Places to eat in Cleethorpes

They say fish and chips taste best by the seaside - well, where better to put that theory to the test than at Papa's Fish and Chips, which is actually on Cleethorpes Pier and has fabulous views of the promenade? The pier is one of our recommended list of Cleethorpes activities.

But Papa’s is a relatively new kid on the block - one of the best-known eateries in Cleethorpes is Steel's Cornerhouse Restaurant, which first opened in 1946. It's famous first and foremost for its fish and chips, but its menu caters for much more than that, including steaks and vegetarian options. Run since 1978 by Peter and Barbara Oliver, Steel's typically gets through an amazing 42,000 eggs and 100 tonnes of potatoes per year!

But it's not all fish and chips in Cleethorpes. A Mediterranean twist is supplied by Relish Bar and Kitchen, which has its own secret garden for al fresco drinks. The menu here has a real Italian theme, ranging from a wild mushroom starter and Tuscan chicken to sausage ragu pasta bake and smoked mozzarella arancini.

Another place to eat with a European vibe is Figs, which aims to suit your needs whether you want a light lunch or a formal dining experience. Unusual items on the menu include the Northumbrian dish pan haggerty, salmon with jambalaya style risotto and some tempting desserts such as flapjack apple crumble and chocolate-filled churros.

For substantial British fare, look no further than the Notts Restaurant, which offers familiar pub grub staples such as hearty baked potatoes and bangers and mash plus some much more exotic dishes including garlic-buttered snails, tempura-battered prawns and chicken liver and brandy paté.

No visit to Cleethorpes would be complete without a trip to Darracotte’s coffee shop and ice cream parlour. It enjoys a prime location on the seafront and is particularly popular in the summer months with families seeking out crêpes, waffles and ice creams. If the weather’s not so hot, it’s still a great spot to enjoy the view across the Humber estuary and maybe warm up with something from Darracotte’s range of hot snacks such as paninis.

Also on Cleethorpes Promenade is The Hawaiian Eye Café, which opens at 8am for the early morning breakfast trade. Later on, the café serves snacks and light lunches, and on Thursdays it has a regular Bikers Night.

For a more modern take on ice cream, look no further than Scoops, which prides itself on its amazing range of flavours and variations. You’ll find everything here from bubblegum, cherry Bakewell and peanut butter to Battenberg, Turkish delight and watermelon sorbet, not to mention a wide variety of waffles and fancy cones.

What do you get if you cross a café and a bakery? A cakery presumably - according to Gallagher's Café and Cakery, at least. But it’s not just sweet treats that are on the menu at this foodie’s delight - it has a monster menu to satisfy any appetite, from Gally’s breakfast (featuring Lincolnshire sausage of course) to brunch bagels and afternoon tea. Gallagher’s is run by the same people who run Deli-licious next door and also the nearby café and takeaway Pig in a Pokey.

Rounding off our selection is The Gingerbread House, just a couple of miles away in the village of Humberston. Other than not actually being made of gingerbread, this award-winning tea room doesn’t disappoint in any other way.  As well as hot drinks, cakes, and scones, it offers a more substantial menu with filling treats such as toasties and jacket potatoes.