Cornwall Restaurant Guide

With its “simple, top-quality seafood” combined with “one of the most romantic locations in Cornwall” – “who could fail to be impressed on a date at Emily Scott’s new restaurant overlooking stunning Watergate Bay?”. One of four restaurants in the Watergate Bay Hotel, it followed a 2020 beachside pop-up from the Cornwall-based chef whose profile has been on the rise. On the downside, there are those who feel the experience is “lovely, but overpriced”.

This “modern spa hotel with views out to sea” from its clifftop vantage point is fully geared-up for the eco tourist, with a solidly rated kitchen serving up sustainable meals from breakfast via lunch and afternoon tea to dinner, when there is a choice of tasting menus including vegetarian and vegan. Non-residents are now welcome to book, but it remains child-free.

“Never fails to bring joy to my heart” – Paul Harwood’s “lovely, intimate, high-quality seafood restaurant” right “by the sea” on Fistral Beach again wins a big thumbs-up in reports: “super fresh fish” is the big deal you’d hope, for somewhere with top views of the surf and sands.

This “hidden gem just outside Truro” from husband-and-wife team Ben & Sam Harmer features “impressive” cooking, “exceptional service” and a “splendid outdoor eating area” for warmer weather. Ben’s classical training took in the kitchens of The Savoy and Le Gavroche – hence “the soufflé is impressive”.

“A gorgeous spot to eat tasty food while watching the sea”, this former Victorian lifeboat station has been transformed under Sam Sixton, who launched his local dining empire at the age of 17, back in 1988 (his son Noah is now part of the team). The “casual” menu runs from “wonderful fresh fish and seafood” to “tasty pizzas with both traditional and unusual toppings”.

“A small and intimate restaurant” – opposite an old church in Cornwall’s antiques capital – Graham Cuthbertson’s wood-panelled spot “serves great modern European and local dishes and the dining room is really comfortable”. “I went there with all my family and they were really accommodating with young children”.

The Stein empire’s village pub has been much-extended over the years and nowadays feels much more restauranty and professional than when the family first took it over in 2009. Results in prior years have been up-and-down, but ratings were good this year – “had mixed expectations for this, but the food was enjoyable, and pretty reasonably priced given its good execution”.

Part of the ‘Padstein’ empire of Rick, Jill and family, this hotel bistro a little away from the harbour is a simpler offering than their flagship. Its performance has sometimes been a little uneventful historically, but its “well-priced menu of great tasting fish and seafood” is well-rated by all who commented on it this year.

“Still amazing and it is over 25 years since we have last been!” – the harbourside HQ of the Stein family’s national group was opened in 1975 by Jill and Rick Stein and remains one of the most commented-on destinations in our annual diners’ poll. “It may be 47 years old, but the food is still amazing – the ‘Fruits De Mer’ is such a dreamy treat” and “so scrummy lobster” is another much-mentioned option amongst “the amazing fish choices that are so delicious and so fresh”. There are quibbles – “some tables are exceptionally close!” – and “service can struggle to attend to everyone”. Still, “the busy-ness creates a buzz, somehow the venue still delivers a memorable occasion and a trip feels like a right of passage that everyone should experience at least once!”.

“Face-slappingly good flavours” – “it often takes me by surprise with the amazing combinations of tastes” – have long established Paul Ainsworth’s bijou Georgian townhouse as a less commented on but higher rated alternative to Rick Stein’s nearby HQ. “It’s not cheap but has to be on the list to eat if you are in Cornwall.” Top Tip – you can book at a counter by the kitchen as well as in the dining room.

“Great fresh seafood” is the draw you would hope for, according to fans of this casual joint run by the TV chef and his family – one of their four venues in Padstow. Overall ratings in our annual diners’ poll are middling, though – it can just seem “overpriced”.

Associated with London foodie hits Primeur and Westerns Laundry, this three-year-old favourite, which occupies a former bank, continues to inspire high ratings for its food. It’s a seasonal operation, which closes each year between late Autumn and mid Spring.