Where to go for the best Sunday lunch in Cornwall

Nothing beats a Sunday lunch

From Venetian-style antipasti and seafood specials to traditional and vegetarian roasts, the South West is home to some fantastic Sunday lunch venues. Perfect for a celebration or simple weekend comforts, we’ve rounded up our favourite locations in Cornwall this winter.

1. Amélies in Porthleven

© Amélies

Enjoy panoramic views and an award-winning Sunday lunch at Amélies in Porthleven. This Cornish gem prides itself on beautifully fresh and flavourful dishes, from rich Malaysian curries to wood fired pork and local fish from the harbour.

With a string of local accolades, Amélies is home to the ‘Best Cornish Sunday Roast’, named by Cornwall Life in their Food and Drink Awards 2016. While you can expect an informal café atmosphere by day and a relaxed restaurant vibe by night, Sundays at Amélies are extra special. Take to the terrace to experience lunch with a view.

Nearby properties: Seathrift, Salt Spray and The Old School House in Porthleven. Both featuring incredible sea views and inviting social spaces, two tempting West Cornwall homes await.

2. The Gurnard's Head in Zennor

Highly recommended for a roast on the coast, this West Cornwall spot is loved by The Michelin Guide and The Good Pub Guide, and isn't far from Cornish landmarks like St Michael’s Mount and the Minack Theatre.

With the option of two or three courses each Sunday, starters include saltfish croquettes and butternut squash.  When it comes to the star of the show, diners can choose fresh meats like Cornish beef or pork, fish dishes including whole plaice or hake, or the vegetarian kale and pearl barley risotto. For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert menu features a blackcurrent bakewell tart and a dark chocolate mousse with salted caramel – the perfect pick-me-up after long coastal rambles.

Nearby property: Shun Lee in St Ives. Whether it's from Shun Lee's terrace or the blue-hued living space, soak up frontline sea views.
 

3. Star and Garter in Falmouth

© Star and Garter

Serving up hearty Sunday lunches each week and making the most of its prime harbour front location, Star and Garter combines the best local produce with astonishing views across Falmouth Bay. With menu favourites including slow roasted lamb, dry aged moorland rump and pork loin with apple and sage, this trendy Falmouth hotspot is sure to prove popular with carnivores across Cornwall.

Book a table and tuck into crispy duck fat roast potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables, with the finest locally sourced produce served on every plate. A collection of world class whiskies and much loved rums make Star and Garter the perfect place to take in glistening views with a drink in hand.

4. The Pig at Harlyn Bay

Book a table at The Pig at Harlyn Bay and bring the family together for an extra special feast. Headed up by a team of prestigious chefs and preparing a simple menu of quintessentially British food, The Pig presents a one-of-a-kind dining experience in Cornwall.

With each ingredient grown or sourced nearby as part of the restaurant’s '25 mile menu’, its spectacular dishes are inspired by coast and country, from Fowey duck and Johnny Murt's Padstow crab to the walled garden salad and beetroot hummus. After a luxurious lunch in the greenhouse restaurant, savour the luscious garden views or take a stroll along Harlyn Bay’s iconic sandy shores.

Nearby properties: Fox Point, Pentyak, Trelawn and Tater Du, in Harlyn Bay. With a growing portfolio across North Cornwall, Harlyn Bay is home to some of our most-loved properties.

5. The Sardine Factory in Looe

Proudly holding a Bib Gourmand award, The Sardine Factory overlooks Looe Harbour in South Cornwall. Usually loved for its fresh off the boat seafood, it’s well worth making the day trip for their Sunday roasts, though be sure to book well ahead. 

The lunch window is quite brief, serving from 12pm until 2pm, but lovers of crispy roast potatoes, fresh, seasonal veg and meats cooked to perfection won’t be disappointed.

6. Duchy of Cornwall Nursery in Lostwithiel

© Beth Druce via Duchy of Cornwall Nursery

Enjoying pretty views over Fowey Valley and Restormel Castle, the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery and Café is a tranquil spot to while away the weekend over a classic Sunday lunch. After a morning spent wandering the nursery, pop into the café for an extra lunch treat.

Enjoy a drink on arrival and take a seat and sample a spectacular three course menu amongst truly peaceful surroundings. Choose from beautifully baked cod loin, slow roasted lamb from nearby Kilhallon Farm or sun blush tomato arancini – not forgetting a delightful selection of desserts for a little weekend indulgence.

7. The Longstore in Charlestown

Making itself at home in a beautifully renovated sail loft, The Longstore is a local’s go-to for Sunday roasts in South Cornwall. The restaurant’s signature roasts include their low and slow Cornish beef, 12 hour roasted pork belly, and a tempting chicken supreme. Dishes are served with all the trimmings, from cauliflower cheese and swede and carrot mash, to fluffy Yorkshire puddings and rosemary and garlic roasted potatoes. 

There’s a children’s roast and a vegetarian option to cater for every appetite, plus dogs are welcome on the terrace. We recommend ordering a Longstore cocktail or two, to make the view over the beach and harbour even sweeter. 

8. The Loft in St Ives

One of our favourite places to eat in St Ives, The Loft's Sunday lunch menu features cuts of beef, pork and chicken, plus a vegetarian beetroot and butternut squash wellington. Their children's portions are £9 per person and lunch is served from 12 until 2:45pm. For those feeling festive, book ahead for New Year's Eve this year for an extended service until 5pm.

9. The Pickwick Inn in St Issey

A bright and homely place to dine, The Pickwick Inn offers some of the finest local produce. Take a seat in the restaurant where floor-to-ceiling glass doors frame views of Rock and the Camel Estuary making it an idyllic place to relax with a glass of red. Offering a great selection of meats including roast pork, leg of lamb and topside beef, there’s also a nut roast available for vegetarians and each dish is served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables, honey roast parsnips and gravy. If you’re visiting with little ones, there’s a large park outside and a children’s menu to cater to smaller appetites.

10. The Mariners in Rock 

Served from 12 pm to 5 pm from the last Sunday of October, The Mariner's famed Sunday lunches are the perfect winter warmer during the cooler months. With a menu focused on British classics, each dish aims to champion the best of local produce. If you're a fan of this popular pastime, the Cornish Dexter sirloin of beef accompanied by vintage cheddar cauliflower cheese, swede and nutmeg mash and red wine gravy is sure to satisfy your tastebuds after strolling the sands of nearby Daymer Bay. The vegetarian option is another popular dish, served with chargrilled hispi cabbage, roast potatoes and tenderstem broccoli and each choice can be served as a smaller portion to cater to children. 

If you're looking to stop by with your canine companions, the ground floor of the pub is dog-friendly, just let the team know when making your reservation. 

Nearby properties: Trehayl, Ferryside, Rosemain, Driftwood and The Nook. 

11. The Cornish Arms in St Merryn

Available from the beginning of October, take a stroll around the Seven Bays before heading to this charming pub for Cornish beef or pork with all the trimmings. With a roaring log burner located in the restaurant, cosy up underneath its exposed beams with your dogs in tow for a hearty meal and pint of Cornish ale. Once dinner is over, head to the bar and sit beside the open fire with a digestif and chocolate brownie for dessert. 

Nearby properties: Fair Skies is a luxurious bolthole that's perfect for those looking to explore this idyllic part of Cornwall. Sleeping up to 10 guests and complete with a hot tub, its convenient location provides easy access to nearby eateries, shops, and the beautiful beaches of Constantine Bay and the surrounding coastal path.

12. St Tudy Inn

A proper country pub within proximity to the beach and fishing villages of North Cornwall, step inside and feel right at home at the St Tudy Inn. With a well-stocked bar and two restaurant areas, there’s plenty of space to enjoy a roast dinner with family and friends. Begin your evening with a seafood starter of Cornish scallops or St Austell Bay mussels, before moving onto the roasted chicken served with all the trimmings including cauliflower cheese and roast potatoes.

Image credits: Amélies | Star and Garter (including main image) | Beth Druce for Duchy of Cornwall Nursery | The Pickwick Inn via Instagram | Rick Stein via Instagram | All other images are from Unsplash.