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Whether you’re looking for Michelin starred fine dining or a hearty lunch on a budget, Cornwall has enough restaurants to keep most palettes happy. Fresh fish and seafood is often the dish of the day, but there’s plenty for diners looking for something different. Cornwall is proud of its local produce, and you’ll find it on offer in most of the county’s restaurants.

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Image by Thomas Orger licensed under CC BY 2.0

South Cornwall

  • Driftwood, near Portscatho – Head chef Chris Eden’s Driftwood is a Michelin star restaurant boasting beautiful sea views from its secluded cliff-top location. Enjoy delicious and innovative seasonal dishes comprised of the freshest seafood and locally sourced produce
  • Sam’s on the Beach, Polkerris – Set in the old Fowey Lifeboat station, the name says it all – it’s a restaurant on the beach. Take a beach-side stroll after a lunch or dinner of freshly prepared pizza, mussels, seafood or meat dishes
  • Pandora Inn, Mylor Bridge – Visit in the summer to enjoy the menu of traditional main dishes and lunches created using fresh local produce on the popular lake-side pontoon

North Cornwall

  • Rick Stein’s restaurants, Padstow – If you’re a fan of Rick Stein, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the town of Padstow. The Seafood Restaurant is the flagship and the most famous, while St Petroc’s Bistro offers Mediterranean dishes, light lunches are served in Rick Stein’s Café or go for posh fish and chips from Stein’s Fish & Chips
  • The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay – If you’re looking for something more relaxed, you can’t go wrong with this vibrant beachside café serving steaks, burgers, shellfish and daily specials of Cornish fish
  • Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, St. Enodoc Hotel, Rock – This intimate 2 Michelin star restaurant is the signature fish restaurant from the celebrated seafood chef Nathan Outlaw. Enjoy the tasting menu of freshly and sustainably caught Cornish seafood

West Cornwall

  • The Lost & Found Café & Vintage Shop, Penzance – If you’re looking for a lunch with a difference, try this vintage-themed café. Once you’ve finished eating a homemade snack, browse the vintage shop and book store
  • The Pirate’s Rest, Penzance – A family-run fish and chip shop that prides itself on its fresh ingredients and friendly service
  • Ben’s Cornish Kitchen, Marazion – With a new menu every day, fresh seasonal produce is at the heart of this restaurant serving contemporary British cuisine

Bodmin Moor & Tamar Valley

  • La Bouche Creole, Launceston – Cornwall’s first Creole restaurant serves New Orleans-inspired food, cooked by Louisianan Todd. The seafood thermidor is not to be missed
  • The Springer Spaniel, Launceston – Headed by Masterchef winner Anton Piotrowski, visitors are treated to a menu of traditional British and Cornish food with a modern twist
  • Trewithen Restaurant, Lostwithiel – One of the most popular restaurants in Cornwall’s ‘hidden treasure’, Trewithen’s fresh and seasonal meals are accompanied by delicious wines

Towns not to miss

  • Falmouth, South Cornwall – The busy and popular town of Falmouth is a favourite with foodies. At almost every turn, you’ll find an eatery offering fresh local produce presented in various different guises. Be spoilt for choice amid the seafood restaurants, traditional pubs, cafes, delis and much more besides
  • Padstow, North Cornwall – Fans of seafood and celebrity chefs mustn’t miss Padstow – the working fishing port is home to four of Rick Stein’s restaurants, and many more fine dining establishments including Paul Ainsworth at No. 6. As ever in Cornwall, there are establishments to cater for all tastes and budgets dotted along the quaint streets
  • St Ives, West Cornwall – Ever a popular holiday destination, St Ives restaurants often have a family-friendly and artistic atmosphere, syncing perfectly with the creative feel of the town itself. Visit in May to catch the annual food and drink festival
  • Launceston, Bodmin Moor & Tamar Valley – As the heart of the local agricultural community, Launceston hosts both a weekly and monthly local produce market. You’ll also find an array of stores lining the streets stocking local breads, cheeses, meats and more, plus traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants too

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