You walk in to find colorful metal fish hanging from the ceiling above the hostess stand. As you wait for your table, you smell an aroma of freshly baked bread and other great food. At Coastal Flats in Tyson’s Corner you’ll find seafood, salads, burgers, and more.

If you enjoy seafood or Sweetwater Tavern and other ‘Great American Restaurants’ you’ll probably like Coastal Flats in Tyson’s Corner. Great American Restaurants is a chain of restaurants including Jackson’s, Silverado, Coastal Flats, and more. Each is similar with it’s own twist.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is nice. It’s very colorful with coastal murals around the restaurant and it’s decorated with tons of pineapples.  Pineapples mean ‘welcome’ and the people at Coastal Flats are also very welcoming. Service is usually quick. However, on a busy Friday or Saturday night you could find yourself waiting a while for your food or for the check.

Making a reservation would be smart, especially on those crazy Friday or Saturday nights at Tyson’s. You could always make a reservation and then walk around the mall while you wait, unlike other restaurants where you could be stranded there for an hour waiting for a table.

There is a reason Coastal Flats is popular though; the food is great. My personal favorites include the complimentary rolls, Hickory Grilled Chicken, and cauliflower mash (don’t knock it until you try it — it’s like mashed potatoes, but better). Of course, you can’t skip dessert. Another personal favorite is the Warm Flourless Chocolate Waffle, but the key lime pie is also good.

Whatever kind of dessert person you are, next time you’re Tyson’s Corner, consider going to Coastal Flats.