Old Harry's 7 Favourite UK Seaside Eateries
From humble crab shacks to haute cuisine, we’ve racked our brains so we can reveal our favourite places to grab a bite after a hard day on the water. We’ve tried to shed our Dorset bias and between the team we’ve managed to come up with some great recommendations (well we think so!) to grab a bite all year round.
Forgans - St Andrews, North East Fife
St Andrew’s has to cater for the many international tourists it receives each year and it can be easier than usual to fall into the usual traps if visiting this delightful town for the first time. Forgan’s offers quality fare at a decent price and is great for both small and large groups. The food and the ambience are on a par (or should we say birdie!), the Beef Bourguignon with Honey Rasted Vegetables and Mash Potatoes was as good as it sounds!
Rocksalt – Folkestone, Kent
The vantage point offered by this magnificent setting on Folkestone Harbour sets the tone for this delightful restaurant. Rocksalt is a stylish, intelligent operation. Its staff are outstandingly friendly and patient, its ingredients impeccably sourced and by no means unimaginatively combined. There are promising-looking meat mains; but in order to feel like you have truly experienced what they have to offer the seafood is a must. The Tandoori Monkfish and the Hot Shells come thoroughly recommended!
White Horse – Brancaster Staite, Norfolk
The White Horse Inn is gloriously situated on the marshland coastline of North Norfolk at Brancaster Staithe, an area of outstanding natural beauty, with its big blue skies, spectacular sunsets and salty sea air. If it’s warm outside the balcony offers a splendid opportunity to soak it in. If not, sit inside and take in the panoramic views across tidal marshes and endless sandy beaches. When we came here the Oysters were amazing and very good value.
Special mention: The Crab Hut
Located to the west along the Norfolk Coast Path from the White Horse, this place is a real find. If you’re on a budget or eating in, get your supplies from here. The Crayfish Sandwich is sublime and a pot of mixed whelks and cockles really fills you up! You can chill by the edge of the quay and take it all in. It really is majestic.
The Coconut Kitchen - Abersoch, Caernarfonshire
Originally set up in a catering trailer in a nearby campsite in 2006, the Coconut Kitchen is the self-titled best Thai Restaurant in Wales, and we certainly have no reason to argue with this. While the trailer was a huge success, the restaurant needed a firmer footing and within a year they had set up on vacant premises which had become available by the Harbour. The open plan kitchen ensures that the most important part of it all, the food, always takes centre stage.
The Lugger Inn - Polruan, Cornwall
All the ingredients here are sourced locally and the seafood is exquisite. No matter the day of the week you’ll find some amazing choices on the menu, including whale and chips! If you pass by on a Sunday, try the carvery. All the meats are sourced from a nearby farm!
The Cabin – Swanage, Dorset
And last but not least, local favourite, just down the coast from Old Harry Rocks, if you’re in Swanage this place is a lunchtime must visit. Everyone’s incredibly friendly and fresh seafood on offer really hits the spot. Best of all, it’s all reasonably priced. Be prepared for a queue on a hot sunny day, this place is so cool it doesn’t have a website!