It's Mussel Season!

There’s a certain joy that comes with mussel season. In the South West, we love to celebrate mussels in February, when they’re at their absolute best. After feasting on the nutrient-rich waters churned up by last autumn's storms, mussels emerge plump and bursting with flavour. At Rockfish we pair them with punchy ingredients to make some of the most comforting and tasty seafood dishes around. 

But we all know eating mussels isn’t just about the food – it’s about the ritual. The warmth of a steaming bowl, the clatter of empty shells as they stack higher on your plate, the buttery aroma mingling with the saltiness of the ocean. There’s something delightfully hands-on and playful about using one shell as a tool to tease out the meat of another. It’s a meal that draws people in, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting impression long after the last shell has been set aside.

Rockfish Mussel season poster

Why Mussels?

Mussels are one of the ocean’s quiet triumphs. Ours are grown on ropes in the nutrient-rich waters of the South West, they need no feed, no chemicals, no extras. They filter the sea as they grow, leaving it cleaner and healthier, while their shells lock away carbon – a small but mighty contribution to the fight against the climate crisis. But don’t worry, none of this is clear in their taste. 

For centuries, mussels have been a food of the people, celebrated for their simplicity, versatility, and sustenance. High in protein and brimming with all the good stuff , they’re as nourishing as they are delicious. From creamy bowls of Fisherman's Mussels to bold, spiced broths, mussels bring the best of the sea to the table with ease.

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Lyme Bay mussels ready to be harvested
A Look at Offshore Shellfish Mussel Farm
Close up of mussels at Rockfish
Steamy, Saucy, and Sustainable: The Rise of the Mussel
Cooked Mussels
Mussel Farming, why the world’s best mussels grow right here on our doorstep!
Why mussels are the ultimate food for the future
Why mussels are the ultimate food for the future
  • Moules Normandy at Rockfish

    Dine at our waterside restaurants

    This season, we’re shining a spotlight on mussels and inviting you to join us in celebrating their story. We’ve put together a series of dishes that showcase their charm so you can enjoy mussels as part of the daily landings, whatever your mood:

    Moules Normandy - Steamed with Rockfish Devon sea cider, leeks & bacon

    Madras Curried Mussels - Steamed with a fragrant madras masala & fresh coriander - for those who love bold flavours and a bit of zing

    You can’t go wrong with the classic Fisherman’s Mussels - Steamed in the classic mariniere style with white wine, bay, garlic & parsley

    Perfectly paired with Albariño by Bodegas Gallegas is the perfect pour for enjoying your mussels & for a limited time is available by the glass.

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  • Rockfish tinned British mussels escabeche - mobile

    Enjoy a free tin of mussels

    Exclusively during our campaign, you can enjoy a free tin of mussels when you spend over £65 on our Online Seafood Market.

    Rope grown Mussels are harvested from Lyme Bay, not far from our base in Brixham. They are steamed, deep-fried and preserved in a very light pickle or escabeche before being hand laid into tins.

    Wonderful just as they are as a starter or tapas.

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Sustainability & seafood seafood

Sustainability is all about ensuring fish species can continue to reproduce so that healthy stock levels are maintained. We do not buy seafood from any fishery that is not well controlled or managed, we do not sell fish that is endangered, and we don’t buy from anywhere where we feel uncomfortable about the health of the fishery or fishing method.

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