Just as we thought the British staycation hype had died down, the Cost of Living crisis has got us in search of a holiday closer to home. And luckily for us, our coast is filled with stunning seaside towns and beaches that are well worth a visit.
There’s never been a better time to explore the breathtaking spots that are right on our doorstep. From Cornwall or South Wales to Blackpool and the Isle of Skye, these are the UK’s most beautiful beach bars and restaurants.
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Best Beach Bars In The South West Of England
Lusty Glaze - Newquay
- Lusty Glaze Road, Newquay TR7 3AE
- Private beach with its own restaurant bar
Not your average beach café, Lusty Glaze is a dog-friendly bar, restaurant and events space nestled within a privately-owned cove. Delve down 133 steps for lunch, drinks and seaside suppers.
While this beach is privately owned, it's open to the public, and it has been crowned Britain's Best Beach in the past. The beach bar serves cake, coffee and cold drinks in the mornings, as well as delicious pizzas, sharing boards and nachos from 12pm onwards.
The North Cornish coast is home to some of the best beach bars in the world.
The Fistral Beach Stable - Newquay
- Headland Road, TR7 1HY
- Pizza restaurant
For incredible sunset scenes, head to The Fistral Beach Stable for sourdough pizza and ciders with a view. They've got huge, floor-to-ceiling windows that look directly over the sea, while the atmosphere inside is relaxed and welcoming.
This laid-back spot is filled with surfing memorabilia and long, wooden tables, ideal for a quick drink or a bite to eat. Devour cheesy slices topped with chipotle chicken or roasted garlic mushrooms, and they even offer bottomless brunches too.
This Fistral Beach bar is well worth a visit.
Rockfish - Exmouth
- Pier Head, EX8 1DU
- Seafood restaurant
Head to Rockfish for panoramic sights across the River Exe. You'll find it on the bay in the beautiful Devon town, with huge windows that offer views of the water. Expect a warm, cosy setting, with log fires in the winter and a glass roof that lets in the sun all summer.
Expect plenty of fresh, local fish on the menu, from crispy fried whitebait to Brixham cuttlefish with garlic. There are also tapas plates, tacos and indulgent desserts - we recommend the sticky toffee pudding.
Rockfish is all about fresh seafood.
Key West - Bournemouth
- Bournemouth Pier, Pier Approach, BH2 5AA
- Lunch spot on the pier
Perched on the end of Bournemouth’s iconic pier, Key West is the beach restaurant that matches gorgeous scenery with burgers, pizza and sharing plates. Our favourite is the baked camembert sharer, served with warm ciabatta.
When you’re not making the most of the sandy beach and clubs as one of the top beach towns with nightlife in the UK, head here for a taste of the Florida Keys via American-inspired dishes mixed with British favourites.
Tables on the pier make this one of the best outdoor bars by the beach in the UK.
Barricane Beach Cafe - Woolacombe
- Woolacombe Rise, Woolacombe EX34 7AS
- Independent cafe
Woolacombe beach is one of Devon's best, from the grassy dunes to the three miles of sand. Whether you're surfing, swimming or juts sunbathing, you're bound to work up an appetite, and that's where Barricane Beach Cafe comes in.
This charming spot has got you covered for all-day eats - think freshly made sandwiches, Sri Lankan soups, curries and homemade cakes. It's family-run, and pretty reasonably priced too.
Try Sri Lankan dishes on the sand at Barricane Beach Cafe Devon.
Surfside - Polzeath
- Polzeath Beach, Polzeath, Wadebridge PL27 6TB
- Rum bar and restaurant
Home to some seriously pretty beaches, Cornwall is well worth a summer trip. When you’re done paddleboarding, exploring harbour villages and snapping away at the Eden Project, make your way to beachside bar Surfside.
Located in Polzeath, the popular surfing spot, this Cornish pick leans towards fresh food and all things rum. You can even stay the night at the 3-bedroom apartment that’s available via Airbnb.
Things get seriously tiki at this waterside rum bar.
Best Beach Bars In The South East Of England
The Seahorse - Brighton
- The Milkmaid Pavilion, 26 Kings Road Arches, BN1 2LN
- Seafood restaurant
Attracting both tourists and locals like flies to honey, Brighton beach is one of the best places for a coastal retreat in the South. Alongside all the usuals like chippie teas and beachfront clubs, there’s some gorgeous sea view bars.
The Seahorse is ideal for seafood and spritzes, with an outdoor terrace that hangs over the beach - offering an amazing view of the sea and the old pier. As well as refreshing cocktails, you can enjoy the likes of tempura cauliflower, stuffed aubergine puttanesca, battered haddock and much more.
Look out over Brighton beach from The Seahorse.
Beach Bar @ Sea Lanes - Brighton
- 300 Madeira Drive, BN2 1BX
- Beach bar and event space
Another Brighton gem on our list, Beach Bar @ Sea Lanes by Bison Beer is a great place to spend your evenings on the seafront. They re-opened in 2023 after operating as a pop-up for years, promising DJ sets, comedy nights and other brilliant events.
They serve a wide range of drinks, with a focus on fresh craft beer, as well as food from vendors Fika and Wood X Coal - including a stellar Sunday roast. They've even got bookable booths on their rooftop terrace, perfect for watching the world go by.
Sip craft beer while admiring the view.
The Lobster Shack - Whitstable
- The Harbour East Quay, CT5 1AB
- Seafood and local beer
Looking for bars on the beach near London? From Dreamland in Margate to the cliffs of Broadstairs, Kent is brimming with gorgeous scenes. But for foodies, the picturesque town of Whitstable has to be on your agenda.
There’s Wheeler’s Oyster Bar for Insta-worthy exteriors and The Forge where fuss-free oysters are king, but The Lobster Shack takes things up a notch with a beachside location, local beers and daily seafood specials.
Get your seafood fix at The Lobster Shack.
Funicular Coffee House - Broadstairs
- Broadstairs, CT10 1LZ
- Coffee and cakes
Located in the picturesque Kent town of Broadstairs, Funicular Coffee House is providing your fix of caffeine by the sea. It can be found in Viking Bay, open from 9am to 5pm throughout the week.
They serve hand-roasted specialty coffee, alongside small savoury bites and homemade cakes. You can also get wine and craft beer, perfect for a pint on the beach.
Tuck into homemade cakes on the beach.
Best Beach Bars In the North West Of England
Beach House Bistro & Bar - Blackpool
- Festival House, The Promenade, FY1 1AP
- Cocktail bar and restaurant
Thought Blackpool was just ballroom dancing, seaside nightlife and slot machines? Think again. Lancashire’s seaside town is also home to a sprawling sandy beach, coastal restaurants and sea view bars.
Touting all that under one roof, Beach House Bistro & Bar is situated right on the famous promenade and serves everything from pornstar martinis and G&Ts to pastrami burgers and sushi.
Expect ocean scenes in Blackpool.
Best Beach Bars In The North East Of England
The View - Tynemouth
- Longsands Beach, Grand Parade, Tynemouth, North Shields NE30 4JA
- All-day cafe and restaurant
Situated on the gorgeous Longsands beach in Tynemouth, just north of Newcastle, The View is a family-run restaurant that's open all day long. You can bring your dogs on the heated outdoor terrace, though not inside, and wherever you're sat you'll be able to watch the surfers as the waves come rolling in.
Munch on scrumptious dishes like Southern-fried chicken burgers, mince and cheddar dumplings or even a vegetarian fish and chips. Plus, they serve breakfast and afternoon tea as well, so you're covered at any time of day.
Enjoy afternoon tea at the beach when you visit the View in Tynemouth.
Best Beach Bars In Wales
Ty Coch Inn - Porthdinllaen
- Porthdinllaen, Morfa Nefyn, Pwllheli LL53 6DB
- A local pub with sea views
Head to Porthdinllaen on the North West coast of Wales to discover a beautiful old fishing village that stretches into the sea. One of the best places to visit here has to be Ty Coch Inn, a charming local boozer that has been around since the 1840s, when it catered to local fishermen.
Today, they promise views of the water from their beachfront location, complete with outdoor seating, as well as a cracking selection of beers - even accredited by CAMRA.
For a classic boozer on the beach, it has to be Ty Coch Inn.
The Ship Inn - Cardigan
- Ceredigion, Tresaith, Cardigan SA43 2JL
- Pub with a view
If you’re looking for beach bars and restaurants in Wales, then Tresaith in Cardigan, South Wales should be on the list. Not only does The Ship Inn boast an idyllic location by the beach and a cliffside waterfall, but it’s also got bookable rooms and a sea-facing beer garden and terrace.
Check in for the night before checking out the coast as you chow down on fish and chips with beers, wines and cocktails to wash it all down.
With such a picturesque backdrop, it’s no wonder The Ship Inn is so popular.
Best Beach Bars In Scotland
Stein Inn - Isle of Skye
- Macleods Terrace, Stein IV55 8GA
- Ale and whisky pub
With a history that dates all the way back to 1790, the Stein Inn is officially the oldest inn on the island. If you’re visiting Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, then no trip is complete without stopping off here for rustic interiors, fresh produce and award-winning ales.
You’ll probably want to stay the night too because the coastal pub has quite the whisky selection to get through.
From summer through to winter, this Scottish gem is always a great shout.
For more summer ideas, check out our guide to affordable staycations.
