Walking into The Hut is a bit like entering another world, or at the very least another country. There’s a distinct ‘yachtie’ dress code of various shades of navy, Methuselahs of rosé are being passed around tables, and a golden glow radiates from the endless tans, caught from hours spent on motorboats which are moored just a stone's throw away.
The truth is, this is all part of The Hut's charm. This destination restaurant sits along Colwell Bay’s beach and is a haven for coastal loving foodies looking for a lavish laissez-faire lunch. It’s a buzzy venue that comes to life during the spring and summer months, with young, enthusiastic waiters manning the helm and a chic, beach hut style decor lending itself as the perfect backdrop to your afternoon.
As far as the food is concerned, you’ll find a seafood heavy menu here - think plates piled high with various shellfish, and surf ‘n’ turfs of porterhouse steak and whole lobster. We opted for the ‘Big Fish’ which varies depending on what’s been caught that day - in this case it was a 1kg John Dory. After being paraded through the restaurant and laid out across the table, on which it takes up most of the space, the fish is served with ease and finesse. It’s a masterclass in seafood cookery, with the meat melting away from the bones at the slightest nudge, and is complimented by a selection of sauces.
Dessert sees a tiramisu pavlova combine two classics to create a well balanced result with sweet meringue, bitter coffee ice cream and plenty of cream sandwiched between the two, and serves as the perfect cool down after a few hours in the sun. For extra refreshment, you’ll also find a variety of wines available, and we couldn’t think of a better time to tuck into a bottle of Provencal rosé than whilst sitting on the sun drenched terrace.
The Hut certainly isn’t your average beachside café - it’s special, and it’s worth the journey to get there, whether you’re zipping over on your rib, or hopping on a local ferry from the mainland.