The Best Seafood Restaurants In Cornwall

There is no better place to eat seafood than on the Cornish shores, where it comes straight from the sea and onto your plate within a matter of hours. Sit with your face to the sea, and dig into the finest and freshest of fish available up and down the coast. From bistros tucked away in pretty fishing villages to Michelin Star establishments, here are Cornwall’s finest seafood joints.

1. Rum and Crab Shack

Bar, Restaurant, Seafood

Located on the harbour front in pretty St Ives, the Rum and Crab Shack is a popular place to while away the long summer nights. The menu here is based around shellfish, but with a Caribbean influence, so expect some gumbo, a jumbalaya that you just can’t get enough of, and a rocking crab mac ’n’ cheese. The bar also stocks over 50 rums, so there’s plenty to whet your whistle too.

2. Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar

Bar, Restaurant, Seafood

Situated in what was once one of the busiest fishing ports in the country, this little seafood bar busts out tasty delights to share with friends in the sun. All the fish and seafood comes from right outside the front door in Mounts Bay, so you will always be eating fresh. The service and atmosphere here are impeccable.

3. The Sharksfin

Brasserie, Pub, Seafood

This little bolthole is one for those who love big, bold flavours. The menu is fantastic, and focuses on local Cornish produce with an American punch thrown in for good measure. Be sure to try the mackerel and tuna dip, fish tacos, and the crab on toast with brown crab butter. All of this comes with calming views of boats pulling in and out of the harbour, best enjoyed with one of the wide range of local ales.

5. The Shore

Bistro, Restaurant, Seafood

New to the seafood scene in Cornwall, The Shore is a welcome addition. Head chef Bruce Rennie, who was previously head chef at Michelin starred Restaurant Martin Wishart, keeps his menu short, sweet, and exceptionally delicious. The food is unfussy but Bruce really knows how to show off the ingredients which are on his doorstep with nothing but complimentary accompaniments and a little magic.

6. Squid Ink

Brasserie, Restaurant, Seafood

In a proper Cornish building in the backstreets of Looe, you will find Squid Ink. This little restaurant specialises in fish and seafood caught out of Looe from small trawlers, netting boats, and line fishing boats. The menu fuses British ingredients with Asian and Mediterranean twists, to create an eclectic and accomplished choice of dishes.

7. Amity

Seafood

This is a venture by oyster specialist, Katy Davidsoon, and boy is it fabulous. Not only are oysters a big deal here, but seafood tapas, ceviche, and traditional crab sandwiches too. Of course, the produce is from Newquay fisherman, and prepared by Katy herself ready for you to whisk away to eat on the beach. A seafood platter service is also available, but you will need to give 24 hours notice for this epic seafood fest to be prepared.

8. Life’s a Beach

Restaurant, Seafood

With sweeping views of Summerleaze beach, this comfortable beachside restaurant serves up easy meals which are perfect for snacking on in the Cornish heat. Their creative menu is available from 7pm, and includes salt-baked bream, tray baked bass fillet, and tiger prawn and monkfish curry. Grab a glass of ice-cold white wine, and enjoy looking out to sea with some of its best treats.

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