With its dramatic coastline, golden sandy beaches and quaint seaside towns, it’s no wonder that Cornwall is one the UK’s most popular holiday destinations. Dotted with exceptional eateries with close proximity to the sea, Cornwall is a haven for fresh local seafood and seriously talented chefs. A visit to the Cornish county would not be complete without sampling some of the world-class cuisine on offer. Luckily, there are four Michelin star and over 30 Michelin recomended restaurants in Cornwall for discerning diners after a delectable feast.
Whether you’re heading to North, South or West Cornwall, you’ll find a whole host of Michelin recommended establishments. All are guaranteed to tickle your tastebuds in the most appealing way possible. It’s not just about the food though. Many of these restaurants offer unbeatable locations and sublime views, setting all your senses aflame.
Whether seafood’s your speciality, you crave a succulent steak or want to settle down to a meat-free extravaganza, these are some of the top Michelin restaurants in Cornwall for starry-eyed diners heading to England’s most south-westerly county.
Cornwall restaurants with Michelin Stars
Paul Ainsworth at No.6, Padstow
One Michelin Star
6 Middle Street, Padstow PL28 8AP
01841 532093
paul-ainsworth-no6.co.uk
This cute Cornish fishing village may be synonymous with Rick Stein, but it’s Paul Ainsworth’s acclaimed eatery that serves up some of the finest fare in this foodie town. Whether it’s for an intimate dinner à deux or a family celebration, you don’t want to miss the chance of feasting at this pick among Padstow restaurants – with a Michelin star to its name.
You’ll find the elegant townhouse it's housed in is every bit as photogenic as the food. The talented folk who make up the team are dedicated to delivering the most flavourful mouthfuls imaginable, all created from the freshest local produce.
Four courses, plus extra goodies, are presented with aplomb and are perhaps surprisingly affordable given the eatery’s starry status. Booking, as you might expect, is essential if you want to experience the likes of scallops, Cornish cod, and potted shellfish. This is Cornish cuisine at its show-stopping finest.
Outlaw's New Road, Port Isaac
One Michelin Star
6 New Road, Port Isaac PL29 3SB
01208 880896
outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/new-road
Though he hails from Kent, Nathan Outlaw has followed his heart – and the rugged English coastline – west to Cornwall, where he’s certainly made a name for himself. Both New Road and Fish Kitchen are must-visit Michelin-starred restaurants. They are two of the reasons the Port Isaac area has become such a mecca for gastronomy lovers.
As it’s perched over the pretty town, you can enjoy glorious views over the fetching Cornish coastline while dining on the set seafood menu. This is a four-course treat for the eyes as well as the palate, so do try to grab a snap for posterity – if you can possibly hold back from tucking straight in, that is...
If you’re a fan of fish and other fruits de mer, this is definitely one to tick off the bucket list. Three courses are centred around the catch of each day, think soused dover sole and beetroot, or mackerel with bacon, onion and sage, with vegetarian options available by arrangement when booking. Otherwise, the delectable, sweet treat of a dessert rounding off your perfect feast is pretty much the only time the menu will stray from Cornish seafood.
Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac
One Michelin Star
1 Middle Street, Port Isaac PL29 3RH
01208 881183
outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/fish-kitchen
Sustainable local fish is the name of the game at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, also in picturesque Port Isaac. Housed in a fisherman’s cottage dating from the 15th century, everything about this place is as cute – and authentically Cornish – as it is Michelin star-worthy.
As at New Road, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen serves a set seafood menu. You can book up to 90 days before your visit to either of Outlaw’s fabulous eateries. So we say get in there as quickly as you can once you’ve snapped up that dream cottage for your Cornish sojourn!
Once you’ve secured your table, may we whet your appetite with the likes of spiced monkfish with coriander yoghurt or perhaps gurnard served with zingy lime and earthy mushrooms? Smoked cod’s roe with brioche starts things off nicely, while dessert will finish with the exquisite bang of a sweet, flavourful taste sensation.
Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, Newquay
One Michelin Star
Headland Road, Fistral Beach, Newquay TR7 1EW
01637 839739
uglybutterfly.co.uk
Overlooking the surfing haven at Fistral Beach, Ugly Butterfly is the sustainable dream of Adam Handling MBE, a chef renowned for his waste-free ethos and love of world cuisines. The menus are inspired by the South West and its ever-changing natural larder, from patchwork countryside to salt-kissed coastlines. This focus on local fare and flavours results in an 11-course experience that leads you through a storybook of dishes, each exploring the tastes and aromas of the season.
Whether it’s oysters from Porthilly, lemons from the Roseland Peninsula, or lobster and crab from the very coast the restaurant gazes across, each dish boasts a taste of Cornwall and the beautiful counties beyond. For those looking for a more relaxed meal, the restaurant menu offers four courses of heaven, from warm crab tart with marigolds to beef fillet with carrot, mushroom ketchup, and a truffle sandwich - not to mention a decadent dessert with the option to take some hand-painted chocolates home with you.
With an afternoon tea menu, which features a variety of teas alongside delicious sandwiches, sausage rolls, and fresh-baked scones, and a bar menu that will have your mouth watering from the moment you sit down, Ugly Butterfly has a Michelin-starred experience for every occasion, all set within the captivating ocean-front restaurant.
Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick
One Michelin Green Star
Lewannick, Launceston PL15 7QQ
01566 782009
coombesheadfarm.co.uk
If you want to dine at an authentic Cornish farmhouse during your stay, then do reserve a table at Coombeshead in advance of your visit. It’s guaranteed to get your taste buds tingling in anticipation – and we assure you it will be well worth the wait.
There are both vegetarian and main menus to choose from. All diners are treated to the five sublime courses making up the set menu, and service generally runs from 7pm to 10pm. Under 12s are not admitted, except during Sunday lunch – music to the ears, surely, of those planning for a romantic evening for two!
Unlike many other Michelin recommended Cornish eateries, seafood is not a particular feature here, as most produce comes directly from Coombeshead Farm itself. As flour is milled on site, the owners also proclaim their eatery as unsuitable for coeliacs. For committed carnivores and vegetarians, though, this place is nothing short of divine. Sample dishes include the likes of Coombeshead ham, crown prince squash, smoked cream and oat miso, salt-baked swede and brassicas, and beeswax ice cream.
Culture, Falmouth
One Michelin Green Star
Custom House Quay, 38B Arwenack Street, Falmouth TR11 3JF
07572 175457
culturerestaurant.co.uk
Celebrating the incredible natural larder Cornwall boasts, not to mention the amazing people that bring the shining ingredients from land and sea to the table, Culture has created an exceptional ethos that has more than earned its impressive Michelin green star.
The menu changes with the seasons, meaning it can transform from month to month, or even afternoon to evening, depending on what is foraged, caught, and harvested that day. Each dish lets the ingredients do the talking, with attention to detail at the core of all that they do. It’s about flavour, provenance, and respect for the world around, while providing an unforgettable experience.
The menu is completely set, which means everyone can enjoy the same journey, whether you’re exploring a theme of nostalgia, geography, or something completely different. Sup on a wide variety of local ingredients, from seafood from the Carrick Roads and lamb from Tregullas Farm to Chocolarder’s exceptional bean-to-bar chocolate. Pair the wine flight with your meal and experience an elevation of flavours as each glass coaxes something new from the dish.
Michelin recommended restaurants in Cornwall
Although these establishments may not yet have the coveted Michelin star, they nevertheless have the Michelin stamp of approval. All these restaurants have been handpicked by the Michelin Guide as truly exceptional eateries.
Michelin restaurants in North Cornwall
Rick Stein's Café, Padstow
Bib Gourmand
10 Middle Street, Padstow PL28 8AP
01841 532700
rickstein.com/restaurants/rick-steins-café
Although casual may not be what springs to mind when contemplating Michelin recommended establishments, Rick Stein’s Cafe in Padstow is a family friendly eatery serving three meals a day. Or you can even stop by for a coffee and cake break as the whim takes you.
As anyone who’s attempted to eat fish and chips by the harbour will testify, it’s worth seeking cover in Padstow just to save you from swooping seagulls. That’s our excuse, anyway, and we’re sticking to it. Nothing at all to do with the delectable menu that’s heavy on seafood, showcasing lightly spiced dishes, such as the pondicherry cod curry, clearly influenced by Stein's time in India.... yum!
Whether you start the day with a full English, devour a scrumptious slice of cake as an afternoon pick-me-up or swing by for a meal featuring multiple, carefully executed courses, Stein’s laid-back place has Cornwall stamped through it like a stick of holiday rock.
St Kew Inn, St Kew
St Kew Inn, St Kew, Bodmin PL30 3HB
01208 841259
stkewinn.co.uk
The St Kew Inn is as cute as Cornwall pubs come, and the food is certainly something to write a postcard home about too.
Flower-filled gardens tempt the visitor outside during summer. While in winter the crackling fire invites you to bathe in its warm (and flattering) glow. A well-stocked wine cellar and local cask ales add to St Kew Inn’s temptations. Diners can choose from four areas in which to savour carefully crafted platefuls of top-notch nosh.
This Cornish pub’s signature dishes are those that come directly ‘from the fire’ to your plate, whether you go for a 35-day aged steak, the catch of the day baked in embers or blackened butternut squash.
The Mariners, Rock
The Slipway, Rock PL27 6LD
01841 532093
the-mariners.co.uk
Continuing Paul Ainsworth’s tradition of award-winning dining, The Mariners invites you to enjoy an extensive menu in a wonderfully easygoing environment. The pub looks over the Camel Estuary, with a terraced balcony promising a glorious setting for the summer months and a cosy, fire-lit interior to warm the soul in the winter.
The menu echoes the relaxed setting, with small plates such as Cornish vintage cheddar rarebit on toast and large plates varying from Goan madras to dayboat Cornish monkfish. You’ll also find pub classics such as fish and chips on the menu, alongside their famous Sunday lunches in the winter. Round it all off with a delicious pudding, whether you fancy glazed pineapple and brown butter upside-down cake or a chocolate orange creme brulee, and you’ve got the makings of a button-popping meal you won’t forget (but will be back for).
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan, and children’s menus ensure everyone is catered for at The Mariners. The bar also promises to quench every thirst, with a range of ales from Cornish brewery Sharps as well as a hearty mix of wines, spirits, and soft drinks - bottoms up!
Caffè Rojano, Padstow
9 Mill Square, Padstow PL28 8AE
01841 532093
caffe-rojano.co.uk
Also overseen by Paul Ainsworth, Caffè Rojano is a richly-hued and very local eatery that dates back to 1974. The original owner’s stamp is still evident throughout the menu. It showcases various Spanish and Italian favourites, including small plates, pasta and pizzas.
Flavours from Cornwall and the Med are yours to savour when dining at Caffè Rojano, as well as the brief but sophisticated list of New York Italian-style cocktails. It’s a little like Spain meets Italy – while the UK and US pop in to visit.
From Sicilian arancini and Iberian croquetas to wild red prawns, smoked salmon pasta, or a cracking Quattro Formaggi served with a side of seaweed-strewn fries, head to Caffè Rojano if you fancy a delicious and very moreish taste of the Med while in Cornwall.
Discover more of North Cornwall’s plethora of delights.
Michelin restaurants in South Cornwall
Sardine Factory, Looe
Bib Gourmand
Quay Road, West Looe, Looe PL13 2DD
01503 770262
thesardinefactorylooe.com
If your idea of Cornwall is all about bracing sea breezes and the freshest seafood, then the Sardine Factory could be your idea of utopia. A contemporary eatery specialising in fish, this place is situated in one of the county’s quintessential fishing villages.
Fans of Masterchef: The Professionals might, in fact, recognise owner Ben, whose career has seen him bag a clutch of accolades across the UK. As The Sardine Factory overlooks West Looe’s appealing little harbour, it’s a must for those whose seafood ideally comes with a view of where their food came from.
The menu is relaxed, with a good mix of casual dishes in small and larger sizes. Whether or not you actually share the baked camembert with truffled honey starter is entirely your prerogative. Whatever your preference, there’s certainly something here for everyone, from a moorland sirloin or crab linguine to a vegetable saag aloo or chorizo and squid ragu.
North Street Kitchen
Bib Gourmand
55 North Street, Fowey PL23 1DB
07444 028522
nskfowey.com
North Street Kitchen might be new to the foodie scene in Cornwall, but boy has it made an impression. The relaxed restaurant, which sits by the water’s edge in Fowey, is a first-come-first-served affair in the day, ideal for those looking to pop in after a riverside walk along the banks of the estuary. In the evenings, the intimate restaurant turns into the perfect place to indulge in some Michelin dining, with the simple menu boasting big flavours from across Cornwall.
Locally caught seafood is the highlight of the menu, which changes with the seasons and forms some truly delicious small plates. From Fowey oysters and brown crab to lobster and smoked haddock, there’s always something new and delicious to try, all served with wonderfully fresh local veg.
The setting is unmatched, with a sliding wall that overlooks the tree-lined estuary and an easygoing decor that lends itself to a laidback dining experience. The building is a former boathouse, creating a really interesting space in which to enjoy your top-notch meal.
Michelin restaurants in West Cornwall
Kota, Porthleven
Celtic House, The Shipyard, Porthleven, Helston TR13 9JY
01326 562407
kotarestaurant.co.uk
Head chef Jude’s multicultural heritage may well be the secret to Kota’s success. Half Chinese Malay and half Maori, his Porthleven eatery is one of West Cornwall’s finest.
It’s best to book early if you want to see why the Waitrose Good Food Guide, Harden’s, Cornwall Life Magazine and the AA food teams are all so impressed. The set and tasting menus offer incredibly good value for money too.
Once you know that ‘Kota’ translates as ‘shellfish’, you have a good idea of what to expect. From natural or tempura Porthilly oysters and scallops with miso cauliflower puree and pork belly, to pan-fried hake with Cornish mussels or Cornish duck breast with duck croquettes, the menu is never short of a tasting extravaganza.
The Square at Porthleven, Porthleven
7 Fore Street, Porthleven TR13 9HQ
01326 573911
thesquareatporthleven.co.uk
A typical whitewashed Cornish pub it may appear, but The Square’s central location also gives this restaurant something of a more exotic air, along the lines of an Italian piazza or even a Greek Plateia.
With a laid-back bistro-style vibe, a partially covered terrace is a practical touch that can help diners to make the most of Britain’s unpredictable maritime climate. Children are welcome inside and out, so this is the ideal eatery for those holidaying as a family. Your pet pooch can even join you outdoors.
The ever-changing menus begin with coffee and cake from 11am to dinner service until 9pm. Typical mains range from fish and chips to panko-crumbed cauliflower curry or sirloin steak with a beef dripping and red wine dressing.
Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives
Porthminster Beach, St Ives TR26 2EB
01736 795352
porthminstercafe.co.uk
If you’re seeking St Ives restaurants with Michelin quality food, look no further than the Porthminster Beach Café. With sweeping views over the soft white sands, this Cornish eatery has a light-filled space with a cool coastal vibe.
There is also a heated, enclosed terrace, so you can watch the brooding, moody skies during less clement weather while scoffing delicious, freshly prepared dishes; think crispy fried whole Cornish sole, Indonesian monkfish curry, and seasonal mushroom linguine to name a few options. With a clear conscience, too, some ingredients are sourced from the almost tropical kitchen garden on-site, meaning they incur absolutely no food miles whatsoever.
If this post has primed your senses for the ultimate West Country holiday, click the link to view our gorgeous collection of coastal and countryside cottages in Cornwall.
