Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Cornwall

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

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

C-Bay. Bar & Bistro

4.9

4.9 (22)

£26 to £40

Bistro

Newquay

About the restaurant

With an unsurpassed view over Crantock Beach and the coastline beyond, we are the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner with a view! (Opening times for dinner vary throughout the year)
Lunch consists of a selection of light bites or larger options such as Caesar salad, sticky belly pork and kimchi salad, squid, scallops, chicken tacos or tempura vegetables and seafood linguine – not to forget our ‘C-Bay’ Burger and fish & chips.

Our more sophisticated evening menu incorporates locally sourced seasonal ingredients to create mouth-watering dishes with Asian influences, such as a beef Massaman curry, pork shoulder and sirloin steak, alongside popular dishes such as our classic ‘C-Bay’ burger and locally caught sustainable fish. Please go to our website for the most up to date menus.

Don't forget, dogs are very welcome too!

Top review

Virginia

Dined 1 day ago

Myself and family had a wonderful meal. The waiter was brilliant, the atmosphere and restaurant itself was beautifully decorated and relaxing and the food was absolutely delicious, the presentation was excellent and very good portions! We all had the best time, thank you.

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

Craig

Dined on Dec 2, 2024

On arrival greeted by two ladies who were really friendly and welcoming. Shown us to our table and I couldn’t like the decor and ambiance more. Great music playing but not too loud and the restaurant really felt like it was in Cape Town. The food? Wow wow wow! Delicious and the service was fast. I think the value was exceptional in addition to all I’ve already said and it’s been a long time I’ve come away from any meal this happy and impressed. I can’t recommend enough and you will not be disappointed. Now to plan another visit!

Discover more

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 Dec 12, 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!

Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling

4.9

4.9 (1256)

£41 and over

British

St Ives

About the restaurant

In a stunning Cornish Atlantic setting, just a mile from St Ives, Ugly Butterfly restaurant and bar offers spectacular views across one of the worlds most beautiful coasts, Carbis Bay. Ugly Butterfly showcases chef Adam Handling’s passion for converting locally-sourced, quality ingredients into beautifully-presented dishes, packed full of flavour. Offering an all-day dining experience, the Ugly Butterfly bar uses trims and offcuts from the ingredients used in the restaurant to create delicious drinks and bar snacks. This bar menu will illustrate that there is no such thing as food waste, much in the same way that there is no such thing as an Ugly Butterfly.

Top review

Tanith

Dined 4 days ago

As always, fantastic time at The Ugly Butterfly and the staff could not be more accommodating for my 10 month old daughter.

Slice of Cornwall

4.9

4.9 (132)

£25 and under

Contemporary British

Constantine

About the restaurant

We are SLICE and this is how we roll.
Slice is a unique cafe / restaurant in a relaxed location on the Helford, West Cornwall. We have a proud and unique vision, menu and customer service. Baya & Waffles are our heroes and unique to Slice.
We're open everyday & have something for everyone.

Top review

Dan

Dined 1 day ago

Great food and amazing service as always. We love eating here and giving my daughter the crayons to colour in while she waits for her food is such a nice touch. Thanks

Tricky's at The Tolgus Inn

4.7

4.7 (504)

£25 and under

British

Redruth

About the restaurant

Tricky's Restaurant and Bar is a great place to dine. Our large restaurant offers cosy corners for intimate diners as well as space to accommodate large parties. We have created a varied menu to cater for all tastes and budgets. From light lunchtime bites to a hearty three course meal and, there's plenty for the children enjoy as well!

We offer fantastic food, wines, real ales and great service! Combine all these with a warm welcome and you can see why Tricky's is as popular as ever. Relax on Sundays and visit Tricky's - the home of the Sunday roast.

During the month of DECEMBER we are running a limited lunch and evening menu only.

If you would like to book for one of our Festive Lunches or Christmas Set Menus please call the restaurant team as we will require a pre-order and a deposit.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent service and food was lush Beautifully decorated for Christmas

Cafe Mylor

4.8

4.8 (398)

£25 and under

English

Falmouth

About the restaurant

We love life here at Cafe Mylor, right in the heart of Cornwall at the beautiful Mylor Yacht Harbour. We are open during the day time serving Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch with coffee and cakes served all day.
Every Friday Evening from Friday 31st March 2023 enjoy Caught AT Cafe Mylor with a selection of freshly caught seafood from the harbour.
Reservations 6pm - 8.30pm - From Friday 31st March 2023
Bring your friends, your children, your dogs…..
A great location, great food and altogether a great place to be. We have a spacious inside dining area and a sunny outside terrace with views over the harbour and estuary.
For a reservation today please call on 01326 377743.

Top review

NickVIP

Dined on Oct 31, 2024

Please open up in the Lake District. It’s just too far to come in for breakfast or lunch from here every day …… as always high quality food, fantastic staff and the best views and ambience. 🤗

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

Arlette

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing view over Newlyn Fishing Harbour! Food was excellent! The roast potatoes were the best I’ve ever had and the plaice just fell off the fork. Lovely service too. Would definitely recommend.

Harbour Loft - St Michaels Mount

4.9

4.9 (91)

£26 to £40

Afternoon Tea

Marazion

About the restaurant

Afternoon Tea at the Harbour Loft on St Michael’s Mount is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or complete a visit to this enchanting island. Head Chef Greg Milne has created a menu inspired by fresh Cornish produce to be enjoyed on our unique island setting, with sea views north and the backdrop of the castle to the south.

Precisely-cut sandwiches are accompanied by freshly-baked cakes and pastries; while traditional treats boast creative twists. Choose from an extensive selection of Tregothnan tea or add a little fizz with a glass of sparkling wine, produced in a Cornish vineyard just a stone’s throw from the Mount.

When you book, please see the website for information about how to access the island as it varies between walking a cobbled tidal causeway and booking a boat, depending on the tide: https://stmichaelsmount.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times-2023-24/

Polite notice: our restaurant only serves Afternoon Tea and we do not take pre-payment.

Top review

Ian

Dined 2 days ago

The whole afternoon tea was excellent and delicious. A great experience.

Porthminster Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (2456)

£26 to £40

International

St Ives

About the restaurant

Porthminster Kitchen serves up a refreshing, playful take on Cornish cuisine, introducing a menu of smaller plates and lighter options which combine global flavours, fresh local ingredients and creative cooking.

We have stripped out much of what is unnecessary; dairy and gluten take a backseat in favour of fresh and exciting textures and flavours.

Porthminster Kitchen enjoys awe-inspiring panoramic views from its location in the heart of St Ives. From your vantage point above the harbour, escape the hustle and bustle and relax on our sun-drenched terrace, or gaze out from huge windows and take in the 180° view.
We are dog friendly but have limited space for our furry friends please let us know when booking to avoid disappointment.

Top review

KeithVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great food friendly staff good location can’t wait to return

Explore Diners' Choice best of Cornwall

Explore more Diners' Choice lists