The UK’s Best Beach Shack Restaurants

The best beach shack restaurants in the UK

Crab House Café, Dorset

“On the water’s edge, where Weymouth meets Portland Bill, the Crab House Café is essentially a weather-beaten shack attached to an oyster farm. The oysters and local crabs take star billing on the menu, which can change twice a day depending on what’s landed by day boats working out of Poole, Weymouth or Brixham. Tables on the shingle outside look across Chesil Beach, and out to those same fishing boats that supply the kitchen.” crabhousecafe.co.uk

A beach with restaurant perched on the edge. There are tables and chairs on the beach

Riley’s Fish Shack, Tynemouth

“Day-boat fish from nearby North Shields Fish Quay is cooked over coals and showcased in dishes such as bang bang monkfish kebabs and hake with blackened Little Gem and capers. In the summer, tables, deck chairs and parasols extend the dining area onto the sand – on cooler days you can hire portable firepits and blankets.” rileysfishshack.com. Janine Ratcliffe, olive editor

Crab Shed, Ventnor, Isle of Wight

“Steephill Cove (aptly named) in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight is renowned for the Crab Shed, right on the seafront. Queue for one of its famous crab pasties or mackerel ciabattas – well worth the wait.” facebook.com/crabshed. Lulu Grimes, managing editor, Good Food

The Lobster Shack, North Berwick

“The Lobster Shack on North Berwick’s harbour includes Tom Kitchin (Scotland’s youngest winner of a Michelin star) among its loyal customers. Fresh-off-the-boat seafood is on the menu, as well as show-stopping lobster and chips.” lobstershack.co.uk. Freya Bromley, contributing writer

Gower Seafood Hut, Mumbles, Swansea

“Freshly fried local fish (think fritto misto, calamari and cockle popcorn) served straight from a converted horse trailer, just metres from the water it was caught in. The team has also recently opened a permanent seafood deli for those wanting to take the taste home.”@gowerseafoodhut. Barney Desmazery, Good Food shows and skills editor

Café Môr, Angle, Pembrokeshire

“Now moored at The Old Point House pub with rooms, Café Môr dishes up award-winning seafood with a seaweed twist. Try buttery lobster rolls, crab baps and laverbread-laced burgers, all served from an iconic boat kitchen in the garden.” theoldpointhouse.wales. Barney Desmazery, Good Food shows and skills editor

Pipers Pitch, Craster, Northumberland

“Craster crab (and kippers) are as synonymous with Northumberland as Bamburgh Castle. The best way to try them both is in a Pipers Pitch bap – stop by this unassuming little hut in Craster Quarry car park for cooked herring in a bun (oak-smoked at nearby L.Robson & Sons), or seasonal dressed crab sandwiches made with crab caught that day. Perfect fodder for a coastal walk to nearby Dunstanburgh Castle (look out for the dolphins).” piperspitch.com. Charlotte Morgan, contributing sub editor

The Company Shed, Mersea Island, Essex

“Eat oysters and crab platters at the The Company Shed on Mersea Island, part of the family oyster business. Top tip: get there early to avoid the lines.” the-company-shed.com. Lulu Grimes, managing editor, Good Food

Dungeness Snack Shack, Dungeness

“There’s nothing like eating seafood with a view of the sea, and it’s even more special in the ethereal setting of Dungeness beach. The Snack Shack catches and cooks its own local fish and seafood in a simple way, letting the produce speak for itself.” dungenesssnackshack.com. Samuel Goldsmith, Good Food senior food editor and podcast host

Sargasso, Margate

“Perched atop Margate’s iconic Harbour Arm is Sargasso, a wine bar set up by the owners of my favourite east London neighbourhood restaurant, Brawn. Order the set lunch of sourdough piled high with salted butter; steamed mussels clattering around in ’nduja-laced sauce; and a glass of small-batch albariño. Not hungry? Sip on a vermouth and soda instead, while marvelling at the views back to the old town.” sargasso.bar. Alex Crossley, digital editor, olive

The industrial interior at Sargasso, including exposed brick walls, sleek wooden bar tables and wooden kitchentops

The Hidden Hut, Cornwall

“Sat on a coastal path above beautiful Porthcurnick Beach in Cornwall, The Hidden Hut is sister to The Standard Inn pub just up the hill. The outdoor kitchen resembles an army field kitchen and offers big beach salads and grilled seafood in the summer, plus local ice cream and homemade cakes. On a typical midsummer day, up to 2,000 customers are fed, many taking their food to the beach for those sea views.” hiddenhut.co.uk

River Exe Cafe, Exmouth

“Known by locals as ‘floating heaven’, this custom-built barge has the same relaxed vibe as any of our other recommended beach shacks. Accessible only by water taxi or boat, River Exe Café serves sharing platters loaded with hand-picked Brixham crab, steamed mussels and shell-on prawns, all enjoyed alongside panoramic views of the Exe Estuary.” riverexecafe.com. Tara Smith, Devon contributor

The inside of River Exe Cafe, a custom-built barge turned restaurant

Mannings Seafood, Margate

“This dinky Margate shack is British seaside heaven. Snack on take-away pots of cockles, whelks and prawns while strolling along the Harbour Arm, or order a platter of fresh seafood and oysters to enjoy on the beach with a bottle of champagne.” @manningsseafoodmargate. Alex Crossley, digital editor, olive

The Stowaway, Tenby

“In the arches right next to Tenby harbour is The Stowaway, a specialty coffee shop that also serves food. It’s easily the best coffee for miles around and is a great spot to have a morning mocha while looking over the bay. Check its social media for opening times, as it changes depending on the season.” facebook.com/thestowawaytenbyharbour. Samuel Goldsmith, Good Food senior food editor and podcast host