The best fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants in Cornwall
Posted by Rebecca Jackson on Updated onOur fine dining guide to Cornwall
Going to eat out with family or friends while you’re on holiday is one of life’s greatest joys. At Perfect Stays, we understand how important this is to our customers and so we've compiled a list of some of the best fine dining restaurants in Cornwall, so you can eat in style, all within a close distance to one or more of our beautiful properties.
The Seafood Restaurant
Style of Food: Seafood and Vegetarian
Focus of the Menu: Fish, Shellfish, Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free
Awards: Three AA Rosettes
Founded in 1975 by famed chef Rick Stein and his wife Jill, the dishes are created using only the freshest seafood. Situated just opposite the water, enjoy locally caught lobster dishes and reimagined shellfish specials. You can also eat at the large central bar, for a more informal dining experience or simply enjoy a champagne cocktail after supper.
Location: Padstow
Website: www.rickstein.com
Take a look around our nearby homes and our full list of Padstow eateries
Paul Ainsworth at No. 6
© Paul Ainsworth at No.6
Style of Food: Modern British, Modern European and Seafood
Focus of the Menu: Meat and Fish
Awards: One Michelin Star | Four AA Rosettes
This fantastic restaurant has won a Michelin Star and four AA Rosettes to date. The food itself is modern British with an emphasis on Cornish sourced produce, all created in a wonderful Georgian townhouse setting. Ask our Concierge team to book you a table ahead of your stay and enjoy a decadent four course à la carte menu.
Location: Padstow
Website: www.paul-ainsworth.co.uk
The Scarlet Restaurant
© The Scarlet Restaurant
Style of Food: Modern European and Vegetarian
Focus of the Menu: Fish, Meat and Shellfish
Awards: Two AA Rosettes
The Scarlet incorporates a European influence in much of its food. Its seaview terrace is the perfect place for an aperitif before you tuck into their delicious seasonal menu that caters both for meat eaters and vegetarians alike.
Location: Mawgan Porth
Website: www.scarlethotel.co.uk
Stay nearby and savor the sea views at Trevenek
The Dining Room
Style of Food: British and Seafood
Focus of the Menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetarian
Opened in 2010, this family-run restaurant is located in the beautiful village of Rock. They create their menu around seasonal ingredients and local suppliers to offer guests the best dining experience.
Location: Rock
Website: www.thediningroomrock.co.uk
Stay just across the road at our new home, Driftwood
Outlaw’s New Road
© Nathan Outlaw via Outlaw's New Road
Style of Food: Seafood
Focus of the Menu: Fish and Shellfish
Awards: One Michelin Star | Four AA Rosettes | Good Food Guide 2018 Best Restaurant
Owned by Nathan Outlaw, this Port Isaac restaurant prides itself on using sustainable seafood ingredients from local inshore day boats. The Michelin Starred menu ‘celebrates small, original and delicious seafood’, while the restaurant itself is home to beautiful elevated views over the bay.
Location: Port Isaac
Website: www.outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/new-road
Read our guide to dining in Port Isaac before a stay at Gwel Arvor nearby
St Enodoc Hotel Restaurant
Style of Food: Modern European
Focus of the Menu: Health Orientated, Seafood and Meat
The restaurant overlooks the Camel Estuary and on good weather days, diners can eat outside on the terrace to enjoy the spectacular views. The menu is influenced by healthy modern European recipes and uses locally-sourced ingredients from Cornwall and Devon.
Location: Rock
Website: www.enodoc-hotel.co.uk/thebrasserie
Take a look at our nearby properties, as well as our guide to dining in Rock
Ugly Butterfly
© John Hersey Studio for Ugly Butterfly
Style of food: Modern British and Seafood
Focus of the menu: Fish and Shellfish
Home to incredible sea views, the Ugly Butterfly is a new addition to Cornwall’s fine dining scene. Owned by 2020’s ‘restaurateur of the year’ Adam Handling, the Ugly Butterfly is home to incredible sea views over Carbis Bay and focuses on sustainable Cornish produce. Pay a visit to enjoy an incredible seven course tasting menu with beautifully wine pairings.
Location: Carbis Bay
Website: www.uglybutterfly.co.uk/
Discover our guide to new restaurants in Cornwall and stay nearby at Shun Lee in St Ives
Asquiths Restaurant
Style of food: Modern British
Focus of the menu: Meat, Fish and Vegetables
Awards: Two AA Rosettes | Harden’s Top 100 Restaurants 2019
Tucked away in Lostwithiel on Cornwall’s quieter south coast, Asquiths offers an elevated fine dining experience. With only a handful of tables making up the small restaurant, the menu has been carefully considered and centres around seasonal Cornish produce. Open Wednesday through to Saturday, ask our Concierge team to book a table ahead of your stay.
Location: Lostwithiel
Website: www.asquithsrestaurant.co.uk
Stay nearby at one of our dreamy Downderry homes
Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen
© Nathan Outlaw via Outlaw's Fish Kitchen
Style of food: Seafood
Focus of the menu: Fish and Shellfish
Awards: One Michelin Star
Moments from the water in Port Isaac, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen specialises in fresh seafood dishes. With a focus on quality and sustainability, the menu changes daily depending on the fisherman’s daily catch. Home to a Michelin Star, this small eatery is made up of just a few tables and is perfect for couples’ dining or small groups of friends.
Location: Port Isaac
Website: www.outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/fish-kitchen
Discover where to stay nearby in Port Isaac
New Yard Restaurant
© Alex Brier for New Yard Restaurant
Style of food: British, Seasonal and Vegetarian
Focus of the menu: Vegetables and Meat
Awards: Green Michelin Star
Located within the historic Trelowarren private estate, The New Yard Restaurant prides itself with its home grown produce and locally sourced ingredients. Guided by the seasons, the menu is ever-changing depending on what can be foraged and grown at the time. A real destination for foodies, enjoy their tasting menu served by the chefs themselves.
Location: Helston
Website: www.newyardrestaurant.co.uk
Explore our beautiful Porthleven properties nearby
Kota Restaurant
Style of Food: British, Seafood and Asian
Focus of the Menu: Fish, Shellfish and Meat
Awards: Three AA Rosettes | Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand Award | Harden’s Top 100 Restaurants in the UK 2022
Kota in Maori means ‘shellfish’, and this multiple award-winning restaurant is the inspiration of chef/owner Jude Kereama. The restaurant offers mouth-watering options with dishes often being made with Kota’s ‘signature Asian twist’ in mind.
Also visit sister restaurant Kota Kai just down the road for a more laid back dining experience.
Location: Porthleven
Website: www.kotarestaurant.co.uk
Stay at the ever-so-beautiful Seathrift just moments away
Coombeshead Farm
© Coombeshead Farm
Style of food: British, Organic and Seasonal
Focus of the menu: Meat and Vegetables
Location: Lewannick
Owned by co-founder of Pitt Cue Co, chef Tom Adams heads up Coombeshead Farm - a small fine dining restaurant in the heart of Cornwall’s rolling moors. The farm-to-table set menu features homegrown vegetables and hand reared stock, and changes with the seasons. Evening dining begins at 7pm, or visit for a laid back lunch on Wednesday and Sundays.
Website: www.coombesheadfarm.co.uk
Our nearest properties are The Paddock and The Yellow Cottage, just across Bodmin Moor in Trebarwith Strand
Appletons
© John Hersey Studio for Appletons
Style of food: Italian
Focus of the menu: Pasta, Fish and Meat
Opened in 2020 by the former head chef of Fifteen Cornwall, Andy Appleton, Appletons in Fowey is already a popular choice amongst diners. Located in the centre of the buzzing harbourside town, Appletons’ menu blends the very best Italian dishes with a subtle Cornish twist.
Location: Fowey
Website: www.appletonsrestaurant.com
Enjoy a rural getaway to The Watermill nearby
For something a little further afield
Don't miss our related guides on the best fine dining and Michelin-star restaurants in Somerset, Devon and Dorset
Blog post updated on Saturday 24th September 2022
Posted by Rebecca Jackson
Rebecca loves everything to do with food, beautiful interiors and travel. When she’s not booking her next cookery masterclass, she’s discovering incredible new destinations, restaurants and spas across the UK and beyond.