Plan the Perfect Restaurant Day Trip from London with Buoy & Oyster

A day trip from London is a wonderful way to take a break from the busy pace of the capital and enjoy somewhere different. If you are looking for a destination that combines coastal scenery, fresh seafood, relaxed dining and an inviting atmosphere, Margate is an excellent choice. For food lovers planning a restaurant day trip from London, Buoy & Oyster offers a memorable place to stop, dine and enjoy the seaside.

Located in Margate, Buoy & Oyster is a family-run and independent restaurant that has been serving guests since 2015. Its focus is on top-quality seafood, seasonal ingredients and a family-friendly seaside atmosphere. Whether you want a quick bite or a leisurely meal, the restaurant provides an opportunity to enjoy good food while taking in beautiful sea views.

Make Buoy & Oyster Part of Your Margate Day Trip

A successful day trip is about finding places where you can slow down and enjoy your surroundings, and Buoy & Oyster provides exactly that. The restaurant offers all-day dining seven days a week from 12 pm to 9 pm, so there is plenty of flexibility when planning your visit. Whether you arrive for lunch, an afternoon meal or an early dinner, you can enjoy the restaurant's seasonal menu in a relaxed setting.

Its location beside Margate's coastline also makes it a natural choice for anyone wanting to combine food with a seaside experience. The restaurant's beachfront terrace offers uninterrupted views of Margate Main Sands and is available for bookings from May to September, weather permitting. For a particularly memorable visit, guests can book a sunset evening and enjoy the views with cosy blankets provided for comfort.

Enjoy Fresh, Seasonal Seafood

Seafood is at the heart of the Buoy & Oyster experience. We work with local suppliers to create seafood-focused menus, while meat and vegetarian options are also available.

The restaurant works closely with a Broadstairs-based fishmonger to ensure its menu follows the seasons and uses responsibly sourced produce. The majority of its seafood comes from one of the fishmonger's 18-day boats, which fish the waters around Margate, Whitstable, Ramsgate, Folkestone and Broadstairs.

For seafood lovers, this makes Buoy & Oyster a particularly appealing stop during a day trip. Guests can choose from fresh oysters, seafood platters, shellfish and other seasonal dishes, with the menu designed to showcase the quality of the ingredients.

Visit the Seafood Bar

For a more casual dining experience, make time to visit the restaurant's seafood bar. Located beside the open-plan kitchen, it provides a lively setting where guests can enjoy fresh oysters, shellfish, small plates and seafood platters while watching the chefs prepare the food.

The seafood bar is open for all-day dining and is suitable for everything from a light bite to a longer meal. It is also a great choice if you want to enjoy a drink with friends while experiencing the atmosphere of Buoy & Oyster.

If you are visiting between Monday and Friday, the restaurant's Oyster Happy Hour runs from 4 pm to 5 pm, with 2-for-1 oysters. The main menus page also lists 2-for-1 margaritas during this Happy Hour in the seafood bar area.

Drinks for a Relaxed Seaside Visit

Drinks are an important part of the Buoy & Oyster experience, particularly if you are looking for somewhere to relax during your day trip.

The restaurant's seafood bar is described as the perfect place for a cocktail with friends. Guests can also enjoy the restaurant's Bloody Marys alongside freshly shucked oysters and seafood platters.

The seafood bar also features classic and contemporary cocktails, making it a suitable place to stop for a drink before continuing your day in Margate. The restaurant's Bloody Mary selection is another standout, with showstopping versions topped with fresh seafood such as oysters and king prawns, as well as a vegan Bloody Mary option.

For anyone planning a restaurant-focused day trip, this combination of seafood and drinks makes Buoy & Oyster an easy place to spend a relaxed afternoon by the coast.

Try the Seafood Platters

If you are visiting with friends or family, seafood platters are a great choice for sharing. Buoy & Oyster's seafood platters showcase fresh daily catch and British seafood, with the restaurant working with its local fishmonger to source ingredients.

The Fruits de Mer Platter features shellfish, local crab and lobster, along with oysters. The restaurant describes its seafood platters as a feast for the eyes and stomach, making them particularly suitable for dates, nights out with friends and special occasions.

For something more individual, the menu also offers a range of seafood dishes and small plates. Guests who do not eat seafood can still find alternatives, including meat and vegetarian options.

Classic Fish and Chips by the Coast

No seaside visit would be complete without considering fish and chips, and Buoy & Oyster also offers this classic British favourite through its sister beachfront takeaway, Beach Buoys.

The fish and chips are made with fresh North Sea cod, beer-battered with local Northdown Brewery batter and served with homemade hand-cut chips, signature homemade mushy peas and tartare sauce. Beach Buoys is currently open Friday to Sunday, giving visitors another option for enjoying fish and chips close to the beach.

A Family-Friendly Restaurant

Buoy & Oyster is designed to welcome families as well as couples and groups of friends. The restaurant offers a range of dishes to suit different tastes, including classic fish and chips and its signature seafood platter.

There is also a Little Sailors menu for children under 12, making it easier for families to enjoy a meal together. The restaurant recommends earlier lunch bookings from 12 pm to 1 pm or earlier dinner bookings from 5 pm to 6 pm when dining with young children.

Extend Your Day Trip into a Stay

If your day in Margate leaves you wanting more, Buoy & Oyster also makes it possible to turn a day trip into an overnight coastal escape.

The restaurant has four unique, design-led apartments located above the restaurant, with two offering direct sea views. This means you can enjoy dinner, drinks and the seaside atmosphere before heading upstairs rather than travelling back to London the same evening.

It is an appealing option for anyone who wants to combine dining with a longer visit to Margate.

Plan Your Visit to Buoy & Oyster

For those planning a restaurant day trip from London, Buoy & Oyster offers a combination of fresh seafood, cocktails, sea views and relaxed hospitality in one destination.

You can enjoy all-day dining from 12 pm to 9 pm, explore the seafood bar, try freshly shucked oysters, share a seafood platter, enjoy a Bloody Mary or cocktail, and take in the views across Margate Main Sands. If you visit between May and September and the weather allows, the beachfront terrace provides an especially enjoyable setting for a long lunch or sunset meal.

Final Thoughts

Planning a restaurant day trip from London does not have to mean choosing between great food and a beautiful destination. At Buoy & Oyster in Margate, you can enjoy both. Fresh seafood, oysters, seafood platters, cocktails, showstopping Bloody Marys and beautiful coastal views come together to create a relaxed seaside dining experience.

Whether you are travelling with family, meeting friends or planning a special day out, Buoy & Oyster offers a welcoming place to eat, drink and enjoy the best of Margate. And if one day is not enough, its upstairs apartments provide the perfect opportunity to extend your coastal escape.