Surfside Fish Bar & Restaurant
Quick info
About Surfside Fish Bar & Restaurant
Surfside Fish Bar & Restaurant serves fish and chips, along with cafe and bar options, at 3 Seaton Reach in Hartlepool. The menu covers fish and chips, fishcakes, and scampi, with mushy peas offered plain or with curry or gravy, and meals come with bread and butter on the side. Afternoon tea and a selection of cakes are also available. Outdoor seating overlooks the sea, giving diners a place to eat with a view of the bay. The entrance is step-free, suiting visitors with mobility needs, and high chairs are on hand for families with young children. Dogs are welcome at the tables. It opens daily during the daytime only, and reservations are recommended. A loyalty card rewards repeat visits with free drinks after a set number of purchases. Parking is free, though drivers need to enter their car registration on a tablet or at the sign provided to qualify.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
Menu & Prices
77 dishes · mains £2–14- Full English Breakfast£10.95
- Vegetarian Breakfast£10.95
- Breakfast Buns£4.80
- Beans On Toast£4.00
- Toasted Tea Cake£2.90
- Freshly Baked Scones£2.90
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, parking registration and fines, scampi and mushy peas.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, parking registration and fines, scampi and mushy peas.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw the most consistent praise, with reviewers repeatedly describing the cod and haddock as freshly cooked, crisp, and tasty, alongside fishcakes and chips that several call fantastic. Close behind, the panacalty and battered mushy peas earn strong enthusiasm, and the sausages, afternoon tea, and cakes with tea and coffee are also singled out for return visits. Service is mostly called friendly and prompt, though it is inconsistent: some describe average or preoccupied staff, being ignored despite empty tables, and having to ask repeatedly for cutlery, sauces, or mayonnaise. A few visits report quality slipping, with one reviewer describing overcooked fish with hard batter and disappointing cakes on a recent visit, and another finding the chips scrappy and the scampi and tartar sauce mediocre. One diner reports a hygiene concern, describing a staff member touching his hair and cap before handling food bare-handed. The most recurring complaint involves parking, with multiple reviewers saying they were not told to enter their car registration and were later hit with parking fines despite eating there, with one calling the practice sneaky and another vowing not to return.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw the most consistent praise, with reviewers repeatedly describing the cod and haddock as freshly cooked, crisp, and tasty, alongside fishcakes and chips that several call fantastic. Close behind, the panacalty and battered mushy peas earn strong enthusiasm, and the sausages, afternoon tea, and cakes with tea and coffee are also singled out for return visits. Service is mostly called friendly and prompt, though it is inconsistent: some describe average or preoccupied staff, being ignored despite empty tables, and having to ask repeatedly for cutlery, sauces, or mayonnaise. A few visits report quality slipping, with one reviewer describing overcooked fish with hard batter and disappointing cakes on a recent visit, and another finding the chips scrappy and the scampi and tartar sauce mediocre. One diner reports a hygiene concern, describing a staff member touching his hair and cap before handling food bare-handed. The most recurring complaint involves parking, with multiple reviewers saying they were not told to enter their car registration and were later hit with parking fines despite eating there, with one calling the practice sneaky and another vowing not to return.
Featured reviews
- C S
“Fairly standard fish and chips shop. Great location. Average food . Portion size a little on the small side especially the chip butty's.”
- sarah marsey
“Great food.my family enjoyed it very much thanks”
- Susie Irwin
“Great Little chippy restaurant,, decent fish and the kids LOVED there's being served in a plastic tub boat!!! Right on the beach and a nice promenade walk to reach it from either hartlepool or Seaton Carew”
- Izzy Kakoz
“Great cafe, perfect for dietary needs. Gluten free and vegan cakes. View is very nice too :).”
- Dawn Gallacher
“Lovely food reasonably priced, friendly staff ,ample parking , Will definitely be back”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Takeaway
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Vegetarian options
- Bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services
- Dining options· 8
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Offerings· 7
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Highlights· 3
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Parking
- Planning· 1
- Brunch reservations recommended
Location
Restaurants near Surfside Fish Bar & Restaurant
- The Almighty Cod4.42,3430.7 mi
gluten free fish and chips, homemade tartar sauce, generous portions
- Fish Face4.49820.8 miWheelchair accessible
fish and chips, curry sauce, gluten free cod
- Golden Dragon4.3871.3 mi
house special black bean sauce, king prawns, chow mein
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfside Fish Bar & RestaurantOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.31,606 | — | fish and chips, parking registration and fines, scampi |
| The Almighty Cod | 4.42,343 | 0.7 mi | gluten free fish and chips, homemade tartar sauce, generous portions |
| Fish FaceWheelchair accessible | 4.4982 | 0.8 mi | fish and chips, curry sauce, gluten free cod |
| Golden Dragon | 4.387 | 1.3 mi | house special black bean sauce, king prawns, chow mein |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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