Let’s take a moment. Close your eyes. You are on the beach. The sun warms your skin and a light breeze caresses your hair as your toes curl into the hot sand. You can hear the sound of the waves and the calls of distant seabirds. You take another delicious morsel of sweet, freshly-cooked lobster, knowing it’s local, sustainable and you deserve it…
And now back to the reality of the Scottish summer. Warm sun and gentle breezes are certainly not guaranteed; however, you can enjoy tasty, fresh seafood on the beach, thanks to North Berwick’s Lobster Shack.
In contrast to this fantasy, my partner in crime and I are soaked through on our first visit, having been caught out in a summer deluge. On the plus side, there is no queue at the usually busy seafood shack.
The Lobster Shack is a popular haunt in East Lothian thanks to the quality of its offering, regular inclusion in lists of top seafood shacks and an Insta-worthy setting on the harbour wall.
The fish and the shellfish-focused menu are varied. The Fish Tacos, Smoked Salmon Flatbread and Fish Bisque all tempt, but we opt for Salt & Pepper Squid and a North Berwick Lobster & Crab Brioche Roll with Double-Dipped Chips.
An extensive wine list beats that of some restaurants and the Shack’s own range of beers sit alongside collaborations with local breweries Eyeball Brewing and Edinburgh Beer Factory.
The squid has a delicate, crisp batter and tender texture – not at all rubbery. The brioche roll bulges with generous chunks of meaty lobster and sweeter, flaked crab meat. It is rich and indulgent and the excellent chips somehow manage to be soft and crunchy.
The Lobster Shack is also registered with Marine Scotland as a First Fish Buyer which means their stock is sustainable and local; you can view a supplier map on their website to check the food’s exact provenance.
For changeable days like this, there is a covered, heated dining area with harbour views but luckily the sun returns so we can enjoy our feast al fresco.
With continued chaos at airports and food options like this on your doorstep, a summer staycation has never looked so appealing. Just remember to dress for all weathers.
For more East Lothian delights, follow me on Instagram @Feast_Lothian
Lobster Shack, North Berwick Harbour, The Old Pier, North Berwick, EH39 4SS
07910 620480
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