Restaurants and Dining
Some of the best restaurants in the UK can be found in North Cornwall – and a blowout evening or two is a real bonus for many who stay with Raintree!
Many think of Rick Stein and his restaurants as still providing the backbone to the area’s eating. But we now have Jamie Oliver as well – and most significantly a growing number of young chefs inspired by (and often trained within) some of the more famous restaurants. This provides plenty of options.
To tempt you, below are some of the best gourmet restaurants as well as pubs and cafes that make an effort with their food. They are grouped by location.
St Merryn
At the top end, there is only 1 choice at St Merryn – but its a good one! Rosel and Co. Very good food, good value and delicious wines and a very special ambiance. The favourite for many of us. Zane runs the kitchen, and Jasmin front-of-house.
Seven Bays is serving food lunch and supper, and makes good takeaway pizzas. Waves now has a cafe in St Merryn (as well as at Higher Harlyn campsite) – serving good, simple food for lunch and early suppers.
The Cornish Arms just outside St Merryn towards Padstow has been taken over by Rick Stein on a long lease from St Austell Brewery. Its not a restaurant but remains a good local pub – with food. The food is good standard pub fayre and the prices are lower than many gastro pubs. Often busy!
Padstow
Padstow remaiins the hub. At the top of the tree remains the Seafood restaurant. Fantsatic food, fantastic ambiance – still a very special place for a special meal out. St Petroc’s and Rick Stein’s cafe give other dining options with quality food and service.
But there are some very good other options. Paul Ainsworth’s No 6 and Margot’s both provide very special evenings out.
Custard and Pescadou produce good food and are good for family meals out. While Jack’s is a small and intimate cafe that serves tapas-style food along with beers and delicious coffee.
For more casual dining, Rick Stein’s fish and chips sets the standard for fish and chips across the UK. Good pizzas can be eaten at Rojano’s.
Newquay-way
Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen provides a dramatic environment and high quality food at Watergate Bay. The room has fantastic views.
The Beach Hut runs alongside Fifteen, providing solid food – particularly good for recovering from a few hours surfing! Or you can travel further into Newquay, to visit Fistral Blu at Fistral Beach.
Rock-side
We think dining options are better this side of the Estuary! But of course, there are some great restaurants on the other side. A bit of a drive – yes. But do consider water taxi across to Rock and an ‘appetite enlarging’ walk up to The St Enodoc Hotel. Its very do-able, and the journey back after supper can be plenty of fun on a warm and still evening! Nathan Outlaw, erstwhile Michelin star chef at the Black Pig, is now the head chef.
The other good option now is the St Kew Inn. This is certainly a drive as its well in land. Its now run by Paul Ripley of Ripley’s at St Merryn and serves good quality pub food. Give it a go for a lunch perhaps!
