Two Dorset Fish and Chip Shops

Two Dorset Fish and Chip shops to share - one in Lyme Regis, a traditional take away called The Cobb Gate Fish Bar, busy and a bit expensive, and my wife reported that the service was sullen and unfriendly, but the fish and chips were excellent, though now that I've visited the other one in this review it hardly seems worth mentioning this rather ordinary little chippy because the Hive Beach Cafe, a few miles east along the coast at Burton Bradstock, offers perhaps the best fish and chips I've ever had. The cafe is right on the beach, and is quite small but with a large awning to house more diners under cover, and two terraces for use in the summer. It took about twenty minutes to queue and place order, but thereafter everything happened pretty quickly. We took our seats outside (because of dog) and were served within five minutes. It is the most expensive fish and chips on earth, probably, nearly £14, which meant that I had the only adult portion while wife and daughter were made to eat child's portions (£8). But the meal was good. The huge oblong of cod was coated in a herby batter, which broke open to reveal gleaming white succulent fish flesh. Chips were ok, as was the creamy mushy peas and tartare sauce. The kid's portions were pretty substantial as well. They do other nice looking fish dishes - fresh sardines, mackerel, and lots of other things which all looked good. They do breakfasts as well, until 11am. You can then walk it all off with a long clifftop walk in either direction, or if you're too tired stroll along the sands for as far as you want. The cliffs themselves are beauiful, sort of yellowy and worn away.