The Times' food expert ranks 30 of the best restaurants in Cornwall

Cornwall is known for its flaky pasties, the creamiest fudge, the freshest fish and more. But when exploring the dramatic coastline, what are the top restaurants to visit?

The Times writer and local foodie Caroline Boucher has chosen 30 of what she believes are the best restaurants to visit in the region. From celebrity-owned restaurants including Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver to humble local spots and family-owned places, Boucher has detailed the very best all over Cornwall.

They range from the beachside Sam's, in Polkerris, to the café at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery in Lostwithiel. And with such a vast variation of cuisines and styles, there's sure to be something for everyone.

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1. Sam’s on the Beach, Polkerris

Taking the number one spot is Sam’s on the Beach, Polkerris, which serves locally sourced and caught seafood and fish delicacies from the ocean right in front of the restaurant. The eatery was once an RNLI lifeboat station that was built 162 years ago but was restored in 2009 by the owners Sam and Emma.

Sam's on the Beach also serves pizzas and meat dishes. A burger from Sam's could cost you £9.95 up to £13.95, whilst their famous seafood dishes range from £7.45 to £19.95 for one person but they also offer sharing dishes for £33.95. The most expensive dish on the menu is the seafood feat deluxe for 2 people which cost £42.95.

2. Idle Rocks, St Mawes

Replacing an old bakery, The Idle Rocks has been a part of the community of St. Mawes since 1913. In 2010 David and Karen Richards bought the establishment and gave the Idle Rocks a full and dramatic refurbishment for its grand reopening in 2013.

The Idle Rocks restaurant is said to use sustainably caught fish, from St Mawes fishermen and served alongside the finest local seasonal produce. The menu is on the pricey side with starters costing between £15-17 and mains priced between £33 and £40.

3. Appleton’s, Fowey

Appleton's Restaurant and Bar was established in Fowey in 2016 by Andy and Lyndsey Appleton. Andy is a self-taught chef who loves Italian food, inspiring his dishes. Before launching his own eatery, he worked as the former Head Chef of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall.

You will find seafood and steak with an Italian twist on the dinner menu. Starters are priced between £14-£17, mains are £24-£33, sides all cost £6 and desert range from £9-11.

4. Alvorada, Mevagissey

"Locals are justifiably proud of this hidden gem that seats 12 and is open only in the summer," writes Boucher. In the heart of Mevagissey is this traditional authentic Mediterranean and Portuguese that serves fresh locally caught fish using local suppliers. According to TripAdvisor, prices range from £27 – £33 with vegan and gluten-free options.

5. Thomas Daniell, Truro

Just a stone's throw from the town centre lies a small family restaurant, Thomas Daniell, serving seasonal, modern, British and European food. "The prices are reasonable and the portions generous, from wild mushrooms on toast with rocket and walnut pesto for £12 to the Newlyn fish pie, at £23."

6. St Enodoc Hotel, Rock

The St Enodoc is a privately owned Cornish boutique hotel built in 1920 by Miss Skinner and Miss Webber. It was then bought in 2019 and is now managed by family members Lucy and James Strachan.

The establishment is committed to using local produce embracing the Seasons and using what is fresh and available in and around the area of North Cornwall. The menu has European, British, and Contemporary food costing between £5-38 and offers vegetarian-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options.

7. Crocadon Farm, St Mellion

The Crocadon is "a soil-centric farm with a restaurant at its heart" run by chef Dan Cox with a bright vision for food and agriculture. Gaining a Michelin star, the restaurant is vastly popular despite being expensive, dinner costs £125, the tasting menu £75 and Sunday lunch £50.

Speaking about his establishment, Cox said: "Crocadon is first and foremost an organic farm. The focus is on building a full-circle system to feed into our restaurant, brewery and shop. Our intention is to go beyond zero waste, with all organic matter being returned to the farm or used in some way to feed our produce in the coming seasons."

8. Fat Apples Café, Porthallow

Fat Apples Café is a family-run eatery serving classical British foods. When speaking about this humble establishment, Boucher shared: "This cheery little café is open for breakfast, lunch and tea, and choices range from an enormous traditional breakfast for £12.95 to homemade burgers and sandwiches from £8.95.

"There are 30 covers inside, and lots of picnic benches and deckchairs scattered about outside. On a fine day it takes some beating."

9. The King of Prussia, Fowey

New owners Richard and Harriet run The King of Prussia, a British eatery with a culture-infused modern twist. Boucher described the food as "interesting and sensibly priced."

According to the restaurant's site, the menu changes daily and is only open from Wednesday to Sunday. For dinner, the menu has a set price of any 2 courses at £40.00 or 3 courses at £50.00, any added sides are £5.

10. Barley Sheaf, Gorran

Head chef Tim Kendall knew he wanted to cook from a young age. The talented Cornish native began his career at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow before moving to London to work under famous chefs Michel Roux and Marcus Wareing.

In January 2020 Tim and his wife Terri took over The Barley Sheaf Pub. Boucher described the eatery as: "a proper pub with a log fire and a good bar, and the menu is firmly seasonal. The two-course set dinner menu for £40 might feature West Country venison followed by apple panna cotta. Dogs are welcome, and it’s a good destination if you’ve spent the day at the Lost Gardens of Heligan."

11. Indidog, Falmouth

Another modern British restaurant is the Inidog which serves locally sourced Cornish produce. The restaurant offers amazing views but it comes at a cost. Food prices range from £8-77 but at "great value" says the food critic.

Dishes range from a stack of blueberry pancakes to a smoked haddock rarebit. For those who are vegan or gluten-free, the restaurant also offers dishes to cater to your dietary needs.

12. The Greenhouse, St Keverne

This family-owned business seats 20 people and serves European, British, and Contemporary dishes. The Modern Bistro has been on the Michelin Guide since 2009 and was Cornwall's finalist restaurant of the year in 2016.

According to Boucher, the "menu changes frequently, but might include chargrilled Cornish lamb rump for £29 or pumpkin and smoked gouda souffle for £18."

13. The Standard Inn, Gerrans

The Standard Inn is a "proper" British pub where you can enjoy real ales alongside seasonal food from a wood-fired grill kitchen. Menus change weekly, but a Sunday roast with seasonal vegetables and “lashings of proper gravy” will cost about £25.

14. St Kew Inn, St Kew

St Kew Inn dates from 1460 and still has a historic feel to this day retaining many of the original features. The Inn has been voted one of the top 50 pubs in the U.K. and has received Michelin Bib Gourmet recognition.

There’s an extensive garden and the food, such as baked whole Cornish sole with fried potatoes for £23, "is local and excellent."

15. Kota, Porthleven

Great British Menu star chef Jude Kereama set up his restaurant in Porthleven with his wife Jane. Jude is half-Maori, half-Chinese Mala, his ethnicity has inspired his cooking with Kota meaning “shellfish” in Maori.

Jude cooks exotic and unique dishes such as smoked mackerel doughnuts with horseradish and herring roe. Prices range from £19 up to £38, despite being pricey, it is in the mid-level range compared to the restaurants listed above.

See the next 15 below.

16. The Fish House, Fistral Beach

The Fish House is a small seafood restaurant, with fantastic views of Fistral Beach costing around £8 to £32. The food is inspired by locally caught fish and shellfish straight from Newquay harbour and uses the best seasonal ingredients available, "to create rustic dishes with authentic flavours."

Head chef Paul Harwood has lived in Cornwall for 30 years and is passionate about cooking seafood having learnt his skills working for Rick Stein for 14 years in Padstow.

17. New Yard Trelowarren, the Lizard peninsula

The New Yard Restaurant has been owned by the same family for over 600 years. Tim and Louise are the new custodians of the New Yard Restaurant, Flora Cafe and walled garden and cook European and British-style dishes that cost between £19 and £64.

When speaking on their establishment the couple shared:“At Flora we serve delicious, seasonal food grown by ourselves or from our network of small growers, farmers, fisherfolk and foragers. We predominantly cook and bake in our stone wood-fired oven."

18. Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

Coombeshead "is very much a farm-to-table destination, and it aims to source the bulk of the menu from the farm, so if you’re big on fish this is not the place for you," says Boucher. The restaurant has amazing views being situated on 66 acres of meadows, woodland and oak-lined streams.

The eatery is open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday; and lunch only on Sundays. The three-course set menu costs £45.

19. Driftwood Hotel, Portscatho

This family-run boutique hotel is "one of the prettiest places in the county" with grounds that extend to a tiny private beach. The food is sourced locally, dishes might include "Newlyn cod with cabbage and lobster sauce for £28 or spiced roasted cauliflower for £24."

20. The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery

The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery is a welcoming café that is inspired by the Mediterranean and the traditional garden room but with a modern twist. The menus take influence from the Nursery, local farms, and the Cornish coastline.

The vegetarian garden breakfast with portobello mushroom, local asparagus and thyme-roasted potatoes costs £13 and is served until 11 am, whilst afternoon tea is served every day in The Orangery from 2.30 pm.

21. The Pig, Harlyn Bay

The Pig is committed to homegrown produce and has a serious love of all things local. The garden and kitchen teams will work hand in hand to create the restaurant’s 25-mile menu and most of the vegetables come from its very own 1831 slate-walled kitchen garden.

The restaurant is also supported by Cornwall's local farmers who will supply anything that the team cannot grow or produce themselves.

22. The Longstore, Charlestown

Located near the Charlestown Harbour is the steakhouse and seafood restaurant with dishes priced between £10 and £46. Critic Boucher mentioned that "the food is plentiful and varied, with naturally aged Cornish steaks from £31.

"Brunch from 10 am to 3 pm includes donburi bowls of coconut rice, kimchi, vegetables and toppings from £16. There is a branch in Truro."

23. Gurnard’s Head, Zennor

Switch off in the soulful embrace of one of Britain’s most awe-inspiring landscapes whilst indulging in fresh seasonal food that changes every day.

"In Cornwall’s more austere landscape, this welcoming hotel produces delicious and thoughtful food at reasonable prices (a two-course supper costs £40, and could be mussels followed by pork belly with mash)," says Boucher.

24. Sunset Beach Café, Gwithian

Sunset Surf Café is a family-owned and run business, serving home-cooked, locally sourced food, and Cornish coffees. After taking surfing lessons enjoy the Surfers Special, a gargantuan full English breakfast served from 10am until closing time at 4pm, and featuring beans and black pudding along with eggs and sausage, all for £12.50.

25. The Old Coastguard Hotel, Mousehole

The sister of the Gurnard’s Head, this 14-bedroom hotel in one of Cornwall’s prettiest villages has a high standard of comfort and food. The chef Danny Garland trained under Yotam Ottolenghi and Theo Randall, and this is reflected in his menu, reports Boucher.

A two-course Sunday lunch costs £35, and could be smoked Fowey mussels followed by lamb shoulder with all the trimmings.

26. Edie’s, Carlyon Bay

"This restaurant has been a constant favourite with locals." Family-run restaurant Edies is located in Carlyon Bay and offers French, European, British, and contemporary dishes.

The prices are reasonable, dishes include free-range chicken with butter beans and feta for £22 and hake with golden beetroot and herb yoghurt for £24.

27. Watering Hole, Perranporth

Enjoy this scenic restaurant that serves a wide range of food & drink throughout the year including beverages from Cornwall’s St Austell Brewery. Boucher wrote: "It’s an unpretentious place with a solid, simple menu — fish and chips at £16, a burger made using local steak for £11.50. "

28. Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick

This humble beachside shack has become a destination restaurant for foodies in recent years serving the best British foods, including Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free Options.

A simple daily menu is chalked up on the board which has locals and visitors queueing up to try.

29. Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives

Porthminster Beach Café has been a popular restaurant for over 20 years in St Ives. The café is open daily for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a selection of homemade patisserie and fine coffees.

A dish can cost between £9 to £32 and centres around the freshest seafood straight from the boat, to herbs and vegetables grown in the restaurant's own adjacent garden plot.

30. Rick Stein’s Café, Padstow

Last but not least is famous chef Rick Stein's Cafe in Padstow. Boucher goes on to rave about the chef and said: "The man (and his family) who put Cornish restaurants on the map more than 50 years ago has created an extensive food empire, including an online fishmonger and cookery school.

"The original Seafood Restaurant is excellent but pricey (one turbot dish costs £50) so you might want the more relaxed atmosphere of the café, where dogs are allowed in the courtyard area and they open for an early breakfast too."

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