Whether you find yourself on the coastline or further inland, there are more seafood restaurants in the UK than you can shake a stick at. But, when it comes to choosing a place to eat, you can feel a bit like a fish out of water, so make sure to check out our handy guide to help you along. From Sussex dining retreats serving up premium platters of shellfish to Northern Irish joints dishing out lobster burgers, here are the best places to get your fishy fix.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 8th January 2026
Providing exceptional fare in casual surrounds, Urban Reef is a top spot for sensational seafood. While you enjoy views of the coast, wolf down Scottish mussels, lobster and crab bisque, Poole Bay oyster and so much more. And in the summertime? They regularly host DJs and events.
For a gorgeous seafood restaurant in Manchester, make your way over to James Martin. What to expect? Pan-roasted bass accompanied by charred octopus and mussel minestrone, as well as Thai crab risotto, smoked chalk stream trout and many more fruits de la mer.
With sites in Warren Street, Marble Arch and Heathrow, Steak & Lobster are surf and turf aficionados. In our eyes, they're up there as the best lobster restaurant in the UK - just try their mouthwatering goodies for yourself if you don't believe us.
With views of Padstow harbour, Rick Stein's Café is one of the most spectacular settings in the country to tuck into fresh fish. Its changing seasonal menu regularly packs in classics like pan-fried scallops, locally caught mussels and grilled sardines.
Naturally, there's plenty of signature dishes inspired by the chef's global travels too. You can tuck into Pondicherry fish curries, pakora fish and chips and Rick's signature salt and pepper prawns.
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Seafood lovers, take note: Finbars of West Bay is one for the bucket list. This award-winning restaurant has made waves on the Kent coast with its commitment to sourcing the freshest local catch - sometimes from sea to plate within a matter of hours.
Their menus celebrate the coast's bounty, with signatures like the famous fillet of hake drawing diners from far and wide, and a scotch egg starter that's become a cult classic. Awarded two AA rosettes in 2024, Finbars is proof that serious seafood doesn't need to be fussy, it just needs the right location, the right ingredients, and a team who know how to do them justice. Whether you're popping down from London for the day or making a coastal getaway of it, this is the kind of seafood dining worth travelling for.
Seafood restaurants on the coast in England don't get much better than WestBeach, where you can enjoy picturesque ocean views coupled with stunning produce. Not only that, but there's brekkies to start the day and DJs to entertain come the weekend.
Located on the coast of Poole, Rick Stein Sandbanks is a gorgeous spot that looks out over the water from its floor-to-ceiling windows. Soak up views of the harbour and Brownsea Island, making for a dreamy lunch or dinner setting.
Tuck into a premium menu of seafood, featuring everything from roasted monkfish to turbot hollandaise or Singapore chilli crab. Plus, there are an excellent selection of wines to pair with your meal.
If you're on the hunt for the best seafood restaurant in Devon, stop right there. The Boathouse over in Instow not only boasts sweeping panoramas of the coastline, but also a jam-packed menu of locally caught fish, including prawn linguine and a spiced tempura crab burger.
The White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar is a stylish little eatery in the heart of Edinburgh that focuses on delectable seafood. Highlights include the luxurious BBQ lobster tail accompanied by bisque beurre blanc, plus the fiery scotch bonnet salmon.
