Cornwall, British, Traditional Restaurant Guide

2023 Review: This “modern spa hotel with views out to sea” from its clifftop vantage point is fully geared-up for the eco tourist, with a solidly rated kitchen serving up sustainable meals from breakfast via lunch and afternoon tea to dinner, when there is a choice of tasting menus including vegetarian and vegan. Non-residents are now welcome to book, but it remains child-free.

2022 Review: The “lovely riverside setting” – complete with moorings and showers for passing yachties – is the main attraction at this inn, parts of which are believed to date back 800 years. But the low volume of feedback tells you something given the stunning position – it’s well-rated by reporters but doesn’t have to strive that hard given the place’s other virtues.

“This beautifully situated Cornish pub” off the Padstow tourist trail has a pleasant location in a fifteenth-century stone building replete with a garden overlooking the local church; solid marks if little feedback this year for its open-fire cooking, and especially “good-value set lunches”.

Set within a “beautiful sculpture park” outside Penzance hosting works by art-world stars James Turrell and Richard Long amongst others, this pleasant eight-year-old restaurant offers an “excellent selection of vegetarian dishes” (but not just) and classic cream teas. Stop in for the “lovely brunch and then walk it off” in the grounds – or else grab a takeaway from their hut, and picnic on the hill with views of St Michael’s Mount.

“Excellent fresh fish” landed from day boats on the quay opposite is the mainstay of the menu at the restaurant chef-patron Benjamin Palmer opened in his hometown six years ago. “The Sunday lunch is perfect, too – so tasty”.