Tides Restaurants & Pub — Restaurant in Nahant

Title: "The Tides: Where the Service Flows, but the Eyes Stray

Let me set the scene: It was a foggy evening in Lynn, Massachusetts, and my friends and I decided to check out The Tides, a seafood spot that’s been buzzing on Yelp for its “oceanfront views” and “flavorful dishes.” Little did we know, the real flavor of the night would be the server’s unwavering focus on my friend’s chest. Buckle up, folks, because this is a review you won’t forget.

First, the positives: The Tides is undeniably charming. The decor is coastal chic—think driftwood accents, nautical ropes, and a mural of a lighthouse that looks like it was painted by someone who’s actually seen a lighthouse. The smell of garlic butter and fresh seafood wafted through the air, and we were seated at a cozy table by the window. So far, so good.

Enter our server, let’s call him Captain Distracted. From the moment he approached our table, it was clear that his eyes were navigating uncharted waters. My friend, let’s call her Jenna, was wearing a perfectly normal sweater—nothing outrageous, just a casual knit. But Captain Distracted? He couldn’t stop staring at her chest like he was trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube.

At first, we thought it was a fluke. Maybe he was just glancing at the table, or perhaps he was deep in thought about the lobster bisque. But no. Every time he came to take our order, refill our waters, or ask if we needed anything else, his gaze drifted downward like a magnet. It got to the point where Jenna started holding the menu up like a shield, but even that didn’t deter him. The man was relentless.

Here’s the kicker: when he brought out our appetizers (the calamari was decent, by the way), he actually leaned in to place the plate in front of Jenna, his eyes still locked on her chest. It was like he was trying to get a closer look at the stitching on her sweater. My other friend, Sarah, finally broke the tension by saying, “Hey, her eyes are up here!” Captain Distracted laughed nervously, but the damage was done. The vibe was officially weird.

The food itself? Meh. The clam chowder was creamy but lacked depth, the fish tacos were forgettable, and the lobster roll was overpriced for the portion size. But honestly, the food was the least memorable part of the experience. The real star of the show was Captain Distracted’s obsession with Jenna’s chest. It was like he was conducting a scientific study, and her sweater was the subject.

By the time dessert rolled around (the key lime pie was tangy but underwhelming), we were all ready to leave. Jenna was thoroughly creeped out, Sarah was fuming, and I was just trying to figure out how to write this review without sounding like I was exaggerating. Trust me, I’m not.

So, here’s the verdict: The Tides has potential. The ambiance is nice, the location is great, and maybe the food is better on a day when the server isn’t distracted by… well, you know. But until they address the staring problem, I can’t recommend this place in good conscience. If you do decide to go, wear a turtleneck. Or better yet, bring a pair of binoculars for the server—he might need them to find your eyes.

2/5 stars. The tides may rise, but this experience left me...

I almost never write bad reviews, as you can see from my profile, but I'll make an exception this time.

We came on a whim and were seated at a table outside. So far so good. Then we saw an available table that faced the sea and asked if we could switch to it. First we were told it was reserved, then that it was not possible because we already put in our order (not sure how that makes sense). Later we saw people who arrived without a reservation that were seated at this table.

OK, fine. We stayed at our table. Unfortunately, a couple of incessant bees came and decided they wanted a piece of our pizza. Not even putting it in a box would deter them. We finally got tired of fighting them and asked if we could move inside. We were told no.

We went inside and sat down at an available table. There were about 5-6 that weren't taken. Immediately, a really intense dude ran over asking if we had reservations for this table. We explained that no, but we had to move inside because of the bees. He didn't care whatsoever and said we have to go back to our table with the bees. I then saw a whole bunch of empty tables in another part of the restaurant and asked if we could finish our pizza there. He said no, that part is closed. There were literally like 10 empty tables there. Why not let us sit there and finish our food?

That was the last straw. We took our pizza in a box, paid the bill and left to go finish it at the beach. This place has a nice location but more rules and regulations than a high security prison. Zero common sense or desire to accommodate their clients. Felt like visiting a government run eatery in the...

Overlooking water? Check Outdoor seating? Check Diverse menu? Check Daily Specials? Check We ran across this place while trying to explore Nahant. I knew we'd want food, and it was either this, or go into Swampscott for some Detroit style pizza. I'm glad we stopped. Due to the tornado warning we weren't able to eat outside, but they gave us a hightop table overlooking the water and beach, it was spectacular! Our waitress, Elizabeth, was phenomenal; she was patient and friendly, and a pleasure to talk to. Since we sat around the bar, there was plenty of tvs to watch sports on, while music played over the hum of conversations abundant in this area. the list of drinks they had was great, plenty of variety, and the specialty drinks they offered just added to the impressive collection. we ordered the special shrimp and bacon tacos, which came on quesadilla tortillas! so they were two times the size of a normal taco. and they had to be for the amount of filling they put inside. we'll worth the price! next we ordered the spicy crab pizza special. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't spicy enough for my liking. The jalapeño was a nice touch to bring "the spicy" but the crab needed Old Bay or something to kick it up a notch. Or some sort of chili sauce. Finally we order the French dip sliders, which we had eyed before even ordering, and were delighted to have added these to our meal. they were so delicious. maybe some extra creamy horseradish sauce for next time, but otherwise great as is. The staff was pleasant and thr noise level perfect. a bit of a drive up you're not in the area, but we'll worth the visit. we'd...