Mawgan Restaurant Guide

“The food is always tasty and hearty” at this picture-book, 300-year-old inn, named for its situation, just yards from the Helford estuary and its foot ferry across the water. Perhaps “it’s a shame the specials menu doesn’t vary a bit more”, but you do receive “good pub food done well with a formula that seems to work” and it’s “a safe pair of hands for a great meal in a beautiful setting”.

Cornish-born chef Stew Eddy and wife Anna run this diminutive harbourside bistro in a former fishing village with growing foodie cred; there’s some “excellent eating” to be had that makes the most of the local larder, and “menus are being further developed”. The pair also run the adjoining deli and ice-cream shop if you feel like changing location for dessert.

“This place is very popular and delightful”, according to fans of Jude Kereama’s harbourside restaurant with rooms, whose interesting menus reflect his Kiwi/Asian heritage. One or two reporters tip its cheaper sibling though (“Kota Kai is better value… and has better views!”)

Jude Kereama’s second venue – sister to nearby Kota – occupies the top floor of Celtic House with views across Porthleven harbour from most tables. Its menu is well-rated and mixes ‘Mini Kai’ of smaller bites (such as Duck bao bun or Tempura Porthilly oysters) with main plates of items such as Seafood Laksa or Panko Hake Fillet.

2022 Review: Perched on top of Porthleven harbour, this hip two-year-old café-kiosk is run by Kelvin Batt, also behind the Porthleven Food Festival (the name is a play on the famous Alabama recording studio where The Rolling Stones laid down tracks). The tiny kitchen turns out “tasty” French bistro-style food such as moules-frites – for the full effect you can opt to eat on a pontoon in the harbour.