16 of the Best Places to Eat Out in Penzance | Restaurants, Cafes & Pubs

The Shore Restaurant

There’s nothing overly fancy about the location of the Shore. Set on a crossroads on the edge of Penzance town centre this restaurant is all about the food. 

Probably the best seafood in town, this bistro is run by Bruce Rennie, a chef with a wealth of experience from the Michelin starred kitchens of some of the biggest names in food. Now working alone in the kitchen, food is crafted around whatever is fresh and in season.
Ingredients are collected daily and sourced as... read more...

The Honey Pot

Onna Boden

This much-loved little cafe is tucked away down a side street in the centre of Penzance. It's a favourite spot for breakfast, lunch, or simply catching up over a coffee, and in the summer, it's open Friday and Saturday evenings, too.

The food is homemade and local, with a great emphasis on sustainable and seasonal. During the lockdown in 2020, The Honey Pot started to serve gorgeous, homemade ready meals, which were so popular that they still sell them.

But let's be honest.... read more...

Jubilee Pool Café

It's the perfect day: relaxing in Penzance's beautiful Art Deco lido, with a break for lunch on the sunny terrace.

There's dining indoors and out at the Jubilee Pool, which serves breakfast and lunch, as well as delicious locally made cakes. Enjoy a plate of mackerel or some Cornish cheeses as you gaze down at the pool or out across Mount's Bay.

After your swim, head here for a chilled glass of wine or a hot coffee, depending on your... read more...

Alverne Restaurant

This really is a little gem in the middle of town, and it's a rare day when you walk past and the outside tables aren't buzzing. Inside, it's comfy and cosy, and the perfect place for a pitstop when you're in town.

Alverne serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the specials board changing daily (and often during the day) to make the most of the fresh Newlyn fish. 

There's a sunny, Mediterranean feel to a lot of the menu, with tapas-inspired small plates, delicious sides, and... read more...

Tremenheere Kitchen

This splendid cafe is just east of Penzance, near Gulval. Tremenheere Kitchen sits in a beautiful new building at the entrance to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens (a Penzance must-visit), and is open every day from ten until three. 

The food is made from local ingredients, and beautifully cooked. The lively outside area is a favourite brunch and coffee stop among locals (and their pups). If you'd prefer to sprawl on the lawn,... read more...

Harris's Restaurant

If you're looking for a place for a more intimate dinner, try this Penzance favourite. The pretty little restaurant is tucked down a side street in the middle of town, where it's been feeding discerning diners for over thirty years.

Harris's specialises in locally caught seafood, perfectly prepared and beautifully served, alongside wine recommendations. The portions are also generous, which can be rare in a high-end establishment - this is the place to bring a date if you both truly... read more...

Sukothai

For real Thai food (as opposed to the usual British imitation dishes), choose this friendly little restaurant in Penzance. The intimate space makes the experience even more fun, as diners and staff chat together, enjoying the authentic Thai cuisine. 

The dishes are delicate and full of intricate textures and flavours. Share a selection with your dining companion(s) to make sure you try as many different dishes as possible. It's a good spot for veggie and vegan diners. Wash it down... read more...

Bakehouse Restaurant

Step off the pavement in Penzance's Chapel Street and into what feels like a different world. The romantic courtyard in the Bakehouse Restaurant is full of fairy lights, plants and palm trees. Inside, the clean, contemporary decor is perfect for the restaurant's changing display of local art.

The menu is also always changing, with fresh fish from nearby Newlyn and a lot of seasonal local produce. Even the wine comes from Penzance, from Polgoon Vineyard. 

The Bakehouse Penzance... read more...

The Admiral Benbow

If you want a glimpse of old Penzance's history and new Penzance's character, call into the Benbow on Chapel Street. The old inn has been serving up rum for over 300 years, and even appears in the Treasure Island novel.

Inside, the decor is cosy and crowded, full of character and intriguing maritime artefacts. Tuck into a hearty plateful of locally caught fish, or choose a "mARRRRgaerita" pizza for the sheer joy of ordering it.

Of... read more...

The Dolphin Tavern

Down near the docks, The Dolphin Tavern is one of West Cornwall's oldest inns. In the 16th century, they came here to find recruits to fight in the Armada. Later on, it became a courtroom. It's probably haunted…

Today's Dolphin is a cheerful place serving great pub grub (it's especially good for veggies) and a wide choice of drinks. It becomes the heart of the town's Golowan festival, with its lively outside tables full to bursting.

Inside, there's a welcoming interior full of... read more...

The Boatshed

The Boatshed is a lively cafe bar near the harbour in Penzance. It's where the merchant Mathews family used to store their goods, in a building dating back to the eighteenth century.

Today, it's a good place to come for fresh  locally caught seafood, wood-fired pizza or Med-style sharer plates. Always check the specialist board for the latest fish dishes. The wine list includes a selection from the Cornish vineyards of Camel Valley and Polgoon. 

The Boathouse is open for lunch... read more...

Waterside Meadery

Meaderies are an institution in West Cornwall, serving dishes like chicken in the rough and ribs in a faux-Medieval atmosphere. Penzance's Waterside Meadery has a fantastic dockside location, and is definitely the place to come for a fun meal out. 

Tuck into the hearty food by candlelight, and make sure you wash it down with the famous mead (warning: this is heady stuff). Mead aside, it's a super kid-friendly restaurant, and generations of Penzance kids have grown up celebrating their... read more...

Orangery Cafe

Set in the leafy surroundings of Penzance's Penlee Park, the Orangery is a great spot for a morning coffee, light lunch, afternoon tea or something a little stronger. This popular cafe is attached to Penlee House and is open during the same hours as the gallery and museum.

Lunch is served between 12.00 and 3.00 pm with freshly prepared sandwiches and salads being the order of the day. Don't miss out on the delicious home-baked cakes and pastries either.

During the summer this... read more...

The Turks Head

Set on Penzance’s historic Chapel Street the Turk’s Head lays claim to being the oldest pub in town with a tavern of some sort located here since the 13th century. This cosy pub was once the haunt of sea dogs and smugglers with stories of a hidden tunnel leading directly to the harbour.

The tunnel and contraband may have gone but the pub still serves a fine selection of local ales and retains plenty of olde worlde charm.

The Turk’s Head has long been known for its pub lunches... read more...

Garden Bar & Restaurant

Welcome to our restaurant, please spend some time with us, whether you are looking for a leisurely breakfast, [anytime up to 12.00] a relaxed meal at any time during the day, a delightful afternoon tea or an elegant dinner. Or just pop in for coffee and sandwiches and a glass of wine and sit in our light airy restaurant with sweeping views across Penzance and Mounts Bay. If you have something to celebrate – a wedding, a party, a birth or anniversary – we can help you have an unforgettable... read more...

The Dock Inn

The recently renovated Dock, a freehouse & restaurant has quickly become one of the “in place to eat & drink in Penzance”. Food is modern British with a continental twist, with all meals being cooked on the premises using only fresh ingredients, and offering excellent value for money.

Menus are devised according to season and produce availability, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. There is a comprehensive wine list, a wide range of bar drinks and excellent... read more...