OYSTERTALE

4.5

92 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Charming
Innovative
Great for creative cocktails

A restaurant designed to casually spoil you with great locally sourced oysters and other fabled bounty from the region such as lamb, mushrooms, fresh produce, orchard fruits & berries, and the list goes on. We pair this with our favorite wines from near and far + fun cocktails - all alongside comforting favorites for everyone. (Our menu does include items for those whom might not love shellfish or seafood as much as we do.)
+Our view is of the ferry coming in and leaving right on the waterfront of Friday Harbor.
+ Our outside seating is first-come first serve and is communal-style seating.
+We are a tiny restaurant, so we are deeply impacted when you don't show up for your reservations or cancel last minute, please keep this in mind.
+No dogs inside or on the patio.

Not bookable

This restaurant is open seasonally. Unfortunately, it is currently closed.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Northwest, Farm-to-table
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(360) 230-8150
Website
https://www.oystertale.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Email us at Info@oystertale.com with Catering Inquiries. We do a very limited amount of catering away from our restaurant, but are very good at throwing a killer welcome party, milestone birthday event, cocktail hour, etc.
Private party facilities
Email us at Info@oystertale.com with Private Event Inquiries. We offer buyouts of our space for your special occasions. A great spot to throw a welcome party for wedding guest with oysters, apps, wine and cocktails.

Location
10 Front St suite 101, Friday Harbor, WA 98250-7199
Neighborhood
San Juan Islands
Cross street
By the ferry dock, on the steps to the clock tower pier, below Downriggers.
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
The Washington State Ferry terminal is 50 yards from our front door. The jolly trolly picks up and drops off in the round-a-bout our restaurant is located on. <br />Local taxis are also available.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

TUNA CRUDO$15.00
raw washington albacore, pickled daikon, carrot pureé, nuoc cham, spring onion aioli, cilantro
SMOKED COD AND DUNGENESS DIP$16.00
smoked lingcod & dungeness crab meat, fresh herbs, lemon & cream served chilled w/ potato chips
SMOKED SALMON CHOWDER$12.00
creamy chowder full of veggies and pretty pink smoked salmon
THE LOCAL CATCH$32.00
wild halibut, green garlic & leek broth, crispy cascade mushrooms, spring relish, dollop of lemon cream
WASHINGTON MANILA CLAMS$28.00
beautiful clams from the hood canal in a white wine, garlic & fresh herb broth - served w/ bread
THAI GREEN CURRIED OYSTERS
shallot, carrot, potato, local scallion & fresh herbs, coconut curry, shucked oysters -served w/ bread

From the Land

BREAD & BUTTER$8.00
warm sourdough + whipped honied rhubarb butter
SAN JUAN SALAD$16.00
farm greens, strawberry, sunnyfield lopez goat cheese, praline pecans, champagne vinaigrette
SUMMER CAPRESE$16.00
local heirloom tomatoes tossed with fresh basil & herbed olive oil, local dark cherries, Samish Bay Ladysmith Arugula Cheese, balsamic
GREEN GODDESS HUMMUS & SUMMER VEGGIES$16.00
all the fresh local herbs of summer blended with white beans, tahini, extra virgin olive olive, served with chopped local heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, local scallions & lemon zest
PEPPERCORN RUBBED STEAK$32.00
8 oz top sirloin rubbed with fresh cracked black peppercorns, fresh local herbs in oil, horseradish cremé, topped with a mix of sauteed cascade mushrooms
LOCAL LAMB CHOPS$32.00
Lopez island lamb finished in a house honey glaze & dark cherries -served with shoestring potatoes

Potato Wafflles

SMOKED SALMON WAFFLE$20.00
potato waffle topped with samish bay vaché, beautiful smoked sockeye salmon, fried capers, lemon & lots of fresh herbs
DUNGENESS CRAB WAFFLE$26.00
potato waffle topped with samish bay vaché cheese, fresh herbs, lemon & lots of dungeness crab
FRESH GOAT CHEESE WAFFLE$16.00
this potato waffle is topped with goat cheese made for us weekly by our friends at sunnyfield goat farm on lopez island. It doesn’t get fresher than this - strawberry, fresh herbs, praline & reduced balsamic

Sweets

ROTATING SEASONAL COBBLER ALA MODE$12.00
hazelnut crumb crust served with lopez island ice cream, reduced balsamic & orange zest
CHOCOLATE POT DE CRÈME$12.00
whipped cream, crushed hazelnut, amaretto soaked cherries
COTTON CANDY + CHAMPAGNE$16.00
glass of bubbly with a cloud of cotton candy perched on top

What 92 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Northwest Washington
Best Food
Northwest Washington
Healthy
Northwest Washington
Hot spot
Northwest Washington
Great for fine wines
Northwest Washington
Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Oystertale offers "excellent food and service" with a delightful island vibe. Enjoy a variety of "delicious, fresh oysters" and curated local dishes. The staff is "friendly and helpful," enhancing your dining experience. While some reviews noted service hiccups, many praised the "wonderful combination of food and drinks."

92 Reviews

P
Phoebe
Seattle
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious Oysters and seafood! I enjoyed everything and the vibes were so cute
Is this helpful?
J
Jillian
Fayetteville
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Loved everything about our dining experience. The food was scrumptious, the staff a delight and the lavender lemon drop to die for. Highly recommend Oystertales….
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Seattle
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
In addition to the smoked salmon chowder, I recommend the chocolate pot du creme (especially paired with the Cutlass)
Is this helpful?
J
Jim
San Francisco
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Really good food and drinks I felt sorry for the servers. They seemed understaffed for the amount of patrons.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Seattle
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Get the smoked salmon chowder! It might be the best thing on an overall great menu!
Is this helpful?
E
Evan
Austin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent food and service. The space is a bit small, but everything else is great. Some of the best oysters I've ever had!
Is this helpful?
B
Brenda
Seattle
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I am a local resident. This is my favorite restaurant!
Is this helpful?
P
Pippa
London
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful fresh oysters, attentive service. Outdoor/indoor tables. Pleasantly small and relaxed. Possibly not open all year. Worth a visit.
Is this helpful?
P
Paul
San Francisco
10 reviews
3.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Not a ton of options in Friday Harbor so decent, but not gonna blow you away.
Is this helpful?
C
Carrie
Denver
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Loved everything about Oystertale. The menu is lovely; food is fantastic; and our server, Meghan, made our experience even more memorable. Don't miss out on an experience here.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

OYSTERTALE is rated 4.5 stars by 92 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not bookable

This restaurant is open seasonally. Unfortunately, it is currently closed.

10 Front St suite 101, Friday Harbor, WA 98250-7199

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
By the ferry dock, on the steps to the clock tower pier, below Downriggers.
Neighborhood
San Juan Islands
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Northwest, Farm-to-table
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
The Washington State Ferry terminal is 50 yards from our front door. The jolly trolly picks up and drops off in the round-a-bout our restaurant is located on. Local taxis are also available.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.oystertale.com/
Phone number
(360) 230-8150
Catering
Email us at Info@oystertale.com with Catering Inquiries. We do a very limited amount of catering away from our restaurant, but are very good at throwing a killer welcome party, milestone birthday event, cocktail hour, etc.
Private party facilities
Email us at Info@oystertale.com with Private Event Inquiries. We offer buyouts of our space for your special occasions. A great spot to throw a welcome party for wedding guest with oysters, apps, wine and cocktails.

OYSTERTALE

Not bookable

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

Raw Oysters

A LA CARTE OYSTERS ON HALF SHELL - MP

From the Sea

TUNA CRUDO$15.00

SMOKED COD AND DUNGENESS DIP$16.00

SMOKED SALMON CHOWDER$12.00

THE LOCAL CATCH$32.00

WASHINGTON MANILA CLAMS$28.00

THAI GREEN CURRIED OYSTERS

From the Land

BREAD & BUTTER$8.00

SAN JUAN SALAD$16.00

SUMMER CAPRESE$16.00

GREEN GODDESS HUMMUS & SUMMER VEGGIES$16.00

PEPPERCORN RUBBED STEAK$32.00

LOCAL LAMB CHOPS$32.00

Potato Wafflles

SMOKED SALMON WAFFLE$20.00

DUNGENESS CRAB WAFFLE$26.00

FRESH GOAT CHEESE WAFFLE$16.00

Sweets

ROTATING SEASONAL COBBLER ALA MODE$12.00

CHOCOLATE POT DE CRÈME$12.00

COTTON CANDY + CHAMPAGNE$16.00

What 92 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is OYSTERTALE restaurant rated?

Is OYSTERTALE currently accepting reservations?

Not bookable

Dining areas

Additional information