Jo Haywood offers you the coast on a plate
The Yorkshire coast has more than its fair share of great restaurants, cafes and bars, making choosing where to eat a tricky yet pleasing conundrum. Do you fancy fish and chips on the seafront? Afternoon tea at a grand hotel? Or just a stick of rock with a doughnut chaser while perched on a deckchair within hailing distance of the beachside donkeys? To make your menu choices a little easier (and your belt a little tighter), here are a few tried and tested suggestions to give you a deliciously varied day filled with the very best in coastal cuisine.
Big breakfast If you really like to be beside the seaside, then you’ve got to enjoy your full English at Sandside Cafe in Sandsend, where you dine within paddling distance of the sea. Don’t be fooled by its unprepossessing roadside appearance, this is a little gem that specialises in big, fresh plates and bigger, fresher beach views. sandsidecafe.co.uk
Mid-morning coffee It’s all about the coffee at Swell Cafe Bar, which enjoys a prominent position in the old village at Robin Hood’s Bay. This informal, surprisingly cosmopolitan little place specialises in fair-trade coffee, tea and chocolate, supplied by Ringtons, a thriving family business that’s been roasting coffee and blending tea since 1907. swellcafe.co.uk
Fish and chip lunch A visit to Bridlington wouldn’t be complete without a quick trip to the multi award-winning Fish & Chips at 149, where they dish up miraculously good fare using locally-farmed maris pipers and sustainably-sourced cod, plaice and line-caught haddock. 149fishandchips.co.uk
Afternoon tea If you’re looking for a homemade afternoon tea with more than a hint of decadence, you need to head to Ox Pasture Hall Hotel just outside Scarborough, where you will be presented with a tiered stand of freshly baked goodies in glamorous surroundings. There’s also the option of adding a bit more fizz by upgrading to a champagne tea. www.oxpasturehallhotel.com
Seafood supper The Downcliffe House Hotel doesn’t just have one of the best views of Filey Bay, it also offers the very best in local seafood. From its pan-seared king scallops with pea puree and parma ham to its oak-smoked salmon and haddock fishcakes supplied by local fishmonger HG Lovitt, everything is deliciously sea-fresh. www.downcliffehouse.com
Late night tipple The Moon and the Sixpence sits right on the harbour-side in Whitby, providing a relaxed and stylish place to meet for a drink and a bite to eat from 10am to midnight. The bar serves an extensive range of cocktails, mixed by trained bartenders, as well as champagnes, fine wines, spirit, beers, fruit juices and fresh espresso. www.moon-and-sixpence.co.uk
Where do you like to eat when you visit the coast? Tell us by emailing feedback@yorkshirelife.co.uk, tweeting @Yorkshire_Life or writing to Yorkshire Life, PO Box 163 Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 9AG.
