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Lifestyle

Daniel Hall

The top-ranked places to eat seafood on the Northumberland Coast according to Google Reviews

Google Google Reviews Northumberland Northumberland Coast Fish Condé Nast Traveller Ship Inn United Kingdom

Fish and chips are a staple of a day-trip to the Northumberland Coast, but what happens if you're looking for a meal that's a bit more sophisticated?

Thankfully, there's no shortage of excellent seafood restaurants up and down the coast, from unassuming seafood trailers in car parks to upmarket bistros in sleepy seaside villages, to waterside pubs with gorgeous beer gardens. With fishing boats leaving out of Amble and Seahouses harbours every day, many of the eateries in the area serve fresh and locally-sourced seafood maximising flavour and minimising food miles.

With the area still popular among many for a staycation, here are the best places to eat seafood on the Northumberland Coast, according to Google Reviews.

Creel and Reel Seafood Trailer

Links Road Car Park, Bamburgh, NE69 7AX

5/5 from 47 reviews

Scallops and garlic butter with a view of Bamburgh Castle (Daniel Hall/Newcastle Chronicle)

There are plenty of gorgeous views along the Northumberland Coast but they don't get much more spectacular than Bamburgh Castle. Located in the Links Road car park just south of the village, the popular lunch spot serves fresh and seasonal seafood, with the menu changing according to what's available.

If you fancy going here, you'll have to plan your trip around it, as it's only open from 12pm - 3pm from Wednesday to Sunday. The earlier you get there the better, as going later on might mean some of the dishes have sold out.

One reviewer wrote: "A must if you’re in the area! Stopped off today for lunch on a whim during a cold, wet and windy trip out to Bamburgh and so glad that we did.

"Treated ourselves to the lobster roll (which was phenomenal), the scallops in garlic butter with toast (will be thinking about the this one for a while, delicious!) and the king prawns (this one finished us off, amazing!). Ate them in the car overlooking Bamburgh Castle, the nicest lunch I've had in a while."

As well as the Google review, you can check out the Chronicle's Review of Creel and Reel Seafood Trailer here.

Jaspers Bistro

8 Bridge Street, Amble, NE65 0DR

4.8/5 from 231 reviews

Oysters at Jaspers Bistro (Jaspers Bistro)

The first of four Amble eateries on our list, the village at the southern tip of the Northumberland Coast AONB is a foodie spot, with everything from fish and chips to creative takes on seafood classics. Jaspers is one such restaurant, best-known for its cooked-to-order seafood from an open kitchen.

One reviewer wrote: "What an absolutely superb restaurant. The food was possibly the best seafood we have ever had (from anywhere in the world), whilst the service and welcome was top class too - highly recommended."

The Fat Mermaid

104 Queen Street, Amble, NE65 0DQ

4.7/5 from 194 reviews

Formerly known as Sea and Soil, the Fat Mermaid is the second Amble restaurant held in high regard by Google reviewers. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, the family run bistro serves lunch and dinner with a selection of small modern plates from the farm, sea and land.

A recent review read: "We had an excellent meal: great starters, fabulous main courses, and delicious puddings. And, a real bonus, a remarkably good wine list.

"Combine this with perfect service and we had the best night out. Miss this place at your peril!"

Bistro 23

23 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth, NE66 2RJ

4.7/5 from 125 reviews

Food at Bistro 23, Alnmouth (Anna Ridley)

Open as a bistro on selected evenings, this family-run restaurant in one of the most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland makes the most of fresh ingredients from the farms, rivers coast and gardens of Northumberland.

Bistro 23 in Alnmouth offers "fresh, simple dining on the Northumbrian coast," it's open during every day of the week other than Tuesdays as a tearoom too.

A visiting giant wrote a review saying: "Absolutely delectable food. Staff very friendly.

"However the door was too small for me and my friends we could barely fit and the ice cream was too cold therefore the spoon was bent. Also my friend was verbally threatened by an old age pensioner stating she would murder him. Overall good experience!"

The Potted Lobster

3 Lucker Road, Bamburgh NE69 7BS

4.6/5 from 671 reviews

The Potted Lobster in Bamburgh (Publicity Picture)

One of the best-known seafood spots on the Northumberland Coast, you might recognise Bamburgh's Potted Lobster from an episode of the Hairy Bikers Go North set in the county last year. The village being named the country's favourite seaside destination for two years in a row has done the restaurant no harm either, with tourists and day trippers coming from all over to sample langoustine platters and specials using fresh, locally-sourced seafood.

If you're planning a trip to the Potted Lobster, booking is essential no matter the time or day, especially in the summer months. You can sometimes bag an outside table if you're lucky, but we wouldn't want to take the risk of missing out!

One reviewer wrote: "Dined a few weeks ago with my mum - “discovered” via the Hairy Bikers, if watching TV counts as discovery! We had a delicious meal and particularly enjoyed the langoustines, will return in future!"

The Ship Inn

4.5/5 from 1,404 reviews

Low Newton-by-the-Sea, NE66 3EL

The Ship Inn, Low Newton-By-The-Sea (Publicity pic)

Last summer, Low Newton's Ship Inn topped a list of the best beach bars in the UK in Condé Nast Traveller. While it's more of a pub than a beach bar, you can't argue with the reasons - next to one of the prettiest spots on the Northumberland Coast, and also a slightly quieter beach than others in the area, it's the perfect place to enjoy a pint under endless blue skies - thanks to the on-site microbrewery.

Serving fish caught by local fishermen and lobster straight from the bay from July until October from Newton Bay itself, you can even see the 'Lobster man' en route to the pub if you arrive at the right time. There's also a vegetarian menu and the meat served is free range and comes from local farms.

One reviewer mentioned a very unusual beer on the menu, saying: "Nice beer from the pub's own brewery, (Squid Ink stout) and a rather tasty crab sandwich. Good range of local seafood grub on the menu - a little gem."

The Fish Shack

4.5/5 from 1,055 reviews

29 Harbour Road, Amble, NE65 0AP

Riley's isn't the only fish shack on the North East coast - there's one in Amble too. And while it might not get the same plaudits in the national press as the similarly-named Tynemouth eatery, that makes it feel more like a hidden gem when you take your seats overlooking the harbour.

The cosy eatery was purpose built from an old 'Sea Quest' boat and offers locally smoked seafood, freshly steamed mussel and fish and chips, along with veggie and vegan dishes too. And if you want to follow in the footsteps (or cycle tracks) of Hollywood megastar Harrison Ford, enjoy some fresh sardines and a pint during your visit.

One reviewer who visited when the weather was its usual temperamental self wrote: "Food was fresh, and absolutely delicious. Couldn't ask for more than a steaming pot of mussels and a beer on a cold day.

"We had our meal in one of the huts outside - which come with cushions, blankets, and a heater - and we completely forgot about the wind whipping outside!

"Hard working and polite staff. All in all, a really wonderful little find."

The Old Boathouse

4.5/5 from 880 reviews

Leazes Street, Amble, NE65 0AA

Inside The Old Boat House in Amble (Adika Photography)

On the other side of Amble Harbour from the Fish Shack, you'll find The Old Boathouse, both of which are owned by the same company. A more bistro style affair, it was named the Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year for two consecutive years in the Fishing News Awards for its dedication to sustainability and locally sourced seafood.

One impressed reviewer wrote: "A superb experience. Very helpful friendly staff and the food was perfect.

"Very good menu with a changing specials board. Seafood done right."

Salt Water Cafe

4.5/5 from 435 reviews

The Wynding, Beadnell, Chathill NE67 5AS

Located in the tranquil village of Beadnell, Salt Water Café is a new addition to the dining scene there. Owned by the same people as the Craster Arms, a popular pub just over the road, it serves food throughout the day, as well as afternoon tea.

One reviewer said: "Amazing café and great food. My son and partner had afternoon tea and their 3 year old daughter went straight away for one of the little cakes.

"There must have been nearly a whole salmon in the sandwiches!!! Will certainly return next time we are in Northumberland."

The Jolly Fisherman Inn

4.3/5 from 1,466 reviews

Haven Hill, Craster, NE66 3TR

View from the beer garden at The Jolly Fisherman (Bill Boaden (cc-by-sa/2.0))

Recently written about as one of the best walks to a pub in the country, The Jolly Fisherman is a must-stop in the village of Craster. With huge portions of moules-frites, world-famous smoked Craster kippers, and North Sea crab sandwiches, the dishes will satisfy any appetite.

It's not just about the food here - the beer garden has been named one of the best beer gardens in the country. And should the weather not be suitable for sitting outside, there's a roaring fire and a cosy atmosphere that keeps visitors coming back on their trips to the tiny village.

One impressed visitor wrote: "Currently visiting home from Canada over the Christmas period and am extremely happy we came to the Jolly Fisherman. My fish pie was a magical mystery tour of various delicious seafood, and an absolute taste sensation."

Where is your favourite place to eat seafood in Northumberland? Let us know!

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