Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Cornwall

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Cornwall? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Argoe

4.9

4.9 (118)

£26 to £40

Seafood

Penzance

About the restaurant

Argoe is a casual harbourside restaurant serving the best of local Cornish produce. We focus on fish and seafood, landed here in Newlyn, and take inspiration from traditional European methods of cooking. Our dishes are served to be shared, arriving from the kitchen as they are ready and accompanied by minimal intervention wines from our taps and a small selection of Cornish and UK made ciders, spirits and soft drinks.

Top review

Kath

Dined 4 days ago

Food was cooked to perfection. The Brill was amazing. Best meal we have had in a long time and although not cheap well worth the cost. Excellent service and staff very friendly. Would recommend

Amanzi South African Restaurant Falmouth

4.9

4.9 (499)

£26 to £40

Southern African

Falmouth

About the restaurant

We are a small independent family-run restaurant located in the heart of Falmouth, Cornwall.

Carolyn and Ian - your hosts, would love to make your experience at Amanzi a relaxed, warm, and accommodating one. Born in Malawi and Zambia respectively, they spent most of their lives in South Africa; now residing here in Falmouth bringing all the flavours of Southern Africa directly to your plate.

We hope to see you soon, and that your dining experience with us will be memorable and different.

Top review

Matt

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

Great restaurant with good choice of food. Good service and atmosphere

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4.9

4.9 (15)

£26 to £40

Bistro

St Ives

About the restaurant

St. Eia is an intimate wine bar & shop tucked away in the back streets of St. Ives, a stone's throw from Porthmeor beach and the Tate Gallery.

We serve seasonal bistro inspired food alongside wines which focus on conscientious farming practices and family values.

Daily changing wines by the glass and an ever expanding selection of super rare and exciting wines by the bottle at reasonable prices.

Top review

Freya

Dined on 12 Dec 2024

Very friendly staff, lovely vibe and atmosphere! Recommend for both a daytime coffee or evening glass of wine and food! Will be returning again and again!

The Old Forge Lelant

4.8

4.8 (1275)

£25 and under

Continental

Hayle

About the restaurant

The Old Forge holds value to the ethos of high quality ingredients, great flavour, yet simple dining served with warmth and humility.

With our small team of kitchen and front of house staff, we aim to provide a relaxed experience, with consistency, control and quality. Serving seasonal, cheerful and nostalgic food.

Breakfast reservations 9-10.45am
Lunch reservations 12-230pm
Dinner reservations 5-830pm
Coffee and drinks served throughout the day.

Top review

Christine

Dined 2 days ago

Always great food and a lovely ambience. A favourite place for us to come and eat.

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Popular dish

Crab Linguini

Host St Ives

4.8

4.8 (270)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

St Ives

About the restaurant

Ingredients:
- One lovingly restored 19th century bank;
- Fifteen creative small plates full of flavour;
- Toped by three larger plates to show the chef's skill;
- Nine hand stretched, woodfired pizzas made with long fermented dough top with only the best ingredients.

Mix the above with great selection of quality Cornish beers and spirits and fold it carefully with a loving wine selection.

Turn the oven to exceptional service and bake it with a great big smile.

Serve it with friends and a double helping of good company!

Top review

Nigel

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

Always enjoy Host, one of the best restaurants in St. Ives

La Casita

4.7

4.7 (1020)

£25 and under

Spanish

St Ives

About the restaurant

La Casita boasts a relaxed and welcoming ambience. Set in its Carbis Bay location, this family-run restaurant is incredibly vibrant and has a close team of exceptionally friendly staff.
We invite you to join us at the bar for a pre-dinner gin tonic a fino or cocktail. Relax on the terrace with a glass of fine wine sourced from small boutique vineyards in Spain and Europe. Alternatively, we have some superb Cornish and European beers and ciders on offer.
The finest fresh ingredients are meticulously sourced both locally and from Spain. This is at the heart of La Casita's menu which features paella, pizza, chargrilled meats & local seafood, vegetarian & vegan dishes. Our specials change regularly and we have a great selection on our tapas menu.
Children are welcome and have their own menu with a great selection of dishes.

Top review

Alice

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

I had a lovely birthday meal at La Casita - as it’s the off season in Cornwall, it was very quiet but still a lovely ambience. The food was delicious and a very generously portioned paella filled with meat/seafood. The staff were very accommodating of my nut allergy, provided the matrix for me to check my order and gave me reassurance. The cocktails were also great!

WAX at Watergate Bay

4.5

4.5 (705)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Newquay

About the restaurant

WAX is Watergate bays newest venue. The Bar and Kitchen offers you a chance to experience amazing food and drink while overlooking the iconic bay.

If your looking for a table of 6 or more please give us a call 01637 860353
Please note, our table turnover time is 1.5hrs

Top review

Helen

Dined 5 days ago

We really enjoyed a festive meal at WAX today. I love Watergate Bay and parking was free as it was out of season...bonus...nice beach walk with dog...bonus...then on to WAX where staff were friendly, food was scrumptious and atmosphere warm and welcoming x thank you, we are looking forward to our next visit xXx

The Rising Sun

4.5

4.5 (261)

£26 to £40

Gastro Pub

Truro

About the restaurant

Set on Mitchell Hill, a medieval route from the city of Truro to the East, in a quiet, historical quarter, The Rising Sun is the hub of the local community and a destination for visitors to the county. Surrounded by charming lanes with views to the cathedral, diverse historical buildings, an abundance of trees and greenery.
Seven years ago Katie & Tom Hannon stepped into a very dark and sad shell of a pub. An overwhelming amount of work paled into insignificance against the excitement at what they thought could be created in this out of the way building with a very long and interesting history. A lot of hard labour ensued to create their vision of showcasing the best qualities of a modern pub; seamlessly combining carefully sourced, sophisticated yet familiar food and drink in a welcoming authentic pub environment. Elegant, delicious food alongside fantastic local beers, unusual wines and a great array of craft spirits all wrapped up in a relaxed atmosphere.

Top review

Richard

Dined 5 days ago

Easily the best food in Truro! Never had a bad meal and the menu is always imaginative and creative.

St Tudy Inn

4.4

4.4 (69)

£41 and over

British

Bodmin

About the restaurant

If you’re looking for the perfect mix of a Country Pub and Gastro Restauarnt, where great food and drink combined with rural escapism, then welcome to the awarding wining St Tudy Inn.

Seasonally changing menus, a bar stocked with the best Cornish & International beverages, and roaring log burners during the colder months make the St Tudy Inn a proper country pub.

Whether you’re stopping in for lunch during a Sunny countryside walk, joining one of our Supper Clubs, pulling up chairs near the fire and quenching your thirst with one of our many Cornish drinks, or simply taking a break in one of our elegant rooms for a few days, the St Tudy Inn is here to provide the sanctuary you need.

Open All Year. Quality Service. Serving the finest Cornish Produce. Dogs Welcome.

Top review

Sue

Dined 1 day ago

Thought we were able to have Christmas menu but you were supposed to prebook it. OpenTable let me book table but didn’t offer to let me pre book. The staff were very apologetic but our guest was most upset. I would say it was the Saturday before Christmas and it was so quite and no background music playing, which was a shame.

Inn on the Shore

4.3

4.3 (438)

£25 and under

Pub

Torpoint

About the restaurant

Relax in a charming coastal pub nestled along the unspoiled Cornish coastline of Torpoint. This soul-soothing seafront pub offers a classic menu coupled with local craft beverages you can enjoy in our stylish, vintage, west-country setting. Our alfresco terrace is the perfect oasis for passing visitors and locals to absorb panoramic views from Rame Peninsula to Looe Island. With eight beautiful en-suite rooms, you can make the Inn on the Shore your Cornish escape any time of the year.

Top review

Ross

Dined 7 days ago

Good food, great staff, lovely view. Recommend a visit.

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