With a prime position in the picturesque fishing town of Wells-next-the-Sea, Wells Crab House is just the spot to get your fish fix. The recently revamped, informal and intimate restaurant of just 11 tables is situated on Freeman Street, within a net’s cast of the harbour.

Since 2016, husband and wife owners Kelly and Scott Dougal have been living their dream of owning a restaurant in one of the UK coastline’s finest treasures – reeling in a series of awards along the way, including Best Restaurant finalist in the Muddy Awards 2023.

Their team of chefs whip up delicious seafood dishes inspired by travels afar but anchored in local, seasonal ingredients that couldn’t be any fresher. We’re talking wellies dripping with water as deliveries are made.

Proud of their partnerships with local suppliers committed to sustainable fishing, Wells Crab House use crabs and mussels from Andy Frary, lobsters from Billy Ward and Brancaster Staithe oysters from Richard Loose.

When it comes to tempting tipples, Norfolk producers are the stars of the drinks list. The extensive wine selection is carefully chosen to complement the menu, with most served by the glass. An ice-cold glass of Winbirri fizz with your garlic-buttered Wells lobster?  If you like your G&T, you’re in the right place with a menu of 29 local gins to pick from – we’ll be plumping for the Wells Crab House Crustacean Pot Gin, thank you.

Their signature seafood platters are just the thing for fruits de mer fans, but they also offer a smattering of landlubber dishes from award-winning Wells butcher Arthur Howell. And do save room for dessert! How good does this sound? Honey and pine nut semifreddo, with roasted figs, pine nut frangipane biscuit and pine nut and rosemary nougat. Mmmm.

The restaurant gets rather busy in the summer, so we’d recommend booking a table before visiting. Or if you fancy tucking into your seafood by the seashore, you can pre-order crab and lobster salads and platters to go. Wells beach, with its string of candy coloured beach huts, is just a short walk away. Bliss.