Over the last few years, Amble has gained a deserved reputation as one of the best foodie spots on the Northumberland coast. Eat seafood minutes after it’s landed at the harbour, savour some of the best ice cream for miles, and take home superb Northumbrian meat pies. We love Amble – here’s our pick of its best foodie stops
The Amble Butcher
Mention The Amble Butcher to the locals, and they will immediately eulogise about the amazing homemade pies. Happen upon its website, and the first thing you’re greeted with is a glowing write up from us at appetite, which pledges un-dying allegiance to the pies, the Northumbrian free-range pork, the local beef and lamb, the home-cured bacon and all there is on offer at this famous butcher’s shop. Pop in and say hello to Peter Forsyth and his knowledgeable team, and take home some of the best tastes in Northumberland.
Queen St, Amble, NE65 0BX, tel 01665 712700, www.theamblebutcher.wixsite.com
Dolly’s and Daisy’s
Think floral bunting and coastal cottage chic and you have this lovely tearoom and gift shop – one of those little gems you find and keep coming back to. They do love a good cake here, the bigger, the more indulgent the better, to-die-for hot chocolate, and a lovely afternoon tea which is also available to take away in a neat little box to enjoy on the last late summer days on the beach. All this, and the shop is full of unusual and handcrafted gifts.
Queen St, Amble NE65 0DA, tel 01665 711444, www.facebook.com/dollysdaisys
Fish Shack at the Seaquest
Owned by the team who also have the excellent Old Boat House just along the way, The Fish Shack at the Seaquest is housed in an old hut and a cobble which have been converted to create a quirky seaside kitchen serving up something different every day. Try the amazing fish and chips, the Thai mussels, fish finger sandwiches, and the fresh crab some of us would honestly die for, washed down with a cool beer. We can’t decide if we love it or The Old Boat House best, so we just keep going back to both.
Harbour Quayside Amble, NE65 0AA, tel 07426 277158, www.facebook.com/Fishshackambble
Jasper’s Bistro
Jasper’s is an excellent café bar during the day and a bistro in the evening, where Ryan Humphreys’ hand-written menus are his tribute to the fabulous ingredients he sources locally each day. You may enjoy wonderful seared scallops and pork belly, the freshest local oysters with lemon and shallot vinegar, a superb local fish platter or a creamy butternut squash risotto. The puddings are homemade and incredibly indulgent, the atmosphere in the evenings is laid back and cosy, while during the day it’s busy and buzzing.
Bridge St, Amble, NE65 0DR, tel 01665 714724, www.facebook.com/Jaspersbistro
La Famiglia
Recently opened by Martin and Ruth Charlton of the excellent Old Boat House Group, La Familglia is a proper Italian ristorante, serving up authentic rustic Italian dishes hand crafted with Northumbrian ingredients. The pasta and pizzas showcase Italian flours and Northumberland eggs while local seafood and meat feature throughout a menu which offers up superb pizzas, authentic pasta and risotto, meat, fish and antipasto. A fantastic addition to Amble’s thriving food scene.
Queen Street, Amble, NE65 0DD, tel 01665 711 862, www.facebook.com/lafamigliaamble
The Old Boat House
The appetite team will go a long way for fish fresh off the boat, and The Old Boat House serves up the freshest you can get, landed yards from the kitchen door by the fishermen of Amble for Martin Charlton and his talented team to serve complete with views of the fishing boats and the smell of the sea. The deserved Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year in the 2017 Fishing News Awards, it’s a must-visit. Our top tip – the razor clams.
Leazes St, Amble, NE65 0AA, tel 01665 711232, www.boathousefoodgroup.co.uk
The Old Storehouse
This Victorian former grain store maintains strong links with the best local suppliers, serving up salmon smoked in Seahouses, Northumbrian cheese and North Sea fish. The menu is gastro pub in character, featuring dishes such as Aberdeen Angus burger, Steak and ale pie, pan fried king prawns, light plates, sandwiches and puddings, and the events schedule is busy and lively.
Links Road, Amble NE65 0SD, tel 01665 710500, www.theoldstorehouseamble.co.uk
Spurreli
A deserved winner of multiple awards,his relaxed ice cream and coffee bar is devoted to the love of homemade ice cream, sundaes and sorbets, decadent cakes and excellent coffee. Ice cream doesn’t get better than this – elderflower and ginger, coconut and lime, macadamia – name your favourite ingredients and they’re highly likely to have made an ice cream from it.
The Old Chandlery, Coquet Street, Amble, NE65 0DJ, tel 01665 710 890, www.spurreli.com
