The Best Seafood Restaurants in St Ives
The Razor Clam
Located on Tregenna Place, The Razor Clam has built a reputation as one of St Ives’ seafood favourites. Known for generous portions and beautifully fresh ingredients, this welcoming restaurant showcases the very best of Cornish seafood.
Depending on the season and weather conditions, diners can enjoy whole lobster alongside seafood linguine, hearty chowders and impressive seafood sharing platters.
The Sloop Inn
Positioned directly opposite the harbour slipway, The Sloop Inn is one of Cornwall’s oldest and most famous pubs. Popular with both locals and visitors, it offers a relaxed setting where you can enjoy seafood just metres from where many of the ingredients were landed.
The menu features favourites such as Cornish lobster salad and seafood platters packed with harbour-fresh produce. For a more intimate dining experience, The Captain’s Table offers a quieter space tucked away from the bustle of the main pub.
Porthminster Beach Café
Few restaurants can rival the setting of Porthminster Beach Café. Overlooking the golden sands of Porthminster Beach, diners are treated to panoramic views across St Ives Bay towards Godrevy Lighthouse.
Expect standout dishes such as Tuna Tataki, Porthminster Squid and the popular Surf & Turf, pairing succulent lobster with rib-eye steak. Classic beer-battered fish and chips also feature on the menu, alongside a range of creative dishes inspired by the Cornish coastline. Many recipes incorporate foraged coastal ingredients and herbs, harvested from the restaurant’s own coastal garden, helping to showcase the flavours of the season and the surrounding landscape.
The Rum & Crab Shack
Overlooking the waterfront, The Rum & Crab Shack combines spectacular harbour views with a menu full of bold flavours.
Seafood lovers can enjoy chowder, whole crab, lobster, prawn jambalaya and crab-loaded tacos. One of the most popular experiences is the Sunday Boil Club Louisiana Seafood Boil, where guests can peel their own prawns and tuck into a communal feast.
The Shack Crab Sharer is another standout, featuring whole crab, dirty fries, mussels, whitebait and more. As the name suggests, the rum selection is equally impressive.
The Mermaid
Nestled within St Ives’ historic Down-a-Long fishing quarter, The Mermaid is one of the town’s most established seafood restaurants.
The extensive menu celebrates locally caught seafood, with dishes including grilled seabass, tiger prawns, scallops, lemon sole and beer-battered fish. The restaurant’s famous Pot of Seafood combines mussels, tiger prawns, scallops, squid and hake in a garlic and white wine broth, served with crusty bread or chips.
The Fish Shed
Located at the western end of Porthmeor Beach, The Fish Shed takes a more creative approach to seafood dining. Its small plates menu changes regularly and showcases inventive combinations using local ingredients.
Popular dishes include smoked mackerel Scotch eggs, prawn toast bao buns and grilled potato bread served with brown crab butter and Newlyn crab. It’s a fantastic option for those looking to try something a little different.
Mazza (new for 2026!)
Recently opened as of June 2026, Mazza is the latest arrival on the St Ives waterfront (you might’ve spotted them at the St Ives Food & Drink Festival!). They’ve taken over the old OnShore spot next to Hub, complete with an open terrace and those classic harbour views.
Expect seafood, steak and charcoal‑fired dishes, with a standout whole fish cooked over coals to share. It’s unfussy, smoky and built for relaxed evenings by the water.
The concept comes from Chef Jeffrey Robinson, recently seen on Great British Menu, who’s brought his fire‑led style to the harbour.
More Seafood Gems Worth Visiting
Other excellent options include Ardor on Fore Street, where Mediterranean influences meet Cornish seafood, and Talay Thai Kitchen on Wharf Road, which serves flavour-packed Thai seafood dishes including mussels, fish cakes and prawn Pad Thai.
Cintra Seafood Bar also deserves a mention for its relaxed atmosphere, harbour views and seafood small plates. Expect dishes such as crab nachos, Porthilly oysters, Spanish seafood broth and Cajun-spiced monkfish.
Porthmeor Beach Café is another St Ives favourite, perched right on the sand beneath Tate St Ives. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, and spectacular sunset views, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy fresh local fish while overlooking one of Cornwall’s most iconic beaches.
Buying Fresh Seafood in St Ives
If you’re staying in one of our luxury self-catering apartments, you may be tempted to prepare your own seafood feast while enjoying the sea views from your accommodation.
Fortunately, visitors can now purchase fresh local seafood from WeShellCrab’s seafood shop at the top of Tregenna Hill. It’s a fantastic place to pick up freshly prepared crab, perfect for sandwiches, beach picnics or a memorable lunch overlooking the coastline.
What Our Guests Say
“Make sure you eat at least one locally made Cornish pasty, eat fresh fish at a seafood restaurant and I would recommend the Talay Thai Kitchen for food! Delicious!”
Debbie Prince (Stayed at Sea Spirit)
“St Ives and the area offers so much all within either walking or driving distance, plus loads of places to enjoy excellent food and especially the quality of the seafood.”
Gary Cook (Stayed at Porthia Penthouse)
Stay with Orange Roofs and Discover St Ives’ Seafood Scene
From waterfront seafood platters to fine dining overlooking the bay, St Ives offers some of the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall. The town’s independent restaurant scene, fresh local catches and spectacular coastal setting make it a must-visit destination for food lovers.
Planning a stay? Browse our collection of luxury holiday apartments in St Ives and experience the very best of Cornwall’s coastline, beaches and dining scene for yourself.
For more foodie inspiration during your stay, explore our guides to the best sea‑view restaurants in St Ives as well as the top gluten‑free, vegan and dog friendly places to eat.