15 Great British seaside recipes to enjoy at home
Bring sun-drenched seaside flavours to the table with our British seaside recipes, from classic seafood dishes and Cornish pasties to nostalgic fudge and ice cream sundaes.
Reawaken childhood memories of summer holidays with the best of Britain's seaside meals. We've included both classic and nostalgic recipes so you can easily transport yourself to the UK's beloved shores, whether you're pining for a classic seafood supper, warming Cornish pasty or paper bag of hot sugary doughnuts.
If you are planning a trip to the beach, make sure to read our beach food recipes for all your seaside feasting needs, as well as our guide to the best cool boxes to buy. For more summertime meal inspiration see our collection of summer dinners, one-pots and traybakes, as well as our best picnic recipes and barbecue recipes.
1. Classic fish & chips
Crisp, deeply golden fish and moreish thick-cut chips – what could be more synonymous with the British seaside? Skip the takeaway by perfecting fish & chips at home.This recipe includes homemade tartare sauce, but feel free to serve with your choice of ketchup, mayonnaise and mushy peas. Divine!
We have plenty more fish & chips ideas, from oven-baked fish & chips to a healthier fish & chips traybake.
2. Classic potted shrimps
Start your seaside-themed feast with a classic starter of potted shrimp, served on a board with toasted ciabatta slices and lemon wedges alongside.
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For more summery seafood ideas, take a look at this fried calamari.
3. Cornish pasty
Unlock memories of salty air and breaking waves with an eat-by-the-sea favourite, the Cornish pasty. Expect savoury flaky pastry pockets filled with beef, onions, potatoes and swede.
Try our stargazy pasties for a twist on a Cornish delicacy, or discover our pasty recipe collection.
4. Mussels, white wine & parsley
Cheap, sustainable and surprisingly simple to cook, a bowl of British mussels makes a brilliant fish supper with seaside luxury.
For more seafood ideas, see our collection of mussels recipes and oyster recipes.
5. Spicy seafood spaghetti
A simple seafood pasta boosted in a rich and spicy sauce makes for peak summertime feasting. One mouthful and you'll be whisked away to your favourite coastal location. Feel free to vary the seafood to include your favourites, such as prawns or crab.
Find more delicious seafood pasta ideas with our seafood pasta collection, including an irresistible spicy clam & kale linguine.
6. Cheese & onion pasties
Cornish pasties shouldn't take all of the spotlight! Rustle up a batch of these smaller cheese and onion pasties for a warming savoury veggie snack. If you won't eat all 12, they freeze well and can be cooked straight from frozen.
For more veggie pasty ideas, check out our potato, cheddar & red onion pasties and curried potato pasties.
7. Ultimate lobster roll
If you're looking to expand your seafood repertoire, load up brioche buns with lobster, mayo and celery, and serve with your favourite salty crisps. This seaside treat is popular on the north-eastern coast of the US.
See more luxurious ways with lobster with our collection of lobster recipes.
8. Beer-battered fish burgers
Bring the seaside into your kitchen with these towering beer-battered fish burgers. Quick pickled onions and tartar sauce offer tart, salty flavours reminiscent of the beach.
For more big, bold fish burger ideas, see our prawn & salmon burgers with spicy mayo and crispy sesame fish burger with lime mayo.
9. Tropical vegan hot dogs
Hot dogs but not as you know them. We've taken classic hot dogs and given them a tropical vegan twist, providing fresh and summery flavours owing to a pineapple, green chilli, lime, red onion and coriander salsa.
We have plenty more hot dog ideas for more topping and sauce inspiration.
10. Black bean burger
Layered with avocado, tomato and rocket, these vegan burgers are full of goodness yet remain hearty and satisfying. We add a dollop of coconut yogurt inside the bun, but feel free to jazz it up with your choice of sauce.
For more veggie burger inspiration: spiced halloumi & pineapple burger with zingy slaw, chickpea & coriander burgers, spicy bean burgers with lime yogurt & salsa.
11. Crab sandwiches
Nothing says seaside quite like a crab sarnie. In this levelled-up version, a luxurious sandwich filling sees brown crab meat mixed with mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper and a few drops of brandy (optional).
Like the look of this? See more shellfish ideas with our best crab recipes.
12. Vanilla fudge
Enjoy a childhood favourite with our best vanilla fudge, the perfect end to a seaside-inspired meal.
If you're a fudge superfan, take a deep dive into our collection of fudge recipes.
13. Rainbow fruit lollies
Elicit memories of summers spent outdoors with this grown-up ice lolly, pepped up with sparkling wine, fresh fruit and elderflower cordial. These lollies make a zingy and boozy end to summer grazing.
For more iced sweet treats, see our collection of ice lolly recipes and ice cream recipes.
14. Fruity summer sundaes
Rejoice in the flavours of the traditional seaside ice cream parlour with this light fruity sundae, layered up with chopped fruit, macadamia brittle, sorbet and sauce, and finished with swirls of cream and strawberries.
For another cold sweet treat why not whizz up a luxurious milkshake?
15. Hot sugared doughnuts
Bring back memories of seaside piers with these hot sugary morsels. Pumped with raspberry jam, they'll be gobbled up in seconds by kids and adults alike.
You could even go big with our homemade doughnuts or opt for a doughy twist with our doughnut muffins and lemon & raspberry doughnut pudding. Also, discover our coconut iced doughnuts recipe.
Seaside G&T
The addition of samphire and seaweed-infused gin gives this classic G&T a splash of the seaside. It's a perfect postprandial tipple that's best enjoyed al fresco with friends.
See more delicious summer drinks for sipping in the sunshine, including a minty mojito and piña colada. And who could forget the jug of Pimm's?
