Doing The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis, Dorset

The Oyster & Fish House, the latest solo venture of restaurateur Mark Hix, is every bit as seductive as you’d hope. Perched on the hillside with views of The Cobb and Jurassic Coast, this metropolitan hotspot serves up the very best local produce, fish and seafood.

The bright, airy site boasts simple white wooden furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows and a view that makes the long drive from London worth it. Although the restaurant is currently closed, the outdoor deck is open and can now be booked online. (Check the weather in advance as the terrace is not completely covered.)

Start with oysters, rocks or natives, before trying the Cornish red mullet soup. When it comes to mains, we’d recommend the Dublin Bay prawn burger and the Grilled Lyme Bay lobster. But save room for pudding: the Peruvian chocolate mousse is too delicious to miss.

The drinks menu also spotlights British produce. Wines are sourced from local vineyards including Lyme Bay Winery, while beers hail from the South West. Seasonal cocktails showcase local spirits such as Julian Temperley’s Somerset Cider Brandy.

If you can’t nab a table, head to Mark’s fish truck, a converted Chevrolet ambulance, offering local fish and seafood to cook at home. It pitches up outside Felicity’s Farm Shop in Morcombelake each week, but you’ll need to check Facebook for opening times.