Where to eat near Newquay: the best restaurants, bars and cafés

Post-surf suppers and beachside dining

Often referred to as Cornwall’s surfing paradise, Newquay is known for its incredible beaches, ocean swell and easy-going atmosphere. However, in recent years its foodie scene has gained some momentum with its incredible summertime pop-ups, sea-view restaurants and dog-friendly beach cafés.

With so many great places to eat in Newquay, we thought we’d share our favourites and what makes each one special. Whether you’re after a romantic meal with breath-taking ocean views, a relaxed family lunch on the beach or a taste of Pan-Asian cuisine after a day catching waves, Newquay’s eclectic range of eateries have you covered.

Elevated dining 

© Left: Cove 24 via Instagram | Right: The Clover Club via Instagram.

Cove 24

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Sunday lunches, seafood and steak
Website: cove24.uk/

A long-standing favourite amongst our team, Cove 24 is where we’d recommend visiting for date nights and special occasions. The setting itself is impressive with atmospheric lighting and boho touches and the menu reflects this too. Consisting of sharing boards, seafood dishes and succulent steak mains, it’s great for those seeking an elevated dining experience.

The Fish House, Fistral

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Shellfish and seafood
Website: thefishhousefistral.com/

As featured in our best seafood restaurants in Cornwall, The Fish House has earned its reputation through its incredible fish dishes and fresh shellfish platters. Sitting above Fistral Beach, the restaurant enjoys an incredible sea view with the terrace one of the most sought-after al fresco spots in the summer. Their lunch menu consists of moules mariniere, crispy fried squid and crab sandwiches, while the evening is all about fish curries, seafood sharing boards and roasted scallops.

The Clover Club

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Small plates and seafood
Website: the-cloverclub.co.uk/

Home to exquisite local wines, cheeses and seafood, find an easy-going dining spot at The Clover Club. Located on Bank Street, amidst the hustle and bustle of the town, this stylish restaurant opened in 2023 to glowing reviews. The evening menu features dukkah flatbreads, grilled veggies and fresh fish, while lunchtime is all about sourdough sandwiches and zesty salads. They regularly host brunch clubs, feast nights and midweek supper clubs, so be sure to keep an eye on their socials for what’s going on and when.

Kahuna

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Ramen and curries
Website: kahunarestaurant.co.uk/ 

One for lovers of ramen, noodles and curries, Kahuna is a Pan-Asian restaurant with exceptional reviews. Only open in the evenings, it's worth booking a table in advance as it’s a popular choice amongst locals and visitors alike. Everything is cooked to order so you can expect fresh authentic flavours from the shrimp crackers and yakitori chicken starters to the Thai jungle curry and Korean bibimbap mains.

Little ears

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Authentic Italian dishes
Website: https://littleearspasta.com/

Bringing a touch of Italy to Newquay’s high street, Little Ears is the latest foodie addition to join the town. Offering a sleek and simplistic dining experience, you can expect fresh pasta dishes packed with tasty local produce and a vast selection of wines that pair perfectly with each plate. For an authentic introduction to Italian cuisine, start your evening with the octopus and pork jowl skewer before tucking into a generous portion of pappardelle with ox cheek and parmesan. 

Family-friendly

© Left: Rick Stein's Fistral | Right: Lewinnick Lodge. 

Rick Stein, Fistral

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Seafood and curries
Website: rickstein.com/restaurants/fistral

Perfect for beachgoers, Rick Stein's Fistral sits just above the sand and offers family-friendly dining to those looking for a laid-back meal with flip-flops and four-legged friends in tow. Boasting a menu curated by the culinary genius of Rick Stein himself, the focus here is on showcasing the finest seafood sourced from local waters. Also delving into his travels around India, Goa and Thailand, you'll find prawn pad Thai, beef rendang and meen kulambu cod curry on the menu alongside Rick's famous fish and chips.

Lewinnick Lodge

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Roast lunches, seafood and pasta
Website: lewinnicklodge.co.uk/

Occupying an enviable position on Pentire’s headland, Lewinnick Lodge is Newquay’s answer to dining with a view. Overlooking Fistral Beach, it’s easy to while away the hours watching the surfers return to shore over great food and a decadent drinks list. They’re open from breakfast through to supper, so stop by for fluffy pancakes in the AM or opt for seafood linguine come lunchtime. We recommend staying until dusk to catch one of North Cornwall’s famous sunsets – best enjoyed with a hand-shaken cocktail on the terrace.

Pizza Jockeys

Style: Bar
Price range: ££
Menu: Pizza and cocktails
Website: pizzajockeys.co.uk/

Known for their vibrant flavour combinations and zingy cocktails, Pizza Jockeys is one of the town’s most popular foodie spots. Hidden away from the main streets, it can be found in Wesley Yard and it's well worth booking before your visit. As the name suggests, the menu consists of sourdough pizzas cooked to perfection in a woodfired Gozney oven. Arrive early evening and make the most of their cocktail happy hour, ordering a selection of pizzas and signature sides to share.

Ginger & Joe

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Cocktails, tacos and bao buns
Website: www.gingerandjoe.co.uk/

With a menu consisting of a "bit of this, bit of that", Ginger & Joe is loved for its Asian-inspired cuisine. They’re proud to support local suppliers, butchers and fishmongers and regularly change their menu to reflect what’s in season. It’s great for family-friendly dining as the dishes are designed to be shared. And it's open from breakfast through to supper, so begin your day with waffles and fresh fruit before hoi sin bao buns and monkfish medallions satisfy your cravings come evening.

Beachside eateries and sea-view bars

© Left: Secret Garden via Instagram | Right: The Boathouse via Instagram.

Stax and Counterculture 

Style: Restaurant/ Bar
Price range: ££
Menu: Sandwiches, small plates, cocktails, wine
Website: https://www.staxnewquay.co.uk/

Driven by a passion for bringing a taste of San Sebastian to Newquay’s town centre, this stylish sandwich restaurant and pintxos bar is a hot new spot perfect for socialising with friends. During the day, you can choose from a selection of carefully crafted sandwiches, such as chicken parma marinara and mojo pulled pork. In the evening, this unique spot transforms into a relaxed setting offering small plates and a curated drinks menu for a trendy dinner by candlelight.

For the ultimate experience, we recommend grabbing a sandwich to enjoy on Great Western Beach before making your way back into town for a crisp glass of wine on the terrace. 

Secret Garden

Style: Bar
Price range: ££
Menu: Pizza and cocktails 
Website: secretgardennewquay.co.uk/ 

Perfect for summertime drinks and dinner with a view, Secret Garden is a laid back eatery at the top of the town. Within walking distance of Tolcarne and Great Western Beach, it’s a great option for those post-surf suppers and sunset viewing. The menu consists of stonebaked pizzas, sharing boards and salads, served alongside a great selection of classic cocktails.

The Boathouse

Style: Bar
Price range: ££
Menu: Seafood, pizzas, curries, ice cream and waffles
Website: streetfoodonthebeach.co.uk/ 

Summer in Newquay is all about beachside dining and al fresco feasts and where better to do this than in the heart of it all, the harbour. Hosted by The Boathouse, Newquay Harbour comes alive with vendors and pop-ups during the warmer months.

Known as the home of ‘street food on the beach’, you can expect the likes of Saltyard Pizza, Fat Cat Cornwall and Little Taste of Japan to satisfy your cravings. Simply find a table, scan a QR code and order a selection of dishes and drinks – whether that’s fresh oysters from The Boathouse itself or bundt cakes from Kern of Kernow, a little bit of mix and match is sure to keep everyone happy and well-fed.  

One Twenty Nine

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Seafood and roast lunches
Website: onetwentynine.co.uk/ 

Open only for weekends, this beachside restaurant is set to impress with its incredible ocean backdrop and locally sourced menu. Booking ahead is essential and we’d suggest visiting for their Sunday lunch sitting. Served alongside unlimited roast potatoes, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, gravy and seasonal veggies, the roasts here are best seen to be believed. What’s more, One Twenty Nine is also dog-friendly so you can walk off full bellies along the beach afterwards.

Laid back lunching

© Left: Moules & Co via Instagram | Centre: Nalu via Instagram | Right: Freddo's via Instagram.

Rosa

Style: Bar
Price range: ££
Menu: Pasta and pizza
Website: rosanewquay.co.uk/

New for 2024, Rosa is the sister business to Herd Burger and is their latest venture into American-Italian cuisine. The menu is set to feature plenty of fresh pasta dishes, Neopolitan pizzas and parmesan fries. Rosa operates on a walk-in basis, which is perfect for spontaneous post-surf appetites and casual family dining. Take a seat outdoors and order rounds of frozen margaritas while perusing the menu or wait for a turn on their very own mini golf course. 

Moules & Co

Style: Bar
Price range: ££
Menu: Shellfish and pasta
Website: instagram.com/moules.co/

Having just reopened for another busy summer season, Moules & Co sits just above Newquay Harbour and are the home to "possibly the best mussels in the world". There are a handful of tables which quickly fill during lunch service but there’s also the option to takeaway too (so lunch on the beach is sorted)!

They keep things simple on the menu to ensure a quick and delicious service, with moules served in marinière, arrabbiata, smoked bacon and red wine chorizo sauces. Pasta-wise, expect fresh prawn linguine, classic macaroni cheese and wild mushroom orecchiette.

Nalu

Style: Café
Price range: ££
Menu: Smoothie bowls, bagels and pastries 
Website: instagram.com/nalucoffeehouse/

Another great option for coffee, cake and brunching, Nalu sits at the top of town and within easy reach of Great Western Beach. It’s a relaxed spot, loved by families and hungry surfers. Sit outside in the warmer months or head indoors into their boho café for Mayak eggs, pokè bowls or bacon bagels.

Freddo’s

Style: Café
Price range: £
Menu: Ice cream, toasties and salads
Website: instagram.com/freddosicecream

With chalkboard menus and an ice cream counter full to the brim with interesting flavours and endless toppings, Freddo’s is a go-to for a light lunch or a sweet afternoon treat. Family-run and dog-friendly, a warm welcome always ensues and there are picnic benches outside for summertime lunching. Everything is made on-site, including the ice cream, with plenty of vegan options available too. Pick up "holy guacamole" sandwiches and "Dolly detox" smoothies on your way down to the beach or amble back up the hill in search of peanut butter and clotted cream cones.

Sabzi 

Style: Café
Price range: ££
Menu: Salad boxes, baked sweet treats
Website: https://www.sabzideli.co.uk/

Following the success of its vibrant delis in Truro and Falmouth, Sabzi may be new to Nansledan in Newquay, but it's already cooking up a storm. Specialising in small and delicious plates that change daily, the brand combines international flavours from Iran and the Middle East with those plucked fresh from the Cornish coast.

With Masterchef's Kate Attlee at the helm, Sabzi's menu features fresh salads, supper boxes, and a tempting selection of baked treats. 

Sushea 

Style: Restaurant
Price range: ££
Menu: Sushi, bao buns and poke bowls
Website: https://sushea.co.uk/

A laid-back spot that’s perfect for lovers of Asian-fusion cuisine, this tasty restaurant offers a nutritious alternative to fast food using local products wherever possible. Stop by for a hearty serving of Pad Thai or choose your favourite maki roll and head to a nearby beach to enjoy on a summer’s evening.

As well as offering a vast selection of fish-based dishes, Sushea is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, with plenty of tasty options including tempeh, tofu and teriyaki mushrooms available to add to any dish. 

While in the area

© Left: Jam Jar via Instagram | Centre: Gorse via Instagram | Right: The Beach Hut via Instagram.

It goes without saying that Newquay and its surrounding areas are brimming with foodie recommendations, so while you’re here we also recommend calling into Jam Jar and Gorse Bakery for freshly baked sourdough, stonebaked pizzas, cinnamon buns and passionfruit sorbet. Meanwhile, The Beach Hut and Zacry’s in Watergate Bay are prolific for their delicious cooked breakfasts and lobster suppers.

Where to say nearby

Left to right: Sea House, Trevenek, Red Cove, Prennek House and Panorama.

Overlooking Porth Beach is our incredible Sea House. Aptly named, it's perfect for those wishing to spend a week in the waves with an indoor pool for fair-weather swimmers too. It sleeps 10 guests and is within walking distance of Newquay’s best restaurants pubs and seaside cafés.

Also in nearby Mawgan Porth, you’ll find a selection of homes with sea views, swimming pools and eco-conscious interiors. The cove itself is renowned for its watersports scene and dog-friendly walks, while a selection of restaurants, pubs and cafés can be found dotted along the sand.

Speak to our team to secure your stay: 01208 895 570 | info@perfectstays.co.uk

Image credits: Main image by Milly Fletcher via Rick Stein Fistral | Lewinnick Lodge via Lewinnick Lodge | The Boathouse | Secret Garden | Cove 24 | Freddo's | Moules & Co | Jam Jar | Gorse | The Beach Hut all via Instagram.