12 great places to eat in Cornwall

When you’re on holiday, it’s always nice to try the local cuisine and treat yourself to an excellent meal. We’ve listed some great places to eat in Cornwall that will certainly get your taste buds watering. So get ready to tuck in as we sample these culinary delights.

1. Pandora Inn

The picturesque Pandora Inn situated by the side of Restronguet Creek provides family-friendly food with a designated kids’ menu in addition to the main menu. Pandora Inn also welcomes furry friends, with dogs allowed in the downstairs bar area. Parts of the inn have been around since the 13th century but it is a modern award winner, having won gold in the 2012 Cornwall Tourism Awards. Main courses include the likes of Cornish 8 oz. sirloin steak with chips, grilled tomato, mushrooms and dressed watercress for £18.00 or locally sourced mussels steamed in white wine, garlic, cream and butter, served with artisan bread for £14.

2. The Gurnard’s Head

The Gurnard’s Head is near Zennor and offers a stunning sea view while you sample some delicious dining. Meals include the likes of grilled megrim sole with new potatoes, spinach, fennel and crab butter for lunch or duck breast with cocotte potatoes, celeriac puree, cabbage and cherries for dinner. For an idea of prices, it costs £15 for two courses from the set lunch menu or £18 for three courses.

3. Restaurant Nathan Outlaw

Within the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock, you will find Restaurant Nathan Outlaw. This seafood restaurant has been awarded two Michelin Stars and the 2011 Good Food Guide named it their Best Fish Restaurant. The tasting menu costs £95 and may include the likes of red mullet with red pepper sauce, sea bass with fennel, lime and garlic, as well as peach tart with raspberry and almonds. Although it’s a little pricier, it perfect for sharing with a large group.

4. New Yard Restaurant

New Yard Restaurant on the Trelowarren Estate sources most of its ingredients locally. This AA awarded restaurant offers main dishes such as wood fired whole mackerel with spiced tabouli salad, coriander and mint yogurt for £13.50 as well as sautéed squid with chick peas, Helford mussels, sweet peppers and coriander for £12.

5. The Seafood Restaurant

Situated in Riverside, Padstow is the Seafood Restaurant which serves wonderfully fresh fish and shellfish. Special offers include the likes of a three-course lunch for £38.50 which may include dishes such as lobster and fennel risotto with lemon oil, char-grilled rib eye of beef with béarnaise sauce, as well as pavlova with strawberry ice cream, fresh Cornish strawberries and vincotto. There is also a designated children’s menu as the restaurant welcomes children three years old and above.

6. Food For Thought

This quayside restaurant in Fowey has been established for about 40 years and offers an interior and exterior dining area. It provides predominantly seafood main meals such as whole pan-seared lemon sole with white wine sauce and new potatoes for £17 or sea bass fillet on asparagus with artichoke risotto for £17.00.

7. Porthminster Café

If it’s stunning sea views and casual charm you seek, you’ll be well pleased with Porthminster Café which is located in scenic St Ives. There is a focus on Mediterranean and Asian seafood dishes with breakfast, lunch and dinner meals available. Lunch meals include steamed mussels with Cornish cider, wild sorrel, nettles, tomato and crème fraiche for £8.95 and seafood linguine with Cornish crab, prawns, mussels and squid with chilli, garlic, lemon and parsley for £13.95. There is also a separate children’s menu available.

8. Mill House Inn

The delightful Mill House Inn can be found within a converted 18th century corn mill in Tintagel. Using ingredients sourced in and around North Cornwall, this restaurant offers lunch, dinner and children’s menus. Dishes from the dinner menu include the likes of pan-fried sirloin steak, thyme and garlic infused fondant potatoes, sautéed button mushrooms, herb crust roasted vine tomato stuffed with brie basil, spinach, sun blushed tomato bulgar wheat ragout, flamed cognac and peppercorn cream sauce for £20.95. Alternatively, you may prefer something such as the Mill House cheeseburger in a roll with chips, a spicy tomato salsa and dressed mixed leaves for £10.75.

9. Tabb’s Restaurant

A winner of two AA Rosettes, Tabb’s Restaurant in Truro offers both lunch and dinner menus. Everything that is served in the restaurant is made on-site, including the bread that accompanies the starters and the chocolates served with coffee. Two lunch courses can be purchased for £19.50 with a choice of starters such as mussel chowder and main courses such as wild wood pigeon with bubble and squeak, crisp pancetta and a smoked paprika reduction.

10. Tresanton

This restaurant is located in Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes and offers marvellous views. There is a Mediterranean-style dining room as well as a terrace for enjoyable outdoor dining. Specials are available such as two courses from the set lunch menu for £22 which includes a glass of wine. Such meals may include dishes such as bread crumbed fish and chips, crushed peas and tartar sauce or dark chocolate mousse with espresso ice cream.

11. Sam’s Bistro and Lounge

Laidback and fun, this bistro features vibrant 60s-style décor with a variety of pop music memorabilia. Sam’s is situated in Fowey and offers both a main menu and separate kids’ menu. A typical meal, such as the quarter-pounder Samburger Deluxe with melted cheese and smoky bacon, costs around £8.95. After you finish eating, enjoy a walk along the town's Esplanade or around the nearby cliffs for some beautiful views. 

12. A taste sensation on your travels

Whether you’re travelling as a family, with friends or individually, there is a choice of camping and caravanning accommodation to suit your needs in Cornwall and nothing tastes better than a BBQ on the beach or a delicious picnic in the open countryside. You can enjoy a great holiday with delicious dishes that will leave you well satisfied and ready for superb sightseeing!