Bavaria owner and Isle of Man resident Richard Cassidy shares his favourite Manx restaurant recommendation with Phil Sampson
THE BOATYARD PEEL, ISLE OF MAN
A nyone who has ever visited the Isle of Man – be it for the TT races, the Snaefell Mountain Railway or the magnificent Laxey Wheel – will know what a magical place it is. As a measure of its appeal, the island attracts around 1,500 visiting boats a year, split between Europeans travelling north, Scandinavians travelling south and Welsh, Irish, English and Scottish boaters making the most of this jewel on their doorstep. The island has two marinas; Douglas on the east coast, which accounts for around two thirds of the visitors, and, to the west, the smaller Peel Harbour where The Boatyard, this month’s chosen restaurant, occupies a prime position on the quayside.
Peel is a busy, traditional working port where visiting pleasure boats sit cheek by jowl with commercial fishing craft. This is good news for boaters, as not only does it guarantee fresh seafood straight from the boat, deliciously cooked by The Boatyard’s chef, but it’s also just a short walk home afterwards! Consequently, many visiting boaters make a point of including a meal at the restaurant during their stay.
“The Boatyard is a wonderfully placed little restaurant, nestled midway along Peel Marina and sandwiched between several wellestablished traditional pubs and fast-food eateries,” says reader Richard Cassidy. “Even though competition is stiff along this stretch, The Boatyard stands out by a mile. From the moment you walk through the door you’re greeted with a nautical-themed ambience, which on fine summer days extends through open French doors onto the bustling marina in full view of the yachts, old and new, that line the pontoons.
