Top 5 Cornwall Food & Drink Spots: A Local’s Guide

Cornwall, that little slice of heaven tucked away in the southwest of England, is not just about stunning coastlines and picturesque villages; it’s a place where your taste buds, too, can have quite an adventure. This is because the food and drink scene here is simply bursting with flavor and, so it seems, originality. I, as someone who has basically spent a good chunk of their life exploring every nook and cranny of this place, have come up with a list of the very best spots that truly, so to speak, capture the spirit of Cornish cuisine. Get ready, too, it seems, to have your senses well and truly tantalized!

1. The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow

Let’s kick things off with a splash, why don’t we, over at The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. This place, well, it’s something of a Cornish institution, you see, spearheaded by the rather renowned Rick Stein. Now, this isn’t just dining; it’s more of a total immersion experience in the sheer goodness of the sea, almost, arguably, from the moment you step through that door. Every dish, too, it seems, is crafted to let the produce kind of speak for itself, which is incredibly refreshing, you know?

I went there with my family last summer, actually, and we pretty much ordered everything. The Dover sole was, to be perfectly honest, exquisite, like, and the lobster thermidor? Well, let’s just say that, at the end of the day, there was some pretty serious fighting over who got the last bit. Okay, I’m maybe exaggerating a little bit there, but it just gives you kind of a feel for how utterly, completely delicious it was. So, if you are searching for, pretty much, the definitive Cornish seafood encounter, this really might be it, okay?

Read our full review: The Seafood Restaurant Padstow Full Review and Details

2. Prawnography, various locations

Now, shifting gears a bit, have you, too, heard about Prawnography? So, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill restaurant situation, see. It’s like, pretty much, a fantastic street food vendor with multiple mobile setups all across Cornwall, basically. This is where street food moves, arguably, from grab-and-go to ‘Good heavens, that’s rather special, I feel.’ Their special prawn toast is ridiculously yummy.

The first time I ran into them, well, I was wandering around Truro, as you do, and that smoky barbeque smell kind of hooked me in. One bite, really, that was all it took. I have to say, the seasoning and freshly squeezed lime actually created something almost, maybe, mind blowing. I’ve been back since – you know, in the interests of research of course – and honestly, that quality is very dependable and the menu varies somewhat according to which setup I’m at, you see. Basically, this is pretty much an must for your Cornish trip. If you get near a place which calls itself ‘Prawnography’.

Read our full review: Prawnography Cornwall Full Review and Details

3. St Tudy Inn, St Tudy

Fancy, that, leaving the coast a bit for a moment, too it’s almost, it’s about time we popped over to the St Tudy Inn, basically tucked away in, you guessed it, St Tudy. This spot, too, is something of a gastropub jewel, actually managed with skill and grace, arguably, by Emily Scott. With emphasis put so clearly on seasonal stuff here it just provides food with bags of flavor and a sense of place which some other similar places sadly lack.

I decided to meet a group of buddies over there on a rainy evening and was so happy to sit down to something special like. The atmosphere made me happy, too, it appears, to relax. I had some Cornish lamb. So, really tasty. Afters was a chocolate thing that had been described kind of badly on the menu but it gave the perfect closing punch to the evening, really. Check this pub when you’re nearby. So that the village has some good trade.

Read our full review: St Tudy Inn Full Review and Details

4. Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

Are you just wanting an experience that’s both luxurious and a bit close to earth. This establishment offers bread making sessions and delicious dairy made on the farm.

I chose to have lunch with a close friend. They showed so much patience while doing it, the food just sung along as everything was sourced nearby, usually by them. I felt extremely rested following the short stay and have chosen to purchase some homemade bread. Be certain to experience it during your next journey.

Read our full review: Coombeshead Farm Lewannick Full Review and Details

5. Appleton’s Bar & Restaurant, Fowey

Finally let us arrive at Appleton’s. An amazing fusion of Italian tastes put down in the west county! Chef Andy Appleton definitely injects Italian charm, giving customers amazing dinners.

We arrived for a wedding do this Summer and thought it sounded great, there was something that drew one toward an elegant dinner that tasted lovely. I had scallops plus a pasta dish then ice cream – so good really that the taste felt divine. Should you like food full of happiness – make sure to put Appleton’s on any itinerary now. This spot, too, is an ideal choice as a celebration location given how stylish that spot looks inside too, it appears, with decor being classy too so guests are extremely content plus enjoy memories later thinking to themselves something like that everything went wonderfully due to such excellent hospitality, really.

Read our full review: Appleton’s Bar & Restaurant Full Review and Details

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