Must-see restaurants in South Cornwall

  • Ferryboat Inn

    South Cornwall

    This lovely riverside pub is a Cornish classic. Outside, there are wooden picnic tables with dreamy views over the Helford River; inside, it's all wood,…

  • Hidden Hut

    South Cornwall

    Hidden indeed: this coastal-cabin cafe on Porthcurnick Beach is so tucked away, you might miss it even if you've been here before. The wooden cabin was…

  • Star & Garter

    South Cornwall

    At the top of the old High St among antique shops and health-food stores, this ancient old boozer has been reincarnated as a gourmet gastropub focusing on…

  • Wheelhouse

    South Cornwall

    Hidden down a narrow alley off Church St, this tiny, nautically themed backstreet shellfish bar is all about the hands-on seafood experience: crab,…

  • Stone's Bakery

    South Cornwall

    Freshly baked loaves line the window like pieces of art at this gorgeous bakery, which focuses on traditional hand-shaped rustic loaves – the tangy…

  • The View

    South Cornwall

    The name says it all. This restaurant sits in a stunning position on the cliffs above Whitsand Bay, offering an amazing panorama of Rame Head and the…

  • Oliver's

    South Cornwall

    Run by well-respected chef Ken Symons, this little bistro is everyone's tip in Falmouth, but the tiny dining room means you'll have to book well ahead…

  • Duchy of Cornwall Nursery Cafe

    South Cornwall

    Based at a renowned plant nursery, this super cafe overseen by chef Richard du Pille is a local secret. You can certainly get crab sandwiches and cream…

  • Heron

    South Cornwall

    If the city gets too much, head a couple of miles to Malpas' delightful creek-side pub, worth a visit for its lovely views over the river. It's hard to…

  • Driftwood

    South Cornwall

    Chef Chris Eden has worked wonders at this hotel restaurant since taking it over, and it's one of only a handful of places in Cornwall to sport a shiny…

  • Craftworks Street Kitchen

    South Cornwall

    Inside an old shipping container, this rough-and-ready little diner turns out the best street food in the city. Choose from delicious tacos and burritos…

  • Muddy Beach

    South Cornwall

    This riverside cafe has occupied the space that belonged to Penryn's beloved hang-out, Miss Peapod's. It's a very different proposition, sleek and modern…

  • Hooked!

    South Cornwall

    It's in a rather odd position down a side street off Lemon Quay, but this is probably the best place in Truro for seafood – mussels, fish dishes and…

  • Rashleigh Arms

    South Cornwall

    Local beer magnates St Austell Brewery have given this Charlestown pub a spit and polish, and it now has an attractive nautically themed interior to match…

  • Thomas Daniell

    South Cornwall

    Run by the owners of the Old Grammar School cocktail bar, this sophisticated gastropub is looking sleek and modern since its recent refurbishment, and it…

  • Courtyard Deli

    South Cornwall

    Small is beautiful, as this cosy deli-diner ably demonstrates. Charcuterie, tarts, salads and quiches fill the counter cabinets, and there's a super array…

  • Loveday's

    South Cornwall

    This bistro near the harbour takes the loose concept of 'seafaring' as its raison d'être, which in practice just means there are plenty of fish on the…

  • Sarah's Pasty Shop

    South Cornwall

    Much-loved Looe pasty shop, now run by Sarah's daughter Lucy, with some non-standard variations including lamb, mint and leek, chickpea and lentil, and a …

  • Couch's Great House

    South Cornwall

    This surprisingly swish bistro is set in a low-slung cottage near the harbour, overseen by chef Richard McGeown, whose previous gigs included working for…

  • Gylly Beach Cafe

    South Cornwall

    When the sun shines, everyone heads to Gylly Beach for coffee or lunch, so it's nigh on impossible to snag an outside table. Sliding doors open on to the…

  • Meat Counter

    South Cornwall

    Perennially popular with Falmouth's hungry student population, this laid-back joint turns out the town's best handmade burgers and hot dawgs. Go for a…

  • Hub Box

    South Cornwall

    With three locations in Cornwall and another in Exeter, this ever-popular burger joint is definitely doing something right. This is the original and best…

  • Nancarrow Farm

    South Cornwall

    This rural farm's bread-and-butter is hosting weddings, but it's also made a name for itself thanks to its lavish monthly feasts. They're usually themed –…

  • Rising Sun

    South Cornwall

    A little walk up Mitchell Hill brings you to this venerable stone-fronted pub, which is now a firm fixture for Truro's more discerning diners. Hearty…

  • Barley Sheaf

    South Cornwall

    This quaint country pub in Gorran Churchtown is the best place for a pint and a pie in the area around Gorran Haven. It's been here since 1837, and feels…

  • Stable

    South Cornwall

    This super pizza restaurant has an ever-growing roster of locations around the southwest, but the Falmouth branch has a big selling point: a fabulous…

  • Bone China

    South Cornwall

    With a determinedly vintage vibe, this quirky cafe has graduated from a small daytime operation to a lunch-and-dinner proposition: light bites, tapas and…

  • The Old Bakery

    South Cornwall

    An artisan bakery that's renowned in the village for its sourdough (if you want to learn the secrets, you can sign up for a breadmaking course). They also…

  • Halfway House Inn

    South Cornwall

    A posh corner pub near the front in Kingsand, serving Sharp's ales and an upscale menu (pan-seared scallops with pancetta, trio of pork with cider jus)…

  • Amanzi

    South Cornwall

    On the town's main street, Amanzi serves up a unique menu spiced by African flavours. Start with boerewors (South African sausage) or trinchado bunny-chow…

  • Good Vibes Café

    South Cornwall

    This friendly, contemporary cafe on the Moor is popular for its copious breakfasts (veggie and nonveggie), as well as its creative sandwiches (which range…

  • Cornish Food Box Company

    South Cornwall

    If it's local provenance that's important, then look nowhere other than this backstreet deli-cafe. It started out packing up boxes of veg, meat and treats…

  • Pinky Murphy's Café

    South Cornwall

    You'll almost need a pair of sunglasses to cope with the kitsch dazzle of stripes, spots and colours on show in this endearingly retro cafe. It serves a…

  • Bustopher Jones

    South Cornwall

    It's been open, closed and open again over recent years, but Bustopher's is back for downtown bistro dining: expect substantial dishes like pan-seared…

  • Cove

    South Cornwall

    Classy dining by the sea, just behind the beach at Maenporth. Cornish seafood features heavily, with a mix of Mediterranean and fusion flavours. The…

  • Lifebuoy Cafe

    South Cornwall

    Everyone's favourite brekkie stop in Fowey, this friendly cafe is a riot of character, from the brightly coloured furniture and polka-dot bunting to the…

  • Salamander Restaurant

    South Cornwall

    Most of the food on offer in Mevagissey is served with lashings of salt and vinegar and served out of a paper wrapper, but this place dishes up proper…

  • Natural Store

    South Cornwall

    Falmouth's much-loved wholefood hang-out, where everyone heads for their pulses, local veg, tofu and ecofriendly goods, also has a small cafe serving…

  • Harbour Lights

    South Cornwall

    Falmouth's classic – and best – chippy, voted Independent Fish and Chip Shop of the Year in 2017. Depending on the catch of the day, you might tuck into…

  • Melinsey Mill

    South Cornwall

    Just outside Veryan, this 16th-century watermill has been converted into a delightful cafe and craft shop, where you can pick up wacky withy sculptures…

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