Beautiful sandy beaches, winding cobblestone streets, and views that reach across Carbis Bay towards the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse, there’s a reason St Ives is high on people’s must-visit lists. But what will you be dining on as you soak up the views provided by this picturesque Cornish harbour town?
When you're staying in a holiday cottage in St Ives, part of the fun is choosing where to eat out. Disappear into the labyrinth of back lanes where you’ll find hidden gems, stroll along the harbour front for eateries with sea views and people watching opportunities galore, or head to the beach for an award-winning dining experience surrounded by sun, sea, and sand. If you visit at the right time of year, you can even taste your way through one of the biggest food festivals in Cornwall, the St Ives Food Festival, which takes place right here on Porthminster beach.
Starting to feel peckish? Here’s our round up of some of the best places to eat in St Ives…
Blas Burgerworks
The Warren, St Ives TR26 2EA
Calling all burger fans! Tucked away down a narrow little street, it’s worthwhile seeking out Blas Burgers for a classic feed. Aside from the sides (which are epic and include cider battered onion rings and hand cut chips), it’s burgers, burgers, and more burgers on the menu here, with vegan and vegetarian options too.
Beef, bean and chicken patties make up your burgerlicous base, while an eye (and button) popping array of toppings let you create the ultimate feast. Do you want the earthy delights of truffles or the smoky flavours of BBQ and bacon? Whatever you fancy, this hidden gem has a burger combo that will have you going back time and again.
Hubbox
4 Wharf Road, St Ives TR26 1LF
With a sprinkling of restaurants over the South West, Hubbox is pretty much a Cornish tradition with the original restaurant slap bang in the middle of St Ives. Burgers and hotdogs are the main draw, but the craft beers and malty shakes aren’t to be turned down when visiting. Every dietary requirement is covered here too, with vegan and veggie options aplenty - we particularly love the Zero Clucks Given fries!
In summer, the harbour is a bustling, busy place to be and this is a great spot to enjoy a cocktail while watching the world go by - and they’re dog-friendly!
Rum and Crab Shack
Wharf Road, St Ives TR26 1LG
Pretty much what it says on the tin; rum and crab are the specialities here with an American deep south twist to the rest of the menu - perfect for a post-walk feast! It’s pretty spit and sawdust retro chic inside and you can’t book a table, but you can always have a drink in the bar before you dine though - this is the birthplace of Dead Man’s Fingers rum so it’s definitely worth sinking a glass or two.
The view over the harbour is exceptional and the decor inside will do a superb job vying for your attention - as will the menu! Fresh, local seafood is the star here, although there is a great choice from both land and sea, with seafood, crab and meat sharers providing an overflowing collection of food to share with loved ones. Of course, if you’d rather have a plate to yourself, the cajun spiced fish or Dead Man’s Fingers ribs are sure to tickle your fancy.
Porthminster Café
Porthminster Beach, St Ives TR26 2EB
Probably the most popular eatery in St Ives (for good reason), the views from this beach café over Porthminster beach and the bay are simply stunning and the food is sublime. Cornish seafood is a speciality here and there's no better place to indulge in a feast from the ocean – although the veg is worth a mention too as it’s grown in their very own coastal kitchen garden. Combining cuisines from around the world, you’ll be dining on the likes of Cornish mussels, Indonesian curry, and pan-fried halloumi.
We recommend booking ahead of your chosen date because the café is so popular. It’s also worth noting that parking can be scarce in the summer months. Top tip: take the scenic train journey from Lelant where there is ample parking, and walk along the seafront from St Ives station.
Porthgwidden Café
Porthgwidden Beach, St Ives TR26 1PL
A hidden gem of a beach and café, this is definitely a great place for lazy lunches by the sea. Food is both Mediterranean and Asian with seafood a main player on the menu. The famous Porthgwidden pizzas are always a delicious choice, with St Ives focaccia combining Cornish and Med flavours beautifully. On the drinks menu, you’ll find a thirst-quenching mix of local beers, crisp wines and refreshing spirits, all perfectly chosen to turn your day by the beach into a holiday in its own right.
There is a lovely outside patio area, perfect for sunny days lounging under the Cornish sun – even indoors you can still bask in the views that wrap around you. Serving unmissable breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals, this is a truly idyllic place to start or end your day.
Porthmeor Café
Porthmeor Beach, St Ives TR26 1JZ
Situated on the wilder Atlantic side of St Ives, and just below one of Cornwall’s most impressive art galleries, this is a great place to sit and watch the surfers and sunsets, especially if you’re tucked away in one of their heated booths, which pair perfectly with the cooler months.
From build-your-own breakfasts to tapas, imaginative cocktails to classic cream teas, there’s a great selection on offer here, and with the view you can easily while away a whole day. Oh, and the coffee is Origin, supplied by a local coffee merchant, so if you need a reason to visit, this is the perfect one.
Caffé Pasta
The Wharf, St Ives TR26 1PG
In a great location by the harbour side, this café opens all day, every day for a touch of al fresco dining. Specials tend to be seafood with the main menu offering a good selection of fresh pastas, sourdough pizzas and all things Italian. The small plates are particularly great for those wanting a lighter lunch while exploring all the cobbled twists and turns of St Ives.,.
There is a small car park nearby but during the summer you’ll probably have to park further away and walk. This is not such a bad thing, walking around the harbourside is a delight and you’ll have built up a healthy appetite.
Beer & Bird
18A Fore Street, St Ives TR26 1AB
When true hunger pangs hit, there’s one foodie combo that’s sure to hit the right spot: craft beers and fried chicken that’s finger - and plate - lickin’ good! As the name suggests, Beer & Bird is the place to go for fresh beer and the best fried chicken this side of the pond, all served within a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on the harbour front.
Alongside burgers, wings, and waffles, you can also tuck into deliciously decadent ice cream milkshakes or loaded fries - they also have birdless burgers for any vegan and vegetarian diners. Wash it all down with a local pint of something cool and refreshing and you’ll be a returning customer for life.
Talay Thai Kitchen
Wharf Road, St Ives TR26 1LF
Situated on the harbour front and enjoying stunning views over the beach and sea beyond, Talay is well known for its incredible mix of sea views and authentic Thai cuisine. Pop in for a spot of lunch while hitting the many eclectic shops in St Ives or join them for dinner and let your taste buds run wild as you relax into the easy going setting - you can also take your food to go!
On the menu you’ll find a tempting array of dishes from tapas to share (or not share) to rice, noodles and one-dish wonders. If eating in, you can pair your Thai treat with a freshly made cocktail or a glass of something light, bright and oh so refreshing.
Seafood Café
45 Fore Street, St Ives TR26 1HE
With fishing boats hauling in their catches daily, you can’t beat the seafood on offer in St Ives, especially at the Seafood Café - it’s literally in the name! Working alongside local fishmongers and other superb Cornish suppliers, the Seafood Café is a great choice for those that want to enjoy a true taste of Cornwall.
Seafood really is the name of the game here, with the likes of oysters, whitebait and salt and pepper squid just some of the delights on the menu. Of course, if you’re looking for a more substantial feed, then the mains are sure to tick that box, whether you fancy the comforting taste of a fish pie or a deliciously fresh crab linguine. You can also dine on a classic beer battered fish and chips here, or you can head to Harbour, the St Ives Seafood Restaurants’ superb chippy, which boasts Cornish potatoes and fish from local fishmonger, Matthew Stevens.
Scoff Troff Café
Market Place, St Ives TR26 1RZ
Is the dog joining you? Well, Scoff Troff Café is one of the best dog-friendly places to eat in St Ives and welcomes every breed of diner, whether human or canine. The laid-back atmosphere is great for families and the colourful interior (and menu) makes for a joyous place to refuel. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner (on certain days), Scoff Troff really is a great choice for those wanting to scoff some good grub.
The breakfasts are a hidden gem here, with an incredible variety of hearty starts to your day including English fry ups, waffles and everything you could possibly expect to find on toast! For lunch, you can browse through a menu full of classic paninis, loaded nachos, and burgers and hot dogs. Finish it all off with some homemade cake or a Cornish cream tea and you’ll be set for the rest of the day!
Balancing Eel
Back Lan, St Ives TR26 1LR
When the pretty harbour of St Ives is right there offering seaside dining for all, a hearty fish and chips supper is always on the cards and when in St Ives, there’s nowhere better than the Balancing Eel! A traditional takeaway chippy, you can enjoy your freshly battered fish in any setting, whether amidst the golden sands of one of the many beautiful beaches in St Ives or perched harbourside for a spot of wave (or people) watching.
You’ll find the usual mouth-watering suspects on the menu, including fresh haddock, cod and plaice, as well as fluffy chips and gloriously mushy peas - yes, we’re firmly for mushy peas with our British classic!
St Ives Bakery
52 Fore Street, St Ives TR26 1HE
We couldn’t talk about food in St Ives without bringing up the wafting smells and tempting sights of St Ives Bakery. Nestled along the cobbled streets of St Ives, this local bakery has been producing incredible bakes for over 20 years, using traditional artisan methods.
Pop in for a loaf of freshly baked bread that will take you from a jammy breakfast to a ploughman's lunch with ease, or opt for the oh so filling Cornish pasty, which comes in flaky and shortcrust for the ultimate choice. They also sell vegetarian pasties, as well as a whole host of sweet treats, including their famous cruffins and beautiful meringues. Whatever you fancy, head to St Ives Bakery for some proper Cornish fuel before you head out for a walk on the beautiful surrounding coast.
Moomaid of Zennor Ice Cream Parlour
Street-An-Pol, St Ives TR26 2DS
Oh we do love to be beside the seaside - with an ice cream in hand! Thankfully, St Ives is chock-full of ice cream vendors. Top of our list for a refreshing treat has to be Moomaid of Zennor, which is located on the end of St Andrew’s Street. It’s a mere hop, skip and jump away from the harbour’s edge where you can sit, feet dangling, with your ice cream in your hand (and possibly all over your face if you’re really enjoying it - no judgement here).
With a name inspired by the local Cornish legend, Moomaid of Zennor is one of the best ice creams in Cornwall. Choose from their lip-smacking selection of flavours (Shipwreck is particularly tasty and fabulously named) and enjoy your choice harbourside, or you can head out on the South West Coast Path and walk to the very place these magical treats come from.
Wherever you decide to eat, enjoy your time in a lovely holiday cottage in Cornwall, lots of which enjoy incredible sea views. Or just watch the world go by with our St Ives webcam.
