Where To Enjoy Great Food In Cornwall
Like any trip I go on, food was a huge part of my spring visit to Cornwall this year, and during the week I ate at some really fabulous places. My kind of place is very varied, so by great food I don’t mean I’m going to share every Michelin star place I can find – mainly because although there were options for this, I didn’t eat at any. Throughout the week I enjoyed great food in Cornwall at pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels. I don’t think I had a bad meal so here’s a range of suggestions for where to eat in Cornwall that won’t disappoint.
Disclaimer: My accommodation in Cornwall was provided by Aspects Holidays, but everything I did including visiting the places mentioned in this post were paid for myself.
Food in Port Isaac, Cornwall
The first place I stayed was very close to Port Isaac, in a gorgeous self-catered barn conversion called Cider Barn, and this was the first place I went to when I got to Cornwall after a long drive. I’d researched Port Isaac quite a bit with being based so close, but arriving after 4pm on a Monday meant quite a few places were almost closing or not open.
Crab Sandwich at The Mote, Port Isaac
The Mote is a restaurant and bar right on the harbour that seemed to be bustling with people, and there were big chalk boards outside advertising their famous crab sandwiches. Clearly they’re a novelty, and what everyone visiting wants to have because a crab sandwich was an eye watering £19! I was excited for my holiday though, and I do love a crab sandwich so I decided to go for it. When in Rome and all that.
Inside was busy, so it was clearly popular with locals as well as visitors. The staff were very welcoming, and found a table for me and Arthur upstairs. It’s dog friendly throughout which is always a plus at seaside towns. We had a cute little table with a window overlooking the harbour below – great for people watching.
The crab sandwich with homemade coleslaw and salad on the side was delicious, so fresh. I didn’t mind the price for the novelty of it and it was a great start to the holiday. The Mote was rickety and fabulous, clearly a popular spot, and it has an outside bar so you can have a pint right on the harbour in the summer months when the sun is shining.
Find out more and book a table at The Mote here.
Pizza at The Angry Anchovy, Port Isaac
I’d read great things about this place, and it caught my eye because despite being small and clearly popular from the reviews, it also offers takeaway pizza too. This would be really useful if you’re staying nearby and not within walking distance as I was, but as it happened my timing one evening meant I could sit in.
Again it was very dog friendly which is ideal with Arthur, and had a couple of outside tables but definitely more inside. I was chatting to the staff and they said in summer they go through so many bookings so it’s definitely worth booking if you’re there at peak times.
It was a cheap and cheerful, family friendly Italian that served up great pizza! I had fries to go with it and a glass of wine. A great one for a casual pizza night.
Book a table at the Angry Anchovy here.
Cornish Cove, Port Isaac
You’ve probably seen photos of the famous Cornish Cove tearoom in Port Isaac, with its sole table sitting out the front. A gorgeous quaint little spot that serves up cream teas, sausage rolls, Cornish pasties, crab sandwiches and ice cream.
Golden Lion Pub, Port Isaac
The Golden Lion pub was very popular, and was in a fabulous spot overlooking the harbour, with a little terrace outside you could take seats outside to enjoy. The bar menu was great, with a big selection of locally sourced bar meals including a lot of seafood, pub classics, steaks, sandwiches and Sunday lunch.
Inside was just as traditional, with wooden pew seats, little nooks to sit in, and a bar packed to the rafters.
Book a table at the Golden Lion Pub here.
I spent the most time in Port Isaac, but I didn’t manage to enjoy everywhere. Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen for example looked, smelled and sounded fantastic. It has been awarded a Michelin star and serves a set fish menu, caught from the Cornwall shores, as well as individually priced seafood dishes. For a fancier meal this would be the place to go, and it’s a lovely spot in a 15th century fisherman’s cottage right on the harbour.
Places to Eat in Mevagissey
Mevagissey was the second town I stayed in, this time right in the centre at the Corner House Loft, which was in prime location for all the eateries, pubs and great food spots that Mevagissey had to offer.
She Sells Mevagissey
The most adorable little harbourside cafe, She Sells is part shop and part cafe with both indoor and outside seating. Dog friendly and a great crepe menu, had me and Arthur making a beeline for it on our first morning in Mevagissey.
Staff were very friendly, and as it was so sunny we sat on one of the tables outside to enjoy an iced latte and strawberry and maple crepe with a view. One of those places that just was always busy, and a lovely spot for breakfast before the crowds arrived for the day.
Cornish Bakery
Not unique to Mevagissey at all, Cornish Bakeries are everywhere, but I enjoyed them both in Padstow and Mevagissey. The selection of Cornish pasties were served warm, and I took one on a walk along the coast for lunch.
I was also provided with their scones as part of my welcome pack at the Corner House Loft, which were utterly delicious.
The Fishermen’s Chippy & Kelly’s Cornish Ice Cream
You are completely spoiled for choice for fish and chips and ice cream at all the little Cornish harbours and seaside towns. In Mevagissey I enjoyed fish and chips from the Fisherman’s Chippy on the corner just off the harbour, and these were the ones most people were grabbing on the go to sit and watch the tide come in and out.
There were also plenty of ice cream spots including a hut right in the middle of the harbour, and Kelly’s Cornish ice cream on the front too. Both were delicious.
Just watch out for seagulls because they are not shy and they will swoop for chips and ice cream!
Despite being there for a week I didn’t get to visit even half of the places I would like to in Cornwall, but some of these were specifically on my Cornwall food bucket list and I’m glad I made sure to get to them.
The Lobster Shed at Harlyn Bay
I am a huge seafood fan and obviously there is an abundance of seafood places all across the Cornish coasts, but the Lobster Shed at Harlyn Bay kept appearing on recommended lists so I booked up for lunch.
The Lobster Shed is in the grounds of The Pig Hotel at Harlyn Bay, and is all weather with the roof retractable in the sunshine, or covered if it’s not so good. It was covered the day we visit and it didn’t affect the atmosphere or food in any way – but I imagine it would be gorgeous in summer! It’s also dog friendly, and in isolation from the hotel so you can visit to enjoy just for food.
The tables are picnic table style, very rustic and a gorgeous menu of lobster – obviously and other dishes. I went for the garlic lobster, fries and a glass of rose. Basically my perfect meal and it was delicious. Service was great, and although it wasn’t the cheapest it was absolutely worth it.
Book the Lobster Shed at the Pig Hotel here.
St Agnes Bakery, St Agnes
I actually visited St Agnes for the cove, and the Schooners cafe/bar right on the beach as it sounded just like the sort of place we have at home in Tynemouth that I’d love. On researching St Agnes though I heard of this small, family run bakery famous for their sausage rolls.
It’s over 100 years old, and is a traditional Cornish bakery up in the town itself, with a whole selection of giant sausage rolls to choose from. They were honestly delicious! Definitely stop by here for a snack or even lunch.
Schooners, St Agnes Cove
Schooners is right down on the beach, a short drive down from the town. After a walk and rockpool, we sat up on the terrace that overlooks the whole cove and enjoyed a Cornish cider and bag of crisps. I loved the beachy vibe here, and they also offered pizzas to order too.
Scarlet Hotel, Mawgan Porth
The last place to mention is the Scarlet Hotel, on the North coast at Mawgan Porth. I visit here for a spa day, which included lunch and it was so good I had to mention it. The spa deal I got included lunch in the restaurant before my spa experience, and it was beautiful. Sea views for miles, a welcome cocktail and a selection of tapas.
The dishes included cauliflower soup, whipped cods roe and radish, seasonal salad and antipasti, focaccia and sourdough dipping bread, and hummus. It was simple but very effective with some great flavours I’d never have expected. Based on this I’d expect any meal here to be really delicious.
These were all the places I enjoyed great food in Cornwall, and I’d go back to all of them during future visits. Of course there were many places I didn’t get to on this trip, including St Ives, Moushole and Fowey. The seafood everywhere was as you’d expect – exceptional and fresh, even if it wasn’t always the cheapest.
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