Those who are in the mood for fine seafood in the UK have a number of top restaurants to choose from. London, for example, offers a number of Michelin-starred seafood restaurants. For example, Angler at the South Place Hotel in Finsbury, London, serves some of the UK’s best seafood. Dishes here include Cornish monkfish with surf clams, hand-rolled rigatoni, and wye valley asparagus.
Darcy’s
The menu at Darcy’s changes daily to reflect the seasonal availability of fresh local fish. There is also a seasonal vegetable menu. One of the signature dishes is Darcy’s Fish Soup, made with locally caught fish. Another popular dish is Homemade Fish Pie, which is made with cod, prawns, peas, and bechamel sauce. The dish is then topped with creamy potatoes and farmhouse cheddar.
The food at London’s top seafood restaurants can be quite pricey. A trip to the Mayfair area will provide you with an opportunity to taste some of the best oysters in the world. You’ll also have the chance to try the famous lobster thermidor. This upscale restaurant also has a renowned chef.
Bob’s Lobster
Bob’s Lobster is a renowned seafood restaurant in the UK, and its London Bridge restaurant is one of the best in the country. Situated in the old Paradise Garage premises, the restaurant has a modern, slick interior, complete with a VW camper converted into a kitchen/bar cubbyhole. As with most of Bob’s restaurants, it’s popular with locals and is often packed.
With an extensive menu, Bob’s Lobster offers a great dining experience on London Bridge. The restaurant celebrates an oyster happy hour every week, and guests can try tuna tacos, buffalo shrimp, cioppino, and seared scallops. It also has an extensive fried seafood section, with dishes such as chowder fries and elote corn succotash.
J Sheekey’s
J Sheekey’s is an elegant, fish-focused restaurant with banquette-style seating and a horse-shaped bar. Its open kitchen is visible from the dining area, and the staff is highly professional. Its prices are fair, and the food is excellent.
J Sheekey’s is located in the heart of Covent Garden in the West End, and the menu features some of the best seafood in the UK. If you’re visiting London, this restaurant offers an al fresco dining experience. It is conveniently located close to Soho, Leicester Square, and the National Gallery. You can make a reservation online through the OpenTable website.
Purslane
Purslane is a family-run independent restaurant in Cheltenham. It specializes in sustainable British seafood, using the finest local produce. The atmosphere is laid-back, and the dishes are unfussy yet refined. The restaurant has a stylish terrace, and the interior is chic and elegant, with grey walls and bright blue chairs.
The modern restaurant is located just off the town’s main high street. The service is relaxed and welcoming, and the dishes are made using fresh local ingredients.
Wet Fish
The trend for more modern seafood restaurants is focusing on British seafood, and London is no exception. Restaurants like Lyon’s Seafood & Wine Bar in Crouch End are dedicated to sustainability and using local, sustainable seafood whenever possible. Front-of-house chef Anthony Lyon is particularly passionate about sustainable fish, and he’s developed a fin-to-tail approach that uses the less glamorous parts of the fish and turns them into stunning dishes.
In addition to their focus on sustainable seafood, many of the top UK seafood restaurants feature a unique experience. The Angler restaurant in Finsbury, located at the South Place Hotel, features a mirrored ceiling and full-length windows overlooking the City of London. The menu at Angler includes a variety of seafood dishes, including Szechuan-spiced prawns and monkfish tail. Guests can also choose from a variety of meat and vegetarian options.