Cornwall, the home of the pasty, slightly bad tempered seagulls and exceptional local cuisine. In this blog we are going to dive into some of the top foodie destinations dotted around this astonishingly beautiful county.
This selection of restaurants, pubs and cafes are put together from some of our favourites we have visited ourselves.
The cove (maenporth, Falmouth) (coastal)
We chose to pay a visit after meeting Oliver Wyatt at our workshop who was the head chef at the time, the way he spoke about about food was filled with such passion and excitement we had to book a table.
owned by Michael Caines this stunning restaurant over looks Maenporth beach this place is absolutely magical, especially on a warm summers evening, the food is sensational and wine went down like a deep pit filled with water (well), the most blissful moment occurred just as we finished our dessert and sipped our wine, the sun set, waves crashed and the sky transformed to an intense vibrant colour similar to that of my rosy cheeks. We highly recommend paying a visit.
Mariners (Rock) (coastal)
Part of a collection of restaurants owned by the lovely Paul and Emma Ainsworth this incredible pub sits on the very edge of the camel estuary, we visited at the end of the summer season after dropping a knife to their very talented head chef Joe Rozier.
The atmosphere is always buzzing and every member of staff is focused on giving the best customer experience, the menu is best described as next level, elegant pub food with many twists on the classics making it a very popular foodie destination.
I had the Dogs pollock and wow it definitely was, this dish is a combination of fish and chips and a hot dog, it was utterly delicious. all of the above combined together with scenic views of the bay made the whole dining experience one to remember.
If you're in Cornwall you need to go.
Gidleigh Park (countryside)
Elegance, class and an incredible reputation, this place has it all. After hearing about this iconic country house hotel and its Michelin starred chef Chris eden I took a road trip on the way back from Manchester on a steak knife delivery to stop in.
As I drove up the drive way through the pristine luscious grounds I felt utterly amazed at the shear beauty of the place. The moment you walk in the building you notice all the minute luxurious details scattered through the entire hotel.
I managed to get a seat on the balcony overlooking the grounds and ordered a wild mushroom gnocchi which was utterly exquisite. Quite literally everything about the whole experience was immensely special, its somewhere you visit and you don't want to leave, no its not technically in Cornwall but its definitely worth the drive out.
The mussel shoal (coastal)
Shiver me timbers, the mussel shoal is nestled on the rugged harbour of Porthleven, nothing is over complicated or fussy, its a place that proves all you need is great quality ingredients and a knowledge of how to cook them well. this place does the most incredible tasting mussels and squid all served up with crispy skinny fries, its a favourite among Cornish locals and its location could not be closer to the sea, if your looking for high intensity taste, rustic dining and a memory of Cornwall you will not forget this quirky hidden gem is a must to visit.
BooKoos (Falmouth/Helston) (coastal town)
Bookoos is becoming a very popular American style burger joint, the portions are colossal but packed full of meaty flavour and are super juicy, the selection of toppings is mouthwatering from gigantic onion rings to home made BBQ pulled pork we guarantee you will need to loosen your belt whilst tucking in to your dirty great burger.
The Pandora inn (mylor bridge) (Coastal)
Perched on the edge of the iddlic Restronguet creek the Pandora inn serves delicious pub food with some truly scrumptious specials, the pub itself is full of character and is utterly charming.
my favourite memory of this place was sitting at the very end of the pontoon, digging into a big bowl of moules mariniere while basking in the Cornish sun, it was extremely tranquil. if your a fan of exploring by foot there is also a footpath winding down the side of the riverbank through a beautiful old woodland.
For lovers of the coast, good food and exploring this an absolute gem.
This has one of the most gorgeous views of the famous fishing village known as Padstow, its a very intimate restaurant with a great menu full of fresh local ingredients, the moment you sit down and tuck into your dinner or lunch you will come to realise that you are in a very special place.
Not only will you absolutely love the View, food and exceptionally friendly staff but right next door there is also a crazy golf course, however if golf isn't for you there is a glorious scenic coastal walk that marauders past secluded coastal bays and old buildings from the war. if you have the chance to get a table we highly suggest you check it out and to explore Padstows historic coastline.
On the outskirts of Truro tucked away from the hustle and bustle you will find this wonderful pub overlooking the Tresillian river, this beautiful place is owned by chef Nick Hemming who has an incredibly vast culinary knowledge which is definitely showcased in every dish on the menu.
Sitting in the private beer garden whilst feasting on your lunch or dinner is sweetened even more by the incredible views and tranquility of the gorgeous Cornish creek.
The food is always utterly delicious and service is super friendly. Once you have enjoyed your supper or lunch stop off at sunny corner and admire the beauty and character of this small cove surrounded by lush greenery and old woodlands.
This is a must visit, especially if you're looking for somewhere to go after a day in the town.
Gylly beach cafe (Falmouth) (coastal)
Located in Falmouth home to the 3rd deepest natural harbour in the world, Gylly cafe is pretty much located right on the edge of the beach, its view of the coast is utterly spectacular with big ships constantly sailing around the bay.
The food is fresh, vibrant and incredibly classy and if you're into sweet treats then you have hit the jackpot as the cakes are next level and downright indulgent, once you have filled yourself with tasty goodness, take a trip into Falmouth town to explore all of its quirky and bohemian shops, this is a splendid day out for all the family.
We hope this list has given you a few ideas of places to visit next and if you have any suggestions of places to try, please leave them in the comments on this blog post so everyone else who reads this can see.
thanks for reading.