Fine dining and Michelin Star restaurants in Cornwall

When you're next on holiday in Cornwall, consider some of the following fine-dining restaurants. Cornwall has three restaurants with one Michelin Star, four with Big Gourmands, and two Michelin Green Star establishments. Whilst some may put stretch marks on your credit card, others are lower in price. 

Long gone are the days when beans on toast were considered the height of English cuisine (although, we’re undeniably still partial). Cornwall is firmly established on the culinary map, and it now has an international reputation for its world-class chefs, restaurants and sustainable practices. We've compiled a list of our ten favourite fine-dining restaurants in Cornwall - and not just the award-winners either. Read on to discover the top restaurants in Cornwall according to Cornish Horizons.

If you are a gastronome, you may want to try more than one of these restaurants during your vacation, so why not book yourself a stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages in Cornwall? Some of our properties also have luxury kitchens, where you could supplement your culinary adventure with some home-cooked cuisine made with local produce. Visit our collection by clicking on the button below.

Restaurant Four | Falmouth

Set behind an unassuming façade on Falmouth High Street, Restaurant Four formerly known as Oliver’s, is a superb restaurant that emphasises modern British food. Humbly sized and serving simple, honest food, you will be more than pleasantly surprised by the relaxed atmosphere and excellent cuisine. 

The Fish House Fistral | Newquay

At the Fish House Fistral in Newquay, passion is the dish of the day. A hop, skip and a jump away from the shore, the restaurant’s staff, headed by illustrious leader Paul Harwood, take inspiration from the sea and use local fish and shellfish landed in Newquay Harbour.

Stein’s Seafood Restaurant | Padstow

One of Mr Stein’s numerous conquests, the quality of food served in Stein’s Seafood Restaurant cannot be denied. Stein’s flagship restaurant in the heart of Padstow, this restaurant has established an international following, embodying Rick’s love for fresh, quality seafood. Also, visit the Bib Gourmand-awarded Rick Stein's Cafe. Padstow is also home to one of Cornwall's three Michelin star-awarded restaurants, Paul Ainsworth at No.6 - they have retained the accolade since 2013. They have four Rosettes, too.

The Shore | Penzance

Through his restaurant, chef and owner Bruce Rennie pays homage to his love of the Cornish coast. Providing bountiful fruits, adventure and discovery, Rennie credits the magical place where land meets sea as his inspiration, reflecting his enthusiasm through The Shore’s mouth-watering menu. If you love old Cornish pubs, you can find some more in our guide.

Outlaw's Fish Kitchen and New Road | Port Isaac

Of the three restaurants with a Michelin star, two are run by Nathan Outlaw. The progeny of celebrated chefs Gary Rhodes and Rick Stein, Nathan Outlaw has enjoyed well-deserved success. Located at the top of Port Isaac, the intimate Outlaw's Fish Kitchen overlooks the rugged Cornish coastline and serves seafood exclusively. Outlaw's New Road is the other restaurant. It also specialises in a superb choice of fresh fish and shellfish-led dishes.

Kota | Porthleven

Kota, meaning ‘shellfish’ in Maori, nestles within a 300-year-old building, right on Porthleven’s picturesque harbour front. From here, Chef Jude (half Maori, half Chinese Malay) flexes his exceptional skills, producing Cornish-inspired dishes infused with his signature Asian twist. Kota is one of four restaurants in Cornwall that has a Bib Gourmand award, the others are The Sardine Factory in Looe, The Square at Porthleven, and Rick Stein's Cafe in Padstow.

Driftwood Restaurant | Porthscatho

The Driftwood Restaurant in Portscatho on the gorgeous Roseland Peninsula welcomes diners for a culinary experience with a touch of class. Boasting a jaw-dropping vantage point overlooking the glistening waters of Gerrans Bay, meals are served fresh and crafted from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and produce.

Taste | St Agnes

Receiving consistently glowing feedback Taste in St Agnes serves a varied menu, from seafood spectaculars to vegetarian-friendly delights. Gather up the family for a group outing or wine and fine dining with your beloved for a date to remember in beautiful St Agnes. 

Edie’s | Carlyon Bay

After a 20-year career working with food royalty such as Raymond Blanc and Bill Granger, head chef and owner Nigel Brown decided to head home to Cornwall and create something special. Cue, Edie’s in Carlyon Bay by St Austell. Serving flavour-packed local food topped off with the finest service and atmosphere, it is a must-try. 

The Gurnard’s Head | Zennor

The Gurnard’s Head, in Zennor near St Ives, needs little introduction. A gastropub whose menu alone is enough to make you salivate, turn up for a light lunch or three-course evening meal and enjoy wave after wave of awesome taste. With its cliff-top position, sundowners here are pretty special too.

More fine dining in Cornwall

If you still have time, there are even more great places to dine out in Cornwall. Try out Coombeshead Farm, which specialises in country cuisine. It is one of two Green Michelin Star-awarded restaurants in the county; the award is bestowed on quality eateries that prioritise sustainable practices. The second restaurant to have won this accolade is New Yard whose focus is on Modern British food.  

Others to add to your list of best restaurants in Cornwall would be Newquay's Samphire Restaurant, the three Rosette-winning Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes, the two Rosette-awarded Mullion Cove Hotel, and the petite Old Sail Loft in gorgeous Looe, which has one Rosette. 

If you love Cornish beach view cafes then Porthminster Cafe is unbeatable. If you have your dog in tow on your trip to the South West, you need not miss out on a quality meal, check out our guide to dog-friendly pubs in Cornwall too.

Map of Cornwall's top fine dining restaurants

Use our handy map to locate all of the fine dining restaurants featured in this guide.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Cornwall

We hope our list of the best places to eat in Cornwall has inspired you. Wherever you choose to dine, find your perfect base within our collection of Cornwall cottages. Click the button below to start planning your next gastronomic fine-dining adventure in Cornwall.