Savour the Best of British Coastal Cuisine: From Dover Sole to Bridlington Lobster – Your Guide to Seafood Adventures

With more than 300 species of fish and one of Europe’s longest coastlines, finding where to find the best seafood can be bewildering. Here we look at some of the best. Enjoy! 

Plymouth, labelled Britain’s Ocean City, is home to one the largest fish markets in the country and with the ocean right on the doorstep, you can look forward to tucking into some of the freshest seafood available. More than 6,000 tonnes of seafood are landed here each year. 

For chef demos and tastings, head to the city’s free Seafood and Harbour Festival, 16-17 September (’23), for a celebration of sustainably caught produce. If you fancy doing some of the work yourself, book a Cook Your Catch at the Hook and Line Experience and sail out for a private fishing trip, on your return, visit The Hook and Line Seafood Café and Bar to create the perfect dish. 

A fleet of in-shore day boats fish the local waters using sustainable methods, landing at Plymouth Fish Quay serving the scores of fresh fishmongers. Check out The Catch, an artisan seafood restaurant and cookery school in one.  

Look out for smoked salmon, gravadlax, hand-picked crab, lobster bisque, crab cakes, fish pies, chowders and more at the Shellfish Deli. You can even select your own crab or lobster from the onsite holding tank – you can’t get any fresher! 

The Village is one of Plymouth’s oldest seafood restaurants; try the fisherman’s platter, heaving with tiger prawns, scallops, mussels, calamari and more!  Fans of Japanese food should visit KUKU sushi bar, this hidden gem uses local, seasonal ingredients to create delicious sushi, salads and soup. 

Renovated from an old fisherman’s store, The Boathouse Café is right on the waterfront. Focussing on sustainable sourcing, they catch and serve their own fish – you’ll find the catch of the day on the specials board. 

If you’re on the Kent coast, few experiences beat sitting on the King’s Steps at Margatewith crispy fish ‘n’ chips watching the famous sunset that inspired Turner.  

If you’d rather splurge, book at the Buoy and Oyster, well-located overlooking Margate Main Sands, the owners are passionate about all things seafood. If the Ultimate Seafood Stopper at £125 is a step too far, head downstairs to Beach Buoys, its more affordable take-away. 

Angela’s of Margate boasts a rare Michelin Green Star, testament to its sustainable practices. Its menu changes daily but expect plenty of choice, from turbot and hake to lobster and Rock oysters. Its sister restaurant Dory’s is listed in The Good Food Guide as one of the best eateries for solo diners. 

New kid on the block is Pearly Cow beside Margate Main Sands. Come for the freshest seafood and just-picked leaves, check out the likes of salt cod taco, lobster roll and Whitstable oysters. 

For an authentic experience, grab cockles or whelks from Mannings Seafood Stall, Margate Harbour, family-run since 1962. In addition to hot seafood specials, they offer oysters and prawns with glasses of fizz. 

In nearby Broadstairs, Kebbells provides a choice of small or large plates with a Mediterranean twist. Tuck into garlicky gambas, Brown Crab Arancini or BBQ Octopus. Alternatively head across to Cannon’s Seafood Stall for top-quality seafood at great prices, its lobster, roll mops and anchovies with olives are particularly rated. 

For a laid-back vibe with great sea views, visit The Crabshack, Worthing. 

Unpretentious and family-run, you’ll find the likes of cockle and shrimp popcorn and Sicilian inspired fish stew on the menu. Just be sure to book ahead. Mussel-lovers will be in seventh heaven at 47 Mussel Row, Littlehampton. In addition to steaming bowls of mussels, there’s a daily changing specials board. 

Hugging the banks of Pagham Harbour, the 350- year- old Crab & Lobster, is a wonderful waterside inn. Try the Tandoori spiced monkfish or Baked Selsey Crab Gratin. The newly refurbished Boat House is perfect for watching sunsets over Chichester Harbour from the terrace. Order Baja Fish Tacos, lobster and prawn rolls or Whole Dressed Crab. 

If you’re heading to Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, stop off at the Hive Beach Café, set right on the sands at Burton Bradstock with commanding views out to Lyme Bay and Chesil Beach. Locally sourced produce includes West Bay Lobster, oven roasted turbot, bass with paprika chickpeas and deliciously overloaded crab sandwiches. 

Perched on the hillside with wide-reaching views to Lyme Regis’ Cobb, celeb chef Mark Hix has arguably the best spot in Dorset for his Oyster and Fish House. A frequent fisherman and forager, Mark offers cooking experiences in his own home. His changing menu includes Portland Pearl oysters, cod with Poole cockles or a simple grilled fish of the day. 

Seafeast, Dorset’s Seafood Festival, 9-10 Sep ’23, offers seafood tastings galore and chef demos from Mark Hix and Mitch Tonks, owner of the micro-chain of Rockfish restaurants.  Enjoy live music, local beers and sparkling wines and kid’s entertainment.  

For something different, join a kayak fishing, foraging and feasting experience with ForeAdventure.  Fish for mackerel, scavenge for seaweed and shellfish, then head back to secret spots on the beach to create a feast with friends. 

White Cliffs Country in Kent offers further immersive foodie experiences.  

Go foraging with The Wild Kitchen on Tour de Forage, cycle to the coast and glean mussels, oysters and seaweed, learn how to cook them and enjoy a wild gourmet feast.  

Cantilevered over Folkestone Harbour with floor to ceiling views, Rocksalt’s fresh fish menu features skate wing with pickled shallots, spiced haddock with lentil dahl, lemon sole and pan-fried John Dory. 

While you’re here, check out Folkestone Harbour Arm, formerly the ferry port, it now bustles with scores of food and drink stalls. The team behind Rocksalt front Little Rock, serving the freshest fish from Folkestone Trawlers. 

At the Harbour Arm you’ll also find the Fish Shack serving up all things fishy from a posh chip butty to sweet chilli scampi bowls, wash it down with a glass of bubbly. Nearby, at Sole Kitchen, the soft shell crab sandwich is the recommended house dish, served with pomegranate and mango salsa. 

No trip to Whitstable would be complete without sampling the world-famous product of The Whitstable Oyster Company.  Find your way to The Royal Native Oyster Stores on the seafront for some amazing seascape views and even more amazing seafood.