FOOD & DRINK
CAFES
The Reading Room Coffee & Bookshop (10 mins)
Artisan coffee, something sweet and floor-to-ceiling books with all profits going to Cornwall Mind
Hamley Court, Dennison Road, Bodmin
Instagram: @the.reading.room.cornwall
MK Coffee & Nata (10 mins)
A taste of Portugal with Pastel de Nata to die for and delicious Camelo coffee. This newly opened joint is a must visit.
17 Fore Street, Bodmin
Instagram:@mkcoffeeandnata
Malcolm Barnecutt (10 mins)
A trip to Cornwall is not complete without a taste of the iconic Cornish pasty. Good coffee, cakes and sandwiches are also on offer at this little eatery.
20 Fore Street, Bodmin
Instagram: @malcolm_barnecutts
St Kew Farmshop and Cafe (20 mins)
All you could want rolled into one: deli, shop, café and garden nursery. The food is modern and interesting, often with an Asian twist, all wonderfully fresh and locally sourced. Eat like a king and keep an eye out for their Friday night supper club. Details to be found on Instagram.
St Kew Highway, Bodmin, PL30 3EF
Instagram:@stkewfarmshop
The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery (20 mins)
The Duchy Nursery makes up a small part of The Duchy Estate (see Cornish Culture), owned by the 25th Duke of Cornwall, HRH Prince William. It is known for its established and highly respected garden nursery, but it also serves the ultimate afternoon cream tea in their Orangery - it wouldn’t be a proper Cornish holiday without one! Must be booked at least 2 days in advance. Expect scones, macarons, sandwiches and tarts. They also rustle up an unforgettable ‘Royale’ breakfast and Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Their café, overlooking Restormel Castle, doesn’t need to be pre-booked and welcomes dogs but it does fill up fast. It’s the best place we’ve found to buy gifts and they’ve recently opened a brand-new deli.
Cott Road, Lostwithiel, PL22 0HW
Tel: 01208 872668
Instagram: @duchynursery
Coby’s Coffee Shop (15 mins)
Worth booking a table in advance. On the doorstep of both Cardinham Woods and Little Margate Equestrian, Coby’s dog-friendly coffee shop is set at the bottom of a wooded valley. They serve delicious Illy coffee and freshly made cakes, buns and light lunches. It’s also home to an amazing art shop stocking everything you can possibly imagine. To make a trip of it, catch the Bodmin Railway steam train from Bodmin General to Colesloggett Halt Station. It’s a short walk down the footpath to the café. On return, the little steam train can’t stop at Bodmin General on it’s way back up hill (it hasn’t enough puff!) so continue to Bodmin Parkway where it will turn around to take you back to Bodmin General.
The Chapel, Fletchersbridge, Bodmin, PL30 4AN
Tel: 01208 72518
Snail’s Pace Cafe (15 mins)
This off-grid gem is an absolute favourite. Located at the start of the Camel Trail in Wenfordbridge, park in the free car park. Bring the dog, bring the baby, bring your bikes and enjoy some of their fabulous food - some healthy, some hearty, all delicious. Keep an eye out for their World Food Supper Clubs – they are always a huge hit.
Camel Trail, Wenfordbridge, PL30 3PN
Tel: 01208 851178
Instagram: @snailspacecafe
IN BODMIN
Flory (7 mins)
Local, fresh ingredients expertly put together. By far the best restaurant experience in town.
4 Mount Folly Square
Tel: 01208 269555
Instagram: @flory_restaurant_bodmin
Viraj (8 mins)
Classic Indian cooking in an informal and friendly atmosphere. An absolute favourite with the locals.
50 Higher Bore Street, Bodmin
Tel: 01208 74664
Native Burger (7 mins)
An outstanding burger joint with free range chicken burgers from Creedy Carver and beef reared on Bodmin Moor by Phillip Warren. This new haunt has taken off.
Unit 5, The Piazza, Crockwell Street, PL15 2DR
Tel: 01208 221565
Instagram: @native.burger.bodmin
Bell Lane Fryer (7 mins)
For a quick fix meal, look no further than The Bell Lane Fryer. Traditional fish and chips, superbly prepared.
6 Bell Lane, Bodmin
Tel: 01208 78789
PUBS & BARS
Plonk’d (25 mins)
There is only one bar worthy of The Insider status and that is Plonk’d. Spanish tapas with cocktails to die for.
Foundry Street, PL27 7NW
Tel: 07738 498445 / 07955 395418
Instagram: @plonkd.wadebridge
Blisland Inn (15 mins)
This is a proper pub. No frills, real ale and good food. With direct access from the Camel Trail and many beautiful circular walks around it, it’s a great choice to tie in with a dog walk or cycle ride.
The Green, Blisland, PL30 4JF
Tel: 01208 850739
Instagram: @theblislandinn
St Tudy Inn (20 mins)
To quote Abi Manning: “...bright young Cornish chefs George Buckley, Becks Taylor and Sam Bartley are clearly having a lot of fun with this new venture, but their output is deadly serious...” A gastropub making its mark in a warm informal atmosphere.
St Tudy, Bodmin, PL30 3NN
Tel: 01208 850656
Instagram: @st_tudyinn
St Mabyn Inn (20 mins)
The nearby village of St Mabyn plays host to the ideal country pub. Cosy, inviting, traditional and utterly irresistible.
St Mabyn, Bodmin, PL30 3BA
Tel: 01208 841226
Instagram: @stmabyninn
St Kew Inn (30 mins)
There are few more characterful pubs in Britain than this 15th-century inn in a tranquil, quintessentially English location. Once inside, you'll find flagged floors, wooden beams and an open fire, all adding to the bucolic charm. In the summer months, bask in the sun beside the stream in the secluded gardens. The menu offers a wide range of appealing dishes, with an emphasis on local ingredients and ‘beer from the wood’, the last pub in Cornwall to sell ale directly from the casks behind the bar.
St Kew, Bodmin, PL30 3HB
Tel: 01208 841259
Instagram: @stkewinn
The Tartan Fox (30 mins)
This recently renovated 17th-century inn is located on a popular caravan park, but don’t be put off, Scottish Chef Adam Handling turns out some fantastic dishes with a focus on sustainability. Whilst serving traditional pub fair, Adam is a keen forager and makes use of all the ingredients he uses, resulting in something a little more interesting than your regular gastropub.
Carvynick Farm, A3058, Newquay, TR8 5AF
Tel: 01627 800023
Instagram: @tartanfoxpub
OUR TOP 10 RESTAURANTS
Often described as the food capital of the UK, 4 in every 5 people who visit Cornwall say the food and drink is one of the reasons they choose to visit. And it is hard to pick just a handful of restaurant recommendations when there are so many to choose from, but these are our Top 10.
Restormel Kitchen (20 mins)
££
A small, intimate restaurant in a 400 year old town house in the heart Lostwithiel. With just 14 covers ‘small’ is the operative word and it’s wise to book in advance. They recently expanded slightly creating a tapas bar in the old dining room. Take your aperitif in the little yellow courtyard strung with festoon lighting, before heading to the new dining room for scallops and Cornish venison. The food is good, some of it is excellent, portions are generous, the low-key husband and wife team make you feel very welcome and the bill is reasonable.
3 Fore Street, Lostwithiel, PL22 0BP
Jordan or Kerris Tel: 07841649261
Instagram: @restormelkitchen
Four Boys (35 mins)
££
This family owned restaurant run by four brothers, son’s of Fee is located by the little ferry port across from Padstow, with stunning views across the Camel Estuary and (a rarity on the north coast) excellent parking a short stroll away. A favourite of Rick Stein’s and Paul Ainsworth’s team, you know you’re on to something good when the big guns take it seriously! Serving simple but delicious modern sharing plates focussed on fish and the best Cornish produce.
Ferry Point, Rock, Wadebridge, PL27 6LD Tel: 01208 640 721
Instagram: @fourboys.cafe
The Pig at Harlyn Bay (40 mins)
£££
Set in a beautiful 15th century Grade II listed manor house, The Pig at Harlyn Bay is a stunning destination in itself, and that’s before we even talk about the food. To be in amongst it we suggest requesting a table in the main dining room. Whilst the bones of the place are that of grandeur, the style and atmosphere are both warm and informal. They are extremely proud of their 25 mile menu which is unashamedly British, much of which comes from the extensive Kitchen Garden which you are free to explore. Also known for their interesting wines, take a little diversion to see the wine cellar whilst you’re there.
Harlyn, Padstow PL28 8SQ
Tel: 0345 225 9494
Instagram: @the_pig_hotels
Rocket Store (40 mins)
£££
Located in the picturesque harbour of Boscastle this compact restaurant sits within a 19th Century store which once housed the coastguard’s horse-drawn rocket firing equipment. The blackboard lists brilliantly executed small plates and whole fish dishes to share; most of the produce is supplied by the owner’s father who, as well as being the harbourmaster, owns a boat and runs a small farm. Evenings are lively, fires are blazing and pans are clashing in the open kitchen – request a table outside if you’re looking for something a little more subdued.
The Harbour, Boscastle PL35 0HD
Tel: 07375 022 357
Instagram: @therocketstoreboscastle
Coombeshead Farm (30 mins)
£££
It’s not always a breeze finding a carnivore’s paradise in a county with 433 miles of coastline but this gem is it. Set on a working farm, in 66 acres of meadows and woodland Coombeshead Farm is the ultimate Field to Fork experience earning itself a Green Michelin Star. Techniques include curing, pickling and cooking over wooden embers. They serve a set three course menu at all times, which changes seasonally depending on which quality ingredients are available.
Lewannick, Launceston PL15 7QQ
Tel: 01566 782009
Instagram: @coombesheadfarm
Argoe (1hr 15)
££
Part-owned by a local fishmonger and named after an old fishing boat, this modern, wood-clad 'shack' overlooks Newlyn Harbour, where much of its produce lands. The concise menu offers great value seafood dishes designed for sharing, varying daily depending on the catch and has been awarded a Michelin ‘Bib Gourmand’. Whether it's sardines or black bream, the grill-centric cooking is simple and delicious. On-tap natural wines are served by the glass and carafe. Be sure to book a table on the covered waterside terrace when the sun's out.
The Strand, Newlyn, TR18 5HW
Tel: 01736 362455
Instagram: @argoenewlyn
Culture Restaurant (1hr)
£££
The open kitchen takes centre stage at this old quayside warehouse. Serving a set menu, each dish is named after the inspiration behind it, be it a local farmer or place, and foraged ingredients also play their part in this Field to Fork establishment, earning it a Green Michelin Star since 2023. With the chef-owner from Cape Town don’t be surprised to see the occasional South African influence on the menu. The pared-back room has a natural feel, and it’s worth checking out the glass-walled wine cellar.
Custom House Quarry, 38B Arwenack Street, Falmouth, TR11 3JF
Tel: 07572 175 457
Instagram: @culture.restaurant
Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant (35 mins)
££-££££
Rick Stein has become a household name but it’s his 4 restaurants that are to be found on the north coast of Cornwall. With a Fish & Chips Restaurant and Takeaway at Rick Stein Fistral (see North Coast Beaches) – in Newquay, Rick Stein’s Cafe and St Petroc’s Bistro in Padstow. His restaurants make fantastic food accessible, they’re child friendly, often dog friendly and they always offer the freshest seafood and the best ingredients. The diamond in his crown however is The Seafood Restaurant – a large, informal, airy dining room offering classic dishes as well as many inspired by his global travels. Despite the large public car park, parking can be a challenge, particularly in high season, so allow plenty of time to find a spot.
Riverside, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8BY
Tel: 01841 532700
Instagram: @ricksteinrestaurants
Paul Ainsworth Restaurants (35 mins)
££-££££
Another north coast seafood giant that can’t go without a mention is Paul Ainsworth. Paul’s ‘serious food’ is more grown up than his neighbour Mr Stein’s although his fantastic pub overlooking the Camel Estuary, The Mariners and Italian inspired café in the centre of Padstow, Caffe Rojano, are welcoming of both dogs and children and are well worth a visit. But his pièce de resistance is Paul Ainsworth at No.6. A Michelin Star award winning restaurant in a beautiful Georgian townhouse in the heart of Padstow. Showcasing classic Cornish fine dining at it’s best with the tantalisingly elegant Cici’s Bar above the restaurant, more akin to London than Cornwall. This is arguably the best restaurant in Cornwall.
Tel: 01841 532093
Instagram: @paulainsw6rth
Nathan Outlaw Restaurants (35 mins)
£££-££££
Port Isaac is a quintessential Cornish fishing village and Nathan Outlaw is the king. Two restaurants, each boasting One Michelin Star. Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, in a wonky 15th century fisherman’s cottage right on the harbourside. It’s small and intimate and lowkey. The food is not. Focussed on smaller sharing plates with influences from around the world. And Outlaw’s New Road, on the headland looking out to sea (unfortunately over a car park!) but with dishes that will stay with you for life. A more traditional, fine dining experience where the focus is on British and Cornish cuisine and dishes are larger and more elaborate. To quote the Michelin Guide itself: “There are few other chefs in the country who understand and execute seafood cookery quite as well as Nathan Outlaw…”
6 New Road, Port Isaac, PL29 3SB
Tel: 01208 880 896
Instagram: @outlawsnewroad
1 Middle Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RH
Tel: 01208 881183
Instagram: @fishkitchen