Locals Seafood - Restaurant & Market — Restaurant in Durham

I have purposely waited to share this review. Just as I paused and reflected after every bite I have been in reflection since I ate the tuna melt and smoked fish dip and crackers at the locals. I'm a vegetarian who on occasion will eat fish due to the underwhelming options as a vegetarian that may exist on any particular menu. I have never preferred to eat fish over a well-prepared vegetarian option. Fish was always a backup plan sometimes a hail Mary so that at least I could stomach my meal while others thoroughly enjoyed theirs. So when I saw Locals seafood and market in the Durham food Hall I took my time and ordering something that I thought would be simple and uncomplicated, palatable. As a vegetarian occasional pescatarian I've had plenty of tuna melts and tuna salad sandwiches in my life because it was the only option for a somewhat prepared dish that wasn't raw vegetables or raw roughage. So when I took that first bite of the Locals' tuna melt, I was so shocked, that for the first time in a long time I had no words to describe what I was experiencing I chewed that first bite and evaluated my palate and had a very deep and emotional moment with myself with one question. Have I ever actually eaten a tuna melt before or had I been eating adulterated shredded paper. The first word that came out of my mouth after 3 minutes of silence was refreshing the next word was clean. Even the Swiss cheese was subtle but clear. I thought to myself if I had a complaint it would be that the bread might be too thick. That was a baseless assumption, because when I took that first bite the ratio of bread was actually perfect. The manner in which the bread was toasted allowed for it to be the vessel of transport but as soon as you begin to chew it gave way to the surprising fullness and freshness of the tuna. I still don't quite have words or clear enough words to describe that sandwich. But I do have the words to describe the joy that I felt. I was literally dancing in my chair. If you have children you can remember or you can currently observe that when they have a food that just delights them their bodies starts to move and it is lead by their tummy they first begin to sway back and forth from their midsection and soon enough this sway or movement moves all the way down to their toes you can see the elation through their whole body. That's what happened to me a grown woman sitting at a table covered in meals. And I began to have my happy tummy dance. As you move through life as you near the closing chapters there's not many things that can surprise you or delight to you and that's what the Locals Seafood and Market did they surprised and delighted me. And yes I will also mention the smoked fish dip and saltine crackers. Such a simple appetizer but it really made me question just as the tuna melt, have I ever had smoked fish dip and crackers. I can answer that definitively now I have. And I thoroughly enjoyed them...

A Hidden Gem Inside Durham Food Hall

What a surprise! We came for the seafood and had no idea Locals Seafood was tucked inside a full-blown food hall. with so many other delicious distractions (crunch wraps, Boba, curry-spiced Indian wraps, chili chicken wontons… we got a little carried away). But trust us, Locals Seafood is a star not to be missed.

The tuna melt was outstanding. They smoke it in-house, layering with banana peppers and pickled onions, and perfectly pressed. Add a side of waffle fries (my personal fave) and you’re golden. The fresh oysters were amazing too. Super briny and fresh (though here’s hoping oyster prices drop one day… we can dream). The coleslaw was crisp and lightly dressed, just right.

Prices were fair, portions generous, and the team at Locals couldn’t have been friendlier - cheery, helpful, and clearly passionate about what they serve.

Bonus: we wandered over to the Saturday farmers market just a block away for lemonade, live music, and more good vibes. An unexpectedly perfect weekend food adventure....

Menu is always fresh, and options are all delicious. I appreciate the gluten-free fried and broiled options. It's hard to find good gluten-free fried shrimp in this area. Locals Seafood never disappoints!

Edited 1/29/24: Still keeping the 5 stars because the food is delicious but it would be nice if you posted somewhere that only raw oysters are available in the last hour before closing. I arrived at 5 minutes after 5pm on a Sunday when 6pm was the stated closing time only to be informed that I could not get fried shrimp because they close at 6pm and only raw oysters were available in the hour before closing. I understand it but was disappointed as I had gotten mine and my husbands hopes up for shrimp and didn't see this info posted on the website anywhere or else I wouldn't have bothered. If I missed that this information is posted somewhere, totally on me. However, if it's not posted it may be nice so folks know that the last hour is just...