About
A visit to the Central Oregon Coast means breathtaking landscapes, diverse history, and friendly coastal towns. It is also home to the freshest seafood around. For a dock-to-table dining experience, Local Ocean Seafoods in Newport is hard to beat.
This restaurant bridges the local fishing community with diners, celebrating the ocean's bounty with every bite. By focusing on quality and sustainability, it's a top culinary stop for anyone vacationing in Oregon.
Laura Anderson, who comes from a fishing family, and Al Pazar, a seasoned fisherman, joined forces to create Local Ocean Seafoods. The initial plan was to open a fish market with a small dining area in 2005. But when patrons tasted the fresh chowders and seafood, Laura and Al needed to rethink their vision!
The dynamic duo added more tables and outdoor seating, along with an upstairs addition. While the seating capacity doubled, the eatery stayed true to its values.
Today, the restaurant is managed by Local Ocean Stewardship Trust. While this sounds like a significant corporate merger, it's an employee ownership and investment plan. Such forward thinking keeps the focus on sustainable fishing, supports Oregon fishermen, and ensures every meal is off-the-boat fresh!
For those wanting to bring the taste home, the on-site fish market sells the same just-caught fish found on the day's menu.
All this adds up to an authentic and fresh Central Oregon Coast seafood dining experience.
Vibe
With its focus on locally caught seafood, one might envision the restaurant to have a shack-like look. Quite the opposite is true. The two-story facade oozes contemporary lines and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The modern design flows indoors, where an industrial vibe meets maritime colors. Here, polished concrete floors and warm wood tables and accents soften the look.
The massive windows let in ample light and offer views of the fishing boats in Yaquina Bay. The open kitchen and fish market counter connect diners with the freshly caught seafood, further proof that this place is the Real McCoy.
There's plenty of choice when it comes to where to sit. The main dining room puts guests right in front of sweeping water views. Unwind after exploring the Hatfield Marine Science Center at the expansive bar. On mild Oregon days, the outdoor deck offers sunshine and ocean breezes.
The combination of contemporary chic decor and fresh-caught seafood makes dining here a must on your Oregon vacation.
Local Ocean Seafoods: Menu & Drinks
Under the Big Bites menu section are showstoppers that will appeal to a wide range of palates. The Fish and Chips are a classic, with options to have halibut, rockfish, or lingcod. The fish is panko-crusted and pan-fried for a crisp exterior and a juicy interior. The meal comes with fennel slaw, fries (the chips!), tartar sauce, and lemon.
The Crab Cakes earn their reputation thanks to generous chunks of sweet Dungeness crab and very little filler. The entree features two cakes along with fennel slaw, fries, lemon, and tartar sauce.
On those chilly Oregon days, nothing satisfies like the Fishwives Stew. This chowder features Dungeness crab, Oregon pink shrimp, wild prawns, scallops, clams, and rockfish. The seafood is simmered in a wine, saffron, and garlic herb tomato broth, and comes with toasted garlic bread.
The sandwich section is yet another lip-smacking option, especially for a picnic at Yaquina Head Lighthouse. The Fish Tacos feature local rockfish, while the grilled lingcod is a refreshing twist on a classic BLT.
When you need a cocktail to toast a day at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Local Ocean Seafood has you covered! Like the menu, you'll find creative twists on classics like the Strange Beast Old Fashioned. This top-shelf libation features Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey, Planterey 5-year rum, and Trader Vic's macadamia liqueur. Additionally, the drink has banana, pandan, demerara, and Angostura bitters, making for an exceptional cocktail.
With its forward-thinking management style, fresh seafood, creative cuisine, and drinks, discover for yourself why Local Ocean Seafoods is a hotspot on the Central Oregon Coast.
Local Tips
- A 20% gratuity is automatically added to your bill.
- Lunchtime offers a less crowded experience.
- The kids' menu makes it family-friendly.
- Order take-out to enjoy as a picnic.
- Grab fresh seafood from the market to cook at your Casago rental.
