The 21 best British beaches for food lovers

A day at the beach, interrupted only by the occasional swim and something delicious to eat, is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Thankfully, the UK’s shores are lined with sweeping sands and secluded coves, many with excellent food on offer – whether it’s at a refined restaurant with far-reaching sea views, or a shack where you can enjoy a crab pasty with sand between your toes. These are the beaches where seaside days and memorable meals go hand-in-hand. And if the weather doesn’t play ball, there’s consolation in great food. Fistral Beach, Cornwall Famed for its powerful Atlantic swells and golden sands, Fistral Beach is a surfer’s paradise. Perched high above the action sits Ugly Butterfly, Scottish chef Adam Handling’s laid-back fine dining restaurant, awarded its first Michelin star this year. Rooted in sustainability, its playful, creative tasting menu showcases Cornwall’s finest ingredients, served with breathtaking views. uglybutterfly.co.uk Shorts Porthcurnick Beach, Cornwall This picture-perfect cove on Cornwall’s unspoilt Roseland Peninsula is a firm family favourite. Food lovers flock here too, thanks to The Hidden Hut, Simon Stallard’s celebrated cafe serving woodfired fish, colourful salads and gently spiced dhal overlooking the sea. Evening feast nights are a summer highlight. hiddenhut.co.uk The Hidden Hut in Porthcurnick Beach (Photo: Danny North) South Milton Sands, Devon With golden sand, clear waters and the iconic Thurlestone Rock archway, this large, dog-friendly beach also has a delicious draw: The Beach House, which has risen like a phoenix following a devastating fire last year. Beneath a canvas canopy, expect coffee, cake, fresh seafood and plenty of rosé, just yards from the sand. Don’t miss the bang bang prawns. beachhousedevon.com Hive Beach, Dorset On Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Hive Beach is a lovely stretch of shingle with stunning coast path walks in both directions and two excellent places to eat. The Hive Beach Café is a laid-back spot that’s perfect post-swim. Or for something smarter, stroll up to The Seaside Boarding House, a boutique hotel with a celebrated restaurant, big name guest chef nights and far-reaching views across Lyme Bay. hivebeachcafe.co.uk; theseasideboardinghouse.com Steephill Cove, Isle of Wight Accessible only on foot or by boat, Steephill Cove feels blissfully hidden away, tucked between rocky cliffs near Ventnor. After a spot of rock pooling or a dip in the turquoise water, grab a table (al fresco only) at the rustic Crab Shed for fish tacos, ciabattas and crab pasties, alongside chilled wine and beer, all served surrounded by lobster pots and colourful buoys. instagram.com/thecrabshediow Coquina Restaurant at The Stade Beach (Photo: Supplied) The Stade Beach, East Sussex This historic working beach in Hastings Old Town, with its net huts and fishing boats launched straight off the shingle, sits in striking contrast to the modern lines of Hastings Contemporary behind it. Within the gallery is Coquina, a vibrant modern tapas and wine bar with a suntrap terrace overlooking the beach, boats and the sea beyond. coquinarestaurant.co.uk Dungeness, Kent Famed for its stark beauty, Dungeness is a vast shingle headland on the Kent coast. Among its lighthouses, fishing boats, lonely houses and looming power station sits the family-run Dungeness Snack Shack, where a no-frills set up of picnic tables and a shipping container kitchen serves fish flatbreads, fresh lobster and succulent scallop rolls right on the beach. dungenesssnackshack.com Criccieth Beach, Llyn Peninsula Presided over by a ruined 13th-century castle, Criccieth’s popular eastern beach (Traeth y Promenade) is home to a brilliant beachside sauna and Dylan’s, part of a popular local restaurant group. Housed in a glass-fronted art deco building overlooking the beach and castle beyond, it serves generous dishes built around local produce, plus cocktails, beers and Welsh wines. In the summer, drinks and snacks are served from a gleaming Airstream bar out front. dylansrestaurant.co.uk he Beach House in Oxwich Bay (Photo: Seren Collection) Oxwich Bay, Gower Peninsula This large, sandy bay near Swansea is renowned for its natural beauty, with two-and-half miles of golden sand backed by dunes, salt marshes and woodland. Well suited to families, it’s a place for watersports and coastal walks, as well as swimming and sunbathing. It also delivers on the food front, thanks to the Michelin-starred Beach House restaurant, where head chef Hywel Griffith serves a sophisticated, flavour-packed menu inspired by the seasons. beachhouseoxwich.co.uk Llangrannog Village Beach, Ceredigion Backed by cliffs, this sandy cove is home to Carreg Bica, an iconic rock formation said to be a giant’s tooth. Swimmers, surfers and sunbathers will find plenty of sustenance, from the nearby Beach Hut Café’s bountiful breakfasts, fried fish bits and fish and chips to excellent wood-fired pizzas and cocktails at Tafell. thebeachhutwales.co.uk; instagram.com/tafell_llangrannog Morecambe Beach, Lancashire The traditional seaside town of Morecambe overlooks a five-mile sweep of sandy coastline, primed for bucket-and-spade fun. Keep an eye out for Morecambe Bay Chowder Co, whose bright blue, solar-powered tricycle is often parked along the promenade, serving a changing selection of hearty homemade chowders, some in sourdough bread bowls. baychowder.com The Cheesy Toast Shack in St Andrews (Photo: Supplied) Silecroft Beach, Cumbria On the edge of the Lake District, three miles of shingle and low-tide sand are backed by the brooding Black Combe Fell, and on clear days you might even spot the Isle of Man out to sea. Evenings can be glorious on this west-facing beach, too, hence the name of the Sunset Café. What started as a coffee shop has grown up into a café serving local produce that includes Cumberland sausages from RB Woodall in Waberthwaite (the family has been using the recipe for eight generations), ice cream from Ravenglass and preserves from Cumbrian Coastal Kitchen. The striking, white barn was designed by Scottish architects Konishi Gaffney, with vast windows and sculptural steel shutters by Turner Prizewinning Scottish artist Martin Boyce. sunsetcafesilecroft.co.uk Southwold Denes, Beach Suffolk Wilder and quieter than neighbouring Pier Beach, the Denes is a stretch of sand and shingle loved by kite fliers, windsurfers and wild swimmers, but Sole Bay Fish Company is reason enough to visit. Set back on Southwold’s picturesque harbour, this wooden hut operates as a fishmonger, takeaway and rustic restaurant, serving local seafood, from oysters and crab to build-your-own platters and fish and chips. solebayfishco.co.uk West Runton Beach, Norfolk This unspoilt sand-and-shingle beach is ideal for rock pooling and fossil hunting: the West Runton Mammoth, the largest near-complete mammoth skeleton found in Britain, was uncovered here, after all. A short walk inland leads to another great discovery: Rocky Bottoms, a welcoming seafood restaurant in a converted brick kiln, run by a local fishing family. Expect Cromer crab, lobster and oysters, all as fresh as it gets. rockybottoms.net Riley’s Fish Shack in Tynemouth (Photo: www.nigeljohn.com) Sandsend Beach, North Yorkshire This vast sand-and-shingle stretch offers a popular three-mile coastal walk, with a tasty reward at the end. Start in Whitby and make for Sandsend, hunting for fossils along the way. At the finish, Mary’s Sandwich Shop serves huge, handcrafted sandwiches on homemade focaccia, alongside LA-style smashburgers, craft beers and natural wines, all with sea views. maryssandwichshop.co.uk King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth Hugged by cliffs, King Edward’s Bay is a small sweep of sand curving below the evocative ruins of Tynemouth Priory and Castle. At its heart sits Riley’s Fish Shack. Grab a counter seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows or out on the terrace, or settle into a deckchair by a firepit on the beach and tuck into the likes of lemon sole meunière, brown crab soufflé or whole plaice with scallop roe and wild leek butter. rileysfishshack.com Amble Little Shore, Northumberland Sheltered and shallow, Amble’s Little Shore is ideal for paddling, rock pooling and long lunches at The Fish Shack. This rustic, cosy cabin, with picnic tables overlooking the water, is all about fresh, local seafood, from fish and chips and crab sandwiches to steamed mussels and show-stopping sharing platters. boathousefoodgroup.co.uk/fish-shack Bustling Portobello Beach (Photo: tekinturkdogan/Getty/iStock Unreleased) Portobello Beach, Edinburgh Known locally as “Porty”, this sandy beach sits just three miles east of Edinburgh’s city centre. Its Victorian promenade is lined with cafés, including the lovely Beach House Café, just metres from the sand. Here, simple dishes are made using organic, locally sourced ingredients, with bread baked daily and gelato and ice cream made in-house. thebeachhousecafe.co.uk Seacliff Beach, North Berwick With striking views of Tantallon Castle and the Bass Rock, this secluded, privately owned stretch of sand offers a quieter alternative to nearby beaches. Many come here for Drift, a cliff-topcafé offering everything from cakes and scones to soups and brunch, made using Scottish produce. The café is also home to a stylish sauna and cold plunge, with yet more glorious views. driftalong.co.uk St Andrews East Sands, Fife St Andrews has two sandy beaches: West Sands, a two-mile sweep of dunes immortalised in Chariots of Fire, and the smaller, more sheltered East Sands. At the latter, you will find the Cheesy Toast Shack, a family-run gourmet grilled cheese spot underneath the sailing club. Don’t miss the signature mac and cheese toastie – but beware of the seagulls. instagram.com/thecheesytoastshack Portstewart Strand in Coleraine (Photo: Stephen_Lavery/Getty/iStockphoto) Portstewart Strand, Co Londonderry/Derry This two-mile stretch of golden sand is known for its clean water and abundant wildlife, including dolphins and seals. It’s also one of the few beaches in Northern Ireland that cars are still permitted to drive onto, making it easily accessible. Feeling peckish? Head to Harry’s Shack, a timber-clad cabin right on the beach, serving generous brunches, small plates and local seafood. The buttermilk-battered fish and chips is a signature. harrysshack.app