Looking for the perfect coastal dining experience? We’ve handpicked four outstanding restaurants where exceptional food and breathtaking sea views come together. From the relaxed coastal chic of Harry’s at The Gallivant to the luxurious grill at Brighton’s Pearly Cow, the Caribbean-esque setting of Walter’s on Carbis Bay, and the island charm of Tresco’s New Inn, discover where to eat by the sea this season.
Alex Fisher
Coastal Cuisine at Harry’s, Camber Sands
One of the most beautiful restaurants and boutique hotels on the Sussex coast, Harry’s (the relaunched restaurant at The Gallivant Hotel) offers indoor and outdoor dining in a stunning space that opens onto a garden terrace, where you can enjoy a meal surrounded by native, bee-friendly planting. In this sumptuous environment, the visual elements of the décor, colour scheme, planting and food are so carefully considered that nature and style are bound together, creating a comprehensive visual feast and atmosphere that represents thelocal and seasonal food philosophy that the restaurant follows.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU AT HARRY’S?]
New Chef Matthew Harris (previously Bibendum) has created a menu that makes use of the best seasonal produce from the region. With Maldon oysters from Kent, Rye Bay skate and scallops, and local game, along with fruit and vegetables from the Garden of England, this carefully considered menu is a real treat. We started with Crown Prince pumpkin, goat’s curd, salsify and lightly-toasted hazelnuts dressed with a little truffle honey and a crab cocktail with melba toast. Vegetables here are given just as much attention as the meat and fish, and the pumpkin was delicious. This was followed by a fillet of hake, sat on a rich puy lentil stew with salsa verde. The flaky white fish was meaty, and contrasted beautifully with the savoury lentils. To finish, I managed to squeeze in just a scoop of the homemade ice cream and my friend enjoyed a selection of English cheeses.
HOW’S THE MOOD AT HARRY’S?
Friendly and welcoming, with high-quality service and great wine and food guidance. There’s a relaxed bar area where excellent cocktails are made, and a snug with an open fire. The dining room is full of plants and light and when the weather is good you can sit outside in the pretty courtyard.
NEAREST BEACH?
The expansive dunes of Camber Sands are literally just across the road.
DETAILS
Starters are from around £9, mains from £23, sides from £6 and desserts from £10.
Open every evening from 6pm and at weekends for lunch.
Call 01797 225057 or visit thegallivant.co.uk.
Coastal Cuisine at Pearly Cow, Brighton, East Sussex
New to Brighton Seafront, this rather glamorous grill restaurant focuses on high-quality local produce. Executive Chef Andrew MacKenzie – who has worked at Brighton’s best, including Drakes, The Salt Room and the local outpost of Soho House – serves a ‘Fire and Ice’ menu. Starters, such as scallop cured in yuzu and cucumber, or beetroot carpaccio, pickled radish and coconut dressing, come raw ‘on ice’. The ‘Fire’ mains are cooked ‘over flame’ – think 45-day salt-aged steaks or local skate or lobster from the Mibrasa grill.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
We began with cocktails, including a punchy seaside martini and classic margarita. Then, from the small plates menu, came a sublime wood-fired scallop with cauliflower and brown butter. This incredible shellfish is notoriously easy to over- or undercook, but this was perfect: seared on the outside and buttery on the inside. Pig cheeks with carrots and five spice had just the right amount of piquancy, and the meat melted in the mouth. Andrew favours fresh catches from local boats, so we chose the fish of the day – lemon sole served with samphire – and the half wood-fired lobster with parsley and dill butter, for our mains. The fish was filleted at our table by our excellent waitress, who also recommended the ideal wine to accompany our meal: a light and fresh Vinho Verde. We finished with a dramatic Mirabelle plum soufflé and ripple ice cream.
HOW’S THE MOOD?
Lively and luxurious. Chic décor with dark tones and natural materials combines with excellent, knowledgeable service. The two busy rooms are full of animated conversations and interesting art. Dogs aren’t allowed but people with pooches can sample some of the menu upstairs, in the bar and lounge of Hotel No. 124.
NEAREST BEACH?
Brighton’s pebble beach and the famous ruins of the West Pier are just across the road.
DETAILS
Starters begin at £12, mains from £18 and desserts from £11, with sides from £6.
Open for Lunch: Friday and Saturday 12-3:30 pm; Dinner: Monday to Saturday 5-9 pm; Sunday open 12-7.30 pm.
Pearly Cow, 123 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FY.
To book, call 0330 055 4531 or visit pearlycow.co.uk/pearly-cow-brighton.
Cool Café at Walter’s on the Beach, Carbis Bay, Cornwall
Sitting right on the edge of the sand at Carbis Bay, the sea views from Walter’s on the Beach are pretty unbeatable. The sparkling turquoise sea and white sand are reminiscent of the Caribbean, and when the sun shines, there’s nowhere more beautiful in the world. The floor-to-ceiling windows make the best of the views, and diners spill out onto the large terrace as soon as the weather is warm enough.
The contemporary, internationally influenced menu, devised by head chef Andrew Houghton, is rooted in local, seasonal ingredients, with fish and seafood coming from nearby St Ives and Newlyn, and vegetables grown across Cornwall.
This restaurant is ideally placed to sit outside and watch the sunset over the sea, so check your timings and book accordingly!
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
I started with fat, juicy scallops: sweet, perfectly caramelised, and served with orange fennel, crab bisque, and a salty slice of pork belly (£18). For mains, the vegetarian pistachio tart (£23) was delicious, with a light, crisp pastry base and mildly spiced filling. Served with beetroot, atchar, apple, and a date and apple sauce, it perfectly balanced the sweet and sour flavours.
The dessert menu is playful and indulgent. ‘Eggs & Soldiers’ (£14.50) – a selection of flavoured brûlées served in porcelain eggshells, paired with shortbread for dipping – was huge; big enough to share with at least two, if not three, people
(if you wanted to).
If you just fancy a drink while you watch the sunset, there’s a great cocktail bar with an inspired menu. Try an Orange Spiced Margarita or
a Lemongrass Mule (£18 each).
HOW’S THE MOOD?
Relaxed fine dining, and coastal chic where flip-flops and sandy feet are just as acceptable as a cocktail dress and heels. Staff are friendly and attentive but not rushed. The dark, luxurious décor contrasts with the beach vibe and is quite the opposite from the nautical stripes you often see on a seaside interior. This means it also works well when the weather is cooler and you want to cosy up.
CAN I SEE THE SEA?
You can’t miss it! The sparkling waters of Carbis Bay are front and centre. The terrace backs directly onto the beach, which faces in the right direction for stunning sunset dining.
DETAILS
Starters are priced from £16, mains from £23, and desserts from £14.50. Cocktails cost from around £14.
Walter’s is open daily for lunch (noon-2.30pm), light snacks (2.30-5pm), and dinner (6-9pm).
Call 01736 795311 or visit carbisbayhotel.co.uk/dine-with-us/walters-on-the-beach.
Coastal Cuisine at The New Inn, Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Whether you’re staying on Tresco, or are on a day trip to enjoy the beautiful beaches and stunning Abbey Garden, this gastropub is worth a visit. Serving local seafood – including the freshest crab and lobster you can find – and island produce such as Troytown ice cream from St Agnes, Head Chef Liam Caves creates seasonal menus that are perfect for relaxed dining by the sea. The dining room boasts views across to Bryher, or on warm days, you can eat in the gardens, where you may get to see a demonstration of traditional lobster pot making. People are friendly and there’s a welcoming, community atmosphere when you visit outside of the busy high summer season.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
To start, we shared confit duck croquettes, served with balsamic onion chutney and a bitter leaf salad (£14). These delicious little parcels were full of melt-in-the-mouth duck meat, nicely contrasted by the chutney. My main was smoked haddock chowder with fish velouté, corn, samphire, shaved fennel and saffron potatoes (£24). It was everything you’d want a chowder to be – creamy but light, with chunks of flaky fish and a smattering of fresh herbs. Dessert was a shared dark chocolate mousse with poached pear and hazelnut brittle (£12). The delicate, fragrant pear balanced the rich mousse and the brittle added texture to what was a perfect end to the meal.
HOW’S THE MOOD?
Easygoing and friendly – as the only pub on the island, it’s much loved by the locals who keep Tresco running. It’s family-friendly, and they offer a separate children’s menu, which includes smaller portions of pan-fried local fish.
NEAREST BEACH?
The beautiful sandy beaches of New Grimsby Bay are just a few metres away. Here, you can catch a boat across to Bryher, or the main town on bigger St Mary’s.
DETAILS
Starters are from around £9, mains from £22, with sides from £6 and desserts from £10.
These may vary, but the Driftwood Bar is usually open seven days a week, from 8am-11pm (10.30pm on Sundays). Daily lunch: 12-2.30pm (2pm in spring); dinner: 6-9pm in summer (8.30pm in spring).
Call 01720 423 006 or visit tresco.co.uk/eating/new-inn.
