Rockfish Brixham: Fresh fish right in the heart of England’s Seafood Coast

Rainy days these days take me back to the drizzly spring day we spent in Brixham ending on a high with a fresh fish lunch at Rockfish. Right in the heart of England’s seafood coast, Brixham is a charming fishing village complete with its candy coloured houses down a slope and alleyways leading down to the harbour.

We arrived in Brixham on the second day of our stay on the British Riviera. Having set out a coastal walk from Torquay to a nearby beach, our plans were thwarted with heavy downpour. Next best thing seemed to be a day trip to a nearby village. Turns out, Brixham was the first best thing.

Despite a population of just 16,000 and a rainy day in the off-season, harbourside seemed to be buzzing when we arrived just after noon. While Brixham may deceptively look like a sleepy fishing village, there is actually plenty to do. A stroll along the waterfront promenade or a dip in p in Shoalstone pool, the iconic Art Deco seawater lido were both pointless endeavours on this slightly chilly and misty April day. So we settled on sightseeing around the village, with its range of gift shops, independent boutiques and eateries.

Too late for the recommended early morning visit to the Fish Market’s daily auction, we settled for the next best option which was to head for a late lunch at Rockfish Brixham.

If you are going to gorge on seafood you may as well gorge on it on England’s biggest fishing port. Or as the quote on the wall as you walk in promises, “Enjoy the view of England’s biggest fishing port.” What’s best, they are dog friendly as well so Doodles was made to feel just as welcome as we were.

Inside is a light, airy, industrial space with minimal decor and cool mint and woody colour palette. Floor to ceiling windows deliver on the promised view if you are sitting starboard. If you are sitting port, then you get to enjoy the views of the harbour.

Overlooking the said harbour, it is no surprise Rockfish gets first dibs on the day’s catch. Hence, every day there are at least four or five additional items charmingly handwritten on your paper menu turned placemat by the water serving you.

After a light lunch, I opted for grilled mackerel with a side of chips while Mr O settled for the least pescatarian option of garlic bread and chicken Caesar salad.

The service was fast, the staff friendly and the fish just as fresh as you would expect the day’s catch to be. Served alongside the grand views, lunch at Brixham Rockfish becomes quite the treat, especially on a rainy day.

Having unwittingly spent the whole afternoon exploring the village, with only an hour left on the parking meter, we didn’t really get to enjoy longer at Rockfish. But we did manage to sneak in a few more photographs before we had to dash off, our takeaway chips tucked under one arm.

If you head out to Brixham and fancy fresh fish, Rockfish is definitely the place to head over to. You can thank me later.

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