Top 20 food trucks and pop-ups in Devon and Cornwall

Coffee from a horsebox and tacos by the sea

A South West staycation and great local food go hand in hand, so we set out to find the top 20 food trucks and pop-ups in Devon and Cornwall. Perfect for evenings on the beach or breakfast watching the sunrise, these unique ‘on the go’ options promise plenty of foodie inspiration ahead of your next escape.

Dine with a view

Kabyn Café | Gwithian, West Cornwall

© Kabyn Café 

On Gwithian Beach in West Cornwall, you’ll find a vibrant horsebox serving everything from tacos to tea and cake. Kabyn Café (previously known as Hungry Horsebox Co) is the place to be if you’re looking for al fresco dining with a view. 

For lunch, menu options include Cornish brie or beef brisket ciabatta, sweet potato and lentil dhal and five bean chili nachos. If you’re stopping by after a day on the sand, buy a taco ticket online and choose from line-caught mackerel or bang bang cauliflower – both served with homemade kimchi, crispy onions and sriracha carrots. 

The horsebox is open seasonally on fair weather days, evening meals are served between 6pm and 9pm and you’ll find the nearest car parks at Godrevy and Gwithian Towans. 

HarbourQ | Charlestown, South Cornwall

An extension of Charlestown’s Longstore restaurant, HarbourQ is the perfect spot to enjoy a laid back dinner by the water. Open during the summer season and when the Cornish weather allows, this South Cornwall eatery specialises in elevated barbeque food. Think dirty fries, hot dogs, soft tortilla tacos and towering burgers, served alongside a frozen strawberry margarita or a pint of draught beer.  

Place your order, find a spot on the harbour and take in magical views over one of Cornwall’s most iconic locations – HarbourQ will take care of the rest. 

Gastrobus Beach Food | Bantham and Thurlestone, South Devon

Visiting some of Devon’s most picturesque locations, look to Gastrobus for gourmet sandwiches, freshly baked pastries, fresh coffee and everything in between. With four pastel-coloured food trucks – Gastrobus, Gastropizza, Gastrobar and Gastro Treats – this lovely local business is based between Bantham and Thurlestone on the south coast.

For a seaside tipple, head to Thurlestone where the pretty in pink Gastro Treats bus will be parked up to serve prosecco, pints and Pimms in the sunshine. 

Barricane Beach Café | Woolacombe, North Devon

Based on Woolacombe Beach, this café is loved for its Sri Lankan curry nights. There’s no need to book, just find a place on the sand, get in line and place your order at the hatch. On the menu you’ll find a choice of meat or vegetable curries, as well as the usual accompaniments like poppadoms, rice, mango chutney and coconut sambol. 

Generally, the café is open Thursday to Saturday from Easter until September, and in true Devon fashion, closing time is when the curry runs out. It’s worth liking the Facebook page to make sure they’re open before heading down, and don’t forget to take cash. 

Perfect for pizza night

Flour Power Pizza Parlour | West Cornwall

© Flour Power Pizza Parlour

Finalists in the British Street Food Awards in 2019, this mobile pizzeria fills its fantastically decorated food truck with fresh and healthy artisan pizza. Covering four locations across the county from Portreath to Hayle, Rebecca and Simon moved to Cornwall after training in Florence to become professional pizzaioli, or pizza makers.

Their ingredients are seasonal and sometimes foraged, bringing a taste of Kernow to an Italian classic. We love the sound of their pomodoro – made with homemade San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh chilies, sundried tomatoes, fresh rocket and balsamic glaze. Gluten free bases are also available, alongside a dedicated vegan menu. 

Wild Bake | North Cornwall

Celebrating wood-fired street food, Wild Bake bring their authentic handmade pizzas to the people of Cornwall at local pitches four evenings a week. From their classic margherita to tempting veggie and cured meat options, the truck’s ‘less is more’ approach sees owner Lewis use only the best local ingredients to create his signature sauce and perfectly puffed up crusts.

Set to park up in new seasonal pitches throughout the summer, the distinctive green Wild Bake trailer will delight pizza lovers of all ages. Keep an eye on their social media pages for specials that change weekly, then drop Lewis a text to place your pick-up order.

Something sweet

Load-A Waffle | Cornwall

© Load-A Waffle via Instagram

For a sweet treat by the sea, look no further than Load-A-Waffle, a pastel-blue horsebox pop-up nestled at The Boathouse in Newquay. Serving up fluffy waffles with an irresistible array of toppings, this family-run business has quickly become a go-to spot for indulgent bites. Whether you prefer fresh fruit, drizzles of rich chocolate, or whipped cream, each waffle creation is made to order and brimming with deliciousness.

Their menu features tempting combinations like Nutella and strawberries, caramel and banana, and a crowd-favourite, the classic Cornish eton mess. Perfect for a beach day snack or a post-surf treat, Load-A-Waffle is a must-visit for dessert lovers in Cornwall.

Beetle Juice South West | Devon and Cornwall

© Beetle Juice

Holidaying cocktail lovers need look no further than Beetle Juice South West this summer. Driving their VW fleet across Devon and Cornwall, this unique family-run company was set up in 2012, and their drink-filled campers now feature everything from champagne bars to DJ booths.

Cornwall favourite Ellie is usually parked up on Perranporth Beach for Tunes in the Dunes festival, while previous South West spots include Mount Edgecombe Country Park, Plymouth Seafood Festival and St Mawes Carnival. Drinks-wise, you can look forward to picante margaritas, golden mojitos, blackcurrant brambles and of course the namesake beetle juice.

Pink Flamingo Ice Cream | Newquay, North Cornwall

© Pink Flamingo Ice Cream (left)

When the sun’s shining, you’ll find Pink Flamingo at South Fistral Beach in Newquay – just look out for the bunting-clad blue and white van. Flavours include rhubarb and custard, raspberry ripple, strawberry clotted cream and orange and mascarpone. For our vegan and dairy-free readers, we’d recommend the gin and tonic sorbet – perfect for when summer's in full swing.

Cornish cuisine meets flavours from afar

Fat Cat Cornwall | Cornwall

© Fat Cat Cornwall

Bringing fresh ramen and zingy katsu to the Cornish coast, Fat Cat have taken the county by storm over the last few years. Their pop-ups at Newquay Boathouse, The Portreath Arms and Padstow Farm Shop have seen their Asian-inspired dishes selling out at record speed, and it’s easy to see why.

We visited on a sunny May weekend to sample their small but mighty menu and their ‘OG paitan’ and katsu curry both come highly recommended. Think charred vegetables, slow braised meats, sticky rice and fresh Tokyo style noodles, all wrapped up to take away. Follow along on Instagram @fatcatcornwall for the best chance of securing a space at their next Cornwall take-over later this month.

Fal Falafel | Falmouth, South Cornwall

© Fal Falafel

Winner of ‘Best street food in Cornwall' at the What's on Cornwall Awards, Fal Falafel brings a feast from the Middle East to the streets of Falmouth. The food truck’s completely vegan menu is a meze haven of pittas, salad boxes, hummus, falafels and stuffed vine leaves – made with rice, lemon juice, oil and spices.

Everything is served fresh in biodegradable packaging and the company support Cornwall’s local farmers wherever they can, with pittas made on the same farm the wheat is grown on.

The Shellfish Pig and Bango Kitchen | Penryn, South Cornwall

© The Shellfish Pig

Sharing their award-winning dishes with Devon and Cornwall’s festival scene, The Shellfish Pig pride themselves on ‘tasty street food on the move’. Their ‘Bango Kitchen’ in Penryn is open for takeaway from 11am, cooking up fresh sushi, bao buns, dumplings and ramen. 

With a menu that showcases the South West’s finest produce, we’d recommend ordering ahead on the app and swinging by on the way to Swanpool or Gyllyngvase in nearby Falmouth to enjoy your #BangoOnTheBeach.

Big Pan Parties | Polzeath, North Cornwall

Having set up shop in Cornwall, Big Pan Parties are here to bring paella to Harlyn Bay and beyond. They’re a family-run business with a background in weddings, festivals and corporate events, now serving everything from seafood paella and jambalaya to Thai chicken curry.

The proud owners of the largest paella pan in the UK, through the summer you’ll find Big Pan in Harlyn Bay Beach car park – perfect for supper on the sand or to take back to your holiday home. 

New to the scene

Craftworks Secret Garden | Padstow, North Cornwall

Having settled into a brand new Padstow location, Craftworks’ Secret Garden promises casual al fresco dining beneath the stars. Think towering pine trees, beautiful tipis and their signature shipping container-turned-kitchen, plus burritos, burgers and tacos aplenty.

We love the look of their drinks menu too, with Knightor Negronis and Tarquin’s gin waving the flag for Cornwall. 

Wild Artichokes | Kingsbridge, South Devon

Already an established event and food planning business, Wild Artichokes have recently diversified their range to offer feasts, treats, bakes and boxes to take away from their Kingsbridge HQ. 

Whether it’s a midweek meal or one of their Friday Curry and Spice Nights, everything is cooked up fresh and ready to collect, just bring along a cool box and you’re set for the evening. If destination dining is more your thing, Wild Artichokes’ summer pop-up locations include Coombe Farm Studio in Dittisham and Michael Sutton’s Cellar in Riversbridge.

Fat Mondays

If you’re on the hunt for the best burger pop-up in Cornwall, Fat Mondays should be at the top of your list. Known for their juicy, ‘backyard style burgers,’ this pop-up has garnered a huge following since its reopening in 2024. Expect mouthwatering patties stacked high with local ingredients, melting cheese, and perfectly toasted buns - making each bite a flavour-packed experience.

You can catch them at festivals, breweries, and beer gardens across the county, with their next stop at North Street Kitchen in Fowey. With an ever-evolving menu and a laid-back vibe, Fat Mondays is a must-visit for any burger enthusiast. Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram to stay updated on their latest locations and pop-up dates.

If that's not enough...

We've heard good things about Dank Franks, who serve 'Greek inspired street food from a vintage Citreon Truck'. Another Cornwall favourite of ours is Bangers on the Go while in Devon, you'll find Biffen's Kitchen and Flour and Flame - recommended for chicken katsu curries and wood fired pizzas.

Please note many of these food trucks and pop-ups are seasonal and will only be open from April - October.

Image credits: Kabyn Café | Flour Power Pizza Parlour | Beetle Juice | Pink Flamingo Ice Cream | Fat Cat Cornwall | Fal Falafel | The Shellfish Pig | Screenshots from Instagram via HarbourQ, Load-A Waffle and Craftworks. Main image courtesy of Kabyn Cafe. Ice cream image from Unsplash.

Last updated: 7th October 2024.