Restaurants in Cornwall

The Michelin restaurant guide awarded a respectable three stars across Cornwall for its 2018 guide. Leading the culinary charge is Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 in Padstow, undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Cornwall. One of several outlets in his growing empire, Number 6 refers to the gorgeous Georgian townhouse it’s located in. A devoutly British menu, they use local Cornish goods where possible across a small but well-formed choice of dishes with mains starting at around £32. The set lunch offers the best value for money, with three courses for under £30 while the impressive wine list stretches to a dizzying 11 pages. With an airy atmosphere, Number 6 isn’t stuffy or pretentious but instead serves high quality, seasonal food with a twist, like the pig’s head with salad cream, smoked eel and crackling. The restaurant also has a secluded terrace, perfect for a pre-meal cocktail – the signature Number 6 is pretty good – or a post-dinner coffee.

Not to be outdone, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen in Port Isaac also has a Michelin star to its name. Located in a 15th century fisherman’s cottage, the restaurant brings a sharing plate concept to its fish-accented menu. They buy their fish daily from local boats and are open from Tuesday to Saturday and closed during all of January. The sharing menu, which is around £45 per person, represents the best value for money, including turbot, cured brill, monkfish ceviche and Porthilly oysters. Like most successful entrepreneurs, head chef Nathan Outlaw has spread his wings and now has five different outlets including one in London, with the fresh Cornish fish iced in Cornwall and sent to the capital aboard the Cornish Express.

Last but no means least is Driftwood in Portscatho, one of the region’s top restaurants. Open daily, they offer a three-course set menu for under £70 with dishes including Helford crab, 40-day-old fillet of beef and thunder and lightning tart with saffron jelly. Located right on the coastline, drink in the views from the terrace while the head chef – who was part of the first team in Cornwall to win a Michelin star in 1993 – knocks up his distinctive plates full of colour and flavour. While no children are allowed in the restaurant during the evening, they will do an early supper if you want to eat as a family.