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  • Legal Sea Foods - Crystal City

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Legal Sea Foods - Crystal City
Legal Sea Foods - Crystal City

Legal Sea Foods - Crystal City Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.legalseafoods.com/Restaurants/Arlington-Crystal-City
  • Phone: (703) 415-1200
  • Hours of Operation:
    Monday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm



    Friday: 11am - 11pm



    Saturday: 12n - 11pm



    Sunday: 12n - 9pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Getting there

  • Cross Street: South 23rd Street
  • Public Transit: Crystal City (Yellow Line) Metro station.
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: Our validation will net you savings. Complimentary 1 hour of parking and $5 per hour thereafter on weekdays and complimentary parking on weekends at the adjacent Buchanan Garage.
A word from Legal Sea Foods - Crystal City
The signature dish at Legal Sea Foods – really fresh fish.

For all those who love seafood in Crystal City, the world really can be your oyster. Choose from among the 40 varieties of fresh fish and shellfish we serve simply prepared, 365 days a year.

In season, our patio… seating is a lure for those who choose the fresh seafood and fresh air combo.

Legal Sea Foods has long proven that a consistent, high quality dining experience never goes out of style. We’ve received a boatload of accolades including being named “#1 Best Seafood Restaurant” in a nationwide poll by USA Today (2013) and the honor of serving our legendary New England Clam Chowder at every presidential inauguration since 1981. Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerSeafood
Diner Reviews
  • "I found food a bit greasy...(with lots of butter). Other than that, service and ambience was good."
    Dined on 7/26/2014
  • "Excellent Dining Experience. Legal Seafoods stands for good quality environmentally sound sourced fish and seafood. As such the food is fresh, quality and above all tasty. The environment is great providing you like the hustle and bustle. Server was knowledgeable and friendly and added to the experience. Wine recommendation went well with the meal. I have been to the restaurant on several occasions over the years of visits to DC - I shall certainly go back again. I highly recommend it to those staying in the Crystal City area."
    Dined on 7/24/2014
  • "After dining at the Legal Seafood in downtown DC, I was sure that this chain restaurant had finally succeeded at not feeling like a very average or less than average chain restaurant. The DC location is beautiful and bar was inviting and drinks tasty. Crystal City??? Not so much. It feels a little beat up and ignored. Definitely not a place that I would want to try again. I feel bad for my server. He was great but I'm not sure he will get repeat customers....especially with their competition around the corner. The bad thing...I think Legal Might have better food than their competition. The only reason I rated it low was because I had to send my scallops back for another flash on the grill. But was pretty tasty."
    Dined on 7/24/2014
  • "service was wonderful. raw oysters were to die for!"
    Dined on 7/20/2014
  • "A little disappointed. The menu seems to gearing away from specialty preparations of the types of fish I remember them for. There was no Halibut, grouper or bluefish on the menu."
    Dined on 7/20/2014
  • "Bad service, food tasted bad, and two people in our party threw up that night from the food. Will never go back."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "My friend and I travel often and enjoy good seafood. We tried the grilled Lobster... Nothing to rave about. Ambiance was quite casual, not particularly neat .. not what one would expect, even for this chain. Disappointing."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "We are regulars at Legal, not only the one in Arlington but many others. We have ordered almost everything on the menu and it is usually all very good. This trip nothing was right. The food was cold or even uncooked (shrimp, scollops and the corn casserole) The room temp meal was was well below what we have grown to expect. We will continue to go to Legal in hopes that this was a very abnormal experience for us. We are usually very happy at Legal."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "The good and service was excellent. Will try to return in the future."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "My in-laws had come into town and I was looking for a nice place to take them. Legal seafood was the place. Even though we were a large group the food came out quick and it was good. The casseroles were a little different but still good."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Had a terrific meal at Legal Sea Foods, chose the sockeye salmon which was a one of that evenings special offerings. It was terrific. Service was very good, friendly and responsive."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "No profound rating here. I keep coming back because I like fresh seafood. They do a great job of not trying to make it more than it is. Sat at the bar to watch the world cup. The bar food did not disappoint because I was expecting bar food. It was what you might expect for a seafood restaurant - tuna burger, fish tacos, oysters."
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "Great surf and turf and great service from Meredith!"
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "Crowded floor plan, and noisy when full (which was this time). Friendly seating and server, attentive, but not overly so. Oysters were good and fresh, and shrimp also, although they were grilled and served, keeping the "spoon" shape from their being frozen. Should have been separated. I like LSF and will return."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "My date and I had a bottle of their cheapest or near cheapest wine at $38, side salads at $7, and entrees at $22-25. Mine was the scrod of the day, prepared simply but very well and served with white rice and green beans, which I needed to season. My date had shrimp in garlic, which were obviously more highly seasoned and very good, served with noodles. No dessert or coffee. The bill came to $120 with tip."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "My wife is both a paraplegic and GLUTEN free due to medical issues. The staff at this restaurant went out of their way to make her comfortable without making an issue of it. They have a separate GLUTEN Free Menu! My wife, normally a small eater, cleaned her plate. When the waiter offered us dessert (on the house; it was our wedding anniversary)my wife quickly chose one from the Gluten Free Menu and just as quickly this "small eater" downed the heavenly warm centered chocolate cake with a small side of vanilla ice cream."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "From the moment we arrived we had great service.......Robert, our waiter, couldn't have been more attentive and caring......he even gave water to a person passing by with a dog who looked ver thirsty.......you do not often get restaurant personnel that are really into what they are doing......the food was excellent and the service even better!"
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "We took our grown children and husbands to dinner while visiting DC. We started with 3 appetizers and enjoyed them all. We each had a different entrée and tasted around the table. Not a person was unhappy with their meals...in fact we all loved them all."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "Restaurant too loud, my reservation request for a table location ignored, main courses arrived while we were still eating appetizers yet food not completely hot."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Great food, outstanding service, fantastic kids menu too. Overall nice experience."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "My sister invited my husband and me to Legal Sea Foods. We had never been there before. We dined outside and it was a very good experience. The seafood was delivered hot, tender and very good. The waiter gave us excellent service. He made recommendations and was very pleasant. We really enjoyed ourselves and will return. Thanks."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "I was really looking forward to the lobster but was disappointed in that while it was tasty, it was rather tough; however, the service was great from the greeter at the front door to my wait staff."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "The tables are very close together throughout most of the dining room. I felt like we were sitting with the couple next to us. The noise level was very high - made conversation a bit challenging. Service was excellent - attentive and helpful. Ordered shrimp cocktail -excellent. Entrees: Wedge salad (best one I've ever had - seriously!), fish & chips (excellent!) & grilled tuna (cooked perfectly). I'm a big fan of Legal (being from New England originally) but I do not think I would go back to THIS location. The atmosphere did not compliment the excellent food."
    Dined on 6/12/2014
  • "Have always had fresh seafood here. Have not had a bad meal yet."
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "Legal Seafood in Crystal City is the only location that I like. There's a noticeable difference in the food quality at this location. Plus the service is ALWAYS great. "
    Dined on 6/6/2014
  • "Legal Sea Foods has a great happy hour, and the Bang Bang Cauliflower is amazing! "
    Dined on 6/3/2014
  • "We really enjoyed eating here! The food was good, service was spot on and we had a great evening!"
    Dined on 6/1/2014
  • "As always, fresh seafood, cooked to perfection. Our favorite is their steamed lobster and steamed clams. Great with a select bottle of sauvignon blanc!"
    Dined on 6/1/2014
  • "This is a great place to go for seafood. I love the gluten-free menu because there are a lot of choices and the food is consistently good."
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • " MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM THEIR MENU. FOOD ARRIVED AS ORDERED AND HOT. PORTION SIZES ARE WELL WORTH THE PRICE. ENTIRE STAFF PLEASANT AND CORDIAL. TRULY A VERY ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE. SUGGEST WHEN YOU COME HERE, COME ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. LEGAL SEA FOOD ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS I'VE BEEN TO IN A VERY LONG TIME."
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • "The Romano crusted sole special is mouth pleasing experience. The delicate flavors of the Sole is well matched to the tangy Romano edges. The featured Spanish wines are great accompaniments to the fish as well! All this with outstanding, caring and knowedgable staff makes for a great dinning experience. Well done LSF Crystal City!"
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • "Took two out-of-town business friends to Legal in Crystal City, VA. Neither had been to Legal Seafood before and both loved it. Great evening and VERY convenient from National Airport."
    Dined on 5/26/2014
  • "We returned to Legal Sea Foods a week later, and this time had fantastic service. The ceasar salad with shrimp is fantastic, the marinated chicken is amazing, and thumbs up to the ciopino (fish soup)! our kids loved the 1 lb lobster. Perfect size! The restaurant also has an intriguing selection of summer time drinks, and sitting outside was a delight. Glad we returned. This time, service was excellent."
    Dined on 5/24/2014
  • "This is a chain outpost of the Legal Seafood enterprise. While the wine list and beer menu are plentiful, the actual menu disappoints as to variety of seafood. The cod was well prepared, but the sides were overwhelmed by a seemingly erstatz cheese/cream source. Ick. And charging an extra $1.95 for a tiny ramekin of cole slaw is the height of arrogance.! The Fresh seafood choices were limited to cod and salmon (the cod was well prepared), but the majority of the menu was devoted to shellfish and steak or combination thereof. Lots of fried food..so it's not the healthiest of menus. Would I return there...frankly no, I'd be better of getting fresh fish at the nearby Hyatt or Hilton."
    Dined on 5/22/2014
  • "A small group of us had dinner at Legal Seafood on a Sunday afternoon at 5. When we arrived, most of the tables were empty -- a good sign of attentive service. Our server checked in, and we said we would order drinks shortly. It was more than 15 minutes later when he finally came back to get our drinks, and then another chunk of time passed, although we were set to order. When it came to cocktail refills, he was again missing in action, and there was no check-back on food (which another server delivered to our table). Overall, the food was excellent (except the rolls were hard - but that's not why we came). Thumbs-up for the marinated chicken, ceaser salad with grilled shrimp, tuna appetizer and cioppino. But the serviice needs work "
    Dined on 5/18/2014
  • "Fab seafood, great oysters, best of all I was able to have gluten free rolls prior to dinner!!"
    Dined on 5/17/2014
  • "We came for lunch on a Saturday to celebrate our daughter's graduation. Our waiter was terrific at offering suggestions and encouraging us to customize our choices, as well as making us feel very welcome. Three members of our party had the crab cake entree, which was mostly crab with very little filler. There was a large selection of complimentary side dishes, plus the option to upgrade to premium sides. I had the Mediterranean roasted salmon served over orzo, with hummus and pita wedges and a cucumber/yogurt sauce on the side. It was phenomenal. The gin and tonics were generously sized. The key lime pie and the chocolate mousse parfait were excellent. This was my first time at Legal Sea Foods but definitely won't be my last."
    Dined on 5/17/2014
  • "I've dined here three times in one month for separate occasions and never had a bad visit or misstep. Best choice for a "sure thing". "
    Dined on 5/16/2014
  • "I have always enjoyed the food and friendly service at this location. Not so much this time. The chunk of watermelon in my cocktail was slimy and past ripe. The broccoli and cheese had a sauce that was part cheese but mostly flour and it tasted like paste. And my entrée was supposed to have my choice of three pieces of fish, and one of the three I requested was trout. When I told the waiter that the third piece on my plate was salmon not trout, he said it was the chef's selection, and that entrée only came with swordfish, tuna, and salmon. I like salmon but I had had it for lunch and didn't want it for dinner also. It wasn't worth arguing about, and I still left a 20 percent tip, but it kind of marred the evening."
    Dined on 5/16/2014
  • "Legal Sea Foods menue is lacking. If you have a shrimp allergery do not go at all. There was no dish on the menue that didn't include shrimp. Service was ok, had to ask fro water. Seating area is small."
    Dined on 5/16/2014
More reviews ›
  • Wines of Italy
    All week 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM›
    We invite you to experience the wine bounty of Bella Italia. Enjoy one of our tasting flights, or experience the wonder and evolution of a full bottle as it opens to express nuance and subtlety in the glass. Excludes Tax and Tip. For more information: http://www.legalseafoods.com/. Special valid Aug 4, 2014 - Aug 31, 2014 all week from 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM. Offer valid August 4, 2014 - August 31, 2014
  • National Oyster Day
    Tuesday, August 5, 2014 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM›
    Come celebrate all things oyster, everyone is invited - mavens of the mollusk and oyster newbies - all who share the belief of the idiomatic saying, "the world is your oyster.". Excludes Tax and Tip. For more information: http://www.legalseafoods.com/. Special valid on Tuesday Aug 5, 2014 from 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM. Offer valid August 5, 2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Virginia - DC Suburbs Winners
  • Seafood
Learn more ›