Newquay has 174 places to eat listed on Tripadvisor, but here are our top five local picks – we think they showcase the very best restaurants in Newquay. Being so close to the sea, the focus naturally falls to fresh Cornish fish, but there are plenty of other options too.
The Fish House | Fistral
It may be located on Cornwall’s most famous surfing beach, but the food at this vibrant, contemporary fish restaurant might even be better than the view. Gaze out across the Atlantic ocean while you feast on dishes such as barbecued lobsters, monkfish skewers, Sri Lankan prawn curry and roasted hake — head chef Paul Harwood learnt his skills working for Rick Stein and takes his
Bush Pepper | Newquay
Bush Pepper is Newquay’s answer to the outback. It’s an Australian/Asian fusion restaurant with a large and exciting menu full of wonders such as kangaroo steak, and sweet potato and macadamia nut butter katsu curry. There’s options for everyone, including exciting vegan and vegetarian mains, alongside excellent seafood and grills. If you’re an experimental eater with an omnivorous streak, this is the place for you.
Kahuna | Newquay
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Transport yourself to the jungle with Pan Asian restaurant Kahuna. Kahuna is the place to be for a taste of the east, with dishes inspired by Chinese, Thai and Indonesian flavours. The menu includes plenty of vegan and vegetarian options and features dishes from crispy pancakes through to fried jackfruit and nasi goreng. The chefs are all well-travelled, creating authentic flavours based on their own international experiences.
Tucked away at the bottom of a winding lane in St Mawgan, a few miles outside of Newquay, this rustic, slightly ramshackle eatery is definitely worth the detour. Previously known as ‘Scott and Babs’, this barn With an ever-changing menu, you might dine on lobsters, beef ribs and other fish might be available but despite running at reduced capacity with a smaller menu, Scott & Babs is still the place to be. With canvas awnings, fairy lights and woodfired ovens, the atmosphere is chilled out and easygoing. And the pizzas are incredible, of course. Where you can watch your food being prepared.
An experience that is well worth travelling slightly out of town for. Find this quirky restaurant 7 miles out of Newquay, near Mawgan Porth – but trust us, it’s worth the taxi fare. With an ever-changing, spontaneous menu, you could dine on perfectly cooked seafood, deliciously tender meat (often smoked in the barrels you can see outside) or fantastic wood-fired pizzas. Tables book up super quickly for this gem – book as soon as you can!
Lusty Glaze Beach Restaurant
Nestled away in a little cove on the beach, laid-back Lusty Glaze is a relaxed yet sophisticated dining spot. With a focus on fresh Cornish fish, which you’ll be eating as you look out to the sea from which it was sourced, the chefs at Lusty Glaze keep it simple and let the ingredients speak for themselves. The menu also includes land based options from the grill, and a few vegetarian options too. And while other eateries may forget about dessert, throw something sweet in a ramekin and call it a day, Lusty Glaze isn’t here for that – there’s a large selection of gorgeous desserts on offer, which are more than worth staying for.
