Eating Out
Cornwall has really made a name for itself on the food map with top TV chefs recognising the tasty natural larder the county offers.
Food and artisan products
Cornwall has to be most famous for its pasties. The ultimate convenience food, they were invented for miners who needed something filling and easy to handle whilst down the mines. Today, it has protected status and only a pasty from Cornwall can truly be called a Cornish Pasty.
However as well as the wonderful fresh seafood, there is now a wealth of other Cornish produce filling our supermarket shelves including tea, clotted cream, ice cream, cheese, wine, beer, mead and sausages to name just a few.
Restaurants In and Around Newquay
It’s always good to get recommendations from locals, so here’s a handful of suggestions from our own staff, and from those who live locally and are keen to pass on some tips based on their own experiences. This list is not in any order of priority. Just click on the restaurant name for a link to the restaurant’s own website. For sit-down restaurants, advance booking is recommended.
The Fish House Fistral
A great seafood restaurant situated right on the world-famous surfing beach, Fistral. Locally sourced ingredients are the emphasis with fresh fish and shellfish straight from Newquay Harbour. Enjoy rustic dishes with authentic flavours in a stunning location. Watch the sunset, eat fantastic food and soak up the atmosphere!
Cove24
“I can honestly say this has to be one of the best meals I have ever had in any restaurant full of flavour and a wonderful experience throughout!” – says one of the reviews on Trip Advisor. Cove24 is a multi-sensory, elegant, open-space gastro experience in the heart of Newquay.
The Harbour Fish & Grill
Enjoying fabulous views over seven of Newquay’s finest beaches, The Harbour Fish & Grill is built into the cliff directly overlooking the harbour. It’s a beautiful period building enhanced with contemporary features. The emphasis is on quality fish and shellfish but there are non-fish dishes too. We recommend you check out the menu in advance.
Bush Pepper
A fresh, contemporary Australian-influenced restaurant serving brunch, lunch and dinner. They use a mix of Australian and Cornwall’s finest ingredients to bring an array of dishes that bring a new twist to the usual dining options in Newquay.
Lost Brewing Co
Run by two brothers, this gem is a café by day and bar by night. Here you can enjoy everything from tasty breakfasts and great coffees in the morning, to Buddha bowls and burgers throughout the day. It’s a laid-back venue where vegan, veggie and gluten-free diners are well catered for, but the real speciality is their forty-plus craft beers!
Wax Bar & Kitchen
Situated at Watergate Bay, Wax boasts stunning views and is open for lunches and dinners. They get high ratings for the quality of their food, service and value for money. On Trip Advisor, Wax is rated as 4.5 out of 5.
Gilmore’s
This Mexican restaurant offers dine-in, dine-outside and takeaway. They also have a pitch and putt mini-golf! There’s an all-day menu featuring modern Mexican tacos, burritos, smoothies, cocktails and beers for a good value, casual dining experience.
12 Beach Road
All-day dining overlooking the iconic Towan Beach in Newquay Bay. Tuck into Cornish fish and seaside signature dishes, grills, tacos and sourdough pizza, all freshly cooked to order. Savour freshly ground coffee, wine on tap, craft beers and cocktails.
Basket
A delightful takeaway café with insane homemade cakes and lunches – perfect when needing a bite to eat when on the move! Highly recommended.
Moules & Co
“Fresh food by the sea – say no more!” Well worth a visit for the BEST mussels you’ll ever eat. We suggest heading to Moules & Co for your mussels, buying some drinks from Sainsbury’s and walking down to the harbour to eat them alfresco. If mussels are your thing, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Wing Yard
Delicious takeaway chicken with a difference – unapologetically bold flavours which are a delight. The chicken stays crispy for days, but you won’t get to test that out as we promise it won’t last that long! This is a fast food restaurant, open for lunch and dinner.
Kao Hom Thai Takeaway Newquay
This is an authentic Thai takeaway van near the Barrowfields, but it is seriously the most amazing Thai you will ever eat! If you’ve had a busy day exploring and fancy picking up a takeaway perhaps to eat on the beach, then this is certainly worth checking out.
Lewinnick Lodge, Newquay
“Great food, stunning view” is just one of the comments on Trip Advisor that sums up this restaurant. Located footsteps from the South West coast path and a stone’s throw from Fistral and Crantock beaches; it’s convenient to get to if you don’t mind a bit of a hike, although driving is probably best. The chefs at Lewinnick pride themselves on using the freshest seasonal produce, supplied by local fishermen and farmers, to create classic dishes that echo the beach life on their doorstep. They also offer some global dishes with inspiring flavours from around the world.
Award winning restaurants
The county is also home to a number of famous chefs and boasts Michelin-starred and AA Rosette restaurants.
Rick Stein has based several businesses in the Padstow, St Merryn and Fistral Beach areas, Paul Ainsworth has restaurants in Padstow and Nathan Outlaw owns restaurants in Rock and Port Isaac.
Several well-reputed chefs also head hotel restaurants. The abundance of fresh seafood and dairy produce has also attracted artisan producers. The mild climate lends itself to more unusual produce including wine and tea, whilst the number of large and small artisan brewers is growing steadily.
The following currently hold Michelin Stars or 3 AA Rosettes or above:
- Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Port Isaac
- Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac
- Paul Ainsworth at No. 6, Padstow
- Driftwood, Portscatho,
- Restaurant Nathan Outlaw at the St Enodoc Hotel
- The Seafood Restaurant (Rick Stein), Padstow
- Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes
Cornwall really is a food lovers paradise. Aside from hotels with great restaurants, you can find cosy inns, seafood specialists and beach cafés offering fantastic seasonal locally produced cuisine.
With Cornwall’s Celtic roots, there are also plenty of festivals throughout the year and no festival would be complete without food! There are even dedicated festivals of food, particularly around oyster harvest time.
Lemon Quay in Truro is a good place to visit to enjoy local produce. It’s also the home of the Great Cornish Food Festival in September, a great time for food lovers to visit.
Beaucliffes for Breakfast
Situated overlooking Porth beach is our light and airy conservatory-style restaurant, Beaucliffes which is open for breakfast and private functions.
