40 St Ives Restaurants: The Ultimate ‘Where to Eat’ Guide
Choose from 40 St Ives restaurants by clicking on the cuisine of your choice. The big question when you get...
Heading down to the bustling town of St Ives for your next staycation? If so, be sure to check out one of the many fantastic pubs the town has to offer!
From modern cocktail bars to family-friendly gastropubs and plenty of cosy craft beer hotspots, this wonderful town has no shortage of places to grab a drink. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to stop off whilst out on a wander or a place to enjoy with the whole family on an evening out, this guide has you covered.
Keep scrolling to uncover all the best pubs in St Ives…
Skip Ahead to:
• The Golden Lion
• The Queens Hotel
• The Sloop Inn
• The Pilchard Press Alehouse
• Beer and Bird
• Hub
• The Firehouse
• Rum and Crab Shack
• The Lifeboat Inn
• The Union Inn
• The Three Ferrets
• The Kettle & Wink
Tucked away at the bottom of the town’s bustling high street, The Golden Lion is easily one of the most popular pubs in St Ives. Not only does it boast a fantastic location that’s situated just a stone’s throw from the historic harbour, but it’s also well-renowned for its lively atmosphere and delicious pub grub.
With two bars clad in cosy dark wood and a beer garden at the rear for your young ones to play in, this typical country pub is the perfect place to bring the family for an afternoon pint.
To accompany your drinks at this ‘locals’ local’, the Golden Lion’s menu of hearty pub classics and lighter bites is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of little eaters. Head there on a Sunday to catch the weekly roast dinner, serving a selection of three locally sourced roast joints.
Opening Times: 11am – 11pm (Monday to Saturday), 12pm – 11pm (Sundays)
Food Served: 12pm – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: High St, Saint Ives TR26 1RS
Website: https://thegoldenlionhotel.co.uk/
Also found on St Ives’ high street in the heart of the town centre, The Queens Hotel has long been a hotspot for holidaymakers, not only for its fantastic rooms but also for its wonderfully cosy bar downstairs situated on the ground floor.
This town centre gastropub has a simple goal; to provide great, affordable pub food in a friendly, relaxed and charming environment. It’s also a place you can flock to when the football is on, as this pub hosts all kinds of matches and fixtures throughout the year.
Away from the dining room, relax in the cosy sofa area or pick up a cue and challenge the family to a game of pool. Or, with WiFi available, kids can keep themselves entertained on their devices.
Opening Times: 10am – 11pm (Monday to Saturday), 12pm – 10.30pm (Sundays)
Food Served: 12pm – 2.30pm and 12pm – 9pm (12pm- 6pm out of season)
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: High St, Saint Ives TR26 1RR
Website: https://queenshotelstives.com/
One of Cornwall’s oldest pubs, reportedly open since 1312, the Sloop Inn sits right on the harbour front of St Ives. The Sloop Inn offers visitors heaps of Cornish character, with slate floors, open fires and local artists’ work displayed around the walls.
With a kitchen serving breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the week, it’s seafood that this historic inn specialises in, with an extensive menu served in the Lounge and Cellar bars. And to complement the seafood offerings, the Sloop Inn bar has got you covered with its own 1312 gin. The small-batch gin is distilled in Cornwall from Cornish potatoes and infused with aromatics including rosemary.
Read more about this county’s best produce with our guide to the top 5 Cornish gins »
Opening Times: 11am – 11pm (Monday to Saturday), 12pm – 10.30pm (Sundays)
Food Served: Breakfast menu 9am – 11am, Main menu 12pm-3pm & 5pm – late
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LR
Website: https://www.sloop-inn.co.uk/
Easy to miss as you wander the streets of St Ives, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the pale blue double doors that conceal this pint-sized Cornish gem. But be warned… with only a wood-topped bar and two tables available, you may be fighting for a seat at the unique St Ives micro-pub!
Opened in 2016, this quaint yet popular St Ives pub has become a mainstay in the town, most visited by tourists who find themselves stopping off for a quick rest whilst wandering the town’s historic harbour area.
With their selection of six craft beers changing weekly at The Pilchard Press Alehouse, you’re sure to find a refreshing new pint to sample on your visit to this charming boozer.
Opening Times: 4pm – 10.30pm (Monday to Saturday), 2pm – 7pm (Sundays)
Food Served: No
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LF
Website: https://www.sloop-inn.co.uk/
Opened in 2017, this family-run craft beer bar has an abundance of choice on offer, boasting an impressive 12-page menu, all of which is complemented by their selection of fried chicken-centric comfort food.
Craft beer novices shouldn’t be daunted by the prospect of picking a pint, as Beer and Bird’s friendly bar staff are on hand to help you make an educated selection from their ever-changing selection of cask and kegged beers.
Vegetarian and vegan visitors needn’t miss out on the fried ‘chicken’ action either, as Beer and Bird offer a great selection of seitan burgers that are just as delicious as their chicken versions.
Opening Times: 12pm – 11.45pm, seven days a week
Food Served: 12pm – 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 9pm
Dog-Friendly: No
Address: 18A Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1AB
Website: https://www.beerandbird.com/
Reopened in April 2019 after a huge refurbishment, Hub St Ives is one of our favourite restaurants in St Ives and a must-visit for craft beer lovers and foodies, boasting both a fantastic list of rotating craft beers and an extensive menu featuring a host of classic dishes.
The two-storey bar and burger joint sits on the harbour front and offers panoramic views across St Ives Harbour, making it the perfect place to stop off for a rest after a day of exploration.
A favourite with locals in the know, the Hub offers a range of incredible local and international craft beers, all complemented by their extensive menu of burgers, hot dogs, seafood, nachos and dirty fries.
Opening Times: 9am – late, seven days a week
Food Served: 11.30am – 10pm
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: 4 Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LF
Website: https://www.beerandbird.com/
The Firehouse is a must-visit for gin lovers in St Ives. Situated in the heart of Fore Street, this bar and grill serves a range of great food, including brick-fired pizza and flame-grilled steaks – but the gin bar is where the Firehouse really excels.
Self-proclaimed specialists in the ‘wonderful world of gin’, the Firehouse’s bartenders match a selection of specialist gins with their own dehydrated fruit garnishes and a variety of tonics.
However, while there’s nothing better than an expertly mixed G&T, we recommend sampling one of their ‘Cornish Garden’ cocktails. The moreish mix of Cornish gin, cucumber, elderflower, ginger beer and fresh mint is a treat for any discerning cocktail connoisseur.
Opening Times: 11.30am – late, seven days a week
Food Served: 12pm – 3pm and 6pm – late
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: 27 Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1LF
Website: https://www.firehousestives.co.uk/
Specialising in, you guessed it, rum; this bar and restaurant offers a huge selection of rums from around the world, making it one of the best pubs in St Ives for fans of this type of spirit.
Their extensive menu offers a description of each rum to help you navigate the mass of spirits on offer; because as the Shack says, ‘rum is a mix of ideas, tomfoolery and experience’.
The Rum and Crab Shack have developed a great range of cocktails incorporating some of the many rums on offer. We’d recommend sampling a ‘Drop the Anchor’, an indulgent mix of chocolate, coconut and (of course) rum.
Enjoy your drink on its own or pair it with something from their wide food menu; the Crab Mac n Cheese is particularly great.
What’s best is that this popular pub is also home to a secret bar, known as the R Bar that can be found tucked away behind the main venue. Boasting an intimate atmosphere, plenty of cocktails and live DJ sets, it’s one of the town’s best-kept secrets when it comes to nightlife.
Opening Times: 12pm – 11pm, seven days a week
Food Served: All day
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LG
Website: https://rumandcrabshack.com/
Nestled beside the town’s lifeboat house from which it takes its name, The Lifeboat Inn sits right on the edge of Harbour Sands, offering punters stunning views of the harbour during their visit to this popular St Ives pub.
On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the crackling open fire and cosy atmosphere, two highlights that draw in plenty of locals and holidaymakers throughout the year.
With a fantastic menu packed full of pub classics, this place also offers a wide range of local beers from the St Austell Brewery as well as a host of big-name drinks you’d expect to find in any pub, giving visitors plenty of options to choose from.
If you’re planning on staying for food, (and why wouldn’t you?) we recommend pairing your vegan pint with a portion of the vegan South Indian vegetable curry.
Opening Times: 8am – 11pm, seven days a week
Food Served: 8am – 9pm
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LF
Website: https://lifeboatinnstives.co.uk/
This traditional pub, set over two levels on the back streets of St Ives, draws you in with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Offering a selection of draft ales and lagers such as the award-winning Cornish favourites Doom Bar Bitter and Korev Cornish lager.
Any vegan visitors to St Ives can quench their thirst at The Union Inn with a pint of Cornish Rattler cider; made without any animal products or processing aids. Aside from the drinks selection on offer, this place is also well-renowned for its fantastic food, much of which is locally sourced.
For seafood enthusiasts, we’d highly recommend trying their fish pie or a classic fish and chips. Alternatively, their steak and Doom Bar ale pie is also a big hit, both with locals and visitors alike!
Opening Times: 11am – midnight (Monday to Saturday), 12pm – 11pm (Sundays)
Food Served: 12pm – 3pm & 5.30 – 9pm
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: 20 Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1AB
Website: https://www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/food_drink/the-union-inn/
Often regarded as one of the few true ‘locals’ pubs in St Ives, The Three Ferrets is still a warm and welcoming place for visitors and well worth visiting for a pint if you happen to be passing by.
Situated on Chapel Street, this St Ives pub is tucked away from most of the hustle and bustle and makes for a great place to escape the crowds. Inside, you’ll find a dart board as well as a full-sized pool table and a number of screens showing live sports throughout the season.
Not only that, but behind the bar you’ll also find all the classic beers, wines and spirits, as well as plenty of locally brewed cask ales and local favourites such as Rattler cider. So, if you’re looking to spend some time in a place that’s well-hidden from tourists, this is the place to go!
Opening Times: 11am – 11pm (Monday to Saturday), 12pm – 11pm (Sundays)
Food Served: No
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: 17 Chapel St, Saint Ives TR26 2LR
Website: https://www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/food_drink/the-three-ferrets/
Found on the ground floor of the Western Hotel just a short walk away from the seafront, The Kettle & Wink is another classic St Ives pub that offers an old-school, no-frills experience.
Hosting regular live music nights featuring local artists, this pub also has all the popular local beers on tap, from Proper Job to Ghost Ship and a whole lot more. They’re also dog-friendly, making it a great place to stop off with your pooch after an afternoon exploring the town.
With a warm and cosy atmosphere inside, it’s a place where you’ll meet both tourists and locals, making it a fantastic place to stop off at any time of the year.
Opening Times: 2pm – 11pm (Monday – Saturday), 12 – 10:30pm (Sundays)
Food Served: No
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Address: Gabriel St, Saint Ives TR26 2LU
Website: https://www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/food_drink/the-three-ferrets/
Has our guide to the best pubs in St Ives inspired you to visit this stunning part of the world? Why not check out this guide covering all the best beaches in St Ives waiting for you to enjoy? Not only that but there’s also a host of fantastic walks in St Ives for you to enjoy before stopping off at one of these brilliant pubs too!
If you’re ready to book your ultimate getaway here, the next thing to check off is booking one of these holiday cottages in St Ives »
Image Credits: Mutney – (CC BY-SA 4.0); Mshuang2 – (CC0 1.0)