-
This elegant Michelin-star restaurant in Padstow is part of the Paul Ainsworth family of restaurants. If you're looking for a restaurant for a special occasion, No6 is the place to come.
Chef Chris McClurg and his team have created a menu of modern British classics: think wild turbot, fillets of beef and pigeon. The food is locally sourced where possible, adding a coastal Cornish feel to the dishes.
The main restaurant is an inviting space, housed in a Georgian townhouse in the centre of Padstow. And if you fancy a cocktail, book a table at exclusive Ci Ci's Bar upstairs. For a small, more intimate celebration, ask about No6's private dining room.
-
Pitched in the centre of St Mawes, overlooking its harbour, this award-winning restaurant's al fresco dining terrace takes eating out right to the water's edge.
Executive head chef Dorian Janmatt fuses French-style cooking techniques and classic British dishes. And while meat and fish dishes are The Idle Rocks' bread and butter, veggies get a fair choice of options too.
Beyond its dinner menu, the restaurant serves up traditional Cornish tea each day of the week – jam first, of course. It's served with a glass of Knightor Classic Cuvee, a crisp sparkling wine that's produced in Cornwall.
-
Walk along the sandy shore or boardwalk on Porthminster Beach, and you'll come to a gleaming white Art Deco building. This is the home of Porthminster Cafe, and some of the most coveted tables in town.
Right on the beach, the cafe feels relaxed but its menu is always on point. It serves impeccable Asian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, served with some of the best sea views in Britain.
Like many St Ives restaurants, it specialises in seafood; however, the team here also grow their own veg in the adjacent kitchen garden, and the desserts are (chef's kiss). Don't just save it for the summer: enjoy the windswept, winter Atlantic from the warmth of a window seat.
-
Food doesn't come much fresher than the dishes served up at the Sardine Factory - fresh fish is delivered from Looe Market, located right opposite the restaurant. Set in a converted sardine factory, right on the West Looe quayside, the restaurant boasts fantastic views across the river to East Looe.
Award-winning chef Benjamin Palmer heads things up here, you might recognise his name from his quarter-final placing on MasterChef: The Professionals back in 2011. Given this pedigree it will come as no surprise that the Sardine Factory has secured itself a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide.
The menu swings with the seasons, but Cornwall classics are a frequent feature. You can kick things off with a Cornish blue cheese starter, take locally caught crab linguine for main, then finish it up with a rice pudding.
-
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 locally as possible, including the chef’s own garden. The rest from local farms and Newlyn Fish Market with fish and shellfish dominating the menu.
Along with Mediterranean, the other main influence on the Shore’s menu is Japanese.
The Shore is reservation-only, and you pay for a set menu in advance. The restaurant seats only 14 and in the words of the chef “Your evening should be relaxed and laid back with little pomp or presumption.”
-
-
This is the place where it all began… The Seafood Restaurant was launched in 1975, and its co-founder Rick Stein went on to become a household name, transform Padstow's foodie scene, and create an empire of eateries.
The original Stein's is a restaurant of two halves: the family-friendly Seafood Restaurant,and the more grown-up Seafood Bar, where chefs prepare spectacular platters of exquisite fish and shellfish. Upstairs, the Terrace has lovely views of the Camel Estuary.
The dress code tends to be smart casual. Children over three are welcome in the restaurant (but not the bar), and although Stein places in general tend to be dog-friendly (remember Chalky!), this one isn't.
-
St Petroc's is another restaurant from Rick Stein's stables, and this one is an informal delight. It's set away from Padstow harbour, which gives it a more chilled-out feel.
The relaxed bistro serves French-inspired dishes, made from fine Cornish produce - naturally, there's always a choice of freshly landed fish. There's a children's menu, and your dog is welcome to join you at St Pet's - well in the outdoors areas anyway.
Start or end the evening with a cocktail at Ruby's Bar. You could always plan ahead, and book one of St Petroc's ten elegant en-suite guest rooms… Planning a party? The private dining room caters for up to 14 people.
-
The Pig at Harlyn is just ten minutes' drive (or taxi. Treat yourself - the wine list's worth it) from Padstow. The 15th-century house makes a perfect hotel and restaurant, and a lot of their food is grown on site.
At The Pig, the kitchen and gardening team work together to create fresh and lively dishes. They also have their own forager, who finds the best ingredients from the natural larder. As for other producers, well, The Pig has a 25-mile rule: nothing must come from further than that, including the beers, wines and spirits.
Book a table in the characterful old house, or try their new Lobster Shed in the garden, which serves wood-cooked local seafood. For a real treat, book a weekend here in the hotel or one of the romantic "Garden Wagons".
-
If you're looking for dining with a difference, Kota's your calling. The restaurant's located overlooking Porthleven's picturesque harbour and run by critically acclaimed chef Jude Kereama, whose Chinese-Maori roots are showcased in his cooking.
Super fresh local seafood is meticulously crafted into Asian-influenced cuisine. Dishes such as panko-coated hake and prawns with wasabi tartar have gained a mention in the Good Food Guide in 2019, which was followed up by a place on Harden's Top 100 restaurants the next year. Kota is also a regular recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Good to know: The six-course tasting menu comes with a match made-in-heaven wine pairing, well worth a look at for an extra special date night.
-
Come to this pleasing little bistro for fresh fish with fantastic views. 2 Fore Street is in the centre of the village, looking out towards the busy little harbour.
It's a lovely place to enjoy seafood and a glass of something chilled in the evening; however, it's equally good simply to stop here for a coffee in the morning. On a sunny day, try to get a table in the pretty courtyard.
If you're heading out for the day, 2 Fore Street has also opened a deli recently (a bit further up the road in Millpool Courtyard. Stock up on delicious local bread, cheese and fruit for your picnic.
-
-
The Wig & Pen gets its name from the nearby County Court. The Grade 2-listed building has been an inn for much of its life, and has recently reopened following a change of hands and a thorough refurbishment.
Like a lot of city centre places, it's both a dining gastropub and a bar. Relax outside with a bellini after work/shopping in town, or enjoy a sumptuous Sunday lunch in front of the fire. The food is modern British, and makes the most of the fantastic local larder. Try the Wig Burger or the catch of the day.
The pub is family and dog friendly. If you're dining at The Wig & Pen, reserve your table in advance, or phone ahead if you're hoping to eat there that day.
-
A pair of Cornish icons join forces at this place, Fistral Beach is one of Newquay's most-loved swathes and Rick Stein is a big name on its foodie scene.
Chip shop classics are the main event here, with cod, lemon sole, and plaice plates all rating highly. But, if a chippy tea isn't taking your fancy there's an Asian menu that just might. Goan chicken curry, pad Thai and Pondicherry cod curry are all for the taking here, too.
Get ahead of the game and order your meal on the Rick Stein app, then just head to the restaurant once it's ready.
-
Fistral Beach is one of Newquay's star swathes, and the Fish House has bagged a spot right on its shores.
The food served here is delivered straight from Newquay harbour, so fresh food is a given. Things here are headed up by Paul Harwood who has led the restaurant to several awards, including a place in the Michelin Guide. The stories from his worldwide travels are told on the menu which covers all four corners of the globe, with flavours from the likes of Sri Lanka, Bali, and India.
-
Lula,set on Hayle harbour's North Quay, has given the hip St Ives cafes a run for their money. This laid-back place blends Cornish and Creole food, with a dash of Floridian crab shack magic.
It's open all day, starting with a brilliant breakfast menu that seems to draw inspiration from everywhere, then serves classics like po'boys, steam pots, and wings until right into the evening. Food service finishes at eight thirty, but the bar stays open.
The Lula Shack offers a takeout service - but why would you want to? Its unique, very Cornish location, combined with its spicy Creole menu, makes this a truly memorable spot for a meal out.
-
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. Many of the locals come here for the cakes, which are amazing. The cake menu changes daily; however, there are always vegan and gluten-free options.
-
-
A by-the-sand setting and a Mediterranean-inspired menu make the Ruin Beach Café a top pick for a laidback lunch or a special dinner.
Beyond the location, what really sets this place apart is its wood-fired oven – everything from juicy meats to delicious pizzas are cooked on it. You can grab coffee and pastries in the mornings, too. And with all that on offer, it's no surprise that the café's been awarded two AA Rosettes.
And its seaside terrace is perched right above the beach, so little ones can build sandcastles while grown-ups tuck into a long, leisurely lunch.
-
Sam now has restaurants all over Cornwall, and his city venue has become a real favourite. Come here for seafood served in a busy, modern setting, or pop upstairs for the calmer and more sophisticated cocktail bar.
The diverse menu features burgers, moules, nachos and salads,with plenty of Sam's signature seafood dishes . If you like fish, try the Thai curry or the house bouillabaisse. The family-friendly restaurant also has a good kids' menu.
As well as serving fashionable cocktails, the upstairs lounge can be hired for private events. If you're looking for a chic city centre location for your party, speak with Sam's. While you're in the area, try to bag the Fowey, Par, Polkerris and Roseland restaurants, too.
-
The Harbour Hotel in St Ives has an enviable backdrop: beautiful Porthminster Beach. The views from the restaurant, bar and terrace are stunning, and the food's beautifully presented, too.
The menu features fresh local seafood as well as delicious grilled dishes. Come here for a stylish take on the traditional Sunday roast, and the Harbour is also one of the best places around for a classy afternoon tea (just add fizz for an extra treat).
If you really want to treat yourself, book into HarSPA for a treatment or a swim before you eat. The hotel spa offers an evening session - perfect before dinner…
-
Port Gaverne is a sheltered little cove close to Port Isaac, and home to the Port Gaverne Hotel & Restaurant. The hotel has recently launched its new venture, Pilchards @ Port Gaverne.
This cafe is right on the beach, with the waves practically lapping the decking at high water. If you want a table near the sea, they don't come closer than this. Chef Tom Mackins has created a menu that makes the most of the local larder, with plenty of seafood to choose from.
With its beachside location, there's a relaxed feel to the new cafe. Walkers on the coat path are welcome to stop in for a hot drink along the way, while sand-coated families can enjoy skin-on fries followed by ice cream. If you want a romantic meal of steak and good wine as the sun sets and the waves gently splash, that works here, too.
-
"The one with the booths?" Yes, that's the one! This lovely cafe right on Porthmeor Beach (the beach in front of the Tate) has a row of little three-walled pods, facing the sea and each with heater and lamp. You'll have to book well in advance, but it'll be worth the forward planning.
Locals come here for the tapas, which as you'd expect, majors on seafood, but is also pretty good for veggies. It's also a favourite spot for breakfast or morning coffee, taken on one of the two terraces or the lively inside area.
Because Porthmeor Beach Cafe has a full drinks licence, you can also come here simply for a glass of something chilled (time it so you catch the Porthmeor sunset). Canine companions are welcome in the outside areas.
-
