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That name… There's nowhere quite like the Rum & Crab Shack near the harbour in St Ives. It was established in 2012 by four friends who loved, naturally, drinking rum and eating crab; and 100 types of rum later, it's one of the town's best-loved venues.
Yes, a love of cracking claws and drinking grog helps, but there's also a good choice of chicken, veggie and vegan dishes. Not a rum drinker? Check out the cocktail menu. However, visiting pirates should grab a tot of the house rums, Dead Man's Fingers and Stargazy.
The old shack is in a great location in Wharf Road, with views out towards the harbour. It's open midday until midnight, and there's no need to book.
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A harbourside address, and a place in the Michelin guide have both given The Square a solid spot on Porthleven's dining scene.
An ever-changing menu makes sure that only the freshest of dishes are plated up at this place. If Cornish crab's on the menu, we suggest you snap it up. Dessert is covered by the Square Deli which sits on the restaurant's sidelines, its homemade ice creams and sweet treats are the talk of the town.
Good to know: Dogs are welcomed here with open arms, and while they're not permitted indoors there's plenty of space for your pup to rest their paws on the terrace.
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The New Yard serves a set supper menu from Wednesday through to Saturday from a stable yard in Trelowarren – it's all part of a private estate that's been owned by the same family for more than 600 years.
This stylish plot was awarded Green Michelin Star back in 2021 – which not only recognises its high-quality food but its sustainable practices too. You'll need to pre-book to try out the flavours and all diners need to show up at 6.30 in time for the first plate which is served promptly at 7pm.
The menu changes each night the restaurant's open, with each of its courses made from produce that has grown from the estate's well-groomed gardens, or sourced locally.
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Lewinnick Lodge is perched on top of the cliffs at Pentire Headland peering right over the Atlantic, and the views from up here are just as good as the one you're picturing.
The menu takes classic Cornish dishes and gives them a contemporary twist, salt-baked cauliflower steak and clam spaghetti come highly rated. There's plenty of other choice though, as the menu swings with the seasons, ensuring only the best quality ingredients are used.
The drinks menu keeps things local with locally brewed ales and beers, there are fine wines and classic cocktails to pick from, too.
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This place is housed inside a former bank, just beside Fowey's riverside.
You don't have to take our word when it comes to this place, the guys at Michelin Guide agree. With three established restaurants in London, owners David and Jeremie have taken their success southwest to Cornwall.
The menu changes daily, depending on what's fresh when. Small-sized seafood plates are pretty much guaranteed though. Food envy's a thing of the past here, dishes like half lobster plates allow for a couple of dishes come dinnertime. Save room for dessert though, the restaurant's dessert menu gets just as many kudos as its mains.
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Porthgwidden Beach is a sandy cove tucked beneath The Island in St Ives and lined with traditional beach huts. It's also home to the laid-back Porthgwidden, the place to come if you love your seafood to be served with a view.
There's a modern indoor dining room and a dog-friendly terrace, all looking out over the Atlantic towards Godrevy. The menu has a Mediterranean feel, with seafood tapas and incredible pizzas. Sitting on the terrace eating padron peppers, this really doesn't feel like the UK…
Below the restaurant and directly on the beach, there's a takeaway and shop. Grab a cold beer, ice cream or warm coffee, depending on age and outside temperature. The cafe also owns the beach huts ("Pods"), and you can book them online.
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With a postcode that puts it in Bude's town centre, Potters is a big hit with both holidaymakers and locals alike. And with a menu that works in sync with the changing seasons, it's well worth a visit for fresh flavours all year round.
Bude-born flavours are on the cards at dinner, on both its seasonal tasting menus and a la carte options. And, with a spot on the Michelin Guide, you know you're in for a good meal.
Good to know: The tasting menu can be adjusted for vegetarian diets, just be sure to let the restaurant know before you book. And well behaved dogs are permitted in the drinks and cocktail lounge.
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Situated in tranquil water gardens just outside town, Penrose Kitchen is a world away from Truro's busy streets. The food is local and seasonal, and in some instances, even homegrown.
What sort of cuisine can you expect at Penrose Kitchen? Chef Ben Harmer's pedigree includes the Savoy and La Gavroche, so there's a light and refined touch to the menu at Penrose. Look out for the fresh seafood dishes or try some locally reared meat.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, as well as for Sunday lunch. Families are welcome for lunch; however the evening service is grown-ups only. The restaurant is on one storey and has level access.
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As far as locations go, Porthminster Kitchen really has blagged one of the best. It's not actually on Porthminster Beach (it's named after its big sis, Porthminster Cafe) but is upstairs in a Wharf Road building, overlooking St Ives harbour. It's worth a visit for the view alone.
The food itself is lively and has a range of influences, from Asian to Mediterranean. Local fish features a lot on the menu - look out for their spicy fish dishes and Asian-style salads.
Porthminster Kitchen serves lunch and dinner. Please book ahead, and if you're dining with kids, please book for before 7pm. Looking for luxe accommodation in central St Ives? The restaurant owns two apartments, also with harbour views.
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Strolling up Falmouth's quirky High Street, you will find a hidden gem in the Star & Garter. Set in a Georgian townhouse this restaurant is fast becoming one of the best gastro pubs in Cornwall.
It seems no detail is overlooked at Star & Garter. The chefs are very passionate about what they do, and it shows. The menu is refreshingly different, and you are spoilt for choice with all the dishes on offer. The meat on offer is butchered, cured and smoked by Star & Garter themselves.
Aside from the delicious menu, you have world-class whiskies, a cocktail menu that will tickle everyone's fancy, and such a wide variety of rums that would even stop a pirate in his tracks!
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The restaurant tucked inside this luxury seaside boutique hotel dishes up lunch and dinner seven days a week.
The menu rotates with what's fresh when, but you can be sure there will be a selection of meat and fish dishes on the line-up. Daily blackboard specials spice the foodie offering up each day, and the restaurant's Sunday roast is well worth a look at if you're in town over the weekend.
For something a little different, the dinner and movie night offers a two course meal and a film screening in a hidden cinema. For those preferring to enjoy the kitchen's culinary skills from home, a takeaway pizza service is available too.
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Zacry's shares the dining scene with a handful of other restaurants at the Watergate Bay Hotel.
The restaurant's dressed in stylish monochrome and huge pull back windows offer wall to wall views of the coastline that runs right alongside it.
Meat and seafood dishes are served with a twist here. Head chef, Neil Haydock's outside-of-the-box creations include tandoori-spiced octopus, miso-glazed black cod and crispy coated monkfish with a katsu curry. Fear not plant-based friends, there's a full menu with your name on it so you can still get in on the action.
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Not many things come fresher than the plates the Rocket Store serves up. Fresh seafood is delivered direct to the kitchen from the restaurant's very own boat, while meat is sourced from its nearby farm.
The menu here is all about what's available when, but whatever plate you choose you can guarantee the freshest of foods. The hotel takes its position right on Boscastle Harbour, with the lion's share of seating outdoors.
You can eat outside in all weather, with parasols fit for days when shade's required, and blankets and heaters for when temperatures take a dip.
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The Old Sail Loft is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Looe. It sits right on the town's harbour front, and its history dates back well over 450 years, when its thought to have been used by smugglers and sea faring men.
Flash forward to today and the largely unchanged building is home to one of the seaside town's best-rated restaurants. Fresh fish comes straight from Simply fish – the restaurants quay-side sister company.
Favourites include whole Looe Bay lobster, paired with Cornish new potatoes in garlic and parsley butter. There are plenty of meat options, too. Or, if you can't decide between the two surf and turf has got you covered.
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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.
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With a collection of Mediterranean-style whitewashed buildings and seaward terraces you could be fooled into thinking this hotel's been plucked from the shores of Ibiza.
The restaurant is housed in a separate building, and paired with an al fresco terrace offering stunning views of St Mawes Bay.
The menu takes inspiration from its seaside setting, with fresh fish dishes in plentiful supply. Meat-eaters and veggies are taken care of, too, with beef filet and meat-free pasta dishes also sharing the spotlight on the menu. That's not all though, a lengthy list of wines covers perfect pairings, whatever you choose to eat.
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The Rick Stein Cafe is located in what feels like the bright and airy cottage living room in the middle of Padstow - which is more or less what it is. As part of the Padstein empire you are certain to get quality, innovative food, but this has been combined with a casual dining experience and reasonable pricing.
The cafe has earned itself a reputation as one of the best spots in Padstow to fill up on a top-notch breakfast before a day's exploring. Whilst the full English cooked breakfast is as good as any there are also plenty of other options drawing on more cosmopolitan influences. As you would expect everything from the marmalade to the pastries is all homemade on site.
It isn't just breakfast though; you can pop into Rick Stein's Cafe for a light lunch or an a la carte dinner. Whilst, unsurprisingly, much of the menu is seafood there are plenty of other options, including vegetarian dishes. True to the Rick Stein ethos there are an eclectic mix of Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences on the cuisine which might not work under the management of lesser chefs. However, the cafe pulls it off and all at prices that won't make your eye's water.
Please note, dogs are welcome in our courtyard only. Tables in the courtyard are very limited so please ensure you add a note to your table booking.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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