I appreciate. I was stuck in hotel as an out of town visitor and concierge recommended. I had a dry apple cider, Caesar salad, and the Moqueca Brazilian fish stew. It's hard to get excited about a Ceasar but this was great because of the freshness of the ingredients. Romaine was extremely crispy and cold, cut into the perfect size pieces, and dressing was light in body but perfectly distributed, and what made it for me was the croutons which were not cubed but more like croutons crumbs which added a great texture and the boquerones were the perfect accoutrement. The fish stew had amazing flavor and the shellfish was so fresh and perfectly cooked. I could eat that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Atmosphere was very casual and unpretentious. 3 servers shared caring for the customers and they had a full house but were attentive and never obtrusive. I've worked in a few nice restaurants, (including one that just burned down in Malibu fires) and seeing food service executed like that is really appreciated. Kudos to the management and the staff. My only gripe would be that seating are stools at high tops which I find uncomfortable because of my height. I'm 6'5" and pretty much no stool is designed for me. Seat is too high off the ground to place feet flat and foot rests are too high so my thighs are angled vertically and...