Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, don’t we? The invigorating salt air, the sound of waves crashing against the pier, the mouth-watering smell of fish and chips – what’s not to love? Our selection of the UK’s best seaside restaurants is bound to whet your appetite, so let’s all make the most of our glorious coast.
The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk
Looking out across the vast expanse of salty marshland towards the sea, it’s plain to see that these kids know how to capitalise. Dressed up with an elegant conservatory restaurant and adjoining deck terrace, The White Horse offers an impressive menu to rival the views, including pan fried halibut and locally foraged wild mushroom mille feuille.
JoJo’s, Whitstable, Kent
Being on the sea has given JoJo’s a Mediterranean influence, albeit in Kent and not Catalonia. This charming modest venue has a pleasant and laid-back vibe, where you can make friends with the locals and sample an eclectic menu of fresh, seasonal produce. Highlights include the mutton and feta koftas and deep fried aubergine served with honey.
Hix Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Occupying prime restaurant real estate on the slopes of Lyme Regis, Hix Oyster & Fish House is on to a good thing. From a simple, whitewashed dining room, guests can look out through panoramic windows over the Jurassic Coast below. Local specialities include St Mary’s Bay brill and the hearty house fish pie – and don’t miss out the sea buckthorn cheesecake for afters.
The White House, Argyll, Scotland
This modest, unassuming restaurant in rural Argyll plates up exquisite seafood and meat dishes, worthy of a Michelin star or two. Their commitment to sourcing local produce from nature’s larder is admirable, including stags liver from Morvern, fresh lobsters from Oban, and hand-dived scallops from the Sound of Mull. Oh, and the salad is grown in the garden: it doesn’t get much fresher than this.
Fifteen Cornwall, Watergate Bay, Cornwall
For an Essex lad born and bred, Jamie Oliver has fitted into Cornwall surprisingly well. This Italian restaurant with a Cornish twist encompasses spectacular vistas of land, sea and sky, and a handful of mouth-watering menus that lead from morning until night.
Feature image © Nick Wylie/Fifteen Cornwall
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
