The Boathouse, Newquay
Street food is one of the hottest ways to eat alfresco, and at The Boathouse, you can have your pick of a variety of different ones. This makes it an excellent place to go with friends and families with different tastes. You can try savoury bites like tacos and tapas and sweet treats like waffles and doughnuts. On Sundays it has street food wraps loaded with all the trimmings. Sit outside on the wooden benches and spot the different boats making their way through Newquay Harbour. It’s worth checking out its site and social media pages before visiting, as it often has different events on, such as activities and live music.
streetfoodonthebeach.co.uk
Beach House, Falmouth
Dive into seafood by the sea at this restaurant that’s just a few steps away from Swanpool Beach. It opens for breakfast, lunch, and supper, and is known for its irresistible Falmouth Bay scallops and wild tiger prawns. Outside it has the Cool Box, which is perfect for sitting at and taking in the beautiful bay while dining on pastries and sandwiches. You can even take food to-go for picnicking on the sand. As well as serving up food, it also hosts a morning Swim Club, where you can get 50% off on coffee and pastries after a dip.
beachhousefalmouth.com
The Cornish Arms, Padstow
While this pub is wonderfully cosy during winter, it also shines during the summer months, thanks to its beautiful, bountiful beer garden. During the summer months, it welcomes a woodfired pizza menu from 3-9pm. The prawn and confit garlic and the chilli crab pizzas go down well with a glass or two of something cold. On the drinks menu, it serves St Austell Brewery and Chalky’s Bite beers. It’s one of celebrity chef Rick Stein’s restaurants, who is all about simple flavours done well. If you do get sleepy post-meal, there are shepherd’s huts on-site with countryside views.
rickstein.com
The Loft Restaurant & Terrace, St Ives
Situated in the picturesque artist’s quarter, this restaurant has an airy and spacious sun terrace with both covered and uncovered dining, so you can see outdoor views no matter what the weather is like. The menu rotates constantly, with the possibility of a new menu every time you visit. That being said, it loves to make fish, chicken, steak, and pasta shine. It also cooks lobster thermidor with garlic potatoes and greens with dukkah to order - just let them know when booking. It’s also recommended to book if you want to dine, but for drinks with a view, simply arrive on the day.
theloftrestaurantandterrace.co.uk
The Waterfront, Polzeath
This restaurant overlooks popular surfing spot Polzeath Beach, so you can watch people catching waves while enjoying locally-sourced produce. The menu is filled with classic dishes, such as panko scampi or fish of the day with chips, sea bass fillets, and the Caesar salad with anchovies. Its Porthilly mussels are particularly mouthwatering, coming in small or large and can be served either with a mariniere sauce or spicy thai. Or, if you’re an early bird, eggs your way, Cornish rump steak, a selection of pastries, and more are on the breakfast menu. If you do choose sharers, these come laid out on an inviting board.
waterfrontpolzeath.co.uk
The Fish House, Newquay
Sourcing fish and shellfish from Newquay Harbour, Paul Harwood brings dishes to life as he combines fresh produce with rustic flavours. Go for courses of food such as chowder, scallops, and roasted hotshells, or share a selection of seafood with squid, prawns, crab cakes, and focaccia on the side. While the restaurant’s outdoor dining area is lovely during lunchtime, the best time to visit for unparalleled views has to be when the sun is setting over Fistral Beach. It also features in the Michelin Guide and has numerous local awards under its belt.
thefishhousefistral.com
