opentable.co.uk blog - Insider's Guide to Dining

15 of the UK’s best seaside restaurants

OpenTable July 15, 2019 Leave a Comment

Fancy a trip to the seaside? There are some fantastic coastal restaurants throughout the UK and we are happy to share these treasures with you. Here are 15 seaside restaurants that are perfect for foodie day trips.

Rocksalt, Folkestone, Kent
Mark Sargeant’s Rocksalt takes pride in sourcing its ingredients as locally as possible, with fresh fish from the South Coast and produce from local farms. The menu changes seasonally to showcase top quality meat and seafood, as well as locally smoked and cured fish. Discover flavours to float your boat whilst looking out at the boats bobbing in the harbour.

Hix Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Hix Oyster & Fish House stuns guests with panoramic views across the Jurassic Coast and fresh British seafood at its finest. We recommend enjoying a pre-dinner drink in the Shipwreck Bar before taking a seat at one of the white-washed wooden tables on the outdoor terrace.

Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives, Cornwall
The multi-award-winning Porthminster Beach Café right in St Ives is popular all year round and is known for its Mediterranean and Asian take on seafood. A must-visit for anyone looking to spend a romantic evening by the beach.

Fifteen, Watergate Bay, Cornwall
Fifteen Cornwall offers an Italian-inspired menu and spectacular views across Watergate Bay. Here you can dine out and do good at the same time: all the profits from the restaurant go to its registered charity, Cornwall Food Foundation. Head chef Adam Banks runs Jamie Oliver’s award-winning chef training programme as well as other community food programmes in order to make a positive impact on young people’s lives. Delicious dishes for a good cause!

Bay at Sands Hotel, Margate, Kent
Whether you’re seated in the elegant dining room or out on the terrace, you can enjoy panoramic sea views at Bay at Sands Hotel. We recommend booking an overnight stay, as once you’ve tried the food you may never want to leave. Why not treat a friend to their traditional afternoon tea?

Al Molo, Weymouth, Dorset
Situated on the Weymouth seafront, Al Molo serves Italian cuisine that will make you feel like you’re on holiday. Chef Giuseppe Vannucci takes his guests on a culinary journey from the UK to Emilia Romagna – try the calamari fritti followed by his linguine with scallops.

South Sands Hotel Restaurant, Salcombe, Devon
If you’re looking for a buzzy seaside dining spot, then South Sands is the place for you. It’s the ultimate package – a stylish beachside retreat with an outstanding restaurant offering some of the finest seafood in Britain. Try the garlic buttered lobster or the Bouillabaisse made with locally caught fish.

Bryn Williams, Porth Eirias, Conwy, Wales
Location, location, location! Bryn Williams can be found right on the beach at Porth Eirias and its laid-back vibe will make you feel like you are on holiday straight away. The restaurant specialises in bistro-style dishes with a seafood focus and the dining room offers some of the best beach views in the UK. If you are heading to dinner, take time to watch one of the stunning sunsets whilst tucking into their strawberry Eton Mess – you can thank us later.

36 on the Quay, Emsworth, Hampshire
36 on the Quay makes any food lover’s heart sing. The 5 or 8-course tasting menus are a great way to experience new and undiscovered flavour combinations. Alternatively, go a la carte and enjoy dishes like Thai-style duck breast or Welsh Wagyu beef with smoked garlic. The views across the Emsworth harbour are an added bonus.

The Salt Room, Brighton
Situated right on the seafront, The Salt Room serves modern British cuisine with a twist as all the dishes are cooked over coal. On warm days, you can sit out on the terrace and enjoy dishes like crab and watermelon salad, rib eye steak, or lemon sole with spiced crab butter.

The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent
The multi-award-winning Sportsman, located on Kent’s windswept coast, needs little introduction. Chef Stephen Harris focuses on sustainability and serves some of the best British seafood. The menu changes often but you can expect the likes of braised turbot, slip soles in seaweed butter, and poached rock oysters with caviar and pickled cucumber.

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Port Isaac, Cornwall
Nathan Outlaw is a British institution in the culinary world and his cooking has earned him numerous awards. At his restaurant in the picturesque fishing village of Port Isaac, guests can enjoy a set seafood menu that offers unusual flavour combinations and a modern twist on classic seafood dishes.

Gara Rock, Salcombe, Devon
Ethically-minded consumers will fall in love with Gara Rock. All of their ingredients are seasonal and sustainably sourced, either from the restaurant’s own garden or local farms and fishermen. Even the wine list boasts a wide range of organic and bio-dynamic drinks. This attention to detail, combined with slick service and stunning sea views, creates the perfect coastal dining experience.

Crab & Winkle, Whitstable, Kent
Crab & Winkle overlooks a working harbour and you’ll find fish from local boats sold both in the restaurant and the fish market below. Seafood lovers will be spoilt for choice with dishes like pan-seared scallops, grilled Dover sole, and mussels in white wine and garlic.

The Elephant, Torquay, Devon
The Elephant overlooks the beautiful Torbay harbour and wows guests with its coastal beauty. The restaurant has won numerous awards and aims to source all its ingredients locally, with many coming from their farm in Brixham. Chef Simon Hulstone and his team create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere where diners can enjoy first-class food.

This is a guest post from freelance journalist Beatrice Clark. She has written for Vogue, Glamour and Vanity Fair, among others, and has spent the past 15 years living in France, England and Scotland. She is currently based in Berlin and is always on the hunt for the perfect Eggs Benedict.

Tea for tots: Child-friendly afternoon teas in London

OpenTable June 20, 2019

Cake, sandwiches and fun children’s book characters – the new afternoon teas in London inspired to suit the tiny tribe are the perfect way to keep the entire family happy. Here are some of the best child-friendly afternoon teas in the capital.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea at The Savoy
The first children’s afternoon tea at The Savoy features mouth-watering treats inspired by Judith Kerr’s famous children’s book “The Tiger Who Came to Tea”, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. The iconic picture book has been transformed into a feast of teatime treats that draw inspiration from the tea that Sophie and her mum shared with a visiting tiger in the story. Expect stripy scones, blue and pink Battenberg, and marzipan tigers. What can we say? Simply a purr-fect afternoon tea for little ones.

Daunt Books Tea at The Langham
The Langham, winner of ‘Best Tea Service’ at last year’s Afternoon Tea Awards, has teamed up with Daunt Books to create a special treat for little literary lovers. Before indulging in culinary treats like jigsaw puzzle sandwiches, a chocolate whale, and salted toffee popcorn, children can select their own new book from a specially curated library.

Mary Poppins Tea at Aqua Shard
At Aqua Shard, families are taken on a fun-filled journey down memory lane, with a playful range of nostalgic and creative sweets and savouries inspired by P.L. Travers’ books. Mary Poppins comes alive in this special afternoon tea, putting a smile on the little one’s faces whilst they enjoy delicious crumpets, dainty sandwiches and scones with clotted cream. So, what are you waiting for? Take a trip back to your childhood – you won’t be disappointed!

Mad Hatter’s Tea at The Sanderson
Tumble down the rabbit hole and discover one of the most creative tea parties you have ever seen. Fans of Alice in Wonderland will love the vanilla macaroon shaped like the Mad March Hare’s pocket watch and the fruity ‘Drink Me’ potion. Prepare yourself for a truly whimsical afternoon tea.

Mini Gardener Tea at St Ermin’s Hotel
Fancy boosting your children’s interest in the great outdoors? Why not give the Mini Gardener Afternoon Tea at St. Ermin’s Tea Lounge a try? Your little foodie can indulge in milk chocolate lollipop shortbread and scones with jam and cream, and they will also receive a special herb garden growing pack. Delicious and educational at the same time and hopefully turning sticky fingers into green ones in no time.

Little Prince and Princess Tea at Rubens at The Palace
Dine like royalty in the hotel’s Palace Lounge, overlooking Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews. Here, little ones can enjoy bite-size sandwiches, delicious pastries, and a milkshake or hot chocolate if they’re not into tea.

El Dolce Nino at Monmouth Kitchen
Situated in Covent Garden, Monmouth Kitchen offers an Italian twist on the quintessentially British afternoon tea experience. The ‘El Dolce Nino’ tea is designed for little foodies and includes a mini Margherita pizza, cherry tomato bruschetta, Sicilian lemon scones and churros with chocolate sauce. A must-try for any family looking for a treat with added Mediterranean flair.

Peter Rabbit Afternoon Tea at The Terrace on Piccadilly
The Peter Rabbit-themed tea at the Terrace on Piccadilly brings the story to life with chamomile chocolate flower pots, vegetable patch sandwiches, and – every bunny’s favourite – carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. While the grown-ups enjoy their tea, the little ones can choose from hot chocolate, Peter’s Springtime Lemonade, or Flopsy’s Strawberry Surprise.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych
The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired tea at One Aldwych is sure to make little chocolate lovers’ hearts beat a little faster. Executive chef Dominic Teague has created the most delicious spread of savouries and sweets, including Loompaland lemon floss, Wonka-worthy cakes, and scones with snozzberry jam!

The Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair
Inspired by traditional sweet shops, tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair offers a playful twist on traditional British afternoon tea. Surrounded by an array of old-fashioned sweet jars, guests can enjoy cakes and pastries based on our favourite retro confectionery – Coca-Cola slices, cherry bonbon cupcakes and lots more. Kids will love filling their takeaway pick ‘n’ mix bag from The Chesterfield’s sweet shop cart.

10 top spots for sushi in London’s West End

OpenTable June 18, 2019

From dreamy sashimi to maki that’ll make you happy, the West End has a glut of restaurants to please sushi seekers.

Sake no Hana
Sake no Hana is all about traditional sushi and the rituals that go with it, only taken up a peg. Like the eclecticism of Umai Sushi Saturdays, involving a seven-course lunch of dishes such as sukiyaki with yuzu candy floss and sea bass sashimi with chili ponzu.

Umu
If you’ve been to Kyoto, Umu may well remind you of its classier districts. The chef spent nine years under intensive tutelage there. Still, in preparing his sushi, he makes a point of using what’s much closer, like live Icelandic sea urchin, and northern Irish pollan.

Roka
Each branch of Roka – five at last count – is built around its robata, a type of wood-fired grill popular among Japanese fishermen back in the day. Sushi, however, is just as good as what comes off the grill – turn your attention to the concentrated menu of maki, from yellowfin tuna to Wagyu tempura. There are three West End branches, in Mayfair, Fitzrovia and Aldwych.

Araki
Araki, London’s ultimate sushi experience, weighs in at a mere £300. And that’s before drinks and service. This place is named after sushi master Mitsuhiro Araki, who moved his esteemed restaurant from Tokyo to Mayfair in 2014. With only 10 covers, few can claim to have eaten here. This is a place for very special occasions.

Engawa
One of the relatively few establishments to do Kobe beef on British shores, don’t necessarily let this be a guide, as the sushi and sashimi – presented in wooden bento boxes – at this bijou Piccadilly restaurant is top notch.

Kulu Kulu
At the other end of the spectrum we have Kulu Kulu, hanging its operation on conveyor belt convenience. Which is the way we, especially when in a hurry, like it. The queues at lunchtimes can test one’s endurance, but the food is worth the wait.

Kikuchi
Only round the corner from the infinitely more modern Japanese restaurants Inamo and Roka, while Kikuchi shares common ground in its cuisine, it’s in another world entirely. Immaculate service, and with a traditional approach but not stuck in its ways, it’s perhaps not surprising it’s still going strong two decades after opening.

Cubé
Fans of izakaya – drinking dens synonymous with Tokyo – should like it here. Japanese ideas are crossed with European ingredients, while each facet of the operation is headed up by execs who’ve worked at some of London’s most recognisable Japanese restaurants.

Inko Nito
As far as concepts go, ‘untraditional’ would be putting it lightly here – maki is crossed with nigiri to form its own hybrid, and Italian veg is grilled over the robata. If you’re after something a bit different, Inko Nito’s the one for you.

Jugemu
Jugemu is true to its roots. So much so you might as well be in a local haunt down an alley in Kyoto. If you don’t have – or aren’t in the mind for spending – triple figures at Araki, this place serves the kind of sushi among the most likely to match it.

This is a guest post from freelance food journalist Hugh Thomas. He’s contributed to Foodism, Time Out, Great British Chefs, and is part of British Street Food’s small team of vigilant writers. Find him on twitter @hughwrites.

Hoptails: 10 beer-based cocktails to try in London

OpenTable June 14, 2019

Typically lagging behind pubs and taprooms in their beer options, bars and restaurants are offering up a new way to enjoy this classic British drink.

Camarillo at Hawksmoor
In their own words, this is Hawksmoor’s take on a ‘grown up Lilt’. Tropical vibes, deriving from the West Coast American hops of Hawksmoor’s own Session IPA, are complemented with rye whiskey, Suze bitters, grapefruit, and lemon.

Brixton Spritz at Nanban
Tim Anderson has always had an affinity with beer, teaming up with Pressure Drop in Tottenham to create the perfect partner to his ramen at Nanban. It also shows in the cocktails, with a special nod to the local – in this case, sake, Prosecco, and Campari, balanced out with Brixton pale ale.

Guadalajara Michelada at Cantina Laredo
Pick a beer off Cantina Laredo’s list – which mostly consists of accessible pilsners – and it’ll be served long with tomato juice, lime, hot sauce, and salt. A refreshing tipple that pairs well with their tacos and tostadas.

The Season of the Witch at The Wigmore
With this Michel Roux Jr. impression of a modern pub comes a welcome dedication to good beer. The Wigmore’s even gone so far as to brew its own, with the help of Bermondsey brewery Brew By Numbers. With Season of the Witch, The Wigmore’s saison is blended with sloe gin, spiced mead, mango, grapefruit, and fresh raspberries.

P.O.S.H at 12th Knot
The fact this is part of Sea Containers, and on the riverfront of a historically significant trade route, has cleverly inspired 12th Knot’s P.O.S.H – a concoction of white port, tequila, strawberry and Champagne cordial, and hops. Back in the day, wine was fortified, and beers were hopped, to help last long sea voyages.

Sloe Whip at Gin & Beer
Most of Gin & Beer’s menu is dedicated to Belgian beer and beer-inspired cocktails. The flavour of the moment goes to the Sloe Whip – a citrussy blend of blackberry gin, witbeer, apple juice and mint.

Black Velvet at Sweetings
The grandfather of beer cocktails, or if not pretty close to it, Black Velvet – i.e. Guinness and Champagne – was created at Brooks’s Club in London in 1861. Some classic establishments, like Sweetings, continue the tradition.

Elderbeer Collins at Belgo
Witbier, or ‘white beer’, usually comes with hints of citrus and coriander. As such, it lends itself well to ingredients imparting similar flavours, as in this ‘hoptail’ of witbeir, vodka, elderflower, and lemon. Try it alongside Belgo’s famous mussels at their restaurants in Soho, King’s Cross, Holborn and Covent Garden.

Hard Shandy at MEATliquor
MEATliquor is pretty liberal with its alcohol. Enough to make you think the prohibition of beer and spirits just finished. They’ve combined the two in the new Hard Shandy – Jack Daniel’s, ginger, honey, and lemon topped up with Brooklyn Lager and a ‘sea spray’ of Lagavulin 16. It’s available by the stein, from 0.5 to 3L.

Raccoon’s Nose at Hide Below
When Ollie Dabbous closed his eponymous restaurant and opened the one-of-a-kind, no-expense-spared Hide in Piccadilly, ex-Dabbous bar manager Oskar Kinberg tagged along. A mixologist not afraid to experiment with beer, here he invents an amalgam of gin with Galia melon, dill, and Toast pale ale.