A Seafront Institution
We visited Crabshack in Worthing on Friday, a gorgeous seafront restaurant that, quite frankly, serves some of the best and freshest seafood I have tasted in recent memory.
A Family Affair
We were greeted and looked after by one of the co-owners, Andy, from this family-run restaurant. His enthusiasm for the restaurant and the food is infectious. Andy clearly understands food and wine, and this is reflected in the wonderful menu. But what really stood out for me was the honesty in their food. Andy spoke so fondly of his crab supplier in Portland and his curation of local bakeries that supply all of the bread for the restaurant. This passion for similar local or family-run businesses shone through.
Crabshack is clearly very popular, as we had the last table on Friday, arriving at six, the restaurant was already packed (they turn the restaurant over at least once an evening and the previous Saturday had served 300 covers). They have so many regulars, all greeted by name. Andy spoke about the families who dine there and how many have celebrated key life events with him and the team. He has one couple who come to Worthing each weekend, and believes they have visited the restaurant over 300 times.
What You’ll Love
- Fresh, top-quality seafood in a family-run seafront spot
- Genuine warmth and passion from co-owner Andy and the team
- A stunning boardwalk terrace right on the seafront
- Showstopping dishes, from posh fish and chips to a whole Dover sole
- A well-curated wine list, including a £7 house rosé
Eleven Years by the Sea
Crabshack has been on the site for 11 years. They took over the ice cream stand that used to be there (the original counter is now the bar in the restaurant) and the gift shop next door, turning the two into what is now the restaurant’s interior.
The real star of the show, though, is the covered outside eating area as well as the tables that spill onto the boardwalk. Thanks to our current endless sunshine we enjoyed sitting at the front of the terrace but enjoying the shade from the canopy.
Starting Strong
Right, now to the food. I love the menu for its simplicity, but this does not reflect the care and attention that goes into each dish. We started with the old-school prawn cocktail and dressed crab.
The prawn cocktail was traditional in its presentation (in an original sundae glass) but with a clever mixture of sizes of prawns all wrapped in a silky and unctuous Marie Rose sauce. Another highlight of this plate was the multigrain bread acting as the perfect accompaniment. The dressed crab was beautifully fresh and vibrant, alongside a smooth saffron mayo and a thick Nordic bread.
The Main Event
For the main courses, we went with Andy’s recommendations. The Sicilian-inspired fish stew has been on the menu since Crabshack opened, and it did not disappoint. The heady tomato and fennel base of the stew was rich with saffron, garlic and chilli.
All of the seafood was cooked to perfection and topped off with a fillet of sea bass. Andy told me they finish the sauce with some roasted peppers that they blitz down and add in at the end. This added a lovely sweetness to the sauce which balanced the warmth from the chilli. This came with the third bread of the evening, a warm ciabatta.
The posh fish and chips was our other main. Flaky roasted cod layered with a delicious chorizo and tarragon crumb served with vibrant minty peas and a sharp zingy tartare sauce. The fish was falling apart and was still pearlescent. All sublime.
Eye Catch of the Day
The other dishes that we spied coming out of the kitchen looked equally showstopping. Including a whole Dover sole for £34! (yes I know, I had to double check the price. You would pay at least double that in a London restaurant) and lobsters the size of your head. Each one accompanied by beautiful garnishes and sides.
Sweet Endings, Almost
We were so full that we couldn’t face the dessert menu, but did get to see Andy’s favourite sticky toffee pudding and polenta cake leaving the pass, which also looked heavenly.
Cheers to CrabShack
Their drinks menu and wine list are well curated with a perfect range of styles and prices. We had the house rosé, which was a gorgeous pale and dry Provençale style rose. At only £7 for 175ml, it felt a total steal. A further nice touch was that, as well as wine by the bottle, they served all the house wines in varying-size glasses and carafes. There is also a great selection of cocktails and beers.
If you want beautifully prepared seafood, cooked with the kind of care and passion that shows in every plate, Crabshack is where I would go.
