So, National Seafood Week is once again upon us, celebrating both the wealth of fantastic freshly caught produce we have access to in the British Isles, and the immense amount of talent we have manning the kitchens of some of Britain’s best seafood restaurants. Britain is positively teeming with fantastic establishments serving a vast range of seafood dishes, ranging from the perennial fish and chip supper to multi-Michelin-starred seafood tasting menus.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a brief rundown of some of our top picks when it comes to finding fantastic seafood in the United Kingdom. Find your nearest venue below or search for outstanding seafood establishments on the Food and Drink Guides Website.
Maintaining an impressive two Michelin stars this year, you’ll find Restaurant Nathan Outlaw situated at the top of the village of Port Isaac enjoying panoramic coastal views. Here, chef-owner Nathan Outlaw specialises in modern British seafood cookery, relying heavily on Cornish seafood and local produce.
Head chef Chris Simpson cooks a delectable seafood tasting menu, enthralling a relaxed and welcoming dining room (for a maximum of 24 diners) four nights and two afternoons a week. The kitchen prepares quality ingredients with precision, and diners are taken on a journey exploring different flavours, textures and cooking methods, with seafood as the shining star. With dishes such as John Dory, broad beans and fennel, the menu sings with fresh ingredients sourced at their best and cooked simply to unite the flavours harmoniously.
fish! and fish! kitchen
With two outstanding London-based restaurants, one in Borough Market and the other in Kingston, fish! And fish! kitchen serves a menu of out-of-this-world seafood that captivates all who visit. All of fish! and fish! kitchen’s fish comes from their very own fishmonger, Jarvis, whose shop is located next door to their Kingston restaurant; here you can view the fresh fish through a glass divide between the fishmonger’s and the restaurant. Meanwhile, seconds from the Thames, Southwark Cathedral and the Golden Hind, fish! at Borough Market could not occupy a more enviable position on London’s South Bank.
Pick your catch, choose your sauce and side dishes, then sit back and enjoy the freshest, finest seafood cuisine. Of course, the menu also offers perennial favourites such classic fish and chips, and if you’re really looking to push boat out, whole lobster is available. The perfect venue for any occasion – fresh food and stunning locations make this a popular choice with locals and tourists alike.
A reputation for top notch seafood and an easy-going, family friendly atmosphere has garnered a loyal following of foodies for London seafood restaurant, Seawise. Each dish is cooked fresh to order and is made from carefully chosen, sustainably caught produce sourced from nearby Billingsgate Fish Market. The restaurant itself is a modern rustic affair with a distinct nautical theme. Think seaside blue hues, wooden tables, ship lamps dangling from ropes and the occasional splash of maritime memorabilia and decoration here and there.
If you’re planning a visit, be sure to sample Seawise’s signature platter, an all-star medley of fresh prawns, grilled mussels, prawn skewers, scallops, grilled octopus, whitebait and calamari that covers pretty much all bases. All in all, Seawise offers everything you could want and more from a traditional seafood restaurant.
The Kilted Lobster is a gorgeous seafood restaurant, nestled in the heart of Stockbridge. Serving the best Scottish seafood as well as delicious lamb, venison and game, the Kilted Lobster has something to offer every palate. Menus here never fail to wow thanks to outstanding dishes like the half or whole lobster, served with garlic butter, caramelised green beans and confit sweet potato; rock-salted sea bream served whole with salmon chilli cake, tomato salsa and watercress; and lemon sole with crab risotto, shallot purée and lemongrass oil.
The Kilted Lobster is a restaurant with a social conscience, and the team works tirelessly to make a difference in the community and share its passion for delicious food. Through its Cooking Up a Storm campaign, all of the restaurant’s profits go towards funding projects that provide culinary training, classes and educational opportunities, as well as offering complimentary meals to individuals and families facing financial hardship.
Sand between your toes on a sheltered beach, rolling waves and superb food – no, this isn’t a dream; it’s a lazy afternoon at Lusty Glaze Beach. Handily located in the centre of Newquay and yet ideally secluded from the bustle of town, it’s the perfect place to escape from it all, whatever the weather.
You only have to look around the room at the smiling face tucking into fantastic dishes to realise that Lusty Glaze is doing something right. Inventive, exciting and unpretentious, the dishes stand testament to head chef, Nat’s talent and dedication.
There aren’t many fish-loving folk in the Bristol and North Somerset area who haven’t heard of Papa’s. The menu’s ample choice caters for all tastes with fresh, fish-based dishes complemented by a range of burgers and steaks. Papa’s fish and chips are exceptional, so whether you take a seat or take away, you’ll enjoy freshly made, delicious, value-for-money meals – it’s easy to see why they’ve gained so many mentions in the likes of The Telegraph and The Guardian and been voted for in The Daily Mirror’s top 20 fish restaurants by independent reviewers.
Loch Fyne
Drawing on Gaelic roots, the teams of passionate foodies at each Loch Fyne restaurant maintain a keen focus on a high-quality and diverse range of dishes, fresh produce, and, of course, sustainably sourced seafood, much of which comes direct from the restaurant’s namesake loch. Menus at Loch Fyne change regularly to take advantage of the season’s finest freshwater and sea catches, not to mention produce sourced from the land.
Loch Fyne have a plethora of restaurants scattered across the country. Each of the tastefully appointed, bright and airy restaurants boasts Loch Fyne’s hallmark modern rustic decor, and many prominently display the day’s freshly delivered catches.
To find your nearest Loch Fyne restaurant, or to search for fantastic purveyors of seafood in your area, visit the Food and Drink Website or download our award-winning smartphone app.