The Best Seafood Restaurants in Cornwall
22nd August 2019
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.
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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.
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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.
Looking for other fantastic restaurants in Cornwall? Check out some of our favourite restaurants with stunning sea views.
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