Harden's survey result
Summary
“Constantly a No.1 choice in St Ives” for its many fans even after three decades – Aussie chef Mick Smith’s whitewashed café on the beach has an undeniably “lovely setting, especially if sunny and not pelting with rain”, and “spectacular” views across to Godrevy Lighthouse across the bay. While not the culinary beacon it once was in this neck of the woods, it achieves very consistently supportive ratings: fish is the main event on the now slightly “limited” menu, which combines Asian and Mediterranean influences.
Summary
“Fabulous beach-front location, great fish cookery and good wines” combine to guarantee an “altogether enjoyable lunch or dinner” at this St Ives fixture, led for more than 20 years by Aussie-born chef Mick Smith, who benefits from “not trying too hard to be innovative”.
Summary
The “brilliant setting” with “unbeatable views over Porthminster Beach and across St Ives Bay” makes this long-running venue a “great restaurant” to visit. Ratings have held firm, although a number of reporters are questioning the pricing – “the PBC has been our favourite and we’re regulars on our trips to Cornwall, but the last meal we had was not up to their usual standard and prices have increased hugely”.
Summary
“Great for lunch on a breezy summer’s day” – this “special” venue in a “fabulous beach location” with a “beautiful view” has earned a reputation as one of the most notable in St Ives over more than 25 years. Its mainly seafood menu, with Asian and Mediterranean influences, is “well executed with some long-established favourites”. The same team own the Porthmeor Beach Café, below Tate St Ives.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Porthminster Café?
Porthminster Beach, St Ives, TR26 2EB
Restaurant details
Porthminster Café Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Good fish, well done - just what you want and expect. Perfect seaside location pleasant service, decent wine. Lobster pasta was standout."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £34.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £5.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Porthminster Beach, St Ives, TR26 2EB
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑8 pm |
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