Take a seat at the table at one of Cornwall’s most sought-after restaurants. Dress-down feast or fine dining experience? Our edit of the best places to dine in the Duchy offers a feast of flavour.
Above the bay
The Carbis Bay Estate sits above a glorious swathe of golden sand. Hidden at the bottom of a steep hill away from the crowds of St Ives, this is a culinary haven.
Sustainability is at the core of the Ugly Butterfly restaurant. “Local, luxury, offering British food inspired by Cornwall and operating as close to zero-waste as possible.” This is fine dining with soul.
For a more chilled vibe, Walters on the Beach is “as effortlessly chic as it is eclectic.” Think cocktails made by magical mixologists served with eclectic Cornish tapas.
South coast soul
The shores Cornwall’s south coast invite seafood lovers from far and wide. The Mulberry, in Falmouth, is Harry Cartwright and Jay Brady’s debut restaurant. Re-shaping the world of fine dining in Cornwall, ingredients are local, seasonal and sustainable. They define either the elegant six-course tasting menu or a selection of tempting small plates.
Set in a unique waterside location just down the coast, Hooked On The Rocks, is the epitome of dining in the Duchy. Dishes change with the weather as much as the seasons at this sought-after beachside brasserie.
Looe is home to the The Sardine Factory, a bustling, relaxed space in which to enjoy some of the best seafood in Cornwall . Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023 for its quality and price point, fish practically leaps from the harbour to the plate.
For something a little more laid-back, Bango Kitchen employs Pan-Asian panache in order to capitalise on Cornwall’s abundant natural larder. Simply turn up and grab a table or takeaway using the app. Expect ramen, bao buns and a flavourful sides aplenty. Sister company The Shellfish Pig also provides street-food-style catering for events.
Way down west
Cornwall’s west coast is dotted with habours, providing safe haven for its fish fleets. The local catch is snapped up by chefs along the coast.
Porthleven is home to Kota and Kota Kai, where chef patron Jude Kereama and his team create dishes with an Asian-Cornish fusion. Kota holds a prestigious Bib Gourmand and offers elegant dining with matching wine flights. Its sister restaurant, Kota Kai has a more casual vibe and a harbourside lawn for al fresco eating.
There are Big Gourmand’s aplenty here. Kota’s neighbouring restaurant The Square also has one. Relaxed, brasserie style dining makes this popular with locals and visitors, with its sun-drenched terrace always buzzing with diners.
Renowned Cornish chef and restaurateur Ben Tunnicliffe, helms the Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn. His menus are inspired by early morning conversations with his fishmonger, Stevensons, before being chalked up on the board. This is a humble setting for real ale drinkers and food-lovers.
Nearby, Mackerel Sky’s unassuming exterior gives way to a seafood bar that sees queues around the corner in peak season. Tapas style plates allow for seafood sampling with a twist.
Argoe, is a tribute to Newlyn’s fishing heritage. Sharing plates are served with minimal intervention wines poured from taps. Fish comes from the family fishmonger, mere steps from the kitchen creating an unpretentious menu.
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