Where to eat in West Cornwall [2024]

Don’t bother cooking while you’re in Cornwall. With so much fresh and delicious food to try from the local land and sea, you’ll have trouble fitting in all the places you’ll want to eat. But these are the best places to eat in Cornwall, if you as me.

And remember… strolling into a Cornish pub, cafe, or restaurant hoping for a table isn’t going to cut it. The foodie scene in Cornwall is strong, so as soon as you know where you want to eat, book your table. With the exception of spots that don’t take bookings, you’re unlikely to get a table without one.

On the coast

The Old Success

On the seafront in Sennen Cove is The Old Success Inn, an old pub that’s had a facelift but still retains some of the traditional maritime vibe. As well as great food and drinks, they also have entertainment on different nights of the week ranging from pub quizzes to live music. The car park is reserved for the hotel upstairs, so you’ll need to park in the beach car park near the Sennen Surf Co shop.

The Gurnard’s Head

Out on the atmospheric Zennor moors is The Gurnard’s Head, a bright yellow pub that’s easy to spot from the roads and walking trails. The huge stone pub is made up of three main rooms with space for both eaters, drinkers, and resters. But be sure to book a table if you want to eat as spaces can book up quickly. 

Here you’ll find a more eclectic and adventurous menu than your traditional Cornish fare. Last time, I had Japanese tempura vegetables with tofu and it was delicious… and just what you need after a week of fish and chips.

Apple Tree Cafe

Just outside of Land's End, you'll find this plant-based cafe that serves delicious brunch, lunch, and dinner dishes. Check out the daily specials, or stop for a coffee break while you're exploring the area.

Porthmeor Beach Cafe

On Porthmeor Beach, just outside the Tate gallery, is a small cafe that serves surprisingly fancy foods. From set menus to tapas, this fresh and expertly prepared food is more expensive than your typical pub grub, but definitely worth it. And at the risk of sounding like a stuck record… if you don’t book a table in advance, you might not get one!

Dog & Rabbit Cafe

From vegan brunches to burgers from local farms, the Dog & Rabbit cafe has something for everyone. And amidst the wealth of small cafes in St Just, this is one you won't want to miss. The menu is small but diverse and reasonably priced. And almost all the ingredients are sourced nearby.

Newlyn & Mousehole

Lewis Fish and Chips

You’d expect every fish and chip place in Cornwall to be good, but that sadly isn’t the case. But at Lewis’, you can guarantee perfectly cooked fresh fish and generous helpings of chips. You might have to wait if there’s a queue, so find a safe space to park and don’t leave your car running near the busy cross roads.

I’ll also use this spot to shout out The Meadery, a childhood favourite that serves a menu of almost entirely fried food and indulgent desserts in a setting designed to feel like a medieval pub. You’ll spot it across the road  from Lewis, with its historic stone frontage and wooden bridge across the stream. If you have kids, or don’t mind a small menu of finger food, check it out.

Mackerel Sky

Fresh seafood served in a laid-back cafe bar by the harbour. What more could you want? The only catch is that you might have to queue. Mackerel Sky doesn’t take bookings so you’ll be seated on a first come first served basis. In the high season that might take an hour, but in autumn and winter I’ve got a table almost immediately. The trick is to drive past on your way to get a fish and chips from Lewis… and if there’s no queue at Mackerel Sky, change your plans!

The Tolcarne Inn

The menu at the Tolcarne Inn changes from day to day, but it’s always amazing. You can guarantee a good range of meat, seafood, and veggie and vegan options, but you'll need to book as far in advance as possible. There’s not much seating here, but if you’re unlucky you could still pop into the bar to enjoy a local cider from the Polgoon Vineyard.

Argoe

Opened in 2022, this new seafood spot is sat right on the sea with views over Newlyn harbour. Argoe has a fresh menu of small plates that is perfect for sharing – we had about six between us including bread and it was plenty… if not too much! Some elements of the menu change from day to day, but during our visit there was a good variety of meat and seafood, and a couple of veggie options.

Newlyn Filmhouse

You don’t need to be catching a movie to eat at the Newlyn Filmhouse, but if you’re there then why not. This cosy cinema has a cafe and bar that serves up tasty dishes, from burgers to risotto. If you’re wanting a break from seafood and small plates, this menu offers the perfect comfort food.

The Old Coast Guard

As you enter Mousehold from Newlyn, you’ll see The Old Coastguard at the top of the hill. You can park on the road for free if you can find a free spot in the designated bays. Otherwise, there’s a car park right next door. The garden of The Old Coastguard looks out over Mousehole Harbour and St Clements Isle. The homely bar and restaurant is a great place for nicer family dinners, with an impressive menu of fresh fish, meat, and delicious veggie options.

2 Fore Street

For an even nicer evening out in West Cornwall, try 2 Fore Street. This bistro-style kitchen has a menu of fresh seafood and grilled options. Unlike the popular pub-style restaurant you’ll often find in Cornwall, 2 Fore Street has a higher-end feel… but you won’t be turned away if you arrive in your jeans and trainers.

Penzance

The Honey Pot

This cute cafe has an extensive menu of hearty lunch foods from lasagne to burgers to baked potatoes. You probably won’t need a booking at The Honey Pot, though you might have to wait. But if you’re spending an afternoon wandering the streets of Penzance, be sure to stop here for a bite.

45 Queen Street

A fairly new spot in the heart of Penzance, 45 Queen Street is a cosy bar and kitchen in a refurbished warehouse. High ceilings adorned with huge wicker lampshades, plenty of plants, and exposed brick walls give the bar a trendy feel. It's always busy with a great atmosphere, and the food is delicious. Don't miss the side of roast potatoes and the Polgoon cider on tap.

The Artists Residence

Opened in the courtyard of Penzance’s Artists Residence hotel, this trendy bar and restaurant offers a younger and more contemporary feel than many of the local foodie spots. Inside, you’ll be seated in a rustic lounge of a Georgian townhouse. While the outside is decorated more like a Tulum beach club. It serves great cocktails and a menu that covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But remember to book!

Barbican Bistro

One of Penzance's newest additions, Barbican Bistro, serves up small plates mostly focused around fish. It's something that the area isn't short on, but this spot does it well. And for a 'small plates' restaurant, the servings are pleasingly large. Between three people, 6-7 plates was plenty of food. The atmosphere is cute and cosy, and the staff are super friendly and helpful. But they don't take bookings – so show up early to secure your spot.

Tremenheere Kitchen

You might not expect to see a sculpture garden on a list of great places to eat, but trust me on this one. The food at Tremenheere Kitchen on the grounds of Tremenheere Gardens serves some of the best food I’ve eaten in Cornwall… and almost definitely the best Sunday roast. 

You can access the cafe and bar for free without paying to enter the gardens (although you should check them out if you have time). You can sit in the barn-style cafe, or out on the gravelled terrace with a view of some of the art installations. Its menu celebrates local produce and artisan cooking with a good range of veggie options – but remember to book! Walk-ins are possible here, but it can get very busy.

Now you know the best places to eat in Cornwall, you can start planning the rest of your trip. Find out how to spend two weeks in Cornwall here.