Hive Beach Café and Crab House Café named among best in UK

The Hive Beach Café in Burton Bradstock, the Crab House Café in Wyke Regis and Shell Bay in Studland were named named among the best coastal cafés/restaurants by the sea in the UK by the Good Food Guide.

Dorset's three entries mean they had the joint-most of any county, alongside Devon and Cornwall.

The Hive Beach Café was commended for its "tightly focused menu" with places an emphasis on "fresh, flavoursome and fun" dishes.

It adds: "Our inspection took in a sublimely flaky skate wing, sitting atop a mound of new potatoes, chorizo and wild mushrooms, plus a dollop of salmon and dill mayo; alternatively, you might opt for whole lemon sole with paprika-roasted chickpeas, wood-fired pepper, braised samphire and leeks."

Simpler dishes come in the form of Portland white and brown crab sandwich or tempura-battered Atlantic hake and chips, which is on their takeaway menu.

A spokesman for the café said: "It was a nice surprise and it's a great feeling for us and the team to be recognised for everything that we do day to day.

"I think we made it onto the list for just doing what we do; serving fresh, locally and ethically-sourced produce, focusing on fish and seafood, lovingly prepared to our customers from near and far.

"On top of fantastic food and an iconic coastline we try to offer a little something extra like live music every Wednesday this summer.

"The team are amazing, they are so passionate and motivated to provide a great service.

"Everything we serve is fresh and local; our menu changes daily depending on what our fishermen can catch."

Meanwhile, the Crab House Café in Wyke Regis, pictured above, was commended for its "ever-changing roster of piscine freshness" which depends on the day's haul from the local boats.

It adds: "The prospect of chilling beachside under cover, with the bracing expanses of Chesil Beach stretching out in the distance, is an irresistible draw for visitors to this cheery wooden shack – especially when there are plates of ozone-fresh seafood on offer."

"Staples such as fish pie with saffron mash or roast skate wing with paprika, spring onion and chorizo could be joined by specials including tandoori-style marinated ling or Arctic char fillet with monk’s beard, pink grapefruit and tarragon butter sauce.

"There are even a few desserts to choose from – warm Dorset apple cake is a no-brainer, given the locality."

Shell Bay was praised for its "unbeatable panoramic views of Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island" and its great service.

It adds: "Not surprisingly, seafood figures prominently on the wide-ranging menu, from Poole Bay oysters with shallot vinegar or clean-cut cured salmon with fennel and apple salad to whole local crab and various offerings ‘from the wood oven’ - perhaps sea bass, Galician-style octopus or skate wing (perked up by a side order of sweet, nutty roasted Jerusalem artichokes with truffle and Parmesan)."

Alongside that, it has a range of "international desserts" including a creamy coffee crème brûlée.