Shaker + Spear Reviews

4.5

17 of 3,215 Restaurants in Seattle


Reviews

Delicious, Efficient, Gracious

By traveltheworld032 |

What a fabulous dining experience. Service, food, drinks, environment were top notch. Staff was wearing masks, server was a professional, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. Well done!

Sophisticated

By LA Art Advisor |

The next time I’m in Seattle this is the hotel I plan to stay at. We stumbled upon this chic sophisticated space and its delicious restaurant randomly. The food, staff, and ambience were all PERFECT. The ‘Seattle Styled’ Scotch eggs were unbelievable and Ive been dreaming of them since. Everything about the meal was divine and i can only image what dinner might be like. Definitely a fine dining experience worth adding to your itinerary.

Everything You Want to Eat

By Clare_K |

I've been to Shaker & Spear several times now, and I can honestly say it's one of my favorite Seattle restaurants. Why? Because Chef Carolynn Spence creates dishes that everyone wants to eat. Whether it's giant, fluffy, hot popovers with whipped butter or sausage-stuffed Scotch olives, it's as comforting as it is innovative and unique. The menu is perfect for sharing - or not - with a good number of snacks (like those olives, fresh oysters, fried pickles) and appetizers (burrata with english peas/pesto, charred octopus - one of my favorites, Greek lamb meatballs), side dishes (an insane mac & cheese, truffle parmesan fries) plus main courses (burger with taleggio cheese & caramelized onions, chicken & dumplins, whole snapper with lemongrass). It's really fun to go with a group and try everything, but also perfect if you're solo or out for date night. The cocktails, beer and wine lists are impressive, and the service is always spot-on. The vibe of the place is a nice balance of urban bustle and chilled-out; it's the kind of place you want to meet up after work for some elevated bar snacks and drinks, as well as the perfect spot for a Saturday night out with friends. I recently sent a colleague of mine from the UK here while he was on vacation in Seattle, and he said it was the best meal he's had in a long time, anywhere. I couldn't agree more!

Great dinner spot

By Pinayaq |

My husband and I went to dinner at the shaker & spear on our first visit to Seattle. The interior is casual and unassuming, great for dinner with friends and family. We sat at the bar, which provided us with a view of the open kitchen. The bartender was great, she helped us with menu and wine selections. I had the clam linguini in sausage ragu and my husband had the squid ink paella.... both were absolutely delicious! We had a great experience and hope to dine here again!

We loved Shaker & Spear!

By Liza H |

My husband & I visited Shaker & Spear last night. I had booked a table based on the reviews on Trip Advisor and it did not disappoint. The food was wonderful! My husband had the octopus as a starter and I had the lamb meatballs. Both were wonderful! He wants to go back for more octopus today! We shared the paella, which was delicious! And finished it off with a fantastic meyer lemon sorbet. The ambiance was lovely and it's always fascinating to see a very busy & open kitchen at work. Chef Carolynn was kind enough to stop by out table for a chat. Plus our server, Josh, was friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. I can't say enough great things about this place, it's a must visit in Seattle!

Outstanding Seafood

By Laura S |

Beautiful restaurant with excellent service. Scallops to die for! Lovely presentation and interesting blend and use of ingredients. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening!

Delightful Evening!

By Flipper1954 |

This almost bistro type restaurant was recommended by a hotel bartender and did not disappoint. We did not have a reservation but arrived just before 7 on a Saturday evening and luckily were seated promptly. Busy and a bit noisy, but clearly a locals favorite. Friendly staff and a wonderful menu and wine list. Do not miss the Charred Octopus for a starter! Best we've ever had! Opted for the evening special which was a shrimp and seafood entree and also a dish with charred scallops. Good portions...not too much and not too little. And very fun desserts! This place could easily be missed with discreet signage on the street, but look for it! An almost hidden gem in Seattle and should not be missed,,,can't wait to go back on my next trip to Seattle!

Unlucky choice with the snapper

By carouselgirl1971 |

Well its lucky I’ve got a sense of humour. Came here for a quick bite to eat as we are staying at the hotel. I ordered the snapper and a side salad and what I got was a snapper (so that was a good start) and it looked beautifully presented but it was deep fried which resulted in about 2 grams of the fish being edible as the rest was a denatured shrivelled mess. I was still starving by the end of it and we came back to the room and ordered takeaway! I should have gone with the scallops. The staff were super friendly and I liked the restaurant style but sadly my hopes of some nice quality fish were foiled by a deep fat fryer. To be honest, on reflection and if this had been served to me in a restaurant at home I would have complained but it was our anniversary and I couldn’t be bothered to make a fuss or cause our waitress any bother.

Simple elegance

By Wongeats |

Though a limited menu, the selection was creative and delicious. We were tempted to try everything but decided to return again and again post dinner. We had a Dungeness crab dip, scallops, arctic char, steak with scampi, with sides of Brussels sprouts and rosemary popovers. Nice wine list. Prices in line with urban city dining. Not touristy but two blocks from pike's market. We sat at counter overlooking the grill. Singles will feel very comfortable eating here.

Stellar Dining Experience!

By Jessi W |

WOW! The food, ambiance, drinks, and staff at Shaker + Spear were top notch. LeAnne and Katie were the perfect bartender/server pair and made sure our experience was incredible. I highly recommend the halibut, salmon, wagyu burger, blueberry crumble and chèvre cheesecake. We can’t wait to visit Seattle again to go back to Shaker + Spear.

Welcoming Place With Excellent Food

By Rumples |

It was a cold and rainy November night when I met a friend here for light fare and drinks at the bar. At 5:30 p.m., many tables still remained vacant in the lovely dining room but we had agreed to enjoy a less formal dining ambiance. When I arrived, the bartender had already started to think about a non-alcoholic drink for me, based on input from my friend. Within a minute, I was drinking a most refreshing concoction that I could never have come up with on my own, and I really appreciated the ingenuity that went into its creation. Throughout our stay, the bartender was always close by to answer questions and to take our orders. My friend and I shared a few items before moving on to dessert. These included delicious, fresh oysters and Delicata, an amazing mixture of ricotta, pistachio dukkah and kale pomegranate. I ended the evening with warm salted pistachio crumble and pistachio gelato, which made my sweet tooth beyond happy. My friend had an equally remarkable pumpkin bread with cherry toffee and brown-sugar gelato. Shaker & Spear was the last restaurant, where I ate after a lengthy stay in Seattle before coming back to Tucson. Based on the superb food, wonderful staff and pleasing atmosphere, it will be the first place I go on my next visit.

Delightful Brunch

By RoseCityTraveler626 |

I am a Crab Benedict fanatic. When I see it on a menu, I have to try it. Until August 2018, my favorite in Seattle was Lowell's; however, the one at Shaker + Spear is spectacular -- and it includes an avocado, another favorite. We were here the morning after being in town for the Sunset Supper fundraiser for the Pike Place Foundation. (That deserves a review all of its own, but that will have to wait.) It was great -- and our server, Rose, was super, too. In fact, everyone at the place was friendly and thoughtful. It was a very positive experience -- and we look forward to returning.

We loved it

By Claire G |

Walked in off the street and were cheerfully and warmly given all the options available to us without a reservation. We opted for seats right in front of the chef's station. It was a privilege to watch them all work and to eat the food. Could have eaten anything off the menu - it was a lovely evening.

Delicious Brunch at Shaker + Spear

By Lucy |

We had great food for brunch at Shaker + Spear and our waiter Dodge was amazing! She was super friendly, food was great and came out at a timely manner. Dodge even went the extra mile and remembered my friend and me after our meal there as my friend told her she liked the earrings she was wearing (they were custom made by her) and Dodge brought her a pair the next morning! (we were staying at the Palladian as well). It's these little details that really make customer service unique and leave us with such memorable experiences. HIGHLY recommended!

What a divine time and delicious meal we enjoyed

By westchicago |

Katy was our what person and she is TERRIFIC - she explained the menu perfectly; she was friendly but professional; she was attentive and available; she was just what you would hope to get as a wait person.. We feasted on the Branzino and the Scallops, both of which were delectable. But don't leave without also having the popovers - they are oh so good.

Casual, REALLY good food!

By Adam F |

Off Virginia really, hotel it sits at the bottom of is located on Second. Get seats at the bar facing the kitchen if you can. Don't go for the sit in the Penny Royal (yes, like Nirvana song), place stinks...literally. Sit at kitchen bar or bar in the rest. Order pupus, like share plates, cocktails or wine and you are pau! Great food. Octopus is tasty. Fish is tooo good! Sit back and Enjoy!

Excellent Dinner and Atmosphere

By SarahRuB |

Everything was perfect for this meal. Our waitress was friendly and extremely knowledgable. The bartender served up perfect drinks. We started with the pulpo croquettes and peach & burrata starters. Both were good. The portion sizes were perfect for the entrees. The halibut, salmon and scallops all got rave reviews at our table. The truffle french fries may have been the best fries I've ever had. The desserts were fantastic. We sampled the Eton Mess (a bit like queen of puddings) and the berry shortbread, both disappeared. We had one fussy eater at our table who ordered the burger and it wasn't his favorite but frankly you don't go to a place like this for a burger.

SNAPPA!

By Brian M |

I thought I walked in Shaker & Spear wearing my favorite socks, didn't I? Oh thats right, they were blown off by Chef Spence's WHOLE SNAPPER. You have got to see this presentation to believe it. Its an entire snapper that is rubbed with seasoning, scored along each side a few times, and then dumped whole into that fryer basket! When plated the fish sits upright with its head side bent towards its tail to make a horseshoe shape. The basil lemongrass chili flavor is pleasantly sweet with a mild spicy presence. One downward motion of your fork will reveal perfectly perfectly cooked fish that falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. This flaky fish, but with an overall firmer and thicker texture, pairs well with a nice Oregon Pinot Noir! Red wine with fish? YES!

Enjoyable Evening

By Des G |

We visited on a Saturday evening at a very busy time. Service was efficient but a bit slow initially to take out order. The food was very good, with all our dishes beautifully plated and delicious. I especially enjoyed the sea bass entree.

Include this restaurant when you visit!

By Vacationer588794 |

What a treat! Delicious cocktails and a variety of wine by the glass. We enjoyed grilled octopus, duck breast and mussels. All the dishes were well presented and Soooo tasty. Attentive and friendly service too. Definitely recommend!

Don’t miss this place

By joesV3866FE |

Upscale atmosphere is a ready complement to an upbeat, professional staff that really enjoys their job and their clients The menu is inspired, interesting, unique and wonderful Rose served our meal after educating us on the content and preparation details. Her enthusiasm was infectious and unreserved. Service is backed by a full team from sommelier to the bidders Fun and delicious

Crabcake Benedict Beauty

By Denise N |

Highly recommended Crabcake Eggs Benedict were full of crab flavor, delicate bearnaise, shaved ham, and flawless poached eggs. Gorgeous taste and presentation. Side potatoes were crispy outside and fluffy inside. Our server Miriam was fresh faced and attentive. Coffee full of flavor and smooth low acidity. One thing to improve was the time between ordering and receiving our breakfast seemed to take extra long.

Grabbed by an Octopus

By RangerGreg501 |

Dinner during a downtown staycation. Oyster starter with celery micro greens and spicy frozen mignonette. Perfection. Then dear wife had grilled octopus with romesco sauce. I had duck confit with celeriac purée and Brussel sprouts. We swapped a lot and agreed both were really good. Waitgodess Katy was remarkable with food and wine recommendations. When she brought final bill, we got previously unmentioned 10% Locals discount. Place was full the whole time we were there. I can see why.

Best dining experience in a long time

By Bobbie V |

Our server Mitch was the best ever. I can still taste the chicken n dumplings. The lamb meatballs were flavorful and tender. Wonderful experience and definitely going back.

food didn't quite live up to expectations

By Barbara K |

This started as an excellent experience. It's a lovely not-too-loud space, and we had great service. The only difficulty is deciding what to order from the exciting menu! We started with the scotch olives, just as good as everyone says. My husband and I split the B.L.A.S.T., and this day the S was salmon (we're told other times it's sausage, so you might want to ask). Very glad we split it, as it was huge. I would prefer less roll, as even though each ingredient was good, the whole was fairly flavorless. Aioli was scarce. The truffle fries, however, were fabulous! We ate them all. My bloody mary was also underflavored and unexciting except for horseradish.

Delicious food, excellent service

By SummerTimeFine |

I had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful meal at the bar during my recent trip to Seattle--the food was great--oysters in particular were to die for. But the service? That made the whole experience, our whole night really. Kate was SO nice--just really genuine and she made the whole meal with her great recommendations of food and apps and she encouraged and paired our orders with wine--all went with the meal perfectly!! We will definitely be back and I will look forward to hopefully another awesome meal with Kate giving us the rundown on must-have selections!

Expensive with poor service

By Claude P |

Not a great combination here. Especially with so many other places close by. The wait staff was apathetic and lifeless the rare times they could be found. I went to this small restaurant for breakfast because I was staying in the hotel above. The wait staff could not manage the handful of breakfast diners that were there. The food was pretty good as long as you didn’t need anything else because nobody was available to bring it. I see absolutely no reason to go to Shaker+Spear.

Great place to Celebrate a Birthday

By fencermom |

Celebrated our daughter's birthday here and staff went out of their way to make her feel special! Service was magnificent! Octopus was AMAZING! The Whole Snapper was a work of art and tasted magnificent. Unfortunately, the Seafood & Chorizo Paella was NOT. I recommend they take this off the menu altogether. Blistered Green Beans were kind of flavorless but the desserts made up for it. We will be back!

not impressed

By InSeattle |

Didn't know this place existed until I walked by it and searched on yelp. Good reviews, so we went in and tried scallops, crab cake, and the burger. Not bad at all, but nothing really stood out. Something was missing. It's like a great idea that wasn't well executed. Gave me a feeling that the food here's overpriced.

One of our best meals of our trip

By Jatszer |

Great ambiance! With awesome craft cocktails, and our meal was delicious. Pro tip..... if you like nuts get the warm salted pistachio crumble!!!

Really Great Meal!

By acme9394 |

This was our first dinner in Seattle. The menu was amazing, food was great, server was knowledgeable of the items and the wine list. This one is highly rated for good reason. Our friends that live in Seattle visit there often as well.

Very nice atmosphere and service

By JEREMY_and_LISA |

We really enjoyed our dinner here. The fish was very good and burrata salad too! The service was also very good with lots if knowledge.

Nice atmosphere; Good Food

By Onthebacknine |

Hotel restaurant that doesn't feel like one (that's a good thing to me). Nice ambiance--kind of casual chic. Service by Mitchell was attentive and personable. We started with charred octopus--a small serving but tasty. That was followed by the scallops and seafood paella as mains, with a side of brussels sprouts. Pumpkin bread for dessert. The food was very good, but didn't wow. That said, an enjoyable meal.

Crusted Rockfish is a must

By LAFUN |

This restaurant is very chic inside, and very Instagramable (if you’re into that kind of thing). You have to order the crusted rockfish, it’s unreal and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever had before. And for a starter you have to get the ricotta kale pomegranate dish. I also loved their cocktails and the names of them, to give you a taste, my favorite was deliver me from L.L. Bean which is Camus vs cognac, benedictine D.O.M., chai, lemon, soda, and bubbles.

Trendy & delicious, but not pretentious

By Jessica Z |

Came here on a Tuesday while I was in town for business and was so happy with this choice. The food was delicious - the menu is very seafood focused. The ambiance was great and I love the design of the restaurant. The standout for our table was the the octopus appetizer which was so tender and amazing, you HAVE to get it. Our waiter was also super friendly and funny. He had a casual manner, but still provided upscale service if that makes sense.

Perfection

By Sarah |

My husband and I had the most amazing meal ever here! We started with the Hood Canal Manila Clams and they were cooked to perfection but the sauce and bread was to die for! For my main course I had the scallops which were perfect, everything on the plate was perfect! We split the Mac and cheese…..it was the perfect shareable for us. My husband had the rib eye and prawns which were also cooked to perfection! 10/10 will be back!

very good food and excellent drinks

By Irene Z |

Wonderful food in a casual environment. Only complaint is we had a terrific waiter but he rushed us a bit. I think he wanted to leave. But the food was excellent and the cocktails very good as well.

Seattle at it’s Best

By Philip M |

This is a relatively new restaurant in the up and coming Belltown area of Seattle. My wife and I were staying downtown and we selected this because of it’s proximity and new availability. We found this to be an exceptional experience in every respect. The ambience is welcoming , fresh and clean. The staff are attentive and well-trained and they perform well as a team. The cocktail options are exceptionally innovative and satisfying. We shared several of their starters, each of which was star quality. The crusted Rockfish and the charred octopus were perfect and quintessential northwest cuisine. We will return here over and over to explore the rest of the menu.

Good Overall Experience

By AlexisRF |

I enjoyed my experience in this place. Went here for lunch with my friend and from the moment we walked in to the time we left, the service was pretty awesome. Everyone who works there were great especially Spencer who was very engaging and helpful...the way servers should always be. This is an example where the service aspect of a restaurant helps with the rating. The ambiance is casual elegance, the noise level is normal and the food rating varies Salmon tartare very good Crab cake is just ok I may return to try other stuff

Bolas de Bacalao Frito

By Jeffrey D |

Stopped in for brunch at noon on a Saturday and the food did not disappoint. Sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the well coordinated kitchen team in action. The salt cod beignets (Bolas de Bacalao Frito) were light, airy and crispy on the outside with a succulent center of creamy cod. The salsa verde was a perfect companion. My wife loved her smoked salmon frittata though it was more than she could finished. I opted for the BLAST (bacon, lettuce, avocado, salmon, tomato) sandwich with plain shoestring fries. The fries were delightful — double fried so they were super crispy on the outside. The sandwich was delicious and filling enough to last through an entire day of Christmas shopping. The staff were all super friendly but the place is small so I’m sure reservations are a must for evenings.

Lovely lunch in relaxing restaurant

By Sue B |

Enjoyed fish in this busy restaurant located near the market. The food was cooked fresh and was really tasty. It was a great lunch stop.

Pleasant surprise

By Danijela |

Great dinner! We got charred octopus, Burrata tomato salad (shocked how much we loved it), scallops, and desserts. All absolutely amazing! The menu changes as they use seasonal local ingredients. Out server Adrianne was phenomenal and her recommendations were spot on! She was kind and attentive and we loved her. We are so glad we had dinner here.

Great Food. Great staff. Stay away from the Paella

By Mark V |

Overall, the six of us really enjoyed our dinner. The server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made great suggestions. Three of us orderered the paella with mixed reviews. One really enjoyed it, one has had better but enjoyed it, and I was disappointed. The rice was undercooked (or possible overcooked), and the squid ink was an unnecessary embellishment. The seafood portion was cooked perfectly but the other meat was unidentifiable. Truly, though, I was the only one of the adults who was disappointed with the entree. I would recommend Shaker + Spear if you stay away from the paella.

One of our favorite go-to's in Seattle

By Kale |

Great for brunch, romantic for dinner. Food is underrated and seasonal menu is top-notch. Check it out - you won't be disappointed. We've been here probably 15 times over the last several years and we still go back!

Absolutely average

By herculepoirot |

Kimpton restaurants, like their hotels, are hit and miss. This one -- after having an array of dishes -- is quite forgettable. The service was great but no one in our party commented loving anything we had. Just crickets, if you will. The food was prepared well but just lacked spark, flavor and imagination (other than the black currant sorbet which is amazing). And no one who goes to a place like this would EVER admit they're overpaying for diner food essentially. And this reminds me of a great old diner in Maine where everything is half the price and much more memorable.

Tasty dishes

By foodlovergirlny |

This restaurant is connected to a Kimpton Palladian Hotel. The inside was bigger than it seemed from the outside. They had nice relaxing seating at the back, with all sorts of displays, neatly lined up on the shelves. They only had one server, who was really nice and helpful. While he was taking an order from a table with a group, a manager noticed we were waiting to place our order, and came right over. Nice to see that the management would willingly step up to support. We had Greek Lamb Meatballs, Salt Cod Beignets, and B.L.A.S.T. with fries upgraded to Truffle Parmesan Fries. All the dishes were quite tasty, we enjoyed every bite! The sandwich was much bigger than I thought it would be, which was great since we were sharing. We enjoyed all the dishes, so we decided to push our luck with a dessert. We chose Warm Salted Pistachio Crumble. It had loads of pistachio everywhere, on top, spread around the cake, and in the inside of the cake too! Great and rich flavor, we loved it! It was indeed a pleasant lunch. The services a bit slow since there was only one server the entire time, but he was polite, friendly, and helpful. The manager also helped out here and there. The lunch menu was interesting, but I saw they have even more interesting menu for dinner, I would like to try some of their fantastic dinner offering the next time I visit Seattle!

Really good over multiple visits

By Elissa F |

Really enjoyed Shaker + Spear. Food and service were very good even across multiple visits. Recommend their fish dishes - creative and yummy. Also their appetizers. Nice wines too even by the glass. So many restaurants like this end up losing their standards - they start over-saucing, allowing quality slippage, letting servers get lazy. But it doesn't seem that way here. Even the “worst” things were just fine, just not spectacular. Can’t argue with consistent level of goodness.

Good food but experience ruined by the manager

By Steves_Rickshaw |

I’ll start with the positive (the food), but you should know up front it was a bad experience. We started with the Charred Octopus which had great flavor but was a bit tough. For entrées, both the Scallops and the Duck Breast were amazing! Although only 3 scallops for $40 makes it quite overpriced. The server was nice and efficient but not very friendly and we barely saw him after ordering. The food was brought to the table by a woman we suspected might be an inexperienced food runner. Rather than stopping at each diner and describing the plate, she continued to circle around and mumble about the dishes towards no specific person or table. We had no idea whose dish she was describing, and then she just sort of faded off as she left the table. At the start, the waiter offered to track a bill for us and the other couple. As we concluded, the waiter brought the bill. This is where things got messy. Our bill was correct, so we paid. Then the waiter came and said he made an error. (He hadn’t.) He thought he “corrected” it, but instead added an item to our bill that was also already on the other couple’s bill. We pointed this out, and awaited another bill (identical to the first). But instead of simply voiding everything and starting over, the waiter tried to make some offset adjustment to the already processed incorrect bill (without any explanation or reconciliation). Then he disappeared. I asked for the manager, who to our surprise, was actually the “inexperienced food runner” we encountered earlier. She rudely argued the transaction, blamed their point-of-sale system, and thought it was silly to want itemized and credit card receipts for the transaction. A tad less arrogance and a smidge of customer service could have simply resolved this. So word of warning, enjoy the food but beware the bill.

Lovely dining experience

By grenisv |

Really enjoyed our evening. Our sever was outstanding and the presentation of the food was really artistic. This restaurant is attached to the Kimpton, but so much more than a hotel restaurant. Our appetizers were delicious! Had the olives & pickles, and the crab dip. The octopus is highly recommended, so I tried it. It was delicious. Our popovers were over cooked, which was disappointing. The butter served with it was delicious however. Our dessert was fun. Our port pour seemed a little stingy. My husbands fish was good, but the arugula salad was overdressed. A bigger plate would have made it easier to eat as well. Fun to see the Executive Chef finish every dish, and even deliver to our table. The atmosphere of the staff was super positive. It looks like a team that really enjoys working together!

Amazing Culinary Surprise

By Robledo73 |

The reviews got me here... the experience Inspired my desire to come back... The octopus and the clam appetizer are a must!!! The overall exprime is one of a kind!

Shake and Spear Take the Triple Crown of the Evening!

By Zach Reed |

Where do I start?? The service? The food? The ambiance? To say that all three were amazing is an understatement. That's really what compelled me to write a review, rarely does a restaurant nail all three of these aspects of the dining adventure. The service. If I were forced to choose between the service, food and ambiance my favorite would have to be the service. My wife and I were spent the evening being hosted by Robyn, who is truly a master of her craft. She was polite yet casual and friendly, and acted as though she knew exactly what we wanted. The confidence she displayed from the get go made me sure that we were in great hands, and honestly it made the night that much more enjoyable because I knew she wouldn't steer us in the wrong direction. I judge a restaurant almost more so on the staff than the food because you can't have one without the other and the best restaurants attract the best talent. The food. We started with the charred octopus, which in my opinion is one of the most difficult dishes for a restaurant to master. Shaker and Spear is the only restaurant I have come across in the Puget Sound that can do this with perfection. It was beyond tender which must have taken the chef hours of prep (kudos on that effort!) I had the whole snapper, which was grilled to perfection. The highlight on this dish is the presentation, it comes as a whole fish (obvious from the description) but wow was this an impressive plating. This dish is the embodiment of the of the restaurant's name as I felt as though the chef had speared the catch that morning just for me. My wife had the chicken and dumplings as she is not as the seafood lover that I am. Yet another reason why this restaurant is so unbelievable, there is something on the menu for everyone. She absolutely loved the chicken, which says a lot as it is the best dish that she makes herself and is always reluctant to tip her cap to someone upstaging her, even if they are a professional :) The ambiance. This place is perfect for Seattle, the design it is simple and elegant. It is not a pretentious white table cloth snob fest, rather it is down to earth like their employees. Half the fun of the dining experience is just taking in the details of the establishment. I also liked the pun filled menu, proving the chef is artfully tactful and doesn't take themselves too seriously, my kind of crowd and consistent with the rest of the experience. You have to try this place if you haven't already, and if you're lucky enough to sit in Robyn's section be sure and let her choose the wine!

Extremely Bad

By Denise70 |

We were staying in the hotel & had made dinner reservations, and it started off poorly, and did not improve. The woman who seated us was dour, without smiles or eye contact or humor of any kind. Definitely in need of a course in hospitality. The waiter was the best part of the evening; friendly, cordial, helpful & provided great service. We ordered drinks; there was next to no alcohol in them. We ordered the beignets for appetizer; they looked wonderful, but they were not cooked. The inside dough was mostly raw batter; gooey. It was not soft, as from melted cheese, it was uncooked. Our dinners were just as lack-luster, and served warm, not hot. Dessert was good, but it was like something you’d find in a buffet restaurant. Lemon pudding with vanilla wafers, served in a tumbler glass with ice cream, whip cream & sprinkles. Nothing special at all. And lukewarm coffee. I would not recommend this restaurant; over priced, over rated, with generally poorly prepared & boring food.

Unusual usuals

By Clairebabbles |

Tried this new resteraunt due to its closeness to the Moore and interesting menus. Had the appetizers cod beignets’s and grilled prawns! The beignets with salsa sauce were interesting and not like anything I have ever tasted, the grilled prawns were exceptional! We both had the crusted rockfish with pancetta and it was just plain wonderful!!!!!! I would love to go back again and have a meal with several starters and appetizers, just to try all these different and exciting takes on some usual foods!,,, Btw our server was so informative and just plain lovely.......The atmosphere was festive yet you were able to converse without shouting. Loved this place! A great place for the adventurous foodie and friends who love to share plates on a special occasion!!!!

Best meal we've had in Seattle!

By Rob S |

Just had dinner at Shaker + Spear, and that was not only the best meal we've had in Seattle (here for a conference with my firm), but it was also easily the best meal I've personally had in a LONG time. Wow. Simple menu but absolutely outstanding preparation and presentation. Terrific, friendly, service without being obtrusive. Struck just the right balance. We had the Miso Caesar Salad for a starter -- lighter than a regular version, but still very flavorful -- followed by Salmon, with sides of the potatoes in Duck Fat and the Mushrooms -- again, absolutely stunning flavor combinations -- finished off with 3 desserts. Our only disappointment was that we were too full by the end to entirely finish off the desserts. Can't recommend this place highly enough!

Tasty but I don’t think it warrants a second visit

By Marsha M |

The food was good. Although I found the hush puppies incredibly dense and dry and the shrimp was very tasty except I could’ve done with more of it and the oysters were delicious and so was the drinks. I usually test out new restaurants by the level of ordering several appetizers because if they can master the small plates then the large ones will be amazing and this was fine.

Superb Cuisine

By Alyssa R |

My husband and I went to Shaker & Spear for our anniversary and had an amazing experience. Our server, Robyn, was incredibly helpful and made our night so special, recommending the scallops and pork which were both incredible dishes. We highly recommend Shaker & Spear to our friends and can’t wait to return to try more dishes!

Good meal

By Laura L |

Good service and food: be aware not all portion sizes were equal. For example, the steak was a large portion, while the cod was a smaller portion that needed an additional side (came with a little kale and a broth) to make it a meal. The cod was nothing to write home about (barely tasted the miso glaze, not too flavorful kale) but family member said the steak was one of the best ones he’d had in a while, so still counting it as a success.

Excellent

By timiniowa |

One advantage of traveling alone is that you can almost always get a seat for dinner. Even here at the Shaker + Spear where, last night, all the tables were booked until after 8:00pm. But they sat me at the bar and took great care of me. The char with au gratin potatoes was most numsical. The bartender suggested a chilled Pinot noir and it was exellentulious. The atmosphere was both hyped and subdued. By that I mean it was alive and busy and smiling yet not too loud. I hate rock concert volume at restaurants. I took a picture of my meal but not until after I had torn into it. That photo is not flattering, but the food was nourishmanic!

Clever cocktails and delicious food= winning combination

By Dawn W |

The small plates are so good that we hardly had room for our entrees. Smickles, salt cod beignets, charred octopus and salmon tartare were a great beginning. Fun vibe and good times. Mitch was our outstanding waiter who made our evening more memorable.

Excellent experience

By Ljsw05 |

Just put yourself in Mitch's hands. His suggestions sequenced a special experience. Best octopus ever - so tender. Nice touch that the chef delivered our main course. Great wine list

A Good Stop

By JETINDY |

After walking around Seattle a good bit we had a late breakfast here and were not disappointed. Food and service were excellent and powered us up to continue our exploration of Seattle.

Simply Scrumptious!

By Deby S |

Misty Inn Bed and Breakfast was a piece of North Coast Paradise. Starting with Jim greeting as we arrived and taking us around the place. He showed us where all their homey amenities where including fresh bakery goodies and a hot tub. He was very knowledgeable of the area for dinner and things to see. Their breakfast was over the top delicious with drinks, a rose and the weather brought to our door. I would love to come back if we are in the area. They all know how to pamper you!

Outstanding Dinner Experience!

By FarAway735648 |

Everything about eating a meal here was enjoyable. The cocktail program offers many creative options, and the food offerings left us wanting more. Service staff was very attentive and offered some great recommendations for our experience. I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself!

Fabulous place!

By Suesouch |

Absolutely loved this restaurant. The staff were all friendly, helpful and attentive. The cocktails were amazing and the food was beautiful presented and delicious.

Elegance Is About Being Remembered

By Ross T |

Staying at the Palladian Hotel, after cocktails in the hotel lounge, we decided to dine at this adjoining restaurant. It was a great choice, as it was an excellent food experience. For appetizers we had oysters, tiger prawns, avocado crab salad, & focaccia with a huge dollop of dill butter. For entrees we enjoyed whole fried red snapper, scallops, steelhead trout and pea risotto. We decided to have dessert and after dinner drinks. This is when things became somewhat amusing. Every drink and liquor we ordered turned out to be unavailable. This happened over so many iterations that our server, somewhat flustered, gave us our desserts & drinks gratis. It was a wonderful evening, the food was fantastic, and service was exquisite.

Delicious food in nice space.

By CheltenhamPaul |

We had a 'large plate' each and shared a desert. The large plates were not particularly large but the food was delicious. Scallops and Halibut. Then we shared a pear crumble which was the best dessert we had on our trip. Very high quality food and cooking.

Very tasty

By Sergio G |

We had the fish beignet to start and the pesto sauce that came with it was excellent. One of us had a fish that was served standing up and was really a great presentation. The food was great and luckily we got to sit upstairs because they serve we same food but less noisy than downstairs.

Great food and great service.

By Mary Bird B |

We just had a great meal and wonderful service from Ben and the manager for our 50th wedding anniversary! The food was great and the service was outstanding. Ben was a fun and entertaining server. We had the halibut and the salmon - both were extremely tasty. We will return when we are back in Seattle.

Yummy seafood restaurant

By Gabby |

Our meal was lovely. Starting with scallops and charred octopus was a great beginning. We decided to share a catch of the day being snapper when we visited. It was all delicious complemented by smashed potatoes. Unfortunately the dessert we requested from the menu was unavailable. We are not sure why. Apart from that it was a good experience.

Delicious Food & Great Service

By CharlietheBlueJay |

First the drinks are very interesting & creative. We had the Corpse Reviver and Welcome to Earth both fabulous. I had smickles which are deep friend smelts & pickles, a strange combination that really works, nice dipping sauce. My partner had Salt Cod Beignet which were delicious but too many for one person, we should of shared this one. For our Entres we had Artic Char & Paella which again were very delicious. Dessert very yummy, current sorbet & Pie Screem (lemon pie frozen ice cream) The service was very good & timed just right. Our server knew his menu and was very helpful. We would go back.

Brunch Paella

By Jackson Teal |

Made a reservation on OpenTable. This place has great aesthetics and amazing food. We came for brunch and had the banana pancakes and shrimp & chorizo paella as well as mimosas. Both meals were incredible. Great service and great separation and precautions for covid. We parked on the street around the corner.

Try it out!

By Terry and Kat |

The rolls, pork chop and salmon were delicious. The strawberry rhubarb crisp was satisfactory. The A/C wasn’t working so it was hot which made our experience less than ideal.

All the courses were so well balanced and the service was impeccable.

By bbarbee |

After doing a lot of research on the top restaurants in the area we came here and were not disappointed. All 4 courses were fantastic, each in their own way. All super interesting and well balanced and delicious. Many thanks to Karen for the excellent service and the great suggestions. I could eat Arctic char for every meal.

Excellent breakfast!

By Cicily B |

Great service, nice atmosphere, great food! We had breakfast - mushroom omelet and avocado toast - well presented and delicious!

Amazing food!

By sjukick |

Don’t just read the menu and pass this restaurant by...you need to go and hear the wonderful staff explain it to you. When they are done you will want to order everything! The salt cod beignets and octopus were delicious. For entrees we had the whole snapper, Arctic char and steak and shrimp. We also had a side of gingered brussel sprouts and rosemary popovers. Presentation was great and the food was spectacular. We will definitely be back!

Poor Customer Service

By foodandducklover |

So I tried to go here for breakfast and arrived about five minutes before 10 and was turned away as they were shutting down. I was eating solo and there were only a few people in the restaurant. When I pushed on it saying come on I just walked 15 minutes, he simply stated that they re-open at 11:30 for lunch. Still a bit shocked especially for the reviews as well as it being a Kimpton property.

Eat all the starters and sides on the menu

By Molly D |

Shaker + Spear came highly recommended so I went with a group of coworkers for a team dinner recently with pretty big expectations. I was almost entirely satisfied and very happy with every single shareable, starter, and side we ordered (and we ordered a lot), but the main dishes fell a bit short. This could be because we were full from the massive first round, but the three or four main dishes we tried just didn't feel quite as strong as things like the salt cod beignets, the "scotch" olives, octopus, or tartar. The shrimp scampi with the steak was a bit watery and the scallops good, but the risotta just okay. Not bad by any stretch of the imagination, just not as good as everything beyond the mains. The wine list gives good options and our starter cocktails were great so don't short yourself there. I'd happily go back to Shaker + Spear for a feast of shareables, starters, and sides any day.

Just a few Opportunities for Improvement

By Kinda Invisible |

We arrived a few minutes early and were trying to follow the sign for valet parking that is in front of the hotel. Once we turned the corner and saw the entrance to the restaurant there wasn't any more signage. Apparently we had slowed down enough for a woman to come up to our truck asking if we wanted valet parking. She had valet tickets but no other uniform or anything that would indicate she was legit. We asked her questions until we were satisfied and then left our vehicle with her. We were still too early for our reservation so we headed upstairs to the lounge and enjoyed a cocktail. The server was exceptionally friendly and had the bartender make me an off-menu drink that was delicious. The restaurant is small and a bit too crowded if any table next to yours is having too much of a good time, which was our experience. Still, the four of us ordered our drinks and started to peruse the menu. We ordered oysters and clams for starters; especially enjoying the tasty broth with the clams. I was tempted to ask for some to take home it was so good! Entrees were duck, steelhead, and a massive steak platter with shrimp added at an extra cost. All were very good but the temperature made us wonder if our food had been sitting for a while (no one likes cold-ish) food :( Desserts were yummy--including the fromage platter (actually, it was my favorite!). All in all, I think they have a few things to iron out, but we enjoyed ourselves.

Awesome presentation

By lhockersmith |

Had dinner here with a friend during a visit to Seattle. I ordered the scallop dish and she ordered the chicken and dumplings. Both dishes were delicious and the presentation was especially cool on the dumplings. Service was okay, but in their defense it was extremely busy. Definitely make reservations. We had to sit at the bar because they did not have tables available.

Delicious Abounds!

By Wajere |

Shaker+Spear was a delightful feast for our taste buds! We shared several appetizers between 4 people - the octopus and shrimp were amazing!!! Following these tasty morsels, the entrees was delicious - whole fried snapper was good and impressive in its presentation, the artic char yummy and pork chop was delicious although swimming a bit much in its sauce. The ever changing cocktail specials showed a fun side. The dining room is tasteful with warm lighting of shelves with various knick knacks. The staff was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly, especially server Roseanne, enthusiastic as she oriented us to the menu and spot on throughout!

Incredible service + delicious food!

By Alyssa R |

My husband and I went to Shaker + Spear to celebrate my birthday, and we had the best time. Our server, Robyn, made sure all our needs were met and even suggested incredible wine pairings with our meals! She was so friendly, prompt, and always attentive to our table. She made suggestions for what to order, and we absolutely loved everything (pro tip: order the octopus, it was the best I've ever tasted!) We cannot wait to return and try more of their dishes! Also, don't forget to try their desserts- the pistachio crumble was to die for!

Food Phenomenal - Staff Exquisite

By Arla G |

Venturing out to experience great dining is now a passion. Thankfully we tried Shaker + Spear because it does not disappoint. The menu reflects the region and a mix of color, taste and texture that are not typical. From cocktails to dessert you are connected to the staff and feel their enthusiasm for your special experience. This will be a night to remember always.

Last Night of Honeymoon Trip

By Heather K |

We really enjoyed our late dinner at Shaker + Spear. The hostess came to find us at the hotel bar when our table was ready, and the service was impeccable from that point forward. Our waitress, Heidi, was very friendly and helpful. She made excellent recommendations, especially considering they were sold out of the whole snapper, which was my choice for dinner. We loved everything! (The Scotch olives, octopus appetizer, arctic char, and paella were all amazing.) In act, we left no room for dessert :) Heidi brought us each a glass of bubbly to toast our last night, and we left two very happy (newlywed) campers!

Outstanding breakfast 3 days in a row

By Jim H |

Well managed, food was great, very clean and staff worked together well. Great attention to all details of service. There was no wait on any day and all food was prepared within sight.

A delightful way to spend a little more for a special occasion

By Lucy L |

I'm a student by day, but from time to time I like to pretend I'm a fancy lady and indulge in a upscale experience. Even when I do, my budget-conscious mind is constantly questioning if things are worth it. My fears were assuaged in a place like this. I was meeting up with some friends for dinner and drinks and we snagged a few seats at the bar--it abuts the open kitchen but offers a little more light than the rest of the place (a nice spot for long summer evenings!). The interior is much more modern than the exterior suggests, with touches of classic style. We were treated to delicious cocktail creations by our bartender Adam, including blackberry daquiris and bellinis that were perfect for welcoming summer. As a bonus, even the teetotaler in our party got to enjoy a yummy mocktail. The food that we ordered was beyond tasty. We started off with the grilled octopus, burrata, and truffle fries. For the main we had a special consisting of halibut and crab with aioli and corn sauce. -That octopus though...I don't know if there was any octopus massaging involved like I saw in that documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, but this stuff was so tender and tasty--one friend was in disbelief over how meaty the texture was. As for me the only other time I've had such good octopus was at a Peruvian restaurant in London a couple years back. -Truffle fries were shoestring fries packed with parmesan shavings and truffle flavor. I love shoestring fries and the only other place in Seattle I've seen them is at Schulzy's in the U District. -The special main dish was SO GOOD. I know this place brands itself as a seafood restaurant but even when places do it's hard to get seafood right 100% of the time. If this were an episode of Buzzfeed's Worth It, this would be my winner.

Great Meal!

By Traci W |

This is the second time I ate here. I am a woman traveling alone for business and I am very comfortable in the bar here for dinner. I had fish both visits and both were very good. The prices are reasonable and the service is perfect.

Go for the halibut, you will not be disappointed

By Travelseeker1125 |

The halibut was amazing with the capers and croutons. The salmon entree was very good. Would recommend if you are looking for a low key restaurant that cares about the quality of food & presentation with great service.

Delicious!

By Paige A |

Great service and recommendations by our server Mitch. He was very attentive and professional. Excellent recommendations from cocktails to our food selections and the food presentation is also incredible. The octopus is grilled to perfection. The flavours are so incredible!!. Try the scotch olives -another must have. The desserts looked incredible. Be sure to stop in. You will love it.

Excellent dinner

By Sarah G |

Great dinner experience. Service and atmosphere were both very nice. I highly recommend the grilled octopus and whole redfish, so good. Would definitely come back.

Disappointing & Overrated

By Jezza G |

Cannot understand how this restaurant can be rated so well – a few good points but overall a big miss. Walked in for our reservation and taken to our table by the most disinterested person who barely grunted a word. Poor start but at least the server was more cheerful and helpful. The food was mixed at best. Firstly the pan-seared Alaskan halibut with squash, butter beans, edamame, spicy tomatillo puree + breakfast radish. The halibut was a tiny portion but well cooked, however, the sauce was lukewarm and wasn’t spicy at all (like they missed this part entirely) and was served on cold plate. The King Cole duck breast with eggplant gochijang puree, black garlic, lotus chips, roasted red + golden beets was fine. The sweet potato fries were so covered with salt that I thought about calling ahead to a coronary care hospital. The poached pear with crumble and cream was poor. It was cold, odd and bitter with no pear taste and the crumble was a sprinkling if that. And finally, the chevre cheesecake with hazelnut graham crust and blackberry compote was truly awful. It was one stodgy lump of goo that looked like cat food (actually, I wouldn’t feed a cat that) plonked on a plate with no blackberry compote (again, think they missed this part completely as well).

Love it!

By Mitchell B |

Been coming here for occasional date nights for quite a while. Food and drinks are top-notch (Hellooooo, Octopus and top-shelf tequila!), and the entire staff is friendly, engaging, and super knowledgeable. Definitely recommend.

family dinner

By industry person |

Nice and cozy location with an open kitchen. The service team were attentive and worked as a team. We had the mushroom pate and cedar plank salmon lox for appetizer. The Duck, Black Cod and scallops for a main and the fried marble potato salad. All were nicely presented and cooked to perfection. Definitely will come back next time visiting Seattle.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

By The Vagabonder |

I can't recommend this place enough! I've been here multiple times now and will be going back for multiple more times! So the drinks...oh so delicious! Try any of the cocktails! The food...bon appetit! From the appetizers to the meals, you can't go wrong. Definitely go with other people so you can try as many things on the menu as possible. The staff...perfect! Always super friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and they give the best recommendations! Basically, if you want to have a good time, in a cool, hip bar right downtown, this is the place. Whether it's just drinks or a full dinner, this is THE place. Enjoy!

Amazing food and friendly staff

By Maria Y |

Went here for breakfast and I just have to say AMAZING! I had the avocado toast and all ingredients were simply fresh. The restaurant is very hip and trendy but felt warm at the same time. The staff is friendly and our waiter, Dodge, EL Amor! I comment to her on how much I like her earrings and she went beyond and left them on my room door! Happiest person ever and so grateful! happy to find people like her. Such a lovely person. Highly recommend the restaurant :)

Amazing

By deliah_wilson |

The chicken and dumplings give me life. Honestly one of the best things I have ever eaten. They absolutely revived me for the final day of my convention. Highly recommend.

Truly a 5 star experience

By Morgan Wells |

Shaker and spear came highly recommended from our close friends. My friend and I decided to celebrate new beginnings by having dinner here. We received a super warm greeting from their manager Ryan and host Caleigh! My friend and I are industry, so we always ask people for names! It honestly always enhances an experience. I had mentioned to Ryan we were celebrating and right after we sat we were immediately greeted with bubbles! Karen was so gracious and present with us even though I could tell she was extremely busy. My friend has quite a few food allergies, but Karen was very knowledgeable and guided us through the menu. We decided to gamble and let her pick out what we were having start to finish and let me tell you... I’m beyond happy we did. The food she order us sparked so much emotion and curiosity! The English pea Burata and sassy peanut shrimp are a must have. We were lucky enough to have their chef who happens to be a Women (AMAZING) stop by and ask how our food was! Please come here for an experience. It’s more than just a meal. It’s a 5 star experience.

Delicious food and drinks

By world1explorer |

Other than loud music (around 78 Db), the atmosphere was great. Food was solid and service was great. Overall a bit expensive for the value delivered (e.g., no free refills on the sodas), but menu was well put together and reasonably well executed. Not the best meal we had in Seattle, but up there with the high end restaurants.

Open, inviting, and delicious

By Rosa O |

I came in with a group of friends last week, and we were pleased to grab a spot at the corner bar. From our vantage point, we had a great view of things going on in the open kitchen and at the bar, as well as the activity in the dining room. It's a really cute place, and despite it being a busy Friday, things were very calm. I got there much earlier than my friends so I had a chance to chat with the bartender, Adam, about his food and drink recommendations. He was so friendly - I'm not a big drinker, and he immediately had multiple suggestions for me if I chose to imbibe or hold back, and the housemade tonic I settled on was the best I've ever had. They make a lot of their ingredients in house, and they were running a couple tantalizing-sounding drink specials using some local blackberry puree - yum! I have several food allergies, and Adam was quick to assure me that there would be plenty I could enjoy. (Heads up for GF peeps - there are a LOT of options for you here!) I was immediately drawn to the burrata, with some tasty cheese crisps, fresh greens, and a delicious sauce. I also enjoyed a halibut special with dungeness crab, and truffled parmesan french fries. Although my friends had finished dining by this point, I'll admit that I was wooed by a bubbling and delicious mac and cheese that someone near me ordered and I had one for "dessert." Totally worth it. I'm a little upset that as a Seattle native, I hadn't checked this place out yet, but I will absolutely return because there are many things that I'm upset I didn't have the stomach capacity to try.

Best meal in a loooooong time!

By Ryan S |

Absolutely amazing meal. We had several different cocktails…some of which that were on the menu and some that were not. Ask Lydia to make you a spicy gin cocktail, you can’t go wrong. We finished our meal off with a piece of cheesecake that was amazing. Very impressed!!!

Fabulous

By 406aprilj |

This was by far one of my most memorable dinners in Seattle. The food was unbelievably delicious, wait staff were so friendly and helpful with recommendations. I was a single diner so I sat at the counter watching chef cook. Wonderful dining experience!

Great food, great drinks, great people

By April T |

Love this place. It's great every time - scotch olives, charred octopus, everything. The staff is always friendly. I was in recently with a group of friends for my birthday and they couldn't have made it more special. Aces!

Great food and service!

By AMD907 |

The food was great and so was the service. I had the duck and my mother had the salmon and we both liked our meals a lot. We were in Seattle during a cold snap and unlike most of the other restaurants we visited, this place was appropriately heated (though the people by the window still had their jackets on).

Great Service and "Fancy Food"

By gigiparis |

Had a lovely evening with great food presentation and a server who was hilarious and attentive. Would love to return in the near future.

Brilliant brunch

By Samacaiz |

Dropped in for brunch before our afternoon flight out of the country. Portions were huge. We took half of our lemon ricotta pancake and waffle with us to finish at the airport. Both were excellent and the remains stood up well to the journey out to SEATAC. A fitting farewell to Seattle.

Brunch!

By PismoLulu |

Great brunch on the weekends! Eggs Benedict are fantastic. The make their own berry juice - - we offered it with a shot of vodka. A great upgrade and wonderful alternative to a mimosa!

Come of the food; stay for the outstanding experience

By Wedge |

Excellent menu; nice environs; learned and amiable server (Brent). Excellent food chemistry - an exacting thoughtful chef pairs distinct spices with no fear of heat! The octopus starter was perfectly charred, with a slight bitter note to the sweetmeat, other accents include a house made sausage paste, sort of like a mild spreadable chorizo, plated with a few grilled greens for counterpoint. Local greens! They couldn’t be more fresh. Delicado squash cubes were perfectly baked and the feta cheese was heavenly! This back of the house really cares about each dish’s flavor, so the feta is lovingly soaked in fresh water to extract the sharpness, creating a mild but companionable accompaniment to the greens, sweet walnuts and red onions. The tour de force came in a one-two-punch with the main course: 1) the black cod (sable fish) was melt in your mouth perfect with well timed high heat grill marks that didn’t overheat this delicate huge flaked whitefish. Set in a light miso with lightly cooked greens (perfect heat again) 2) the scallops were seared one side creating a crust that carried through to a full spectrum of texture and flavor. Set in a bed of al dente beluga lentils. Not your typical Tom Douglas like place - uneven, overwrought and theatrical. Shaker & Spear is humble, more than capable, and hits it out of the ballpark, every dish.

Incredible

By David R |

Alone at the bar but Kate made for an incredible meal. Food was delicious and her conversation and personality topped it off.

Cosy restaurant serving great seafood and the best oysters

By mooresy2 |

This restaurant is attached to the Palladian Hotel, so even though it is technically part of a Hotel it feels more clubby. The space is smallish with a bar dominating the space. The menu is eclectic but largely seafood based. We both started off with oysters then we split the Branzino. I had cocktails during wine instead of wine here. our oysters were the most briney delicious oysters i tasted this trip. and the Branzino was excellent as well. Sort of off putting in that he just sat the fish down...head and bones intact and didn't ask if i needed help deboning it. Luckily i don't but i don't imagine too many of the ladies who were lunching there would take the time to debone a whole fish while it's eyes were on you. Ed did mention he thought the serving was smaller than usual but it was just enough food for me. All in all a hotel restaurant that feels cosy and clubby and the food is really good. I might mention that our server seemed very distracted and being that it is such a small space he shouldve been more attentive but i think it was his poor memory because time after time we would ask for something and would observe him making his rounds and then after a while reapproach our table and only then remembering what he had forgotten.. he did that all night. Even despite this hiccup i would recommend.

Excellent Dining Experience

By aztravellover007 |

We had the pleasure of dining with our entire family at Shaker + Spear for my husband's birthday. Ryan went out of his way to find us wine which we all enjoyed. Heidi assisted in selecting our meals that were absolutely delicious. Carolynn Spence, the head chef, really knows how to up the game with her creative touches on every dish that is prepared.

Service a true delight! Thank you Kate!

By sheamartinez63 |

Shaker + Spear! What an inviting atmosphere, dined with my significant other for a celebratory date, Kate was our server and she was wonderful. She walked us through the menu, offered helpful suggestions, and asked thoughtful questions in regard to our preferences. We ordered multiple plates to share, taking advantage of the varied seafood offerings. I enjoyed the preparation of the steamed clams, as well as the charred octopus! In fact, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. As for drinks, I really appreciate when a bar pays tribute to classic cocktails, Shaker + Spear offers a Corpse Reviver #2. As for wine, Kate deftly guided us through the extensive wine menu, and selected the perfect French white. Thank you Shaker + Spear, and thank you Kate! We shall return.

DELICIOUS...

By psicokitty |

Great dinner our for couples and/or friends. Lots of interesting item choices to share. Great appetizers and mains. Restaurant is quaint and has a really funky vibe. Our waitress was TERRIFIC. We loved all of her suggestions.

Slow food

By Scott_R_Seattle |

The slow food movement is alive and well in Seattle. Unfortunately, this isn’t the new aphorism for well crafted, chic food—I’m talking about painfully slow service that produces average fare, fully a la carte, at wince-worthy prices. 6 of us arrived for a business dinner, several somewhat jet lagged from east coast flights. As host, I had hoped for friendly, efficient service and memorable food. Unfortunately, we got 1 out of 3. Our group chose several appetizers and mains from the seafood forward menu. After drinks, which arrived promptly and were fine, we waited and waited and waited for appetizers that upon arrival were lukewarm and only modestly enjoyable. The mains took even longer, and even though they clearly came right from the kitchen, the servings were small and just ok—similar to several Seattle places that don’t specialize in fish. Nobody wanted to see the desert menu. By the end, drooping eyelids, unfinished plates, and a $500+ bill (without wine!) left this host embarrassed and chagrined. I hope my experience is an exception

Good breakfast

By Stefano |

We had breakfast here on our morning leaving Seattle so we were in a bit of a rush. Our server was very accommodating and got us our bill quickly when done. Food was good to average. Would recommend.

A "hotel restaurant" in location only - superb food & service!

By meredithandmarley |

My daughter and wanted to grab dinner before a show last week at the Moore. All our usual Market restaurants were booked, so I figured a hotel restaurant would probably be less crowded. All I can say is that this time we went there because of necessity, but next time it will because it was so great. What a lucky decision! PROS: - We were greeted courteously by a handsome young man at the desk who offered a table with the caveat that he had a reservation for it in 1.5 hours - we really appreciated the information up front and chose instead to sit at the chef's bar. We were told we could stay there all night if we wished - it made for a relaxed way to start the evening and it was great to watch David cook right in front of us. - The food was amazing! The octopus was moist and tender and the broccolini done perfectly with a slight garlic and smoke undertone. Likewise, the paella was full of seafood and the squid ink aoli was a fun touch despite turning our lips dark for a bit! The rosemary popovers were a lovely contrast and the grilled asparagus was to die for. Exemplary. We shared our dishes and the server, Robyn, was terrific - bringing sharing plates without our asking and even providing my daughter with a lovely sorbet on the house for her birthday. - We felt the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food and certainly in line with the the service and atmosphere. My daughter has decided to bring some of her friends down next month for a special holiday evening out. In closing, we've decided that this is going to be our new "go to" seafood restaurant since the last few times we've been to the larger seafood places on the waterfront we've been disappointed (Elliott's, are you listening?). Highly recommended!

Anniversary Brunch

By Rob S |

Anniversary Brunch at Shaker and Spear in the Klimpton Pilladian Hotel at the corner of 2nd and Virginia in Seattle. Probably the best and most reasonable brunch I’ve had in my 43 years here. Our server, Keegan, paid exquisite attention to our every need including a champagne toast! Those are crab cake eggs Benedict, popovers, salted cod beignets with salsa verde, and kale bowl. Taking a lot home...5 stars.

Amazing scallops and halibut!

By Becki W |

Intimate space with creative and tasty food! We had one of the best dinners of our trip here. Robin was helpful and service was impeccable. Food was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. We wish we lived locally so we could return again soon!

Yes, Please!

By TravelWithTG |

I was searching endlessly online, to find a nice seafood restaurant, in Seattle. I settled on Shaker and Spear and I have absolutely no regrets. Everything was spectacular from the start. Hostess was warm and friendly and welcomed us even without a reservation. All evening, the food was spectacular, but Rose, our server, made the evening. She knew her food and her wine and shared stories of the restaurant and head chef. She was funny and attentive and wonderful to chat with, while she was at our table. I had the octopus and the seafood and chorizo paella, while the table shared some rosemary popovers. The octopus was succulent and tender and bursting with flavor (the hazelnut puree was divine). The paella was well stocked with seafood, and it was delicious and satisfying. We shared a pistachio cake for desert, which did not disappoint. I had two different gin cocktails, from the menu, and both I would order again. This restaurant was fantastic. The ambiance was warm and romantic, the service was impeccable, and the food was remarkable. I will definitely be back!

Delicious food in great atmosphere

By maapar |

Had dinner here and found the food tasty, the service good and friendly and the atmosphere beautiful. We shared the beet and goat cheese salad, then Dungeness crab sunchoke dip and then the paella. All delicious!

Eating out on Thanksgiving was a genius idea.

By Christine F |

Eating out on Thanksgiving was a genius idea. My daughter and I both live in apartments, and decided we didn’t want to have disasters in the kitchen so she made a reservation at shaker and spear. We had a lovely meal, no turkey, but I had scallops and she had fish and we shared a appetizer. Service was wonderful and it was nice to just relax and let someone take care of us. Would definitely do this again.

Best meal in Seattle

By sergio513 |

We are regular visitors in Seattle. We chose this restaurant because of the good reviews on TripAdvisor and did not regret it. The fried smelt was okay, the beef terrine quite good. The paella, burger and arctic char were all excellent. For dessert we shared a pistachio crumble and ice cream. Delicious! We will certainly return to this restaurant.

Excellent food and atmosphere

By John H |

This was a great experience, with a wonderful wait staff. Strongly recommended for a culinary adventure!

Great seafood restaurant.

By Footprints394960 |

Excellent service and food. We were looking for great wine, seafood and we were not disappointed ! We’d go back for sure.

Small, intimate, great food and service

By Pete80 |

We happened on Shaker and Spear from Zagats guide and weren’t disappointed. Although we had a reservation for a table we opted to switch at the corner of the bar. The bartender server was fantastic- positive, fast, knowledgeable, enjoyed her job. Excellent wine list. We had a variety of tapas and every one was excellent. Strongly recommend.

An Absolute Must

By John B |

Great place. Maybe 70 seats plus 8 seats at the bar. Nicely modern in a hotel. Unbelievably good food and service. You have to try the black sesame ice cream with mocha ginger for dessert. We actually ate four appetizers and that was more than enough. The open kitchen makes it really fun, too. Absolutely a taste sensation. Prices are in the average range, which makes this place a great deal.

Hidden Gem

By floridaminnie |

What a pleasant surprise. This is an intimate restaurant where everyone has a view of the kitchen and bar. We sat at the bar and the bartender was not only friendly but made amazing drinks. We were also impressed with how smooth the kitchen staff ran with the new executive Sous Chef. Husband’s duck was mouthwatering and I had 2 apps. Diffidently a hidden gem in Seattle.

Mixed experience

By Companion585201 |

Half of the experience was excellent, half was average. First the service. Truly excellent. We sat at the bar, as we didn’t have a reservation and the bartender was an excellent server and a pleasure to speak with. The melon crudo salad was an excellent combination. The risotto wasn’t great, although the scallops and carrots on it were excellent. I like spicy, but the octopus was too tough and the heat overwhelmed the other interesting flavors. Overall, I am not sure. Perhaps I ordered incorrectly?

Our best meal in Seattle

By CfBk77 |

We had steelhead salmon and halibut, both of which were excellent. We also shared the clams appetizer and a salad, which were great. The wine selection was very interesting - we tried a delicious orange wine from Oregon. My only suggestion is that, given the prices and the aspiration of this restaurant, the servers need to be more knowledgeable about the preparation/ingredients. (Or have someone who is) We had a few questions (positive) about the food that they were unable to answer.

A gem in Belltown

By Timothy M |

We had a very nice experience at Shaker & Spear. We went on a Sunday night at 6:30. Our table was ready, and service was prompt and helpful. Wines reasonably priced. The smoked trout appetizer and whole branzino entree were excellent. Parking in Belltown is often difficult but there is a corner lot across the street that has some spots open.

Food was good

By Cari G |

I read the reviews cause they were awesome so I came to eat here after traveling to Canada. I ordered the shaker burger well done and that was really good but the marcona salad I ordered tasted bland and not a fan. Didn’t have flavor. Had pretty arrangement but maybe it was the dressing that it didn’t taste well. Gave 4 Stars cause the burger was amazing

Nice Burger

By Susan T |

We didn't want to spend a bunch, but the burger and fries were really great. Nice wine too. I wanted my burger without the aioli and pickles and they accommodated. Great ice cream for dessert as well.

Amazing cuisine and service, again

By RyanL99 |

Went back after a few years and this place is still 5 star. Wow. Service is spectacular and the food is not only beautiful and delicious, but very fun and creative. The octopus was delicious and the black cod was one of the best I have ever had.

Chef created meals

By Cindy W |

Best meal on our Seattle trip. Scallops with mole verde, Coppa pork steak & herbed focaccia with dried tomatoes, garlic & fig oil for dipping. Open kitchen allows you to watch chefs prepare the dishes. It is clear that the chefs take great pride in their cooking and presentation. Could not have enjoyed more.

Excellent dishes, unique experience at the chef's table.

By Anderson W |

We had a great meal and fun new experience tonight at S+S sitting at the chef's table, watching the expert staff prepare amazing food with verve and humor, gabbing with Chef, who expertly seared filet after filet while asking us about the food and explaining the subtle ingredients in the fantastic sauces of our dishes. We had this unique experience at the chef's table thanks to walking in without a reservation. So glad we did! Our special thanks to server Robin! You were expert, personable, present and attentive, and a fine concierge to our experience this evening. We think this place is a real gem. Glad to have chanced upon it. We plan to return the next time we're in Seattle.

Go visit

By Eddie T |

Was visiting Seattle and a friend recommended this place. Went for dinner and it had a nice intimate atmosphere. Staff was great and food was delicious. Definitely a place to visit if you are in the area

Mixed Experience

By Ann P |

Visited during lunch and it was extremely busy. Unfortunately, they ran out of the dishes we were most interested in trying, though we had a 12:30 seating, so ended up ordering things we were less than excited about eating. The pickles, beet salad, and truffle fries were delectable but we were so so on the other dishes we tried. The staff was extremely gracious and apologized profusely for the very slow service (everything arrived in an odd order as well). Thankfully we were not in a hurry but would've appreciated fries or something (anything) to nibble while the kitchen caught up. I think we will have to give it a second chance... loved the atmosphere!

Great food! Would definitely come back!

By shari s |

Food is unbelievably good! Salmon was excellent! Special calamari appetizer was delicious! Great service! Would definitely come back on my next visit to Seattle!

Goto spot when I'm in Seattle

By Brian C |

My goto spot when I'm in Seattle. The food is so good and nice selection on the menu. The scallop dish is sooooo good. Also, recommend the burger which comes with fries covered in finely grated cheese.

Tasty food, interesting cocktails

By Reactor1966 |

Menu had a nice selection of seafood dishes. I had the scallops over the clam chowder, which was more like a stew. Delicious nonetheless. I was impressed by their cocktail menu, even more so when I asked them to make a drink with a somewhat obscure liquor and they had it. I get the feeling this place books up early. I went at 6pm and got a seat, but only because they warned me they would need the table at 7:30 (which was more than enough time for me). Would go again.

Great place to hang out and have a good meal.

By SoccerStar |

Very talented chef with great creativity. Starters were really good and so were the deserts. The scallop dish was extra special with very settle flavors that enhanced the dish but did not take away from the taste of the scallop which is hard to do. We will for sure be back

So Creative!

By Lesley D |

When the waiter first described his favorite dishes to us, I couldn't understand how so many different flavors would work together, however, when the food was brought out it was perfect. Everything melded together to create a pretty perfect dish. I was really impressed!

Falls Short of Outstanding, Great But Not Excellent!

By ProMetalSales |

We dined here for the first time based on reputation and the creative menu offerings. To be very candid, Seattle is chock full of outstanding restaurants so the competition is brutal for a place like Shaker + Spear! The atmosphere is what I expected for such a place, contemporary, edgy and chic, some seating on stools overlooks the chefs if you like that kind of fun watching them prep the dishes. Our server was friendly and excellent, kept a close watch on us but not too often. I chose one of their creative cocktails which was just so so, and not inexpensive. I asked the waitress for a red wine pairing for my steak and the wine was just so so, I get two bottles of better at Trader Joe's for the price of this one glass. We started with hot crab dip which was good but I have had better, the crackers with it were really tasty but too flavorful and overwhelmed the mild dip flavor. My wife's burger was really tasty but the fries were out of a food service bag, disappointing. My steak was tasty perfectly cooked, the shrimp with it were small, the asparagus cold. We had the pistachio crumble for desert good but not great. My latte was delicious. One thing we both found annoying was how loud the music was, maybe we were just sitting under a speaker but especially when we first got there and the place was just filling up, way too loud for the ambiance. Why can't restaurants get this right?! I love music but turn it down a bit! We dined early because that was the only time available and when we left the place was packed. So folks as a veteran of the Seattle dining scene I can say honestly you will get a good meal here and likely excellent service, but for what we paid, well over $100 for the two of us, I could name a half dozen places within several blocks of Shaker + Spear where you will get better food and in some cases better value as well. These guys are trying hard but for my money fell short of outstanding. Bon Appetite!

One of the BEST meals

By Erin C |

Would definitely dine here again, given the chance! From the wonderful service by Brent to the amazing food that came out of the kitchen. Upscale food, in a fun casual environment - what more could you want?

#10 in Seattle Is Worth It!

By KB95776 |

My wife had the lamb shank, it was so tender… in a word Awesome! I had the burger with Beecher cheese & bacon jam… to die for! Service was excellent!

Great dinner.

By Steveston |

Had a very nice dinner here. I had Risotto with Scallops and wife had Alaskan Cod. Both very well done. Great service from a waiter who really knew his stuff. The risotto was a massive serving that I simply could not finish, despite how tasty it was.

Very good, but not great

By RonFG |

We came for dinner and got a very good meal. Heidi was an excellent server. The charred octopus was delicious, but the romesco sauce was o.k. We had the arctic char (amazing) and the scallops (a bit gritty, with outstanding cauliflower risotto). Wine prices were reasonable.

We keep going back!

By sbennet2 |

Found this on our first visit to Seattle and we go back multiple times with each area visit. Don’t miss this great restaurant! Service is casual and excellent! Food is inventive and delicious. Desserts are mediocre. All other food is amazingly good!

Tasty fusion flavor

By Richard L |

Not a fancy place, but the food here is very tasty. We sat at the bar and saw the chef in action. She looks Asian and definitely puts the fusion style in the dishes. Love the grilled octopus, fried olives and the truffle fries smothered in cheese. Highly recommend.

Good food, good buzz, a popular joint

By morl8tr |

This restaurant is attached to the Kimpton Palladian hotel, but unlike a lot of hotel restaurants, this one seems to have a majority of clientele from outside the hotel. It's a popular place. We found the food quality to be high, the service quite good. Because it's popular, it was important to book a table. Casual, comfortable. Enjoyed it a lot.

Be welcoming - period

By Kiss |

Terrific food and great cocktails. Friendly and helpful waitstaff and nice ambiance. Not a great way to start the meal - “we hold reservations for 10 minutes…you will need to leave by X time”

Absolutely amazing

By MAL005 |

Visiting Seattle and staying in the Kington Palladium so decided to visit the on-site restaurant. I was absolutely thrilled that we did, the most fabulous food of our trip through Canada and the west. I recommend the starters, but especially the duck main. My husband had the scallops and risotto which were also great. A big shout out to Zoe, who took very good care of us, thank you so much for a lovely evening.

Try The Burger!

By misopiso88 |

There are so many great options on both the brunch and dinner menus at Shaker + Spear but don't feel guilty just ordering the burger....it is delicious! Great food and great atmosphere. We will definitely be back!

Excellent food and experience

By DK_traveller |

Service, food and ambiance was excellent. Just the right mix. You could tell is was an experience staff for a small restaurant. Fresh seafood and unique dishes. Very pleasant experience away from the Amazonian hub of the city.

Steak and eggs! best breakfast of our trip

By NewPlaceFan |

We came for a crab Benedict, but they don't have that anymore, so... two of us had the steak and eggs. Best breakfast - and almost the best dish - of our whole trip. The Shakshouka was also excellent. Service was very good. We would definitely come back for the steak and eggs.

New favorite spot!

By Niuniu C |

Absolutely my new favorite spot!!! The food and drinks were amazing!!! Ordered octopus, duck and cheesecake! All are delicious ❤️❤️❤️ cocktails are amazing tooo loved the whiskey sour!!! People there are nice and friendly:) already recommended to all my friends!

Delicious food, good service

By Ros H |

Really enjoyable dinner. Good cocktails, lovely fresh food, good service, good atmosphere. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination was required 👍

Good food but figure out your ID situation

By Wilson L |

We had breakfast here today, and we loved a few things about it but there was an issue. The service was good, the food was good, Nate our bartender/server was great. However there was a whole issue with our Canadian Driver License and our NEXUS issued by the USA not being accepted as valid ID. So we had to get our passports from the car which was with the valet. The big problem we had wasn't the rule itself but how it was executed. We were asked if we wanted to sit at the bar and if we were over 21. We said yes. The hostess took us to the bar, where we showed ID and ordered a drink then only after were told that our Driver Licence wasn't okay. I think if the hostess checked ID as we were at the front, we would have either gone and got the passport and not have to sit at the bar and deal with this for 10 minutes where we already were seated, or we may have just gone somewhere else because we stopped here just for a quick bite and drink before we headed out. Though I don't know why it seems only Kimpton (we were told) has a policy of not accepting Canadian driver licences or NEXUS ID as valid ID when NEXUS's act as our passport if we are traveling to and within the USA and most Canadians wouldn't be traveling with their passports if they have their NEXUS. (Though it was perfectly fine to use that instead of my passport to check in?) Either way, the food and drinks are good, staff for the most part were good. However I just think that they should be checking for ID's at the front to avoid all this.

Excellent

By amindfuleater |

Food was delicious and timely, service (by Kate) was fantastic. Will definitely return! Pop in if you’re in the area, you won’t be disappointed.

Great seafood great service

By Louisg57 |

Had a great seafood dinner here. Rick and Sandy did a great job, service was top notch. Will definitely go back when we are in town

Delightful, innovative and delicious!

By slocomfy |

My husband and I can’t say enough positive things about our dinner experience while visiting Seattle. Service was outstanding, warm and helpful. Everything we tried was delightful. We especially liked the Dungeness crab salad with avocado and assorted goodies in a coconut lime vinaigrette. My salmon was wonderful and my husband raves about his paella. Dessert was great too. We will return!

Great Food, Great Service

By JWB |

Met a group of friends for dinner and was blown away. Everything from the cocktails through dessert was absolutely on point and the service the whole way was absolutely top notch. Highly recommend!

Light Dining with Great Service

By rogersober |

Mitch was an essential part our mealtime experience this evening. The steelhead was a good choice with pistachios and pomegranate seeds. The crab salad was a favorite choice of my partner.

Best meal in Seattle!!

By Misael M |

Best dinner experience in Seattle!!!! The just Launched the new menu and omg!!! It was amazing, from the service to the the wine and the meal!! Great job we highly recommend visit this restaurant!!!

Excellent all around.

By skippie_8 |

Great food (scallops simply amazing), great service, delicious cocktails. Charred octopus, paella, and burger...yum. Everyone in our group enjoyed their dinner. I didn’t have any expectations and simply chose this restaurant because it was convenient for some friends staying in a nearby hotel. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend if you are looking for a small restaurant with outstanding menu.

Overrated restaurant with hidden fees...

By ostiii |

So the food was kind of OK. We had the Scallops, the Truffle Fries and the Surf & Turf Tatare. The Tartare was OK - but nothing special. The seasoning was pretty not existent - the bread was burnt but still eatable. The Truffle Fries instead where overseasoned - after a few it was too much salt and the truffle tasted synthetic. The scallops have been OK - but $39 for 4 scallops on some beets are way to expensive. The portion size was more like a starter. So the food would earn 3 of 5 stars here. But here is the thing: You have to pay a mandatory surcharge on everything. 5%. With a font size almost not readable it says on the menu that the restaurant is proud to add this 5% and this is not given to the waiter. Add another dollar on every item - or make a better calculation. But this hidden fees are getting so anoying. Our service was very good and the waiter excused for the surcharge. In the end we paid over $130 for one hour of sitting there and 2 starters and 1 main. No - we will not come back to the Shaker & Spear.

5-star night

By Tony L |

Great night here for a special occasion. The servers immediately brought out a birthday treat with the appetizer. The sashimi was amazing. Don’t miss it. Among the mains, the salmon and scallops were the standouts. The scallops are unusual, served with a big mushroom and several big flavors. If you like your scallops simple, this is not your dish. If you have an adventurous palate, order this! The dessert was underwhelming (mousse). A terrific night!