Our guide to the best restaurants in Port Isaac

Try delicious seafood just moments from the water

Nestled amongst North Cornwall’s sunkissed beaches and windswept clifftops, the charming village of Port Isaac is home to sparkling ocean views and picture-perfect fishing boats. Known for its picturesque harbour, cob-walled cottages and winding alleyways, it’s as quintessentially Cornish as it gets. We’ve rounded up the best restaurants, pubs and cafés to try during a stay in one of Cornwall’s prettiest villages. 

Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen

© Nathan Outlaw via Outlaw's Fish Kitchen

Exquisite and romantic, just a few tables make up the prestigious Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen. Hidden away in an old cottage on the harbourside, this small eatery is the perfect setting for a special holiday supper. With an ever-changing menu depending on the fisherman’s daily catch, the Michelin-starred restaurant specialises in small seafood plates designed to be shared. Combining local ingredients with Asian influences, expect fresh spiced monkfish, lobster dumplings and cured bass tastada accompanied with delectable wine pairings. 

A popular choice amongst diners, ask our Concierge team to book a table well ahead of your stay to avoid disappointment. 

Outlaw’s New Road

© Nathan Outlaw via Outlaw's New Road

Located at the top of Port Isaac not far from one of our properties, Gwel Arvor, Outlaw’s New Road is another of Nathan Outlaw’s Michelin-starred delights. Sitting high above the water means every table enjoys views over the rippling ocean below, making it a wonderfully relaxing supper spot. In-line with its neighbours, Outlaw’s New Road also specialises in fresh seafood and Cornish produce with a seasonal set menu. 

Every dish is served simply and paired with exceptional flavours - whether it’s the freshly baked soda bread and whipped Cornish salted butter, seared Bluefin tuna with peppercorn hollandaise or raw hand dived scallops served with smoked roe, the menu is a real ode to Cornwall’s coast.  

The Golden Lion

Known as one of the set locations for The Fisherman’s Friends film series, The Golden Lion is a traditional and friendly Cornish pub. Expect wooden bar stools, a roaring fireplace and plenty of local ales and ciders on tap. With stunning views over the village from its elevated position above the harbour, enjoy a hearty pub lunch and watch as elements whip up the waves on winter days. Or enjoy ice cold beers on the outdoor terrace late into balmy summer evenings as the sun dips over the horizon.

The Black Wine Bar and Café

A recent addition to the Port Isaac food scene, The Black Wine Bar and Café is already proving a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. Situated on New Road at the top of Port Isaac, it’s the perfect spot for lunch before you wander down to the harbour, or a drink and bite to eat before you head home. 

Specialising in fresh day boat seafood, popular dishes include the crab claws with chilli, lime and coriander, and the surf and turf platter with Phillip Warren steak and half a lobster. As you’d expect, this wine bar has a great selection of wines and beers on tap so when the sun shines grab a seat on the outdoor terrace and a cold glass of Pinot Grigio as you watch the world go by.  

The Slipway

After a morning wandering the pretty streets, head to The Slipway for lunch in the sunshine and order a Tarquin’s gin while perusing the menu. As the name suggests, The Slipway sits just above the turquoise waters of Port Isaac harbour. Take a seat under the covered outdoor terrace and watch as the tides roll over the soft sand. Specialising in fresh-off-the-boat crab, lobster and mussels dishes, watch as the fisherman unload their haul and deliver it straight to the kitchen door. When in Cornwall, a fresh crab sandwich will always go down well, or stop by in the late afternoon for a traditional cream tea with jam-first scones. 

The Mote Restaurant 

Open for lunch and dinner, The Mote Restaurant sits just moments from the water on the harbourfront. Perfect for a family meal, the menu caters for all with delicious seafood dishes, classic steaks and vegan ‘fish and chips’, or visit on a Sunday for a traditional roast lunch. Whether you retreat from the elements for a cosy winter supper or enjoy an al fresco summer cocktail after lunch, The Mote is a must-visit while in the area. 

Be sure to make a reservation before your stay and ask for a table by the window, so you can watch the day unravel around Port Isaac’s sparkling shores. 

Just down the road, Pilchards in Port Gaverne 

Popular with locals and visitors alike, Pilchards welcomes laid back dining or simply an idyllic afternoon pitstop. Sitting next to the beach in Port Gaverne, Pilchards is a short walk away from the buzz of Port Isaac. As you wander down the hill into the tiny cove, watch as paddle boarders take to the clear waters below or spot the Cornish wildflowers amongst the headland. Accepting walk-ins, take a seat on the sea-view terrace and sip a local cider before ordering.

Whether you fill the table with a Cornish charcuterie platter or select a handful of small seafood plates, everyone will love trying something different from their eclectic menu. During the summer, live music entertains diners from lunchtime through to dinner – just keep an eye on their social media to find out what’s on and when. 

Also try…

For those who’d like a more relaxed evening meal, The Angry Anchovy is a small pizzeria with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. After a day on the beach or out on the water in Port Gaverne, tuck into stone baked margheritas before strolling home with full bellies.

Or for a relaxed lunch before the day’s adventures commence, tuck into delicious simple shellfish at Fresh From The Sea. Small in size, find a seat outside and order from the chalkboard menu. Squeeze lemons over fresh Porthilly oysters or enjoy lobster with salad and salty fries. 

Stay at Gwel Arvor

Home to sparkling sea views, five exquisite bedrooms and a suntrap garden, Gwel Arvor is a real showstopper of a home. Designed by Iroka Interiors, each room has been carefully considered to make the most of the surrounding sea views, while an outdoor hot tub welcomes long evenings soaking in clouds of bubbles. Whether you’re enjoying a glass of fizz on the balcony, curled up next to the log burner or flicking through films in the media room, a stay at Gwel Arvor will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. 

Visit Gwel Arvor's page and book online to secure your next Cornish getaway. 

Already booked a stay? Ask our Concierge team to help plan your week’s itinerary: 01208 895 570.

Image credits: Outlaw’s New Road and Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen by Nathan Outlaw. All other images are our own or from Unsplash.