10 of our favourite town restaurants in Cornwall

Since COVID small businesses have had to have a lot of time closed and changing up how they operate as a business. At Littletrips we want to do our bit to help support these small businesses.

Cornwall is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. Here we want to feature some of our favourite restaurants and the reasons we loved them. Restaurants represent the culture of the place they reside, they are a big part of a community. The best restaurants make your little trips, magical and create the best of memories. So let's get going.

Fresh Cornish seafood on the beach... What else do we need to say? The Fish House is a family run business, Paul Harwood the owner and head chef was the former head chef of Rick Steins for 14 years.

Located overlooking Fistral Beach in Newquay there is no better way to spend your lunch or evening eating crab or lobster caught from the day boats at Newquay Harbour. As if all of this wasn't enough, the atmosphere and the family vibe really comes through and makes this place very unique.

The Fish House Fistral website

The Old Sail Loft is an atmospheric restaurant. Knowing it was once the haunt of smugglers was enough to get us there on its own. Having had several little trips to Looe and missing out on getting a table in the beautiful wooden beamed interior, we pre-booked before our last trip and got a seat on the waterfront.

The staff were very friendly and recommended the locally caught seafood which we enjoyed thoroughly. The Old Loft is a restaurant, but it still has the social lively feel of an old seafront pub. If it is history and culture you want then look no further than The Old Loft in Looe.

The Old Loft Restaurant website

Pintxo brings something a little different to your Cornish trip, a taste of Spain. We came here for an ad hoc lunch and managed to get a table outside, no reservations necessary. It is the perfect place to spend time with friends, or a loved one.

We tried a number of dishes like spider crab & saffron croquettes, chorizo piccante and Iberico jamón. Finishing off our lunch with a little red wine and walk back along Fowey harbour. Life doesn't get much better than this. We will be coming back soon.

Pintxo Fowey website

Blas Burgerworks is a little hidden gem we discovered serving both brilliant beef and veggie burgers. I love a really good beef burger and wasn't disappointed with Blas. The restaurant itself is a fun little place that suits the food. There was even a line outside Blas Burgerworks before it opened! It is popular with both tourists and locals.

Blas Burgerworks website

We were lucky enough to visit Prawn on the Lawn's town restaurant location. The food is delicious! The Seafood is beyond fresh and delicious. We had huge king scallops and the most delicious fried monkfish. The servers were really friendly and made the experience for us. Walking us through the menu and how the servings come out.

Prawn on the Lawn has recently moved location for the summer and has become 'Prawn on the Farm'. Due to its the size and COVID-19 restrictions they decided to move to Trerethern Farm approx one mile from Padstow temporarily.

Also, go check out their sister restaurant Barnaby's once COVID restrictions ease up.

Prawn on the Lawn website

As you can see there has been a bit of a trend in fresh seafood from our chosen restaurants. It makes sense as there is an abundance of amazing fresh seafood. But we didn't want to miss out mentioning some of the best prime meat in Falmouth. We had some of the best pork ribs and buffalo wings, all with homemade marinades. My friend had a beautiful Chateaubriand medium-rare.

I'm a big fan of booth seating, the restaurant was busy but our group felt like we had a lot of space still. The Ranch's sister restaurant next door, is called 'The Shack' that serves guess what... yep gorgeous fresh seafood. The perfect pair of neighbouring restaurants.

The Ranch website

Liskeard, another beautiful Cornish location, there are just too many! You won't be stuck for things to do around here, after a trip to the Carnglaze Caverns, we looked for somewhere to eat and found the quaint Tapenades. Mike, Sue and their team definitely rate customer service and satisfaction above all else. They made us feel very welcome on a windy and rainy day.

Tapenades food was superb, with a great specials menu that we chose from and weren't disappointed. Home-baked bread and Halibut with white wine warmed us through. There is a lot to be said about friendly people and a cosy atmosphere and Tapenades has both of these in spades.

Tapenades Restaurant website

If you are after an immersive fun dining experience for you and your family, look no further than the Newlyn Meadery. Its atmosphere will take you into its very medieval little world.

Below the restaurant the 'Cornish Mead Co' brew the (worlds) best mead. If you are a fan of mead they will invite you to try their amazing selection throughout your meal. We bought 3 bottles home with us, yes it is that good.

We enjoyed eating our chicken in the rough along with our litre of mead (I know obsessed), all while situated under one of the many sets of arches and themed tables. It was one of our favourite nights out in Cornwall made all the better by the amazingly friendly ladies that served us.

Newlyn Meadery website

Our next choice is Outlaws! Another restaurant in Port Isaac, you won't go hungry in this town, there are so many great options. Outlaw's is a really popular choice we were recommended to eat here by many friends. This is seafood at its very best.

Overlooking the sea, and with nicely spaced tables we tucked into some crab tasters before our main course. The Outlaw's servers were brilliant, knowledgable and friendly. We enjoyed our meal so much we came back the next day to try the takeaway menu which we ended up eating beside the port itself.

Also, if this isn't the cutest looking little restaurant ever I don't know what is.

Outlaw's website

We came across Kota (meaning 'shellfish in Maori') during a visit to the gorgeous town of Porthleven. Head chef Jude Kereama who is half Maori, half Chinese Malay, has had a very successful time at Kota. Being awarded a Bob Gourmond in the Michelin Guide every year since 2013.

Kota specialises in local sustainable seafood and farm produce all being given an Asian twist. I'll admit we are finishing off strong with Kota, it was probably one of the loveliest meals we have had in Cornwall the dishes themselves were brilliantly presented and tasted amazing. Not only was our food great, but the service was brilliant too, our server Neve was lovely.

Kota Restaurant website

So much to choose from
There are many, many more brilliant restaurants across Cornwall but these are just 10 places we have personally experienced and loved on our little trips across Cornwall. At times like this, we need to be kind in Covid. Business is having a harder time now more than ever and needs your patience and support. So let us keep in mind, 'Be kind in Covid'.