New Year’s in St Ives
So, what can you expect on New Year’s Eve in St Ives
You can expect to see many, many people. Imagine the crowds that St Ives sees in the summer ALL in fancy dress and walking around the town as soon as the lights fade. The evening is split into two halves really. From sunset to around 8 pm, you can expect to see families with younger children all dressed up and walking along the harbour front and Fore Street. You will be smelling the delicious food that all the restaurants prepare for their two sittings of the evening too. The restaurants like to allow New Year’s revellers to have a table for the night where they can dip in and out of the street festivities. Book a table from 8 pm onwards and you can almost guarantee that you have a warm base for the night where you can eat a fabulous New Year menu, drink moreish wine and have access to the loos too! The crowds get bigger, and more animated and the costumes even more hilarious once the children go to bed. If you have booked a holiday cottage in St Ives which is within the action, you may just opt to cook at home and watch the hilarity from your window. Our best holiday cottages in St Ives to do this very thing are Artists Light, 2 Harbour House, Harbour Beach Cottage, Sea Fever, 6 Sunnyside, Artists Harbour and, with the help of binoculars, Sea Spirit!
Parking in St Ives gets a little trickier as does moving around in a car on the actual eve of the New Year (expect the harbour front to be closed to cars from early evening onwards on the 31st of December). Given it is one of the most popular times of the year and way to celebrate the New Year, St Ives is full to capacity which means the public car parks too. There are 5 public car parks in St Ives with Trenwith (St Ives Leisure Centre) being the largest of 700+ spaces. The others are small in comparison and so, if you are lucky enough to find a space at the start of your holiday, our recommendation is you don’t move it again until your depart! If you want greater freedom to go off and explore Cornwall when on holiday – and why wouldn’t you, it’s a treasure trove of beauty – we recommend parking at St Ives Rugby Club where there is ample room. It is a bit of a walk into the heart of St Ives so be prepared for this but taxis are on hand if you don’t fancy a 20-minute walk to and from your car. If you prefer to book a holiday cottage in St Ives with parking of its own, have a browse of what we have to offer in our Holiday Cottage with Parking Collection. If you have left it too late to come and see in 2023 in St Ives, book now for 2023 into 2024 festivities and bag yourself the best property to see the fireworks and have parking too!
Speaking of fireworks, that is exactly what you can expect when you come to celebrate New Year’s in St Ives. At midnight, the sky is illuminated with every colour possible and the shapes, sizes and loudness of the bangs, whirls and crashes are super impressive. It’s the sort of firework show where you get emotional and feel it in your very soul that a new year has just started and there is new hope and direction to take. The festivities tend to continue well into the early hours so be prepared to not have much beauty sleep if you have chosen to book a holiday cottage right in the centre of the town such as the harbourfront. If you want to throw yourself into the fun but have a chance to retreat and get some quality shut-eye once you’re full to the brim, we recommend booking either in the quieter areas of Downalong such as on Island Road or Carnscrows Street or move higher up the town such as Ayr Lane, Windsor Terrace or The Belyars. We are very happy to match the right holiday properties to each guest, so give us a call at 01736 806100 and tell us what would make THE best place to stay in St Ives on New Year’s Eve.
Top 5 restaurants to see in The New Year in St Ives
Grab yourself a table for the night and watch the festivities from the comfort of the restaurant!The weather can be unpredictable, to say the least, but that doesn’t stop the party revellers in their finest costumes. If you want good food, good wine, warmth and to stay in the dry, we recommend booking a table for the night at one of these restaurants below and getting a front-row seat to the hilarious sights outside. Be sure to keep enough battery on your phone as you will be snapping continuously. Word of advice – book well in advance, and we mean months and months in advance!
Step off the cobblestones of Fore Street into the Seafood Cafe, a stupendous counter of fish to feast your eyes on!
Seafood Cafe has large windows looking onto Fore Street which is bustling with party revellers in the fanciest of fancy dresses on New Year’s Eve. Book a table here for the night and the entertainment will unfold in front of your eyes outside!
- Fresh fish
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
Visit their website or call them on 01736 794004
Line your party stomachs with the most delicious burgers and side options at The Hub in St Ives
The Hub is right on the harbour front, another brilliant place to sit and watch wave after wave of fabulous fancy dresses; it really is almost a Carnival atmosphere right there in front of you.
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Children’s menu
- Local produce
Visit their website or call them on 01736 799099
Another restaurant boasting panoramic harbour front views, the Talay Thai is a firm locals favourite!
The restaurant is on the first floor so the views of the spectacle going on below are unrivalled! It is also a prime spot to enjoy the fireworks at midnight. Talay Thai doesn’t ordinarily accept reservations so it’s a great excuse to rock up, give your name and number and then go grab a few cocktails before your table is ready. On New Year’s Eve, there may be an opportunity to reserve your spot for the night but book super well in advance!
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Sea views
Visit their website or call them on 01736 795157
Mixing Cornish cuisine with creative cooking, Porthminster Kitchen offers 180’ views of the harbour front; a great spot to watch all the festivities in fancy dress below!
Much like Talay Thai, this restaurant is on the first floor and so you get a great bird’s eye view of all the inventive costumes as well as the fireworks at midnight.
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
Visit their website or call them on 01736 799874
Being on the Wharf front facing the harbour, Caffe Pasta is a prime restaurant to watch all of the best New Year’s Eve festivities from your own dining table
This restaurant looks out onto the harbour and its beach and moored boats. You will have a 180-degree view of Smeaton’s Pier and the harbourfront Christmas lights as well as the amazing array of costumes passing by the front of the restaurant all night long. It’s also a great spot to watch the fireworks.
- Fresh fish
- Local produce
- Vegan and vegetarian options
- Children’s menu
Visit their website or call them on 01736 798899
Top 5 places to start off your New Year's Eve in St Ives with cocktails
Now everyone likes to get a party started with a few cocktails, right?St Ives does not disappoint on this front either so take a look at the 5 places we would choose to have a fancy tipple while looking like a superhero. Go on, grab your glam rags or best Chewbacca costume and head out for a tasty St Ives gin cocktail!
Host offers a city bar vibe in a coastal town. Attentive bar staff, fabulous cocktails, takeaway stonebaked pizza and a delicious restaurant menu guaranteed!
The Restaurant and Bar is a trendy space to celebrate local creators. Relax at the bar and enjoy locally roasted coffee, mouth-watering cocktails, craft beers and local spirits. Or, sit down at a table and relish in the choice of delicacies from their wood-fired kitchen.
- Takeaway Pizza
- Cocktails
- Local produce
- Vegan and vegetarian options
- Woodburner and sofas
Visit their website by clicking on their name above for more information
Little Palais really does offer an intimate cosmopolitan, chic ambience to enjoy the tastiest of cocktails and wines with some nibbles
You could almost be off a side cobbled street in Paris, Rome or Switzerland, take your pick! Yet you’re actually in the stunning coastal town of St Ives sampling the best handpicked natural wines, cheeses, olives and meats. Best of all worlds surely?!
Try a Waxed Tequila or Classic Martini while nibbling on Crab Rarebit. Or enjoy a crisp cold glass of Italian Fizz while choosing the Coombeshead sourdough and salted butter. We like to try everything on the menu, it’s so good!
Visit their website by clicking on their name above for more mouth-watering information
Lovingly crafted cocktails and champagne with beautiful views of the harbour, Seven is a slice of heaven in St Ives!
Choose from their signature drinks such as Dew (Gin, Manzanilla, Passion Fruit, White Chocolate, Ginger, Lemon and Soda) or spice up your life with Pymp (Tequila Blanco, Apricot, Fresh Basil, Lime, Agave and Spicy Tincture). Their menu is seven pages long so the choice of cocktails, whiskey, gin, wine, fizz and many other spirits is extensive (to rival many city cocktails bars for sure) with the huge added bonus of stupendous sea views in stunning St Ives.
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 798798
The home of St Ives gin! Here you can enjoy award-winning tapas, craft drinks and cocktails all while soaking up the St Ives sun and stunning views of the harbour. The Searoom St Ives has so much relaxation and enjoyment to offer.
Enjoy long drinks, craft cider and beer, cocktails, numerous gin options and also some delicious nibbles while you count down to midnight, the party can well and truly get started with their selection of delicious drinkies!
Visit their website to view their menu and to make a booking
Boasting the best sunset views in the west, Porthmeor Beach Cafe is a must-visit for anyone staying in St Ives so start your New Year’s Eve party early while gazing out at the most incredible sea and beach views!
Offering a selection of tapas options and plenty of freshly caught seafood dishes, you can share with friends and get a taste of what St Ives has to offer. Sip a decadent cocktail and lose yourself entirely to that feeling of nourishing your heart and soul and make exciting plans for the new year ahead!
Visit their website or call them on 01736 793366
So, the morning after the night before can be a little...delicate, shall we say?
We thought you may like to know what is open on New Year's Day so you can book ahead for a brunch/ lunch 'pick me up' or should that be 'soak it up' after a refreshing walk or even New Year's dip in the sea to fully erase any trace of the night before.Whether you are feeling a bit shaky and gingery after so much partying and (let’s be honest, it’s worth it on New Year’s Eve!) hilarity, the best way to ‘come round’ in our eyes after getting your minimum 8 hours of restorative sleep is a walk on a beach. St Ives has 5 beaches to choose from and each of them holds magic powers to make you feel a whole lot better. Maybe you need that super elixir of a quick dip in the crystal clear and chilly sea; it works, we promise! After that, grab a coffee and brunch at these very kind, friendly and understanding-of-hangover-cures-required restaurants and cafes. They open their doors on New Year’s Day to make sure you feel ready to continue celebrations later that day.
You’ll struggle to find a better location for a restaurant than Porthminster Beach Cafe! Located right on the sands of Porthminster Beach, sit out on the patio and take in the glorious panoramic views of St Ives Bay.
Even in the winter months, this is a dreamy spot to watch the storms, with the cafe now having an enclosed heated terrace! Serving beautiful dishes inspired by Asian and Mediterranean influences, Porthminster Beach Cafe uses the freshest ingredients as well as its own garden-grown produce!
- Dog friendly – on the outdoor enclosed & heated terrace only
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating
- Nearest car park is St Ives Train Station
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 795352
Located within the Una Resort and Spa complex, Una Kitchen offers award-winning dining in relaxed warm surroundings.
With a Mediterranean-inspired menu, Una Kitchen offers a seasonal menu ranging from wood-fired pizzas to fresh fish dishes, as well as a fantastic Sunday Roast. Una Kitchen is an ideal location for a light lunch after enjoying their spa facilities, or pre-dinner drinks at their bar where you can enjoy a local beer or wine followed by a fantastic meal.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website or call them on 01736 257000
Aiming for simple dining using high-quality ingredients, The Old Forge offers a warm and relaxed dining experience with some great flavours.
With a charming rustic interior featuring exposed brick, dark wooden beams and plenty of ambience, The Old Forge is a lovely spot for dinner with friends and family where you can experience some great local food as well as a shop from their deli! Full of locally sourced produce as well as some of their own homemade starter sauces.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Outside seating – covered with heaters
- Parking – a few spaces on-site
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 753696
Wanting to experience a burger to rival others and wash it down with a cool Cornish beer or great coffee, head straight to The Hub in St Ives.
You and your dog are welcome to sit inside (downstairs only) or on the small veranda at the front. The Hub has amazing harbour views so get yourselves ready for a breathtaking lunch or dinner with stupendous sea views also!
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 799099
Hub St Ives Take Away – Photo by Nik Read
Mixing Cornish cuisine with creative cooking, Porthminster Kitchen offers 180’ views of the harbour front, a great spot to enjoy the views away from the busy street whilst enjoying some smaller plates and lighter options.
With a modern urban feel, Porthminster Kitchen creates wonderful fresh fish and seafood dishes and a curated wine menu to suit every dish for the ultimate dining experience. Wishing you could take the taste of St Ives home with you? Porthminster Kitchen has also created their own cookbook! With signature recipes created by executive chef Mike Smith, so you can recreate your favourite dishes at home!
- Dog-friendly (terrace only)
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating
- Nearest car park is The Sloop car park
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 799874
Happy New Year everyone!
From all the team at Orange Roofs, we hope you experience the closure you need and want of 2022 and have exciting plans and projects for 2023. Remember, if you're after a holiday in St Ives, Carbis Bay, Hayle or Zennor, give us a call, we so love making perfect holidays happen!