Fine Dining in Cornwall

If you fancy something a little bit special when you visit Cornwall then we have got you covered. Maybe it’s a special occasion or you just want to eat at a fantastic restaurant. One thing is for sure, you will get the freshest ingredients and enjoy some phenomenal flavours. One of the best things about our list of fine dining restaurants is that in most cases the view that you experience is as fabulous as the food. What could go better together the finest food with the most incredible settings. Also some of these restaurants are set in some of the best hotels that Cornwall has to offer and you can check them out in our hotels guide. For now here’s your tick list of places you will not be disappointed with, we have done the research so you don’t have to.

Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 – Padstow

One Michelin Star and Four AA Rosettes 

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This fantastic quirky restaurant has a Michelin star and 2 AA rosettes. The restaurant is set in the beautiful harbour town of Padstow and the setting is perfect for a fantastic dining experience. You will sit in an old Georgian house and soak up the atmosphere. The food is modern British but of course they capitalise on the fresh Cornish produce that is available on their doorstep. The menu is mainly based around meat and fish and you will go on a fabulous journey for the senses when you have the taster menu.

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No.6 was featured on Masterchef the Professionals and the chefs sampled and then cooked from the creative menu. One of the standouts for me was the dessert that they made which you can have, just sensational. Highly recommended for a special occasion, booking essential. Why not check out our Padstow town guide to see what else this famous Cornish Village has to offer. We recommend many different properties in the area too but if food is important to you then why not try staying at the Pickwick Inn with its fabulous views and delicious restaurant. 

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Nathan Outlaw, Outlaws – Port Isaac

Two Michelin Stars, Four AA Rosettes, Best Restaurant 2018 Good Food Guide

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You may recognise Port Isaac as the home to the TV series Doc Martin. It is a beautiful small fishing village in Cornwall and a superbly picturesque place to have a fantastic dining experience which is what you will get at Outlaws. This modern restaurant owned by Nathan Outlaw prides itself on using local produce that is bought into the harbour by day boats. This is a seafood restaurant so be prepared to sample some of the freshest seafood with a modern twist.

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This restaurant has been awarded 2 Michelin stars so trust that you will be dining in style and enjoying some phenomenal flavours. Port Isaac is on the north coast and you could tie a visit to this quirky restaurant with a trip to Boscastle, Tintagel or Padstow. Check out our town guides to see what else you can do on the north coast. Booking at this sought after restaurant is essential

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The Scarlet – Mawgan Porth

Two AA Rosettes

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This stylish modern restaurant is set in the beautiful Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth, near Newquay. The stunning views and fantastic decoration add to this gorgeous venue and it really is the perfect spot to watch the sun go down and enjoy some delicious dishes. The menu is meat and fish but also caters quite well for vegetarians. The restaurant has a European influence and has a selection of fresh local produce. Why not have a drink on the terrace before you eat and take in the phenomenal view over Mawgan Porth Beach.

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The Scarlet Hotel is one of the top hotels in Cornwall and we highly recommend a stay here. The pool and spa areas are luxurious and they even have outside spa space with hot tubs and sauna. The views are incredible and you really do get a relaxing experience. Why not book in for a spa weekend and enjoy the cuisine whilst you are there. You can also book in for a meal if you are staying in or around Mawgan Porth, we have some great accommodation places on our site and check out our town guides for things to do in Newquay which is just down the road.

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Cafe Rojano by Paul Ainsworth – Padstow

Two AA Rosettes

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This Italian and Mediteranean influenced little gem is set in the beautiful town of Padstow, near the harbour. Paul Ainsworth who also has No.6 in Padstow has relaunched this two AA Rosette restaurant. The restaurant creates stone baked sourdough pizzas and fantastic pasta dishes but also has bistro dishes too. Meat lovers won’t be disappointed either as they have a fine selection from the grill. The restaurant was originally opened in 1974 by Stanley Rojano who put his traditional Italian dishes on the menu, the restaurant has moved with the times but still stays true to its roots.

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Padstow is a great place to dine because there is so much variety. This Italian restaurant will cater for the whole family or a romantic meal for 2. We have a Padstow town guide on our site so please check this out and make a day of it in the area. We also have accommodation in the area too, there is so much going on throughout the year so be sure to check dates before you go. If you want to dine here then booking is essential.

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Kota – Porthleven

Three AA Rosettes and Michelin’s Guide’s Bib Gourmand Award

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Chef Jude is half Maori and half Chinese and adds an Asian flare to the fantastic local produce that he sources. Kota is in a beautiful building which is 300 years old and situated in the harbour at Porthleven, meaning that the stunning views compliment the food nicely. Kota means shellfish in Maoria nd it will be no surprise that fish features heavily on the menu but the menu also focuses on meat too. In November 2019 this restaurant was named restaurant of the year from Cornwall Life Magazine. 

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This talented chef was also selected to showcase his skills on the Great British Menu on BBC2. You really are in for a treat if you decide to visit this classy restaurant. There are also rooms available at Kota so why not make a night of it. Porthleven is on the south coast and close to Penzance so not far if you are staying in and around that area. Please make sure you book to avoid disappointment.

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Tabbs Restaurant – Truro

Two AA Rosettes

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Situated in the centre of the City of Truro this restaurant prides itself on preparing simple but delicious dishes sourced locally of course. Everything you eat has been made fresh at Tabbs from the bread to the chocolates that you have with your coffee. The desire is to serve fresh simple home made food and the reviews and awards show that they are extremely good at doing just that at Tabbs. 

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Truro is a fantastic place for a night out and if you want to start your night right with some fine dining then Tabbs is ideal for you. They even do an early dinner if you are attending the theatre and they also do a Sunday roast twice a month, not to be missed. Check out our Truro town guide which will give you plenty of things to do in and around the area to build up your appetite. Of course we recommend booking to avoid disappointment. We also have some fabulous accommodation in and around Truro in our stay section. 

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The Seafood Restaurant, Rick Stein – Padstow

Three AA Rosettes

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One of the things Padstow is famous for is Rick Stein and his seafood. Hopefully you have heard of him and how delicious his food is. The Seafood Restaurant is down by the harbour in this scenic paradise of a Cornish fishing village. The dining is fairly formal but you do have the option to dine on the large central bar for a more informal experience.Rick and his wife Jill founded the restaurant in 1975 and his career has taken off over the years, including multiple restaurants and TV shows. You can even sign up for a cooking lesson from the Rick Stein company in Padstow if you want to know how your dinner is made. If you don’t then just sit back and enjoy some of the freshest ingredients you will find in a fantastic setting with great flavours.

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Obviously the menu focuses around fish but there are gluten free and vegetarian options available too so please research the sample menus before booking, which you must do if you want to eat there. The seafood restaurant has 3 AA Rosettes. Padstow is a great place to sample some high quality cuisine so why not stay in and around the area, we have some great accommodation you can choose from near Padstow and we also have our Padstow town guide.

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Brasserie on the Bay- St Michael’s Resort – Falmouth

Two AA Rosettes

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Situated in the gorgeous St Michael’s Resort in Falmouth, this brasserie has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes. The view is stunning and the atmosphere is just right to enjoy the varied and delicious menu. The dishes are fish, meat and vegetarian so everyone can find something that will take their fancy here. The head chef works with local producers to make sure that the freshest ingredients are used on site. The fish you eat will have been caught in a lot of cases on the same day. 

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St Michael’s Resort is one of our featured properties, it is a stunning venue for a spa break or a special occasion. Why not treat yourself to a ,ong weekend here and enjoy the food as part of your stay. Alternatively there are loads of different options on our site of where you can stay around Falmouth. Our Falmouth town guide will also give you some ideas about other activities and bars and restaurants as well as some of the festivals that Falmouth is famous for.

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The Dining Room – Rock

Awarded Michelin Plate for good cooking

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This family run restaurant is in the beautiful village of Rock, which sits across the bay from Padstow. In fact there is a little ferry that goes between the 2 villages which is a great way to travel. Rock is an extremely sought after area with Gordon Ramsey even owning a property there. The Dining Room is beautifully presented and everything you eat is homemade including the butter. The products are local and fresh and the menu is varied to include meat, fish and vegetarian options. This restaurant was opened in 2010 and its classical cooking and great flavours have earnt it a mention on the Michelin guide.

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Why not stay in one of our amazing accommodation choices in and around Padstow and get the ferry over to Rock for the evening to enjoy this fantastic food. Check out our town guides too to see what else you can do in the area. The Dining Room is highly recommended for a special occasion but please book in advance to make sure that you can get a place.

Cove – Maenporth

Awarded Michelin Plate for good cooking

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This fantastic restaurant is in such a beautiful spot and overlooks the beach at Maenporth. It is glass fronted so that everyone can enjoy that amazing view. The menu itself is modern and using the fresh local produce has a strong seafood feel to it. There are however some Asian influences which give the dishes a unique twist. Recently taken over by Michael Caines you can be assured that he brings all of his outstanding skills with him and this shows in the standard of food here. 

The Cove overlooks Falmouth Bay and there are some fantastic places to stay and eat around this area. No matter what the weather there will be a warm welcome for you at The Cove and you can relax and enjoy the chilled out atmosphere. Booking in advance is recommended particularly for larger groups. Check out our Falmouth town guide and accommodation choices if this restaurant is on your wishlist.

Well if that doesn’t get your mouth watering then i don’t know what will. Check out the websites for the most up to date sample menu and please remember to book as far in advance as possible to avoid missing out on these fantastic dining experiences. Please tag Cornwallholidays.com when you visit, we would love to hear from you and find out about your experiences.

What about you? Leave a comment below with your favourite Cornish restaurants.

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