Search the Good Food Guide - Site Settings site

Location

Establishment Type

Cuisine

Price

Clear
  View all 8 photos
  /8
X

Catch at the Old Fishmarket

Dorset, Weymouth - Seafood - Restaurant - £££

Hugely impressive seafood cookery

Overall Rating: Very Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Exceptional

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Very Good

Weymouth’s harbourside is suddenly looking a tastier proposition these days – thanks in part to this ambitious set-up. The restaurant is in a traditional quayside building above a working fishmonger called Weyfish, with a solid spiral staircase leading up to an impressively clean-lined, modern yet atmospheric space with an open kitchen and high-raftered ceiling. The kitchen itself is now run by chef-patron Ben Champkin (whose CV includes a stint as sous-chef at L’Enclume), who is shoring up Catch’s reputation for ‘locally sourced, amazingly creative seafood’. Visitors are quick to give a wholehearted thumbs-up to his supplies of fresh fish (some coming from the boats moored directly outside) and the consignments of locally reared meat from named suppliers that feature on the tasting menus. To start, there might be citrus-cured monkfish with yoghurt or braised squid croquettes dressed with pork fat (the cephalopods caught by a certain Kelvin Moore in...

Weymouth’s harbourside is suddenly looking a tastier proposition these days – thanks in part to this ambitious set-up. The restaurant is in a traditional quayside building above a working fishmonger called Weyfish, with a solid spiral staircase leading up to an impressively clean-lined, modern yet atmospheric space with an open kitchen and high-raftered ceiling.

The kitchen itself is now run by chef-patron Ben Champkin (whose CV includes a stint as sous-chef at L’Enclume), who is shoring up Catch’s reputation for ‘locally sourced, amazingly creative seafood’. Visitors are quick to give a wholehearted thumbs-up to his supplies of fresh fish (some coming from the boats moored directly outside) and the consignments of locally reared meat from named suppliers that feature on the tasting menus. To start, there might be citrus-cured monkfish with yoghurt or braised squid croquettes dressed with pork fat (the cephalopods caught by a certain Kelvin Moore in his boat Rampant, WH148). A serving of dark wholemeal sourdough could usher in potted crab with hollandaise and broth or Bay prawns with celeriac and whey, although the centrepiece (aka ‘The Catch’) is always something ‘freshly landed, local, seasonal and tidal’ – depending on the boats.

A refreshing sweet-savoury pre-dessert might feature golden beetroot sorbet paired with orange sherbet, before a full-blown confection such as baked dark chocolate with sourdough ice cream brings the curtain down. Service earns special praise from readers, who rightly appreciate the team of hard-working staff – ‘they should be very proud of themselves,’ noted one fan. Shorter menus are also available at lunchtime and early evenings, while the sharp list of European and English wines offers great value from around £30.

Read full reviewSee less

VENUE DETAILS

1 Custom House Quay
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 8BEGB

01305 590555

View opening times

Make a reservation

OTHER INFORMATION

Wheelchair access, Credit card required, Deposit required

More like this

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    Latest articles