This
month we do a round-up of the best beach cafes that are open in the winter
months, even if they close slightly earlier they don’t naff off to the Caribbean like some, just saying……….Cornwall and the
Scillies probably have the most scenic settings, but we’re not going there just
yet. We cover the stretch from Dorset to
West Sussex, taking in the Isle of Wight as we
travel east.
Hix
Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis
This relaxed restaurant overlooks Lyme Regis harbour. The simple dishes, use locally sourced sustainable stuff. Obviously good with fish but I like the afternoon tea, including the Dorset border cream tea and toasted teacakes.
Contact: 01297 446 910; www.hixoysterandfishhouse.co.uk
This relaxed restaurant overlooks Lyme Regis harbour. The simple dishes, use locally sourced sustainable stuff. Obviously good with fish but I like the afternoon tea, including the Dorset border cream tea and toasted teacakes.
Contact: 01297 446 910; www.hixoysterandfishhouse.co.uk
The
Watch House Cafe, East Beach, West
Bay
Wood fired pizza oven, great choice
of home made, local food, great farmhouse breakfast, ice cream parlour, seating
outside on beach. Sister to the Hive.
Hive Beach
Cafe
This seafood cafe at Hive Beach offers views of Lyme Bay and the Jurassic Coast. Spider crabs from the beach are served in summer, the menu changes daily depending on availability, dishes may include West Bay turbot, with a wild mushroom and tarragon sauce, or pan-fried Lyme Bay monkfish. Closes a bit earlier in the winter, but good for breakfast and lunch.
Contact: 01308 897070; www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk
This seafood cafe at Hive Beach offers views of Lyme Bay and the Jurassic Coast. Spider crabs from the beach are served in summer, the menu changes daily depending on availability, dishes may include West Bay turbot, with a wild mushroom and tarragon sauce, or pan-fried Lyme Bay monkfish. Closes a bit earlier in the winter, but good for breakfast and lunch.
Contact: 01308 897070; www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk
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| Top seafood destination at the Hive - photos Vertiworks |
Taste,
Chesil Beach,
Portland. Situated half way along the causeway in the pretty Wildlife Trust building, serving great food all day, good coffee, crab
sandwiches and platters to share. Casual. Evening openings in the summer
months. Then walk out onto Chesil and look back along the Fleet – magical. Just
won the Taste of the West Silver Award – well earned
Contact 01305 206196 www.tastecafechesilbeach.co.uk
Harbour Lights, Portland Marina. Hot of the press, just re-opened under Dean & Reddyhoff’s management, the waterfont bar has a wood-fired pizza oven outside and is offering some great winter deals and live music to warm up locals and berth holders Contact: 01305 823000
The Pig on the Beach, Studland. This isn’t a pig and it’s not on the beach, but I know some of you like the setting, up above Studland and looking out to Old Harry, magnificent, but the food’s not nearly as good as the hype, let’s hope it improves. Contact: 01929 450288 www.thepighotel.com
South Deep Café, Parkstone Bay, Poole. We reviewed this a while back. Lovely sheltered spot with own baker on site. Good food, freshly cooked and sensibly sourced. We like it here, but check tides if you’re coming by water – sports boat country! Contact: 01202 733155 www.parkstonebay.com/cafe
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| The Deep South Cafe - worth a visit - bakery on-site |
The
Little Gloster, Gurnard, Isle of Wight
Everyone
talks about this place, and I am yet to try it, but here’s what Fiona Duncan
said recently ‘this restaurant with rooms is possibly the best place to eat on
the Isle of Wight. At Gurnard, just along the
coast from Cowes, it has views right down the Solent from inside or out. The menu changes daily, but
enjoy brunch of eggs Florentine, lunch of Bembridge crab and crayfish cakes, or
dinner of Cheverton sirloin steak. Bookings are advised. Winter openings Thurs
- Sunday
Contact: 01983 298776; thelittlegloster.com
Contact: 01983 298776; thelittlegloster.com
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| What a setting - the Little Gloster |
and now back to mainland…….
Pebble
Beach, Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire
Watch the sunset from the smart cliff-top terrace. The dining-room has a much more formal feel, as does the sophisticated à la carte menu, on which diners might find Gigas rock oysters and lamb shoulder. Opening times: vary - see website for details
Contact: 01425 627777; pebblebeach-uk.com
Watch the sunset from the smart cliff-top terrace. The dining-room has a much more formal feel, as does the sophisticated à la carte menu, on which diners might find Gigas rock oysters and lamb shoulder. Opening times: vary - see website for details
Contact: 01425 627777; pebblebeach-uk.com
The Beach House, Mudeford, Christchurch
Harbour – catch ferry over or train
from Christchurch
to Hengistbury Head. We all share fond memories of shuffling in here, sand
footed, for a plate of crab cakes and bottle of Picpoul. Always busy.
Contact: 01202 423474 www.beachhousecafe.co.uk
The Jetty, at Christchurch Harbour Hotel,
Mudeford
A treat.
Gorgeous Grand Designs style timber and glass rooms overlooking the harbour.
Great food and wine list – lunch is something of a bargain for the quality of
food (cooked by local chef Alex Aitken) and eye poppin surroundings
Contact: 01202 400950 www.christchurch-harbour-hotel.co.uk/the-jetty
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| Alex's infamous twice baked cheese souffle |
The Haven, Lymington Yacht Haven. Wonderful
setting above the marina office and brokerage, with far reaching vies over to
the Island, much improved since Chris Evans
helped update. Cosy sofas. Big fish platter (worth asking price before ordering
this fella – or be sitting down) also good for a beer or a coffee. Nice place.
Treat
Contact: 01590 679971 www.havenrestaurant.co.uk
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The Haven, cosy bar, great views and local produce |
Now this
isn’t a beach café, but as it’s right on the water and you can come on into the
marina, tie up and have lunch, it goes on my list. Run by Maria, serving great
food from breakfast ‘till dinner on one of the world’s remaining Lightship’s,
atmospheric. Try it. Closed first two weeks of January
Contact: 02392 503387 www.trinitysatthelightship.co.uk
The Boat House Cafe Chichester Marina, West Sussex. A convivial
café in attractive building at Chichester Marina, so zip through the lock –
always fun – and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Contact 01243 513203 www.idealcollection.co.uk
East
Beach Cafe, Littlehampton, West Sussex
Stunning building, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, a giant piece of oxidized steel that reminds me of knuckled mecano pieces, sitting on the shingle, looking out to sea. The menu consists of retro seaside classics done properly, such as beer-battered fish and chips, and kippers on toast. Check website for winter opening hours.
Contact: 01903 731 903; eastbeachcafe.co.uk
Stunning building, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, a giant piece of oxidized steel that reminds me of knuckled mecano pieces, sitting on the shingle, looking out to sea. The menu consists of retro seaside classics done properly, such as beer-battered fish and chips, and kippers on toast. Check website for winter opening hours.
Contact: 01903 731 903; eastbeachcafe.co.uk
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| The inspiring East Beach Cafe |
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