Harden's survey result
Summary
“Just such a lovely restaurant”, with “good fish and seafood served in a charming, unfussy way” by popular owner-operators Kelly & Scott Dougal – “over the eight years they’ve owned it, the standards have improved consistently” according to regulars. The drinks list showcases locally produced wines and beers, along with no fewer than 32 gins from within Norfolk – including two house gins produced at the Black Shuck distillery in Fakenham. Top Menu Tips – “pan-seared scallops with chorizo, spinach and quails egg; Languedoc style fried swordfish steak with garlic, fine beans and potatoes ;or cod loin with miso sauce, sauteed baby gem lettuce and sesame layered potatoes”.
Summary
“Kelly & Scott Dougal recently celebrated the seventh anniversary of their Wells restaurant” and “each year the quality and originality of the menu is enhanced” (and is particularly of note for “great fish”). “Scott is an innovative chef and Kelly runs a superb front of house, where service is enthusiastic and effective without being obtrusive (we have never heard those unnecessary words ‘How is your meal?’”). “Yes, they could buy a bigger restaurant (you do have to book far ahead) but that would not be the Wells Crab House – long may the Dougals stick to their guns”.
Summary
“The best we found in this popular holiday resort” – a “lovely, relaxed” local staple from Kelly (FOH) and Scott (chef) Dougal which has “excelled for many years” thanks to its “consummate” service and “original ways with fish”… “plus they have their own gin!”. “Reasonable prices” contribute to the fact that “it’s always busy”, but if you can’t get a spot “they offer ‘take home and cook’ too”.
Summary
“A wide range of freshly caught fish, inventive dishes and their very own gin” underpin enthusiasm for this “bustling restaurant”. Owners Kelly and Scott Dougal “never rest on their laurels and have constantly sought to improve their menus and service” over the past six years. “The only problem is booking a table – we live 500 yards away and need to book months in advance”. Top Menu Tip – “the crab platter with cockles, prawns, crayfish, smoked salmon and potato salad”.
For 35 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Wells Crab House?
38 Freeman St, Wells Next The Sea, NR23 1BA
Restaurant details
Wells Crab House Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We have always tried to book here when visiting North Norfolk; it is so popular you have to book well ahead as it is only a small restaurant. We were a bit disappointed with our last meal there, but we thought we'd give it another chance. Our starters were whitebait from the regular menu and a crab special. The whitebait was fine, hot and crispy with accompanying tartare sauce. My crab was very cold and under seasoned, not tasting very much of crab. Mains of sea bass (main menu) and halibut (specials) were nicely presented and the sea bass was fine. I really liked the flavours of the halibut dish with wild garlic and a light tomato sauce but the wild garlic stems were so hard to cut though and the halibut was overcooked. We looked at the dessert menu but nothing sparked interest so we obtained the bill (eventually) and left. I am afraid next time we are in North Norfolk we might give it a miss."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £5.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
38 Freeman St, Wells Next The Sea, NR23 1BA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
