Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Cornwall

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

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.

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!

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 Dec 13, 2024

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

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

The Longstore, Charlestown

4.6

4.6 (274)

£25 and under

Steakhouse

St. Austell

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Longstore in Cornwall where we celebrate the best things life has to offer.

Top review

Steve

Dined 1 day ago

The food is always so good. Service always with a smile.

Discover more

Experience

YULETIDE SET MENU

Experience

New Years Eve at The Longstore Charlestown

Experience

Battle of the Boybands Bottomless Brunch

The Longstore Lemon Street

4.6

4.6 (177)

£25 and under

Steakhouse

Truro

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Longstore in Cornwall where we celebrate the best things life has to offer.

Top review

Nicola

Dined 6 days ago

A great menu, fabulous food, incredible service and a great atmosphere.

Discover more

Experience

New Years Eve at The Longstore Lemon Street

Experience

Galentine's Heartbreak Anthems Bottomless Brunch

Experience

YULETIDE SET MENU

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 Sharksfin

4.5

4.5 (164)

£25 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

St. Austell

About the restaurant

We’re The Sharksfin, a family friendly restaurant, serving fresh local produce with an amazing harbour view. From the land & sea to signature burgers and tacos, we have something for everyone's taste buds. So come along, kick back, relax and enjoy the uninterrupted views of Mevagissey Harbour, all while sipping a delicious cocktail or a refreshing St Austell Brewery pint.

Top review

janice

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Great food. Mussels delicious. Lovely live music played on the piano.

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.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Cornwall

Explore more Diners' Choice lists