Your Ultimate Guide to Eating & Drinking in Cornwall

With its picturesque villages, white sandy beaches and stunning cliff top views, you’d be forgiven for mistaking summertime Cornwall for an exotic destination abroad! This beautiful county is a jewel in Britain’s crown – read on for our local highlights…

Enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking one of Cornwall’s best beaches

Over the past five months, The Oystercatcher in Polzeath has undergone a breathtaking makeover of its bar and dining area. The owners at St Austell Brewery have added an extended outdoor terrace to the restaurant, highlighting the venue’s unrivalled views of Polzeath Beach – one of Cornwall’s most renowned surfing destinations. It’s also close to some of the most stunning spots in the county, including Rock, Daymer Bay and St Minver. Serving a range of Cornish ales and a new menu highlighting fresh local fare, you’ll feel utterly spoilt. The inn’s accommodation has also been refreshed and boasts a combination of dog-friendly rooms, selfcatering apartments and cottages. Find out more at oystercatcherpolzeath.co.uk

Sip a hot coffee on the edge of a beautiful bay

The Godolphin Arms is a bustling restaurant with rooms perched on the edge of the bay overlooking the tidal island of St Michael’s Mount. It is the perfect base to explore West Cornwall and all it has to offer. From water sports in Mount’s Bay, to hiking the South West Coastal Path, it has a number of activities on its doorstep. Following a day of exploring, enjoy delicious meals in the light filled restaurant, as well as a great choice of local beers, wine and cocktails served on the beach terrace, or take in the floor to ceiling views of Mount’s Bay in the dining space with a Cornish coffee and home baked slice of cake. godolphinarms.co.uk

Tuck into the world’s best Cornish Pasty

As the celebrated winner of the World Pasty Championships 2019, Rowe’s Cornish Bakers certainly know a thing or two about creating this famous pastry. With over 20 bakeries across the county, Rowe’s has flourished as a household name. Much of the veg and dairy produce used is Cornish born and bred, and the potatoes are delivered by tractor every morning. Based in a number of tourist hotspots in the county, be sure to make time to grab a pasty from one of the bakeries and devour it in the glorious summer sunshine! rowesbakers.co.uk

Treat yourself to truly special fish and chips

The team at Harbour Lights take the art of great-tasting fish and chips very seriously. Situated on the edge of the stunning Falmouth Harbour, it’s a favourite with tourists and locals alike. With fresh fish delivered daily by local merchants, they are able to flaunt incredible specials to give their customers a true taste of Cornwall. Chips are certainly not overlooked either – each golden morsel is made with potatoes from farms within a 20 mile radius of the shop and double cooked to perfection. There’s a delectable array of toppings to choose from too, including silky gravy and punchy dips. harbourlights.co.uk

Forage for Cornwall’s freshest local food

Fat Hen is a foraging and wild food cookery school in West Cornwall that was established in 2007. Run by Caroline Davey in her bespoke hand crafted kitchen, she uses state of the art equipment and expert knowledge to offer unique foodie courses for people who want to get back to the original source of their food. Whether it be foraging for seaweed and herbs, butchering venison or cooking crab to perfection, Fat Hen provides courses for all interests. Customers also have the chance to stay in the stunning holiday cottage with all the luxuries of home. fathen.org

Try the Cornish catch of the day!

Why not enjoy Cornwall’s famous seafood when you get home too? The Cornish Fishmonger has been sourcing the freshest, highest quality fish and shellfish from the Cornish quayside for over 35 years. Expertly and sustainably caught, you can enjoy Cornish lobster, dressed or whole crab, native oysters and mussels, all expertly prepared and ready to cook! You can have a taste of Cornwall delivered to your door in less than 24 hours, allowing you to create some truly stunning summer dishes. thecornishfishmonger.co.uk

Sip an award-winning rum on the beach

Enjoy a taste of the tropical with a fantastic rum with roots in the heart of Cornwall. Distilled in Latin America before arriving on the shores of the west coast in charred white oak barrels, Rathlee’s rum is delicately blended with the purest Cornish water for a wonderfully smooth taste. With notes of tropical fruit, honey, vanilla and a warm peppery finish, it’s the ideal spirit to enjoy on a sunny evening. £27.95, rathleedistilling.com

Take a tour of a traditional Cornish brewery

If you’re making a visit to Truro then be sure to pay a visit to Skinner’s Brewery. From the fresh, hoppy Porthleven pale ale to the roguishly smooth Cornish stout, Penny Come Quick, they produce drinks for all tastes. The company run fascinating tours all year round that allow you to learn about the in-depth brewing process. You’ll also have the chance to take part in an expert-guided tasting session to learn about the distinctive differences of each beer and visit the gift shop to take your favourites home! skinnersbrewery.com

Sample a famous cream tea

Using the finest cream from a local herd of Jersey/Friesian cows, Callestick Farm in Truro creates the tastiest confectionary for the ultimate taste of Cornwall. Visit the spacious tea room and courtyard area serving sweet treats, hot drinks, the ever popular Cornish cream teas and indulgent ice cream sundaes with a choice of 18 flavours. It’s a great location to chill out after a trip to the beach and makes a fantastic afternoon treat! callestickfarm.co.uk

Stay in a luxury hotel with countryside views

The Alverton is a unique Grade II listed building that’s just a 30 minute drive from Falmouth, offering 51 comfortable bedrooms including nine contemporary suites. With its AA two-rosette worthy restaurant, al fresco terrace and historic gardens, you can mix city, coast and countryside whilst enjoying laid-back four star decadence. Savour top-notch tipples, dive into plush sofas and dine on award-winning local cuisine created by head chef Simon George. Room prices for two people start at £89, including a hearty Cornish breakfast. thealverton.co.uk

Escape to a beachside retreat

Carbis Bay Holidays offer a collection of stylish self-catering accommodation exclusively in scenic Carbis Bay and St Ives. With holiday homes ranging from penthouse apartments overlooking white sand beaches, to designer family coastal escapes a stone’s throw from the sea, you’ll find something to perfectly suit your needs for an unforgettable holiday. All properties are rated four and five stars by Visit England and the majority of them are family and pet friendly. A number of stays also offer free entry to one of St Ives luxurious hotel spas. It’s a great chance to relax and rejuvenate. carbisbayholidays.co.uk

Visit Cornwall’s largest vineyard

With it’s rolling hills and endless rows of grapevines, Camel Valley appears to be a setting from a fairytale. The vineyard has been a family-run business since 1989 and is the largest site in Cornwall dedicated to producing great-tasting English wine. Located in the small village of Nanstallon, it draws in tourists thanks to its impressive shop and wine tours, where resident experts will gladly answer any questions, walk you through every element of the vineyard and lead an in-depth tasting session. It’s just a 30 minute drive from Padstow and definitely worth a visit on a sunny afternoon. camelvalley.com

Dine in front of a spectacular coastal view

Overlooking the beach with exceptional views across Watergate Bay, Fifteen Cornwall offers a unique blend of Italian influenced food and knowledgeable, friendly service. It’s one of the last outposts of Jamie Oliver’s food empire, and head chef Adam Banks works closely with trusted suppliers from Cornwall and Italy. They are dedicated to growing and rearing high quality produce is celebrated in the innovative dishes he creates. The menus change seasonally as new produce arrives into the kitchen ready for the team of chefs to turn into fantastic dishes. All the profits from Fifteen Cornwall go to its registered charity, Cornwall Food Foundation and together they manage Jamie Oliver’s award-winning training programme as well as other community food programmes run by the charity. fifteencornwall.co.uk