15 best seafood restaurants in Cornwall 

Dining at a seafood restaurant in Cornwall means enjoying the freshest produce from the waters of the Atlantic. With nearly 300 miles of coastline, the fish and seafood from this area are some of Britain and Europe’s finest. 

Cornish seafood restaurants range from small, simple establishments serving up the catch of the day to those with a celebrity chef, such as Nathan Outlaw, Michael Caines or Rick Stein behind them. 

Whether you prefer shellfish or other forms of seafood, Cornwall is the place to tuck into the freshest hand-dived scallops, local crab and lobster, pan-fried sea bass, an Asian-style fish curry or of course the best fish and chips in the land. 

Here are 15 of the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall. 

1. Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar, Newlyn

New Road, Newlyn, Penzance TR18 5PZ

Serving up some of the best seafood in Cornwall is the Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar in the fishing village of Newlyn near Penzance. It’s widely regarded as the top eatery in the village, and has been cooking up a seafood storm since 2015. 

All plates served here are small, so you can order a number to share or a couple to comprise a main meal. You cannot book here, so arrive early for the lunch or dinner service.

Expect to sample the likes of local white fish with samphire, a monkfish burger with seaweed mayo, crab nachos, mussels with cider cream or a seafood chowder with bacon.

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2. Springtide, Charlestown

Charlestown Road, Charlestown, Saint Austell PL25 3NJ

If you like your seafood to be served with a side of harbour views, then come to Springtide. It’s open for dinner daily and also lunch on weekends.

This is one of the county’s best options for those dining with a committed carnivore or vegan, as meaty and meatless dishes are available as well as seafood. 

Typical menu options at Springtide may include a mackerel burger, beer-battered fish and chips, prawn linguine, surf and turf or an aubergine steak. It’s undoubtedly one of the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall.

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3. The Shore, Penzance

13-14 Alverton Street, Penzance TR18 2QP

The menu may be small at The Shore but, as one of the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall, a superb dining experience is guaranteed. This one’s recommended by the Michelin guide, and has an attractive neighbourhood feel. 

There are only 14 seats at The Shore, so you’ll need to plan ahead. A flat fee covers all your food, and the menu changes to suit the season.

Expect vegetables, fish and Japanese culinary influences to be the stars of the show at this seafood restaurant in Cornwall.

4. Outlaw’s, Port Isaac

Outlaw’s New Road, 6 New Road, Port Isaac, Cornwall PL29 3SB

Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, 1 Middle Street, Port Isaac, Cornwall PL29 3RH

Well-known chef Nathan Outlaw owns two restaurants in Port Isaac. Outlaw’s New Road is the more upmarket of the two, and serves a seafood tasting menu at lunchtime and for dinner.

The Fish Kitchen operates on a similar principle, but is based on a more affordable sharing principle. Whichever you dine at, you can expect sustainable seafood of the highest quality prepared with the utmost care.

Fishy nibbles, locally baked bread, sweet treats and cheeses shore up a menu that may feature the likes of roasted sea bass, cured brill and seared, free-dived scallops.

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5. Salamander Restaurant, Saint Austell

4-6 Tregoney Hill, Mevagissey, Saint Austell PL26 6RD

Salamander in Mevagissey is a relaxed venue serving up some of the finest seafood in Cornwall. A husband and wife team run this place seamlessly.

A typical menu may include imaginative dishes, such as hot crab pots, local scallops served with flavoursome butters and the catch of the day.

It’s not all about seafood here, with dishes based on camembert, chicken, duck, lamb and beef also making it onto the menu.

Desserts such as a chocolate praline torte, the burnt Cornish cream and sticky toffee pudding are a highlight for anyone with a sweet tooth.

6. The Fish House, Newquay

5 International Surfing Centre, Headland Road, Newquay TR7 1HY

Not many meals in Britain come with views of a world-class surfing beach. But that’s exactly what you get at The Fish House, another of the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall.

In fact, it’s located inside the International Surfing Centre. But you don’t need to ever have ridden a wave to enjoy a seafood feast here. 

The menu prices here are pretty reasonable, especially given the setting, Dishes include global favourites such as a seafood risotto, cod tempura, fish stew and Indian or Sri Lankan fish curries.

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7. The Bank at Bude

Pethericks Mill, Bude EX23 8TF

The Bank at Bude operates as a tapas bar, a grill and a cocktail bar. Due to the location, this is the best seafood restaurant in Cornwall for those staying in the northwest of the county, or even in North Devon.

The restaurant is situated by the River Neet and specialises in Spanish-style tapas dishes featuring the freshest Cornish seafood. You can also order sharing platters, lobster and authentic paella here.

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8. Prawn on the Lawn, Padstow

11 Duke Street, Padstow PL28 8AB

Many see Padstow as Cornwall’s culinary capital. Prawn on the Lawn’s constantly evolving menu means it stays ahead of the competition, as well as in tune with the seasons. It’s also one of the pet-friendly seafood restaurants in Cornwall.

Prawn on the Lawn – or POTL to those in the know – offers a selection of small plates, plus lobster, crab and oysters served hot, on ice, raw or deep fried.

You can also order ‘fish for the table’ to share and inventive sides like spiced crushed potatoes, local sourdough with seafood butter and bittersweet tenderstem broccoli.  

9. Hooked Restaurant & Bar, Truro

Tabernacle Street, Truro TR1 2EJ

The Cornish coastline is perfectly reflected in the decor at Hooked in Truro. It’s located in the heart of the city and county capital, and has an open kitchen so you can watch the expert chefs at work.

With around half a dozen options per course and about ten sides, the menu isn’t massive but there is plenty of choice.

Start, for example, with crab nachos or torched mackerel. Before moving onto hake wellington or an Indonesian fish curry. Finish with mille-feuille, affogato or even a cream tea.

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10. Fresh From The Sea, Port Isaac

18 New Road, Port Isaac PL29 3SB

Fresh From The Sea is a small eatery in Port Isaac serving the fresh seafood caught from the owners’ own boat. Local lobster and crab is a speciality, and this can be enjoyed in the little courtyard during summer. 

As well as shellfish, Cornish pollock and mackerel are caught. The proprietors also buy in clams, mussels, oysters, smoked fish and samphire from local suppliers.

The menu is simple, featuring smoked salmon sandwiches, dressed crab and lobster salads.

11. Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Padstow

Riverside, Padstow PL28 8BY

The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow is where the celebrity chef’s chain began. It placed Padstow firmly on the foodie map of the British Isles.

Despite huge success, Cornish seafood and other local ingredients are still used to create simple, delicious dishes here. 

From the classic fish and chips fried in dripping to grilled Dover sole, Singapore Chilli Crab or an Indonesian seafood curry, the menu is packed with produce from Trerethern Farm as well as the ocean.

Staying in Padstow? Book a stay at Padstow Townhouse or discover more of the best luxury hotels in Cornwall.

12. The Sharksfin, Mevagissey

The Quay, Mevagissey, Saint Austell PL26 6QU

At this traditional Cornish pub in Mevagissey you can dine by the seaside while enjoying delicious seafood dishes from the specials board or main menu.

Fish fans are treated to scallops, prawns, sea bass and more at The Sharksfin. Or you can savour a burger washed down with St Austell ale.

Though it’s the quintessential Cornish harbour pub from outside, the interior is fresh, bright and contemporary. Lots of natural wood plus pops of white, blue and aqua give the place a modern, coastal feel.  

While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the Eden Project. It’s one of the best things to do in Cornwall when it rains, plus it’s also home to one of the best waterfalls in Cornwall.

13. Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives

Porthminster Beach, Carbis Bay, Saint Ives TR26 2EB

Porthminster Beach Café at Carbis Bay is an iconic, award-winning Cornish seafood restaurant right on the beach. For decades now guests have flocked here to enjoy fresh seafood plus stunning coastal views towards Godrevy Lighthouse.

The sizeable outdoor terrace is the place to be on a sunny day while tucking into dishes such as smoked salmon tacos, crispy squid, Cornish hake or sea bass and Indonesian fish curry.

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14. The Cove, Maenporth

Maenporth Beach, Falmouth TR11 5HN

With sweeping views over Falmouth Bay, The Cove is perfectly placed for savouring a leisurely breakfast, a lazy lunch or a sumptuous dinner. Star chef Michael Caines is the big name behind this one.

His ethos is that southwest England has Europe’s finest natural larder. This is showcased in dishes such as pan-fried stone bass, beef fillet, Cornish hake or forest mushroom. And, of course, beer-battered fish and chips with minted peas.

If you’re in Falmouth, pay a visit to Greenbank Hotel for one of the best afternoon tea spots in Cornwall.

15. Hooked on the Rocks, Falmouth

Swanpool Road, Falmouth TR11 5BG

Also in Falmouth is Hooked on the Rocks. It’s a stylish eatery serving sustainable fish and seafood on the outdoor terrace or within the smart dining room.

Here you can drink in views over the local nature reserve as well as Swanpool Beach. Dogs are welcome on the patio or within the heated awning.

The photogenic platters of food served here are an Instagrammer’s dream, and are also packed with flavour.

Start with focaccia made with Cornish seaweed or Falmouth Bay scallops. Before munching on a main of Falmouth Bay crab or lobster, the Newlyn market fish pie or fish with triple cooked chips. You can also round things off with a cheese plate, sorbet or a rich pud. 

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Planning a trip to this beautiful part of the UK? As well as seeking out the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall, discover the best towns in Cornwall for a UK staycation, 12 amazing spa breaks in Cornwall, or the top paddleboarding spots in Cornwall.