This week we’re serving up our guide to the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall, because there is no better place to enjoy the catch of the day than on the Cornish coast!
Whenever you spend time in Cornwall it won’t be long before you come across tables laden with delicious fresh fish and shellfish, and menus packed with the best ingredients Cornish waters can supply.
With so many talented chefs working in the Duchy, all these great ingredients are in safe hands; you’ll find some of the best seafood restaurants in the whole of the UK right here in Cornwall!
North Coast Catch
Is that today’s catch heading into land?
In St Ives, locals in the know head to Porthgwidden Beach Cafe, a little coastal enclave with blissful views, where the fish dishes are inspired by global flavours. Choose from a classic Italian crab linguine, a punchy Indonesian monkfish curry, or good old fish & chips; all are equally delicious!
Our recommendation in the St Agnes area has to be Schooners – a lively bar and eatery in Trevaunance Cove. Dine on divine fish tacos and lobster fresh from the cove, all washed down with a tempting selection of craft beers and ciders.
White Crab, avocado, crispy egg – head to Schooners for delicious dishes like this
Padstow was made famous by Rick Stein and his Seafood Restaurant. This elegant and sophisticated dining experience is still high on every foodies hit-list after 25 years. A newer edition to Padstow’s dining scene is the very popular Prawn on the Lawn – we love the small plates menu here, as it allows us to build our own seafood feast!
Just across the estuary, Paul Ainsworth and his team are cooking up a seafood storm at The Mariners in Rock. Expect the best pub food you’ve ever eaten, with highlights including crispy squid, fried oysters, fish curries and the classic fish and chips.
This Lemon Sole dish by Nathan Outlaw celebrates the quality and freshness of Cornish fish
A little further up the coast in Port Isaac, chef Nathan Outlaw has his Cornish seafood empire. The Fish Kitchen has a Michelin Star for its exquisite small plates; you’ll find this tiny harbour-side restaurant on all foodie maps! Restaurant Nathan Outlaw has recently relaunched as Outlaw’s New Road, with a more relaxed style but plenty of scope for creativity – we can’t wait to try it!
South Coast Haul
Many Cornish chefs source direct from small day boats
Newlyn is a major fishing harbour, so it’s no surprise that there are several great places to eat seafood in this little town. The Tolcarne Inn, is run by chef Ben Tunnicliffe. Ben’s style is simple and unfussy, letting the quality of the ingredients speak for themselves.
Just around the corner from The Tolcarne you’ll find Mackerel Sky – a buzzing little seafood bar where big bowls of mussels, crab nachos and fried whitebait will satisfy your appetite.
In Falmouth, The Wheelhouse Crab and Oyster Bar has a cult following. As you’d expect shellfish is the star, all sourced fresh from the harbour and estuaries around Falmouth. With produce this fresh and delicious all it needs is a little sauce, a side salad, and perhaps a bowl of fries – which is lucky as that’s all there is on the menu!
Sometimes you just can’t beat a big bowl of mussels!
At The Longstore in Charlestown, steaks and seafood are the order of the day. A regularly updated specials boards reflects seasonal availability of things like lobster, oysters and scallops, while dishes like lemon sole with brown butter, samphire, capers and pangrattato are hard to resist!
Finally, at Polkerris you’ll find Sam’s On The Beach where seafood is certainly in plentiful supply. There’s a strong Mediterranean influence here, right down to the sharing platters designed for alfresco family feasts.
If all this has given you an appetite, take a look at our guide to shopping for Cornish produce online which includes a handy fish and shellfish section!
