Cornwall is known for its sun, sea and surf, but did you know that it is also one of the best spots for foodies in the UK?! Home to an impressive selection of celebrity chefs and a thriving restaurant scene, Cornwall boasts an array of fresh local ingredients, with seafood being a speciality for the coastal county.
There are far too many foodie spots to choose from in Cornwall, and as our luxury Cornish cottages are based in Truro, we are taking a look at five of the best places to grab a tasty bite on Cornwall’s south coast!
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Rick Stein’s Fish
A holiday in Cornwall is not complete without a good serving of fish and chips. With fresh catches available almost everywhere along the coastal county, you’ll be able to eat a quality cod wherever you go, but nothing can quite compare to the incredible edible experience of Rick Stein’s Fish. If you hadn’t guessed by the name, the restaurant is owned by celebrity chef Rick Stein, so a good bite is guaranteed! With views out over the impressive Falmouth Harbour, the food will be as stunning as the scenery. With dishes like moules mariniere and lobster on the menu, all of the produce used is locally sourced, ensuring you get the full experience of all Cornwall has to offer.
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The Hidden Hut
If you’re up for an adventure, The Hidden Hut is the dining spot for you. As the name may suggest, before you can take a seat at the beachside café, you have to find it! Taking a stroll along the National Trust coast path from the delightful Porthcurnick Beach will lead you to the Hut, where beach eating is taken to a whole new level.
Forget the bog-standard scoop of ice cream and cone of chips, The Hidden Hut deals out delicious freshly-prepared treats for hungry surfers and sun tanners alike. Each day, the lunchtime menu offers up lighter bites, like Cornish pasties fresh out of the oven, or a bigger dish from the specials board which changed daily, like seafood chowder or curry.
The real draw for The Hidden Hut is their famous feast night, where attendees gather for a delicious evening picnic-style feast. There will be between two and four events each month, so bring along plates and cups and The Hidden Hut will serve up some delicious dishes.
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The Watch House
As a popular holiday destination, finding a spot for a quieter lunch can sometimes prove a bit of a challenge. This is where The Watch House steps in. Nestled into the quaint and quiet St Mawes Harbour, on the stunning Roseland Peninsula, this seaside eatery offers up a peaceful dining experience. With its harbour-side location, seafood features strongly on the menu, all of which is locally sourced – the lobsters even come straight out of St Mawes Bay! The harbour looks out over to St Anthony’s Head, so you’ll get incredible views over to the National Trust lands as you dine.
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Sam’s On The Beach
A family-friendly chain that makes its home in Cornwall, Sam’s now has three permanent restaurants in the county, establishing themselves as a Cornish favourite. For those heading to the city centre, you can grab a bite from Sam’s In The City, but our favourite has to be Sam’s On The Beach, found in the seaside village of Polkerris. Remodelling an old lifeboat station into an incredible diner with a custom-built wood-burning pizza oven, you can sample a slice of Cornish cuisine. The popular eatery has exquisite views over St Austell Bay, making it the perfect place to soak up some sun, especially when you have a cocktail from the bar in hand.
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The Rising Sun
Sat in the heart of Truro’s historic quarter, The Rising Sun has a truly rustic feel, with an assortment of incredible gastropub dishes to match. Run by a husband and wife team, the charming pub is best known for their impressive three-course evening feast. Sample the Cornish crab and prawn tagliatelle starter, before tucking into the roasted pheasant breast and finishing the meal off with a scrumptious sticky toffee pudding. In addition to the gorgeous gastro grub, the pub is also famed for its bar, which features a lengthy line-up of local ales and an outstanding wine list. Making full use of this, the pub runs regular wine tasting nights, allowing you to get comfy in the warm and homely pub with a glass of vino in hand!
If you’re staying with us at The Valley, you’ll also be able to experience the great tastes at our very own Café Azur, where fresh local produce is turned into some incredible tasting dishes! What restaurants do you love going to near Truro? Let us know in the comments below.