Places to eat and drink in around St Ives

Silco, The Wharf

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Can offer gluten free options  and have outside seating overlooking the harbour beach as well as tables inside.  There’s a great selection of vegetarian options as well as locally caught fresh  fish.They don’t take reservations so it’s a turn up and chance it so beware of  peak dining times.

The Cellar Bistro, 29 – 31 Fore Street

Don’t be put off by its name, there are dining tables and seating downstairs but also in a naturally lit area too. You have a great choice of wines and cocktails and the menu has fresh fish,  shellfish and locally sourced meat as well as a few delicious vegetarian options. It is better to book as it can be very busy.

Porthminster Beach Cafe, Porthminster Beach

Recently rewarded two AA Rosette awards and is ranked 61st in the UK’s most prestigious restaurants. What better setting than on a beach? It is a bright and airy restaurant with outstanding views. A fabulous seafood menu yet with a fairly good choice of meats and vegetarian options too. They are open for breakfast through to dinner.

Blas Burgerworks, The Warren

Cornish meat cooked on a chargrill. Blackbean burger with corn salsa and guacamole…. Is your mouth watering yet?  definitely worth a visit! Great choice of plentiful burgers and fries whether  meat, chicken or vegetarian  preferences apply. You sit at long benches so you  feel part of a great  burger club. It can get very busy but they only take bookings for groups of 6 or more people. If you fancy taking away, they do that too with a 10% discount.  It’s so great, we’ve featured it in our Top 3 Burger Joints in St Ives!

Porthgwidden Beach Cafe, Porthgwidden Beach

This wonderful beach cafe is perched overlooking Porthgwidden beach so breakfast, lunch and dinner (during the summer) offer spectacular views. There is outside seating as well as a small area inside. The views are framed by a huge window so everyone gets to see the sea even if you don’t have a window seat. Great choice of seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes all fairly priced. It’s best to
book as this little gem can get booked up quickly. Opening times vary across the year so best to visit website.

Porthmeor Beach Cafe, Porthmeor Beach

Staying on the beach theme,  Porthmeor Beach Cafe is one not to be missed. Amazing views, delicious tapas with crisp white wine while the sun sets, perfect. Summer opening times is 9am to 9pm where there is space to sit indoors and outside alfresco (snuggly blankets provided if it goes a little chilly). A good selection of seafood, meat and vegetarian options are available. Best to book as it can get busy.

Mermaid  Seafood Restaurant, Fish Street

A great intimate and cosy restaurant away from the madding crowd! Fish comes straight from the harbour with lobster on the summer menus. A fabulous selection of seafood dishes as well as a few meat dishes. Not brilliant for vegetarians I’m afraid. Exceptionally  popular so booking well in advance is advised!

Now for some places we think you will love outside St Ives…

Tinners Arms, Zennor

A fabulous country pub with good food, wine and ale. The portion sizes are generous and the ambience in the pub area is perfect to get a real Poldark feel of Cornwall. The restaurant area lacks the same atmosphere of the bar area so we always try to eat within the pub. It’s dog-friendly whether indoors or out, with plenty of seats on the terrace to enjoy the spectacular sunsets on offer. Best to book well in advance during peak weeks.

The Gurnard’s Head

Well worth a trip out in the car to Gurnard’s Head as the walks around it are spectacular, the garden area is perfect for children to run freely and the restaurant/ pub has a relaxed feel with friendly and attentive staff. The  food is sublime with a great selection of locally sourced meat and  fish. They have a good understanding of food intolerances so can cater for coeliacs if given enough notice. A decent selection of vegetarian options  too but not too exhaustive. The wine is delicious as well as the local Cornish ales and ciders. Don’t be alarmed if you see a herd of cows passing as you dine…it’s all part of the Cornish lifestyle.

It is certainly worth the trip over to Zennor to explore the true Cornish countryside and an added bonus, it is where our lovely barn conversion ‘Old Boswednack‘ is located!

2 Fore Street, Mousehole

Vibrant, continental feel with a  bistro-style restaurant offering locally sourced and caught food and the menu changes frequently to take in the different seasons and catches. The restaurant is light and airy with views over to St Michael’s Mount across Mounts Bay but  they also have an intimate garden area to catch the summer warmth. It’s got a  great inclusive vibe which instantly puts you at ease with a glass of Prosecco in hand.

The Old Coastguard Hotel, Mousehole

A sister company to The Gurnard’s Head, you can expect the same quality of food and service as well as the relaxed ambience offering a combination of sofas or dining tables to soak up the stunning views on top of Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount. The added bonus here is they have parking!

The Shore Restaurant, Alverton Terrace, Penzance

A superb seafood restaurant where the menu changes to suit the seasons and the daily catch. The Chef has worked in Michelin starred kitchens across the UK including Gary Rhodes and Rick Steins and happily brings his skills and experience to Penzance. It is a small and intimate restaurant and booking is highly recommended. Each time you eat, you get tailored service from the Chef himself so you get to quiz him on his techniques too!

If you’re visiting St Ives with children you may also want to check out our other blog on the best family-friendly places to eat in St Ives >> Top 5 child friendly eateries

Buon appetito!