What are the best beach restaurants in Cornwall?
Cornwall is an iconic gem of the English countryside, sitting pretty at the tip of the Southwest and offering its visitors an experience like no other. Whether it is quaint and historic fishing villages, magnificent sandy beaches or tantalising fresh seafood and family-run restaurants, Kernow has it all.
In this guide, we take a look at some of the best beach restaurants in Cornwall that push the boundaries with their locations right on the beach. So if you’re after a dining experience like no other when you’re staying at our holiday park in Cornwall, then keep reading to find out more.
Best beach restaurants in Cornwall
- The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay
- Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives
- The Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick Beach
- The Watering Hole, Perranporth
- Sam’s on the Beach, Polkerris
The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay
With a motto of laid back, breezy and modern, The Beach Hut is located in the iconic town of Newquay and is part of the Watergate Bay Hotel. Showcasing local produce, the location is nestled on the cliffside, offering breathtaking panoramic views out across Watergate Bay Beach.
Offering a 50% plant-based menu that combines considered and seasonal produce, you can tuck into delicious dishes like fish tacos, burgers, veggie options and local seafood dishes.
The laid-back, surfy vibes make it an ideal location for a relaxing family meal, where friendly and helpful staff are on hand to serve up delicious dining without the stress. If sunsets are your thing, then keep your eyes peeled out of the large windows in the summer months because the views here can be truly remarkable as the orange hues set over the lapping sea.
The website Cornish Secrets explains a little more about their experience at the Beach Hut: “It may be British beachside but the cuisine at The Beach Hut Watergate Bay, is truly an international fusion of Mexican, Asian, Italian and more combined to create contemporary British cuisine, using local ingredients, while catering for an array of tastes. The Beach Hut is vibrant, lively, energetic, where conversation is said to rival the noise of the sea. Chill out and have fun.
“Right on the sand, it is one of the best beach-side hangouts, a relaxed atmosphere with views from floor to ceiling, attracting family and friends’ groups, dog walkers and people straight from the beach. Yes, the floor gets a tad sandy… so you feel perfectly at ease taking your dog in with you.”
READ MORE: Michelin-star restaurants in Cornwall
Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives
Even if you’ve never visited Cornwall before, you’re bound to have heard about the beauty of St Ives, and for those who are planning a visit should make sure they don’t miss Porthminster Beach Café. Multi-award-winning and perfect for families, Porthminster Beach Café is perched right on the sand at Porthminster Beach and offers dramatic views all year round, with stunning sunsets in summer and dramatic swells in winter.
Perfect for families, the café offers a diner dining experience where fresh seafood and local Cornish ingredients are staples, combining Asian and Mediterranean influences.
The iconic, white-washed restaurant building is accompanied by a large terrace and panoramic views out over the bay and towards Godrevy Lighthouse, the perfect spot to escape the sun-soaked sands.
The Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick Beach
As the name would suggest, The Hidden Hut at Porthcurnick Beach is secluded and rustic, yet serves up some of the best local and seasonal dishes in the county. Unique in its design and unique in its offering, you can expect dishes like seafood paella and slow-cooked stews as well as salads and Sunday breakfast options.
If you’ve been exploring the coastline and want to enjoy a bite to eat alfresco, then The Beach Hut is ideal for you. No bookings are required, and you can enjoy your dishes while taking in the sensational views across the sea.
The blog The Cornish Life writes about their visit to The Hidden Hut on their website: “Accessed via the Southwest Coast Path on a beautiful stretch of coastline on The Roseland peninsula, The Hidden Hut is a family-run wooden hut café with outdoor seating facing out toward the ocean. During the day, they serve simple lunches with local, fresh ingredients (including ‘soup Sundays’), hot drinks and cakes. However, one of the main reasons they are so well known is for their amazing feast nights, of which they host several each year. Think fresh fish dinners, lobster evenings, Indian feasts and mezzes, hosted on their huge wooden trestle tables throughout Spring and Summer, perched at the edge of the ocean in the open air.”
READ MORE: 5 top Cornwall attractions for families
The Watering Hole, Perranporth
Iconic amongst those who know it, The Watering Hole on Perranporth Beach is Britain’s only bar and restaurant on a beach. The location is the home to live music, food and drink year-round and plays host to the Tunes in The Dunes music festival every year in the month of June.
Open Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm and serving classic and hearty British dishes, stone-baked pizza and pub classics alongside drinks such as local beers and ciders, you can sit back and relax as the tide trails in and the sun sets around you at this iconic location.
The expansive indoor and outdoor seating means you can visit no matter the time of the year and no matter the weather; sandy feet are always welcome at the venue.
Sam’s on the Beach, Polkerris
A historic location that was formerly a lifeboat station built 162 years ago, Sam’s on the Beach in Polkerris is a quirky and appealing family restaurant that embodies a Mediterranean twist.
The location has a custom-built wood-fired pizza oven that serves up fresh and artisanal slices of heaven, as well as fresh and locally sourced fish that arrives daily and is served on large platters.
The relaxed approach to dining is blended with the magnificent location in Polkerris, right off the Southwest Coast Path and offers views across the harbour to the land and sea beyond.
If a caravan holiday in Cornwall is something you’re looking forward to in 2025 or beyond, then hopefully this guide has given you some ideas on the sorts of restaurants you can visit if you’re after stunning views and relaxed atmospheres.
For more articles and guides like this, make sure you explore our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions about beach restaurants in Cornwall
What are the best beach restaurants in Cornwall for families?
As mentioned in the article above, there are a whole host of excellent beach restaurants in Cornwall, most of which cater to families. If you want us to narrow it down more, The Beach Hut and The Watering Hole are great options for families to try.
Are there any restaurants directly on the beach in Cornwall?
Cornwall is home to one of the only bars and restaurants directly on the beach – The Watering Hole in Perranporth. This pub and restaurant is located on the sand right in front of the dunes.
Where can I find seafood restaurants with sea views in St Ives?
Porthminster Beach Café in St Ives is an excellent option for those looking to enjoy fresh seafood whilst taking in the stunning views that St Ives has to offer.
Do Cornwall’s beach restaurants cater to children?
Yes, many of Cornwall’s beach restaurants cater to children and have children’s menus.
