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The Mote is an elegantly rustic restaurant in Port Isaac's central Fore Street. Like most places around here, it specialises in freshly caught fish dishes, with the seafood coming straight off the boats in the morning.
The meat, charcuterie, cheese, vegetables and bread served at The Mote all come from this part of Cornwall. However, if you're fancying seafood, try their fish pie or Korev-battered fish.
Its location near the harbour couldn't be better, and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. There's also a good choice of dishes for kids, and dogs are welcome. Look out for barbecues in the outside bar area.
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As the name might suggest, the Beach Hut has bagged a prime position on the water's edge at Watergate Bay. It's part of a collection of dining spots at the Watergate Bay Hotel.
Huge windows make the most of its water's edge location. While a plant based menu takes care of planet-friendly meals. That's not all though, healthy post-surf picks include salads, tapas-style plates and freshly caught fish from the grill.
Sustainability sits high on the agenda here, and it doesn't just stop at its dishes. You can order and pay from your phone, reducing the restaurant's paper usage.
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Sitting at one of the pavement tables, looking out at the clear blue waters of the harbour, it's hard to believe that you're still in Britain. If you enjoy the bustle of people watching combined with a postcard-perfect view, the outdoor area at the Beach Cafe Bar provides some of the best seats in town.
Open from 8:30, the Beach Cafe Bar starts the day with brunch, before moving onto coffees then turning into a drinks bar until late. If you need a pick me-up in the morning, come here for sumptuous bagels or delicious pastries, accompanied by a coffee (or a Mimosa…).
Inside, the decor is simple and modern, and the main area is open at the front to capture those gorgeous views. Dogs are welcome inside as well as in the pavement area.
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You don't have to jump on a plane for a taste of Spain if you're visiting this spot. Spanish ingredients join forces with Cornish produce here to turn out a collection of tasty tapas dishes.
This riverside restaurant doesn't put all of its eggs in one basket though, an extensive choice of cocktails ramp up the holiday feeling. And, Estrella-fans are in luck, it's the only place you'll find this Spanish fave on tap.
Good to know: It's not all about small plate style dishes, seafood specials like paella and fish platters are on the line up, too.
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The historic harbour is not the only feature that will grab your attention when visiting Charlestown.
The Rashleigh Arms has all the pub grub classics and offers a wide range of fresh seafood. And you certainly aren't going to skip dessert with all the tasty treats on offer! And if this isn't enough to convince you this is the place to be, they also offer a great choice of vegan options and gluten-free choices. Their Sunday roasts will become an event on your calendar!
With excellent friendly service and a festive atmosphere, it would be hard not to pop in when the tummy starts rumbling!
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Hidden up a little alleyway not far from Truro Cathedral is the Kathmandu Palace which has been reliably serving up Nepalese and Indian food for years.
The prices might not be the cheapest but the friendly service and wide variety of quality food more than make up for it.
The decor is definitely old school Indian restaurant style, but personally I think this just makes it feel more authentic!
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Zafiros in New Bridge Street is like two different places. It starts out as a good place for breakfast or lunch with the fam. When the sun goes down, the cocktails come out, and Zafiros transforms into a more grown-up city centre bar.
The food is American and Tex Mex-inspired, with burgers, fried chicken, tacos and more. There's a kids menu, and a good choice of vegan options. There's also a whole big menu dedicated to gluten-free dishes. The all-day brunches include the full Cornish (it even includes hog's pudding), a veggie option and an American pancake stack.
Hopefully sated with burgers and milkshakes, the kids will go home with grandma and you can come back for cocktails. The outdoor terrace is a lively spot for a French Martini or Mojito on a warm, Cornish evening.
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The African restaurant on Old Bridge Street is a friendly and inviting place, offering South African classics like wors rolls and bunny chow, and a choice of sides and salads. They also serve chicken, burgers and vegetarian dishes.
Chorley's is known and loved for its zingy table sauces. These piri piri and garlic-based sauces began life as basting sauces, and the spicy recipes have travelled across the world with the Chorley family. If you enjoy it, you can buy a bottle to liven up your home BBQ marinades.
You can actually take home an entire meal from Chorley's, as the restaurant doubles as a takeaway. However, that would be to miss out on this bright and cheerful restaurant, which is super-family friendly.
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Fish doesn't really get much fresher than this: located just down the road from the famous Newlyn fish harbour, Mackerel Sky gets the pick of the sea's larder.
Since opening in 2015, Mackerel Sky has become one of the most popular cafes in the area. It serves tapas-style dishes as well as classic favourites like fish and chips and crab mayo sandwiches. Everything is fresh and cooked to perfection.
Diners also flock here for the atmosphere. Most of the seating is outside, and there's a happy buzz of chatter. It's family and dog friendly - just please remember that you can't book, so pick your time carefully.
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The Longstore on Lemon Street is a contemporary bar and grill in an elegant Georgian townhouse.The first Longstore restaurant opened in Charlestown in 2016, and was followed a few years later by its stylish city sister.
The food is fresh and modern, specialising in locally caught seafood and Cornish-reared beef steaks. It's also a great place to go for a cocktail. Weekly highlights include Saturday brunch and Sunday lunch; or pop by any evening for the full menu or simply drinks and bar snacks.
Because it's in an old Georgian house, the restaurant unfortunately isn't accessible for wheelchairs or prams, and it doesn't allow dogs. However, the Charlestown branch does have wheelchair access, and welcomes pups on the terrace.
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If you are looking for a pub with quirky historic appeal in Cornwall, Hole in the Wall has plenty of it! The pub's name comes from its past as a debtor's prison (1749 - 1779). During this time, food was passed through a hole in the wall.
Packed with olde worlde charm from the moment you stroll by the courtyard stream and into the pub, the Hole in the Wall will delight you from the moment you enter it. Inside, you will find an open fire, bare stone walling, small wooden tables, and cosy settings for drinks with friends or the perfect date night.
This comfortable interior offers warmth, friendly staff and a cosy cocoon to lose yourself in for the evening or even the day if you are getting out for a lunchtime drink. The pub currently doesn't serve food but welcomes guests to bring their own evening meal, takeaway, or picnic, which can be enjoyed in the beer garden.
Drinks are aplenty, though, with many beers and ciders to choose from, including Amstel Lager, Bass, Butcombe Original, Guinness Draught, San Miguel, Sharp's Atlantic Pale Ale, Inch's Cider, and Winkleigh.
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The Bay View Inn refers to itself as North Cornwall's worst kept secret because of its obvious and growing popularity. If you enjoy fresh local seafood and beautiful sea views, the Bayview Inn will not disappoint. The menu features a plethora of options and a choice of gins so good that some might call them "ginspiring."
The Bay View Inn's trendy, upmarket décor and appeal match the equally impressive menu options. Starters include delectable creamy garlic and truffle mushrooms, feta stuffed peppers, chargrilled crevettes, and fried halloumi. The "sharers" are even more delightful, with the show's stars being tapas, baked camembert, and cheesy nachos. But, of course, the showstoppers are none other than the mains, featuring pan-seared sea bass and veggies, banana blossom fish and chips, steak and chips, superfood salad, tarragon chicken, burgers, and grilled tuna steaks.
There's no denying that the Bay View Inn does what it says on the tin along with offering dishes for the more discerning palette and everything in between.
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The Arts Cafe (next door to the Royal Cornwall Museum) is one of Truro's most unusual venues. This lively cafe is in the Truro Arts Company building, sharing the impressive space with the art shop and studios.
The cafe is open for hot drinks and cakes from 9 until 4:30, and serves meals between 11 and 3:30 (3 on a Sunday). Choose from lunchtime favourites like soup, quiche and sandwiches, all freshly made using local ingredients. You can also enjoy a chilled glass of white or a beer with your Trewithen brie sandwich.
There's a comfy seating area downstairs, complete with squashy chairs and a woodburner, as well as another dining space upstairs on the mezzanine overlooking the shop. The outdoor terrace is a real sun-trap on a warm day. Be warned: the large art and craft shop is irresistible…
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The Galleon Inn sits perched on the riverfront with fantastic views of the Fowey Estuary. The pub, which exists in a 400-year-old former warehouse, boasts a relaxed atmosphere, serves food daily, and treats both locals and visiting guests to live music every Friday. If you are looking to get out without compromising on a comfortable vibe, The Galleon Inn is for you.
The menu presents typical Inn treats with a twist. Bar snacks are a popular go to and include nuts, crisps and chocolates. Soup, nachos and squid round up the lite bites quite nicely, with a selection of fresh meat and fish. Vegetarian options and a selection of sides perfect the menu. Then, of course, there is a dessert menu and a kid's menu available. Finally, the bar menu offers a refreshing drink to those who need it, with beers, cider, wine, and spirits readily available.
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You can't argue with this restaurant's name in a place like Bude. And it follows through with a location so close to the sea you can hear the waves.
Dining at Life's a Beach (or LAB as it's known locally) is pretty casual, and naturally there's plenty of seafood dishes on the menu. But there are also a good selection of other picks too. There's even Cornwalls take on a Bratwurst sausage - get a load of that!
Good to know: Doors are open first thing and with Summerleaze Beach a stone's throw away you can go breakfast to surf in seconds.
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The Rectory Tea Rooms will make you feel like you are taking a step back in time. In the small rural parish of Morwenstow, you will find a farmhouse dating back to the 13th century. Complete with open fires, antique furnishings and the original oak beams that have a story to tell as they came from ships that were wrecked many moons ago along the treacherous North Cornwall coastline.
You could not have picked a better spot to stop for tea - an opinion reflected by the Telegraph, Tripadvisor and even the BBC. And the Tea Rooms do not disappoint; from the homemade scones & cakes to the Afternoon High Teas and proper Cornish Pasties. Try their quiches or delicious soups if you are looking for something on the more savoury side.
The Rectory Tea Rooms spoils you, with nearly all of their dishes being from locally sourced products. In addition they will cater for wheat, gluten and dairy free taking note of your specialised diets. And don't think that because it's a tea room, they won't have wines, craft beer and ciders on offer.
Once you have filled up with the tasty homemade delights, you can walk it off and take in the breathtaking North Cornwall coast, which is just down the lane.
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The King of Prussia is a hotel and restaurant housed in one of Fowey’s most prominent 17-century waterfront buildings. The hotel is suspected to be named after John Carter, a smuggler nicknamed "King of Prussia Cove", who is rumoured to have been in residence in the Inn during the 1780s.
Start with a Continental, Full English, or Full Irish breakfast if you want to begin the day with the King of Prussia. Eclectic lunch and dinner options are also available with a good selection of popular ales.
The menu is jam-packed with tapas, sharing platters, fresh seafood, burgers, a selection of meats and carefully constructed vegetarian options. Finally, if you want to finish off your experience at King of Prussia with something sweet, try the chocolate torte, sticky toffee pudding, or traditional Cornish ice creams.
Set in the heart of this historic harbour town, diners can meander up from the shore to enjoy the restaurant and bar with stunning views of the river out front.
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Keep heading east through Hayle to the postcard-perfect village of Gwithian and this welcoming pub. The lively menu includes light bites, burgers and lots of fish dishes - just leave space for a Treleavens ice cream afterwards.
The menu recommends wine pairings for its dishes, and it certainly has a good selection. There's also a wide range of local Cornish beers and ciders. Here on a sunny evening? Relax with something from their cocktail menu.
Choose from tables in the bar, restaurant, courtyard or beer garden. Fancy staying longer? The Red River now has its own self-catering apartment, sleeping up to seven guests.
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Dating back to 1271, The Tinners Arms is one of the oldest inns around. It was built to provide beds, food and ale for the masons building St Senara's Church next door; and when you step into the dimly-lit, wood-smokey old bar, it's easy to imagine the Tinners' medieval origins.
The Tinners serves classic pub food made from local ingredients. If you're walking the coast path and pop into Zennor en route, the ham, egg & chips with a pint of Mermaid really hits the spot. You can sit inside in the cosy old bar, enjoying the open fires, or take a seat in the large beer garden.
Food is served 12 - 3:30, then again from 5 until 7. Dogs are allowed (on the lead) and kids need to remain seated. The pub has its own car park, and there's also a large village car park next door.
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It's a 6 mile walk to St Kew from Padstow, or a 12 mile drive (that pesky estuary). Either way, it’s worth it to visit this 15th-century inn in its rural hamlet.
The St Kew Inn serves lovely local produce, some of it cooked over a wood fire. Try the catch from that day’s fishing boats, or tuck into some succulent Cornish meat. Just make sure that you leave room for pudding, which includes their unique smoked ice cream…
Inside, the inn is made up of several small, cosy dining areas, complete with crackling log fires. However, if you’re here in the summer, try to book a table outside, as the St Kew has a simply stunning garden.
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