Hailed as one of the UK’s top foodie destinations, Cornwall is home to an abundance of restaurants serving fresh fish flipped straight from rod to pan.

Here are our top ten places to dine on the ocean’s bounty:

The Fish House, Fistral Beach, Newquay

Nudging the waves on the surfing mecca of Fistral beach, The Fish House is the sort of restaurant that’s putting Newquay on the foodie map. Owner and chef Paul Harwood cut his teeth under the tutelage of Rick Stein, and the success of The Fish House is testament to his passion for seafood and surf trips around the globe. Expect the freshest fish and shellfish landed a pebble’s throw away in Newquay harbour, served in simple, rustic dishes beside the sea.

Find out more at thefishhousefistral.com

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Port Isaac

Helming two of Cornwall’s finest seafood restaurants in the fishing village of Port Isaac, Outlaw has made a name for himself as one of Cornwall’s most eminent chefs. Take a seat in a 15th century fisherman’s cottage and sample a selection of seafood plates at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, or tuck into a set seafood menu and peer out to the Cornish coastline from Restaurant Nathan Outlaw. Whichever you choose, the menu is dictated by local fishermen and highlights the most delicious and sustainable seafood caught from the ocean in view

Find out more at nathan-outlaw.com.

Prawn on The Lawn, Padstow

In Cornwall’s number one foodie town, it’s difficult to rise to fame against the likes of Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. But for a little seafood bar and restaurant tucked in the cobbled streets of Padstow, Prawn on the Lawn has made a very big name for itself. Focusing on produce sourced directly from the day boats, and offering a mix of small plates and seafood platters, this is the perfect venue to share finger-licking fruits de mer with friends and family.

Find out more at prawnonthelawn.com.

The Mariners, Rock

With Paul Ainsworth and his team heading up this local pub beside the Camel Estuary, it’s little wonder that the calibre of the food and drink matches the divine views on the doorstep. What better way to spend a summer afternoon than watching the boats go by from the waterside terrace, while sipping local ales from Sharp’s brewery, alongside Porthilly oysters (plucked from oyster beds in view), lobster, mussels and catch of the day? Make a day of it by arriving on the Black Tor ferry from Padstow.

Find out more at paul-ainsworth.co.uk/the-mariners.

The Longstore, Charlestown

The historic harbour of Charlestown is arguably Cornwall’s most famous film location, and well known for its starring role in the BBC’s recent adaptation of Poldark. Upstairs in The Longstore you can peer out at the tall ships (and at times spot the Poldark cast in action) while dining on succulent steaks and seafood locally sourced from land and sea. From simple crab and avocado to seafood bowls and pan fried fillets of the finest fish, the menu and the venue cater for the whole family.

Find out more at thelongstore.co.uk.

The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay

Big on burgers, steak, fish and shellfish and perfectly positioned on the golden sands of Watergate Bay, visitors will be treated with mouth-watering mussels, smoked mackerel, breaded fish and chips along with their famous crab spaghetti. Wash it down with a showstopping cocktail and a side view of a crashing waves and a fiery sunset and you won’t be disappointed. The Beach Hut is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pets welcome.

Find out more at watergatebay.co.uk/eat/the-beach-hut.

Porthminster Cafe, Porthminster, St Ives

Bang on the beautiful white sands of St Ives, and with buckets full of accolades to its name, the Porthminster hardly needs an introduction. Dine on ingredients plucked from the ocean in view and the café’s kitchen garden, cooked with an Asian or Mediterranean twist. On a sunny afternoon take a seat on the heated terrace and soak up the stunning views of St Ives Bay. Whatever the weather, it’s prudent to book ahead for a table at this popular seaside foodie gem.

Find out more at porthminstercafe.co.uk.

Rick Stein, Porthleven

Known for his extraordinary seafood repertoire and a nose for the next foodie destination, it’s little wonder that Stein expanded his stable to include a restaurant beside Porthleven harbour. Whether you want a warming Goan cod curry or classic fish and chips, rest assured that the menu flaunts the best local and seasonal produce, in dishes inspired by a combination of Cornwall and Stein’s travels.

Find out more at rickstein.com.

Hooked on The Rocks, Falmouth

Built into a rocky ledge overhanging Swanpool Beach this is the sort of venue where it’s hard to take your eyes off the view, even when a whole Cornish lobster is brought to your table. However, the menu is also inspired by the surrounding coastline, with the likes of Falmouth Bay scallops, wild mussels, Newlyn haddock and day boat Cornish catch dominating the menu. Whether you fancy tapas or a slap-up seafood feast, there are few better places to dine on seafood plucked from the ocean backdrop.

Find out more at hookedontherocksfalmouth.com.

Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar, Newlyn

An authentic seafood ‘bar’ where no bookings are taken, here fresh fish dishes are served in a casual atmosphere at the heart of the fishing village of Newlyn. Enjoy a range of classic dishes from moules mariniere and mackerel, to crab tacos and scallops, all reasonably priced and freshly flipped from the local fishing boats to the pan and your plate.

Find out more at mackerelskycafe.co.uk.

 

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Sleep well, surf well and eat well…

Cornish ice cream, locally caught seafood and showstopping cocktails, Perranporth has a fantastic choice of restaurants for those staying in this buzzing surf town. Whether it’s a large beachside cafe with breathtaking views, or an intimate restaurant set back from the beach, we give you your Beach Retreats guide to places to eat and drink in Perranporth.

Want to stay in a luxury holiday house with a view of the sea? Check out our cottages with sea views.

Summer House, Perranporth

Brand new in 2018, the Summer House is located directly next door to The Dunes self-catering apartments in Perranporth, overlooking the golden sands and Atlantic Ocean. The restaurant offers alfresco dining as well as tables inside with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, making the most of the breathtaking views.

Open for lunch and dinner, expect a menu full of locally sourced produce including grilled hake, mussels, duck and crab linguine.

See the full menu.

Pavilion, Perranporth

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Especially when it’s from the Pavilion in Perranporth. This delicious ice cream parlour offers every flavour imaginable including Jaffa cake, malteaser, Cornish Fudge, bubblegum, honeycomb and banoffee. It doesn’t stop there, you’ll be spoilt with several waffle cone choices, a Pavilion stamped wafer and the choice of a Cadbury Flake stick or Cornish fudge.

Find your favourite flavour.

The Watering Hole, Perranporth

Labelled the UK’s only bar on the beach, The Watering Hole is Perranporth’s go to place for live music and events all year round. It’s unique position on a three mile stretch of golden sand attracts visitors far and wide along with its local ales and wide range of food. The bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with food including ciabattas, salads, burgers, chilli and local fish curries. If you have little ones in tow, then a kids menu is also available.

See what’s on at The Watering Hole.

Alcatraz, Perranporth

If you follow Alcatraz on Instagram, then you’ll know that they have the best seats in Perranporth for catching a Cornish sunset. This quirky and one of a kind bar and cafe sits on the cliff and is split into two levels. Downstairs caters to the beach-goer with surfboard hire, buckets and spades, snacks, ice-creams and summer vibes. Meanwhile, on their upper level, you’ll find the bar and cafe serving delicious food and even better cocktails.

Book your sunset viewing spot.

The Seiners Arms, Perranporth

A family run restaurant and bar located on the seafront, The Seiners Arms is a friendly and traditional Cornish pub serving locally sourced and freshly prepared food. With an emphasis on seafood, its ever changing menu includes crab linguine, mussels, surf and turf, baked hake and traditional fish and chips. If you want to check the weather first then you can do that too, with their live webcam. You feeling hungry yet?

See the full menu

Browns Fish and Chip Shop, Perranporth

If you’re after a quick bite to eat or you fancy dining on the beach, then Browns Fish and Chip Shop is an excellent choice. With 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor, customers describe it as ‘absolutely delicious’, ‘always great quality’ and ‘good, honest food’. Dine in, head to the beach or if you’re staying with us at The Dunes, relax on your balcony and watch the world go by. Watch out for seagulls!

Find out more

Del Mar Italian, Perranporth

With fresh bread baked daily and Italian chefs serving up a wide selection of authentic pizzas and pastas, it’s no surprise Del mar Italian is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. This restaurant has live Italian music at the weekends and an open kitchen where you can see the chefs hard at work; this mixed with great food and wine creates a fantastic atmosphere.

Tuck into pizza at Del Mar

Check out our other locations and retreats across North Cornwall.

What to find out more about the local area? Discover what to do in and around Newquay, just a short drive away from Perranporth.

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