The 15 best restaurants and pubs in Falmouth

Famous for its maritime past, Falmouth is a historic town on the Cornish coast offering a wealth of things to do and places to visit, from beaches to museums. It also has a thriving restaurant scene with plenty to choose from, including several fish and seafood eateries. 

Discovery Quay, also known as Events Square, on Falmouth’s waterfront, is home to several eateries, most of which have outside seating, making it a very pleasant spot for an al fresco meal. Just behind the harbour, you can also find plenty of options along historic Arwenack Street, from trendy cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Whatever tickles your taste buds, we’ve selected a pick of the best places to eat in Falmouth to inspire you. In the meantime, you can browse our Falmouth holiday cottages by clicking the button below. 

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Top pubs in Falmouth

Whether you're looking for a meal or a couple of pints on a sociable evening out, Falmouth's pubs will give you a warm welcome. 

Best for couples – Star and Garter

This lovely Georgian townhouse, Star and Garter is home to an elegant, intimate gastropub serving traditional dishes with a twist. 

Popular for its Sunday roasts as well as delicious small plates served in the evenings, the restaurant caters for gluten-free and vegetarian guests and is also dog-friendly. Drinks on offer range from locally brewed beers to cocktails and fine wines.

Best for harbour views – The Boathouse Pub and Restaurant

This 300-year-old Falmouth pub is located up Trevathan Hill and offers glorious, panoramic views of the harbour and over towards Flushing. With its wooden floors and nautical blue walls, The Boathouse Pub is relaxed and welcoming.

The menu offers good quality pub fare, ranging from steak and fish pie to roast pork and linguine, with options for gluten intolerant customers. Beer lovers will enjoy the fine selection of local ales on tap and canine companions are welcome.

Top restaurants with waterside views in Falmouth

These Falmouth restaurants provide a delightful dining experience, combining exquisite cuisine with breathtaking views across the water.

Best for marina views – Upperdeck

With fabulous marina views, the relaxed, light and airy Upperdeck restaurant and bar offers a simple but tasty menu featuring pizzas, mussels, freshly caught fish, steak and pasta. Open for lunch and evening dinner, it also serves up Sunday roast every weekend.  

Equally for anyone just seeking a chic place for a few drinks, there are comfortable sofas and bar stools inside as well as tables on the balcony outside where you can enjoy the view.

Best for waterside dining – Indidog

 Photo credit: Indidog

Situated right on the harbour with an attractive outside balcony, Indidog is a stylish restaurant with a lively atmosphere and lovely sea views serving exceptionally high-quality British food. 

Serving brunch, lunch, evening meals and Sunday roasts, the menus offer something for every taste and occasion. The breakfast menu includes delights such as bacon and maple pancakes and Cornish Crab benedict, and for lunch, try the seared Cornish scallops or halloumi burger. In the evening, fish of the day or roast duck are on offer alongside a selection of fine wines.

Top seafood restaurants in Falmouth

Like any Cornish coastal town worth its salt and vinegar, there are lots of ways to enjoy fish and chips in Falmouth. Here are a couple of our recommended spots.

Best for fish and chips – Harbour Lights

If you are a lover of Cornish fish and chips, then look no further than Harbour Lights. With its bright blue painted exterior it is unmissable on its harbourside location. Inside, the warm and welcoming interior is frequently bustling with locals and tourists alike. 

Along with the traditional haddock, plaice or cod, customers can also choose from hake, calamari or scampi, all served with freshly caught chips. Vegetarians are well-catered for too, with the famous fried vegan fish, made from tofu marinated in brine and lemon juice and wrapped in nori. 

Best for seafood with a view - Hooked On The Rocks

 Photo credit: Hooked on the Rocks

Overlooking picturesque Swanpool beach, this upmarket seafood restaurant, Hooked on the Rocks serves up freshly caught local produce and offers a good cocktail list too. 

Start with the oysters and scallops before perhaps enjoying traditional haddock and chips or fresh lobster for mains. The shared platters for two come with a delicious array of cooked shellfish. Outside the tables overlooking the bay are in an idyllic spot for lunch with a view, so it’s worth booking ahead to avoid disappointment.

Best for families – The Shack

A cosy and informal seafood restaurant, The Shack is in Discovery Quay and offers a relaxed and cheerful coastal atmosphere. Choose from a fabulous menu that includes popular dishes such as haddock and bacon chowder, seafood linguine, mussels, and of course, traditional Cornish fish and chips. 

There is a children’s menu for youngsters, as well as an array of delicious puddings on offer, such as chocolate torte and waffles with ice cream, making The Shack a popular choice for families. 

Top fine dining in Falmouth

Falmouth is home to a number of high-quality, fine dining restaurants. Take a look at two of our favourites below.

Best for romantic dining – Restaurant Mine

This cosy little bistro located in a cobbled courtyard just off the high street features in the Michelin Guide and offers a simple but special menu of dishes made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Mine offers a choice of just three delicious main courses, always offering one meat, one fish and one vegan dish, such as gnocchi, chicken confit and baked sole. Dessert specialities include honey cake with pistachios, raspberries and cream, and chocolate delice with hazelnuts, cream and brandy snap. The open kitchen means guests can enjoy an aperitif whilst watching the chef show off his culinary skills.

Best for Michelin-star dining – Culture Restaurant

A Michelin-starred restaurant, Culture Restaurant offers a Cornish fine dining experience with a strong focus on sustainability and local foraging. Rather than given the choice of a menu, diners are taken on a vividly descriptive and evocative culinary journey, and encouraged to take a more considered approach to what they are eating and where their food comes from.

Tucked away on the quayside behind Arwenack Street, it is open for lunch on Friday and Saturday and for dinner Wednesday to Saturday. We advise booking well in advance to guarantee a table.

Top Asian and African restaurants in Falmouth

Falmouth offers a diverse range of international cuisine, with its vibrant restaurants and cafes serving everything from Indian to African dishes.

Best for healthy eating – Kona

 Photo credit: Kona

Located in Discovery Quay, Kona offers a taste of Hawaii in Cornwall with its relaxed surf vibe and delicious and healthy ‘poke’ (pronounced ‘pokey’) bowls of rice, vegetables and chicken or fresh tuna. In addition, there are delicious pad Thai and Thai green curries available, and both meat and vegan burgers. Little ones are well catered for too, with a tasty children’s menu and ice cream for pudding.

On a warm day, the outside tables in the square look out to the sea and are perfect for enjoying a tipple from the extensive drink’s menu of wines, beers and cocktails.

Best for Indian food – Daaku

Set near Falmouth’s Custom House Quay, this highly regarded Indian restaurant welcomes customers with its vibrant and colourful decor in warm reds and yellow, evocative of the spices used in the dishes. Daaku offers a small, but carefully curated menu of delicious North Indian dishes, including the chef’s spicy special, Naga beef curry. 
 
The dishes are available to take away as well as eat in and there are plenty of options for vegans, vegetarians and customers with intolerances and allergies too. 

Best for lunch - Amanzi

This bright and colourful restaurant on bustling Arwenack Street, just a stone’s throw from the harbour, serves up delicious Southern African cuisine. Choose from traditional African dishes such as ostrich steak or bobotie for dinner or pop in at lunch for roosterkoek – warm rolls filled with spiced chicken and lime mayo or chargrilled steak and peri-peri sauce. 

Amanzi is known for its own locally made biltong, which is available to eat in or take home. The menu includes plenty of choice for vegetarian customers and there are gluten-free options too. 

Top Tex Mex and steak in Falmouth

Falmouth boasts some of the best Tex-Mex restaurants, where you can savour delicious tacos, zesty enchiladas, and perfectly crafted margaritas in a vibrant atmosphere.

Best for burgers – Boo Koos

 Photo credit: Boo Koos

Centrally located on Falmouth Moor just a short walk from the St Mawes ferry quay, Boo Koos specialises in fabulous American food. This lively, themed restaurant serves up big Texas-style burgers and classic Tex Mex such as enchiladas and fajitas. 

The extravagant, thick and creamy milkshakes are a speciality and available with every flavour and topping you could imagine. For adults there is a fantastic array of beers, cocktails and tequilas to choose from, making Boo Koos popular with all ages. 

Best for sharing – The Shed

In spite of its somewhat mundane name, The Shed is anything but, with a bright and welcoming interior and a lively atmosphere. Located in Discovery Quay, it has a large, covered outdoor seating area with a Mediterranean vibe. An American-influenced menu is on offer, featuring everything from nachos and chargrilled chicken to burgers and pastrami sandwiches.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Shed is perfect for anything from a coffee in the sunshine to a relaxed dinner with family and friends.

Best for steak – The Ranch

Located in Discovery Quay, grill house, The Ranch is renowned in Falmouth for mouthwatering steaks, burgers and ribs. The rustic, cowboy-inspired decor of classic leather seating and cosy booths lends itself well to the menu. A lighter menu of ciabatta rolls, burgers and ribs is on offer at lunchtime, with prime cuts of 28-day dry-aged steak added to the menu in the evenings. 

On Sunday lunchtime, the restaurant specialises in roast beef with all the trimmings. As this is a popular event, it is worth booking ahead to ensure your table. 

Map of places to eat in Falmouth

Find all of the above Falmouth restaurants with the help of our handy map.

Stay with us in Falmouth

We hope we have inspired your next trip to South Cornwall. Whether you are travelling with your partner, family or friends, we have holiday accommodation in Falmouth to suit the occasion. Browse our collection of properties for your Falmouth holiday by clicking the button below. Be sure to also check out our best beaches in Falmouth guide before your visit too!