I love coastal. My girlfriend and I try to go every Friday because the atmosphere and ambiance is just perfect. If you take away the always great food and drinks, we would still go to coastal just to see Kate! Kate is amazing and always greats us with a smile. Can't get enough of this place read more

My great Uncle brought me to Coastal Flats over Labor Day weekend, and I was shocked by the popularity of a suburban restaurant. Coastal Flats has a casual sit down vibe with prices slightly higher than most chains like this. The theme cute, with ships and fish hanging in the interior. We called ahead, waited before driving over, and still waited for ten minutes so this place is definitely popular on a Friday night. Despite the restaurant being huge, you will wait. I started my meal with a whiskey sour, which was strong. Then, the best part of the meal came- the bread! The rolls were delicious and melted in my mouth, and the bread was good too. They came with a sweet butter that was so yummy. When my crab cake arrived, I was surprised that there was only one at a large chain and for the price, but it was a big crab cake with an average amount of crab. The sides were a lot less exciting, and I got the Mediterranean Orzo Salad and Coleslaw which were big portions but average. I don't know why everyone insists on having sides like fries and coleslaw... Would a fruit cup kill anyone? Most notably, the service was very friendly and efficient. All in all, for being a suburban chain, Coastal Flats is quite good and would be a regular stop if I lived nearby. read more

always a favorite. Can't go wrong with GAR!! Get the calamari- the absolute BEST anywhere!

I was starving so I suggested to my dad we try out this place. Whenever I came by in the past it was always packed and I didn't feel like waiting in line. E came after the lunch rush so it was fairly crowded but there wasn't a wait. The hostesses were friendly and greeted us once we walked into the restaurant. They showed us to our table and let us know our server would be right with us. Not even a minute later our waitress came over and welcomed us to the restaurant. She took our drink orders and came back fairly fast with them. She asked if we had any questions about the menu and we decided to go ahead and order. I had the salmon with cauliflower mash while my dad got the naked burger with the tomato cucumber salad. While we waited our waitress brought over bread and continued to fill up our drinks. About 15 minutes later our meals came out and they smelled great. I stuck my fork in for my first bite of salmon and it was delicious. It was hot and tasted great. The cauliflower mash was great as well, I couldn't get enough. My dad said that was the first time he had cheddar cheese and you could clearly taste the cheddar. We were wonderfully surprised and loved our meal along with the great service. I know for sure that I'll be coming here again and trying a new dish as I'm sure it will be another great experience. read more

Coastal Flats - Salmon with cauliflower mash was perfect! - Seafood Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Great food, as is typical of the Great American Restaurant group! Terrific service, a popular bar scene, and an experience that never disappoints. read more

My husband & I had an early dinner at Coastal Flats in Fairfax tonight. I ordered a salad & asked for no onions or scallions. My salad came filled with scallions. I had to send it back so I watched my husband eat his dinner. And when mine came, he watched me eat. Not a pleasant dining experience. No one ever came and asked if we wanted another drink. We are big fans of Great American Restaurants. We probably eat at one of them at least once a week. Service isn't what it use to be. read more

food took way too long and was almost cold. service was worse than food, specifically and including manager. DO NOT EAT HERE read more

Nautical vibes that can go either family friendly or a place to take your significany other for a date. They have a large outdoor patio as well as a large indoor seating area with a bar. We started with the calamari as a starter. It wasn't as crispy as I normally like them but they cover it with an Asian sweet chili sauce. For my entree it the hickory grilled chicken. The chicken was moist and seasoned perfectly. I was pleasantly surprised at how flavorful the angel hair pasta was. It comes with a brown butter sauce which doesn't sound fancy it anything but it was packed with flavor. I would definitely come back to try the seafood next time! read more

Love Coastal! It is one of our favorite, go-to restaurants. Great menu and mango martini!

Standard Costal Flats fare served at a glacial pace. Maybe we were unlucky and our waiter was a clunker. Maybe the management is taking the Labor Day weekend off and left the place to their second string. I've eaten at enough Great American restaurants to know when a property is running below par. Tonight, this is that. read more

I really like many of their mixed drinks as well as the lobster rolls which offer alot of food for a reasonable price. They do a pickup option which works pretty well. I've taken many family members here to eat and they always have something for them to enjoy. Also, definitely get the bread rolls, they are really good. read more

It's decent it's not my first choice But sometimes I have cravings and love it so much I've never had problems with there food There always kind read more

Very delicious!!! Food is excellent and made quickly and the staff are all very friendly!! Will definitely be bringing my daughter here next week! read more

My first night in town visiting an old friend and we didn't feel like making more than a 2 minute walk to go get dinner. We went to Coastal Flats, which he described as "hit or miss...but usually quite good." To start, their drinks are quite good. I had their pomegranate margarita, which was not as sweet as most of their specialty drink menu. They offered two types of bread, a spiced cheese sort of bread and one that was similar to a hawaiian roll with honey butter. For main dishes he had the halibut special, which was quite good with an excellent flavor. I had the hong kong style sea bass, which was fabulously dull. I know sea bass is typically a dull fish, but the preparation seemed like it was poached and the sauce was even boring. The service was pretty good and the decorations were extremely tacky and nautical themed, but that's basically what I expected. Overall, it was pretty hit or miss. I probably would not come back, but it's tempting when you live in the same parking lot. read more

Does eating at Mike's American Grill make you giddy? Enjoy Sweetwater, Arties and love those damn addicting fried bread things from Best Buns? Well, then Coastal Flats is your cup of tea ... surprise, they're all part of the same restaurant group. Now, it doesn't take a PhD to figure out that this is a seafood themed restaurant ... and they serve up some decent grub at that. I've enjoyed the calamari and crab cakes several times. And yes, I've even ordered the key lime chicken once. Twas good ... and they're not lying when it says "while it lasts" on the menu. Also, this place is probably one of the best happy hours in the area -- the back patio gets CROWDED when it is nice out. As in, "excuse me, you don't mind if my ass rubs against yours while I talk to my friend do you? Thanks." crowded. Hey, for some folks that's a GOOD thing! The inside bar doesn't fare much better. Also, don't kid yourself playa and think you're gonna stroll in at 8PM on a Friday night with your date and get a table. Your ass is gonna WAIT hours - and no, they don't take reservations. See the bar to your right ... yeah, you're gonna make friends with it real quick. Hey, I know some jokers that PLAN it that way to "break the ice". Adjust your night accordingly. BTW, there's a movie theater across the street. Caribou Coffee around the corner, Ben and Jerry's a stones throw away. Not to mention PF Changs, Rio Grande and CPK all in the same place (and Morton's for you high rollers!). And you wonder why it's so crowded all the time ... read more

Stopped by on a lazy Monday afternoon to grab some grub before catching a movie at the cinema de lux nearby. I sat at the bar and was served by Lizzy. Apparently they were in the middle of changing shifts because when I asked Lizzy to cash me out, she ignored me and left so the next shift got her tips. In any case, the food was pretty good. I got the crab and shrimp fritters that had a nice cheese sauce and the goat cheese and pecan salad was tasty. The pale ale was ok. A bit of residual taste that was more bitter than hoppy. read more

Coastals is one of the bars I frequent regularly and for good reason. You can always count on a good crowd even on a Tuesday, and the bartenders are generous and quick with your order. When the weather is warm, the back patio is open and is a great place for Happy Hour. I have met lots of fun people at this bar, so coming to the bar here alone is a not a bad idea. The food is good. It is a chain, so you can't expect more than chain-worthy food. Take it for what it is. Things I like are the Shrimp and Crab Fritter appetizer, Two Noodle Shrimp Salad, and the Crabcakes. The ozzy rolls are comforting served with whipped sweet butter. read more

Enjoyed a birthday dinner with group of six. Received the best service and food! Have previously gone to Mikes Grill and other restaurants in the chain (we LOVE GREAT AMERICAN) but this may be our new dining spot! The waiter Paul was OUTSTANDING! Top notch service from him and we called manager to the table to let her know. read more

If there is one word for this place, it would be PERFECT. The atmosphere gives off the airy delightful feeling of a summer vacation on a cruise: warm lax feeling (tacky decor but still does the job), fresh food, fun cocktails, and the servers serve with a smile (Now that alone takes some serious effort people. When was the last time you were genuinely happy to see someone you just met? NO. Job interviews don't count). Dining in the patio is a MUST. The service never cease to amaze me. It's obvious the servers put in a ton of effort pampering their guests although it's depressing watching some people abuse it. Brenden (tall dark and veerry handsome) is phenomenal. Despite juggling 60 other tables he still managed to fulfill little requests and has a keen eye for microscopic details. Maintaining tables with rounds of full glasses is a chore, but a fresh glass of soda just because the current one "looks" flat? WOW. Hot foods are always delivered hot, and cold foods are always delivered cold. Whatever the temperature may be, you are guaranteed to get it fast and fresh (despite the crazy rush hour). ** (complimentary) Bread + rolls. Raisin bran, cheddar with jalapeno peppers, and rustic Italian are all fresh and tasty. The donut holes on the other hand, super addicting. Yes, these are complimentary and unlimited refills (Perfect for those of you feeble minded people with no shame of filling up on the free stuff!!) ** Lobster bisque is wonderful. It's just the way a lobster bisque should be: smooth, creamy, and a ton of lobster and crawfish bits. ** Blue crab fritters are delicious. Lump crab meat covered with a crunchy spiky exterior. Sitting on top of lobster ginger sauce. Don't let the exterior scare you. Although it looks like something that can paper-cut you, it won't. ** Drunken rib eye is to die for. ** Pomegranate and pineapple mojitos are fantastic. Made with fresh mint leaves and just enough sweetness to it. A bit pricey, same price and half the amount you get elsewhere. ** Flourless chocolate waffle. Sinfully chocolaty and flourless, so you can indulge without the guilt. For those of you who complain about the dreadful long wait, STOP YOUR BITCHING. Guess what you're actually waiting for- Other customers to get up and leave. It's not the restaurant's fault there are people out there who likes to camp at empty tables. read more

I'm a fan of Great American Restaurants, usually the food is pretty good and the prices are moderate. I've been here a few times for dinner, but more often for HH. Here is my breakdown: -2 They don't offer any HH specials (but don't really need to since it's always so crowded, which leads me to..) -1 It is always crowded, be prepared to wait for a table if you're dining in the evenings +3 The Mojitos, made with fresh mint +2 The key lime martinis with graham cracker around the rim +1 The bread basket with ozzie rolls and raisin bread I'm no math major but I'm pretty sure that equals 3 Stars! read more

I struggle sharing this review, but feel the need to... So, it just so happens my mom & son have the same birthday, so naturally we like to celebrate. When I realized I was going to have my parents, in-laws and brother in town over their birthday, going out to dinner seemed like a no-brainer...and I actually thought of Ozzies first. Keeping in mind I have been going to Coastal Flats on/off for 12 years, I figured I would switch our reservations to Coastal instead of Ozzies...but was actually quite disappointed. It all started with the phone call to make the reservations, I mentioned to the girl that we would be 6 adults and 1 child. She put me on hold, than a man (didn't introduce himself) came on and said, "Uh yeah, are you familiar with CF?" To which I responded, "yes I am." And he continued, "Our booths comfortably fit 6 people." Soooo...ok. I told him I thought it would be ok because my son is little and I felt like we could all fit. I was shocked at his demeanor and felt that he was annoyed I wanted a table for 7! It was 5:30 PM on a Friday, right before the big dinner rush, so things started out good, and I think there is something we can all agree on with Great American restaurants, they have superb service (part of the reason I wanted to go to a GAR at all). Upon arrival, I informed our server of the birthdays and he said, and I quote, "We will do it up for their birthdays, it'll be great." Honestly, all I ever expect is a candle in a brownie so we can sing happy birthday at the table and my 3 year old can blow out a candle...With that said, our food arrives, sweet & spicy calamari, as good as ever, a giant basket of rolls...amazing as usual, and my sons dish comes...I'd give that dish a one star. I got him the fish fingers, which came with three little fish sticks, and I chose carrots as his side, which when the plate was put on the table, the carrots already were turning white which made me think 1.) These are not cooked carrots, and 2.) They are old/have been sitting out for a while and clearly not stored in a cool place. Quite honestly, the plate was kinda dirty too... Needless to say, my son was not in to it...but everyone else got their food and we managed to feed him off of the six other plates we had. At this point, a different server came and asked how our food was and if we wanted a refill on any of our drinks. He also came by and filled our waters...When we were finished, he came by and cleared our plates and asked if we wanted dessert. To which my brother turned to him and asked if he could bring a birthday "cupcake" for our two birthdays at the table. To which the new server replied, "We don't have birthday cupcakes, and if you want dessert you have to pay for it." I honestly have never been so shocked at a Great American restaurant. Having just ordered an appetizer, cocktails, meals and enjoying our time together, we were not expecting free dessert! We just wanted something so we can sing to our mom and my son. Am I really to think we are the first customers to ask for a birthday something for the table? Really?? So, my brother said, I'll pay for it, I don't care we just would like something so we can sing to them. The 2nd server left and shortly after they brought the chocolate waffle with 2 candles and I did appreciate it, but after it was dropped off, the server said, "Oh and we will comp it for you." I mean, thank you? Needless to say, we did not see the second server again after that, were finished and were looking to pay our check, After a little while, we had to ask the first server (who was nearby because he had another table close) for our check. After having close to a $250 bill, do you think we were worried about free dessert? This truly left a terrible impression on me. I know this is a rather long review, but I feel the need to share why I am giving 2 stars. read more

I'm going to try something different here - I was waiting here at the bar for 30 minutes waiting for my lame fairfax mates to show up - I took noteso n my Blackberry for the review - ( Yes - I am a Johnny Sad Sack) rather than write the review - I will just share the raw notes: Village feel 50 year olds snogging God bless them-maybe married for 30 years-maybe they just got kids off to college-but they looked like they are tearing into one another for the first time.... Super friendly staff Families kids hipsters oldsters In house brew beer White shirts at uncle julios Buzzing and its weds Ladies drinking mojitos Decor-so nice for suburban box like dale culily and freida kuhlo had a face off in a mermaid store read more

Love Coastal Flats in Fairfax! We ordered the crab cakes and the shrimp and grits, and both dishes were amazing! The crab cakes were all crab meat!! Their drinks and the bread were also very good. Overall a very nice experience worthy of repeating! read more

dinner was amazin! our waiter Brian was amazing he helped us out was very nice and made sure we were well taken care of. I would honestly recommend asking for him if he's there. best experience ever. read more

Always a dependable place to have a meal or a drink, Coastal Flats, as one of the stable of restaurants in the Great American group, is a favorite of mine. The welcome hostesses are efficient and the servers are mostly friendly and well trained to keep your meal on track without too much overhandling. Be aware that peak times may require a long wait. The bar can get very crowded. The outside seats on the porch at the rear of the restaurant are nice for casual drink and food. If only it looke out over water! At the front of the house, the main bar also has seats on windows that open during nice weather. The dining room can be loud with an open kitchen, but is so interesting with its murals and flying fish sculptures and skylights, it is a pleasant environment for either a quick bite or a leisurely meal. Parking is the only potential problem with this venue. It is so popular (along with the other destination restaurants and the movie theater surrounding it), be aware you may have to walk some distance from your car. The menu is relatively short and stays the same, but each item is well prepared and usually satisfies my craving at the moment. Specials are a nice addition, but I rarely feel the need to go beyond the basics. For a salad, try the warm goat cheese and pecan, which adds a tart and sweet touch to the selection. The crab fritters are a very nice starter, one order is not a lot to share however. The grilled chicken sandwich is a tasty and moist (and quite filling )choice, and with the shoestring fries, a good option for a reasonable price. Crab cakes are a good version, and catch of the day is fresh and nicely prepared. Bar drinks are fairly consistent in their concoctions, including a pretty nice mojito and a smooth and delicious cosmo. For a movie date or an afternoon shopping stop for a meal, this is a great place to go. read more

Took my parents to lunch after voting. They couldn't believe how good both the food was and service. My Dad thinks he had the best cheeseburger in his life! Mom loved the warm goat cheese and spiced pecan salad and my lobster salad was delish, oh and their deviled eggs also so amazing. They were on fire today, in a good way! read more

I really want to like this place more than I do. I've tried Coastal Flats a handful of times for dinner, and my last visit is definitely going to be my last meal here. First the positives, and then I'll get into my last nightmare visit. The drinks here are really good, and the bar is always packed. So if you're looking to go for drinks with your friends and hang out, this place is a good option. I really like their Key Lime Martinis (which is definitely why I kept going back) -- tastes just like Key lime pie in a glass, complete with a crushed graham cracker rim. However, if you want to sit and have a meal, don't bother. I've never waited less than an hour for a table (even if it's just 2 of us), regardless of the day of the week or time of day I've gone. This last visit takes the cake though. Admittedly, I was part of a larger group, so I understand there are seating limitations, but this was outrageous. We did call-ahead seating and were told that the wait was an hour and a half. Half of our party arrived around the one-hour mark, and the rest of us showed up shortly after. Once we were all there, we proceeded to wait an additional hour and a half to be seated! It was nearly 10 p.m. by the time we were seated for dinner. The hostess seemed unconcerned that we'd been waiting for 3 hours for a table, all but rolling her eyes when we asked to speak to the manager. And the manager did next to nothing to remedy the situation. He gave us the lame excuse that they only had a handful of larger tables and that the groups had been sitting there for several hours ordering an occasional drink and not eating. If that's the case, then he should have politely asked them to move to the bar if they were just going to be having cocktails and allow the other large parties who were waiting to eat to be seated. He then promised that he'd send out an appetizer to "make up for the situation" so we could at least eat something while we continued to wait for our table, as we were so hungry we were about to faint. The promised appetizer took 40 minutes to arrive, and we had to ask after its whereabouts 3 different times. The real clincher came when we got the bill and the appetizer was on there (not exactly what I call "making up for the situation"), and we weren't even offered a discount off our meal for our troubles! The staff's attitude seemed to suggest that it was perfectly fine to wait so long for a table, because they're clearly worth it. I'm sorry, but 3 hours to wait for an average meal is really unacceptable! The menu is rather limited, and the food is overpriced and uninspiring -- the dishes have either been pretty bland or way oversauced. They need to find a happy medium between the two. Go for drinks if that's your thing, but avoid the giant black hole that is their dining room. read more

One word that pops up in my head as I think of Coastal Flats is "comfort." The seats are probably the most comfortable seats available in any restaurant, the ceiling is high enough to muffle excess noise even when crowds are chatting loudly, and the even the warm, modest lighting is easy on the eyes. The food is a lot nicer than Bonefish Grill. Especially, Hong Kong Style Tuna and Pecan Crusted Trout show that they know how to cook fish without withering its tenderness while throwing a bunch of other ingredients altogether. I am looking forward to trying out Coastal Lobster Roll as it seemed really good from a distance. However, Coastal Flats is not without faults. Firstly, for the price, the portion is lacking. This is the kind of restaurant that makes me want to beg Yelp to change the price range criteria from petty dollar signs to more specific guidelines. Secondly, the servers are noticeably nicer only when you are wearing nice clothes: I was surprised, in many occasions, by how servers don't even greet properly and forget to list the day's specials when I am wearing a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, while they voluntarily tell me everything even without asking when I am wearing a suit. Overall, Coastal Flats is a good restaurant with great food and adequate atmosphere, but it could see some improvements in service and price. read more

OK so i will be the first one to admit that I'm shocked i am giving coastal flats a 4 star review. I have shunned it from the day it opened pretty much because I can't stand waiting at restaurants. And since its ALWAYS packed at night (especially during the summer) I tend to avoid it. The few times I had been there had been positive so when my Mom and I were searching for a place for lunch at Fairfax Corner and I mentioned Coastal was owned by the same people who own sweetwater (which my mom loves) she jumped on it. First off, we sat at the bar and the bartender was wonderful. She called my mom by her name like she came in there every day and not like it was her first trip there ever! My Mom thought it was great. They have great bread which was brought out almost instantaneously. We both got salads which probably came out within 5 minutes of ordering. I was able to substitute dressings, which many places get cranky about. My Mom was in heaven with her Two Noodle Shrimp salad and kept talking about how amazing it was (and it definitely made up for me not being in the mood for PF Chang's!) On past occasions I've had their chicken which was great, but one thing that always stands out in my mind is the mashed potatoes! They are VERY tasty. I recommend getting them as a side dish to any entree. Now i can't say that I'm going to wait for an hour to be seated here, but i would not be opposed to eating here again read more

To be honest, restaurants in Virginia are usually not up to my (Houston) Texan standards. However, Coastal Flats and it's sister restaurants are amazing! This is probably my favorite restaurant in NOVA. I've tried different dishes, but the smoked salmon with cauliflower mash is my favorite. It's the best salmon I've had anywhere! If you're somebody who claims to not like salmon, it's because you haven't had Coastal Flats salmon. The waiter explained the process of how it's made tonight while my family and I dined. It takes a lot of work to make it so delicious! Also, the cauliflower mash is amazing. I used to be a mashed potato girl, but like to eat healthy. The cauliflower mash is the perfect alternative! I also try to avoid sugar and sweets. However, I will occasionally get dessert here. I highly recommend the flourless chocolate waffle. SO GOOD. The only reason I'm not giving them 5 stars is because parking can be a pain and they usually have long wait times. Just goes to show you how good they are. read more

I drank about a gallon of water after dining here. Don't get me wrong, I love salt. However, the chef's palate is wayyyy too salty for me. The 'Blue Crab & Rock Shrimp Fritters' was delicious..... and that's about it. The drunken ribeye was just drenched in the marinade that it just tasted like.... the marinade and SALT. A hint of beef taste here and there would have been great... after all, you are eating a steak. Mahi Mahi, 'dish of the day' was..... absolutely worthless. Fennel and mussel base with pancetta, arugula, and crostini..... Mahi mahi was grilled separately and then thrown on top of everything else. This dish lacked flavour, balance, and depth. All I tasted was fennel and SALT!!!!!!! And why not cook the mahi mahi in the fennel/mussel/pancetta/broth??? Our waiter came around to check on the food and asked if everything was OK. I looked at him and couldn't lie.... and said, the dish is absolutely salty... He willingly took my dish back and offered another meal. -- I give a BIG star for that. I'm hoping this was just a bad experience. A star for the atmosphere and the other star for the great and friendly service. I'm going to give it another try... hopefully it will be better. read more

As much as I can, I try to avoid chain restaurants, especially when we have such great mom & pop owned seafood restaurants in the DMV. But sometimes, even a chain restaurant can leave you hankering for more, and that's precisely what Coastal Flats does with its damn ozzie/ozzy/aussie rolls they bring when you sit down, with their honey butter. Let me tell you, forget your diet, forget low carb, forget paleo, forget whatever it is you are doing to lose weight/stay in shape/be healthy. You simply cannot go through life without experiencing these rolls! They have just the right hint of sweetness that is accentuated with the whipped honey butter, and when they combine in your mouth, it's this reaction so good between roll/butter/taste buds that it can only be described as heaven sent. I can avoid every temptation in life, except for these rolls, and let me tell you, I waited 2 hours for a table this past weekend, just for these glorious globs of goodness! If you insist on being a "normal" person and eating "real food" you can't go wrong with the Lobster Bisque. Not every location serves it regularly, but this Coastal Flats does. So take advantage of that! Although the portion is not very big, so you should definitely order it with another appetizer or a salad. My favorite is to pair it with their Baby Cake Sliders, which are legit! Sometimes, if my waitress is nice enough, I will have them ask the kitchen to switch out the brioche rolls they come on for my glorious globs of goodness, and believe me, it's worth it. One thing that I will say kinda-sorta alarmed me a little was how sweet their calamari was. It's tossed with a pepper jelly sauce, so I expected a hint of sweetness, but if you order a beer and think you're going to enjoy it with the calamari here as an app, you are totes wrong! It's sugary. But, still good in its own way. Since you're going to start your meal at Coastal Flats on a carb high, it's only right that you end your meal the same way, with their bread pudding. This is one of those bread puddings that is moist and custard-like, with a custard sauce that will leave you licking the plate, as my uncle proceeded to do! You might want to start your next gym session with a "forgive me, trainer, for I have sinned" though, because you won't be able to wipe the smile off of your face after you're done here! read more

Great food. Great staff. Waiting time for table is horrible (especially on weekends). To get the attention of anyone to refill your drink or to order something additional can be annoying (like catching a cab in new york). The interior design and layout I like a lot. read more

Always really good, really fresh and amazing service! Husband and I come in here all the time for date night. I really enjoy the grilled shrimp. It's a dish that's filled with flavor and you really can't go wrong with it. The servers all work together to make your dining experience awesome. The managers are very visible and come around and check on you. Basically, everyone here gives a damn! This place is located in a crazy busy shopping center and parking can, at times, suck. It's worth it though. read more

If I could eat Coastal's salmon salad every day..I would. Yet again, one of the best meals my friend and I have had here. I love the food standards GAR portrays, never a let down. My salmon salad was on point (as always) and the drunken ribeye...fantastic. Thanks for another wonderful meal! read more

Coastal Flats - Seafood Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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I've been here probably 4 or 5 times by now and really enjoy it. Food is creative with a seafood theme, but they have a pretty diverse selection of alternatives as well. I've gotten the hickory grilled jumbo shrimp the last two times and its delicious. The rolls they serve are delicious and the crab fritters are my girlfriends favorite appetizer ever. Mojitos from the bar are also decent while you're waiting..which you will be. I think last time we waited 40 minutes JUST TO GET A BUZZER. So if you're thinking of stopping by here for a quick bite to eat Friday night before a movie forget it. To be fair it was a nice Friday night and every restaurant in Fairfax Corner gets packed. Having said all that its fun, good food without having to spend a fortune. read more

You will never be disappointed at a Great American Restaurant. The service and food is always excellent and the prices are very reasonable if you ask me. If you like seafood the crab cakes and salmon are amazing. My favorite appetizer is the blue crab and rock shrimp fritters. Not a seafood person? THE MANGO CHICKEN & SPICED PECANS SALAD IS AMAZINGG and if you're in a pasta type of mood the hickory grilled chicken breast is delicious and comes with roasted mushrooms & brown butter sauce on angel hair pasta..MMM! if you have a major sweet tooth like me the warm white chocolate bread pudding is seriously one of the best desserts ever. and last but certainly not least you have to order the lucky lounge lemonade. read more

IMHO: Microbrewery, bakery, excellent food, this is a great place to come in the off-peak hours for a variety of fare. (+)Pro's & (-)Con's: +Pretty much every item is great, they spend a lot of time perfecting things +I've worked in multiple restaurants and this company has the most cleanly practices of all (you can even look directly into the kitchen) +Microbrewery beers are available +Growlers for said beer +Ozzy roles! -Very busy, I usually don't mention this, but this place can some times be a little too busy... not that it is their fault or anything -I've never been a fan of the company's team-service style # of Visits: ~5 My Experience: I worked for Sweetwater Tavern for about a year around 2002. These two restaurants and a few others in the area share the same parent company - Great American Restaurants. They have a distinct style of service where you are supposed to work as a 'team'. During my time there is was really more of a hassle and the customers would often get confused as multiple servers would always come by. Great American Restaurants also owns their own bread baking company that delivers to all the stores daily. I actually see their trucks on the road occasional. Furthermore they have a couple of microbreweries in the area. Generally each brewery only produces around 5 beers at a time, and they take awhile to switch up the rotations. That's fine though because they have around 50-100 varieties including some seasonals that are very nice. The company also enforces strict sanitation policies - you will never find a cleaner company in the back-of-the-house. Finally, they make every food item on the menu in house. So besides my work experience at the Tavern, I've been to Coastal Flats a few times. Try the Blue Crab Fritters, any of the burgers, the chicken tenders are great (not sure if they serve them at this location), mixed greens salad, Chocolate Waffle, and definitely the Spinach Dip. I actually haven't had much seafood from this location since there are so many other items on the menu to chose from. Just try to come in the off hours as they are always packed. read more

We came in on a Tuesday at 3ish and immediately seated on the patio (gorgeous day). The server was quick to greet us and gave us a run down of the specials. He was attentive and extremely friendly. We started with a Caribbean mule (wonderful) and High Seas IPA. To eat, we ordered the Crab Louie and it was AMAZING. We're sad it's only a special and not a menu staple because we'd come back once a week for that!! I'm a fritter freak so of course we got the blue crab and shrimp fritters which were phenomenal as always. For an entree we split the hickory grilled Halibut. The fish was super fresh and delicious. Overall it was an awesome experience. We love this place! :) read more

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It definitely has the feeling of a nice chain place, with all the booths in nice rows, and the menu was nothing crazy or exotic. But, they execute really well. It's worth the visit. We had the blue crab and shrimp fritters to start. They were good, but I'd like to try something else next time. The filler was tasty, but was borderline overwhelming in taste compared to the seafood. Then we had lobster roll and the Shrimp and Grits Cake. The lobster roll was good, with a fair portion of lobster (not skimpy, but not extravagant either). Unlike the fritters, the lobster "starred" and the taste was awesome. My complaint were the sides that came with it: Lobster ROLL, CORN, FRIES. Could've used a little more balance instead of carbs, carbs, carbs. Maybe some slaw, a pickled veggie... not sure what. All the sides were delicious, but it was a bit excessive. The Shrimp and Grits Cake was the best thing on the table and I'd grab it again in a heartbeat. The grits cake was creamy, and it did what the lobster roll did not: It incorporated lots of different tasty veggies, ham, and the grits. It was wonderful. Looking forward to going back. It's certainly worth it! read more