Eating Out & Local Food

Eating out in Cornwall has undergone a revolution in the past few years. The primary reasons for Cornwall being one of the most exciting gastro regions in Britain are twofold...

First, the influence of Rick Stein, and later Jamie Oliver, to act as champions of good food as a way of life. Their passion for quality fresh food locally sourced and their commitment has served as a catalyst for other outstanding chefs to open their own sublime restaurants and to raise the standard at every level.

Second, all these restaurants are only possible because of a transformation among fiercely proud local suppliers. Meat, cheese, cream and vegetables are better here than almost anywhere else — there are even award-winning wines. Bob Lindo’s Camel Valley Estate has twice beaten French equivalents at the International Wine Challenge.

Today, more than 60 cheeses are made in the county, including Cornish Blue, Cornish Yarg and Sue Proudfoot’s celebrated Keltic Gold. Likewise, local ice cream inspires a passionate following — one of our favourites is Roskilly’s containing organic milk from Guernseys.

Fresh vegatables really can’t get any better and the mild Cornish climate means that our growing season is long. Fresh fish, landed at one of the many fishing ports, is a speciality.

Farm shops stocking the very best of local produce have sprung up such as the award winning Lobb's Farm Shop adjacent to the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey.

Our information files contain details of local eateries, and what can be sampled relatively close, but just to give a flavour of some of the best and most popular please browse through the links to the right. Please remember that some restaurants will need to be booked month’s in advance – Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant being one. There are also lots of good local pubs offering well prepared food which are not mentioned here.

Eating Out and Restaurants in Cornwall

Some Family Friendly Pubs...

  • King's Arms, Luxulyan.
    Our closest public house. Can be busy so book in the main season.
  • Pier House Hotel, Charlestown.
    A very popular Restaurant and Bistro. The restaurant is excellent but with a younger family we would go for the area that serves the bistro menu.
  • Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown.

  • Britannia Inn, between St Austell and St Blazey.
    Popular, spacious beer garden.

  • Polgooth Inn, Polgooth.

Takeaways...

Some Selected Restaurants and Eateries by Location...

Fowey

  • The Old Quay House
    Recommended by the Telegraph.
  • Sam’s
    Very popular, informal, fun, great for families, no booking. One of our favourites.

Polkerris

  • Sam’s on the Beach
    Located in an old lifeboat station right by the beach. Super food, great location. Very popular, online booking or phone. Recommended by the Telegraph. One of our favourites.

Charlestown

London Apprentice, St Austell

Mevagissey

Lostwithiel

  • Globe Inn
    Excellent food and real ales. Features in the Good Pub Guide. Advisable to book as it is very popular.

Padstow

  • The Seafood Restaurant
    Rick Stein’s flagship restaurant. He also has St Petroc’s Bistro, Rick Stein’s café, fish and chips, deli and cookery school. You will probably need to book and can do so online. Recommended by the Telegraph.
  • No 6 Restaurant
    Paul Ainsworth’s restaurant. Fabulous. Advisable to book.
  • Rojano’s in the Square
    Italian influenced cuisine. Now half owned by Paul Ainsworth.

Watergate Bay

  • The Beach Hut
    Relaxed, fun, family friendly, good food, fabulous view over-looking the beach.

Falmouth

  • Hooked On The Rocks
    Seafood restaurant overlooking Swanpool beach, fantastic local produce.
  • Daaku
    The best Indian food you will find in Cornwall with a small menu that changes each week, open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Links to more information on restaurants and sourcing food…

cornish mackerel
cornwall pubs
eating out in cornwall