From breezy beach bars and elegant waterfront dining rooms to much-loved cafés and hidden rooftop gems, the Lancashire coast serves up a rich mix of flavours with a view, according to Lancashire Life.
The Bus Yard, Crosby
On the beachfront at Crosby Marina, The Bus Yard makes the most of its prime position with elevated seating on top of a converted bus and a cluster of colourful beach huts facing the Irish Sea.
From here you can sip a cocktail or craft beer while looking out over Antony Gormley’s famous Another Place iron men sculptures.
Street food is cooked from a shipping container kitchen, championing local suppliers with generous, crowd-pleasing dishes that suit sandy-toed wanderers and sunset lingerers.
The perfect spot for lazy coastal afternoons.
Also with sites at Liverpool Waterfront and Liverpool ONE.
What to try: Go for their loaded fries, Greek food plates or something from their beach bar cocktail list.
Goodness Gracious roof garden, Liverpool
On the eighth floor of West Africa House, Oh Me, Oh My’s Goodness Gracious roof garden offers what many consider Liverpool’s finest city views, with close-up vistas of the Three Graces and sweeping panoramas over the River Mersey.
This city spot, from the team at Leaf, is an elegant yet relaxed setting for cocktails, afternoon tea or a glass of fizz as the sun sinks behind the waterfront.
The menu has everything from carefully crafted drinks to classic British bites, making it as much a destination for its standard of hospitality as for that unforgettable skyline view.
Opening hours are weather-dependent, so check before travel.
What to try: Spritz, beers and cocktails galore.
Want something more?
Head inside to Oh Me, Oh My to try the Twinkle Afternoon Tea or Disco Afternoon Tea with tiers of sandwiches, cakes and still warm scones.
For a special experience, pair it with a glass of Prosecco or a house cocktail.
The Morecambe Hotel, Morecambe
Locals Rod and Karen Taylor spent two years restoring this former coaching inn before opening in 2015.
Now their daughter Amy, along with Dan Winward, both licensees, run The Morecambe Hotel, bringing relaxed, modern dining to the edge of Morecambe Bay.
Recently put into the national spotlight, featuring on the Netflix series At Home with the Furys, inside, you will find an informal restaurant and a welcoming bar ideal for lingering in after a walk along the promenade.
Classic, elevated but unfussy dishes are on the menu, from breakfasts to Sunday lunches, with hearty portions and a focus on comfort.
The large outdoor area offers plenty of space for families to soak up the coastal air, with the seafront just a few steps away.
What to try: Classic fish and chips or locally sourced steak.
Clifton Arms Hotel, Lytham
Overlooking Lytham Green with views that stretch across the broad sweep of the Ribble estuary, the four-star Clifton Arms pairs traditional seaside elegance with thoroughly modern comforts.
Its AA rosetted restaurant is known for refined, contemporary British cooking, showcasing quality local ingredients in seasonal menus.
Afternoon tea is another highlight, best enjoyed while watching the ever-changing light over the water from the lounge or terrace.
It’s the perfect spot for unhurried eating and drinking after a stroll along the front or a day exploring the Fylde Coast.
What to try: The market fish of the day with a perfectly paired glass of wine.
Morecambe Bay Chowder Company, Morecambe
This is a small operation with a big reputation, celebrated for bringing restaurant quality chowder and seafood-led comfort food to the coast.
Using superb local produce from the bay, Chorley-born Pete Stephenson and his wife Helen serve bowls brimming with flavour in various locations, including at Central Promenade in Morecambe, Arnside and Glasson Dock, from their solar-powered chowder tricycle, Harry.
It’s named after Harry Roberts MBE, the first commander of the Hurley Flyer hovercraft stationed in Morecambe.
This is a must-stop spot for hungry coastal wanderers, but if you aren’t able to get to their tricycle, their Take Home Chowder is now stocked in various places, including Booths stores, Port of Lancaster Smokehouse at Glasson Dock and Seaborn Stores in Bare.
What to try: The signature Bay Chowder in a bread bowl.
Beach House Bar & Restaurant, Blackpool
Set right on the prom, Beach House is all about big skies and bigger views.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and a broad terrace give diners front row seats for sunsets, air shows and illuminations, with panoramic coastal vistas that appeal in any weather.
The menu majors on freshly cooked, internationally inspired dishes – from seafood and salads to gourmet burgers – complemented by an extensive list of cocktails, wines and craft beers.
Chic yet relaxed, it is a place where laid-back luxe meets classic British seaside energy.
What to try: A Passionfruit Paloma with oysters or grilled octopus.
The Wolf Café, Silverdale
A short stroll from limestone headlands and sweeping bay views, The Wolf Café is a much-loved stop off for walkers, day trippers and lucky locals.
Inside, there is the scent of freshly ground coffee and gorgeous green interiors.
The talented kitchen team is known for generous breakfasts, excellent cakes and café classics – think salmon ciabattas, flavourful soups and excellent bakes and cakes.
It’s a busy spot, and a sister business to the Lone Wolf Bakery in Lancaster, fuelled by brilliant baking.
What to try: A cinnamon roll with a seriously good cup of coffee.
Port of Lancaster Smokehouse, Glasson Dock
This is the place to stock up for a picnic or some gourmet grazing.
Specialising in traditionally cured smoked fish and seafood, this family-run smokehouse on the Lune Estuary has operated for decades and produces award-winning gourmet smoked fish, meat, cheese, game and poultry.
Choose from moreish morsels including slow-smoked Scottish salmon, oak-smoked kippers and Morecambe Bay potted shrimps and a range of smoked cheeses, all prepared on site using salt and natural smoke.
The shop and deli is the ideal place to pick up some coastal specialities before heading home.
What to try: Impossible to choose, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t try their smoked salmon.
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The Silverdale Hotel, Silverdale
This popular spot, which has been run by Richard, Caroline, Alan and Mary Binks since 2016, is the kind of village inn where sea views, home-cooked food and a well-kept pint come as standard.
The conservatory and al fresco dining areas are perfect for tucking into hearty, locally sourced dishes while looking out towards the shifting tides of Morecambe Bay.
Family-run and friendly, The Silverdale Hotel is a place serving informal coastal hospitality with food that punches well above traditional pub expectations.
What to try: Beer-battered haddock and chunky beef dripping chips, fish pies and mussels.
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