The Salt Line

The food and service were great. The oysters were fresh and we definitely found a few we liked a lot. It can get expensive quickly, but this is to be expected with "Market" prices for some items. I will go back!

Came in on a weeknight as part of a large group having a business meeting/dinner. This place is loud! We were seated in the “tented” bar area at ho-tops pushed together to allow us all to sit. It would have been better/nicer is they had a place to accommodate us all inside the main restaurant instead. The menu was decent and had nice variety, but I found myself not finding anything that really appealed to me. We tried a few things at the start, their crab claw appetizer was great, but would be so much better if it wasn’t fried. I had a similar dish in New Orleans once and it was etouffee style and was amazing. Their fresh baked rolls were very tasty. Their huge seafood tower was very appealing to many in our party and the shrimp I tried on it was spot-on perfect! My main dish was their spicy shrimp roll, which is like a po boy, but served on a lobster roll bun. It was tasty. Nothing special, but nice. I kicked it up a little with the hot sauce from the tower and that made it really good. Overall – Nice visit… Service was friendly. Execution was pretty good. But I can say I’ve been and I’d probably try somewhere else next time I’m in the area.

We have been to their DC location many times. We had reservations and walked in. First words were we don’t have a table for you. So not a good start. We ended up in the tented area which was fine. The service was less than stellar. The wine list really needs some serious help. The mixed drinks were not that good either. The first two items I wanted they were out of. The next one was not available unless I ordered the restaurant menu. They capitulated on that one. The food for the most part was good. But the start and ordering was less than acceptable.

Absolutely delicious. I grew up on the coast and was very pleased with how fresh the fish was. The service was impeccable and the space is very pleasant. The prices will reflect the premium experience but if you want a great date night spot look no further. Highly recommend the raw bar, the cocktails, and the clam bellys.

One of our favorite places to go, especially during Lent! Fresh seafood and lovely, attentive staff. I miss the lobster roll but we enjoyed oysters, shrimp, crab dip, and delicious clam chowder. We usually eat at the bar and the drinks are strong!

If you’re a fan of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic American cuisine, The Salt Line is a must try. From the fresh oysters to the flavorful smash burger and buttery lobster roll, everything we ordered was mouthwatering and expertly prepared. The atmosphere is welcoming with plenty of seating options, both indoor and outdoor. It’s a great spot for groups of any size, and family-friendly too, we found it to be a comfortable choice even with kids. Highly recommend for a laid-back yet delicious dining experience. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Had a really great time here. The atmosphere was buzzing, with the server setting an excellent tone for the whole night. Then the food came out which was all delicious. We had a few oysters from the raw bar (highly recommend the Cthulhu Deeps oysters), the crab dip, baked cod and lobster roll just tasted so good with good size portions too. They had a separate allergens menu with dishes clearly marked whether or not they were allergen free, or substitutions you could ask for to meet your needs. It’s definitely on the expensive side, so not a venue that we will come to frequently, but we will definitely be back

Excellent service! This place was perfect for me to have something filling, good, and healthy! I had the rockfish tartar app and the swordfish entree. Patio is nice but can be loud by the bar.

Salt Line is in the heart of Ballston on Wilson Boulevard. Overall venue is a comfortable, upscale establishment. Ambience is marvelous and seaside motif fits the sustenance. Our glorious late July lunch started with two draft beers: Port City Optimal Wit Wheat Ale & the Mustang Sally Potomac Pilsner. We enjoyed both pours. Our server brought us a few other small samples to help us decide--he offered! We noshed on the Baked Pimento Crab Dip--ingredients include: lump crab, Tillamook cheddar, & scallions. The Old Bay crab chips are kinda airy, quite unique. Not sure I prefer these chips to maybe baguette slices or some other bread like substance. We both tried the half sandwich option that comes with Greens or Fries. The Clam Chowder is included and was the highlight of the lunch. Clearly homemade with many clams. It is not the super heavy Chowder you might get out of the can, so enjoy its freshness! The half sandwich options: Spicy Fried Shrimp, Lobster Roll w Butter Bun, Peekytoe Crab or Crispy Fish. The half is kinda small only a couple bites. The fries and greens are marginal, skip both. Next time (hopefully soon) we would lean away from the half and half option! Chowder is outstanding!

Stopped in for dinner with some friends this week and we got some seafood to share. Definitely on the pricier side which isn't too surprising for the area but comparable to the DC pricing. Seafood is very fresh and I enjoyed my watermelon margarita cocktail. My companion didn't like her drink because it was too sweet and the waitress kindly swapped it out for a glass of wine. Overall, a solid spot with fresh seafood in ballston. There's always a decent crowd but as long as you expect to drop some $$, you'll enjoy your meal!

Reasonably priced seafood spot in Ballston. It is possibly a local chain since I see several locations on the reservation apps. We had to try the oysters and were really good. When also had the waterman's platter (scallops, shrimp, fried oysters, scallops), lobster roll, fried fish platter, clam chowder, and oyster shooter. Service was attentive.

Tried this place for dinner a couple months ago for a date night and we were thoroughly surprised. The oysters were fresh and a good size for the price. The pimento crab dip was absolutely delicious and the bread was to die for honestly, I could eat so many loaves of the bread. I can't remember what I got but I know it was very good and we thoroughly enjoyed the dessert as well.

The vibe of this place was great. We happened upon it when looking for seafood nearby. The staff was friendly and attentive enough, given the amount of tables she had. But everyone was great. I ordered the lunch half sandwich with soup and salad. An excellent option to try multiple menu items. The salad was extremely salty it was unpalatable. They offered to remake it. The shrimp sandwich was delicious. Crispy and tender. The corn chowder was also amazing. I planned to take it to my kids but I devoured it lol. Overall, not bad and the decor was amazing

Come here for oysters!! My husband and I came here for dinner after a paint and sip night at Muse. We were starving so we started with some oysters, every time I've gotten oysters here they were so delicious! I love to top mine with cocktail sauce! We also ordered drinks, I got the passion Paloma and my husband got an espresso martini. Both of us agreed that the drinks are just ok. They seem unbalanced to me, perhaps liquor forward. I am not an expert! Our entrees were good! I got the smash burger which was so good. Probably the one of the best burgers I've gotten in Arlington. The cheese was perfectly melty and it has to be something about the mayo they put on it that makes it so good! My husband got the Portuguese Stew which had mussels, chorizo, white fish and bread for dipping! It looked incredible and he said it was delicious! So overall I'd come here for the food!

Salt Line comes up all the time as one of the best burgers in the area - of course their seafood and brunch, too but I'm a burger gal. 10/10 - excellent smash burger 10/10 - perfect fries Excellent service This is a cute restaurant in Ballston with a patio (covered and heated in winter). Street parking was easy during the week. Can't wait to check out their brunch.

Excellent Happy Hour. Great pours and wonderful selection of east coast oysters. We enjoyed a selection of 4 ea of 3 types. Various salinity and flavor served with appropriate condiments chilled properly. There is no "R" in August but these plump oysters were not in question. We also enjoyed the fried shrimp which were better than their namesake and served with a tasty house slaw. Service was delightful by Billy and hometown lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan who made great recommendations for our visit. salt Line is a don't miss if looking for a cold drink and a few ostreas.

Strictly based off bar service and apps- thoroughly enjoyed their crudos! Very well flavoured and delicious! The bar service was quick but getting a seat there at happy hour was a bit of a fight as to be expected just get there early. Drinks were great as well! It's a cute restaurant as well! Would return to try more plates

Had dinner here on a Wednesday evening. Arrived at 6pm and it was very light, but about an hour later it got busy. We sat at the table with one side in a booth and the other in a regular chair. The table felt a little long, which made me a little self conscious while talking since the tables are pretty close to one another. I wanted to speak loudly enough for the person across from me to hear, but I didn't want the next table over to be up in the conversation either. It's a nice enough restaurant. It doesn't feel upscale, but the prices are. Both of us in my party ordered the scallops entree. It was delicious! But I knew I wouldn't get full just from the entree, so added a side of fries. Those were delicious too. All in all, it's a fine restaurant if you don't mind spending a bit.

I'd like to give this place a higher rating for their ambiance, but my boyfriend and I both got sick from eating here. We ordered a dozen oysters, their octopus, and some glasses of rosé. The oysters didn't taste very fresh and the octopus was overcooked/dry. Such a cute place to come hang out, esp with their outdoor seating but I would recommend only coming for drinks. Their ceviche is also no longer on the menu.

Busy Friday night. The noise level wasn't too loud to be able to have a conversation without yelling at one another. The oysters were fresh and a variety of flavors to enjoy. They were great! We shared several appetizers along with wine and all of our foods were tasty. We had a mix of flavors to go long with our two bottles of wine. Overall a pleasant experience for shared plates. We made a reservation and our table was ready early which we also appreciated

I had wanted to try The Salt Line for quite a while. Finally, we got there on a Saturday. To be on the safe side, we made a reservation for 5 p.m. When we arrived there, they were doing good business but still had a decent enough number of tables available. The dining area is cramped. We were seated at a two top along a large banquette. Not only are the tables very close together but they are rather narrow. I couldn't sit at the banquette since I'm short and it was too low for me. The overall theme is a nautical one. They also have an outdoor bar plus seating which, at the time, was doing a brisk business despite it being on the chilly side (They did have the heaters on). We were immediately greeted and seated. It took a bit of time for our server to get to us. When she arrived, she asked for our drink orders. I chose a drink called "DC Crush" which consists of: "Vodka, triple sec, orange, DC Brau orange spiked seltzer". This drink comes in a slushie form. I figured that as the ice melted, it would dilute the alcohol, which turned out to be correct. Still, it wasn't overly strong and the orange flavor came through very clearly. My husband ordered a glass of Chardonnay. They only offered one Chardonnay that was available by the glass. It was from Brea Vineyards, Central Coast, CA. He said it was quite good when it came to taste and quality. For starters, my husband got a cup of clam chowder. He found it to be a real disappointment as it was watery with little flavor. Also, he disliked that oyster crackers were crushed and put on top. He would have preferred being given a small packet the he could have added himself. In addition to the chowder, we ordered "Crispy Octopus" which consists of: "gigante beans in a vinaigrette, fried artichokes, garlic aioli, lemon". The octopus was coated and fried. While it was very tender, the coating wasn't crispy. We also noticed that there were very few artichokes. There were, however, red and white onions in it. The vinaigrette didn't have much flavor. I chose, for my main course, "Seared Rockfish". Before we left to go to the restaurant, I looked at the menu. I should have noted down the ingredients then because when I got home, I looked at the menu again to find that instead of the rockfish, it said "Seared Red Snapper". That was very strange. However, a look at the receipt once home did say "Seared Rock fish". Anyway...It consists of: "toasted farro, snap peas, English pea puree, crushed pistachios, preserved meyer lemon, Calabrian chilies". The fish was perfectly cooked and had a Calabrian chili coating which rendered it on the spicy side but not overly so. The snap pea and the farro portion was generous. There was only a small smear of English pea puree and the other ingredients barely registered. My husband chose "Seared scallops" which consists of: "grilled asparagus, eggplant puree, chickpea and sesame crumble, lemon vinaigrette". His entree arrived lukewarm. He did say the scallops (which were large) were properly cooked. The asparagus wasn't well trimmed with the woody parts of the stem still attached. The chickpea and sesame crumble were put on top of the asparagus which he didn't care for. We decided to share a dessert and chose "Boston Cream Mille Feuille" which consists of: "puff pastry, vanilla cream, chocolate sauce, fresh raspberries". Before the dessert arrived, our server brought clean forks, a separate plate and a steak knife. The steak knife puzzled me but...when the dessert came the puff pastry was really dry and tough and a steak knife was needed to cut it in half. On the plus side, the vanilla cream was nicely flavored and the chocolate portion was enough to add flavor without overpowering it. The fresh raspberries were a nice touch. Overall, we expected more in terms of flavor in the food. On a positive note, we agree that the seafood was very fresh. It wasn't a cheap meal as it cost $155 + change before the tip. We don't plan to return.

My friend and I came here for a girls night date. We had reservations that we missed but were still able to be seated which was nice. The ambiance is casual but still gives off higher class vibe. Our server, Grace was prompt and accommodating! Food- waterman's platter - fried seafood, slaw and fries. We opted for more shrimp instead of fish. The fried oysters were the star and the house tartar sauce was delicious!! Lobster roll- market price, simple and yummy, but was done in about 3 bites. Could have used some more lobster for sure. Crap dip- yummy! If you like pimento. 4/5 , will come back!

An excellent oyster and seafood bar. Quality sourced, great sides, and great special items. I could have been fooled that I was by the cape or in Hyannis itself. Well done guys!

Great service and ambiance, but food is lackluster. We shared a few apps including the grilled octopus, crab dip and mussels. Octopus was solid, while the rest left something to be desired. Got the mahi mahi for my entree but loved the carrot ginger purée more than the rest of the dish. Perhaps the lobster roll may have been a safer option.

Came here again -- this time with a group of friends. I had booked an outside table, days in advance, thinking it would be warm and pleasant to sit outside. Ended up being cold and windy. The staff was so incredibly and wonderfully accommodating in finding us a new space that was much warmer and much more comfortable. Love the staff! Love the oysters! Love the crab dip! So lucky to have this place in our neighborhood.

This place was a great for a birthday celebration! We had reservations at another place close by, but the power was out so we had to make a last minute decision to go somewhere else. Salt Line was awesome! From their oyster shooters to their homemade Parker house rolls to the brunch sausage egg and cheese sandwich, everything was delicious. Chris, our server, took great care of us! We sat on the spacious patio outside that had heaters. We were a large party too. The appetizers included Parker house rolls, ceviche, and crab dip. The crab dip and the rolls with the old bay butter-delicious. Entrees included French toast and sausage egg and cheese sandwiches. The kids meals- cheeseburger with fries, and fish and chips. The only thing I'd change is the sauce that comes on the potatoes. It tasted like yogurt. Overall great experience and we'd definitely come back if we are in the area!

Everytime I come here the drinks and food are great. It doesn't matter if you are inside or outside the ambience is perfect. Service is exceptional and the manager always comes over to check on you to make sure you are doing fine with everything. It's steady, it's reliable, and just honestly some really good seafood in Ballston! The espresso martini was not bad but it didn't blow me away, not sure if that was because it was on draft but all the other cocktails I've had are great!

The food here never disappoints. Latest visit, I had the Hamachi Crudo. Best ever...melted in my mouth! I really enjoyed the HOUSEMADE CAMPANELLE with baby shrimp, confit cherry tomatoes, garlic breadcrumbs, black pepper chevre. Because I'm a fat kid, I felt like the portion could've been bigger. :-) I love the kids menu too. Thanks so much Saltline for making the restaurant so kids friendly for parents who love to eat good food!!!! Great service, clean restrooms... we are regulars here!

The Salt Line Ballston is a really attractive place to go for a meal with it's well thought out decor and lively atmosphere. The service staff is attentive and friendly. The problem is the food is just okay, I was really hoping for better. Some of the dishes were overly salty where it didn't belong (like the side salad). The clam chowder was too watery, and the lobster/shrimp rolls are way over priced for their size. The sides and crudos weren't anything great and definitely not worth the price point. We didn't get any of the big entrees so maybe that's where the restaurant shines. I won't be back to try. My verdict is that Salt line is decent in a pinch for the beautiful venue and atmosphere, but it's another Arlington restaurant that's style over substance.

Really good food. Oysters were so big and delicious. The watermans platter was worth the cost with plentiful seafood and a load of fries. The scallops were so juicy and flavorful. We only came for a bite, but would definitely return for a full meal. Service was okay, as we were seated outdoors on the patio.

The Salt Line was a mixed bag, more like 3.5 stars. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and bumping them up to 4 stars. I've visited the original Salt Line Navy Yard a few times since it opened and I'm a fan. This was my first time trying their location in Ballston. They are located ~4 blocks from the Ballston Metro. They have a large outdoor patio, with an outdoor bar enclosed for winter. They also have a decent size dining room and bar inside. I visited at 5:30 PM on a cold Sunday and it was pretty empty. A few people were at the outside/enclosed bar, no one was at the inside bar, and only a few tables were taken. It only got a little more crowded when I left at 7:30. The decor is similar to the Navy Yard location, with a raw bar on display, some nautical decorations, and fairly simple and modern decor. The menu is also similar to the Navy Yard location, with things like clam chowder, lobster roll, waterman's platter, etc. They have a good size food menu (not too big, not too small) although it's a little confusing that the "Classics" section has a mix of small/appetizer and large/entree dishes. They also have a good size beer selection (both draft and cans) plus cocktails and wine. It's easy to find something to like on the menu if you're into a basic American menu that leans toward seafood. Service was standard and fine. Drinks also fairly standard; we had two cocktails, three wines, three beers and all adequate. The food was mixed. We started with Parker House Rolls and Crab Dip. The rolls were horrible -- extremely heavy and dense, not warm, not fresh baked. The "Chesapeake butter" to go along with them tasty mostly fatty without much seasoning. A truly terrible dish and complete waste of money and calories. The Crab Dip was pretty good. I'm not sure how to describe the chips that came with it; they were kind of like puffed rice chips. They were a good but unexpected type of chip. For entrees, we had Cod Piccata, Seared Scallops, Waterman's Platter, and Portuguese Stew. The Cod Piccata had good sauce and sides but was overcooked. The Scallops were the second best ever, according to my companion. The Portuguese Stew and Waterman's Platter were also good. The Waterman's Platter is basically a giant pile of fried seafood and french fries, served with tartar sauce, ketchup, and cocktail sauce. It's enormous and easily enough for two to share. The seafood all had a good batter and fry -- crispy, light, not oily. The French fries were house made and a good size and consistency. The Parker House Rolls and overcooked Cod were unacceptable, but "second best scallops I've ever had" is pretty high praise and everything else was solid, so The Salt Line gets bumped up to 4 stars. Worth visiting.

Just ate here for the first time for restaurant weekend and had a tasty lunch! They had a great restaurant week lunch special of an appetizer and entree for $25. I ordered the salted cod appetizer which was delicious with the grilled fish sandwich and side salad which was fresh from the grill and super flavorful! It was a great excuse to stop in. We dined in the covered patio next to the bar which had a nice elegant and cozy ambiance. I was super grateful to be sitting directly below a heat lamp!

I had really high hopes for The Salt Line, since I know that the DC location gets great reviews. I was disappointed with my visit. I know that prices have shot up for food, but I felt like the meal was overpriced for the quality. I got an appetizer that I assumed would have at least something from the raw bar, but instead it was a plate of fried shellfish and fish. (Waterman's platter.) For $34, I expected more than just a few pieces of fried stuff and French fries. I had a wedge-style salad with a dressing that just didn't taste right. Nothing stood out as memorable from the meal, expect that it didn't meet my expectations. I understand that this place also gets crowded. It has a very 20-something-consultant happy hour vibe or a take-your-parents-to-dinner vibe. The first time I tried to come, there was an hour long wait on a week night for the patio. I wouldn't wait that long to eat here again.

Really cool place! Came here for a group event and the food they brought us was amazing!! Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. Bartenders were attentive and helpful. Drinks were good. I LOVED the atmosphere of this place. Decorations were cool and was very clean. Definitely an awesome summer spot just a bit on the more expensive side

The Salt Line is a solid option here in Ballston. The restaurant is cute and on the nicer side of decor, but still casual enough that you don't need to dress up if you wanted to pop in for lunch during the work day. The service was great ~ everyone we interacted with was kind and attentive. The food was good as well! I ordered an oyster and the spicy shrimp roll with a side of greens. I enjoyed both and felt satisfied after eating. Also at the table someone ordered the fish sandwich, which she liked, and 3 of our table ordered the smash burger and raves about it. The Salt Line isn't a "blow your mind you gotta take a trip just to eat here" spot but it's definitely delicious and worth your time if you're in the area!

Nice atmosphere here. I had the tuna Niçoise salad and the fried cauliflower. The salad was super bland overall, but the tuna was cooked perfectly. The tuna was also fresh and a nice portion of fish. The fried cauliflower was okay. Overall, it was a little pricey. I went there wanting the fried fish sandwich, however, I changed my mind when I learned it was catfish. The blueberry icebox dessert was tart and sweet with lots of graham cracker crust.

Two words. Orange. Crush. One word. Patio. Put em together and you have yourself a NIGHT. Bonus points if you order crab dip

We visited the Salt Line for the first time yesterday and sat at the outdoor bar. The vibes and ambiance of the outdoor patio were nice and lively which we appreciated! We really enjoyed the rosé spritz and the lychee Paloma. While we didn't order many dishes, I felt like the food we did order was just fine and a bit overpriced. I'd give this place a 3.5 rating based on what we got, but there's a chance some of the other seafood dishes might have more promise. We'll definitely come back for drinks outside though!

If you are looking for a nice, clean, well run seafood restaurant with a good choice of beers and drinks look no further. The Salt Line is right in downtown Ballston and they have an awesome covered outdoor bar area. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the covered bar area with a nice breeze can't be beat. Service was also on point as both waiters were quick with drinks, checking on the table, etc. Why not 4 stars you may ask?? The food is just OK. Where were we disappointed? The Baked Pimento Crab dip barely had any crab and was extremely oily. Not a great start. I will say the Clam Chowder was the best dish we had. Not overly creamy which I prefer and loaded with clams, potatoes, bacon, and celery. Very enjoyable. The burger and roast beef are both good but nothing to write home about. The Fried Fish sandwich and the lobster roll are also decent but once again nothing earth shattering. Fried fish portion is quite large and the lobster roll is $39 so make sure you check on that market price. 3 stars is probably a bit light so I'll up it to 3.5 stars due to the ambiance and service but 4 stars would be a stretch as there really wasn't a dish that was so great we feel we need to come back. Unfortunate but true...

We only spent time on the outdoor patio, which is dog friendly! The patio was a fun laid back atmosphere, and made me feel like I was up in New England. I came here with two locals and it is one of their favorite spots to grab a drink and I could see why. The sea food was also very fresh!

We had another fantastic meal at Salt Line last night. There are a couple of really nice additions to the menu. The curried mussels were a nice standout. I was a little wary because I thought the curry would overpower the mussels but the curry was delicate enough to enhance the flavor the mussels. The couscous also added a nice dimension and texture. Another new dish we tried was the squash salad. Chef offered a really nice balance of the sweetness of the squash and cranberries with the bitterness of the greens. Also the carrots with the pistachios offered a great flavor and the pistachios helped check the sweetness of the carrots. Finally, the raw bar and grilled fish remain solid and of good quality. Service remains friendly but attentive. The total price for 5 dishes, 2 large servings of sorbet (3 large scoops each), and 3 glasses of wine was 224 including tax and 25% tip.

Excellent lobster roll and fries were crunchy and delicious! Although the lobster roll was smaller than other restaurants it was still super yummy. I love the ambience here as well. I would come back!

I came here twice, once I sat at the bar outside for happy hour and the second time I came for brunch on Sunday. The restaurant has plenty of seating outdoors and indoors and also space where you can see the kitchen. Each time I went the staff have been very friendly and attentive. I enjoyed their happy hour a lot more than brunch. At happy hour, I got the hamachi crudo, clam chowder, oysters and lobster roll. The happy hour price just made it more reasonable. For brunch, I got the clam chowder, crab omelette and espresso martini. I enjoyed the espresso martini. The crab omelette was a bit disappointing and the clam chowder tasted a bit watered down for me. Parking is also difficult in this area and you have to pay for parking.

Staff and restaurant were nice but I was pretty disappointed with the beer selection and the hamburger that I got, although delicious, was small and lost in a giant plate of fries. Definitely would have liked more burger and less fries. Also, they only had one type of cheese. I don't care much for American Cheese, the yellow / orange type and that is the only cheese they have in the restaurant. The KeyLime pie was a bit small but tasted incredible.

server: LUIS wonderful, pleasant, easy-going server who provided great suggestions and amazing dining experience. food: - OLIVE OIL POACHED HALIBUT (entrées) - CRISPY FISH SANDWICH (sandwiches). Fish: catfish - GRILLE BROCCOLINI (sides) - YELLOWFIN TUNA* (crudos) ambiance: nice. Went back a couple weeks later.

I had a super fun time at The Salt Line. We came in the evening but the inside was perfect for any sort of occasion-dark but still warming. Our waitress and staff were some of the nicest people. The food was also amazing. I really enjoyed the oysters and the crab dip. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time here

Stopped by in the weekday for some light appys. The flavor profile of these dishes were phenomenal and ingredients were high quality and fresh. 2 appys and 1 glass of wine = $50 including tip which is definitely expensive but that's the price these days for sustainable seafood in this area

Amazing! We had a bad experience at another restaurant the night before with wait staff and food so we were especially appreciative of the extra attention we received! There were like 4 people who were waiting on us and so we never lacked anything. The food came in a timely fashion and was hot and so delicious! Monday nights it's happy hour until 7 so we hit whitefish salad, coddies and clam chowder. All so wonderful and delicious! I got the Portuguese stew and my husband for the fisherman's Platter. Both great choices! Great atmosphere and drinks were delish too! Would highly recommend!

Amazing experience! We arrived and was greeted by cheerful staff! Food was good but not the best I have had! NYE in Arlington at a seafood restaurant is a treat ! I will say the staff was more amazing compared to the food ! The food was well prepared but somewhat portion versus cost was very noticeable! I do realize the challenge in the restaurant business in today's market! Our Parker house rolls seem a little dark and tough on top but certainly very wonderful inside! The rock fish small , maybe 8 ounces at best was a tad over cooked but the sauce and the pearl onions made difference ! We did enjoy our experience. Waitress was not too engaging, but it was very busy! We did have a great window table ! Our bill was about $240 with tip for three people! We enjoyed our meal !

I've wanted to eat here ever since they got good reviews in Navy Yard, and finally tried the one in Ballston with my father and brother. We got the Waterman's platter which is a smattering of different fried seafood offerings (fish, oyster, scallops, shrimp), on a heap of fries. We also got a half dozen oysters, rockfish crudo, and the crab dip. First I'll start off with the crab dip. I thought this was an ok crab dip, I think it needed more crabmeat and a little too sour for my taste. I do like the touch of using shrimp chips with old bay, I grew up on shrimp chips and think it's a nice combo. I wouldn't get this app again, but it wasn't entirely disappointing. The next is the rockfish crudo, I thought this was standard crudo, I think it could use more flavors, not a standout dish either. The half dozen oysters however, were really good, it was fresh and the vinaigrette that came with it fit well. Lastly, the best part of the meal was the waterman's platter. They fried the seafood perfectly, the batter was crunchy but not too thick, just the right amount. The seafood was really fresh and tasty, great quality. The fries were also tasty and definitely sharing-sized. It was a big platter and filled my bro and father. We all enjoyed it. I would go back for some delicious seafood, not many options for that in this area.

Try @thesaltline new weekend #happybrunch menu - Available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm! Although we went for the happy brunch, the star of the show was the scallop ceviche and the tuna Crudo! We also really enjoyed all of the beverages, but we really enjoyed the guavarita. We also tried the Fishhouse punch and the passion Paloma! For our entrées, we got the lobster roll, of course, and we also had the crab omelette, which was the perfect brunch item! Finally, we ended our brunch experience with the black tea panna cotta, and although it was not like most panna cottas it was a light dessert, and the raspberry sorbet was the perfect addition to this dish! When you're in Boston, check out the salt line for their excellent happy brunch options!

My actual rating is about a 4.5. The service itself however was 5 stars. We had the best service at The Salt Line that we've had in ages - our server was Cam and he was top notch. He proactively asked about food allergies/sensitivities and doublechecked that what we wanted to order would be ok. Aside from the service, our favorite thing was the pimento crab dip, also a 5. It was perfect. Very intense flavor from the cheese, but lots of lump crab in it as well. The poofy Old Bay chips that went with it aren't usually my favorite texture but worked extremely well with the dip. We absolutely would order this on every visit. Same with the rolls - 5 stars. They are a little sweet like a brioche, just how I like them, served warm with soft butter. We ate one right away and saved one to go with the meal. One of the staff said putting the dip on these also is good so maybe will try that next time. My husband had the Quartermaster for his cocktail and really liked it. I had the guavarita and while it was fine I would have preferred it sweeter and with a sugar rim instead of salt. I probably wouldn't order it again just because of my tastes but if you prefer less sweet, more tart, then that one might be for you. For me it was a 3. For the entrees we had the crispy rockfish and the campanelle pasta. Both were very good, but not necessarily "must order every time" good. I loved that the pasta was fresh and light, the shrimp were cooked just right, but would have liked a little more flavor intensity out of the sauce. A bit more garlic, a bit stronger chevre would have kicked it up a notch. I'd put both entrees as 4 star. The place gets very busy (make a reservation!) and is very loud, the ambience is more upscale casual than dressy, though the prices are getting up towards fine dining levels. There were folks in basketball jerseys and shorts as well as business casual type attire, so you could wear what you want. They had a large covered patio where the bar was which was quite popular. All in all, we definitely would come back, with a reservation, when we're expecting to have a spendy meal to enjoy the crab dip and try some of the other entrees. The main reason I went with 4 instead of 5 is at this price point I want every entree to be just right, and though ours were good, I'm not sure I'd put them as best in class. Rating may go up if we find other entrees that are perfection, or if some of the cheaper casual ones end up being really good like the shrimp roll and we can dial down the cost.

Portuguese Stew was outstanding. Service was good. Beautiful job on the restaurant. However, parking is a major problem as my wife is handicapped. If you're not on the street right in front you have a major walk from the parking for Balston Mall.

Consistently good food. Enjoyed steak and the rest of the food others ordered. Great service. Will definitely go again.

Came here for a friend's birthday dinner and I think we may have just come on a bad day. They ran out of everything and it was a race to see who gets the last rockfish dish which was odd. I got the scallops which were pleasant, but nothing special. My group didn't have the best experience here and I know I won't be back

We went to The Salt Line for restaurant week and had a great time! We made a reservation in advance and were able to sit right when we got there. I've sat outside at the bar before, but this was my first time sitting inside and it was very pleasant. The ambiance was lovely, not too loud, and the staff was attentive. It took awhile to get our entrees, but given that it was restaurant week, that wasn't surprising or an issue! The food was delicious. The unexpected star of the show was the Portuguese Stew. Will be back soon!

Visited Salt Line restaurant for the first time on 11/182023 with my family for lunch/brunch celebration for my almost 15 year old nephew whose birthday was the next day and was confirmed in his faith that morning. We made reservations for 6 ahead of time. My nephew wanted fried shrimp, but the only thing on the menu containing fried shrimp was a $34 seafood platter, which he was not interested in the other platter items. We asked the waiter if he could order fried shrimp. We were told no, it is not available on this weekend menu, but he suggested the shrimp cocktail. I asked what kind of fish was it in the crispy fish sandwich? The waiter said Chesapeake catfish. I was disappointed with the selection options, but went with the group and ordered. We ordered the shrimp cocktail, 2 bowls of clam, 2 burgers one with fries and a bowl of clam chowder and one with greens (salad). One 16 year old found nothing of interest and didn't order. While we waited our waiter was very attentive refilling water and provided ample lemons on request. The cup of chowder arrived and my brother appeared pleased. The bowls of chowder arrived by a different employee who spilled my bowl in front of me. Our waiter cleaned it up quickly, but incompletely, residue remained on the table. A replacement bowl of chowder was served, but to my dismay was not a chowder consistency, but more of a soup. I noticed after the fact, this has been mentioned in at least another review. Chowder is supposed to be of a thicker consistency than a soup from my understanding. The flavor was fine with lots of clams, but I detected no bacon and the Salt Line crackers would have been better served on the side to remain crispy. My sister-in- law didn't touch her greens. I tried some of my brother's fries and found them delicious and crispy. The sad part is my nephew had no clue what he was ordering. His shrimp cocktail order was 3 large shrimp and he consumed them and was still hungry. I may give Salt Line another try on a return visit to the Ballston neighborhood, however the menu was pricy and limiting. On the weekday happy hour menu, my nephew could have ordered fried shrimp with cole slaw and tatar sauce. It was early on Saturday, but there were few patrons in the restaurant, as seen in the pictures I took. The restaurant and display case is attractive, but something appears missing.