Vote Now: Fish Restaurant of the Year Award

1. ROCKFISH
Brixham, South Devon
Rockfish, in Brixham Fish Market, overlooks the local fishing fleet as it lands the catch that appears on the menu a few hours later. There is also a fish room where seafood is prepared for the other Rockfish restaurants. The restaurant offers a broad range of species, with a focus on sustainability. Owner Mitch Tonks is an ambassador for the new ‘England’s Seafood Coast’ campaign, which aims to encourage people in the south west to eat more locally caught fish (therockfish.co.uk).

2. THE SNACK SHACK
Dungeness, Kent
Despite only having outdoor seating, this simple eatery aims to open throughout the winter, offering fish from boat to bun on the day. Serving the catch of the day from their own boats, or lobster and crab wraps in the summer and adding a smoked cod chowder in the winter, this cool café helps keep the Dungeness fishing industry alive. All lobsters are caught in Dungeness by Joe Thomas. Delicious, quirky and real. Usually only open on weekends (dungenesssnackshack.net).

3. PYSGOTY
Aberystwyth, Wales
New-kid-on-the-block Pysgoty is run by husband and wife team Craig and Rhiannon Edwards. Craig is a qualified fishmonger and the couple also run a local fishmonger’s business. They serve fish caught by Aberystwyth fishermen in Cardigan Bay whenever possible, and therefore the menu is governed by the seasons and weather. They turn their used cooking oil into biofuel and return fish frames (skeletons) to local day boats to be used as bait. The restaurant’s outdoor seating area has fantastic views over the sea (pysgoty.co.uk).

4. RIVER EXE CAFÉ
Exmouth, Devon
This unique restaurant is set on a custom-built floating barge in the mouth of the River Exe. Accessible only by boat, there are regular water taxis from spring to autumn, when the restaurant is open. It gained permission from DEFRA to receive fish directly from local boats and many of the fishermen who supply the restaurant can be seen at work as they pass the café. The mussels here are gathered from the water right beneath visitors’ feet. Weekly specials reflect the daily catch (riverexecafe.com).

5. THE OLD BOATHOUSE
Amble, Northumberland
Winner of the 2016 award, The Old Boathouse specialises in serving seafood and fish fresh from local fishing boats where possible. Whether it’s Amble lobster, Scottish mussels or locally smoked salmon, the menu concentrates on British fish. Renowned for its friendly service and picturesque harbour views, this bistro has a dedicated fan base (boathousefoodgroup.co.uk/theoldboathouse-amble.html).

6. UPSTAIRS @ JOES
Co Antrim, Northern Ireland
This popular, family-run restaurant creates a menu around Northern Irish seafood. Thursday is lobster night, and cookery courses are offered to encourage people to cook from scratch at home. There are daily seafood specials and the eatery is famed for excellent, welcoming service. Situated in pretty Cushendall village, it is well loved by both locals and visitors (upstairsatjoes.com).

7. OCTOPUS
Guernsey, Channel Islands
This brand new restaurant enjoys stunning views over Havelet Bay in St Peter Port. You can see nearby islands including Herm, Jethou, and Sark from its floor-to-ceiling windows. It focuses on serving the highest quality local fish and seafood, offers a superb fish chowder and has a live lobster tank. The aim here is to showcase local food and work closely with local fishermen (octopusgsy.co.uk).

8. THE IDLE ROCKS RESTAURANT
St Mawes, Cornwall
Head chef Guy Owen is a local lad who loves to work with local food producers. Whether it’s native Cornish oysters from the River Fal or catch of the day from boats you can see from the restaurant, he aims to bring together the best produce Cornwall has to offer. Here, they’ll even arrange a fishing trip for hotel guests and prepare their catch in the kitchen (idlerocks.com).

9. SAMPHIRE
Inveraray, Scotland
Serving Marine Conservation Society- certified sustainable fish, Samphire is dedicated to supporting local small businesses. From hand-dived scallops, native lobsters and line-fishing, the restaurant looks for all manner of ways to ensure there are seafood stocks for future generations, while serving the finest ingredients available around Argyll and the west coast of Scotland (samphireseafood.com)

10. SKIPNESS SEAFOOD CABIN
Tarbert, Scotland
Simple, fresh local seafood is the name of the game in this Tarbert hidden gem. Tucked away on the Skipness Castle Estate, it offers scallops, queenies, langoustines, mussels and oysters from the Scottish shores. Open in spring and summer, its down-to-earth approach and support of local businesses have given Skipness Seafood Cabin a great local following (theseafoodcabin.co.uk).

To cast your vote go to fishingnews.co.uk/awards/shortlists-and-voting/coastal-fish-restaurant.