Beaches Restaurant in Northumberland

Came across this gem looking for lunch. We had the crab sandwiches which were delicious - just perfect. Noticed they did fish and chips and lobster and chips but only on two days of the week. And it was first come first served until they ran out. So went back to try the haddock and chips. Awesome. Best fish I have ever tasted - no batter, just grilled with lots of butter. Owner explained that he only used fresh locally caught fish and only when he could gets it off the local boats. It shows!!

Restaurant not open at the moment due to Covid, so only takeaways. Tried the smoked haddock Mac n cheese and wow, what a dish. Didn’t mind paying the £6 for food of this quality. Opening times are sporadic and they serve on a first come, first served basis, but do try it if you’re in the village - you won’t be disappointed.

Back again and it just gets better. Great food, lovely helpful staff and good craic too. Highly recommended.

Thought it was an ice-cream place until I saw the sign for haddock and fresh crab. Got the crab bun stuffed with white and brown meat. The haddock Mac and cheese, and the chowder. All really nice, served with a smile. Cheers.

Hidden Gem, fresh seafood and good chips and friendly staff. Would recommend going there if it’s open

Portions a bit on the small side but maybe that’s because the food was so good we wanted more! Excellent!

Ordered crab cakes to take away - came with skin on fries and little pots of guacamole and an amazing little seaside salad with samphire and sea kelp. The crab cakes were absolutely delicious, as were the various flavours of gelato we had afterwards. The take away service serves whatever’s been caught the night before. Hoping they’ll have some lobster in before our holiday ends! Absolutely worth a visit.

A 4th return visit for us a family to this wonderful, cosy restaurant. It always feels like a home-coming and Donald does an amazing job as our twinkly host . We opted for the tasting menu, delicious courses of sea food with the star being the gratin of fish 🐠 just dreamy and we’re all still talking about it a month after our visit. We visit Alnmouth every year and visiting the Beaches is always the highlight of our trip because of the warm welcome , amazing people and unique setting. Thankyou xxx

We found this gem of a place a couple of years ago when we first visited here. As soon as we knew we were visiting again it was a priority to get booked in. Saturday night is the tasting menu, the food is amazing, it’s such a warm and cosy atmosphere and Donald is the most wonderful, warm welcoming host - who remembered us from last time. It’s bring your own bottle, you just pay corkage and they don’t take cards so make sure you have cash! They re always busy so make sure you book in advance. Opening hours and days vary through the year so check first. We loved it so much we ate there a second time in our week away, second time from the specials board. Again the food was superb.

Sadly we couldn’t eat at Beaches due to it being fully booked. But we did buy ice cream from the ajoining counter which was gorgeous. Would definitely recommend the fig and mascarpone flavour!

I managed to book the last table for my wife and I for a Saturday taster menu whilst on holiday in Alnmouth. The menu in their window looked amazing but I notice my wife was less than impressed as she doesn’t eat fish!! The venue was cosy, very reasonable priced and the service outstanding. The food was the best I’ve ever had. Much to my surprise my wife tried (and ate all) of the food including fish soup, salmon mouse and smoked haddock and has raved about this ever since. My only disappointment was that my wife ate all her food and I missed out on double helpings!! This is a hidden gem and we can’t wait to return.

Visited on a Saturday evening for the tasting menu dinner. This was very enjoyable, although a little limited by, for example, an absence of vegetables. Dishes were simple but well cooked and the smoked haddock dish was the best. There is no choice, until you get to the desert when there are a couple of options depending on what is left. Bring your own alcohol keeps the cost down. Ambiance is pleasant, if a little quirky. A good choice for an unpretentious meal, provided you like what is on offer.

Had yet another fantastic night at Donald's and Sue's, food wonderful, welcoming very warm. New years Eve 2018 was great fun there. Thanks Sue and Donald for giving everyone such a pleasant evening

Consider ourselves extremely lucky to have once again spent New Year’s Eve in this wonderful, quirky restaurant (probably our 7th New Year’s Eve here). The food was as always, locally sourced, freshly prepared and delicious and we wanted for nothing. Thank you Donald and Sue - you were perfect hosts. The locals were their usual friendly selves and welcomed us with open arms encouraging us to join in to the community spirit of exactly what New Year’s Eve celebrations are all about. A fellow diner (also a returner) provided each table with fortunue bags, crammed full of interesting facts and fortunes for the coming year, fellow diners (again some familiar faces/some new faces) happily shared stories and even the odd glass of Port, Mincepie Cream and that long lost favourite, Creme de Menthe! Thank you one again to our wonderful friends for the kind invite,to Donald and Sue for all their hard work enabling us to have such a memorable eveniing, to our fellow dinners and most importantly to Alnmouth for allowing us to spend an entertaining wevening in this great little restaurant. Happy 2019 Beaches Reataurant - wishing you continued success.

As always food delicious and hospitality even better. New Years Eve at the Beaches is always lively , fun, community atmosphere with everyone joining in the New Year festivities. A special mention to Donald and Sue for a wonderful end to 2018.

Well. 55 quid a head. Crammed into someone's very badly decorated living room. Loo in family bathroom. Can handle that. Food? Mediocre. Can handle that. Evening completely taken over by very very loud locals making an evening in a very confined space completely awful.

We luckily happened to be staying in Alnmouth on a Saturday evening and were able to book a table for the tasting menu at The Beaches. A very good dining experience in a lovely relaxed comfortable setting with charming host Donald. The meal was great and more than good value. The BYO dimension also helped.

This was our second visit to Beaches, albeit many years apart, and we were thrilled to be able to book a table which is a necessity as it's so small. The Friday night seafood tasting menu was fantastic with a total of 10 small dishes to try. The BYO wine is a great idea for a minimal corkage price and Donald is a lovely warm host. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Recently visited on a Saturday evening as a party of 8 which was accommodated very well in a small restaurant. Only about 20 seats so you will almost certainly have to book beforehand. For the Saturday evening the only option is the tasting menu (£25 each) for which everyone in the restaurant has to arrive at the same time (7pm for the evening of our visit).

After driving for hours on a sunday trying to find a restaurant that was either open or not silly prices (and with parking) we pulled into one space opposite the Seafood Shack. It looked run down but we entered and were charmed. The door hung poorly and chairs were all different around two small tables. The limited menu offered some interesting options and everything we ordered was great. Good courteous service and excellent value.

Restaurant is very small in a building dating back to 1700s! Food was excellent especially the smoked haddock( fish smoked locally in Craster) Set menu great value at £24.95. Donald was a very friendly host.

I had read reviews of this place online and decided it would be an interesting experience. We booked online for Saturday night when there is a fixed 'tasting' menu of 5 courses for just £24.95 pp. We were welcomed at 7 pm by the owner Donald and shown to our table. The restaurant quickly filled up with four other tables of pre-booked parties - there were just 14 people in all. The room is decorated with an eclectic mix of maritime items and has tables for 2-4 guests. It is only used as a restaurant on Saturday nights and doubles as Donald's 'office' and living room for the rest of the week! The menu on the night we went started with seafood soup, a delicious bisque based on crab and lobster. This was served with locally baked bread which was soft and light. This was followed by a small tasting pot of a light creamy salmon pate served with melba toasts. A ramekin of smoked Craster haddock in a cheese sauce gratineed under the grill followed. This was tasty and much enjoyed. The main course was slow cooked Northumberland shin of beef. This had been marinated in red wine and slow cooked for 7 hours and served in a small pie dish topped with a suet crust and accompanied by crispy chips. The beef was tender and delicious but I found the crust heavy. Dessert was a choice between chocolate ganache served with raspberries, fruits of the forest ice cream served with strawberries or a selection of cheeses. We both opted for the ice cream which was home made and absolutely delicious.

We went on a ‘set menu’ evening, and the courses just flowed! Oysters, followed by a ‘tapas starter’ - which consisted of 9 individual mini portions, all excellent.

We booked for Saturday with the tasting menu.

We were hoping to have lunch in Beaches restaurant proper, but this was not open last week at lunchtime on the day we visited but their small service café next door was. We ordered the crab cakes with fries. Wonderful fresh and tasty crab cakes - without potato filler!! Those, with a carafe of fresh coffee. Excellent lunch and good value. Extremely friendly as well, so a delightful time on a windy Northumberland day! Parking on the high street is not a problem out of season (i.e. after end of September) but would be a nightmare in season with 20-minute limits on spaces. Stupid Council decision which will adversely affect trade in the lovely town. Make the effort though, as it is well worth it.

Myself and partner visited this restaurant after a recommendation and we were certainly not disappointed!! It was beautiful, the food was gorgeous, the restaurant was lovely and quirky. We had such a lovely night. Will be back for sure 5*

Sólo dos mesas disponibles en el local, cuatro platos escritos en una pizarra que cambian según el día y el momento y un encantador propietario.

Nos habían recomendado probar este café durante las vacaciones la semana pasada. No pudo reservar pero aparecimos en alrededor de 12. 30:00 y, aunque había una mesa, pudimos sentarnos en la otra tabla. Los alrededores son extremadamente pequeño pero bastante peculiar, con muebles de madera y nuestra mesa pequeña tenía algunos formica gastados que cubren. Ella me recordaba a estar en casa!" ollos Sin embargo, el dueño, fue muy agradable y servicial. El menú es obviamente muy limitado, pero decidimos tener un par de 1 / 2 langostas y patatas fritas cada uno, que fueron servidos en cajas de cartón desechables poco. Mi pareja no podría resistir la merengue con arándanos, moras, frambuesas, fresas y crema fraiche para el postre. Mi pareja también disfrutamos de su copa de vino blanco, seguido por un caffetiere y bebí agua de mesa. Mirando el menú degustación de noche comentarios, sin duda estaría interesado en probar el próximo año.

Qué gran experiencia y una absoluta ganga! Éramos 6 de nosotros para la cena. No son autorizadas, así que traiga su propio vino y lo bien refrigerada en la nevera. Es un menú fijo, así que no tienes una opción, pero todo era maravilloso! Saber de antemano que me come pescado y no carne. Hay varios campos, comenzando con una sopa de pescado que era delicioso. Había un paté de trucha ahumada, un plato cursi eglefino y tuve una fabulosa hamburguesa casera de garbanzos y remolachas para mi principal. Come carne de todos mis amigos muy muy celoso aunque me dijeron que la torta de carne era realmente bueno. Tenía una gran noche, un gran ambiente y sólo me costó 30 libras, que incluía la propina! Sin duda volveremos!

Lovely place to eat we had a tasting menue of four courses which were all amazing , Very small little place but the service was so lovely and very personal,lovely place

No pudieron entrar en playas como lo dejé demasiado tarde, así que fuimos a la choza el domingo 28 de mayo. La comida es realmente deliciosa y muy barata! Abadejo ahumado mac y queso con pan de gambas y langosta eran impresionantes. . . . charlamos con los propietarios y no quería irse, magnífica comida y la gente. Compramos una botella de gaseosa y conversamos por la edad, las mujeres de Manchester volveremos. . .

Hemos venido aquí por muchos años y aterroriza el día cuando Donald y Susan renunciar. Comida de susan es excelente, el ambiente íntimo y liderado por Donald's cordial bienvenida y servicio.

Después de leer las críticas, y de estar en el mismo pueblo yo sabía que tenía que ir. Reservar con antelación, ya que su pequeño, tome su propio alcohol y los pagos tienen que ser en efectivo. Es genial, el ambiente es maravilloso, con un...

Managed to get a booking for the 5 course taster menu. Good food, quirky surroundings and reasonably priced. Take your own wine

We stayed in Alnmouth with friends for a long weekend, and there are a limited amount of restaurants here and this one had such good reviews we had to give it a go.Corkage is cheap which is a bonus and the set menu v reasonably priced. The flavours were really good and the portion size generous.I only didn't give this five stars was due to I felt that it wasn't the most comfy of restaurants, almost like sitting in the kitchen of an old farmhouse. But, it's quirky and the best meal we had whist there.

Visited this restaurant after reading the excellent reviews! All I can say is the food is incredible and the atmosphere and the decor is unbelievable! DONALD, the host was exceptional! He was fantastic and so friendly. He was just incredible. The food was delicious, was had the 5 course taster menu and it was fantastic and so tasty. We were stuffed at the end. We will definitely be visiting again as it was just delightful! Deserves more than 5 marks!!! :-) Everyone should try this place. Wish it was closer to home! We would be there all the time!

Having just moved to Northumberland we visited Beaches for New Years Eve. WOW!!! The food was outstanding! it was all home made, freshly cooked, delicious and plenty of it. I can't find anything negative to say about it! it's a small restaurant so would advise making a booking if you visit. For us, it was a perfect night out to celebrate New Year, lovely and quiet,...the focus without doubt being the food! The host was very welcoming although I think we were the only non-regulars....that will be changing though!!

A lovely café/restaurant with nice food, a nice atmosphere and very friendly and helpful staff.The food all seemed to be good quality, decent portions and the place was kept very clean and tidy.Will definitely call in again.

Dirty place will never step here again. Not sure why anyone would want to visit this place.One to avoid

Ate here last night off the back of previous reviews and can only agree with previous comments. Unless you had either been recommended or seen reviews on this site you would more than likely just walk by this place which from the outside looks like it's closed, but on the inside its a hidden jem. The chap who greeted us was very welcoming and talked through the taster menu which was then brought to us over the next hour or so. The food was well presented very well cooked and tasted amazing! The star of the five courses for me was the craster smoked haddock in moray sauce simply delicious. This place is a must if your in the area and we shall definitely be returning.

We really enjoyed the 5 course tasting menu (Saturday nights). The food was clearly freshly home cooked and full of flavour. We brought our own wine (very reasonable corkage). When we realised that you could only pay cash, the owner/waiter/front of house chap said we could drop off the money later on in the week (which we did of course). I'm sorry that we didn't catch his name but his good humour combined with the tasty food resulted in a very enjoyable evening. Thank you

This is a small restaurant but always busy - booking definitely advisable. We went on a Saturday for the 5 course taster menu and thoroughly enjoyed it. Bring your own wine/beer etc as it isn't licensed but soft drinks are available to buy. This is predominantly a seafood restaurant and all was fresh and well cooked. The lobster bisque to start with was delicious as was the Craster smoked haddock. Nice desserts or cheeses too. A very good value meal with relaxed, friendly service. We will definitely return.

This was our second visit to Beaches, having previously gone earlier this year. The food, again, was outstanding. Fresh seafood cooked with skill and respect, perfect portion sizes and well paced - not too much waiting between courses but not rushed. The haddock mornay in particular is to die for! Cannot argue with the pricing (22.95 for the tasting menu) and you're free to bring your own alcohol. If you're in Alnmouth then you need to book a meal at Beaches. Thanks again for having us and we will be back!

We live about half an hour from Alnmouth and Beaches is our firm favourite. Well cooked food, fresh, seasonal, plentiful. The tasting menu on a Saturday is a particular favourite. Seafood bisque with sumptuous dipping bread, smoked trout pate, smoked haddock in a fabulous cheese sauce with more dipping bread, chicken pie with suet crust and sweet potato chips. Various home made desserts followed by coffee from Costa Rica. I kid you not! The courses may seem small but working your way through them, you know you've been well fed. All food is beautifully cooked, friendly atmosphere. Visitors to the area can bend Donald's ear for tips of best beaches, walks etc. Quirky, friendly, tasty. Can't wait for our next visit. As you bring your own wine, corkage is payable, you are assured of a decent glass of vino to accompany your fabulous evening

We were given the et menu which reflected the catch of the day. Each course was well prepared and presented and delicious. The host offered just the right level of interaction and was happy to answer our cookery questions. We took our own wine and corkage is cheap. This was an excellent evening in terms of food, price and atmosphere. Thank you

We enjoyed the five course tasting menu (which sounds fancy and ott, but be assured it is not!) at Beaches on Saturday 3 September 2016. Beaches is BYO booze for a £2 per bottle corkage, so this keeps costs down. The menu costs c. £22.00 per person including tea/coffee. I am veggie, and Sue kindly created a menu specially for me. Andrew thoroughly enjoyed the "normal" menu which was a mixture of meat and fish courses followed by dessert or cheese. Donald is front of house, is very welcoming, explains the menu well and goes on to fulfil service in the small, but packed restaurant alone and very efficiently. The restaurant only seats c. 20 people so booking is essential, as is advising whether you have dietary requirements. Enjoy, we certainly did. Janice and Andrew

This place is local to me so I decided to call in and glad I did, very nice lobster and fries only £9.95. Great value great taste.

Saw the pretty coloured houses from the road took a detour and found this little gem.Beaches café.Had crab fishcakes and a prawn lobster bun with sweet potato fries. My partner is not a massive seafood fan but he loved it. Delicious and really great service sat out on the pavement and watched the world go by.If in area again will try the restaurant as well.

Next door to the beaches restaurant, the same owners have opened a fish and chip shop with a difference. Open 12-6ish (as they say themselves) and just on certain days (currently Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays). Very limited menu - on the day we visited, smoked haddock, crab meat in a bun, and...lobster and chips. For £9.95 I had a half lobster thermidor, with chips in a box. We ate on the table outside. Completely wonderful. The bearded guy behind the counter was completely delightful, friendly, helpful and straight out of the book of sea shanties.

Quirky little place with only 6/7 tables inside . BRING YOUR OWN WINE rule applies although I do think they have a small selection to offer you . We went on a sat evening , one sitting at 7:30 , 5 course taster menu priced at £22.50 . Fish soup , rolled herring. Smoked haddock , ham and mash in gravy and a mixed berry with ice cream desert .. All lovely ...Almouth is a small place with 2 pubs an Italian restaurant, few tearooms a post office and gift shop , lovely beach .. Dogs welcome in most pubs .

Probably our 5th or 6th meal at the Beaches.We visit Alnmouth once a year or so and each time we book a table here.It's small and intimate, unhurried and relaxed. You never have to shout while talking as is the case in so many places. Donald is very welcoming and always has the time chat. You won't be rushed on and out.With no licence you have to bring along any wine you may want and there is a nominal corkage charge but don't let that put you off. If you want a well cooked meal that uses local fresh fish and produce, at a reasonable price in nice relaxed surroundings. then this is the place for you.Make sure you book in advance in busy periods.

Just as good as the 1st visit.Great food with tip top service by Donald. Make sure you book to avoid missing out! Lovely local flavours in a sampler menu. Especially loved the Smoked Haddock. Looking forward to our next treat. Thanks again.

The Beaches is an interesting restaurant with good local food. The service is very good and when you get a table it is yours for the night. The reason I did not rate it higher is that I could not get my legs under the table and the chairs were hard and uncomfortable. I hope they make enough money to buy more comfortable furniture.

Thankyou Donald and your lovely wife, for another brilliant visit to Beaches!We had the 5 course taster menu, which was all delicious.It's a unique experience, and whenever we stay at Alnmouth, we always eat here.Byo wine which us brilliant.Just eaten the crab, which we bought from the Seafood shack next door, to take home for tea!!Scrumptious !

Following a 4 day cycle along the coast from Edinburgh, we were overjoyed to find this hidden gem! Self conscious on arrival due to our sports attire, the host, Donald, made us feel immediately welcome.! All 5 courses were delicious. We especially loved the fresh haddock. Timing between courses felt relaxed and we did not feel rushed at all. A wonderful atmosphere with BYOB and a real fire gave a cosy, homely feel. I would recommend booking because it is a small restaurant with limited tables.

We were going to be in Alnmouth on a Saturday night so we booked a few weeks in advance for the 5 course taster menu. We knew to take our own booze and cash and had the most fantastic evening. It is like eating at your friends, warm and attentive hosting, exquisite food and a laid back evening where you aren't rushed to leave your table. Fresh bread, everything homemade, warm fire, fantastic hosts, coffee for connoisseurs - the best Northumberland has to offer. Opening times are increased as the season gets going so plan a visit you won't be disappointed. Going to have to pop in to the seafood shack for a quick crab fix

We were fortunate enough to be recommended this restaurant by a friend who had previously visited Alnmouth. We ate on Easter Saturday, therefore had the 5 course taster menu. Each course is absolutely fantastic and unique in its own way. The fish courses were exceptional using fresh, local produce. Each of the deserts were homemade and brilliant, I could not recommend enough,The restaurant itself is wonderful and a throwback to what life should be like, relaxed, friendly and enjoyable.

Want local fish, freshly caught and expertly yet simply prepared? Then this is the place for you. This is a small intimate restaurant that opens a few days a week and is almost always fully booked.Book early and enjoy a really great meal in warm surroundings.

I took my partner here for her birthday last year a thought that I had written my review back then, but it would appear not... What an oversight! This place is great, we are aspiring foodies so eat out a lot and have never been anywhere quite like this!It was quiet on the Sunday evening that we were there and there was a taster menu on, as it was just before the season started. But I was informed of this when I booked and and my partner can never decide what to eat, so it was perfect for her!As I said in the title, It was a little like we had been invited over for a dinner party at the chefs house... Obviously a house that had been converted for use as a restaurant... but a there was a definite homely feel to the place, and it works really well.The restaurant itself was lovely and cosy, nothing fancy as such, but very nice. We were served by the man who owns the place, who was also our chef! And he was very friendly. He told us a bit about himself and the restaurant, gave us excellent service, made us excellent food and even sang happy birthday to my girlfriend!Food was fantastic! As it was a taster menu there were a couple of bits that I would not normally have chosen, so there were parts of some dishes that weren't for me, but between the 2 of us, we liked every aspect of every dish. It was cooked to perfection and the flavours were fantastic... the Mornay sauce was especially delicious!Would highly recommend experiencing this place to anyone if you are in the area, we will definitely be back!

Enjoyed the tasting menu with family.A hidden jem which must be booked to be sure of not missing out. 5 course tasting menu served at a leisurely pace. Each course was a local mix of goodies of home cooked delight, lovely.Looking forward to returning soon.

A small restaurant in Alnmouth run by a couple who put the food and the customer first. We went on Saturday evening for the 5 course tasting menu which at £22.95 is superb value for money. It is a fish restaurant but there is a steak alternative for the main course, though not a fish person myself I stayed with the fish all the way through and I enjoyed every course and will certainly go again when we are next in Alnmouth.It is also a BYO so no expensive wine to pay for.

Locally sourced good honest food served in a cosy relaxed homely atmosphere. Had delicious seafood bisque followed by Craster smoked haddock, strawberry and raspberry dessert and cheese afters. Can highly recommend. A local treasure.

Heading to Alnmouth for ice cream, we couldn't resist the smell coming from the tiny "seafood shack" next to Beaches. I had a lobster and prawn roll which came in a tasty seeded bun, in a pretty carton with a wedge of lime and some watercress, which would easily carry to the beach. Completed with a cold limonade and very reasonably priced. You can also get lobster and bacon and sausage butties. Only open 3 days a week from 12-6 or 7 (Tues, Thurs and Sun)

Visited Beaches on a Thursday evening during our recent holiday to Northumberland.We would suggest that you book as this is a popular restaurant.Family of 3. Delighted with the choice of dishes. To start we had a selection of fish and a crab soup. Main crab cakes and a lobster. To finish a cheesecake, a creme brûlée and a chocolate pot.We were sat in the front room of a local fishing man ( or so it seemed) the cosy surroundings highlighted the whole experience.Our host was just wonderful.The bring your own is perfect.It is homely, none rushed atmosphere added to a perfect evening.Could thoroughly recommend.

Stayed for four nights in the B and B accommodation above the resteranut. Have had a fantastic time. The room was a good size with en suite bath, very clean and comfortable without all the pomp and ceremony. Breakfast very good lashings of fresh fruit and cooked to order optin if you have room. Ate in the resteranut twice for dinner and the surroundings are nice , food is excellent. Highly recommended.

Been going here for years and took our family last week; the food, service and ambience were to the high standard we always find. Donald and Sue are committed to their craft of providing locally sourced food, imaginatively presented and individually prepared.

We have just had a week in Alnmouth, and I had read the reviews of this restaurant so decided to give it a go. The restaurant is only open a few evenings a week, but well worth trying to make a booking. We where delighted at the decor, it's like sitting in a fishermans sitting room. We had the 5 course taster menu which was delicious from the crab soup to start through to the creme brûlée to finish. The owner was delightful and nothing was too much trouble. There was a young family in the restaurant with two little girls and he went out of his way to make them comfortable and made them something to eat to suit. Would Highly recommend.

My daughter and I visited Beaches Restaurant on a Sunday evening when it was quiet. We had a super evening - lovely atmosphere, nice service and great local, simple, well cooked dishes. We loved the lobster! BYO a great way to drink nicer wine than you would normally in a restaurant.

Great host and surroundings but the meal was decidedly ordinary, the web site led me to believe it would be a foody experience. It was nice safe, unimaginative food. As a good cook I can do better than this!

This is a small restaurant that is part of Beaches B&B - only opens to non residents on a few nights but well worth making a reservation. Food is all fresh and beautifully cooked and served by the husband and wife team. It is BYOB and cash or cheque. Highly recommended.

Visited on a tasting night. 5 courses, no choices. Seafood bisque to start - OK as soup goes, but hard pressed to identify even a hint of anything marine. Next a leaf of iceberg lettuce, some cucumber and smoked salmon. The salmon was good but iceberg lettuce? I don't think so. Followed by crab and lobster mornay. Tasty, but some very chewy crustacean hunks in there. I thought we were going with a sea theme, but was totally thrown when the main arrived: a ramekin of minced beef and carrots. Nice but nothing special. Dessert was a chocolate pot. NOTE: Its a BYOB joint and cash only.

We really enjoyed the 5 course tasting menu we ate here. The ingredients were all very fresh and we were happy to eat dishes based on quality rather than quantity. The price was fair and we were able to bring a decent bottle of wine with us rather than paying over the odds for a mediocre one. Would thoroughly recommend this restaurant.

Beaches is a lovely intimate restaurant where you can enjoy the freshest food ever! The fixed menu was well thought through and cooked to perfection. The atmosphere is calm with subtle music in the background. Service feels like you've got your own chef and maitre'd . Five courses, bring your own wine and enjoy! Beaches is not a plush restaurant, but quirky enough to make it interesting. Excellent value for money.

This is an Italian style restaurant/pub/hotel which servers good food at reasonable prices and by all accounts the hotel is well recommend.

We go on an (ir)regular basis to Beaches, and we are never disappointed. This gem of a restaurant serves genuine, fresh food, prepared with love and care. BYOB keeps prices reasonable, and the hospitality is second to none.Donald and Sue are dedicated hosts, no effort is too much to make you feel welcome. We'll be back soon, if only for the chocolate ot, which is a must for chocaholics......

Well located intimate restaurant with good food and great service, all at sensible prices.Best to book, and byo policy. Probably not ideal for children.Sea food specials.We had a very pleasant meal, not rushed, with an extensive menu.

We had three evening meals in Alnmouth, all were ok but none outstanding. One plus here is BYOB which helps keep prices reasonable. When we went the menu in the window did not reflect the menu inside, we were offered only 3 starters - bread and olives, garlic mushrooms or lobster soup. We opted for the first two to share, but it's difficult to get excited about a bit bread, some tinned olives and a dish of mushrooms costing £3.50 and £5 respectively (get my reference to BYOB?). We both opted for the only main which appealed to us, the 'shell off lobster thermidor' a couple of bits of slightly chewy lobster, and a couple of prawns in a cheesy sauce and accompanied by an enormous plate of steamed veg, though it was tasty and we enjoyed it. Service friendly but very slow - not a problem as we were, after all, on holiday. The lobster dish was £15, not £17 as mentioned by an earlier reviewer.

After reading the reviews on here decided to give the restaurant ago whilst on holiday in Alnmouth. We were certainly not disappointed by what we found. Small restaurant but equally very charming. The menu is chalked on the blackboard for all to see. Between the four of us in our party we sampled a variety from the menu and nobody was disappointed, so much so we have booked to return.The host is very welcoming and manages the front of house extremely well.But compliments go to the chef who is out of sight but producing some amazing culinary delights.Thank you and see you in December.

We have stayed in Alnmouth, and eaten at Beaches, several times, most recently last week. A small, atmospherically lit room wallpapered with old shipping maps, maybe only half a dozen tables, so you do need to book, especially since it opens only 2-3 nights/week. Cash only payment and bring your own wine just adds to the experience! Donald is front of house/the sole waiter and his wife Susan's the cook - primarily seafood, and it's first class. It may be a long time before you eat anywhere like this!On a slightly separate note, I don't understand why Trip Advisor has included a one star review from a lady who didn't even eat there. In fact she didn't eat there because she hadn't booked, which is hardly Beaches' fault. Can I suggest you remove this - it's utterly misleading.

Unfortunately my friend and I were tired after our 10 mile walk and couldn't stay awake for dessert or coffee - but we will next time! We were lucky they were open on a Tuesday at its mainly weekends - so call and check ahead. It is small - basically tables set in the front room of an old house in Alnmouth. There are old fishing nets and traps hanging above you. The ambience is cool and quirky and very friendly. The food was outstanding. Between us we had bisque, prawns, a whole lobster and fresh fish and it was impeccably cooked and very tasty and because you can take your own drink along, for what you eat it is a very reasonably priced dinner. Looking forward to going back.

Do not be fooled!!! Beaches is not posh and looks very ordinary from the outside, but step inside and you are in for a treat. Don is an excellent host and makes you feel like a long lost friend. There are only 5 or 6 tables, you need to pay with cash only and there is no licence (hence bring your own wine - £2 corkage). We visit every year and always enjoy the ambience of the place as much as the food. Steak is our favourite with the lobster bisque to start and their chocolate pots are to die for. Susan cooks everything so well. You must book to avoid disappointment. Their breakfasts are also the best I have had anywhere, ever!!

Both the gently friendly reception and the overall ambience of this little restaurant help give it charm even before considering the food. It is well worth a visit for the food is extremely good and the menu sensibly limited to about four dishes for each course. These are introduced on the blackboard with some gentle irony: 'scrummy' Seafood Bisque and 'nice' bread (homemade, by the way). And those descriptions are more than accurate.All of us had the lobster 'off-shell' in a mornay sauce. Excellent and very reasonably priced. The vegetables a little unimaginative (a reminder to the French member of our party of several pub meals in the UK!) but perfectly cooked.Make sure to reserve in summer months!

What a gem of a place! We hadn't expected to be in Alnmouth today let alone discovering Beaches but we had a wonderful meal here. Thank you.Seafood bisque was "sumptuous" as described. My wife's sirloin was perfectly cooked & the lobster/prawn thermidor was incredibly rich. And the vegetables were a delight too, obviously well-sourced & again really well prepared.Service is warm, friendly & attentive. Nothing would have been too much trouble, I'm sure & although we didn't have our children with us on this occasion they were clearly catering very well for the other children there. It was a real pleasure.

We all thought the experience quite different in that there was only seating for about 20. Reservations are a must. We took our own wine ( Corkage £2 per bottle) The service was excellent and could not be faulted. We had the Seafood Bisque as a starter with some granary bread. It was very tasteful and creamy but a little salty for my liking. One of us chose the crab cake for main which was rather on the cool side but the cooked chips were golden and hot. The rest of us chose the 'shell off' lobster, prawn and lobster. This was delicious but again a little too salty. (Ask of a spoon!)If you like to try something a little different then Beaches in Alnmouth is a must.

Beaches is such a wonderful little restaurant. It had such a great atmosphere to it and such character to it. The food was some of the best seafood i've had ever. I had a seafood bisque to start and the most amazing fish fillet pieces for main. It was just so great. I wish we could go back everyday!

We stayed one night in Alnmouth and just chanced upon Beaches and phoned to book - they only had an early table which suited fine on this occasion. They don't have a drinks licence so you will need to bring your own wine and pay corkage. The intimate dining room can seat about 24 max on about 7 or 8 tables and is dressed in a nautical/fishermen theme. We started with a seafood bisque followed by lobster thermidor and fish in sauce dish. Both came with a selection of fresh vegetables in an adjoining dish. No space for puds on this occasion. All the food was excellent and the service was attentive and prompt. If you don't like fish this isn't the place for you but surely this restaurant deserves better than 7 out of 12 eateries in Alnmouth?

Whenever we come to stay in Alnmouth (which is most years!!) we always like to visit Beaches. We visited last night as the start to our holiday and what a fabulous meal we had.I had the seafood bisque to start which was amazing, hubby had lobster & prawn in a sauce which was equally as good.I then opted for the shell off lobster and scallops in a Thermidor sauce, hubby had the Amble smoked haddock & ling, both were really really tasty.I couldn't manage a pud, but hubby managed the meringue with strawberries & raspberries and ice cream which he thoroughly enjoyed.Such a fab little gem of a place and it was lovely to chat to Donald at the end of the night.We'll definitely be back !!

We'd originally booked in here for the start of our holiday. A guide dog was among our party and we were informed that as a large group of possibly noisy golfers were in that night, perhaps might not be the best atmosphere for the dog. We all felt this was extremely thoughtful. We collared Don in the street towards the end of our stay and managed to get a table for the next night. We weren't disappointed. Yes, the menu is small, but that's no bad thing. Food excellent. Matching cutlery? Who cares. They look to be fully booked most nights, there's a chalk board outside giving availability for a few nights ahead if you just go on spec.

We revisited Beaches on a whim, meeting Donald and Sue and spontaneously reserved a table for the following Saturday. Brought our own wines and everything was excellent from start(er) to finish. I opted for the crabcakes as a main, and boy were they overfilled with local crab, oozing taste, a special treat for your palate. The desert is my all-time favourite: Chocolate Pot, freely translated into "Death by Chocolate".....Beaches is not (yet) very well known, and I feel is under-appreciated, but I think you should try this hidden gem if you are in the area, well worth the journey.

Beaches is an interesting restuarant in the owners' front room. They look after you very well and the service was good. The vegetarian food was terrible though, it tasted like no effort had been put in and as though it came from a packet or tin and not warmed up properly at that. The bring your own wine idea worked really well but the food quality wasn't good enough for us to go back.

Having read the favorable reviews of Beaches I was really looking forward to our visit. The restaurant was both cosy and quirky and the feeling of having the table for the whole evening is always nice. The BYOB factor was a bonus and may have swung our decision to dine at Beaches. The menu is small which I often find a good thing. We had a wide range of the food that was on offer across our table and unfortunately there was nothing that really blew us away. Starters all went down well, the bisque was tasty and the pigeon breast plump and well cooked.Without sounding too harsh the mains were a little average, very much home style cooking dishes but certainly room for improvement.I had the special of Trout with ragu and garlic potatoes. The fish tasted fresh, was well cooked and locally sourced as advertised. The ragu was described as including olives and artichokes though these were very much lacking in a sauce that was mostly tomato and onion and very poorly seasoned.My partner had fish with a crab and chorizo risotto of which was rather chalky and bland and not as I would expect.Elsewhere there was a steak which was served with oven chips, again a little bit disappointing though perhaps not their speciality.Overall we had a lovely personal experience and the staff were very welcoming. I certainly wouldn't want to discourage anyone from visiting Beaches as it makes a change to the pub grub available elsewhere in Alnmouth.

Beaches is a small restaurant in the centre of Alnmouth. Cooking is done by Sue and front of house by her hubby who's name I missed. It's very personal and friendly. If there's time you could chat for hours but we were there on a very quiet night, so busier times might be a little different. Service is at whatever speed you want it to be and the food is delightful. At this time of year they are offering a taster menu at a fixed price. It's all local produce and tastes fresh and very well prepared. My poached hake on crabmeat risotto with a chorizo base was great and my wife's local game pie was equally good.We had not realised it was cash or cheque only and there was no atm in the village. We found out before we had ordered but it was no problem and we transferred the payment when we got home. Didn't have to leave Ginny as deposit, though she probably would not have minded being stranded there for a few hours.Take your own drink, always a good way to keep costs down.A thoroughly nice experience. We shall certainly go back when the a la carte is on.

After looking at the online menu and seeing favourable reviews we were looking forward to visiting the Beaches. We were a family party of 8 and none of us had been there before. We received a warm welcome by the proprietor who led us through the fairly limited menu. The seafood antipasti was quite disappointing - two or three prawns in marie rose sauce on a slice of cucumber; a piece of melba toast with a scraping of kipper pate; a piece of roll mop herring on a slice of lemon and a small piece of smoked trout and smoked salmon - whilst all were nice were not value at £6.95. The special shell off lobster, salmon and prawns in "thermidor" sauce was poor. It came in a gratin dish, swimming in cream with very little fish in it - for £16.95. Overall the visit was a disappointment as I had looked forward to a fish restaurant serving a variety of fish dishes. The dishes were very similar in being Mornay or Thermidor sauces - all of which can be pre-prepared in advance ready to cook. There was no fish on the bone on offer and only one meat dish - again a casserole. The desserts were lack lustre and basic. The toilet facilities left a lot to be desired - basically a bathroom for both men and women to use. Overall the experience did not live up to expectations or the reviews from other visitors.

We had been warned that Beaches was quirky, but recommended to it. It is small and cosy, like being in someone's front room. The menu is written on a blackboard and the choice is small but interesting. We took our own wine which was dealt with efficiently, and a £2 corkage charged. The host was very friendly and welcoming. I had the special - lobster thermidor, which was very good. My husband had cod, which was good. There was a selection of fresh veg to accompany. I had lemon brulee tart, which was excellent. My husband had the cheese board - an interseting selection, accompanied by grapes from Kelso! Unlimited coffee rounded off the evening. We would certainly return.

The food and atmosphere of Beaches restaurant in Alnmouth is excellent. Located in the main street, it would be easy to miss but has apparently been running for 28 years. Book in advance so that you're not disappointed as the restauant only accommodates about 20 people. When we visited it was open towards the end of the week only but maybe there are more nights available in season.The atmosphere is friendly, informal and cosy. The service is superb, warm friendly, attentive but relaxed and unhurried. The menu is written up on a huge blackboard. The fish is fresh and cooked to perfection. We enjoyed a selection of seafood as a starter and a delicious hake risotto.The home made apple pie and custard was melt in the mouth! The Beaches is not licenced and there is a small charge for corkage. A three course meal for two with coffee was under £70. A real treat.

Beaches is something of a novelty. Inside it is a large room with 'seashore' decorations, and the menu written on boards round the walls. The food is very good. Not, perhaps, the most excellent but tasty, delicious and well-cooked, and at a reasonable price. Guests need to take their own alcohol (there is a small corkage charge). Sea food options are very good - fresh and excellently cooked. If we had been in Alnmouth longer we would definitely have returned.

On a girls' weekend away, we were looking for somewhere special - but affordable. And we found it! From the lovely feeling that we had been warmly welcomed into our host's front room, to the friendly chat while our wine (bring your own) was poured to the fabulous atmoshere and, of course, the top-notch food. My dish of lobsters, prawns and salmon was cooked to perfection and my friends enjoyed equally delicious dishes. So glad we stumbled across this gem of a restaurant in Almouth - will definitely be making a return visit. And I suspect we will still be chatting about Beaches when even we can no longer describe ourselves as girls!

Eaten here before, and it didn't let us down.Food was as good as the last time and very reasonably pricedNice, relaxed atmosphere - best place to eat seafood in the area!

My wife and I have been here before and had a great meal on our last visit to Alnmouth but have struggled to get in again, however we were able to get a table at the end of our holiday.Quite simply it is a brilliant restaurant, the decor is 'quirky' but has character. We had an assiette of seafood each to start which was devine. For our main course we had lobster and prawn thermadoor and fresh vegetables which was superb and both had sweets which were excellent. Coffee and mints. It is a 'B Y O' bring your own wine so this keeps the price down. Travel is one of our hobies and we have eaten round the world but this is a 'top 10' for us. The owner is really nice and friendly and we had a long chat at the end of our meal and he was happy to recommend other restaurants in Alnmouth! If in Alnmouth do give this a go, you have to look when it's open but do try and you will not be disappointed.

Discovered Beaches on a recent trip to Northumberland. A small, intimate restaurant in a room festooned with eclectic items of a nautical nature!The food is locally sourced... direct from the fishing boats at Amble and nearby, plus meat from local farmers.The menu is dictated by what is fresh, seasonal and available. The food is cooked to perfection and very reasonably priced... (The Lobster is to die for!)This is the sort of eulogy that you might expect to be reserved for 'top London restaurants'.. but sadly few of those could begin to compare with the quality, the personal service, the atmosphere and the warmth of the welcome.I'm sure there are other good restaurants in the area, but we were so impressed we decided not to risk a comparison test and booked again for the following night. Once again it was superb! Donald manages to create a wonderful atmosphere and every customer is made to feel special.It's definitely one to add to your wish-list!No alcohol licence, but you can take your own and Donald will serve it for a very modest corkage fee. Make sure you book too, as it fills up very quickly!