The Garrison

Went here for my wedding night dinner and WOW is this place accommodating and unique. They offered a private dinner experience with a little card commemorating the special night. The food was pre picked and came out in different timely fashions. Very large non-alcoholic cocktails and champagne selection available. The service was impeccable and the details are all there. Oysters, caviar, wagyu beef, clams and a good time.

Loved this place! The oysters were fresh and delicious, and the chicken liver with bread was a real highlight rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Cozy atmosphere and great service. Would definitely come back!

Love this place! The oysters are really fresh! 🦪 We also ordered a crab roll and a wagyu patty melt. The portion is appropriate. I love the wagyu one. The beef is juicy with a slice of Swiss cheese and caramelized onions, yummy 😋 They have homemade sauce inside, not salty, not greasy either. Very balanced! The crab roll is okay for me. The crab meat is fresh but a little salty, not my type. Both dishes have fries. The fries are surprisingly good👍 it seasoned with salt, garlic and some herbs, smells really good! They offer variety of cocktails and champagne. 🥂 Recommend try some!

Fantastic 3-6pm Happy Hour with $2 oysters (and couldn’t resist ordering more) with the brilliant benefit of placing a table reservation(!). Parking is the standard Ballard situation. Servers were great/quick but when things got busy we didn’t see them for a little while (once the happy hour rush went full speed plus the Sunday market foot traffic). Will be returning for sure!

This is such a gem! Amazing late night happy hour! Food was delicious and well-presented, cocktails are great and interesting, the atmosphere and deco are super cool, and service is on spot! Only regret: not having tried this place before. Many 5 stars and can’t wait to be back!

Good dinner spot overall with some caveats. Felt a bit uninspired, and some oysters had pieces of shells on them. Rockfish and clam chowder was pretty good, halibut was solid but lacked texture experience. Good dessert.

Have been here two times. Both times food and service was great. I’m not big on eating oysters but these were the best I’ve had. The salmon toast is also very good.

I never leave reviews but the dinner and service at The Garrison is outstanding! They have a newly expanded menu that was hard to choose from. Everything looked amazing… and it was! We got to eat in the newly remodeled back room that is absolutely stunning! The other noteworthy mention is the presentation of all of our dishes were thoughtful and very beautifully put together. Overall, love this addition to our Ballard neighborhood. Can’t wait to try brunch!

Came here for Happy Hour Oysters were $24 for a dozen, Smoked Salmon Toast for 10. Orders a Radler and a beer. Server comped a beer as there was a little spill on the first one and brought over some Brussels sprouts as a result of the kitchen making an extra one. Super friendly server, good food. Definitely will be back. The place has a cool vine and we could talk comfortably.

I really do not like writing bad reviews... With that being said-do not come if it's hot outside! There is no AC and I was sweating the entire time. The food was okay, but hard to enjoy being that hot. Our cocktails turned warm quickly because they didn't have ice cubes. Service was extremely sparse, but the server was nice. Took 45 minutes to get our starters and we were only 1 of about 3 tables. One table had to get up to ask for their check. Another got up and left because it took too long for someone to take their order. I'm confused why the service was so bad when it was not busy in the slightest. Sablefish was wayyyy too salty (and I love salt) and the garnishes were just too much. We also found a french fry in our brussels sprouts? We ended up taking all of our plates to go and left feeling bloated and unsatisfied. The interior is cute, but overall we felt really uncomfortable.

We wanted to thank one of my wife's colleagues by taking them to a nice restaurant. Mondays usually are not the best day to go out for dinner but that's when they were in town. We wanted to choose a very nice place and according to Yelp the Garrison fit the bill. I called to ask if reservations were necessary and was candidly told it would not be a problem, that it looked like a light day for them. I appreciated the candor. By the time we left though, the restaurant was pretty full. The interior is nice enough. Nothing fancy. There's ample space between tables so we didn't feel our privacy was invaded. Prices are higher than my usual range. Our guests both ordered cocktails, average price $18. I was happy to join them. Just a different experience for me. The Garrison is known for their seafood and that reputation is very well deserved. My wife and her colleague's both had seared sablefish. Her colleague had halibut. We shared tastes. So delicious and the textures were perfect. I ordered clams. The fish dishes were amazing. I grew up in New Orleans so have been fortunate to eat a lot of excellent seafood. This was as good as any I have ever eaten. My clams were cooked with bacon. Now everything tastes better with bacon, right? Nope. The bacon flavor overpowered the taste of clams in a wine sauce. I would not recommend them. For four people the bill came to $260, plus tip. Certainly not going to break the bank but again we usually don't experience that kind of dining. However the great news is that several days per week they have an excellent happy hour with lower prices. I definitely want to return for their happy hour.

Hands down the best brunch spot so far by where I live on this part of the city. The crab benedict was amazing (with large chunks of fresh crab meat) and the breakfast sandwich was also delish. Make sure to ask for homemade hot sauce on the side for the crispy side potatoes. I've also had the best bloody mary and french pressed coffee with my meal. The service is top notch where the servers are super attentive and will check in on you to get your feedback about the drinks/food. Kudos to the server who suggested we should try their homemade hot sauce? The interior gives off vintage and midcentury modern vibes. I love the silk banner running across the wall. Sucha cute place for date nights and holiday celebrations.

This is a nice gem off of Market Street in Ballard. The vibe is just right with a good music selection and chic, adult decor. The menu is large enough to have something for everyone at brunch and dinner but no so big that it's overwhelming. The cocktails are original and high quality. The only complaint is that the service, while friendly, can be slow.

We went for the first time for our anniversary dinner. The oysters were fabulous and I'd happily get them again. The Brussels sprouts were a highlight, well cooked in a tasty vinegettette with the best pickled onions I've ever had. The bread was nothing to write home about. Unfortunately, the crab leek dip was incredibly briney. We didn't have more than a bite a piece it was so swampy.

I'm a huge fan of their sister restaurant, Le coin so I was excited to check out the Garrison. We came here on a Monday night without reservation and were seated quickly at the bar. The ambience is cozy. They have crab night on Monday, and I'm a huge fan of crab so I ordered the crab roll. I ordered one of their house cocktails, golden gardens. The cocktail was delicious, fruity and nutty. However, I thought the crab roll was disappointing. The crab tasted dry and I thought there was too much going on (wasn't a fan of the salad topping). Next time, I'd probably only get a drink over here!

Another amazing experience at the Garrison. The had expanded the back bar and it's an amazing vibe and perfect for both large groups or romantic dates. Service was excellent, not too overbearing but frequent walk-bys to ensure we were having a good time. Highly recommend.

The food is high quality however portion size is relatively small. I couldn't tell if I ordered an appetizer or an entree. But the taste is great over all. There were also outdoor seating, which is super nice in the summer!

Tried happy hour on Saturday. Enjoyed the ambiance - cozy and welcoming. Service was probably one of the best so far in Seattle. Food was a bit mixed. Oysters were delicious and $12 for half dozen is as good as it gets around here. Crab puff was pretty fun but I wish it's a bjt more integrated - crab was salty, puff was crispy and salad acid, you kinda want all these flavors in one bite vs having to take 3 consecutive nibbles. Pickled shrimp was nice and bold.

The stars aligned with traffic and street parking to meet up with fellow Yelp Elite/IGer CC for Happy Hour at The Garrison (10/4/24). Happy hour is available from 3-5pm and CC was able to snag a 4pm reservation. Originally, there was very limited onsite and sidewalk seating. But during our visit, The Garrison recently opened their additional expansion. Our waitperson mentioned that the former Hotel Albatross space is being renovated in increments. Definitely much more spacious! HH NA and cocktails are pretty pricey, however, my Old Fashioned was well executed and strong ($12). HH dishes ordered included a crab/leek dip with homemade chips, clams with toasted artisan bread, and chicken liver mousse with baguette slices and cornichons. CC did not favor the texture and flavor of the chicken liver mousse. Instead of having it get composted, I opted to just have both orders. Side note: the packaged up leftovers remained tasty even the day after. She definitely enjoyed the flavorful clams and crab dip; both were more to her liking. Our waitperson had that balance I appreciate when dining out. Welcoming, knowlegeable, perceptive, and unobtrusive. Her service alone earned a star, for a total of five. With so many places to dine in Seattle's popular Ballard neighborhood, The Garrison is a standout for happy hour.

Have been meaning to try this place after seeing it on Yelp! I love me a new brunch/seafood restaurant. Came here for a weekend brunch and was pleasantly surprised. The interior is clean, cozy, and aesthetic. The servers were also super kind and welcoming. I ordered the breakfast sandwich and the churro doughnuts. The sandwich was 10/10 fire. The brioche buns are nice and fluffy, the egg, guac, and ham inside are juicy and tender. The breakfast potatoes were also amazing. I love the fried sage and feta cheese. Brings regular potatoes to the next level. The churro doughnuts were okay! Super fluffy and airy, but not that much of a strong cinnamon flavor. If you like your desserts subtle, then this would be good. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience. I'm super intrigued by their HH/dinner menu so you bet I'll be back again to try their seafood.

Don't be fooled by the humble exterior, this place is charming and upscale/relaxed inside. My Bestie visiting from California and I were here for the happy hour over Memorial Day weekend. We were craving oysters and after a quick drink at Ocho next-door, we found a lovely seat by the bar, and were served by an ebullient and knowledgeable, male bartender/server. We shared happy hour oysters with mignonette and cocktail sauces, some steamed cherrystones, and chicken liver pate with bread service. The oysters were sublime, but the steamed cherry stone clams while tasty, were not in my favorite version of a garlicky wine broth, and instead had more of a cream base. It was just a little bit too rich for me, but still very good. The chicken liver pate had an interesting presentation; instead of being in a little crock, covered with a sealed fat layer, the fat had completely melted, so it was just covered with a heavy layer of oil. Typically one pulls the fat off and eats the liver pate, but we were unable to do so as it was liquefied. I ended up bringing it home and refrigerating it, which made it a little easier to remove the fat, but it had coagulated in lumps and was unappealing. Looking forward to returning for another happy hour or brunch, as the brunch menu looked divine.

We had a going away dinner for a friend and there were quite a few different parties. The waitress was more than accommodating with how we asked her to split the check, which sometimes can be an issue with big parties. The only thing people in the party complained about was the espresso martini which didn't appear to be made with espresso. Otherwise everything was fabulous. We had crab roll with vinegar fries, the caviar which came in like a choux pastry, oysters, wagyu burger, a salad (huge!), Brussel sprouts (crispy and delish), the crab puff pastry, and the bread service. The Golden Gardens was my favorite drink of the evening. The bathroom has an amazing atmosphere, which feels weird to write about a bathroom, but it was really cool. They have champagne corks hanging from the ceiling. The inside is lovely. It has a nice vibe to it, and they kept a nod to the place that was there before with having some of the same wallpaper. It had a cozy and potentially romantic vibe but it was well lit enough even the oldest among us could read the menu without problems. Good champagne choices as well with options for bottles and glasses. Definitely worth the trek (for me) to Ballard.

I decided to pop in after getting my nails done right nearby. What a CUTEE little spot- perfect for a date, quiet, cozy- great music. I ordered 2 things and came in during happy hour: 1. Oysters ($24 for a dozen) SO fresh, very tasty- loved them. 2. The local clams- INSANE. Very filling and an amazing portion size. This was $11... so good!!! The broth and salami really gave it flavor. Highly recommend, great drink prices too- overall love! Manager is extremely friendly and kind.

The food is fantastic - we ordered the Brussels sprouts, sablefish, and caviar which was phenomenal. We also got the crab pastry which I wasn't a fan of because the crab tasted a bit dry. My four stars are all based on how delicious the food was because the service was disappointing. We asked the waitress for guidance on how many dishes to order but she didn't answer us. It took awhile to order and waited 30 mins after ordering for food to come out. We were also annoyed when all 4 things came out together. She rarely checked in and there weren't refills on water. We would come back again because the food was so good but just wish the service was better.

TLDR: This is my happy hour review. The Food: Happy Hour Pate: A Happy Hour Clams: A Happy Hour Drinks: A Service and Atmosphere: Everyone here was laid back and professional. It was like you were at a friends house with exceptional manors... and you have to pay ;). What can be better?: My attitude .... Seriously, most happy hours are mid and this one is exceptional. If you're in the area I would make it a priority to get a table here.

They have an amazing brunch and the service is top tier. Don't skip the banana bread! It's one of the best things I've had all year! The patty melt is substantial and is reminds me of meatloaf, which I love.

Third time visiting for happy hour, and every time has been superb. Great cocktails love the 25% discount on champagne's and the foods are yum. Fresh, tasty and wonderful service. Laid back, yet fancy vibe where you can show up in a raincoat or a dress and feel welcomed and comfortable.

Came here for a little weekend brunch action and it was delightful! While it was an excellent service like dinner/hh at brunch I still thought it was very expensive for the amount of food you get and their brunch cocktail fares are still pretty pricey (although not as expensive as dinner time). I still think it's worth while checking out and I'd be back to try their other brunch items. I'd like to also try happy hour which looks great!

Had a wonderful happy hour here tonight. We had clams, oysters, dip, and scallop crudo. Would order everything again! Fantastic cocktails and service as well! They've opened up the back room and love the vibe.

Wow! Super impressed by The Garrison. Amazing happy hour spot (1/2 dozen oysters for $12 bucks, Crab & Fennel Dip $13, and Caviar $15). The warm crab dip was absolutely amazing on a chilly, rainy Seattle day. Oysters for $2 are an absolute steal. Great service as well. Can't wait to come back!

I contacted the restaurant about my recent visit. They were quick to once I gave them further information to my not another word from them very disappointed. You would think for the price that you pay that when you order a sirloin, it would not be full of fat gristle that it would least be edible, but that was not my experience.

This is an adorable little spot right on market street! I met a friend here for happy hour, which was a great deal. They have a happy hour menu with a few discounted drinks and you get 50% off the seafood selection on the regular menu! Everything from the ambiance to the service was fantastic! It was not busy since it was a weekday and happy hour is from 4 to 5. For my drink I tried a Negroni, which I wasn't too familiar with and loved it!! I see what all the hype is about haha. For a snack we shared the clams, which were cooked in a mouthwatering broth and served with hearty sliced toast. I would definitely be interested in coming back to try the dinner menu sometime, perhaps for a special occasion!

Saturday, my friend and I were walking to the matador, and we saw a sign that said seafood. Earlier when deciding on what we wanted to eat I said I was craving oysters, so when we saw the menu we decided to go here instead. I was so excited! We walked in asked if we could get a table. The gentlemen said yes, and then said he would clear the table outside. We waited for about a total of 15 minutes where he never came out to clear the table. I finally just got up to leave and he came back outside and had no words for us. Not an apology just an empty stare, he clearly did not want us there. We did not feel welcomed what so ever. We are both in the industry and it's all about communication. Like sorry I am so busy it's going to be a minute... something, anything. Just such a weird and rude interaction.

Best seafood value in Seattle! Amazing happy hour and excellent cocktails. The the service is phenomenal

Sister restaurant to Le Coin in Fremont, did not meet expectations. This is my second time at The Garrison. First was six weeks ago to celebrate my wife's birthday, we had a bottle of white wine and dozen oysters to begin with while we were waiting for my son to join us. Wine was crisp and delicious and the oysters spectacular! But had to leave since we were told no minors were allowed. So, decided to try it one more time just the wife and I. Order the seared albacore tuna, and the crispy Brussels sprouts. The tuna was average but the Brussels sprouts were amazing, we even order some to take out for our son to try. Also had the chocolate and candied orange bread pudding and it was so-so. Overall, this is a hit and miss place when it comes to the food, service is great, ok ambiance, and variety of food is decent. But it is inconsistent on the experience of the dishes. I guess they are trying to figure out their cuisine and staple dishes. If you are looking for a great culinary experience and time, look somewhere else.

We just tried this new gem last night, and what a terrific new neighborhood spot! The service was phenomenal--our waitress educated us on chartreuse (the house spirit) and we left with a new love of the drink. The oysters were solid--nothing special but very decent. They have a supplier from hood canal so there is no variation but I found them delicious. The presentation of the food stands out. We were eating the food while raving about how beautiful it was. Of note: the clams (broth is to die for) and the hush-puppies served with the fish (fish is a bit dry). If you are a foodie, the garrison won't disappoint! Sit outside and enjoy the people-watching in Ballard.

Had a Father's Day brunch, which was wonderful. Everything was exceptionally presented and delicious: eggs benedict, breakfast sandwich. Banana Bread was unbelievably good. Service was first class, and the back room has a very nice feel to it.

One of the most amazing food experiences we had, highly recommend this restaurant! Their HH is great and we had great service.

Newish place - great ambiance! Love the bar area. Staff was super friendly and attentive. Happy Hour is a must! Cocktails were great, good wine list, and food was very tasty. Great local seafood, ingredients and flavors. Can't wait to go back!

Amazing space deceiving from the outside. Food was delicious service excellent. Had a wonderful night with friends. Will be back.

Warm bartender and very nice wait staff with the knowledge of all services. A very friendly environment; I will go back

The food was delicious! We were lucky enough to come on their fried chicken Thursday! The chicken was fantastic, my favorite kind of crispy!! And the sides were equally delicious!! We were fighting over the last bite of mashed potatoes and the last roasted carrot! The service was very good, I wish he would have told us how long the chicken was taking! The only complaint, and it's understandable, was that it was very cold! I didn't see anyone who had taken off their coats!! But if you want delicious food, here's the place!!

Great place and food and service and even the music was very good. We are also glad that they are open late.

Great food, drinks and service! The interior and vibe is great as well. Highly recommend!

Solid spot in Ballard. Date night, apps and main courses for us were all great. Timing of service and ambiance were excellent. Solid cocktails, just pricey (like every spot in Seattle).

All I'm going to say!!!! "If you are familiar with the pallet requirements for introducing a menu item to some Michelin star judges like I am, you need to come here and get the caviar menu item." AND IT'S ON THE HAPPY HOUR MENU for $15. This item is gluten free too! Yes that's a gluten free doughnut.

The food was extremely sub par but the bartender earned a star. The oysters were overly slimy, cocktail sauce was more like ketchup, no horseradish in the establishment which is odd to not have as an option with your oysters. The chowder is not a NW chowder, it was super soupy. The crab dip was overwhelmed by the frisée and the flavor was more akin to a low quality tuna salad. And, what's worse is our stomachs are doing somersaults. Do not recommend!!!

Staff was delightful, the bar was intimate, and the food was delicious. We had a great dinner and I'm looking forward to next time!

Great service, great champagne, and great food. Stopped by for some champagne and oysters and loved everything about this place. Perfect ambiance and decorations for this type of place. Excited to come back again soon!

Went for brunch today, and it was so good!!! The banana bread is a must get. I had the classic breakfast, and my friends had the rockfish sandwich and breakfast sandwich. All were perfect.

We went for happy hour because we can get wonderful champagne and great food to share. Malea treated us beautifully after our food was delayed. She is an outstanding bartender and server and we were happy just because we came in!

Newly redone dining room in the back - beautiful. Had a delicious crab benedict and banana bread for brunch. Good happy hour here.

Brendan and Annie rock! Excellent must hit happy hour... the smoked salmon toast was excellent, as was the HH Negroni

Service is great and the ambiance is hipster meets speakeasy IMO. Oysters and clams are solid thanks to Kevin and they are continuing to make some cool updates in the space - like a chef's deli counter. Parking is definitely it or miss, but I would go back!

Fantastic cozy restaurant with a relaxed chill vibe. Creative cocktails with an interestingly curated wine list. Seafood focused with great oysters and clams! Loved the smoked salmon and the roasted carrot dishes. Black pepper ice cream with chartreuse was very creative but heavy on the chartreuse. Wife loved the pear/brie dessert! Enjoyed sharing our dinner with co-owner (unexpectedly) Jordan and looking forward to having dinner at their other restaurant. Highly recommend but def need reservations.

Probably the best happy hour of my life! Amazing oysters sourced locally daily, an heirloom marinated melon summer salad and the house martini! Cute, classy place with the nicest people. Hap, hap, happy hour!

Thrilled to have more access to oysters, a wonderful experience with a fantastic happy hour. Amanda and Brendan far surpassed our service expectations and Amanda's recommandations hit the spot for our lunch. Without a doubt, we will be back soon.