With the UK basking in September sunshine, discover the best Cornish restaurants, and places to eat in Cornwall, if you’ll be visiting this popular English seaside town for a last minute UK getaway.
A few weeks ago, if you told me I’d be sitting in my garden in early September, slathered in sun screen, writing a blog post about where to eat in Cornwall on a last minute summer staycation, I would’ve said you’re crazy.
Given the wash-out of a summer we’ve had – and the Met Office’s recent negative outlook on the prospects of an ‘Indian summer’ – I was fully ready to start chugging pumpkin spice lattes, crank up the heating, and reintroduce my favourite autumnal comfort foods to my weekly meal plans.
With high temperatures set to continue this week, no doubt many of us will be scrambling to book late summer staycations. Recently named top UK seaside destination for a summer holiday, Cornwall will no doubt be a popular choice. With a variety of accommodation, from charming coastal cottages; to quirky lodges; last-minute caravan holidays; and even static caravans in Cornwall for sale – there are plenty of last-minute deals waiting to be snapped up.
So, if you’ll be among the thousands heading to the Cornish coast for a last minute UK break, here are some suggestions on where to eat and drink in Cornwall during your stay.
10 of the best restaurants in Cornwall
There are lots of great places to eat in Cornwall; it really just depends on what kind of cuisine, or style of dining, you’re hoping to experience. Here are some of the best restaurants in Cornwall for fine dining, for couples, meals with a view, and affordable dining.
Places to eat in Cornwall with a view
Fancy a meal with a view? The postcard-perfect views of Godrevy Lighthouse from Porthminster Beach Cafe are said to be among the best sea views in St Ives. Naturally, locally caught fish and seafood take centre stage on the menu inspired by both Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.
Alternatively, the St. Enodoc Hotel offers sweeping views over the Camel Estuary in Rock, with a seasonally inspired a la carte menu served every day, alongside a Saturday barbecue lunch; and Sunday roast dinner.
Michelin-starred Cornish restaurants
With three Michelin starred restaurants to its name, Cornwall is no stranger to fine dining. If you’re looking to experience a memorable tasting menu during your stay, make a beeline for Nathan Outlaw’s New Road, and/or Fish Kitchen, both serving seafood-heavy menus, in Port Isaac. Elsewhere, Paul Ainsworth’s No. 6 in Padstow offers creatively crafted local produce, based within a charming Georgian townhouse.
Notably, two of just four new Green Michelin stars awarded in the Michelin Guide 2023 for Great Britian and Ireland went to restaurants in Cornwall – Culture in Falmouth, run by chef Hylton Espey; and Crocadon Farm at St. Mellion, run by Dan Cox; both well-deserving of a visit.
Cheap places to eat in Cornwall
Can’t afford to splash out on fine dining? For a more affordable dining option, some of the best cheap places to eat in Cornwall include roadside cafe, Nice Baps in Wadebridge – perhaps best known for its Cornish breakfasts, and breakfast baps; Inkie’s Smokehouse BBQ in Liskeard – famous for its wood-smoked local meat and homemade rubs; and
For a cheap eat on the go, pick up a Cornish pasty – one of the most traditional foods to eat in Cornwall. Based within an old fishing cottage, Sarah’s Pasty Shop in Looe is said to be particularly reasonably priced.
Restaurants in Cornwall for couples
Although Outlaw’s aforementioned New Road certainly sounds like the way to my heart, there are plenty of romantic places to eat in Cornwall with that special someone.
Established 13 years ago, The Dining Room in Rock offers an excellent fine dining experience, without the Michelin starred price tag. Run by chef-proprietor, Fred Beedles, the restaurant serves a fixed price dinner menu in the evenings, and remains closed for lunch. Highlights include salt-baked celeriac with king oyster, black garlic and cumin; and roasted turbot fillet with kohlrabi and prawn bisque.
Or, for a lighter bite to eat, why not indulge in cream tea for two? Based in Morva, charming family-run tearoom, Rosemergy Farmhouse Cream Tea serves homemade cakes, baked daily in an old Aga oven. Perch in the picturesque garden and admire the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the North Cornish moors, while sipping on hot cream tea and devouring freshly made scones.
Where are your favourite places to eat in Cornwall? Let me know and I’ll consider them for my next visit.
