The Seafood Restaurant

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6,798 reviews

#15 of 53 Restaurants in Padstow££££, Seafood, British, Vegetarian friendly

+44 1841 532700+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 20:30

Mon

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 20:30

Tue

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 20:30

Wed

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 20:30

Thu

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 20:30

Fri

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 20:30

Sat

12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 21:00

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MICHELIN

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

6,798 reviews

#15 of 53 Restaurants in Padstow

MICHELIN

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RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Seafood, British, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

“Great fillet steak, pigeon and desserts”

“We shared tempura oysters (amazing), lobster risotto and soft shelled crab to...”

Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Groups, Business meetings

“The Seafood restaurant was the destination for a wedding anniversary while st...”

“A birthday treat.”

Location and contact

Riverside, Padstow, Padstow PL28 8BY England

+44 1841 532700

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MICHELIN Guide's Point of View

A stylish, laid-back, local institution – dominated by a large pewter-topped bar. Daily menus showcase fresh fish and shellfish. Classic dishes sit alo...

Read more on MICHELIN Guide

Details

Manage this business?

About

Opened by Rick Stein and Jill Stein in 1975, The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow is famous for establishing an international reputation for the very freshest fish and shellfish, often landed on our doorstep. Head chef, Stephane Delourme and his team create simple seafood dishes with classic flavours using Rick's recipes. We have a seafood bar right in the middle of the restaurant where you can watch chefs assembling platters of oysters, langoustines and sashimi. No reservations are required for the bar and you can order anything from the a la carte menu.

PRICE RANGE

£0.00 – £74.00

CUISINES

Seafood, British

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available

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4.5

6,798 reviews

Excellent

4,301

Very good

1,234

Average

741

Poor

345

Terrible

177

RochdaleGazelle

Rochdale10 contributions

Lovely meal for a special occasion

Aug 2020 • none

Myself, partner and our teenage daughter visited the Seafood Restaurant on Saturday just gone - 29th August for my partner's 50th birthday, so wanted somewhere nice for her milestone. Personally, we loved it. The setting is very nice overlooking Padstow harbour, and the interior is very stylish with tables situated around the perimeter of the room around a large central bar rotunda. The food was excellent too. Rick Stein has a reputation for doing seafood simply, but there are definitely some more complicated dishes. I would heartily recommend the Indonesian seafood curry which I fancied for a bit of a change. If you have a fussy eater ( like my daughter !) then the fish and chips is also very nice. The menu is pretty extensive, so should provide something for all fish lovers - there's a nice fillet steak if you don't. Apart from the excellent food, what we particularly liked was the friendly, affable service. Sometimes when you visit an 'upmarket' restaurant, the service can be a bit formal and intrusive, which we personally don't like, but here, the waitresses were all friendly, polite and relaxed, which we think leads to a better ambience. Sure it's a bit more expensive than other restaurants, and you can eat good food elsewhere for less, but it's certainly not prohibitively dear and in our opinion was well worth the visit. We'll definitely make a point of returning sometime in the future.

Written 1 September 2020

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Rachel

Wiltshire2 contributions

Excellent food and service - can't wait to return!

Dec 2019 • none

The food and service are of equal high quality. Ate at the Seafood Restaurant whilst staying in the hotel above. My partner and I had a Thursday night 8.15pm sitting and it was still fairly busy on a week night. Great service as soon as we arrived - chair pulled out for you etc (some may say pretentious but I like it!). Staff gave suggestions of nice wine and knew the food menu well, helped me decide when I couldn't choose between two starters by explaining the different flavors of the two. Our meal was part of the hotel package so three courses were already paid for, however by the time it came to puddings we were both stuffed but the waitress encouraged us to try the puddings as it was included in the price - nice they wanted us to get the full experience. Overall a lovey evening where we felt 'special' and some of the best fish I've ever had! Breakfast in the Seadfood restaurant also outstanding lots of food and drink choice and again service brilliant, we had our dog with us (you eat in the conservatory if you have a dog but this is actually a better view) he was also served his own breakfast each morning (hot sausage!) and the staff very welcoming of dogs. Can't wait to return, thank you for a lovely weekend.

Written 8 January 2020

MLAJF

London257 contributions

A good seafood restaurant,

Aug 2020 • couples

A good seafood restaurant, but not it is not a great restaurant. Even allowing for the slightly strange post lock down arrangements there were still some areas for improvement. On the positive side, the restaurant is in a fabulous location, though I recommend parking in the main car park and walking down, the car park opposite is usually full and the spaces are narrow and awkward. The food is very seafood focused with a children’s menu. The cooking quality is very good with some excellent flavours in the sauces and portion size is good. I particularly enjoyed the sauce with the mussels which was chilli based instead of the usual cream. On the needs improvement side, my partner said the ladies toilets was disgusting, which surprised me a lot, the men’s was ok, but to not check regularly is poor. The service was ok, but the staff were all very young, not really familiar with the menu and not fully aware of what they were serving - we ordered bread to accompany our starters, which arrived late and the bread was dry hard from sitting under the heat lamp. The other area to be mindful of is the price, this is not a cheap place to eat, and whilst nothing is bad, nothing is brilliant and this means fairly average value for money.

Written 8 August 2020

Anna Loves Holidays

8 contributions

Believe the hype!

Jan 2020 • none

Where to start, restaurant setting is lovely, the decor is classy, the atmosphere is vibrant and the food is unreal. Large menu something for everyone, they even did Lobster thermidor for my partner even though it wasn't on the menu. It is pricey as you would expect, but i really feel like it is much more than a meal out and more of an experience, its definitely worth the extra pennies though, the size of the portions are more than expected. Literally the seafood soup comes in such a large bowl which served probably served 3 bowls of soup! the Indonesian curry was really tasty, so filling unfortunately so filling i didn't even have room for dessert! I would definitely recommend this restaurant and would go as far to say it is one of the nicest meals we have had.

Written 28 January 2020

Valerie R

Chicago20 contributions

Worst starter ever ...

Aug 2020 • couples

The only table we could book was at 9.45pm a little late for us but we thought it would be worth it. I had read their Covid messages about not arriving early as they couldn’t serve drinks at the bar so we arrived on time only to be told our table was not quite ready! Not a good start and my dissatisfied comment was overheard by a waiter who showed us to our table there and then so not sure what was not ready? We had a well placed table by the window which was open and quite draughty. Having eaten at St Petroc’s bistro the evening before my partner asked if the soup was the same as theres since he didn’t wish to repeat the experience, he was told it wasn’t but it was, only difference it was served in a tureen and there was easily enough for two. That would have been preferable to the starter I’d chosen the crispy fried mackerel which was terrible possibly the worst starter I’ve ever been served in my lifetime. The mackerel tasted like charcoal it was so burnt ... mackerel is a strong tasting fish but all I could taste was a bitter burnt taste with a spicy chilli salad ... I have never been so disappointed ☹️ the waitress realised something was wrong and asked if I’d like another starter instead, I choose crab linguine which wasn’t brilliant either could hardly see or taste the crab, dish under seasoned and linguine in parts clumped together in a sticky mess!! Yuk! Main course improved lobster Thermidor good as was the turbot ... the service was very slow and we did have to ask how much longer the mains were going to be. I had a pudding raspberry creme brûlée which I enjoyed followed by coffee. All in all a bit disappointing especially for the price - Rick I’ve tried two of your restaurants I’m afraid to say have no desire to repeat the experience ever! Thank you for not charging me for the burnt mackerel.

Written 4 August 2020

CriticM

Kent572 contributions

"Five Star Fast Food"

Aug 2020 • none

Where do I start, having frequented Sandbasnks on a few occassion I was looking forward to Padstow,we had travelled some distance from where we were staying to have this meal/experience but it let us down. It was like the old Angus Steak house in London Victoria, you could hardly hear yourself at the table, kitchen is on top of you in the restaurant, a loud bar area and you are paying top dollar for this experience..... We had only just been shown our seat when we were being asked what drinks we wanted... Portions on the set lunch menu were not generous, no bread is offered, only a wine list left on the table, the childrens menu was okay but again for the price you are paying the portions are meagre. Our bil was well over £200 which seemed a lot for a little NO Comparisson to Sandbanks. I wonder if Rick knows.?

Written 27 August 2020

Thomasfoodie

Swansea17 contributions

Annual visit to Padstow

Mar 2020 • couples

Another fantastic 3 day break in Padstow . Beautiful room with its own decking, we ate on the Friday & the Saturday in the Seafood Restaurant . Both nights we had beautiful fresh fish with the Langoustines and the Dover Sole exceptional. Unfortunately the Friday night was partially spoilt by an obnoxious man siting at the table next to us. Everything was fine until whilst he was finishing his Lobster Thermidor he notice a tiny slug in his salad. We then had to suffer his extraordinary actions of complaint. Service and management handled the situation as best they could but having eaten the first course, the lobster and drunk the wine his insistence that he would not pay for a single part of his meal was completely over the top. After all the slug did prove the salad was fresh. Fortunately he soon left and the remaining dinners could have a good laugh over this mans reaction. To add insult to injury I have seen he has left a 1 star review, which should be ignored. Looking forward to the next visit.

Written 9 March 2020

happy1507

London44 contributions

Disappointed

Nov 2020 • none

We were looking forward to our celebratory lunch (60th birthday) and had rented a house at Padstow for 14 days particulary to try Rick's Stein restaurants (I am a big fan of his books and recipes). Unfortunately, the lock down was announced just as we arrived. We went to the Seafood restaurant and was extremely disappointed to be seated at a table for 5 right in the busy corridor of service and surrounded by full tables; when there were many empty more socially distanced tables available. We asked to move as I felt very uncomfortable, the tables less than 2ft apart with no screens. The GM said it was not possible because they were full "with people making last minute bookings" but the other tables did not start seating until at least 2 hours after we had asked to be moved. Disappointing attitude, not the place to go if you want to be specially treated. Alternatively, Petroc Bistro was extremely accommodating and really tried to please.

Written 4 November 2020

David1309

Bath192 contributions

Still great- well mostly

Jan 2020 • couples

We have visited Rick Steins Seafood restaurant a few times and it has been excellent. This time it was a charity lunch offer at £22.50, only available from Jan 20th for a few weeks. It was so well booked up that we had to settle for a three o’clock time slot, however we got there early at 2.30 and their unfailingly helpful staff got us a table in five minutes. The choice was limited and whilst still good not quite up to their top standards, perhaps given the price and the quantity of diners we should not be surprised. It was still a lovely event and Barbara our waitress was unfailing helpful which made the event even better. Where do they get such good staff? If you can get there whilst the offer is on I suggest you do it’s a lovely experience. David & Trish Bath

Written 21 January 2020

Melissa3d

6 contributions

Expensive disappointment

Aug 2020 • couples

Just short of £10 for one portion of fish goujons and chips! Costly. Sure you’re paying for the name, but I would have expected SO much better. You order at the entrance (Covid restrictions - understandable and fine), but after taking the order you’re directed to the back of the building. Only then you are told it’s a 25 minute wait for a meal that’s so pricey, you’re going to have share. Whilst waiting, several people were disgruntled as their order was wrong. They couldn’t even do a ‘sausage and chips’ for a child, correctly. We got ours and on opening (and for the price) at least expected copious amounts of chips Wrong again. Enough chips to probably fill two slices of bread (which I wished now we had had as it would have at least filled us up some more). Come on Rick - spuds are cheap and if your customer at least feels satisfied in the tummy, then that’s half the battle. I know we were sharing (I couldn’t bring myself to pay that sort of money for A portion of ‘nuggets’ for myself) but I made do with just one fish goujon to allow my husband to at least few like he had eaten something. Fish was superb I must say, the one piece I had - but hunger can make you feel that way. Don’t waste your time on this over priced, under stated and frugally portioned meal. Plenty of fish and chip places that looked like they offered a far better deal. Support the local business, not the millionaires that obviously has lost touch with their customer service. I’ve learnt that lesson at least.

Written 31 August 2020

jkdavies1

Manchester5 contributions

Perfect treat during lockdown, must-go for seafood lovers!

Jul 2020 • none

I visited Cornwall with family for a week, and whilst The Seafood Restaurant is out of our normal price range for eating out, we decided to book a table as we hadn't eaten out at all during lockdown and so it was the perfect treat. The food was outstanding! I thought the Indonesian seafood curry was particularly good value, it was beautiful. They were super careful in terms of Covid safety, e.g. the tables had plenty of space in between, the waiting staff wore masks, and they had an effective one-way system. The only thing I would comment on as feedback for future is that perhaps there could be some indication of the spice levels on certain dishes. This may be me being a little fussy, it's only because my mum cannot eat very spicy foods due to a condition, and so this would have been extra handy for her. In saying that, the waiting staff were really accurate with the spice level descriptions and she didn't find the spices overpowering so all good.

Written 29 July 2020

Daphne Fraser-Bell

Cheshire4 contributions

Arrogant, Uncaring Service = Poor Value

Jul 2020 • none

We had our first stay in Padstow a few weeks ago and we were inspired by the wonderful array of restaurants, notably the collection of Rick Stein venues. Reservations were made through Claire, the General Manager, who was helpful in assisting in our arrangements. We sampled all levels from Rick Stein's Cafe, the St.Petroc Brasserie and multiple visits to the Seafood Restaurant. We really enjoyed the food in each of the venues unfortunately the service at the flagship Seafood restaurant fell well short of our expectations and what anyone would demand from such an expensive restaurant. We made several attempts to meet Claire and thank her in person, unfortunately she was never available and no team member ever followed up. We were surprised that after 3 visits in the same week there was not a single occasion when we were welcomed back. Even more surpising as we are quite a distinctive, mixed-race couple. We were grateful that our request for a specific table was met on the last night we dined but again found it disappointing that the team member failed to use this opportunity to engage with us regarding our previous dining experiences which was 2 lunches and 2 dinners at Rick Stein establishments (despite reconfirming all of these reservations herself on our first day). On our 3rd visit to the Seafood Restaurant our expensive bill was simply tossed on our table and the individual just walked away. We appreciate covid-19 necessitates a different approach but found it shocking and arrogant that there was no attempt to engage on how our food was or perhaps say “Excuse me, you requested your bill”. We had already cancelled our reservation for the following night and this behaviour reinforced why we did. The Rick Stein cluster of venues in Padstow are very efficient in texting and messaging their customers on their reservations, its just a pity they don't apply the same level of proficiency to the care their staff provide when you actually visit. The food was wonderful, but we found The Seafood Restaurant overpriced and the quality of the service poor, soulless and purely transactional. Many lessons to be learnt from the Paul Ainsworth venues that we also dined at while in Padstow where the service blew us away and we felt our presence and £££'s were genuinely appreciated

Written 27 July 2020

johnnysholidays

London9 contributions

Bland, bland, bland .......

Aug 2020 • none

Food was “fine”, but the entire experience was bland. The room lacked atmosphere, there was no real feeling of conviviality or hospitality. Staff, mostly youngsters, were reasonably competent but failed to engage with the customer. Service was perfunctory and random. At c. £90 / head, it’s a very expensive lunch to be left feeling distinctly underwhelmed. As a flagship RS establishment, the experience was disappointing. It would seem that the lack of any management on the floor is a contributing factor. For a successful dining experience, atmosphere is just as important as the food !!

Written 28 August 2020

Matthew

Lincoln4 contributions

Not a very good experience

Sept 2020 • none

We had a booking at 20:30 and arrived on time only to be told by the women at reception that we were early and that our table would not be ready for 15mins. When we were eventually shown to our table, they had found the smallest table (barely large enough for drinks let alone food). The table did not sit flush with the floor and rocked back and forward (by as much as 20mm) every time one of us lent on the table. When we asked the waiter to sort it he tried folding pieces of paper and jamming it under the table to stop it from rocking, which proved to be unsuccessful. I would expect this when going down to the pub for a couple of pints but not at a restaurant when the customers are spending circa £85 per head. We then waited 20mins for our waiter to return to take our drinks order - yes that's correct, nobody had been to take our drinks order in all that time! making it 35mins from our table booking and nobody had taken a drinks order from us! When the waiter returned we ask if the window could be closed slightly as there was a cold draft blowing straight onto my wife, his response was "I am unable to close the window as it lowers the risk of transmission (of COVID)" I could maybe have understood his answer but it smacked with hypocrisy as he was standing about 2feet away from us without wearing a mask or a visor. At no point did the waiter offer us another table. We therefore ask if we can be moved which after a few minutes they were able to organise a table on the other side of the restaurant, which was much more pleasant. We had a table that didn't rock and the ambient temperature had risen by about 3degrees. Hallelujah! I'm sure we would have had a different experience if: 1. We were asked for a drink when waiting for our table 2. The table we were originally put on just simply shouldn't have been there and if you do decide to put it there but it is rocking all over the place then common sense should tell the manager that it is not possible. 3. the waiter should have been more attentive to our complaints and dealt with them faster. 4. Some staff members were wearing masks and others weren't making it very confusing for the customers. it's as if the manager has allowed the staff members to decide for themselves if they should / shouldn't wear a mask, which doesn't work. We got the feeling in the restaurant that is is all about cramming as many table into the space and turning them around as quickly as possible. The restaurant has clearly lost its way in the last few years and is focusing purely on the number of covers that can be forced through in a sitting to make as much money as possible, rather than focusing on give the customers a fine dinning experience that they will remember. We have been fortunate to eat at some nice restaurants in Cornwall over the past week and I can safely say that The Seafood Restaurant ranks at the bottom of the pile. I will remember this occasion but for the wrong reasons.

Written 14 September 2020

sam cousens

2 contributions

Poor service, good food but lost its sparkle.

Sept 2020 • none

We dined for my husband's 40th and I have to say we were disappointed. There were 2 maitre d's on duty but not one of them came over until we had to complain. Sat at our table we waited 20mins for an offer of a drink and when we had questions about the winelist there was an odd toing and froing between the waiter and sommelier. Why not just come over yourself? The waiter then sloshed wine over the table when pouring which was not cleaned up - small things but have added meaning when paying £30+ for a main course. I ordered the crab linguine which had shell in it, again I mentioned it to the rather theatrical waitress who apologised but that was it. The main(s) were sublime but it was not the experience we have had in the past. We got engaged at the Seafood Restaurant and as I said it has definitely lost some sparkle- naturally the service charge is added onto the bill. I think the place is missing Rick Stein's personal touch.

Written 30 September 2020