The Castle Restaurant

The pint-sized castle on the wharf at Bude used to be home to a local inventor, but is now a popular local bistro. Kick off with an aperitif on the patio while seagulls screech overhead and the sun sinks below the horizon. The welcoming tone is set by caring, super-efficient staff, and the buzz of activity in the open kitchen is reassuring too. Especially when it produces a grilled mackerel imaginatively dressed with a chick pea relish, crème fraîche and curry oil to set the ball rolling. Mains encompass roasted ling with a Spanish-style stew of chorizo and white beans, and herb-crusted beef rump served with a Tatin of red onion. Lemon tart with strawberries, or chocolate brownie with blackcurrant sorbet ends things with a flourish.