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Interior - The Salt Line - Ballston, Arlington, VA

The Salt Line - Ballston

4.7 (1002)
$31 to $50
Seafood
4040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203-4434

Make a booking

A photo of The Salt Line - Ballston restaurant

The Salt Line - Ballston

4.7
$31 to $50
Seafood
Arlington

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 38 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for creative cocktails
The Salt Line, the popular DC homage to New England’s iconic fish and oyster houses, brings a second location to Arlington’s burgeoning Ballston neighborhood. Just one year in, The Salt Line has already established itself as one of the top dining spots in Northern Virginia. Executive Chef Matt Singer is leading the kitchen team in partnership with award winning Long Shot Hospitality Chef/Partner Kyle Bailey. The Salt Line is where "New England meets the Chesapeake" so guests can expect the same New England classics and renowned raw bar found at the original location, along with lots of new chef driven fish and seafood entrees, house-made pastas, exciting selections of crudos, and of course the best lobster rolls around.

In addition to dining, the welcoming year round outdoor bar (tented in the winter) has also become a favorite neighborhood gathering spot and is the perfect place to enjoy The Salt Line's signature beverage program and grab what many say is the best burger in town.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Oyster Bar, Contemporary American
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (703) 566-2075
  • Website
    http://www.thesaltline.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Kyle Bailey
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    4040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203-4434
  • Area
    Arlington
  • Cross street
    Wilson Blvd between Randolph and Quincy
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public transport
    5 minute walk from Ballston Metro
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

This menu from The Salt Line - Ballston.

View menu on restaurant's website (opens in a new tab)

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The Salt Line - Ballston.

4.7

4.7
(1002)
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Seafood

  • Virginia - DC Suburbs

    Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Salt Line - Ballston impresses with "excellent service" and a "great atmosphere." Diners rave about the "fresh oysters" and delightful cocktails, while standout dishes include the lobster linguine parmesan and smash burger. Though a bit pricey, the vibrant ambiance and attentive staff make it a "go-to spot" for seafood lovers.
1,002 Reviews

  1. John

    Washington, D.C. Area10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Our dining experience at The Salt Line was very enjoyable. The restaurant offered a welcoming atmosphere, attentive and professional service, and a well-prepared selection of seafood dishes. The food was fresh, flavorful, and attractively presented. Overall, the combination of quality ritz crusted code, selection of oysters and excellent hospitality made for a memorable experience. We would certainly recommend The Salt Line to others.
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded 6 days ago
    Hi, John! Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience at The Salt Line, from the welcoming atmosphere and attentive service to the freshness and quality of our seafood. It's especially lovely to know that our New England Baked Cod and oyster selection were highlights of your meal! Providing exceptional food and genuine hospitality is always our goal, and we're thrilled that we helped make your visit a memorable one. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Best, Chelsea

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  2. Melody Gold

    Washington, D.C. Area89 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 29 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Teriffic food! The lobster linquine parmesean was amazing - great cocktails and service. Plus, local oysters!
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 30 October 2026
    Hi, Melody! Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us, especially the Lobster Parmesan, cocktails, and attentive service. We're also delighted that you appreciated our selection of fresh, locally sourced oysters! We take great pride in showcasing the best of the region's seafood, and it's always rewarding to hear when our guests enjoy it as much as we do. We look forward to welcoming you back to The Salt Line again soon! Best, Chelsea

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  3. Suzy Gold

    Hawaii13 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 24 October 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was overly “fancy” in prep, and overly expensive for what we received, in size of portions, and in terms of quality. Yes, food was good, but not great.
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 27 October 2026
    Hi, Suzy! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience fell short of expectations. While we're glad you enjoyed aspects of your meal, we understand your disappointment that the portion sizes, preparation, and overall quality did not feel commensurate with the price. We strive to offer thoughtfully prepared, high-quality seafood that delivers both flavor and value, and we're sorry that this wasn't reflected in your experience. We appreciate your candid feedback and hope you'll consider giving us another opportunity to provide a more satisfying experience. Best, Chelsea

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  4. Wanda

    Washington, D.C. Area21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 22 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time at The Salt Line. Excellent service, food and beverages. Will definitely go back.
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 25 October 2026
    Hi, Wanda! Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled that your first visit to The Salt Line was such an enjoyable one and that our food, drinks, and service all exceeded your expectations. We're especially happy to hear that Chelsea A. took such great care of you, and we'll be sure to share your kind words with her. We truly appreciate you giving us a try and look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Best, Chelsea M. (the manager, not the server 😊)

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  5. Mark Gold

    Washington, D.C. Area1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 17 October 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Never received a few things we asked for/ordered (condiment and side dish)
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 19 October 2026
    Hi, Mark! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. While we're glad your overall experience was a positive one, we sincerely apologize for the items you requested that never made it to your table. These are details our team should be attentive to, and we understand how frustrating it can be to have to go without something you've ordered or asked for. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, as it helps us identify opportunities to improve our service. We hope to welcome you back soon and provide a more seamless experience from start to finish! Best, Chelsea

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  6. Stacie Gold

    Washington, D.C. Area5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 15 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious and service was exceptional. Enjoyed restaurant week.
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 17 October 2026
    Hi, Stacie! Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Restaurant Week experience with us and that both the food and service exceeded your expectations. It's always a pleasure to participate in Restaurant Week and welcome guests to enjoy what The Salt Line has to offer. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Best, Chelsea

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  7. Joe

    Alabama17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 11 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great meal! The server was friendly and answered all of our questions in addition to covering the specials for the night!
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 13 October 2026
    Hi, Joe! Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your meal and that your server provided such friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive service. We always want our guests to feel well taken care of, and we're glad our team helped make your experience a great one. We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back to The Salt Line soon! Best, Chelsea

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  8. Richard Gold

    Washington, D.C. Area3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 2 October 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was fine in pleasant, shady outdoor patio. Service was very attentive.
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 5 October 2026
    Hi, Richard! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed our outdoor patio and received attentive service, though we’re sorry the food didn’t leave a stronger impression. Regarding OpenTable rewards points, unfortunately, the awarding and management of those points is handled entirely by OpenTable and is outside of the restaurant’s control. We would recommend reaching out to OpenTable directly with any questions or concerns regarding your rewards. We appreciate you dining with us and hope we’ll have the opportunity to welcome you back for an experience that earns all five stars next time! Best, Chelsea

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  9. Miguel

    Washington, D.C. Area18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 28 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Been there many times now. Salt line never disappoints.
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 29 September 2026
    Hi, Miguel! Thank you so much for your continued support! We love hearing that The Salt Line - Ballston remains a favorite and look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Best, Chelsea

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  10. Chase

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 27 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our waiter was great, I’m not remembering his name but he was a fella from Tennessee - great personality and a fun time, we had a mixup with our order but he got it resolved amazingly fast! Drinks were great and the food was amazing, a little pricey but that’s Arlington for you.
    The Salt Line - BallstonResponded on 27 September 2026
    Hi, Chase! Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Billy was your server, and we’re thrilled to hear he made the experience such a fun one and handled the order mix-up so quickly. We’re also glad you enjoyed the food and drinks, and we hope to welcome you back again soon! Best, Chelsea

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Oyster Bar, Contemporary American
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (703) 566-2075
  • Website
    http://www.thesaltline.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Kyle Bailey
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    4040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203-4434
  • Area
    Arlington
  • Cross street
    Wilson Blvd between Randolph and Quincy
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public transport
    5 minute walk from Ballston Metro
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Sunday brunch is a guest favorite at The Salt Line - Ballston, several reviewers praise its Sunday brunch and note it can be a relaxed, well-served visit.

Certain sharing plates are generous, guests specifically praise the Waterman's Platter as generous and note the clam chowder is served as a full bowl.

Yes, The Salt Line - Ballston is a popular pick for special evenings: guests report birthday and Valentine's visits and several reviewers explicitly call it a great date-night spot.

Yes, The Salt Line - Ballston offers a year‑round outdoor bar (tented in winter) plus patio seating, and guests frequently praise the covered, heated outdoor bar area for al fresco dining.

Yes, The Salt Line - Ballston is the brand’s second location, bringing the same New England classics and renowned raw bar from the original location to Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood.

The Salt Line - Ballston has a warm, New England–inspired seafood‑house vibe, nautical décor, memorable Parker House rolls, and a social, often lively dining room that can be quite busy (and occasionally loud) on peak nights.

Expect The Salt Line - Ballston to be busiest on Friday and Saturday nights, while Sunday brunches and Sunday visits tend to be quieter and more relaxed.

Smart casual is the guide, polished but relaxed; many guests treat The Salt Line - Ballston as a place for birthdays and celebrations, so a neat, slightly dressed‑up look fits right in.

Yes, families dine here comfortably: guests report bringing children for both brunch and dinner (one party included a 16‑year‑old), and servers have made small, helpful accommodations for kids.

For a calmer visit, Sunday brunch is a great pick, one guest said their Sunday brunch “wasn’t too busy” and service was attentive; if you’re after happy‑hour value and oysters, guests praised Monday happy hour (extended to 7pm).

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Washington, D.C. Area
  4. Virginia - DC Suburbs
  5. Arlington

Make a booking

A photo of The Salt Line - Ballston restaurant

The Salt Line - Ballston

4.7
$31 to $50
Seafood
Arlington

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 38 times today
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