For millions of Britons, the scoop of ice cream enjoyed after hours spent frolicking on the beach is almost as integral to the UK summer experience as the coast itself.
The sight of a blue-and-white wooden shack – decorated with ‘off to the beach’ signs and punctuated by a haphazard mishmash of chairs – signals your beach of choice is well geared up to cater to hungry mouths on holiday.
Excited children will beeline for a sweet treat, while tired parents will hunt for a decent cup of coffee – and wet-haired surfers might be looking to fuel themselves on fish and chips before taking to the waves.
Enter the humble beach cafe: the ideal place to eat near the beach where you don’t have to worry (too much!) about getting sand everywhere.
So maybe it’s time to try out some of the UK’s best foodie spots, from independent, coffee-forward shacks to seafood specialists across the country…
Fuchsia, Tenby Beach, Wales
The first seaside spot worth trying out is Fuchsia, in Tenby
Nothing beats a beachside brunch, and in the popular seaside town of Tenby, Fuchsia is a standout spot.
Expect eggs of all varieties (poached, fried, scrambled) as well as classics such as buttermilk pancakes, toasted Welsh rarebit and great coffee.
‘Lovely hidden gem’, one visitor wrote on Google reviews, adding: ‘Just off from the hustle and bustle of the main street, it has a quiet but warm atmosphere.
‘Dog friendly which was a bonus. Food was tasty and we were informed they use fresh, local ingredients.’
Sam’s on the Beach, Polkerris, Cornwall
Sam’s on the Beach in Polkerris, Cornwall is a great spot for a lazy afternoon
Seafood galore is the standout order at Sam’s on the Beach
Sam’s on the Beach is housed in a former RNLI lifeboat station, built 162 years ago and restored in 2009.
The cafe has a custom-built, wood-burning pizza oven, and serves fresh fish from its own dayboat – while shellfish is delivered from St Austell Bay, and lobsters, mussels and scallops are available.
It’s a down-to-earth eatery with an open kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows and beachy ambience.
Bo’s Beach Cafe, Salcombe, Devon
Bo’s Beach Cafe is housed in unique premises – the old Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat house
You’re spoiled for choice in upmarket Salcombe – but Bo’s Beach Cafe, situated in the old Salcombe RNLI Lifeboat house on South Sands Beach, is a perfect spot for a light bite.
Equal parts hippy cafe and cosy quarters, next door you’ll find Sea Kayak Salcombe, where you can arrange a rental to try out some water sports.
One visitor wrote: ‘What a fantastic find, and a view to die for! Even on a wet rainy day it was just wonderful to have breakfast and coffee looking out over the beautiful beach and out to sea.’
Cafe Canna, Isle of Canna, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Tiny Cafe Canna in a remote part of the country is well worth a look
It may be remote, but that hasn’t stopped Cafe Canna from winning awards such as Best Informal Eating Experience at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards previously.
The food here is locally sourced, and the menu includes delicacies such as Scottish beef burgers, crab on freshly made tagliatelle and Arisaig mussels.
You’ll need a boat to get there, though – either a private sailing boat or take the ferry, which operates every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Creel & Reel Seafood Trailer, Bamburgh
Few establishments are as down to earth at Creel & Reel Seafood Trailer
Creel & Reel Seafood Trailer might not look like much – a tiny trailer near the beach in Bamburgh – but the food here is a cut above.
Hot lobster roll, scallops on toast with garlic butter and a handpicked crab sandwich are all on the menu.
‘This place is unique, well it is to me,’ one visitor said, adding: ‘I’ve never had a Bacon and Scallop Stottie before but I’m sure I will again. The food is excellent, really good quality and delicious. I’m looking forward to going back to try other things the next time we’re up that way.’
Lucky Beach Cafe, Brighton
Lucky Beach Cafe in Brighton is perfect for enjoying al fresco drinks
A burger on the beach is one of the finest options on offer
Brighton is one of Britain’s best seaside towns, and is (fittingly) home to one of the top spots for food too.
Hailed by Time Out as the best fish and chips in Brighton, Lucky Beach Cafe also serves breakfast tacos, brunch options, burgers and boozy slushies.
One visitor raved: ‘Lucky Beach reserved us (at short notice) an excellent table for nine, inside, but with a lovely view of the sea. You can also sit outside, right on the beach.
‘The food was delicious, ranging from light snacks to full English breakfast, with a wide range of veggie options. Staff were friendly and helpful and let us spend a long, leisurely brunch, with no hassle to free up the table.’
Riley’s Fish Shack, King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth
Between the top of the cliff and the millpond-still sea is simple eatery Riley’s Fish Shack
Tuck into seafood and fish at Riley’s Fish Shack
Tynemouth received full marks for its golden sandy beaches in a Which? study – which also recommends trying the seafood bowls from Riley’s Fish Shack, on King Edward’s Bay.
It’s one of the UK’s best seafood establishments, with wonderful beach views, wooden panelling and oysters everywhere you look.
Tom Parker Bowles, food writer and restaurant reviewer, said of the shack: ‘When the sun’s glittering off the water, and you’re eating a mackerel wrap (the fish caught that morning mere metres away) with a glass of something cold and white, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.’
Beach House, South Milton Sands, Devon
Next up is the Beach House cafe at South Milton Sands
The Beach House cafe sadly suffered a fire in 2025 – but a summertime pop-up provides fresh seafood and cocktails.
This ‘laidback foodie destination’, as it describes itself, is currently housed in a marquee, a premium spot for al fresco dining.
On the menu? A nostalgic fish finger club sandwich, local fish goujons and crab linguine.
Beach House Falmouth, Cornwall
Beach House Falmouth is a vibrant, buzzing hub for food and drink
For a true taste of Cornwall, head to this Falmouth establishment, where highlights include wild prawns in ‘nduja butter and Falmouth Bay scallops.
There are various drinking spots in the house, from the Cool Box to the Top Bar, ideal for spending a hazy summer evening.
‘Possibly the best seafood in Cornwall – we went on a quiet Monday lunchtime and had the oysters, crab linguine and desserts with every course being perfect. Staff were friendly and service was excellent – would 100 per cent recommend!’ is the stellar praise dished out by one visitor.
Bosun’s Bite, Rye
Bosun’s Bite in picturesque Rye is the next establishment to join the list
This little cafe in Rye Harbour serves delicious treats, from cinnamon buns to chocolate muffins, cookies and blondies.
It’s charming, low-key and with no frills attached – just arrive fresh from a swim or a stroll to grab a bite.
One customer raved: ‘What a fantastic find this place is. Tucked away just next to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, this lovely cafe is open seven days a week, sells great food and drinks, has a good variety of food and very lovely staff. I was very impressed with my visit.’
The Crab Shack, Bryher, Isles of Scilly
Visiting the Isles of Scilly? Try out The Crab Shack in Bryher
Bench seats at The Crab Shack might at first seem strange – you could be placed next to strangers. But once you’ve settled in, you’ll realise this gives rise to a truly immersive, unique approach – and you’ll make friends in no time.
That will, no doubt, be helped by the excellent food and drink. Scallops, crab and crusty bread are dished out, and meals are designed for sharing here. It’s a veritable seafood haven.
‘What a find! Love this little place’, said one visitor. ‘We had starters of mussels and scallops (absolutely delicious!!!) nice wine to go with it and good fresh bread. For mains we had the seafood platter and it didn’t disappoint.’
Suzie’s Beach Cafe, Southwold
Suzie’s Beach Cafe is a tiny spot with great coffee and ice cream
Suffolk’s Southwold Beach is perhaps best known for its string of tiny beach huts, many of which you can purchase (to the tune of £120,000).
But if you’re visiting for the day, grab a coffee and ice cream at Suzie’s Beach Cafe, a favourite local spot that welcomes you in.
Alongside snacks and beverages, you can even buy a beach toy here (bucket and spade, anyone?) making it an ideal refuge if you’re trying to keep your little ones entertained.
‘Fabulous place right on the seafront, lovely people, and great coffee… an absolute must for any visitors to Southwold!’ one visitor raved.
The Seafood Ristorante, St Andrews
Glass-sided The Seafood Ristorante, in St Andrews, has incredible views
This is one of the finest spots on the list, with an upmarket ambience
Perhaps the most upmarket of beachside eateries, The Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews is one of Scotland’s best, with views of the North Sea coastline visible from the unique glass interiors.
Seafood here is locally sourced, and the menu contains such delicacies as Orkney scallops, steamed halibut with a mussel sauce and North Sea turbot with Loire Valley white asparagus.
One visitor commented: ‘This place was superb and exceeded expectations. We had the crab risotto which was excellent and cooked to perfection. I then had the spaghetti with hake and langoustine. It was served with the most amazing bisque. Honestly one of the best things I’ve eaten in a while.’
The Hut, Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight
For glitz and glamour, check out The Hut in Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight
The spread on offer at The Hut is something to write home about
This beach restaurant is equal parts laid-back and glam, with whitewashed walls and sea views to die for.
It’s situated right on the beach, and boasts a beach club ambience, English-style. The Hut has been a fixture on the Isle of Wight since 2013, morphing from a small rustic beach bar into a well-known hotspot.
It’s been described as ‘spectacular’, with the food dubbed ‘awesome’, while one visitor commented: ‘Best of all: the incredible sunset seaviews on a clear, sunny day.’
The Lobster Shack, North Berwick
The Lobster Shack in the North Berwick harbour gets busy at lunchtime
Lobster is the standout dish, and you can eat on-site or get a takeaway
It might not look like much, but takeaway spot The Lobster Shack in North Berwick offers seafood dishes such as crab, fish tacos or chowder in an efficient manner.
The seating area has been recently upgraded, but given the lengthy queues common here, you might want to grab your lobster to go, and enjoy from a nearby beach or harbour spot.
One visitor commented: ‘This place is so worth the wait. We definitely enjoyed the fish and chips and a side order of salt and pepper squid. The staff who served us were in such good spirits. Love the great service!’
Chapel Point, Skegness
The North Sea Observatory’s Chapel Point is up next
This tea room by the North Sea Observatory is more than your standard museum cafe. The Seascape Cafe, as it is called, has huge windows, providing incredible beach views.
Plus, it hosts early morning and evening events, from sunrise breakfasts to art exhibitions, craft sales, drone photography and more.
It’s been hailed online for its friendly atmosphere, delicious food and views.
Southsea Beach Cafe, Portsmouth
Southsea Beach Cafe on Southsea Promenade joins the ranking
If you were to design a beach cafe with the perfect open terrace, relaxed but tasteful decor and a great menu featuring brunch, fish and chips and cocktails, it would probably look a lot like Southsea Beach Cafe.
Located in Eastney Beach, popular with locals and visitors who want to enjoy the wide, pebbled stretch, it’s a must-visit in the region.
Customers have praised it as ‘perfect’, with ‘delicious food’. One user commented: ‘Popped in for a quick coffee early in the day then returned later for a late brunch, great location right on the beachfront, staff friendly and lovely food. Great place to sit and watch the world go by, no need to rush these moments.’
Harry’s Shack, Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland
For stellar food, check out fish restaurant Harry’s Shack on the beach at Portstewart
Of course, nothing beats a classic fish and chips, accompanied by tartare sauce and mushy peas
Northern Ireland’s coastline is dramatic and well worth a visit – head to Portstewart to enjoy local seafood at its peak.
‘Absolutely one of the best dining experiences in Northern Ireland’, is how one elated customer described Harry’s Shack.
It’s humble and yet the views are grand, and you can enjoy a classic fish and chips or a fillet of fish.
The Boat Shed Cafe, Wareham, Dorset
Enjoy panoramic views of Lulworth Cove at the Boat Shed Cafe
A fresh beachside brunch is the best way to start off your morning on holiday
Lulworth Cove’s Boat Shed Cafe is totally immersed in the natural scenery, with a terrace to enjoy when the sun is shining.
Seasonal specials and fish dishes including calamari are especially popular, both among locals and visitors.
One review read: ‘Amazing breakfast with a stunning view! The staff are very friendly and welcoming. If you are looking for the perfect spot to sip your coffee and relax, this is it. We will definitely be back…’
The Company Shed, Mersea Island, Essex
The Company Shed in Mersea Island, Essex rounds out the list
The Jamie Oliver-approved spot is known for its oysters
Loved by none other than Jamie Oliver, this ‘gruff, rickety’ spot was even ranked among the UK’s best beach shack restaurants by Olive magazine last summer.
One regular wrote: ‘I’ve been visiting The Company Shed at Mersea several times a year for about 10 years. The oysters are great (I enjoy half a dozen in the restaurant and take a dozen home) the staff are great and the atmosphere is practical, clean and does the job. For oysters, it’s the go to.’
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