The Marsden Grotto in South Shields is a fabulous spot to eat in, serving up a lot of high quality seafood plates.

The Grotto is well hidden from sight being cut into the cliffs and being accessible just by a lift from the upper car park.

You may be able to walk here at low tide but I wouldn’t be trying to check that out anytime soon

I had no idea what lay below when we parked up and entered the lift area. I just though we were heading down to the beach

Instead we were transported to a most enchanting dining room carved out of the cliffs.

Did I say that this place is also a hotel, you would never know if you had just rocked up in the car park to get the lift

Once down it was quite magical inside and I could imagine it would be a fabulous place to stay at and eat

Initially we just sat outside drinking tea and coffee watching the waves crash in on the shore and tide rising amongst the sea stacks and into the caves along the cliff

Then as lunch approached it was time to head inside to sample the seafood

FISH AND CHIPS

One of the more popular dishes being ordered was the FISH AND CHIPS – beer battered Fillet of Cod served with chips and mushy peas

This was huge and even with a decent appetite I can envisage many people struggling to eat it all.

The fish was at least a foot long and a couple of inches thick, my cousin ate a third of it, I ate a big chunk (just for research) and there was still plenty left

It sat on top of half a sack of potatoes in wedges form, supposedly these were chips but not really chip shop style in any sense of the word. Importantly they tasted great like mini jacket potatoes

It was generous in portion size and good value at £23

You could have ordered the ‘Posh’ version which was a Seabass Fillet battered for £27 if you were so inclined

PAN ROASTED SEABASS

I ordered the PAN ROASTED SEA BASS for £28 and was very happy with my choice!

Served on a ‘warm salad of new potatoes, smoked Pancetta, and asparagus in our garlic pesto dressing’

The fish was excellent, meaty flavour and textures enhanced by the roasting process it was one of the best bits of fish I have tasted for ages

I loved the lightly roasted potatoes, of which there were plenty, and the garlic pesto dressing held the dish together adding freshness from the herbs, a tarty tang and a good dose of garlic

I didn’t really notice the pancetta and wondered if it was really there maybe the chef had gone off menu

BAKED NORTH ATLANTIC COD

The last dish ordered by our party was the BAKED NORTH ATLANTIC COD for £26 which came from the ‘Healthy Options’ section of the menu

‘Roasted cod fillet resting on lightly seasoned baked new potatoes, with a creamy white wine and fresh garlic sauce, served with tenderstem broccoli ‘

This plate was exactly as described on the menu, it ate as it reads and looks as was promised

was it particularly healthy? Well I suppose it was compared to the Fish and Chips!

It was another big plateful, they don’t mess about with the portions here at the Grotto!

I loved spending time here at the Grotto eating lunch with the family and taking in the surroundings and majesty of the place

I would like to return to partake of dinner in the carved out dining area perhaps staying the night in the hotel to really get the full experience. I think that would be a lot of fun and something to remember

The Marsden Grotto is located at the foot of the cliffs at Coast Rd, South Shields, NE34 7BS

The website tagline is

‘The Grotto – Legendary hotel, beach bar and seafood restaurant’

Legendary is a very good description