As a destination famous for its fishing fleets that bring the freshest catch to shore each day, it’s no wonder that Dorset is well-endowed with places to tuck into the ocean’s finest bounty. And why scrimp on the views if you can sample sublime seafood while feasting your eyes on the Big Blue where it was caught just hours before hitting your plate? There are some wonderful sea view seafood restaurants in Dorset.
Huge fans of seafood and sea views, we’ve sought out the very best places to enjoy both in Dorset – from swish fish restaurants to seaside kiosks.
The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis
From prawns and oysters to crab and cockles, almost everything served at this Lyme Regis eatery is plucked from the ocean in view. You can’t get fresher than seafood that’s flipped straight off the boats by fishermen the chefs are on first name terms with. Add breathtaking sea views, celeb chef Mark Hix at the helm and a dash of elegance, and you’ve got the ingredients behind one of Dorset’s hottest coastal restaurants. The Oyster & Fish House should be at the top of the list for dining out during a holiday by the sea in Dorset.
Rachel’s, West Bay
While the price of eating-out-on-sea has hit an all time high, Rachel’s shows that a great seaside location can be teamed with great value for money. Booking is advised if you want to lunch on one of their delicious seafood platters, warming chowders or fresh fish dishes served from a simple kiosk on the edge of Bridport, overlooking West Bay. Tuck in to a meal with a sea view at Rachel’s next time you’re holidaying on the Dorset coast.
Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock
Serving seasonal seafood and local shellfish in an informal beachside setting, this popular gem on the Chesil Bank is a must-visit destination for any gastronomes staying near the Dorset coastline. Bask on the wrap-around patio, take a seat under the marquee or hunker inside – either way, the sea is in sight and the shellfish is the star of the menu. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal after exploring one of Dorset’s finest walks straight from the beach.
Watch House Café, West Bay
Little sister to the much-loved Hive Beach Café, this is a smashing lunchtime venue nestled behind West Bay’s shingle beach. Another gem in Dorset’s foodie crown, the Watch House Café lures diners from far and wide with its simple seafood, wood-fired pizzas and eye-popping views to Thorncombe Beacon and the golden cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. Let the weather decide whether you take a seat in the trendy interior or bag a bench with your toes in the sand.
Shellbay, Studland
Located next to the sandy shores of the Isle of Purbeck, it’s hard to find more of a diners’ paradise than this sea-view restaurant flanked by Poole Harbour and pearly dunes. Gaze north to Brownsea Island, west to the Purbeck Hills and down at your plate for the freshest catch from local fishing boats (think Studland Bay mackerel, English Channel crevettes and Lymington black bream). For suave suppers, bag a table in the restaurant, or for more casual dates head to the bistro that’s got tables spilling out into beachside gardens.
Crab House Café, Wyke Regis
Perched on the edge of Chesil Beach and decorated with fishing paraphernalia, the rustic Crab House Café serves finger-licking seafood including out-of-the-tank crustaceans served with hammers, buckets and bibs. Proving its loyalty to what’s freshly caught, the menu changes up to twice daily according to what the fishermen deliver to the kitchen door.
Harbour Inn, Lyme Regis
Sitting on the edge of Lyme Bay just footsteps from The Cobb, the Harbour Inn serves a menu showcasing locally sourced seafood from the local day fishing boats. Relaxed and family friendly, it’s so close to the beach that you can watch the kids build sandcastles while you kick back with fine wines and catch of the day.
Tuck into Seafood at These Sea View Restaurants in Dorset on Your Next Coastal Holiday
Fancy finger-licking seafood by the beach on your next beach holiday? Book one of our coastal cottages in Dorset and tuck into delish fish dishes with the sea in sight.
