The good weather means that we're all flocking to the beach this summer. When you're there, nothing beats finding that perfect seaside café, with homemade ice creams and cream cakes, locally sourced grub and organic teas & coffees. Here's a few of our faves:
The Beached Lamb Café
When Jon and Nicole returned from Canada, they set about creating one of the coolest cafés in Newquay, and they succeeded. Enjoy funky soundtracks, unusual coffee art, funky cocktails and lots and lots of weird lamb memorabilia. (Newquay)
The Cabin Beach Café
True to its 'shack on the beach roots', even since a recent refurb this little gem has kept its offerings simple – beach snacks and sea views. It can get busy here at peak times, but a slice of lush homemade cake is only £1.70, so you can't grumble. (Penzance)
Cliff Top Café
This old donkey shed perched on the clifftop above Overstrand beach in Norfolk, is the perfect place for a crab sandwich or hot lunch, whether it's after a spot of beach-lounging or a bracing walk along the coastal path. (Overstrand)
Crab House Café
The emphasis is on the seafood at this fantastic seafront diner. The menu changes according to the daily catch, but you should certainly sample the oysters, or something more inventive like the pan-fried sea bass with citrus fruits. (Portland)
East Beach Café
This show-stopping café, designed & created by the outstandingly talented, and award-winning architect Thomas Heatherwick, serves fantastic homemade burgers & freshly caught seafood, and has a nice (though pebbly) beach attached. (Littlehampton)
More of hidden shack than a café but that just adds to its charm. Choose from Purbeck ice creams to organic soups, sandwiches and salads – and the ingredients are all fresh and largely local or fair trade. (Studland)
Gylly Beach Café
One of the coolest places to hang out in Falmouth, this award-winning café, which sits right on the beach, boasts some of the best cocktails, sharing platters and sea views around. (Falmouth)
Hive Beach Café
The freshest fish and the best sea views can be found at this homely beach hut-cum-seafood restaurant on lovely Burton Bradstock beach. (Burton Bradstock)
Porthgwidden Beach Café
The lesser-known little sister of the renowned Porthminster Café. As you’d expect, the food is still beautifully cooked and served with a view of Porthgwidden Beach to dine for. (St Ives)
Salt Water Café Bistro
A friendly place set up for the whole family to kick-back and fuel up after a day out at Polzeath beach. it pleases all tastes with the likes of meze plates, seafood platters & classic British desserts. (Newquay)
The Sea Breeze Café
Just yards away from a pebble beach and the sea, this lovely little café makes a great refuelling stop if you’re passing this way along the coastal path, or visiting the Slapton Ley and Slapton Sands. (Kingsbridge)
