Tipi tapas and supper by the sea: the best feast nights in Cornwall
Posted by Sophie Boyce on Updated on
Tuck in, toast marshmallows and dance beneath the stars
With a whole host of options to tempt your taste buds from Portscatho to Mawgan Porth, dining al fresco in Cornwall just got even more special. We’ve rounded up our top five locations for fire and feast nights, from summertime spreads to atmospheric autumn events. The perfect way to catch up with friends old and new, read on for our Cornish feast night picks.
Dine shoulder to shoulder at Nancarrow Farm
© Nancarrow Farm
Set amongst the peaceful background of a working family farm near Zelah, feast nights at Nancarrow offer something truly special. Showcasing the best local produce with ingredients from farm, field and larder, Nancarrow’s intimate events are ideal for summer celebrations and autumnal gatherings alike. Take a stroll around the gardens as folk music plays, before sitting down to dine at a communal table, adorned with wine and wildflowers. Pop by for the evening and sample the farm’s outstanding local produce by candlelight, or book a day ticket to make the most of the workshops, walks, talks and tastings on offer.
With plenty of indulgent events to look forward to, including the already sold-out dinner and drinks with Paul Ainsworth, Nancarrow’s 1000 Mouths weekend kicks off on 4th October. Circle the date in your diary and tuck into a tempting menu with chefs from Fifteen Cornwall, or sample slow cooked organic beef and local produce fresh from the farm with Nancarrow & Friends in the barn.
Enjoy an evening at Knightor Winery
© Alexa Poppe via Knightor Winery
South Cornwall’s home for wines, weddings and spectacular feasts, Knightor Winery is nestled above St Austell Bay, combining the finest local produce with its superb home-grown wines. The varied menu incorporates far-reaching flavours, from Sri Lanka to Central America and the Caribbean, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes making everyone at the table welcome. Recent favourites include Guyanese goat stew, Puerto Rican fish dishes and sweet grilled pineapple – and there’s even a choice of sides for the full feasting experience.
With a whole host of themed events planned, head to Knightor and enjoy welcome drinks before you sit down to dine or make a day of it and treat yourself to the winemaker tour, complete with tailored tastings for that pre-supper aperitif.
Cosy up under the canvas with Wild Tipi
© Wild Tipi
Immerse yourself in nature and try something a little different with a Wild Tipi feast night. Bringing a touch of the bohemian to a string of one-off secret locations across Cornwall, this lovely local company combines communal dining with the county’s wondrous open spaces. Gather around the fire and savour a taste of lovingly prepared menus created by guest chefs, with hearty suppers and tempting desserts bringing friends old and new together.
After dinner, breathe in the fresh air from the clifftop, embrace breath-taking countryside views or dance underneath the stars as music plays late into the evening. Take to the tipi and cosy up with Christmas canapes come winter, or celebrate a special occasion in the sunshine as the sun sinks beneath the horizon.
See what everyone’s talking about at The Hidden Hut
© Andrew Mansfield and Just Nice Photos via Flickr
Having grown a devoted following over the years, feast nights at The Hidden Hut in Portscatho are amongst the most popular in the country. Book your tickets online, pack a plate and head to the hut for a sociable evening by the sea, where the wine will be flowing and knees kept warm under bring your own blankets. From rotisserie duck and barbecued vegetables to Cornish calamari and the ‘shells and claws’ special, each larger than life dish uses the best seasonal ingredients, many of which are fished, farmed or foraged just moments from Porthcurnick Beach. Vegetarians are always catered for and four-legged friends are very welcome.
Early birds will love watching the waves roll in with a brand new Beach Breakfast menu, featuring asparagus eggs and bacon saffron toast. Bring your favourite mug along and ward off the morning breeze with unlimited tea and coffee before enjoying a walk along the sand.
Gather together for Fire and Feast Nights at Bedruthan
With the heart-melting Cornish coastline set behind the hotel and spa, Bedruthan’s Fire and Feast Nights offer a refined feasting affair in Mawgan Porth. Sharing platters are prepared fresh from the kitchen and served upon long wooden tables amongst the dunes, with lamb curry, whole roasted chicken and local mussels tempting appetites large and small.
Recommended for adults only, dinner is served at 8pm, while marshmallows toast in the fire pit and the Atlantic Ocean laps at the beach below. For an evening of private dining, Fire and Feast Nights can also be reserved for groups of up to 12 – a great way to catch up with family or clink glasses on extra special evenings.
If you’re tempted by a foodie getaway in Cornwall, browse our properties to find the perfect setting. From family-friendly homes in Mawgan Porth to a charming cottage overlooking Gorran Haven Beach, each one promises first class dining options nearby.
Posted by Sophie Boyce
When she's not out for a roast by the coast, Sophie loves exploring with her husband and their golden retriever pup, Obi. She writes about all things Cornwall and is a strong believer that there’s no such thing as too many house plants.
