Free event – Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 September 2025
Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City – a city wild about nature, and the only one to sit between a national park and a national marine park – invites visitors to a weekend of sustainable seafood, culinary delights, and waterfront fun at Seafest 2025.
Taking place across the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Waterfront, and Royal William Yard, the free-to-attend festival is brought to life by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, and Plymouth City Council, celebrating the city’s maritime heritage and thriving food scene.
At the heart of the event is Plymouth’s commitment to sustainability and its deep connection to the ocean – Britain’s Ocean City was the world’s first city to win the Fish2Fork Blue City award, in recognition of a core number of restaurants using seafood from sustainable sources – and, as part of the Keep Plymouth Fishing campaign, the Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association will be showcasing the importance of supporting local fishers with seafood demonstrations using responsibly caught produce.
Seafest 2025, a much-loved fixture in the city’s events calendar, will feature the return of the live cookery stage, where celebrated local chefs showcase sustainably caught seafood and inspire visitors to bring a taste of the coast into their own kitchens.
Kim Downer, interim CEO at Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, says: “Seafest celebrates the natural beauty of our waterfront and the incredible talent within Plymouth’s food and drink community. We’re delighted that the demo stage is back this year and I’m really looking forward to seeing what our local eateries, businesses and chefs cook up!”
Elaine Hayes, CEO of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, adds: “Seafest truly captures the spirit of Plymouth. It brings our National Marine Park to life by connecting people with our incredible natural and cultural marine heritage, while showcasing the city’s forward-thinking approach to sustainability and tourism.”
Beyond Seafest: The City’s Vibrant Food & Drink Scene
But this is not all; Plymouth’s strong focus on sustainable food and drink is supported through initiatives driven by both the University of Plymouth – emphasising Fairtrade and organic coffee and supporting local producers – and Food Plymouth, a Bronze and Silver Award holder member of the Sustainable Food Places network that works to create a healthy and sustainable food system in the city, and it’s involved in building community food knowledge, skills, and resources.
The city’s food scene continues to evolve with a growing number of independent restaurants, waterside bistros, and ethical eateries drawing national attention. Highlights are:
- Cosmic Kitchen, a family-run, 100% vegan bistro housed in a former Victorian chapel.
- The Boathouse Café, seafood with a view, near the world-famous Mayflower Steps.
- The Terrace on Plymouth Hoe, for a breakfast with views of the ocean.
- Pier One, contemporary coastal cuisine in beautiful settings.
- Rockfish, a relaxed place for the whole family to enjoy sustainable local seafood.
- The Dock at King Point Marina and Pier Master’s House – which can accommodate over 300 guests with 3 balcony areas – for stylish, relaxed dining by the water.
- Le Vignoble, a boutique wine lounge at Royal William Yard, offers over 180 wines in a relaxed continental setting, complete with tapas and charcuterie.
- The Treasury, a historic bar and restaurant with high ceilings and creative cocktails.
- Barbican Kitchen, housed in the world-famous Plymouth Gin Distillery.
- Àclèaf at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth’s Michelin-starred restaurant with a focus on world-class dining experience paired with spa breaks and countryside elegance.
Amanda Lumley, CEO of Destination Plymouth, concludes: “Plymouth’s food and drink scene is vibrant and diverse, from award-winning seafood and harbourside dining to innovative plant-based cuisine. What sets it apart is our deep connection to the ocean, which inspires both the flavours on our plates and our commitment to sustainability. Seafest celebrates that connection, showcasing local chefs, producers, and communities while inviting everyone to engage with and protect our unique marine environment.”
Whether you come for the sea, the food, the music, or the atmosphere, Plymouth promises flavour-packed experiences and care, responsibility and respect for the environment and the ocean.
Come hungry, leave inspired.
For Full Details:
For more details and the full schedule for Seafest, visit: Seafest 2025
For more details on the vast and varied food & drink scene on offer in the city, please visit: Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, Food & Drink
About Seafest 2025:
Confirmed highlights include:
- Live cookery stage with local chefs and seafood demos
- Outdoor cinema at Tinside with screenings including Finding Nemo and The Salt Path
- 90p swims at Tinside Lido to mark its 90th anniversary
- The Whale – an immersive theatre experience at Royal William Yard
- J/24 World Sailing Championships finale
- Free and low-cost watersports, including paddleboarding, kayaking, and SCUBA tasters
- Royal William Yard 200 Exhibition celebrating local heritage
To help visitors get around easily and sustainably, a range of subsidised transport options will also be available throughout the weekend.