Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
Oyster Prices So Reasonable It's Always Happy Hour
Insiders:
Message from Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
One cannot think of Seattle without thinking of seafood. If you are in the mood for fresh oysters, mussels, clams or fresh salmon, prawns, fish and chips or chowder, then you must visit Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar in Pike Place Market. Across the street from sweeping Puget Sound views, through the double doors north of the original Starbucks at the north end of the Market, Emmett's can be a tough find, but it's worth the hunt. Truly an original, Emmett's has character-blue and white picnic tablecloths; the menu itself written on brown paper bags and local college paraphernalia covering the walls. Celebrating over 30 years in Pike Place Market, Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar offers incredibly reasonable prices. Prices on the oysters are so reasonable that it's always happy hour Emmett's. For great seafood and a unique Seattle experience, see you at Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar!
Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneWhen Emmett Watson created this spot it was the city's first oyster bar. Though first situated in a wee spot well off the Market's main drag, the oyster bar put Washington's oysters on the map and kick-started what is now one of the world's largest oyster industries. Even though its quarters are larger now, it's still a little dusty, a little shabby and a nice place to sip a brew.
The Food
When he has time, owner Thurm Bryant produces some of the city's best fish-and-chips. Often, however, he and his wife, Cathy, and their staff race to keep up with demand. He's been largely running the place since he was a teenager, so he knows his oysters and can be counted on to give honest opinions about what's good and what's not. The aioli-thickened salmon soup, created by Watson's friend and award-winning cookbook author Tina Bell Torrance, never fails.
Key Points
- 31 Years in Pike Place Market
- Fresh Oysters & Seafood
- Incredibly Reasonable Prices
The Inside Scoop
- Know Before You Go - No credit cards are accepted; the market does have several onsite ATMs.
Insider Pages Reviews for Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
Emmet Watson the person was a true curmudgeon, but his namesake restaurant, on the other hand, is a great place to catch lunch in the Pike Place Market. It has the best cioppino hands down. And of course you get lovely crusty sourdough to go along with it.
Posted 04/29/08 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
We found this Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar about a month ago and the food at that time seemed really good. We went on October 24,2009 and what a revolting, service and food that we had.
The service was absolutely terrible. My husband loves fried oysters. When they came out he tried one and he knew immediately that something was wrong with them. He tried to tell the server in a quite and polite way that something was wrong, but the server got loud and basically thought that my husband did not know a thing about oysters. Well he was wrong my husband has worked in seafood for a number of years and knows what oysters taste like and if they are bad or old. He did not want to bring us anymore and basically charge us for the bad ones. He finally brought some more out, they were okay but after the service that we had and embarrassment the waiter had brought to us, we will never go back. This waiter should be fired and the establishment needs to have a health inspection done now.
Cons: Service is revolting and food is not properly cooked and old
Posted 10/24/09
The broiled oysters are great and the location hidden back in the market has a cool Seattle vibe. However we have stopped going there because the service is so bad. They automatically assume everyone is a tourist, as they never have a consistent seating structure or staff that knows what they are doing. For regulars this is a pain because you never know what you are going to get, yet if you try to seat yourself they get upset (even when they aren't busy and nobody is up front to help you).
The service is also slow and disinterested, and can take quite a bit of time to receive another drink or the check. If you order broiled oysters they always annoyingly remind you that it will take time, yet from hearing them talk it's because the kitchen staff hates to make them and doesn't like schucking the oysters.
Overall this place would have great potential if it just improved its service and standards.
Pros: Broiled Oysters, Location
Cons: Slow and Rude Service, Can Get Crowded Outside
Posted 08/09/08
My boyfriend and I went down to Pike Place today and were searching for someplace to eat. When we saw the menu printed on a brown paper lunch bag posted on the window we thought it was charming so we gave it a try. We were warmly greeted by the staff and headed outside to the outdoor dinning area. There were 3 empty tables so we sat at the only one that was clean. It took the waitress a while to give us our menus and when we realized the tree above our table had a bird in it we decided to move to a different table. When we moved to a table that seated 4, the waitress snapped at us and said "people are waiting for that table- you can't sit there, theres only two of you!" So we moved back to the table with the bird and the bird pooped on our table!!!!!!! To make matters worse we had already put in our order for two beers that took 15 minutes to get - meanwhile we had full view of the entrance to the restaurant and no other party had sat down for the entire time we had waited for our drinks to the time we finished our drinks. We were so upset that we didn't even try the food. I will never go back - which is too bad because the food smelled great and the had a chowder that sounded great!
Posted 07/07/07
I take out-of-towners here for seafood over some of the more swanky fish spots because of its ambience--it's sooo Seattle, and old-school fisherman-style Seattle, not its sleek new Belltown incarnation. Visitors love it. I always order a dozen oysters (always fresh) and then everyone gets what they want--the fish and chips is good, the salmon chowder is extremely tasty but sometimes its overwhelmingly rich. Microbrews on tap, friendly staff and an eclectic crowd make it an experience to remember.
Pros: Good food, well-priced, friendly
Cons: Can be freezing inside!
Posted 02/12/07
Yes, a lot of the menu is fried, but MAN ALIVE! that is one mean bowl of chowder! I never liked chowder until I tried their's and now nothing compares. Considering how much it rains here, it is nice to get a bowl of chowder and some fries in a mainly-locals restuarant in a touristy area. It always makes me happy, full, and leaves me with a couple of bucks in my pocket.
Besides, it is great for cheap eats with freinds.
Pros: yummy!, atm down the hall, easy on the wallet
Cons: Pike Place Market, Market Parking
Posted 01/29/03
I was really looking forward to getting some oysters at Emmett Watsons. They only had one kind of oysters.
Most of thier menu was fried. The service was slow!!! Kinda a hole in the wall place.
The clam chowder was more like a potato soup, with clams :)
Steamers were good but tiny.
Not a bad place, but I don't think I'd go back.
Cons: like just ok, nothing special
Posted 01/19/03