What are the Best Restaurants in Cornwall?

Cornwall is a world-famous tourist hot spot and one of the most beautiful locations you could hope to visit. But the scenery and the seaside aren’t the only things this coastal county has to offer. It also offers some of the finest and delightfully charming places to enjoy food, glorious food! But, What are the Best Restaurants in Cornwall?

In this post, we’ll highlight some of the best restaurants in Cornwall that are sure to make your holiday all the more special. If the quickest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, well, it’s pretty safe to say you’ll fall in love with Cornwall.

Rick Stein’s ‘The Seafood Restaurant’

Rick Stein is a key figure of cuisine in Cornwall. He owns several restaurants in Padstow and, up until recently, a fish and chip shop in Falmouth. However, he just so happens to own one of the most well known and best seafood restaurants in Cornwall — appropriately named ‘The Seafood Restaurant’.

This wonderful restaurant covers all bases by offering simple yet delicious choices as well as globally-inspired dishes — such as the lobster risotto, Indonesian seafood curry, or Singapore chilli crab — from Spain, Mexico, India and beyond. Oh, and a wine list to die for! Whether you’re looking to sit down and enjoy a classic seafood meal or something a bit more adventurous, or simply relax on the upper terrace with a beautiful view and a glass of wine, the Seafood Restaurant is always a good choice.

Simply put, Rick Stein knows his seafood, he knows what people want, but most importantly — he’s created a menu and environment that delivers on all fronts.

Star and Garter

The Star and Garter in Falmouth is a Cornish pub with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. In 2015, its new owner and chef Elliot Thompson transformed this age-old Cornish boozer into one of the best restaurants in Cornwall. A visit to the Star and Garter offers a warm, welcoming environment with vintage, classic appeal. Working closely with the best artisan suppliers and using locally sourced ingredients, their menu provides a vast array of fresh and seasonal dishes. No two visits to the Star and Garter will be the same, and that’s precisely what makes it such a memorable location.

Enjoy a refreshing lunch, a hearty meal or a few drinks with friends in front of the fire or with a beautiful view of Falmouth’s harbour. If you are visiting Cornwall in the near future and are on the lookout for a memorable pub experience, trust us, the Star and Garter is not to be missed!

Paul Ainsworth at No6

This incredible Michelin star restaurant can be found in the heart of Padstow, located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse. Using the finest Cornish ingredients, the chefs at Paul Ainsworth at No6 create delightful modern British dishes — from tallow aged beef fillet to Padstow lobster turbot. However, the aforementioned dishes feature on their summer menu, which of course, refreshes as the seasons go on.

The restaurant itself combines top-tier service with a warm and welcoming environment. Sophistication, elegance, and a unique sense of charm make this Michelin star restaurant a genuinely lovely environment to enjoy delicious and beautifully presented dishes. Fancy a cocktail after dinner? They just so happen to have an incredible reservation-only cocktail bar upstairs, Ci Ci’s Bar. The perfect post-dinner hangout to extend your dining experience and enjoy an apéritif, digestif or classic cocktail or two.

Caffè Rojano

Paul Ainsworth is at it again in Padstow! Caffè Rojano is another of his properties that have gained a reputation for being one of the best restaurants in Cornwall. This wonderfully casual eatery serves dishes inspired by New York’s Italian American restaurants. While the atmosphere is indeed very relaxed, they’re a restaurant that is very serious about the quality and creativity of their food.

Their all-day menu has so much to offer, no matter what time of day you cross the threshold. From delicious brunch options to sourdough pizzas and homemade pasta and much, much more. Oh, and since they are so close to the sea, it would be rude not to include a wide range of seafood options! Their incredible food menu is accompanied by an impressive wine list and also a selection of signature cocktails.

Kota

Located right at the front of Porthleven’s harbour, Kota offers patrons a scenic view, immersive rustic interior, and a brilliant Asian-inspired menu that makes good use of local produce and fish. How about Porthilly oysters to start? A mouth-watering crab ravioli for the main course? Oh, and maybe blue cheese ice cream for dessert. That’s just a taste of what Kota has to offer in the food department, not to mention the wide range of fine wines and cocktails worthy of your attention.

If you find yourself in Porthleven and would like to admire the harbour while enjoying a delicious Asian-inspired meal crafted with local ingredients and maybe even a tasty cocktail to boot — Kota should most definitely be on your to-do list.

The Gurnard’s Head

The Gurnard’s Head couldn’t be more recognisable if they tried, but as it’s bright yellow situated on one of the most northern points of Cornwall, you’re unlikely to stumble upon it unless you go looking. So, we thought we’d give you a nudge in the right direction! It may not be in the heart of the small seaside town, but this is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in St Ives. 

The fact that it’s more remote than the other restaurants on this list yet remains as one of the most popular and best restaurants in Cornwall shows a lot about its quality and character. They do a fantastic job of offering a true ‘local’ pub experience while providing a refined and sophisticated array of dishes. Don’t worry; you’ll still find all of the pub classics you know and love, but you’ll also benefit from international twists that set them apart from other restaurants in the county. Fantastic examples include their middle eastern lamb and monkfish tail with an incredible Madras curry sauce.

Whether you’re venturing from elsewhere to sample their unique bites or have enjoyed a coastal walk nearby and want to kick your muddy wellies off in front of the fire, this a restaurant to suit the needs of everyone while adopting a unique charm that you’ll soon adore.

For more helpful advice and recommendations for a trip to Cornwall, check out our other blog posts. Visiting Cornwall soon? Book your accommodation today with Carbis Bay Holidays.