Carbis Bay Restaurant Guide

“A seriously interesting tasting menu and a view to die for!” are helping to win ever-greater acclaim for Adam Handling’s (of London’s ‘Frog’ fame) “beautiful venue overlooking Carbis Bay” from a new luxury beachside estate on the fringes of St Ives. Menus start with a five-course selection for £110 per head, with the option to add oysters, caviar, truffles and wine matching. “It doesn’t come cheap”, but most reporters felt this year that “it’s worth every penny”: “from the brilliant cocktails to the ‘snacks’ you feed on faultless innovative courses (crab, turbot, asparagus, lamb, desserts) and some dishes are mind-blowing (e.g. sourdough muffin with brown crabmeat butter and a reveal of an exquisite crab tart)”. “Incredible to have this high-class restaurant in Cornwall”.

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”.

“St Ives has so many places to eat, but this is a favourite” – “right in the middle of the seafront, and because it’s on the first floor you have a great view of the harbour and beach”. “The menu has plenty of fish options, but the meat-eater is also catered for”, while “the food quality is good, even if the options are not that innovative”.

There’s no quibbling with the “view to die for” at this beachside café, and they also turn out some “delicious food” including “great fish ’n’ chips”; while it’s not quite what it was, having unsuccessfully essayed various formats in recent times, and is “now closed for breakfast (they do takeaway) which is the best time of day to visit”, “its location continues to be perfect”.

2022 Review: “Great views from the beachside terrace and an interesting fishy menu” have made this tapas-style venture “a definite must-go”, especially when visiting the nearby Tate. (As of 2019, they also run seasonal spin-off West Beach Bakery, on the western side of Porthmeor Beach, and serving up “great pizzas”, deli-style lunches and “even better views” than the original… and it's “less busy” too).

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.

2022 Review: Ben Prior relocated to St Ives after 10 years in Marazion at the highly rated Ben’s Cornish Kitchen (RIP), and in May 2021 he helped re-open the dining room at this small hotel overlooking Porthminster Beach (at whose cafe he’s now head chef) having installed Grant Nethercote as head chef. Reports please!

“A real find” – this “outstanding small eats” spot has an open kitchen which sources its fish, seafood, beef, charcuterie, salad leaves, potatoes, pinot noir, rosé, beer, cider, gin, vodka, rum, soft drinks and more from Cornwall – “keep up the good work”, say fans, who apparently include Rick Stein!

“Innovative fish dishes”, a “fab location” and “good value” are the strong points at this “accomplished” small restaurant. It has moved to an unusual dual format, switching between an eight-course fish-based tasting menu and a more casual ‘grill house’ option (with a range of meat as well as fish choices) on three nights a week.