Succulent mussels, freshly caught fish, crispy fried whitebait and decadent lobster…is your mouth watering yet? We pick 10 charming spots in Somerset serving up menus of delectable seafood
22 Monmouth Place, Bath
One of our favourite restaurants in Somerset, a list of places to enjoy seafood in the county wouldn’t be complete without Bath’s Scallop Shell. Boasting a list of accolades, and glowing reviews, the two floors and terrace of this restaurant are always full to the brim with smiling faces and full tummies! You can even take away the tasty fish and chips.
The menu is brimming with traditional favourites. Whether it’s lightly battered slices of fish served with homemade chips or juicy scallops and mussels accompanied by homemade sauces, guests can be assured of fresh fare.
Beckington, Frome
After freshly caught fish and perhaps advice on what to do with it once you get home? Pop down to White Row Farm in Beckington where expert fishmongers are on hand with creative recipes for the whole fresh cooked crab, oysters, lobster, homemade fishcakes and much more that they have on sale.
There’s also an on-site restaurant and takeaway serving up a plethora of delicious meals including mouth watering fish fried to order, including cod, haddock and whole bream. On a sunny day take a seat outside in the delightful countryside setting and let the kids run off dinner in the playground.
8-10 South Western Terrace, Yeovil
With a passion for creating delicious, traditional Italian fare, an evening meal at Tamburino is one that hungry patrons won’t forget in a hurry. The welcome is warm, the atmosphere vibrant and the dishes divine.
Owner Domenico Taravella hails from Sicily and has crafted a menu brimming with tasty dishes, including lots of seafood from deep fried whitebait to monkfish served with prawns and courgettes in an orange and white wine sauce. There are also plenty of hearty pastas and risottos bursting with seafood – yum!
5 Sadler Street, Wells
After a day exploring the beautiful city of Wells, or perhaps a rest over lunchtime, pay a visit to Goodfellows for a wonderful dining experience. The restaurant is spread across three rooms; an open plan dining room with view of the kitchen in action, a cosy front room and a bright top floor area. Wherever you choose to dine, an informal, relaxing ambience can be enjoyed.
Adam Fellows has carefully crafted a menu of original dishes with inspiration drawn from French country kitchen style cooking. The regularly changing menu always includes a great selection of specialist seafood dishes, and the tasting menu is the perfect way to sample Adam’s inventive cooking.
The Bays, Cheddar
Among the village pubs and quaint tea rooms of Cheddar, the charming bistro-style restaurant, The Bays, can be found at the foot of the iconic Gorge. Although the menu boasts an array of fine dining dishes, there’s no pretension here, the family-run Franks Restaurant is a relaxed, friendly spot to enjoy a meal out.
The modern-European inspired menu changes regularly to incorporate seasonal produce sourced locally, and there’s an inventive array of dishes on the menu including plenty of choice for seafood lovers. Everything is beautifully presented and carefully cooked, with an immaculate attention to detail in every dish served.
20-22 High Street, Dunster
You’re in good hands when dining at Reeves Restaurant; owner and head chef Justin Reeves was voted best chef of the year Justin Reeves at our Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards 2016 and the year before that too. Boasting a wealth of chef experience, and his passion for delivering delicious food, it’s easy to see (and taste) why he’s received these accolades.
Imaginative ingredients and local produce go into the dishes at Reeves Restaurant, and the regularly changing menu is packed with plates of innovative fare. Seafood aficionados can expect plenty of inventive twists on their fish dishes. Justin’s wife Claire runs the front of house and all guests can expect a warm welcome and wonderful atmosphere.
On the A439 between Porlock and Lynmouth
Recently reopened under new ownership, The Culbone between Porlock and Lynmouth is drawing in visitors far and wide due to its friendly welcome, breathtaking views of Exmoor’s countryside and of course, wonderfully cooked, freshly made fare.
There’s plenty to choose from when dining at The Culbone; whether choosing from the varied menu or from the extensive specials board. Expect hearty, homemade pub classics cooked well and during the spring and summer, the choice of lots of locally sourced seafood. We recommend a dish of succulent mussels in garlic butter to start?
128 Whiteladies Road, Clifton
“Serving the freshest seafood Bristol has to offer”, The Spiny Lobster restaurant and fishmonger is the much-loved creation of Mitch Tonks who has procured a loyal following over the years, and it’s definitely down to the expertly cooked seafood dishes created with freshly caught fish.
The succinct menu is packed with flavoursome fare from delicious oysters and mouth-watering scallops to start to freshly cooked halibut and decadent lobster. Arrive hungry and have your fill in the delightfully charming setting The Spiny Lobster has to offer.
Quay Street, Minehead
Whether dining in the traditional, cosy interiors of the pub or among beautiful floral displays in the extensive outside seating area, The Old Ship Aground with its views of the pretty Minehead harbour, is a lovely spot for a lunchtime treat or evening meal out.
The menu is full of dishes drawn from the owners’ farming experiences, and ingredients are either grown by them or sourced as locally as possible. On a Tuesday night, guests can enjoy ‘Seafood night’ in which a plethora of fresh fish is served up; so fresh in fact, the menu is changed regularly to reflect the catch of the day!
Chew Valley, Walley Lane
Positioned on the shores of Chew Valley Lake, as picturesque countryside settings go it doesn’t get much more beautiful than a view from an outside table at Chew & Stoke.
Well-known for its award winning fish and chips, the restaurant-cum-tea room not only serves lightly battered slices of fish with ‘proper’ chunky chips but also plump steamed mussels, homemade fishcakes and crispy coated scampi. All the traditional trimmings can be expected too; cod, chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce anyone?
This article was updated by Martha Griffiths in June 2021.
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