Enjoy food with a view when you sample our selection of mouth-watering marina restaurants and cafés. WORDS ALICE WESTGATE
1
Scotts Bar & Restaurant, Port Edgar Marina, Scotland
Set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh’s Three Bridges and the Firth of Forth, Scotts offers all-day food and drink in laid-back surroundings. Dishes such as traditional fish and chips, dry-aged steaks and freshly landed seafood can be washed down with an array of fine wines, gins and craft beers (scotts-southqueensferry.co.uk).
2
Laughing Dog Brighton, Brighton Marina, East Sussex
You’ll find this cool hangout in the heart of the marina. A favourite stop-off for food throughout the day, seven days a week, you’ll love the brilliant bagels and toasties, plus local ice creams, healthy smoothies and artisan coffees. Once you’ve refuelled, visit the Laughing Dog Shop where you can stock up on gifts and treats from jewellery to homewares (laughingdogbrighton.com).
3
The Deck, Penarth Marina, Glamorgan
Set right at the water’s edge, this beautifully relaxed eatery is open for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, plus breakfast and brunch at weekends. The menu focuses on fresh produce, especially seafood, and includes delicious daily specials, while sundowners on the balcony are popular with those in the know (thedeckpenarth.co.uk).
4
Café Mylor, Mylor Yacht Harbour, Cornwall
If the sailing waters of the Carrick Roads are your playground, then this is the place to eat. Treat yourself to a barista coffee, a hearty breakfast, a fortifying lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea, or book in for special events including lazy summer barbecues. On Friday evenings there’s seafood galore when the chefs turn their hand to cooking locally caught fish that’s landed just a few metres from your table (cafemylor.com).
5
The Boat House Café, Chichester Marina, West Sussex
Incredible views of Chichester harbour are on offer at this riverside café, where food is served all day long, from lazy brunches to romantic bistro-style dinners with fine wines. It’s a favourite with locals and visiting yachties alike, all of whom take advantage of the lovely decked terrace and a menu that’s based around locally sourced ingredients. The Boat House Café is open seven days a week, all year round (idealcollection.co.uk).
6
The Haven Bar & Restaurant, Lymington Yacht Haven, Hampshire
There’s a wonderfully nautical buzz to The Haven in this pretty town, where you can enjoy an ever-changing selection of seasonal food while admiring views over the marina, Lymington itself, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. The restaurant, bar and heated outdoor terrace are open all day, seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, and fresh seafood is a speciality (havenrestaurant.co.uk).
7
The Dock, King Point Marina, Plymouth, Devon
This family-run café and restaurant sits in Millbay, at the heart of Plymouth’s vibrant coastal quarter. With a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere, it has two al fresco dining areas where you can sample breakfast, lunch and dinner, not forgetting tea and cake, all while watching the boats go by (thedockplymouth.co.uk).
8
The Breeze, Island Harbour Marina, Isle of Wight
Picturesque surroundings are guaranteed at this award-winning eatery, which is loved by boat owners, visitors and locals alike. It’s especially family-friendly too, with a children’s play area alongside the restaurant. Eat indoors or out, sampling home-cooked meals prepared using fresh, local produce. Boat owners who want a lunchtime stopover can moor up on the holding pontoon, and there’s free parking if you’re arriving by car (the-breeze-restaurant.co.uk).
9
The Mulberry, Conwy Marina, Gwynedd
This is a great place to kick back with family and friends and enjoy fabulous pub favourites inspired by ingredients from land and sea. You can eat inside or outside, looking across the marina towards The Great Orme, and there’s a private bar and dining area for events and parties. Don’t miss Fizzy Fridays to welcome the weekend in style (mulberryconwy.pub).
Still looking for the perfect sea-view restaurant? Check out the best Cornish sea-view restaurants or the best coastal restaurants with rooms. Pick up the latest copy of coast magazine for more marina and coastal food news.
