The Salt Line
The Salt Line is a multi-location, full-service oyster bar and seafood restaurant chain operating three locations in the Washington DC metro area (DC Navy Yard, Ballston VA, Bethesda MD), serving New England and Chesapeake-inspired seafood with proprietary Dancing Molly oysters and Dock to Dish-sourced wild seafood.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Salt Line does
The Salt Line is a multi-location, full-service oyster bar and seafood restaurant chain operating three locations in the Washington DC metropolitan area — Navy Yard (79 Potomac Ave SE, opened 2017), Ballston VA (4040 Wilson Blvd, opened 2021), and Bethesda MD (7284 Woodmont Ave, opened 2023). The restaurants specialize in New England-inspired seafood with a Chesapeake Bay focus, anchored by a raw bar, signature seafood towers, classic lobster rolls, and a full cocktail and craft beer program. The company is owned by Long Shot Hospitality, which also operates sister restaurant Dauphine's, and was awarded RAMW Restaurateur of the Year in 2024.
The Salt Line's core product differentiators are proprietary sourcing relationships rather than technology. The signature Dancing Molly oyster is co-developed with Harris Creek Oyster Co. and is exclusive to The Salt Line and Dauphine's. The restaurant is a member of the Dock to Dish Community Supported Fishery, which delivers wild seafood from small-scale fishermen within 24 hours and drives a supply-driven menu. Additional partnerships include Old Line Fish Company, the Oyster Recovery Partnership (shell recycling), and DC Brau (co-branded 'Sea You at The Bottom' Farmhouse Oyster Ale). The technology stack is built entirely on commodity hospitality SaaS — Toast Tab for online ordering, BentoBox for the website, Tripleseat for private events, GiftRocker for gift cards, and DoorDash for delivery — with no proprietary software or AI/ML capabilities.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer dine-in model with per-item pricing across raw bar, sandwiches, entrees, and happy hour specials (half-priced oysters Monday-Friday 3-6pm). Revenue streams span dine-in food and beverage, online ordering and delivery, private events and catering (including a Traveling Raw Bar off-premise service), branded merchandise ($25-$75 apparel), and gift cards. Customer segments are diversified across seafood enthusiasts, casual local diners, Nationals Park sports fans, and private-event/corporate groups. Pricing at the DC location carries a 4% operational surcharge; market-price items like the lobster roll ($42) reflect seafood commodity exposure. The company has earned sustained regional recognition, including a Tom Sietsema 3-star Washington Post review (2017), a Rammy Award for Favorite Gathering Place (2020), and multiple Northern Virginia Magazine best-of listings.
The Salt Line firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Salt Line
- Legal name
- The Salt Line
- Website
- https://thesaltline.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Salt Line is a multi-location, full-service oyster bar and seafood restaurant chain operating three locations in the Washington DC metro area (DC Navy Yard, Ballston VA, Bethesda MD), serving New England and Chesapeake-inspired seafood with proprietary Dancing Molly oysters and Dock to Dish-sourced wild seafood.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Salt Line industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Full-Service Seafood Restaurants
- NAICS
- Limited-Service Restaurants (722513)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Steakhouses & Seafood Restaurants (THAFACAE)
Keywords
Where The Salt Line is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Salt Line business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Dine-in Food & Beverage Sales: Traditional restaurant revenue from full menu including raw bar, entrees, cocktails, beer, and wine at three locations
- Online Ordering & Delivery: Takeout and delivery orders via Toast Tab and DoorDash integration
- Private Events & Catering: Revenue from private dining room rentals, outdoor bar buyouts, and traveling raw bar catering services
- Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including t-shirts, sweaters, hats, and blankets sold through company storefront
- Gift Cards: Gift card sales through GiftRocker platform
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Raw Bar Items |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Seafood Towers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sandwiches & Burgers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entrees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Happy Hour Specials |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Branded Merchandise |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Salt Line product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Salt Line is a multi-location New England- and Chesapeake-inspired oyster bar and seafood restaurant chain operating three dine-in locations in the Washington DC metro area (Navy Yard, Ballston VA, and Bethesda MD). Its core offering centers on a raw bar program featuring Chesapeake and New England oysters (including its proprietary Dancing Molly oyster), classic seafood entrees, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch, complemented by private event hosting, off-site raw bar catering, branded merchandise, and gift cards.
Product overview
The Salt Line is a multi-location oyster bar and seafood restaurant chain operating three locations in Washington DC (Navy Yard), Ballston VA, and Bethesda MD. The core offering consists of New England-inspired seafood cuisine featuring raw bars, signature Dancing Molly oysters (exclusive partnership with Harris Creek Oyster Co.), classic seafood dishes, and full bar service. The restaurant operates as a unified brand with location-specific private event venues including The Essex and Riverwalk in DC, Chef's Table and outdoor bars, plus catering services through their Traveling Raw Bar. Additional revenue streams include branded merchandise sold through their TSL Merch store. The company partners with sustainable seafood suppliers including Dock to Dish, Old Line Fish Company, and the Oyster Recovery Partnership, and collaborated with DC Brau on a branded oyster ale.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Salt Line - Washington DC (Navy Yard) Flagship oyster bar and seafood restaurant located at 79 Potomac Ave SE in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington DC, offering a raw bar, New England-inspired seafood menu, signature oysters, craft cocktails, weekend brunch, and waterfront dining near Nationals Park.
- The Salt Line - Ballston VA Second Salt Line location at 4040 Wilson Blvd in Arlington, VA, offering a full seafood menu with raw bar, private event spaces, and a year-round outdoor bar area.
- The Salt Line - Bethesda MD Third Salt Line location at 7284 Woodmont Ave in Bethesda Row, MD, featuring an oyster bar, spacious patio, full seafood menu, and weekday happy hour specials.
- Dock to Dish Community Supported Fishery Program Membership-based CSF program that delivers fresh wild seafood from small-scale fishermen directly to the restaurant within 24 hours of catch, enabling supply-driven menu items for oyster and seafood enthusiasts.
- Private Event Spaces (The Essex, Riverwalk, Outdoor Bar, Chef's Table) Bookable private and semi-private event venues across locations, including The Essex dining room (up to 30 guests), Riverwalk event space (20-100 guests), the year-round Outdoor Bar (10-200 guests) at Navy Yard, and the Chef's Table at Ballston (up to 12 guests).
- Traveling Raw Bar Catering Off-site catering service that brings a freshly shucked oyster and full raw bar setup directly to client events, available through The Salt Line's Tripleseat-managed private events program.
- TSL Branded Merchandise Store Online storefront selling branded apparel and accessories including t-shirts ($25-28), sweaters ($55-75), hats ($25-35), blankets ($40), and tote bags ($35), shipped within 3-5 business days or available for in-person pickup at Salt Line locations.
Companies that use The Salt Line
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Salt Line technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature2 records
The Salt Line partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Harris Creek Oyster Companycore100% family-owned oyster farm between St. Michaels and Tilghman Island, Maryland. Partnered since The Salt Line opening, hand-delivering oysters weekly. The Salt Line and sister restaurant Dauphine's are the only places featuring their oysters. Co-developed proprietary Dancing Molly oyster brand.
- Dock to DishcoreCommunity Supported Fishery (CSF) program started in Montauk, Long Island. Uses traditional methods for harvesting wild seafood. Provides The Salt Line with the freshest fish and shellfish directly from small-scale fishermen within 24 hours, allowing catch to drive the menu.
- Old Line Fish CompanyminorFounded in 2015 by the Oyster Recovery Partnership as the Chesapeake Bay region's first Community Supported Fishery (CSF). Provides access to varied species of fresh seafood from the Bay and Maryland's Atlantic Coast.
- The Oyster Recovery PartnershipminorNon-profit committed to protecting Chesapeake Bay waterways through the Shell Recycling Alliance (SRA). The Salt Line is a proud partner in oyster shell recycling - every half shell collected creates a new home for approximately 10 baby oysters.
- DC BrauminorWashington DC's first brewery since 1950s with distribution in the National Capital Region. Partnered to produce The Salt Line's exclusive 'Sea You at The Bottom' Farmhouse Oyster Ale featuring citrus notes, balanced salinity, and Skipjack oysters from the Chesapeake. Only available at The Salt Line.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Salt Line competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Eddie V's Prime Seafood: Upscale seafood and steakhouse chain owned by Darden, with locations across major US metros. Comparable premium seafood positioning and experiential dining format.
- The Oceanaire Seafood Room: Upscale seafood-focused restaurant brand with multiple locations across major US cities. Comparable premium fresh-seafood positioning and full-service dining format.
- Legal Sea Foods: Established East Coast seafood restaurant chain with broader national footprint. Comparable seafood-focused casual dining model, though operating at significantly larger scale and broader menu.
Direct peers
- Rappahannock Oyster Bar: DC/MD-based oyster bar and restaurant group with a comparable Chesapeake sourcing story and oyster-forward menu. Operates multiple locations in the same metro as The Salt Line, making it the most direct local competitor.
- BlackSalt: Upscale seafood restaurant and fish market in DC's Palisades neighborhood. Overlaps on seafood-driven menu, raw bar, and fishmonger-style sourcing credibility.
- Pearl Dive Oyster Palace: Washington DC oyster-focused seafood restaurant with raw bar, craft cocktails, and a similar casual-but-polished atmosphere. Directly comparable concept and target demographic.
- Luke's Lobster: Multi-location East Coast seafood shack concept specializing in lobster rolls and shellfish. Comparable casual seafood positioning, regional expansion model, and DTC merchandise component.
- Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab: Upscale seafood and steak concept with locations in major US markets, known for signature crab dishes and a similar polished-but-energetic dining atmosphere.
- Hank's Oyster Bar: DC-based seafood and oyster restaurant with multiple locations and a similar casual upscale positioning. Competes head-to-head for oyster enthusiasts and casual seafood diners in the DC market.
Others
- Dauphine's: Sister concept under Long Shot Hospitality serving New Orleans-inspired cuisine. Useful as a comparable for parent-company operational scale and shared purveyor relationships (including Harris Creek oysters).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Salt Line social profiles
Digital presenceThe Salt Line financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Salt Line leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Salt Line funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Salt Line M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Salt Line
What does The Salt Line do?
The Salt Line is a multi-location New England- and Chesapeake-inspired oyster bar and seafood restaurant chain operating three dine-in locations in the Washington DC metro area (Navy Yard, Ballston VA, and Bethesda MD). Its core offering centers on a raw bar program featuring Chesapeake and New England oysters (including its proprietary Dancing Molly oyster), classic seafood entrees, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch, complemented by private event hosting, off-site raw bar catering, branded merchandise, and gift cards.
Is The Salt Line a public or private company?
The Salt Line is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Salt Line founded?
The Salt Line was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Salt Line based?
The Salt Line is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Salt Line make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Dine-in Food & Beverage Sales are the primary driver. The others are online Ordering & Delivery, private Events & Catering, merchandise Sales and gift Cards.
Who are The Salt Line's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Eddie V's Prime Seafood, The Oceanaire Seafood Room and Legal Sea Foods. Direct peers are Rappahannock Oyster Bar, BlackSalt, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, Luke's Lobster, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab and Hank's Oyster Bar. Dauphine's is listed as an others.
Does The Salt Line have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Salt Line.
What industry is The Salt Line in?
The Salt Line's product category is Full-Service Seafood Restaurants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFACAE, Steakhouses & Seafood Restaurants. Its NAICS code is 722513 and its SIC code is 5810.