The Best Places to Eat in North Cornwall: A Foodie’s Guide

If you’re heading to North Cornwall this year, be sure to sample the spectacular offering at one (or all) of these foodie hotspots.

North Cornwall is an epicurean’s playground. With beach-side breakfast spots, boutique hotel dining rooms, vineyard eateries and famous seafood restaurants, the likes of Padstow, Rock and Port Isaac have propelled themselves to the top of many a hedonistic foodie itinerary. We unearth the hottest reservations this summer with the help of Emily Scott, a leading light in the Cornish food scene and chef patron of The St Tudy Inn.

Off to St Ives? Check out these Foodie Hotspots

Emily Scott

Undoubtedly one of Cornwall’s top chefs, Emily Scott trained in France before returning to her beloved South West coast to open The Harbour Restaurant in Port Isaac where she quickly gained a loyal following. After passing on the reins to celebrated chef Nathan Outlaw, Emily opened The St Tudy Inn, a village pub full of character set amidst peaceful Cornish countryside.

Emily’s mantra of ‘Simple, Seasonal, Beautiful’ has seen her win multiple local, regional and national awards, and the pub currently holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Here are Emily’s top tips for other unmissable food experiences on her doorstep…

Emily’s Pick: The Best Restaurants in North Cornwall

The Fish Kitchen

This place holds so many memories for me, as I ran it as The Harbour Kitchen for many years. When I wanted a change and Nathan came forward to take it over I was overjoyed – he’s a fabulous chef who now has restaurants in London and Dubai as well as little old Port Isaac. Order a succession of small plates from the menu, which is saturated with all the best local seafood available to us lucky chefs in this part of the world. nathan-outlaw.com

The Seafood Restaurant

c. James Ram

Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant is an oldie but a goodie. For a special night out you can’t beat the food and service, which are both impeccable. It’s fabulous that a restaurant which first opened in 1975 remains at the top of its game, dishing out plate after plate of delicious seafood to appreciative diners in stylish surroundings. The Seafood Bar, where you don’t always need a reservation, is a fun place to spend an evening in good company with a glass of bubbles in hand. rickstein.com

Appleton’s Bar & Restaurant 

This Italian-inspired vineyard restaurant is an idyllic spot to while away an afternoon. Andy Appleton (ex-Fifteen Head Chef) uses the finest fresh seasonal produce alongside local fish and meat to craft classic Italian dishes with a Cornish twist. His repertoire of homemade pasta is out of this world, with every dish a feast for all the senses. The restaurant is set within Trevibban Winery and a visit here is an absolute treat when paired with a tasting. appletonsatthevineyard.com

Hotel Tresanton 

So, it’s not strictly North Cornwall (Tresanton stands on the gently lapping shores of the South Coast at St Mawes) but I couldn’t resist including this iconic hotel in my foodie guide, as it is my go-to overnight stay when I feel in need of some R&R. A wonderfully romantic hotel created by Olga Polizzi, this is such a picturesque place to wake up to. Enjoy a day on the water in Piniccuia, the hotel’s beautiful classic yacht, sailing around Falmouth Bay and the Helford and Fal rivers. It goes without saying that the food is great, too. tresanton.com

Outlaws

Found in the 15th Century fisherman’s cottage in the beautiful Port Isaac, Outlaws serves fish from the local inshore day boats. They will always orient the menu towards the catches of the day so don’t go in expecting something specific. Think sneaky twists on long time classics: lobster sesame toast, pickled monkfish, the works. Don’t forget at Port Isaac is where Fishermen’s Friends perform sea shantys every week by the shore. outlaws.co.uk