Local Tide — Restaurant in Seattle

was pretty excited for this - as I'd heard really nice things about the restaurant itself, along with the crab roll especially

the crab roll seems to be quite popular - as it seems like it often sells out on weekends

starting off, this buttery brioche bun is magical. it's so soft yet so well toasted on the outside, and yet astoundingly fluffy on the inside the exterior has just the right amount of butter where it's a complimentary flavor rather than taking over the entire bun

the level of toasting achieved on this bun is highly impressive - there's not a single part that isn't perfect might be the best roll i've ever had

the roll is pretty stuffed with crab meat i don't think i'm a huge crab lover - I do like it - but it seems relatively flavorless compared to other meats

however, there are a few things i loved about the crab in this bun

first, obviously, you can eat it with the roll, which just makes everything better

second, the seasoning on the meat was absolutely fantastic - there was a mayo-based sauce, there was lemon juice giving it a slightly acidic taste, and there was a sprinkle of seasoning that made everything really could

while I don't know if the meat itself had great flavor - I loved the fact that the restaurant did everything it could to impart that flavor onto the dish huge props for that

I also really liked the amount of crab placed in this roll - it was pretty stuffed with the meat - even coming pretty significantly out of the hole in the split top

so, the food was really good, but i do have an issue

for the really expensive price point ($30 for a single roll) this was not filling at all

i recognize that crab is expensive - and the amount of crab placed in here was pretty impressive - but for 30 dollars this needs to come with some sort of a filling side whether it can be clam chowder, fries, or anything - no matter how good the food is, when you pay that amount for a meal, the meal needs to leave you satisfied I understand that you can't just place an infinite amount of crab, but increasing the size of the roll, or adding another side are ways to increase the portion size of this meal

it's not a good sign when i walk out of the restaurant and i'm immediately looking for other places i can eat at - i can't give any restaurant that does this a top-tier score

Overall, really good food, but lacking in the portion...

Local Tide delivers a refreshing take on seafood, blending comfort and creativity and Asian inspired flavors in every dish. From the moment we started with the Shrimp Toast, it was clear we were in for a treat. The presentation was unique and inviting, and the flavors exceeded expectations. The addition of their house-made Japanese mayo added a rich, umami depth, turning this into pure comfort food bliss.

Next up was the Salmon Dip, served chilled with house-made chips. Refreshing and incredibly moreish, it was hard to stop eating. The dip was well-balanced, with just the right amount of smokiness, making it the perfect shareable starter.

The Clam Chowder leaned more toward a beautifully crafted potato soup with fresh clams rather than a traditional thick chowder. While not the classic New England style, it was still rich, hearty, and full of fresh ingredients.

Surprisingly, the Rockfish Bowl wasn’t just about the fish—the Asian slaw stole the show. Tangy, sweet, and citrusy, it cut through the richness of the dish beautifully, making every bite feel fresh and balanced.

Finally, the Poached Salmon Sandwich was a standout in its simplicity. Unlike many salmon dishes that rely on heavy seasoning or sauces, this sandwich allowed the salmon to shine in its purest form, celebrating the delicate, buttery texture of perfectly poached fish.

Local Tide masterfully elevates seafood dishes without overcomplicating them. Each plate felt thoughtfully prepared, highlighting fresh, high-quality ingredients in a casual yet refined setting. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking for a fresh take on Pacific Northwest flavors, this spot is a must-visit in Seattle’s quirky Fremont...

Local Tide is well known for its fresh dungeness crab rolls. They are only served on the weekends till supply last. We tried our luck yesterday and by the time we got there around 6pm, there was already a line out the door and crab roll was sold out.

Sad as we were, we were still jazzed to try their other offerings. They have limited seatings and you wait in line till a table opens up for your party, then they take your order at the front kiosk and you get seated. The front counter gentleman saw that we were a party of 2 and asked if we wanted to go next door Aslan, a taproom that serves organic brew where the food can be brought to us as take out. Of course we jumped on it! Staff at Aslan was so nice! FYI Aslan serves a slightly smaller (or less up to date?) Local Tide menu. They didn't have Crab roll or the Black Cod Katsuke that we ordered as take out from Local Tide, but still lots of good stuff you can order.

We had Shrimp Toast, a must try if you grew up with this snack like i did, salmon belly dip, and Black Cod Katsuke.

Shrimp paste on the toast was fresh, generous, and cooked perfectly! The toast was a bit too oily, but very crispy.

Salmon belt dip was served with house made potato chips. The chips were AMAZING! Salmon dip had chunks of salmon (awesome!) and lots of dill. I like dill so I'm a big fan, not so much for hubby.

Black cod katsuke was great tasting and perfectly cooked. Everything was very well priced, especially fresh seafood by Seattle standard. We will definitely return again for...