We’re so lucky to have an abundance of amazing places to eat here in North Cornwall.
It’s absolute heaven for food lovers and the perfect destination for celebrating a special occasion.
From Michelin starred fine dining to cosy pubs with roaring log fires, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste and budget.
So, if you’ll be celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or you’re looking for somewhere to pop the question, here are the 10 Best Restaurants in North Cornwall for a Special Occasion.
Top 10 Special Occasion Restaurants
This is a friendly and relatively affordable Michelin starred restaurant in a lovely Georgian townhouse in the centre of Padstow.
Serving modern British food, using locally sourced produce. Vegetarian options and children’s menus are also available, so perhaps a good choice for Mother’s Day – lucky Mum!
Lunch £85 per person, dinner £95 per person.
Open Tuesday to Saturday. 6 Middle Street, Padstow PL28 8AP Tel: 01841 532093.
Our local, just 2 miles from your holiday cottage.
A stylish gastro pub, with roaring log fire, set in the lovely neighbouring village of St. Tudy. This one features in both the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide.
Serves beautifully presented seasonal food made with locally sourced Cornish ingredients. Great selection of seafood, meat and vegetarian options, with starters from £13 and mains from £15. There’s also a set lunch menu from £28.
Open Wednesday to Saturday 12pm to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10pm, Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. St. Tudy, PL30 3NN Tel: 01208 850656.
The ultimate restaurant for a special occasion, this is a real treat, with friendly and attentive staff.
A new venture for 2020, the restaurant is in a prime location overlooking the sea at Port Isaac, and has views along the coast towards Tintagel.
Serving a fabulous set menu using the highest quality fresh Cornish seafood.
Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday, £80 per person. 6 New Road, Port Isaac PL29 3SB Tel: 01208 880896.
Serving simple, good food in relaxed surroundings. Fabulous views too – the restaurant is just beyond Padstow harbour and overlooks the Camel Estuary.
With a large outdoor terrace and, unusually, an 18 hole mini golf course!
Choice of burgers, steaks, fish and a good selection for vegetarians. Starters from £6, mains from £12.95.
North Quay, Padstow, PL28 8AF Tel: 01841 532002.
This lovely gastro-pub at Rock overlooks the stunning Camel Estuary and is run by Michelin-starred chef Paul Ainsworth.
Offering everything from cream teas and light bites to a fabulous Sunday lunch, all produced using the best quality Cornish ingredients.
Enjoy a plate of oysters whilst gazing across the water to the oyster beds where they were grown. There’s a great children’s menu and plenty of vegetarian options available too.
As a guide, Sunday lunches are £19.50 with puddings from £7.
Open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 9.30 pm. The Slipway, Rock PL27 6LD Tel: 01841 532093
If eating super fresh mackerel landed just 50 yards away sounds amazing then this wonderful restaurant in nearby Port Gaverne may be just your thing.
Their ever changing menus make best use of fresh local produce and there’s always an exciting specials board. Whilst you’re here enjoy the short walk up the hill to the pretty fishing village of Port Isaac, home to ITV’s Doc Martin and the Fisherman’s Friends.
Vegetarian and children’s options available. Starters from £8, mains from £17.50.
Port Gaverne, Port Isaac, PL29 3SQ Tel: 01208 880244
This is a friendly pub restaurant between Wadebridge and Padstow with gorgeous views over the Camel Estuary and out to sea.
Serving excellent quality seasonal and local food in a relaxed atmosphere.. Menu changes regularly but think fresh mackerel, game pie and cracking Sunday roasts. Plenty of veggie options too.
Starters from £10, mains from £16.
Monday to Sunday 12pm to 11pm. Burgois, St. Issey, Cornwall, PL27 7QQ Tel: 01841 540361
Another very special restaurant from Nathan Outlaw, with 1 Michelin star.
It’s a wonky 15th century property right on the harbour in Port Isaac, next to the lifeboat station. Shown above cunningly disguised as the bakery in Portwenn during filming for the latest series of ITV’s Doc Martin.
Serving fresh seafood landed by the fishing boats you can see from the windows.
Set menu £80 per person, no children under 10.
Open Tuesday to Saturday. 1 Middle Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RH Tel: 01208 881183.
Rick Stein’s flagship restaurant in Padstow, and the starting point of his now impressive empire.
Gorgeous views over the estuary. In addition to the main restaurant area there’s also a seafood bar where no reservations are required.
As you would guess, the menu is predominately seafood, although there is a limited vegetarian menu.
Starters from £10, main courses from £15, although the majority are around the £35 mark. They also do an excellent set lunch with 3 courses for £39.95.
Riverside, Padstow, PL28 8BY. Tel: 01841 532700.
Another from the fabulous Paul Ainsworth in the centre of Padstow.
This is a more informal Italian and Mediterranean restaurant. Serves great pizza and pasta dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
In nice weather you can eat in the outside courtyard and it’s a great spot for brunch. They do an epic fish finger sandwich and, in true Italian style, there are plenty of options for children too.
Starters from £5.95, pizzas from £10.95, mains from £16.95.
Open Monday to Sunday 8.30 am – 10pm. 9 Mill Square, Pastow, PL28 8AE Tel: 01841 532796.
