Bell Buoy of Seaside

AMAZING!!! My only regret is that have haven’t been here sooner!! The chowder is one of the best I have ever had. The oyster shooters were incredible, the perfect size too!! Generous portion of crab, the cocktail sauce wasn’t overwhelming. The price for the seafood was great! To top it off the customer service was nothing less of excellent. These days you don’t get kindness, but the cashier loves her job and you could tell. Can’t wait to go back!! Thank you!

Delicious and fresh food. I ordered a bowl of clam chowder and it was the best I’ve ever had. Full of clams! Outdoor patio was super nice

Hands down the best fresh seafood in Seaside! We've tried several spots in the area, and their Fish and Chips are easily the standout. If you're looking for a local restaurant that serves truly fresh seafood, this place is a must-visit!

Have a care when buying the oysters. Check bag before you leave the store. Make sure none are open, 5 out of the 12 we purchased were partially open, all mushy. We ended up eating 3 out of a purchase of a dozen. We love oysters and are not overly picky. However when buying fresh oysters they should not be open. Overwhelming nearly the whole lot was mushy. The price was great $15 for a dozen. So we figure getting three decent ones was paying restaurant prices.

Great service good location love the food. It’s really difficult to get good crab even at the beach, but my crab sandwich was awesome. The wife’s fish and chips were also very good with large servings and nice moist cod with good flavor and excellent breading. Definitely recommend itand the other reviews online are spot on.

This is an absolute joke!! We spent close to $90 on this??? Food is lukewarm warm (takeout and drove 2 mins down the road). The crab melt is not actually a crab melt and it’s $21 bucks for a soggy piece of toast with some crab meat on it with dirt taste. The chicken strips were super dry. Not worth the money. Edit: here is a screenshot of what I paid, and yes I only took a picture of one of the “crab melts” we got 2. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more outlandish response from anyplace I’ve ever reviewed or read reviews on. We respond to our reviews with much more professionalism.

Fish wasn’t oily, chowder was great and food came pretty fast. Definitely check here if your in the area!

Nice and clean. Fast friendly service!! Food & prices are just right. Indoor/outdoor seating.

Halibut fish n chips was amazing. So fresh and flavorful. Also had a local beer, Public Coast 67 Blonde Lager. Friendly and diligent service also. I'm happy!

We both got the halibut fish and chips and they were really good and the pieces of fish are generous. If you get the four piece and an extra side of fries and an extra side of tater sauce of course it's plenty of food for two and you'll save some money. You're welcome! The fries are the battered kind that I love. The food is quick and hot. Not a lot of seating. We both thought the clam chowder was awful but others seem to like it

Simply delicious, a seafood feast for the family! We partook in the bay shrimp cocktail, crab legs, chowder and the cod & halibut fish and chips. We loved everything and it's locally sourced!

Some of the best fresh fish, shell fish and canned tuna available for sale anywhere on the coast but, I refuse to return to this local fish market again when they expect a tip from me for just ringing up a sale for a $100 case of tuna? Yes, we are in a touristy beach town however, the grocery stores and gas stations don't expect a tip for selling me their products, why does Bell Buoy fish market expect a tip for taking my debit card payment? Just the act of flipping their card reader around with a suggested 20% tip makes me angry! I would be happy to tip if I expected or received a requested extra service but, tipping is getting out of control here. A $15or $20 handling charge? Give me a break! I will take my business to Warrenton and Astoria. I can't afford to shop at Bell Buoy!

Arrived at 10am and the cooked-to-order, prepared food building was closed. The hours on Yelp say open at 9 30am, and on Google say open at 9am. FYI - the larger building further south has these earlier hours, and sells fresh fish and crab, cans to go, and merch. The smaller building further north has the cooked, prepared food - if you're looking for sandwiches and fried seafood, they open at 11am. I didn't get any fresh seafood because of the higher (than the area) prices, but wanted to post this FYI on hours.

wow... talk about literally the perfect fried food - batter was crispy, airy, light and the perfect amount of thickness; GBD BABY. Needless to say the seafood was so fresh - fish was moist and flaky and shrimps had a nice snap to them. The chips were also excellent crispy outside soft and pillowy interior wow and special S/O to the table vinegar that I literally drowned my chips in (the only acceptable way to eat chips in a fish and chips I dare u to say otherwise ) This place got me hooked on fish and chips and now I think about it weekly IG: Spillingthe.beans

the best meal I had between the coast, Mt. Hood, and Portland! Truly you HAVE to stop here! The staff was great about recommendations. The crab melt and fish and chips with the Alaskan fish is top tier and a must! The restaurant was clean as well. We went when they first opened and everything came out quick

Heard about the place from others who were razor clamming at seaside who said it was a great place to get seafood and eat razor clams. Never had it before and had high expectations. I asked if they prepared razor clams any other way than fried and they offered grilled. I got the grilled razor clam and crab melt. Pricey but wow, they were delicious!! The service was friendly and the space was a casual place where we can sit down and eat. They even had razor clams in cans for sell. The next door store sold the raw razor clams to take home. Definitely will drop by again. I also bought the razor clam in can and cooked clam linguine. It was fantastic! Definitely going to get more.

It's a crap shoot going here I guess. The first time I went was great, but now you just don't know. I love clam chowder and this place can be great, but this time is was not hot and was so thick that it was almost like glue. Tasted ok, but not sure I got a clam in the whole cup. The fries were breaded this time, which was a first in my recollection. Tried the crab cake this time. Meh for me. It was priced less than the 3 piece cod fish and chips. Maybe it should have told me something.

Not worth the price, $17 for this "quart" chowder and $20 for the crab melt.... Yikes. Last year they were really good but I guess it's going downhill now. Will have to find a new place on the coast to get decent seafood.

We went to the market. The smoked salmon was so good! Super friendly people, too. We also tried the house made clam chowder and it was among the best we've ever had.

The candied oyster was sweet and had teriyaki flavoring. The hit was the maple honey salmon!

Good quality halibut and chips - I heard their chowder is really good too but we had previously got some chowder so we didn't have room to try theirs. The breading on the fish was light and crispy, not doughy and thick like other places. Beautiful day for us to sit outside and enjoy the sun!

Really really really enjoyed this place! A little building I just off the highway! Decent selection of drinks and delicious fish and chips!

A sad thing to see... Years ago when the wife and I were still dating, pre kids and pre ring one of our fondest times together was a trip to seaside and our meal at bell buoy. It's been about 8 years but we remembered a crotchety old man, rustic restaurant, with the best razor clams in the lower 48. I mean they could cook them really good speaking as an Alaskan who has harvested hundreds and hundreds of pounds of razor clams over the years. Well fast forward to today when we finally took an overdue trip to seaside only this time with two kids in tow. We arrived and it was much busier than the last time we were here. The front counter lady was looking a bit frazzled. The place looked a bit more run down than rustic now. I spent longer waiting to get my order taken even though there were only two other people ahead of me than it took for them to cook our food. And they weren't particularly fast with the food prep (but not slow). We ordered the captains platter, shrimp melt, and shrimp cocktail. All were big failures. The shrimp melt was small and they put those tiny pacific pink cocktail shrimps on it. The whole thing was super oily and tasteless. The shrimp cocktail was a pile of those tiny shrimp styrofoam cup. WTF?! First time ever getting a shrimp cocktail and they didn't use shrimp large enough to heap the tail... that was also tasteless with the only saving grace being the cocktail sauce which was very good. The captains platter my wife said everything was extremely over cooked except for the deep fried oysters. Most disappointing was the razor clam which was hard and rubbery. Once again, a sad sad thing to see. Our original fantasy of a seaside experience while not necessarily ruined, was a bit tarnished. We got some smoked oysters and clams from the storefront for the trip home. Sadly the result was the same. I tried a smoked oyster as soon as we got home and there was so much sand in it that it rendered the whole thing inedible. 60 bucks blown on inedible food...

Oh my gosh! I love love this place. First stop when I am coming into seaside. Their fish and chips are well, excellent! A beautiful, three piece halibut, with really good fries. I liked the coleslaw too. It has pineapple in it. I really liked that little addition. Their clam chowder is delicious. I always get that. Today however, they had smoked salmon chowder. It was pretty tasty as well. They have so many different fish and chip baskets to choose from. Even razor clams. This place is for the serious seafood lovers. There is a store next-door where you can get all of your fresh Crab, fish, shrimps everything. Always will stop here and enjoy a bite before heading into seaside. I also stop on my way out to stock up my cooler with some seafood items to take home.

Arrived shortly after the lunch rush.... It was ok. Everything was fried. The halibut had good flavor, but nothing spectacular. The clam showier had good flavor but wasn't hot, lukewarm at best. Would have definitely been better had it been hot. The interior was small but clean. Ended sitting outside due to no room inside. Luckily it was a nice day, just a little windy.

I've been coming here for over a decade. Recipe seems to have changed slightly recently, but they're still crushing it. Fantastically, fried seafood with very light beer batter. Best fish and chips I've had on the West Coast (Washington, Oregon California).

The market where you buy all of your fresh and canned seafood, was lovely and clean and the people that were there were super friendly. We got the canned crab and canned tuna. We also ate the prawn basket and the clam chowder at the restaurant next to it and everything was super delicious. We definitely recommend and will definitely come back again.

Interesting little shop on the side of the road. Thought it might be worth a shot. Waitress was friendly and inviting. Service was okay. One of the three items we ordered was not made and had to wait for it. Not a big deal as we ate the clam chowder while waiting. The food was a letdown. The clam chowder was very watery and was mostly potato. Listening to the staff, they were running low so that might be why. The shrimp melt, in my wife's opinion was terrible. She had a few bites and just gave up. It was disgusting according to her. My crab roll had visible crab meat but couldn't taste it over the dressing and celery and the bun was burnt. The place has plenty of parking which is the best thing about the place.

Was looking for a local fish place and found this one. The reviews were good so off I went to try it. I'm not concerned with the tired and dated building or tables. I was looking for freshness. The melt was not warmed throughout but hand nice chucks of Crab. The bread was soggy and couldn't taste the cheese. The prawn cocktail was good looking but I didn't eat it. My biggest concern was the front counter person who was handling credit cards and cash and then preparing my shrimp cocktail without washing hands or gloves.

Excellent lunch! 5 of us shared 4 baskets and a cup of chowder. Everything was good, but the fried prawns were the best I've ever had, and the chicken strips were especially tender and crispy.

We bought 5 pounds of local fresh clams to take home the next day, but 1st, lunch here was amazing. Lightest & crispiest batter on local fresh cod fish & razor clams.

The service was exceptional. I was not expecting to encounter such friendly staff. The clam chowder was rich and full of clams. The crab roll savory and sweet perfection

Have to give them a 5 stars, for I grew up with the yummy fish, mollusks from this market. Love their cod for fish and chips. Smoked salmon...smoked tuna, I remember smoked tuna sandwiches for school lunch killer! Oysters raw, smoked, fried or baked bring them on! Razor clams speak for themselves, lighted breaded omg and add fresh lemon and tarter sauce, nirvana! I could go on and on, I was spoiled growing up on the Pacific coast! But my all time love is Dungeness crab steamed, and then crack it, and dip in garlic butter. I could go on and on, but find out for yourself! They ship.

Fun little place to eat by the river, fish-and-chips were excellent, oyster shooters were fresh and big. The service was great! You could eat inside or out on the deck, but get there early cause they close earlier than most restaurants. They have other great things we will go back and try, like their crab melts and smoked salmon chowder, yummy!!

Food is good I recommend paying with cash. Their credit card system skipped past the tip option screen which made me feel bad because I didnt have cash. When I got home I saw it added a mystery $10 to my order. Order total was $56 and the charge on my card was $66. Don't want to assume it's shady but beware and use cash. I guess they got their tip in the end.

Love the little cafe. Steamed fresh crab during season is great. A bit small inside. Counter employee was so friendly.

We went to the little restaurant next door to the seafood market for lunch. Their menu is on a chalkboard, so selection will vary. I had the 3 piece razor clam basket, and my wife had the 3 piece cod basket. We were too full after to eat much of anything that evening, the portions are pretty good sized. I really like their batter - very light and super crispy. My wife loved her cod. First razor clams I've had in a long time and these were great. Very good sized - I was a little apprehensive that with only 3 clams I'd be going home hungry, but the clams were each the size of a fish filet. We sat out in the back and watched the birds flutter around the river - they have a nice bench out back that provides a nice view. We had a great experience and would return in a heartbeat.

Fresh local seafood, as well as exquisite smoked products. Also a very nice seafood restaurant in the same lot.

I love shopping at Bell Buoy's fish market - would be 5 stars for just the market. However, I tried their little restaurant for the first time recently, and it was underwhelming. I tried to go basic with some fish & chips and a bowl of chowder. Fish was hot and tasty, but the breading fell off. The fries were bland, and the amount of tartar sauce they served was miniscule (they would've sold me additional cups of it, which seemed tacky). The biggest disappointment was the chowder - just wasn't good. Was expensive, also. Fish market = great! Restaurant = not so much

Halibut fish and chips were tasty. The fish was fresh and lightly battered. Coleslaw was good but tiny portion. Tartar sauce was more mayo than anything. Service was ok . Ambiance was generic but clean.

Fresh delicately fried razor clams and large crab cakes. Nice outdoor seating with view of small river.

Really enjoyed the fried fish basket. Halibut and Shrimp were cooked perfectly. Cocktail and tartar sauce was great. Wish the fries could have been crispier. Could have been 5 stars but the clam chowder was disappointing considering everything else was good.

This place was my go to place to eat when in seaside. We ordered shrimp cocktails and clam chowder. My disappointment was with the clam chowder. It was had no flavor and served cold. Not the same great chowder that I've enjoyed in the past. Please Bell Buoy change back to the old recipes for the chowder.

Cute little crab shack with beautiful seating on a stream in the heart of Seaside. They didn't have clam chowder, but the salmon chowder was good. It should've been a bit hotter, but we were hungry and didn't complain. Very close to the cove if you're going surfing!!

The BEST crab melt. Must try if you love fresh crab! So good we came back a second time!

Anytime we're in the area we stop by the Bell Buoy Seafood Market to pick up crab cocktails,  scallops, and crab cakes. Gotta get the crab cakes! The staff at the seafood market have always been helpful and we've been happy with their smoked fish, canned fish, and fresh seafood.  We decided to check out the restaurant side today. It has been a few years since we've gone to the restaurant, but I remember liking the food. It was a late lunch and thought we shouldn't have to deal with a line. Walked right in, ordered two crab melts to go. Within a few minutes,  we were handed a bag and we were off. We found a bench looking out at the ocean, ready for lunch. Inside the takeout box was an open faced piece of bread with semi- melted cheddar cheese and crab. It was a sad looking sandwich and not worth the $15 price tag. I would have wanted more crab but I was also expecting a hot sandwich, napkins, and a fork.  The Bell Buoy employee did not bother to ask if we needed napkins or utensils for our takeout. UGH!   Better to stick to the seafood market and take home seafood to cook.

My wife and I were cruising up the Oregon coast doing the Beach tour. As we rolled into town, we decided it was time for lunch. As usual, we pulled out the trusty Yelp app and started looking at what was available. This place had good reviews, so we stopped. I'll be honest, expectations were not high, and we didn't read on the restaurant. What we saw was a simple menu and a lot of fried food options which tend to be cheap food. I ordered the fried oysters - a personal favorite, with fries. My wife got the fried cod. I took for the first bite and thought wow these are fresh. The oyster wasn't overly breaded to the point of frying a brick and was fresh and delicious, good choice. The fries - had seen better days. Honestly, the fries are an afterthought at best but that's not why you come here. The cod - also fresh, also not overly breaded and worth eating. The seafood was fresh and delicious and worth our time. What we didn't realize, on one end of the building was this restaurant on the other end was a fish market. Explains the fresh seafood. It's worth a stop.

This place should have a Michelin Star!! Amazing everything and great service :) life changing!

Loved this little spot near the beach! The staff was super friendly and they had great halibut & cod baskets. Would def go back when I'm in town

We always stop by and get oysters on our way home, and they never disappoint. Highly recommend

This is a great place to stop for local fresh fish and chips. The coleslaw was nice and refreshing and had small chunks of pineapple which was a nice touch. The fish was flaky and fresh and the batter stayed in tact with a nice crispy bite. The ambiance is sleepy sea side town no pun intended but it's very cozy and friendly no frills. The fries are nice and crispy too can't forget that and the tartar sauce is addicting. We ordered a crab cake as well it tasted fresh but it wasn't the prettiest thing to look at and needed a little more seasoning.

Saw the fresh razor clam sign and had to make a U-turn to come back. Fresh fried food smells in the air were amazing but we only stopped in the market. They had fresh razor clams as well as salmon and other fish. We ended up getting 2 pounds of the dressed razor and a couple of the smoked razors. The person helping us was warm and friendly. Gave us tips on how to cook and store the clams. Even gave us his take on the smoked razors. The clams very absolutely fresh and delicious and the smoked razor were really yummy. A must stop! Will have to try the restaurant the next time.

Delicious seafood! I P got the prawns. He loved those as well. Easy to find spot and we ate outside at a picnic table by the creek. Loved it, and we'll go back. PS: fast friendly service.

Great service. Staff is super friendly and helpful. I had the halibut fish and chips. It was light and fresh.

It is absolutely the worst! It is a shed attached to a building. While not filthy it was not clean unless you tried to side outside. In that case it was covered in seagull poo. The food was battered and greasy. Small portions, served in a plastic tray, and expensive compared to the much nicer sit down restaurant like Dooger's or Finn's Fish Hose when you get a plate, wait staff, a salad you know a restaurant!

Always on the hunt for awesome seafood, especially while at the coast, I often stop at Bell Buoy. It's a hole in the wall, right on the Main Street from Cannon Beach to Seaside. A "been there forever place" that satisfies a craving, almost. Meaning, its good, but always falls a little short. On my last visit I ordered the Halibut Fish & Chips. I was surprised that rather than serve nice halibut filets, the halibut was cut into fish sticks and came with a lot of fries. Three fish sticks came in the order and while the halibut was fresh, the breading lacked flavor, needed salt. The cocktail and tarter sauces were both good. Came with more than enough fries; I would prefer another fish stick and less fries. Also ordered the crab melt and for me, this was the better choice. Light, delicate sweet crab on toasted bread with melted cheese. Ooey-goey goodness, especially if you squeeze fresh lemon squeezed on top. Following all Covid precautions at their take out window, you can get takeout or enjoy your food there on the deck, which I did as seafood needs to be eaten when it's hot and freshly made. Service was super friendly and food came out quickly. Btw, if you want to buy fresh seafood to prepare at home, the seafood store is right next door, same owners. Shelled crab was $40 a pound and the tiny bay shrimp was $13, both of which seemed too expensive so I passed. I figured since they were close to the source, prices would be better than in Portland, but it wasn't.

Crabtastic! The food, rice, and service are all top notch here. While visiting Oregon my dad had one goal, eating whole dungeness crab. Bells Buoy had a dinner with one while many other local places were charging well over $50! The restaurant is right next to their seafood market so it's good for lunch of grabbing fresh seafood fo dinner. My dad got the whole crab dinner and my husband and I got the captain platter andsmall crab cocktail. The crab was cooked perfectly and the cheesy bread that came with is was ooey gooey cheesy heaven! The captains platter gave us a taste our first taste of razor clam which was juicy and good, but I prefer fish or shrimp. Everything in the combo was crispy and fresh. It had razor clam, salmon, Cod, and shrimp with fries and Cole slaw. The crab cocktail was a bowl of fresh sweet crab meat and it definitely hit the spot! I would definitely recommend this restaurant. Rating from F to A+++ I give it an A+++ for a low key, delicious meal for a reasonable price.