From plump, juicy scallops served with just about anything to crispy battered cod, butter-like lemon sole, chunky halibut, and king prawns you can’t get enough of, the array of seafood dishes that are offered up across restaurants around the UK are plentiful, and with the shores never too far away, it’s safe to say that the quality of the food is top-notch too. Whether its Newlyn or Brixham crab, Orkney scallops, Norfolk shellfish, south coast sea bass, or Conwy mussels you just can’t get enough of, you’ll never be far from excellent quality seafood, just search ‘seafood restaurants near me’ and you’re sure to find a great city hot spot or beachside bar close to you.
When it comes to choosing the very best restaurants to dine at for the best quality ingredients served in the most delectable of ways, look to the array of dedicated seafood eateries out there whose focus is solely on the sole. For your next fine dining meal featuring fillets of the finest fish, read on for some inspiration on where to go as we’ve teamed up with nicelocal.co.uk to seek out seven of the best seafood restaurants in the UK to book a table at now.
The Seahorse, Dartmouth, Devon
Sitting just around the corner from Brixham Harbour, which boasts one of the UK’s largest fishing fleets, The Seahorse restaurant in Dartmouth expertly blends top quality ingredients from its neighbouring market with Italian panache. Expect to dine on delightful cuisine at Mitch Tonks’ elegant bistro on Dartmouth’s embankment, with dishes including scallops with white port and garlic topped with a crumb; Dover sole simply prepared over a charcoal fire and a selection of simple yet delicious side dishes to accompany.
Outlaw’s New Road, Port Isaac, Cornwall
We take the short trip from Devon to Cornwall, one of the best places in the country to dine on seafood, and straight into the Michelin-starred Outlaw’s New Road for some high-quality delights that you won’t want to miss on your next visit to Port Isaac. Nathan Outlaw mixes laid back with elegance in his restaurant overlooking the sea on Cornwall’s north coast, with fresh catches leading the day’s unfussy, classic menu.
The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow, Cornwall
Perhaps Padstow is best known these days as the place that Rick Stein put firmly on the foodie map, and so it only seems right that his flagship place, The Seafood Restaurant, is included here. The focus here is all about serving up the freshest fish and shellfish, and diners can expect meals that are inspired by Stein’s worldly travels. Mussels masala, lobster risotto, oyster charentaise, Indonesian seafood curry, scallops with soy, ginger and spring onion, Singapore chilli and more – travel the world while staying firmly put in this elegant eatery.
Angler, Finsbury, London
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you need to see the sea to be dining on the finest seafood as England’s capital does very well with supplying itself with top-notch fare for its discerning diners. The one-Michelin-Starred Angler in Finsbury not only holds views of some of London’s best landmarks from its seventh-floor position at the South Place Hotel, but inside the stylish space you’ll find the UK’s finest catches on dishes like Cornish monkfish with surf clams, hand rolled rigatoni and wye valley asparagus.
Scott’s, Mayfair, London
Everyone knows that Mayfair is the crème de la crème when it comes to fine dining, shopping, luxury hotels and bars in London, and seafood heavyweight Scott’s proves that longevity doesn’t mean outdated with its glamorous restaurant serving top-quality oysters, market fish, caviar, Dover sole, scallops, prawns, lobster and the like. The famed oyster and Champagne bar is not to be missed.
J. Sheekey, Covent Garden, London
With a Michelin Plate and a history of serving iconic seafood dishes since 1896, J. Sheekey, in the heart of Covent Garden, continues to impress to this day. The iconic restaurant welcomes with its bright red exterior, but leaves the colour outside with an elegant, monochrome interior, with images of theatre actors lining the walls to celebrate its location. Expect dishes like their famed fish pie and delightful seafood platters to impress.
Lochleven Seafood Café, Fort William, Scotland
The list wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Scotland, where the shores produce a truly impressive selection of seafood. This smart, loch-side retreat has a Michelin plate under its belt, blissful mountain views and, more importantly, some superb seafood to devour including Scottish lobster, crab, oysters, langoustine, clams, scallops, and mussels. It’s certainly one to seek out.
