Top 10 Restaurants in Cornwall
Cornwall has long been known for its wonderful seafood and fresh produce but it’s the popularity of top chefs such as Rick Stein and the Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw that have helped to put Cornwall on the map. The Southwest isn’t just about pasties and cream teas, although they are certainly worth an indulgence, there’s so much more besides.
In the past decade, Cornwall has re-invented itself as the culinary heart of rural Britain but there’s also a new buzz about the place. Not only are gardens looking a touch more exotic, shops brimming with an eclectic mix not usually found in the large department stores but there are some cool new bars and restaurants opening up to join the great choice of existing watering holes and eateries.
Ten years ago you’d be hard pushed to find trendy beach bars and cafes but we’ve at long last caught up with our European friends and these are thankfully now plentiful. Nowadays you don’t just pop down to the beach for an ice-cream but if you want you can often find a beachside bar serving chilled crisp wines, premium lagers, local ales and tapas alongside cream teas, brownies and marshmallow-topped hot chocolates.
We list our favourite Top 10 eateries, all with varying budgets, that are well worth a visit if you get the opportunity. They are ordered according to their current rating on Trip Advisor with the percentage representing those who rated the restaurant as “excellent” or “very good”.
No. 10 – Indaba on the Beach
Swanpool, Falmouth
Offering lazy lunches, decadent dinners and sublime shellfish, Indaba on the Beach is a quick walk away from the bustle of Falmouth town and is all about a beautiful, relaxed and fun dining experience. Enjoy a morning coffee in the sun, a long and lazy al fresco lunch, or make it the perfect way to end a hard day out and about. Their ever-changing platters are a great way to try local shellfish but they always have steak and veggie options too.
Trip Advisor rating 77%.
No. 9 – Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall
Watergate Bay
Revamped just this season with spectacular views over the large expanse of beach. Modern, elegant interiors with wall-to-wall glass windows. Exceptional food with friendly staff and now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as antipasti throughout the day. For a real treat, experience their signature tasting menu featuring five courses using seasonal ingredients from some of the finest artisan producers in the county.
Trip Advisor rating 77%.
THIS RESTAURANT HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED AS OF 12-12-2019
No. 8 – Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant
Padstow
Situated in the heart of the pretty fishing port of Padstow, The Seafood Restaurant specialises in the freshest fish and seafood which is often landed right on their doorstep. There is a Seafood Bar right in the middle of the restaurant where you can watch chefs assembling platters of oysters, langoustines and sashimi. No reservations are required for the bar and you can order anything from the à la carte menu.
Trip Advisor rating 82%<
No. 7 – Porthminster Beach Café
St Ives
This multi-award-winning seafood restaurant is open year-round for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon teas and dinner. Nestled right on the beach at Porthminster, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and the food is delicious. The café specialises in Mediterranean and Asian seafood cuisine and it also serves a wonderful selection of homemade patisserie. It’s a superb setting with delightful views looking out to St Ives Bay and Godrevy Lighthouse.
Trip Advisor rating 84%
No. 6 – Beaucliffes at Porth Veor Manor
Porth, Newquay
Overlooking Porth beach this fine dining restaurant enjoys a well-earned reputation for fine dining and service. The talented team of chefs strive to offer diners an exciting variety of menus with dishes, created using only the finest locally sourced ingredients and highest quality produce. We have to admit we are biased as Beaucliffes is part of the Travelsmith Group but don’t take our word for it, with 93% of Trip Advisor reviewers recommending us, check out what they have to say.
Trip Advisor rating 93%
No. 5 – Restaurant Nathan Outlaw at St Enodoc Hotel
Rock
Awarded 2 Michelin Stars for the past 3 consecutive years in Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Guide and placed 3rd in the UK in the Good Food Guide 2014, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw is a seafood restaurant with a frequently changing set tasting menu which is driven by locally caught seafood and incredible Cornish produce. The restaurant is small and intimate and as such, they do not accept parties of more than six.
Trip Advisor rating 93%.
No. 4 – Paul Ainsworth at no. 6
Padstow
A multi-awarded winning restaurant proud at having also gained 1 Michelin Star for the first time in the 2013 guide. They source brilliant local, seasonal ingredients and then serve them in a simple modern style with a Cornish and British influence. Everything is homemade, from the bread to the chocolate truffles and the menu is accompanied by a fantastic wine list offering great value, whether ordered by the glass or the bottle. Great quality food in a warm, cosy and relaxed environment.
Trip Advisor rating 94%>
No. 3 – Gravy Boesti
Truro
Hidden away in an unassuming stone terrace house lies Gravy Boesti Restaurant. You’re welcomed into an intimate, stylish, contemporary venue which leads through to a tranquil, secluded courtyard. Enjoy the view as your food is prepared in the open-plan kitchen metres from the comfort of your table. Watch as the talented team create eye-catching, seasonal dishes and mouth-watering desserts using the freshest locally sourced produce available.
Trip Advisor rating 96%
No. 2 – Trewithen Restaurant
Lostwithiel
Imaginative menus thoughtfully created to offer a wide range of dishes freshly prepared from fresh, seasonal ingredients and produce sourced from local suppliers. Their menus are an eclectic mix of good traditional British food and mouth-watering Mediterranean and eastern specialities. Offering classical fine dining with a modern twist you can be assured of wonderful food and attentive yet unobtrusive service.
Trip Advisor rating 97%
No. 1 – No. 4 Peterville
St Agnes
Honest simple food with a regularly changing menu featuring dishes lovingly created from locally sourced seasonal produce. This bistro-style restaurant is small and friendly but big on taste. Open Tuesday to Saturday evenings for dinner with weekend breakfasts and Sunday brunch.
Trip Advisor rating 98%
If anyone believes nothing much has happened to Cornish food since the invention of the pasty, they’ll be in for a surprise. As Outlaw once quoted: “If really hard-core foodies came to Cornwall for a week, they could eat at great restaurants for lunch and dinner and still have places to explore.”