Crab House Cafe

Superb seafood with views to match

Overlooking Dorset’s famed Chesil Beach, Crab House Cafe is a rustic and laid-back setting where visitors can feast on seafood plucked from the ocean mere metres away.

Sustainability is paramount at the cafe and owner Nigel Bloxham (who previously supplied fish to Keith Floyd) works closely with local fishermen to source seafood from the surrounding waters, which is usually served the day it’s caught. Skate wing, sea bass, lemon sole, gurnard, john dory and plaice are just a glimpse of what’s to be discovered on the day’s specials board.

The cafe’s eponymous crustacean is best enjoyed à deux. Whole Portland brown crab is served simply with dressed salad and mayo, leaving the delicate meat to do all the talking. Arguably the star of the show here, however, are the oysters. Grown at the cafe’s own oyster farm just a short paddle from the restaurant, the prized bivalves are fresh, plump and ready to be slurped au naturel.

With so many briny delights on offer there’s a good chance you may feel a tad overwhelmed by the menu. Fear not: the stellar staff (and winners of Best Front of House Team at the Trencherman’s Awards 2023) will steer you in the right direction.

Trencherman’s tip: Pair your seafood with Dorset’s Bride Valley Chardonnay. It makes a marvellous match for almost everything on the Crab House Cafe menu.

Winner of Best Front of House Team

Discover more Trencherman’s restaurants in Cornwall here.