3 /5 ALW: I visited the Olympia Oyster House, hoping for a classic Pacific Northwest seafood experience, but unfortunately, it fell a bit short of expectations. The historic setting and waterfront location are charming and beautiful — there’s no denying the restaurant’s atmosphere has potential. This restaurant was also recommended to me by several locals, so I was pretty excited. However, the food and service didn’t quite match the setting.
I ordered a dozen oysters, but several of the oysters contained small pea crabs — harmless, but definitely ruined my appetite (they were even crawling around in the sauce). I didnt grow up near water and according to Google, it’s something that can happen with wild-caught oysters, but it still took away from my enjoyment. The rest of the oysters were just average in taste and presentation, lacking that crisp, ocean-fresh flavor I was hoping for. The cocktails were decent, but not memorable.
What stood out the most was the slow service — especially surprising since the restaurant wasn’t busy during our visit. However, the staff was polite, but a little inattentive towards the end of our meal, and it felt like our time dragged on unnecessarily.
Overall, Olympia Oyster House has a great location and potential, but the food and service need refinement to match the cost and experience it promises.
