Porthcothan Mill Cottage
North Cornwall's best places to buy food and eat out
So much has already been written about where to eat and drink in Padstow in numerous blogs and news articles, so we have concentrated here on some of our favourite places you can go to outside of Padstow along the North Cornwall coast. Whether it’s somewhere local or a bit further afield, from classic english pubs to cool places to eat on the beach, fish and chips or that really special place to go to for a treat. And if you want to eat at home, we’ve also included some local shops as well as farm shops for fresh meat and deli style food. One of our favourite things to do is to buy fresh lobster direct from the fisherman (details below).
For those who have an intolerance to wheat, most of these places do provide gluten free options, and best of all we have found a place that sells gluten free cornish pasties!
Classic english pubs
The Cornish Arms in St Merryn is a lovely old pub with a garden owned by Rick Stein, and the food is great. Dogs are welcome.
The Falcon Inn is a really pretty pub in St Mawgan, and great for popping in for a drink. It's really friendly and it has a gorgeous garden. Dogs are welcome.
Near to Port Isaac and Tintagel is St Kew Inn - a gorgeous pub, with a pretty garden and fantastic food.
Cool places to eat on the beach or a sea view
The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay has gorgeous views overlooking the sea. It's laid back and modern and it serves a range of good quality food, and dogs are also welcome.
Great for combining with a trip to Port Isaac and also Tintagel is Pilchards at Port Gaverne. Fantastic food served with beach views over the small pebbly bay. The seafood-orientated menu offers both small and large plates, some tapas, and its speciality is whole fish grilled over charcoal. Dogs are welcome.
The Fish House at Fistral serves some of the best fish in the area. Located just west of Newquay, the small restaurant is located on the world famous surfing beach and is well worth booking in advance. When we last checked they release dates the day before for a table on their terrace. Dogs are welcome.
Both the Bedruthan Hotel and Scarlet Hotel have restaurants near Mawgan Porth, with stunning views of the beach. Bedruthan has a child friendly restaurant where dogs are also welcome.
Somewhere for a treat
The Pig at Harlyn Bay is fantastic, and is set in one of Cornwall's most historic houses dating back to the 15th century. You can either dine in the gorgeous cornish manor house, or in their adjoining surf style Lobster Hut. Both provide fantastic food.
Emily Scott at Watergate Bay provides an excellent range of dishes, with the restaurant overlooking Watergate Bay.
And for our only Padstow recommendation, Paul Ainsworth at No6 was also an incredible culinary experience, and well worth going to for that special occasion.
Fish & chips, and Cornish cream teas
A trip to Cornwall without fish & chips, is well, not a trip to Cornwall. The following local places have takeaway fish and chips. Chip Ahoy is fantastic in Padstow, alongside Fryer Tucks in St Merryn, and the Blue Fish bar in Mawgan Porth.
Berryfields, in Porthcothan Bay is the best place for a cream tea.
Other options
Craftworks is a delightful pop up, serving delicious street food, just outside of Padstow. Serving burgers, burritos, nachos and more. Yummy!
Prawn on the Lawn serves a delicious range of small plates, located just outside of Padstow, with incredible views across the estuary to the sea.
Where to buy food
Padstow Farm Shop is one of our favourite places to buy locally produced food, as it has a fantastic butchery, incredible cheese counter, and their deli serves a delicious range of salads, pasties, sausage rolls, and other delicious ready made meals. They combine all of this with other high-end staples including locally produced products ranging from gin, to chocolate, to candles.
For fresh lobster and crab we highly recommend Lisa Marie Padstow Shellfish where you can buy lobster direct from the fisherman.
Porthcothan Bay Stores is a fantastic beach shop serving a range of tasty treats, alongside a few essential food items, ice creams, and beach/surf items for sale and hire.
Cornish Fresh in Mawgan Porth also has a fantastic selection of food, from fresh bread, to deli items, alongside all your shopping essentials.
Malcolm Barnecutt deli bakery in St Merryn is also worth a visit, with a range of freshly baked bread, cornish pasties, cakes and fresh salads, and for those that who have a wheat allergy they sell gluten free cornish pasties.
Butcher’s Bakehouse is an artisan bakery in St Columb is well worth a trip - selling an incredible range of bread and pastries.
And then of course there is a Tesco’s in Padstow, and M&S food and clothing near to St Columb Major.