Guidebook for Cornwall
Food Scene
This is probably the most famous foodie restaurant in St Ives having won numerous awards and featured on
both TV and in many press articles; situated on Porthminster Beach and is a great place for a special occasion as
the food is excellent and there are beautiful views. A pre-dinner drink or cocktail in the gin bar is an ideal way
to start the evening.
• www.porthminstercafe.co.uk/
• https://www.instagram.com/pminster_ginbar
236 locals recommend
Porthminster Beach Cafe
This is probably the most famous foodie restaurant in St Ives having won numerous awards and featured on
both TV and in many press articles; situated on Porthminster Beach and is a great place for a special occasion as
the food is excellent and there are beautiful views. A pre-dinner drink or cocktail in the gin bar is an ideal way
to start the evening.
• www.porthminstercafe.co.uk/
• https://www.instagram.com/pminster_ginbar
This restaurant offers everything from coffee and cake through to a full evening menu. The tapas are fantastic
and the view over Porthmeor Beach when the sun is setting is magical. Reservations are taken for dinner only;
as it is very popular, we’d suggest you book in advance. Outside are pods with heaters and blankets so even on
chilly day you can eat outside.
• www.porthmeor-beach.co.uk/cafe/
252 locals recommend
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor HillThis restaurant offers everything from coffee and cake through to a full evening menu. The tapas are fantastic
and the view over Porthmeor Beach when the sun is setting is magical. Reservations are taken for dinner only;
as it is very popular, we’d suggest you book in advance. Outside are pods with heaters and blankets so even on
chilly day you can eat outside.
• www.porthmeor-beach.co.uk/cafe/
Overlooking the harbour this is a great place to watch the fishing boats coming in or soak up the amazing views.
A great restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from the award-winning team at the Porthminster
restaurant and beach café.
101 locals recommend
Porthminster Kitchen
Wharf RoadOverlooking the harbour this is a great place to watch the fishing boats coming in or soak up the amazing views.
A great restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from the award-winning team at the Porthminster
restaurant and beach café.
This is a great little restaurant / café for breakfast, and since its expansion has lovely views on the terrace of the
island and beach and ideal for dinner too. It offers a good selection of locally sourced ingredients for their fresh
and fabulous menu. A walk around the island before breakfast is a great way to start the day.
121 locals recommend
Porthgwidden Beach
This is a great little restaurant / café for breakfast, and since its expansion has lovely views on the terrace of the
island and beach and ideal for dinner too. It offers a good selection of locally sourced ingredients for their fresh
and fabulous menu. A walk around the island before breakfast is a great way to start the day.
Located in Fore Street this unassuming restaurant is a great place for families, if you book or are lucky you can
get a table overlooking the harbour. Good quality food and everything from shellfish curry, pizza of fish and
chips – all reasonably priced.
34 locals recommend
Firehouse Bar & Grill
27 Fore StLocated in Fore Street this unassuming restaurant is a great place for families, if you book or are lucky you can
get a table overlooking the harbour. Good quality food and everything from shellfish curry, pizza of fish and
chips – all reasonably priced.
Overlooking the harbour is worth a visit either for a crab sandwich or a drink in their spacious bar.
39 locals recommend
The Rum & Crab Shack
Wharf RoadOverlooking the harbour is worth a visit either for a crab sandwich or a drink in their spacious bar.
This lovely restaurant overlooks the rooftops and harbour and the terrace is a great place to while away the
hours when the sun shines.
25 locals recommend
The Loft Restaurant & Terrace
Norway LaneThis lovely restaurant overlooks the rooftops and harbour and the terrace is a great place to while away the
hours when the sun shines.
Lifeboat Inn
Wharf RoadGreat local pub and ideal for families
The Seafood Cafe
45 Fore StThe Allotment Deli
30A Fore StGreat little deli that contains lots of lovely local produce
St Ives Harbour Beach
Wharf RoadFull of lots of yummy cakes, breads and pasties
If you venture out to Penzance, tucked away in the old quarter you’ll find a smokehouse, bar and garden with a relaxed atmosphere and a simple, homely menu of locally sourced produce. Ideal for coffee to cocktails, breakfast to bedtime.
69 locals recommend
Artist Residence Clubhouse
20 Chapel StIf you venture out to Penzance, tucked away in the old quarter you’ll find a smokehouse, bar and garden with a relaxed atmosphere and a simple, homely menu of locally sourced produce. Ideal for coffee to cocktails, breakfast to bedtime.
Fabulous café overlooking the harbour open 8am till late. Ideal for coffee, brunch, drinks and nibbles, serving some great wines and artisan beers. With seating both inside and outside, is a perfect place to relax and watch the world go by.
7 locals recommend
Beach Café Bar
Wharf RoadFabulous café overlooking the harbour open 8am till late. Ideal for coffee, brunch, drinks and nibbles, serving some great wines and artisan beers. With seating both inside and outside, is a perfect place to relax and watch the world go by.
Beachside seafood and ribs shack with daily specials of crab and lobster overlooking Hayle Estuary. The perfect
place to recharge after a walk along Hayle Towans. Lula is located on North Quay in Hayle, open from 9am -
9:30pm. Harvey’s Towans is the closest car park and just a few minute’s walk.
29 locals recommend
Lula Shack
North QuayBeachside seafood and ribs shack with daily specials of crab and lobster overlooking Hayle Estuary. The perfect
place to recharge after a walk along Hayle Towans. Lula is located on North Quay in Hayle, open from 9am -
9:30pm. Harvey’s Towans is the closest car park and just a few minute’s walk.
Everything Else
Great beach for surfing, a climb up to the Minack Theatre and at low tide walking round to Pedn Vounder beach
99 locals recommend
Porthcurno Beach
Great beach for surfing, a climb up to the Minack Theatre and at low tide walking round to Pedn Vounder beach
Ideal beach for families in sheltered cove. Just a short drive or couple of minutes train ride from St Ives.
55 locals recommend
Carbis Bay Beach
Beach RoadIdeal beach for families in sheltered cove. Just a short drive or couple of minutes train ride from St Ives.
Family friendly, children's activities and water sports. At low tide you can walk round to St Ives harbour beach.
236 locals recommend
Porthminster Beach Cafe
Family friendly, children's activities and water sports. At low tide you can walk round to St Ives harbour beach.
Best beach in St Ives for surfing and home to St Ives surf school
252 locals recommend
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor HillBest beach in St Ives for surfing and home to St Ives surf school
Located right in the heart of St Ives and an ideal place to watch the fishing boats, do water sports and boat trips
55 locals recommend
St Ives Harbour Beach
Wharf RoadLocated right in the heart of St Ives and an ideal place to watch the fishing boats, do water sports and boat trips
Bamaluz Beach
Wheal DreamThe smallest beach in St Ives
Porthgwidden Beach
A sheltered beach with lots of pretty beach huts
Sennen Cove
Ideal for surfing and water sports
Great little cove, at low tide more of the beach is uncovered as well as the many caves and rock pools
223 locals recommend
Kynance Cove
Great little cove, at low tide more of the beach is uncovered as well as the many caves and rock pools
Entertainment & Activities
The Minack Theatre
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Geevor Tin Mine
Ideal for families, learn about the Cornish Tin mines.
St Ives Surf School
Great place to learn how to surf
Sightseeing
Land's End Landmark Attraction
Land's EndSaint Michael's Mount
Wheal Coates
The Count House, Botallack Mine
Cape Cornwall
Smeatons Pier
Smeatons PierThis is the best place to see the seals who visit St Ives harbour
Mousehole
Pretty village and harbour
Godolphin House & Gardens
Set in a mining valley between high cliffs, this unspoilt beach is well worth a visit. It is a 40 minute drive and located just outside St Agnes. Great for the experienced surfer with large waves and the full force of the Atlantic sea or for those wanting to walk along the rocky coastline. There is a National Trust owned car park and small café right on the beach. At low tide the sandy beach runs from St Agnes Head to Lushingtons at the far end of Porthtowan beach, just be careful not to get cut off as the tide comes in very quickly.
90 locals recommend
Chapel Porth Beach
South West Coast PathSet in a mining valley between high cliffs, this unspoilt beach is well worth a visit. It is a 40 minute drive and located just outside St Agnes. Great for the experienced surfer with large waves and the full force of the Atlantic sea or for those wanting to walk along the rocky coastline. There is a National Trust owned car park and small café right on the beach. At low tide the sandy beach runs from St Agnes Head to Lushingtons at the far end of Porthtowan beach, just be careful not to get cut off as the tide comes in very quickly.
Essentials
Tesco Superstore
Saint Ives RoadCo-op Food - St Ives
Sainsbury's
Eastern GreenArts & Culture
Tate St. Ives
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
Barnoon HillLeach Pottery
Parks & Nature
Eden Project