Olympia Oyster Bar

Great selection, nicest people who really knew everything about oysters and made terrific suggestions. Can’t wait to go back!

Maybe we hyped it too much?
My wife and I were looking forward to coming here for months — many of them — but the time was never right, and since we have to juggle kids around their weird schedules, and this place isn’t open on Sundays or Mondays when we found ourselves with an impromptu sitter, it’s been tough.
So the first thing I want to say about the food is, it was quite tasty. The oysters on the halfshell were great — made by the sea, of course. Presented well. We got a baker’s dozen for $ 30, which is quite pricey by my standards, but apparently not by hipster standards. Then we went with two more oyster appetizers — one raw with a strawberry rhubarb preparation, the other cooked with fennel, leeks and pistachios. Both were delicious.
We had a wild mushroom salad that was tasty, but a bit of a letdown. There weren’t a ton of mushrooms, but there was a giant bowl of greens that had not been cut down to bite-​size. Nobody likes to smear a fully-​dressed giant leaf of mizuni or field lettuce on their face when they’re having a dinner date. Good salads (in my opinion) require a little attention before being thrown into the bowl.
Then we went for «Crevettes» which was just boiled shrimp in chimichurri. Quite tasty, but a real pain of a mess to eat. And after blowing close to $ 100 we realized we’d had nothing but appetizers and were still quite hungry. We’re not big people — this was not usual for us.
So we ordered more. The Banh Mi — an banh-​mi «inspired» thing with a fried egg (egg white?) instead of pork belly. Tasty, but out of place. And a cheese plate, with hunks of bread. Filled us up, and we bailed.
The service was good. Prompt, attentive but not overly so, and helpful as needed. I just don’t see myself coming back here to spend $ 150 for another meal that barely escapes appetizer status.
I guess I was hoping for a different way of looking at oysters from this place, you know, «oysters can be great on the half shell, but they can also be transformed into salads and entrees too». If that’s the kind of enlightenment you’re looking for, keep looking.

This place is great. The oysters are fresh and good, the other food is fresh and wonderful. The atmosphere is very relaxing and enjoyable. The service is beyond attentive. The happy hour is not a huge screaming deal but I will go back for sure!

OMG. This is the best oyster bar I have ever been too. It was so tasty and probably one of my favorite restaurants of all time.
The strawberry rhubarb oysters are to die for and a must try.
We also got the fried oysters which of course were awesome. I mean, it’s fried-​what fried food isn’t good?
We then tried a variety of other oysters based off our waiters choice. I forget which ones we tried but they were all very good.
I also got to try to goat butter here when we ordered the bread and butter. Wow goat butter is way more flavorful than regular butter! I need to start having it more often.
The service was very good. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. It’s a cute restuarant that is on the smaller side. It wasn’t too crowded when we went but I made sure to have reservations just in case.
It is on the pricey side but I feel like that should be expected since it is oysters.
If you are looking for a place to eat oysters in Portland come here!

I’m a bit biased because I went in really hungry and left hungry. The oysters where fresh and they had a good variety. I would go back, but not if I’m super hungry. Great for a small bite and some drinks. The gin selection is really good. I would like to see some more garnishes for raw oysters. Anyway, worth trying.

By far the best oyster place in Portland! They clearly love their oysters and everything is amazingly fresh & of the highest quality. I make a point to try different oyster bars pretty much everywhere I go: Olympia Oyster bar is right up there with the best, like Hog Island Oysters in SF or The Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle. So excited to have such a special place like this here in Portland.

Nice cute plate and amazing food! Small plates restaurant, great variety of wine and friendly service

Great Spot! Tasty Oysters and staff that know what they’re talking about and clearly take great pride in what they do. I’ll definitely be back.

Oysters were delicious. We got a dozen and weren’t disappointed. Staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Drinks were perfect. And the Dungeness crab torta is a must have. it’s a welcomed solution to Portland’s lack of seafood spots

Beautifully presented oysters, just lovely. Likely the best Portland has to offer. Try everything.

Wonderfully surprised. Small plates with each bite full of taste. All servers were polite, engaging and very knowledgable. Lots of different options while blending many different styles. Not your typical oyster bar… Far better.

We finally had a chance to stop in, and weren’t disappointed. This is an oyster bar, not a restaurant, so be prepared for small plates. The food was excellent! We had some dressed oysters with citrus. Serrano chili and cilantro. OMG! so delicious! Then we had half a dozen Hama Hama oysters with house pickled serrano, and key limes, The addition of the chili and limes really brought out the briney taste of the oysters. Fabulous! Next we had bread with smoked goat butter… ohhhhhhhhhhhh! The salmon tartar was perfect and the clams with linguini was excellent! Great, friendly staff, excellent food that is so well made it speaks for itself. We can’t wait to go back!

I had a really nice experience dining here. The staff all seem to be passionate about their job and have a good knowledge about oysters. The food was delightful. Looking forward to going back.

Mind blowing. Everything thing on the menu from the salad to the bread and butter, not to mention the dressed and naked oysters, all of it phenomenal.

I was really looking forward to this place, but after two tries, I think it’s just not for me.
I love raw oysters, and I loved the story behind the restaurant.
It’s a cute place, nice aesthetic, however I felt the prices where way out of range for the servings.
The happy hour is kind of sad. Not a lot of options and really small portions.
We ordered a dozen oysters, two drinks each, a order of the ceviche, bread and one of the dressed oysters. We all left with the same impression; we spent a lot of money, and weren’t close to satisfied. We ended up going across the street for a second happy hour.
I believe there menu is still under construction, so I will be sure to check back and see how things have changed.

Yum yum! We loved the oysters and the knowledgeable staff. The tiny Olympia oysters are excellent. Welcome to the neighborhood.

Oyster bar! We have been waiting for Olympia Oyster Bar to open and weren’t disappointed. The wine and cocktail selection is paired perfectly with the local pacific oysters. Modern but warm atmosphere. Great place to relax and enjoy creative (and classic raw) oyster dishes. Ask for their specials (we had the clams). Moderate prices, hey it’s oysters!

Very excited to try, finally did and was not disappointed. I’m sorry I didn’t get his name, but our server was VERY informative about the oyster choices. My wife and I enjoyed happy hour right at the 4pm opening. Since selections change I won’t review the oysters, but they are right in front of you, not shucked and fresh beyond compare.
The happy hour oyster menu is a great deal but it’s a set preparation. We enjoyed the «tostada» fried oyster app, the other cooked one that stars with a ‘k’, and bread and goat butter, a dozen «naked» Netarts oysters on the ½ shell and the «dressed» oysters. Everything was just outstanding! If you like preparing your own oysters (cocktail sauce, horseradish, lemon. etc.) you must surrender and go with their preps – you won’t be sorry.
Now, after this rave why not 5 stars? First, because they’ve only been open three weeks and I overheard our server telling another couple that the menu currently is only their specialties and they plan to expand the menu later. A fuller menu with more non-​oyster selections would have garnered the additional star. Also, the cocktails were delicious but over-​priced for Mississippi and just in general for the quantity. Also, the bartender was slow and working off a recipe (obviously new w/​the opening). If they had a full-​bar, or at least more cocktail choices, then another star.
Perhaps after they expand the menu and bar then I’ll give them 5-​stars for overall – but they’re already there for the food and service experience – on the latter point, there were only six people in. I can see service being very slow right now with a packed house as staff all seems new. Be prepared for that. Also, a happy-​hour for two at just under $ 80 is spendy – be prepared.

3.5 stars
French 75— delicious and large, but not traditional.
Winter mushroom salad— soooo good!
Chef’s choice oysters— I was told it’s usually a mix of the raw, naked, dressed, etc and I only got 2 types of raw oysters. Disappointing
Service and ambiance great!!!

Welcome new place in NE Portland, doing oysters proper.
Had some dressed oysters with pomegranate and more. Some slightly cooked oysters on mini tostadas with delicious chili. And then I couldn’t resist 6 of chef’s choice, with house pickled serrano, key limes, and Tapatio hot sauce. All together a perfect 0 calorie dinner — oysters have 0 calories right?
The Manhattan was also excellent, and they have Mezcal which is generally a requirement for any of my regular places.
Good people too, that are focused on making Portland awesome.
P. S. Some people have comment on the fact they do not shuck the oysters completely… However if you go anywhere else in the world this is normal, peeps don’t dis on that.