UK Seaside Food Guide: Chippies, Tearooms, Pubs and Regional Treats
Let's be honest: half the reason anyone goes to the seaside is the food. The arcades, the sand and the sea air are brilliant, but it's the chips on the front, the cream tea after a long walk and the pint in an old harbour pub that people still talk about on the drive home.
This guide rounds up the seaside spots worth knowing about, from proper chippies in Cleethorpes, Scarborough and South Shields to pier restaurants in Brighton, family favourites around Grimsby and the regional classics you can only really do right where they come from. Think Cornish pasties, Devon cream teas, Bath buns, Kendal Mint Cake and an Edinburgh chippy supper with salt and sauce.
Use it to plan a whole trip around your stomach (no judgement here), or just to make sure the next lunch stop is a good one rather than a gamble on the first place you walk past.
Fish and chips
Nothing says British seaside like a hot parcel of fish and chips eaten on a bench while the gulls eye you up. These are the chippies worth seeking out, from the North East to the Dorset coast.
Colmans Fish & Chips, South Shields A family-run South Shields name that locals have been queuing for across generations. It sits on Ocean Road, the street that runs down towards Sandhaven Beach, so the obvious move is grabbing your supper and heading for the sand. Big on fresh North Sea fish and a proper sit-down option when the wind whips up. Explore South Shields →
Lifeboat Fish Bar, Scarborough Scarborough's South Bay is chippy heaven, and this is one to add to your shortlist. Pair it with a wander round the harbour, where the fishing boats still unload, then walk it off along the Foreshore past the amusements. On a sunny day, take your tray to the harbour wall and watch the boats come in. Explore Scarborough →
Peter's Fish Factory, Margate Margate has gone a bit arty in recent years, but it hasn't forgotten its roots, and a good chippy is still the heart of a day on the Main Sands. Peter's Fish Factory is a handy fuel stop before you hit Dreamland or stroll out to the Harbour Arm for sunset over the bay. Explore Margate →
Fish Tram Chips, Llandudno You've got to love a chippy with a pun in its name. This one nods to the Great Orme Tramway, Llandudno's famous cable-hauled tram up the headland, so it makes a cracking stop before or after a ride to the summit. The pier and the long Victorian promenade are an easy stroll away too. Explore Llandudno →
Fish 'n' Fritz, Weymouth Weymouth's old harbour is one of the prettiest spots on the Dorset coast, all colourful buildings and bobbing boats. Fish 'n' Fritz is a long-standing local favourite for a takeaway, and eating it by the water before a paddle on the golden sands is about as good as a summer afternoon gets. Explore Weymouth →
Inghams Fish Restaurant, Filey Filey is the gentle one on the Yorkshire coast: no neon, just a sweeping bay and the dramatic finger of Filey Brigg. A sit-down fish restaurant suits the town perfectly. Book your table after a walk out along the Brigg, when you've built up a proper appetite. Explore Filey →
Steels Cornerhouse Restaurant, Cleethorpes Cleethorpes sits right next to Grimsby, once one of the world's great fishing ports, so it takes its fish seriously. Steels is a traditional Cleethorpes name, ideal when you want a knife, fork and a cuppa rather than eating out of the paper. The seafront and pier are a few minutes' walk away. Explore Cleethorpes →
Ocean Fish Bar, Cleethorpes When the tide's out and the kids are starving, Cleethorpes has plenty of chippies to pick from, and Ocean Fish Bar is another local option. Take your haul down to the prom, find a bench facing the Humber and watch the ships heading in and out of the estuary before working through the arcades along the front. Explore Cleethorpes →
Seastar Fish and Chips, Bournemouth Seven miles of golden sand need serious fuel. Seastar keeps Bournemouth visitors going between dips, and the pier and the Lower Gardens are close enough to turn tea into an evening stroll. Top tip: grab a takeaway and head to the beach huts end for a quieter spot. Explore Bournemouth →
Dolphin Fish and Chips Restaurant, Eastbourne Eastbourne is all elegant hotels, a grand old pier and the beginning of the South Downs. A traditional fish and chip restaurant suits that unhurried pace nicely. Make an afternoon of it with a seafront walk towards Beachy Head, then come back hungry. Explore Eastbourne →
Cafes and tearooms
Sometimes you need a sit down, a pot of tea and something sweet. These cafes and tearooms are the sort of places that save a rainy day or set you up for a long one.
Mable's Tea Room, Mablethorpe Mablethorpe is the quieter neighbour to Skegness, with wide sands and a seafront that still feels old school. A tearoom is exactly what you want here after a blowy beach walk. Order a pot for the table, warm up properly, then head back out for a go on the sands or the amusements. Explore Mablethorpe →
Riverhead Coffee, Cleethorpes For a proper coffee rather than a vending machine cup, Riverhead is a name that locals around Grimsby and Cleethorpes know well. It's a smart choice for grown-ups who want a decent flat white before tackling the seafront, and a nice calm corner when the prom gets busy. Explore Cleethorpes →
Johns Cafe, Barry Island Barry Island's Whitmore Bay is a cracking sandy beach with the pleasure park right behind it. A no-fuss cafe is just the ticket for a fry-up before the crowds arrive or a brew between rides. It also gives you a chance to spot the places that made the island famous all over again on telly. Explore Barry Island →
Hemsby Beach Cafe, Hemsby Hemsby is a small, laid-back resort north of Great Yarmouth with big dunes and a simple, cheerful seafront. A beach cafe is about as handy as it gets for families. Grab something warming, then walk the sands or nip into the amusements on Beach Road. Explore Hemsby →
Neptune's Beach Cafe, Leysdown-on-Sea Out on the Isle of Sheppey, Leysdown is a proper bucket-and-spade village with arcades, chalets and a long shingle shore. Neptune's sits right in the thick of it. It's the kind of spot where a cooked breakfast and a mug of tea set you up for a whole day by the water. Explore Leysdown →
The Latte Lounge, Bridlington Bridlington has two beaches, a working harbour and the cliffs of Flamborough just up the road. When you need a breather from the busy front, a cosy coffee lounge hits the spot. Combine it with a look around the harbour, where you can still watch the shellfish boats landing their catch. Explore Bridlington →
Pubs
A good seaside pub is half the holiday. Some of these have been pulling pints for centuries; others are simply the friendly local that every resort needs.
The Jug & Bottle, Grimsby The Spin Raiders pick for a carvery just outside Grimsby, now with refurbished toilets. Be warned that walk-ins can sometimes get a frosty welcome, so booking is wise, and the breakfast tea costs extra. A solid choice before or after a trip to the Cleethorpes seafront. See The Jug & Bottle, Grimsby →
Ye Olde Pumphouse, Hastings Hastings Old Town is a tangle of crooked streets and timber-framed buildings, and the Pumphouse looks every inch the part. Pop in after exploring the tall black net huts on the Stade and the fishing boats hauled up on the shingle. It's atmosphere by the bucketload, with a pint to match. Explore Hastings →
The Ship Inn, Herne Bay Herne Bay is a gentle Kent resort with a long promenade, a bandstand and the stump of its old pier out at sea. The Ship is a traditional seafront-area pub that suits the slower pace. Walk off lunch along the coast path towards Reculver, where the twin towers of a ruined church stand inside an old Roman fort. Explore Herne Bay →
The Ship Inn Restaurant, Folkestone Folkestone has had a real revival, with its Harbour Arm, creative quarter and Sunny Sands beach. A pub with a proper restaurant side is perfect for a sit-down meal after a day of exploring. Head down the Old High Street afterwards for the independent shops. Explore Folkestone →
The Jolly Sailors, Lowestoft Lowestoft is the most easterly town in Britain, so you can tell your mates you had your pint further east than anyone else. The Jolly Sailors suits a post-beach drink, and Lowestoft's South Beach and Claremont Pier make an easy afternoon beforehand. Explore Lowestoft →
The Lacon Arms, Hemsby Every holiday village needs its local, and in Hemsby the Lacon Arms fills that role for plenty of caravan and chalet guests. It's a natural evening base after a day on the beach, with the Norfolk Broads close enough for a boat trip the next morning. Explore Hemsby →
Wheelwrights Arms, Gorleston Gorleston is Great Yarmouth's calmer sibling, with a wide sandy beach and a lovely old-fashioned feel. The Wheelwrights is a handy local pub for a relaxed meal away from the Golden Mile. Pair it with a stroll along the harbour mouth to watch ships come in. Explore Gorleston →
The Cottage Loaf, Llandudno Tucked off the main shopping streets, the Cottage Loaf is a characterful pub that has long been a favourite with visitors to Llandudno. It's the cosy counterpoint to a breezy day on the prom or up the Great Orme. Pop in for a pint and a warm-up before heading back to the pier. Explore Llandudno →
The Hope Hotel, Southend-on-Sea Southend has the longest pleasure pier in the world, Adventure Island and a whole seafront of amusements. The Hope Hotel gives you a classic seafront pub to rest your legs once you've walked the pier and back, which is well over two miles round trip. Explore Southend →
Family restaurants
When you've got a car full of hungry kids, you want somewhere reliable, welcoming and roomy. These are the family-friendly picks, including some favourites close to home in Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
The Masala n Malt, Grimsby Spin Raiders' very first Hidden Gem, and for good reason. Expect cracking curries, freshly cooked Peshwari naan and a genuinely warm welcome from the people who run it. Its Raider Score of 4.9 out of 5 says it all. Book a table after a day on Cleethorpes seafront, just down the road. See The Masala n Malt, Grimsby →
Millers, Grimsby An Indian restaurant at Waltham Windmill, just outside Grimsby, with comfy chairs, windmill views and a host who makes you feel looked after. The keema naan is a highlight, and it earns a Raider Score of 4.6. Have a nose around the windmill site before you sit down to eat. See Millers, Grimsby →
The Trawlerman, Cleethorpes A long-standing family carvery on North Sea Lane, popular with holidaymakers from the nearby caravan parks. It's had its ups and downs, and the old kids' freebies have gone, but it still scores 4.1 for a filling roast with no fuss. Handy after a long day on Cleethorpes beach. See The Trawlerman, Cleethorpes →
Wellow Hungry Horse, Cleethorpes A Spin Raiders family favourite in Cleethorpes, with a Raider Score of 4.6. The horseshoe onion rings, the surf and turf sharer and the New Yorker are the ones to go for, and the bar prices are kind to your wallet. Hungry Horse pubs are built for big groups, so it copes well with a car full of hungry kids. See Wellow Hungry Horse, Cleethorpes →
Pizza Parlour, Grimsby The Spin Raiders Saturday night feast: a Carr Lane takeaway where the kebab calzone is an absolute banger and the family deals keep the kids happy. Handy if you're staying in or around Grimsby and fancy a night in after a busy day out. Pick up a feast, put your feet up, no washing up. See Pizza Parlour, Grimsby →
Beechwood Farm (The Farmhouse), Grimsby A family carvery by Europarc on the edge of Grimsby, with a kids' playground and a mini arcade to keep little ones busy while the grown-ups finish their plates. The beef is the star of the show, and it earns a Raider Score of 4.6. Easy to reach on the way in or out of the area. See Beechwood Farm (The Farmhouse), Grimsby →
Oriental Express, Cleethorpes A buffet beside Cleethorpes Boating Lake that kids still adore, thanks to the sheer choice of dishes. Honest verdict: some food can go cold and the toilets could do with money spending on them, hence a Raider Score of 3.8. Pair it with the lakeside miniature railway right next door. See Oriental Express, Cleethorpes →
Seafront dining
Food tastes better with a sea view. These spots sit right on piers, promenades and harbours, so you can watch the waves while you eat.
Palm Court Restaurant and Bar, Brighton Out on Brighton Palace Pier, Palm Court is the classic place to sit down to fish and chips with the sea all around you. It's a proper treat for the family, and you're right next to the pier's rides and arcade. Go early in summer, as it's one of Brighton's busiest spots. Explore Brighton →
Horatio's Bar, Brighton Head further along the Palace Pier and you'll find Horatio's, a bar with big views back towards the city and along the coast. It's lovely for a drink as the sun drops and the pier lights come on. Combine it with a walk to the old West Pier ruins and the i360. Explore Brighton →
Rockfish, Weymouth Part of the Rockfish family of seafood restaurants that started on the Devon coast, the Weymouth branch puts you by the harbour with boats bobbing outside. It's a cut above your average chippy, ideal for a special night out. Book ahead in peak summer. Explore Weymouth →
Buoy and Oyster, Margate A seafood restaurant looking out over Margate's bay, close to the Turner Contemporary and the Main Sands. It's a great one for grown-ups who want something a bit special on a Kent weekend. Time it for sunset, which Margate is famous for, and you're on to a winner. Explore Margate →
Deep Blue, South Parade Pier, Southsea Eating on a pier never gets old. Deep Blue sits on Southsea's South Parade Pier, so you can tuck in with views over the Solent towards the Isle of Wight. Afterwards, walk along the seafront to the Rose Garden or head into the pier amusements. Explore Southsea →
Boardwalk Bar, Clacton Pier A lively bar on Clacton Pier serving food alongside darts, shuffleboard, live sport and live music. It's a fun base if you've got a mixed group, as some can watch the match while others play. Ideal for an evening once the pier rides have done their job. Explore Clacton →
The Dunes, Mablethorpe On Mablethorpe's seafront, The Dunes gives you a no-nonsense place to eat and drink steps from the sand. It's great for families who want to keep one eye on the beach. Once you're done, the sands stretch for miles, perfect for building castles or a long walk towards Sutton-on-Sea. Explore Mablethorpe →
Food in Cornwall
Cornwall's food is all about the sea and the pasty. Come hungry: between the fishing harbours and the bakeries, you'll be eating well from breakfast to tea.
Catch, Looe Looe is a working fishing town split in two by its river, with a busy fish market and boats coming and going all day. Catch makes a fine stop on a Looe visit. Wander the narrow streets of East Looe, then cross the bridge and walk to Hannafore for views of Looe Island. Explore Looe →
The Cod End Fish & Chip Shop, Newquay Newquay is Cornwall's surf capital, and nothing hits harder after a session on Fistral than proper chips. The Cod End is a handy takeaway to fuel up. Eat on the headland near the Huer's Hut if you can: the views across the bay are stunning. Explore Newquay →
Harbour Rest Cafe, Newquay Newquay's little harbour is a calmer world compared with the busy town centre above it. A cafe down here is perfect for a mid-morning brew while watching the boats and paddleboarders. Follow it with a walk round to Towan Beach and the famous house on the island. Explore Newquay →
The Cornish pasty The real deal is a crimped D-shaped pastry filled with beef, potato, swede and onion, and genuine Cornish pasties must be made in Cornwall to carry the name. Every town has a favourite bakery, so ask locals where to go. Eat it hot, and watch the gulls.
St Ives and its seafood St Ives is pure picture-postcard Cornwall, with a harbour full of boats, golden beaches and art galleries in every lane. Seafood and saffron buns are the local favourites to look out for. Grab a takeaway and find a step by the harbour, but hide your food from the gulls. Explore St Ives →
A Cornish cream tea In Cornwall, it's jam first, then clotted cream on top, and locals take the order very seriously. Look for a tearoom serving warm scones with Cornish clotted cream. Have one after a cliff-top walk and you'll understand why people get so passionate about it.
Padstow's seafood scene Padstow on the north coast is famous for seafood, with Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant leading the charge since the 1970s. You'll also find chippies, delis and bakeries around the harbour. Combine it with the Camel Trail cycle route for a day that balances indulgence with fresh air.
Food in Devon
Devon gives Cornwall a run for its money with cream teas, crab and some of the best fishing ports in the country.
Paignton Pier Chippy Co., Paignton Paignton is the bucket-and-spade heart of the English Riviera, and its pier is packed with arcades and rides. A chippy at the pier makes life very easy for families. Eat on Paignton Sands, then take a trip on the steam railway to Kingswear and Dartmouth. Explore Paignton →
Brixham fish and the quay Brixham is one of England's busiest fishing ports, and its quayside is lined with chippies, cafes and seafood stalls. Look out for crab sandwiches and fresh catches straight off the boats. Then visit the replica Golden Hind moored in the harbour, a big hit with kids. Explore Brixham →
A Devon cream tea Here's the great debate: in Devon, it's clotted cream first, then the jam. Whichever side you're on, a Devon cream tea with warm scones is a must on any trip. Many seaside cafes and farm shops serve them, so treat yourself after a walk on the coast path.
Torquay's harbourside Torquay's palm-lined harbour has a Mediterranean feel and plenty of places to eat, from casual cafes to smarter seafood restaurants. Spend the afternoon at Babbacombe or Kents Cavern, then head back down to the waterfront for tea as the lights come on around the marina. Explore Torquay →
Food in Bath
Bath isn't on the coast, but it's a favourite add-on for anyone touring the South West, and it has edible traditions all of its own.
Sally Lunn's One of Bath's oldest houses is home to the famous Sally Lunn bun, a large, light, brioche-style bun served with sweet or savoury toppings. It's an edible bit of history in a tiny old building. Expect a queue on busy days, and allow time for the little kitchen museum downstairs.
The Bath bun Not to be confused with the Sally Lunn, the Bath bun is a sweet, rich roll topped with crushed sugar. You'll spot them in bakeries around the city. Pick one up to eat while wandering past the Royal Crescent and the Circus, two of Bath's most famous Georgian streets.
The Pump Room Attached to the Roman Baths, the elegant Pump Room has been serving refreshments to visitors since Georgian times. It's a lovely spot for afternoon tea, and you can even try the famous spa water. Combine it with a tour of the Roman Baths for a day that feels like time travel.
Lake District, Bristol and Edinburgh
Three more great food destinations for when you fancy a break from the coast, each with something special on the menu.
The Lake District The Lakes are famous for hearty grub: Cumberland sausage, Grasmere gingerbread and the sticky toffee pudding linked to Cartmel. After a day of hiking or boating, cosy pubs serve up warming plates. It's the perfect excuse to stop worrying about calories for a few days. Explore the Lake District →
Kendal Mint Cake This sugary, minty slab has been fuelling walkers and climbers for generations, and it famously went up Everest. Kendal is the place to pick some up, often in its classic white or brown versions. Pop some in your pocket before heading off on a fell walk. Explore Kendal →
Bowness-on-Windermere Bowness is the busiest spot on England's largest lake, with boat trips, ice cream parlours and pubs lining the bay. Grab a treat from one of the shops, then take a cruise across Windermere. It's a lovely way to see the Lakes without tiring little legs out. Explore Bowness →
Bristol's harbourside Bristol has a buzzing food scene, especially around the harbourside and Wapping Wharf, where independent kitchens pack into shipping containers. The historic St Nicholas Market is full of street food stalls too. Add a look at Brunel's SS Great Britain for a day that mixes food and history. Explore Bristol →
Edinburgh Scotland's capital is brilliant for food lovers, from haggis, neeps and tatties to traditional tearooms on the Royal Mile. Locals will tell you a chippy supper should come with salt and sauce, a tangy brown sauce mixture unique to the city. Try it before you leave. Explore Edinburgh →
Portobello Edinburgh's own seaside is Portobello, a long sandy beach with a promenade, cafes and an arcade. It's a great place to grab an ice cream or a coffee and walk by the sea, only a short bus ride from the city centre. Bring a towel, as locals swim here all year. Explore Portobello →
Tips for eating well at the seaside
Timing is everything. Popular chippies and pier restaurants get busy at peak lunch and tea times, especially in the school holidays, so eat a bit earlier or later to dodge the queues. For sit-down restaurants in summer, book ahead, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Keep an eye on the gulls. They're bold, quick and very fond of chips, so eat with your back to a wall or find somewhere sheltered. Many cafes have indoor seating, which is a lifesaver when the weather turns.
Don't forget the regional treats. A Cornish pasty, a Devon cream tea or a Bath bun is part of the experience, so build them into your plans. And if you're heading along the coast, combine your food stops with the arcades, beaches and piers for a day out with something for everyone.
Comments