10 Best Seaside Food Spots in the North of England

There’s something about a day by the sea that makes food taste even better. Maybe it’s the fresh sea air, maybe it’s the sound of the waves, or maybe it’s simply because nothing beats fish and chips enjoyed just steps from the beach.

Whatever it is, the North does seaside food properly. So, if you're looking for the best seaside eats in the North of England, you're spoilt for choice. From award-winning fish and chips in Whitby and Scarborough to independent cafés overlooking Morecambe Bay and beachfront restaurants in Blackpool, there are plenty of fantastic places to eat by the sea.

Better still, every destination in this guide is within easy walking distance of a Northern station, making it easy to leave the car behind and enjoy a relaxed coastal day out by train.

If you're looking for inspiration for your next coastal escape, our guide to the Best Beaches in the North is a great place to start before deciding where to eat by the sea.

Here are 10 coastal towns serving up some of the best seaside food in the North of England.

1. Whitby – Magpie Café

Walk from Whitby station: Around 10 minutes

Whitby is one of the best places to eat by the sea in Yorkshire, and few seaside restaurants are as iconic as the Magpie Café. Sitting proudly overlooking the harbour, it's become a must-visit for anyone seeking the best places to eat in Whitby, whether you're craving freshly landed seafood or traditional fish and chips.

Expect flaky haddock cooked to perfection, generous portions of chips, homemade fish pie and seafood platters packed with locally landed produce. If there's a queue outside, take it as a good sign – locals and returning visitors know it's worth the wait.

After lunch, make the most of your day by wandering around the harbour, climbing the famous 199 Steps to Whitby Abbey or browsing the independent shops hidden among the cobbled streets of the old town.

2. Scarborough – Lifeboat Fish Bar

Walk from Scarborough station: Around 15 minutes

Scarborough has been welcoming holidaymakers for generations, and no visit feels complete without a proper fish and chips by the sea. Are you looking for the best places to eat in Scarborough? Lifeboat Fish Bar has been serving hungry visitors for generations and is one of the town's favourite spots for traditional fish and chips by the sea.

Just a short walk from South Bay, it's known for freshly cooked fish, homemade fishcakes and generous portions that are perfect after a morning on the beach. It's exactly the kind of classic seaside meal people hope to find when searching for where to eat in Scarborough.

Once you've eaten, you're perfectly placed to spend the afternoon exploring Scarborough Castle, walking the promenade, enjoying the amusements or relaxing on the beach of one of Yorkshire's favourite seaside destinations.

3. Saltburn-by-the-Sea – Signals

Walk from Saltburn station: Around 5 minutes

Saltburn has quietly become one of Yorkshire's favourite seaside towns, combining Victorian charm with an independent food scene that keeps visitors coming back. And if you're interested in places to eat in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Signals is a brilliant place to start.

Signals is one of the town's most popular cafés, known for its locally sourced ingredients, freshly baked cakes and excellent coffee. Whether you're stopping by for brunch before exploring or enjoying lunch after a walk along the beach, it's a relaxed spot that perfectly captures Saltburn's laid-back atmosphere.

Afterwards, take a ride on the historic cliff lift, stroll along Saltburn Pier or browse the independent shops dotted around the town centre.

If you're planning a summer adventure, Saltburn also makes a fantastic addition to Northern's Summer Bucket List destinations.

4. Morecambe – Bay Chowder Company

Walk from Morecambe station: Around 15 minutes

Looking for places to eat in Morecambe? With sweeping views across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District fells, Morecambe Bay Chowder Company offers one of the best lunch spots on Lancashire's coastline.

The menu is centred around hearty, coastal-inspired dishes, with their signature chowders taking pride of place alongside fresh seafood specials, warming bowls, and locally sourced ingredients. It’s the perfect stop for something comforting after a walk along the promenade, with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that reflects the town’s seaside charm.

Afterwards, continue your day out by visiting the famous Eric Morecambe statue, strolling along the promenade or watching the tide roll in across one of Britain's largest bays.

5. Bridlington – Supattra Thai

Walk from Bridlington station: Around 15 minutes

Fancy something a little different? Bridlington offers plenty of traditional fish and chips, but if you're looking for the best restaurants in Bridlington, Supattra Thai has become one of the town's standout independent eateries.

Fresh ingredients, authentic flavours and a warm welcome have earned it an excellent reputation among locals and visitors alike. It's a brilliant option after exploring Bridlington Harbour or wandering through the historic Old Town. Of course, if fish and chips are still calling your name afterwards, you're never far from another great seaside favourite.

6. Cleethorpes – Papa's Fish & Chips

Walk from Cleethorpes station: Around 10 minutes

Award-winning Papa's Fish & Chips is exactly what many people picture when they think of a classic British seaside meal, including fish and chips in Cleethorpes.

This award-winning restaurant has become one of the best places to eat in Cleethorpes, serving all the traditional favourites you'd expect from a classic British seaside chippy. Choose from perfectly cooked cod or haddock, traditional mushy peas, homemade tartare sauce and crisp golden chips before heading onto the bustling promenade.

Round off your visit with an ice cream, a walk along the beach or a ride on the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

7. Blackpool – The Beach House Bistro & Bar

Walk from Blackpool North station: Around 20 minutes

Whether you're visiting Blackpool Tower, enjoying some epic water activities in Blackpool or spending the day beside the sea, The Beach House Bistro & Bar offers fantastic views alongside an impressive menu.

As one of the nicest places to eat in Blackpool, expect fresh seafood, burgers, salads and comforting British classics served just moments from the promenade and the beach, making it one of the best seaside restaurants in the North of England. After lunch, continue exploring the Comedy Carpet, North Pier or Blackpool's famous attractions – all within easy reach on foot.

8. Southport – The Guelder Rose

Walk from Southport station: Around 10 minutes

Southport is famous for its elegant Victorian streets and one of the UK's longest pleasure piers, making it a brilliant destination for a relaxed coastal escape. And once you have worked up an appetite after an afternoon of exploring the pier, take yourself to a family-friendly pub with scenic views of waves and dunes, where you can enjoy traditional pub food with modern twists.

The Guelder Rose is a favourite for classic dishes, carvery specials and a wide variety of ales, beers and more, and if the sun is out, you can dine al fresco on the pub’s patio.

After lunch, take a walk along Lord Street, explore King's Gardens, smell the fresh sea air from Southport Pier or enjoy an activity with your dog before catching the train home.

9. St Annes-on-the-Sea – The Beach Terrace Café

Walk from St Annes-on-the-Sea station: Around 15 minutes

If your perfect seaside day involves slowing down and soaking up the views, and you're searching for places to eat in St Annes-on-the-Sea, then The Beach Terrace Café combines relaxed dining with uninterrupted coastal views.

Looking out across the beach, the café is the perfect place for breakfast, coffee and cake or a leisurely lunch. It's an ideal spot to enjoy food by the sea before exploring St Annes Pier and the surrounding coastline. It's proof that sometimes the simplest seaside meals are the most memorable!

10. Filey – Inghams Fish Restaurant

Walk from Filey station: Around 15 minutes

Quieter than some of Yorkshire's larger resorts, Filey has a timeless charm. For many visitors, fish and chips in Filey are an essential part of any seaside trip, and Inghams Fish Restaurant has been delivering exactly that for generations.

Widely regarded as one of the best places to eat in Filey and a long-standing family favourite, Inghams Fish Restaurant is renowned for freshly cooked fish, crisp batter and generous portions served in a welcoming atmosphere.

After your meal, head down to Filey's sweeping sandy beach, enjoy the promenade or take in the spectacular views from Filey Brigg. It's a wonderfully relaxed way to round off a coastal day out.

Mapping out your seaside snack adventure

The best thing about these coastal destinations? They're all easy to reach by train, with every eatery featured in this guide within around a 20-minute walk of a Northern station. That means you can spend less time navigating and more time enjoying good food, fresh sea air and everything each destination has to offer.

Family day out with chips on the prom? Weekend treat exploring independent cafés? Whatever the plan, getting there by train is part of the fun.

Ready to start planning? Here’s a quick recap:

Whitby – Fresh seafood, harbour views and the famous Magpie Café.
Scarborough – Traditional fish and chips, sandy beaches and a classic seaside atmosphere.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea – Independent cafés, Victorian charm and spectacular coastal walks.
Morecambe – Promenade cafés with views across the bay towards the Lake District.
Bridlington – Family-friendly beaches and fantastic independent restaurants.
Cleethorpes – Award-winning fish and chips just moments from the seafront.
Blackpool – Beachfront dining alongside iconic attractions and entertainment.
Southport – Stylish cafés, Victorian charm and one of the UK's longest pleasure piers.
St Annes-on-the-Sea – Relaxed cafés, sea views and a quieter pace by the coast.
Filey – Traditional fish and chips, sandy beaches and a timeless Yorkshire seaside feel.

Ready for your next foodie adventure?

From iconic fish and chips by the sea in Whitby and Scarborough to independent cafés in Saltburn and Morecambe, these destinations are home to some of the best seaside eats in the North of England.

Whether you're searching for the best places to eat by the sea, planning a family day out or simply fancy trying somewhere new, travelling by train makes it easy to explore more of the North's spectacular coastline.

Before you travel, browse Northern's Days Out inspiration hub for more ideas, discover Nature Spotting in the North, or find great-value Advance train tickets and Railcards to help make your next coastal adventure even better value.

After all, the hardest part might just be deciding where to eat by the sea first.