The isles of Scilly have a growing reputation as a real foodie destination; wonderfully self-sufficient the local produce thrives in the mild climate. From the island-made Troytown ice cream (as previously extolled); fresh and flavoursome home-grown vegetables and salad; to micro vineyards (the Holy Vale and St Martin’s); a Women’s Institute 1945 Cornish pasty recipe (and other delicious baked goods) at The Island Bakery and even a German Kaffehaus with fresh apple strudel and a tiny outlet in the local hairdressers; the culinary food and drink scene is thriving. They even have their own distillery to produce the tangy Tresco Gin. However, it should come as no surprise that the real food stars of these islands are the fish and seafood taken directly from the surrounding sea. John Dory, mackerel , pollock, plaice, haddock, mussels, scallops, crab, lobster and shrimp, all are in glorious abundance and in the summer, shacks often pop up serving them simply cooked and incredibly delicious.
Our Must Eats
Take Robert’s wine and lobster lunch at the Holy Vale Vineyard on St Mary’s at £24.50 per person.
Try the Ales of Scilly beer, even just to appreciate that wonderful pun on the name.
The Hell Bay Hotel on Bryher hosts a pop-up crab shack in the summer with only crab, mussels and scallops on the menu and fries, salad and bread to dip, it is a wonderfully rustic and a gloriously messy-handed affair.
Like every good British seaside destination, the title of best fish and chips must be awarded and for us, it belongs to Adam’s Fish & Chips in Higher Town, St Martin’s. Housed in a simple log cabin, that sits behind the beach. It’s a real family affair with Adam hand-catching the fish that is served and his brother supplying the spuds from his local farm. Only open 3 days a week in Summer, to allow for fishing time. Don’t just take our word for it, the queues speak for themselves!
On stylish Tresco, beachfront Ruin Beach Café offers a wood-fired, laid-back Mediterranean vibe.
Iconic lunch spot Juliet’s (St Mary’s) has been serving customers for nearly 40 years, a beautiful affair with sweeping views you sit amongst the gardens on the couple’s former flower farm.
For something a little different, Dibble and Grub is housed, beachside (complete with terrace for those sunset views) in the island’s former fire station. They make use of the local produce to create wonderful Spanish Tapas style small plates.
Try a huge doorstop crab sandwich at scenic Coastguards Café on tiny St Agnes, by night it transforms into a high-end seafood restaurant, High Tide and has a growing reputation as the best restaurant on all the isles.
Lastly, don’t miss the opportunity to drink at the (self-proclaimed) world’s smallest bar, Fraggle Rock on Bryher, if nothing else it is a superb location for a sundowner.
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