A guide to Perranporth restaurants and pubs

With its vast, sandy beach and charming seaside town, the pull of pretty Perranporth on Cornwall’s north coast is undeniable. Offering a more relaxed vibe than nearby Newquay, this is a perfect holiday spot for unwinding over long, lazy summer days.

As you would expect, there are plenty of Perranporth restaurants offering tasty meals to tourists and residents alike, as well as a good selection of quality pubs in Perranporth, serving up traditional Cornish fayre and local ales. 

Whether you’re thinking of coffee or cocktails, breakfast with the family, dining with a view, vegan options or a fish and chip supper by the sea, our guide highlights some of the top places to eat and drink in Perranporth. We’ve even included a couple of our favourite ice cream parlours. Enjoy!

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• Restaurants in Perranporth
• Pubs in Perranporth
• Fish and chips in Perranporth
• Ice cream in Perranporth
• Map of Perranporth eateries

Restaurants in Perranporth

There are plenty of fantastic Perranporth restaurants, and here we’ve listed a few of the best. Opening times can often vary across the year, so do check online for the very latest information. 

Best for kick-back beach vibes: The Watering Hole

A live music venue and home to Cornwall’s iconic ‘Tunes in the Dunes’ festival, The Watering Hole Perranporth has an Aussie, kick-back vibe and boasts the title of the UK’s only bar on the beach. It all began in 1978 when Bob Job took over the original beach shack from a guy called Bill, who had moved to Byron Bay. Over time, Bob transformed the premises into the prime-positioned, family business it is today. 

Here, you can expect to find breakfast baps, steak and vegan burgers, and scallops on the current menu, with veggie, vegan, gluten-free and kids’ options. And of course, there’s a ready supply of drinks, including local beers. It’s a dog-friendly Cornish pub too, though dogs aren’t allowed into the venue during events.

Best for small plates and sea views: Summerhouse

Photo credit: Summerhouse

Offering a surf, turf and earth menu, this family-owned, female-led restaurant, Summerhouse, sits overlooking the beach. Serving up small plates and seafood such as scallops and oysters, and bigger plates by way of fish tacos, steak and tamarind glazed beetroot, there are options for all – including a menu for little ones. 

Indulge in a frozen margarita after a beach day, or warm up with a boozy hot chocolate. Pop along to Summerhouse when you’re hungry as they don’t take reservations. 

Best to satisfy those pizza cravings: Del Mar Ristorante Pizzeria

If proper pizza’s your thing, look no further! Set in light and airy surrounds, Del Mar Ristorante Pizzeria is an authentic, family-run Italian restaurant offering a delicious selection of pizzas, pasta, seafood, and desserts. There are options for everyone on the extensive menu, and dishes use quality, local ingredients wherever possible. 

Once inside, sit back and enjoy the atmosphere with an aperitif and watch the chefs at work via the open kitchen, or enjoy a sunny lunch alfresco on the terrace. The restaurant can get pretty busy, so it’s probably advisable to make a reservation.

Best for coffees and cocktails: Alcatraz

Photo credit: Alcatraz

This converted World War II gun shelter is located on the cliffside overlooking Perranporth Beach. Inside, Alcatraz is fresh and modern and the terrace out front offers all the sea views. 

This is the place to pop into for coffee and cake, a bagel or a smoothie bowl. Or if you fancy sipping an Aperol spritz and listening to beach beats as the sun goes down, then Alcatraz is one cool, little oasis!  

Best for vegan soul: Roots Cafe Cornwall 

Looking for vegan restaurants in Perranporth? Roots Cafe is a fully plant-based venue, though you don’t need to be vegan to enjoy eating at this quirky and welcoming little café. 

Offering vegan coffee and street food, such as smoothie bowls, poke bowls, loaded flatbreads, wraps and homemade falafel, there’s plenty of wholesome goodness here to keep every soul smiling. Eat in or takeaway. 

Best for buttermilk pancakes: No. 4 Breakfast & Bistro

Whipping up fluffy American-style pancakes and full English breakfasts, No 4 Breakfast & Bistro is a great spot to bring the kids to for a morning treat. Reasonably priced, they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in the way of sandwiches, jacket potatoes and burgers, Cornish dressed crab and tasty Sunday roasts to boot. 

With indoor and outdoor seating, menus offer plenty of options to satisfy all palates, including the little ones and they’re dog friendly too.

Pubs in Perranporth 

Perranporth boasts a variety of welcoming pubs where you can enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in stunning coastal views and vibrant local culture. Here, we’ve included some of our favourites.

Best for hearty pub classics: Tywarnhayle Inn 

Photo credit: The Tywarnhayle Inn

Established circa 1830 and set in the heart of the town, this family-friendly and dog-friendly pub is tastefully decorated with nautical touches. The Tywarnhayle Inn offers live music, cask ales, home-cooked food and a vibrant atmosphere, and there’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. 

The current menus include breakfast buns, baguettes, nachos, a kilo of Cornish mussels and pub classics such as homemade steak and Cornish tribute ale pie. There are options for everyone and a carvery on Sundays, as well as plenty of beers, cider, wine and so on. You can book online and check out their menus.

Best for seafood and relaxed dining: The Seiners Arms

With views over Chapel Rock and the Atlantic, the Seiners Arms focuses on local seafood. With wooden décor and a warm and relaxing atmosphere, the menu changes daily and with the seasons. 

Pub classics are served alongside sumptuous dishes such as wild mushroom tagliatelle, seafood pie, steaks, and vegan burgers. You can book online and there’s something for all palates here, even a full-on dog menu with drinks!   

Best for something different: Black Flag Brewery

Set just outside the town, this independent microbrewery opens its doors to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and is the place to sample British bitters and American-inspired IPAs. 

Black Flag Brewery beers are sold through the taproom, bottle shops and independent pubs and the team uses organic floor malted barley in their beer production. And what pairs rather nicely with beer? Homemade Neapolitan-style pizza. Freshly made pizza is up for grabs on site, Fridays and Saturdays. Flavours include Margherita, hot chorizo and roast veg and rocket. Well worth a visit!

Fish and chips in Perranporth 

Like any seaside town worth its salt, there is no shortage of quality fish and chip shops in Perranporth. Here are just a couple.

Best for no-fuss dinner: Brown’s Fish & Chip Shop

For a no-fuss dinner that the whole family will enjoy, what better than some holiday fish and chips? Brown’s offers a diner-style interior and a traditional fish and chip menu, with family favourites such as cod and chips, haddock, battered sausage and fishcakes. There are gluten-free options too and diners can choose to eat in or takeaway. Too easy.

Best for fish and chips by the sea: The Haddock’s End

Offering the traditional and timeless cod and chips, plaice, haddock, and scampi as well as calamari, pies and more, The Haddock's End takeaway is handily located right by the beach. Perfect for enjoying your fish and chip supper while watching the waves roll in. 

Ice creams in Perranporth 

It wouldn’t be a beach holiday without an ice cream or three, would it? Here are a couple of our favourite spots for ice creams in Perranporth. 

Best for treats for all the family (including the pup!): Pavilion Ice

Located on the seafront – where else? –  Pavilion Ice is a luxury ice cream parlour that serves up lots of lovely treats including Cornish ice cream, gelato, and sorbets, as well as hot drinks and milkshakes. 

Traditional Cornish clotted cream, marshmallow madness, pistachio, and crème brûlée are just a few of their flavours. And while you’re enjoying your ice cream, your dog can enjoy their own special doggie ice cream. After all, it’s their holiday too. 

Best for Belgian waffles and super-sundaes: Perran Dairy Ice Cream Parlour

Making artisan ice cream for over 50 years,  Perran Dairy is a popular ice cream parlour in Perranporth which serves up crêpes, Belgian waffles, and moreish sundaes. They use Rodda’s cream and milk in their ice cream for full-on Cornish flavour. They also offer light meals in the way of paninis and homemade stone-baked pizza. Sit in, outside, or takeaway. 

Map of Perranporth eateries

Please find all of the above Perranporth restaurants and pubs with the help of our handy map.

Stay with us in Perranporth

If you’re looking to stay in beautiful Perranporth or the surrounding areas, we have a fantastic array of holiday cottages, apartments and cottage lets. Whatever your requirements, you can browse through our accommodation listings right here.