The best beach restaurants in Durham Tyne and Wear
Would you love to dine on the beach with spectacular coastline views? Did you know that there are some of the best beach restaurants right here in Durham, Tyne and Wear? You don’t need to travel to luxury beach resorts to experience the best coastal menus with spectacular views. This round up will guide you to the best beach restaurants in Durham, Tyne and Wear.
My round up will take you to the hidden gems, the quirky and unusual and the places you simply have to try, all with spectacular views of the sea.
Durham, Tyne and Wear are packed full of independent, high-quality restaurants that will delight even the most discerning foodie fanatics. Whether it’s a romantic meal for two, a girl’s night out, a relaxing family meal or catch up with friends you will find it all here in my blog post.
Riley's Fish Shack, Tynemouth
Reportedly one of Michel Roux Jr’s favourite places. Riley’s Fish Shack is a one-of-a-kind place to eat in the beautiful town of Tynemouth, on the beach in King Edward’ Bay. It’s hard to believe that this unique eatery started out serving food at the local food festival from a bike. As demand and popularity grew, Riley’s found themselves a spot in two converted shipping containers, sitting right on the beach.
They describe themselves as honest and rustic in both their design, décor and food. You will experience food and surroundings like nothing you’ve tried before. This is somewhere you will want to return time and time again.
I can highly recommend a night shoreside. You will enjoy the fresh catch of the day while wrapped up in the provided blankets. Recline in a traditional deckchair and breath in that sea air, this is switch off time. You will taste dishes like Craster Kippers, lobster surf and turf and grilled monkfish. All delivered fresh each day by local fisherman and cooked to perfection by the talented cooks at Riley’s. You simply won’t get any fresher than this. The quality of the food is exceptional, mix in dressed fresh salads and freshly baked flatbreads and you will be in foodie heaven.
Do you love locally sourced beer and good North East coffee? There is a wealth of options here to try, you will taste the best the North East has to offer. If you want any advice about the menus or local area, ask the friendly staff who are always happy to chat and are full of knowledge about everything fish and Tynemouth. This is high up on my list as one of the best beach restaurants in Durham, Tyne and Wear.
Marsden Grotto, South Shields
Have you ever eaten in a cave? No? Well here is your opportunity. The Marsden Grotto is set deep in a cave and located in a beautiful bay. It is accessible by steep steps or a tiny inhouse lift. Local folklore has it that Jack blew a hole in the cliffs with dynamite way back in 1782. He and his wife Jessie lived in the cave guarding their treasure and hiding from passing smugglers until it was eventually taken over and transformed into an inn.
Eating at Marsden Grotto is a fantastic experience. There is a choice of areas to eat, each serving a slightly different menu.
Dine in the family friendly beach bar overlooking the sea for huge portions of bar food and also offers an excellent children’s menu. You will love the views and you can choose to dine in or out on the terrace. If the weather is good, I would recommend you eat out on the terrace. There’s so much to look at and it’ll keep the children entertained while you enjoy your food. Afterwards enjoy a walk along the bay or if the tide is out, explore the many rockpools and caves.
Alternatively, if you fancy something a little more special, dine in the seafood restaurant and eat in one of the cave rooms. The cave rooms are really atmospheric, with a touch of elegance and glamour. The enormous chandeliers that hang from the caves create beautiful, romantic lighting, perfect for a cosy date night. Expect to dine on dishes such as lobster, Moules Mariniere and seafood tagliatelle. If you like a healthy or vegan option, go for the tofu and broccoli salad or the naked fish with potatoes. Great food, great views and a chance to eat or even stay in a cave.
Crusoe's, Tynemouth
This is a unique venue with panoramic views across the sands and coastline of the beautiful Longsands beach, Tynemouth. This is the perfect beach restaurant for many reasons.
It’s unrivalled location right on the sand means you will enjoy spectacular views across the sand to the ocean while eating great, homecooked, comfort food. Dining outside during the better weather is a wonderful way for you to spend a few hours. The children can play on the sand while you sit and relax right next to them.
The interior is pretty special too with chunky wooden tables and a huge log burner, it’s the epitome of seaside chic. You will definitely be ordering a second, maybe a third drink to stretch out your visit.
I would recommend Crusoe’s to all groups, it has something to offer families, couples and groups catching up and spending time together. My children and I have spent many weekend mornings here in every season. While it’s the perfect summer location, I would recommend you visit on a rainy winters day. We love watching the rain while drinking hot chocolate and eating a signature (giant) cupcake. I love the atmosphere on a weekend morning, full of locals gathering to eat, drink and chatter.
Evening food is served from the street food kitchen and here you can expect dishes such as seafood and koftas as well as local ales and soft drinks. A great atmosphere for a summer time soiree. Crusoe’s is one of the best beach restaurants in Durham, Tyne and Wear. It’s a perfect spot to bring your little ones on a sunny summer holiday afternoon.
Six, Roker Sunderland
A chic beach front restaurant overlooking Roker Pier, this is a beautiful spot to dine and enjoy the delicious food on offer. If you love luxury charcuterie served on wooden boards to slowly graze on while looking out over the sea, then this is the pace for you .
Add in some classic cocktails, conversations with friends and you have the ingredients for the perfect night out.
The menu offers you high quality meats, cheeses and everything to go with, all sourced from local suppliers. I love that Six tries to incorporate small local providers as much as possible and ensure the food is fresh and tasty while being beautifully presented.
This is a restaurant you’ll want to get dressed up for, it’s elegant, sumptuous and modern. With dimmed lighting and a full glass front, you can make the most of the views throughout your dining experience. In my view it’s the perfect venue for a girlie catch up.
After you have eaten, take a stroll along the beachfront or along the pier and look out for the dolphins that frequent the bay. A perfect way to round off a perfect evening.
Colemans Seafood Temple, South Shields
If it’s tradition you love, then this is served in abundance in Colemans seafood temple. This is a family orientated seafood restaurant serving you the finest coastal cuisine, fresh from the sea. Their ethical beliefs are high on their agenda and they ensure their sea food caught an brought in by local fishermen.
Coleman’s have been serving their famous fish and chips since 1926 and the business has been passed down through four generations.
Once an old bandstand, the restaurant has been lovingly refurbished with great respect for its local history and significance. The Coleman family re-opened the temple as a seafood restaurant in May 2017 and it has gone from Strength to strength.
As the Temple is raised with a fantastic view, there is a feeling of being on a cruise ship, sailing calmly through the sea, it’s such a great lookout spot.
If you are looking for a special experience during your visit, Coleman’s cocktail and oyster bar is truly stunning. Set in a private area of the restaurant, you’ll be served the best oysters and cocktails, perfect for a special occasion or moment you want to celebrate.
If it’s tradition you are looking for and a menu created by experienced seafood chiefs, you must visit Coleman’s Seafood temple.
Flamingo Café Seaham, County Durham
If you are looking for pretty décor, tasty yet nutritious food then go to Flamingo Café in Seaham. This is a small, independent health food café located on the pretty Seaham coastline . They claim to take the boring out of clean eating and I have to report that they have done this beautifully.
Sit outside on the sea view terrace on rustic but cosy handmade seats and gaze out over the sea while you dine on deliciously healthy smoothie bowls, salads and other nutritious delights. As the veranda is south facing you can soak up the sun all day while working your way through the menu. If the sun isn’t around on your visit you can borrow one of the toasty throws to keep the breeze away, we can often be found here even on the chilliest of days – we just can’t resist those views!
If you have a well behaved dog, they are very welcome to join you and Flamingo even have their own little dog snack menu, this place thinks of everything. Another reason why this cute as a button place is on my list of best beach restaurants in Durham, Tyne and Wear.
If you have an upcoming event then Flamingo Café can host it and cater for you. I think this would be the perfect venue for a baby shower or christening. Floral décor, a cosy, rustic veranda and a delicious menu all make for a great place to impress your friends and family. Look out for events throughout the year, especially at Christmas when they run wreath making workshops.
The View ,Tynemouth
There is something special about a family run business and The View is a perfect example of this.
Situated in one of the most beautiful locations in the North of England, Longsands beach, Tynemouth.
You will enjoy a wide variety of dishes, ranging from delicious fish and chips to homemade fish cakes. All dishes are cooked fresh to order by the seafood specialist chef. The View pride themselves on the high quality of their food and generous portions. You will definitely need a brisk walk along the coast afterwards to burn off all the food you are served.
During the winter months you can catch a glorious sunrise if you take an early morning stroll before heading in The View to enjoy one of their tasty breakfasts. Wash your breakfast down with one of the fresh, delicious coffee’s whilst taking in the panoramic views of this breath-taking coastline. Inside it is warm and cosy and is tastefully decorated to compliment the views of the beach and sea below.
If you have a dog there is a gorgeous terrace outside the restaurant where you are able to sit together – perfect after a long walk along the shore. The terrace is fitted with canopies and heaters to warm up that chilly North Sea air. Or you can cosy up in a beach hut which are all fitted with heat lamps to keep you toasty on those cooler days.
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