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UPDATED 26/06/2025
Not all of the restaurants in Padstow are attributed to Rick Stein, although he certainly put this harbour town on the food map and continues to serve hungry diners through his popular outlets, but it’s safe to say that Padstow isn’t short of wonderful places to eat.
Seafood restaurants have a tendency to dominate here, meaning fish lovers will be in food heaven, but there’s plenty of other options too from fine dining to laidback cafes. You’ll also find a Michelin starred restaurant in Padstow thanks to Paul Ainsworth.
One thing’s for sure, the eatery options are vast and plentiful, but to help you scale down your list, we’ve put together the best restaurants to eat in Padstow.
Location: Harbour Hotel Padstow, Station Road, Padstow, PL28 8DB
Located on the ground floor of the Harbour Hotel, The Jetty is a 60-cover restaurant which cashes in on the panoramic views of the Camel Estuary, but diners will also be spoilt by the menu, too, which has been creatively designed by chef patron Alex Aitken. Naturally, you’ll find plenty of seafood options, such as Padstow lobster and Porthilly oysters. In fact, the menu is almost entirely sourced from local fishermen and suppliers across Cornwall, and you’ll always see ‘Catch of the day’ highlighted.
Location: 11 Duke St, Padstow PL28 8AB
Prawn on the Lawn is a favoured Padstow restaurant for many reasons; it could be the superlative small plates with a strong fish focus, or its ever changing menu to reflect catch of the day, or perhaps the knowledgeable and welcoming staff. Scooping the Trencherman’s Award 2023 for the Best Restaurant alongside many other accolades, Prawn on the Lawn is a beautiful blend of fine dining and casual grazing, and one of Padstow’s best seafood restaurants. The team recently opened up a mini version too, with Little Prawn also in the heart of Padstow.
Location: Higher Harlyn, St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8SG
Formerly known as Duchy Grub, Boosa Feed continues to offer a flavoursome dining experience showcasing Cornwall’s best ingredients. While it’s situated just outside of Padstow less than three miles away in St Merryn, the creative menu, which changes weekly, will more than make up for it. Seating up to 30 diners, you can expect succulent BBQ monkfish, pasilla pork balls from Padstow Farm Shop, and flavoursome guajillo chili butternut squash. In fact, the veggie dishes are incredible, so if you’re after a vegetarian restaurant in Padstow, this one has to be top of the list.
Location: Riverside, Padstow PL28 8BY
Where it all began for Rick Stein in Padstow… the Seafood Restaurant opened back in 1975 and has been celebrated by foodies ever since. As the name suggests you’ll find a plethora of fish dishes and shellfish, complimented by locally sourced Cornish produce. In the heart of the town, Rick Stein firmly put Padstow on the map, and a trip to one of his Padstow restaurants are a rite of passage when visiting here.
©lateef photography
Location: 6 Middle St, Padstow PL28 8AP
The only Michelin star restaurant in Padstow, Paul Ainsworth at No 6 earned the prestigious accolade in 2013 and has successfully managed to retain it ever since. Having taken over the Georgian townhouse at number 6 in Padstow with wife Emma Ainsworth in 2005, it’s been a popular restaurant ever since. The menu celebrates local Cornish produce, executing through modern British dishes. Open for lunch and dinner, it’s a busy spot, so be sure to book ahead.
Sabzi Food
Less of a typical Padstow restaurant, and more of a deli with a few seats. Sabzi is something special. The founder Kate Attlee, was born and raised in Cornwall to an Iranian father and British mother, and you’ll see plenty of Iranian and Middle Eastern cooking on her daily-changing menu. There’s usually four or five combinations which form nourishing salads which are prepared on site, to Sabzi’s own recipes using sustainable ingredients, offering something fresh and flavoursome for lunch. If the weather is on your side, the takeaway lunch boxes make for the perfect picnic to enjoy on the Harbour.
Location: North Quay, Padstow PL28 8AF
Mini golf and gourmet food don’t tend to be in the same sentence, let alone the same location, that’s until you visit Greens of Padstow. A popular spot thanks to its glorious terrace with views across the water and quality food, this isn’t the obvious choice for a Padstow restaurant, but it’ll certainly impress.
Priding themselves on serving fresh, locally sourced food, which can be paired with Cornish wines. Be sure not to overlook the ever-changing specials menu, and then for dessert you may have mustered up enough energy to take on the 18 hole mini golf course!
Location: Harlyn, Padstow PL28 8SQ
Sitting just above Padstow in Harlyn Bay, is The Pig at Harlyn Bay a 15th century manor house which is certainly worth a trip. If you’ve ever experienced eating at any of the luxury hotel group’s offering, you’ll be comforted to see its signature 25-mile radius menu. In true Cornish style it features plentiful food and drinks from excellent local producers, such as Philip Warren butchers and Camel Valley Vineyard, as well as using its own kitchen garden, too. Wholesome dishes which pack a punch, we assure you won’t be disappointed.
Location: Trevibban Mill Vineyard & Orchards, Dark Lane, St Issey, Padstow PL27 7SE
Barnaby’s, now set within the picturesque surroundings of Trevibban Mill near Padstow, is a must-visit for food lovers seeking laid-back dining with exceptional flavour. Run by the same passionate team behind Prawn On The Lawn, the restaurant champions seasonal small plates, showcasing Cornwall’s finest produce in a stunning vineyard setting. The menu changes regularly to reflect what’s fresh, with seafood often stealing the spotlight. With a cosy, welcoming vibe and knowledgeable service, it’s an idyllic spot for a romantic evening or relaxed gathering with friends. Make it extra special and pair your meal with a wine made just metres from your table.
© James Ram
Location: 10 Middle St, Padstow PL28 8AP
It’ll come as no surprise that Rick Stein’s Café has a heavy fish focus, with fish dishes making up 70 per cent of the menu. The lunch and dinner menus feature tasty locally-sourced ingredients, many of the plates are wonderfully simple, but you’ll also find further-flung choices with an array of dishes inspired by Rick’s travels around the world.
© lateef photography
Location: 9 Mill Square, Padstow PL28 8AE
Paul Ainsworth has certainly made his mark in Padstow, and his second restaurant Caffé Rojano, unlike its older sister No 6, it’s less focused on fine dining and instead centered around seasonal small plates, Napoletana-style pizzas and fresh pasta dishes. The menu has a strong Mediterranean feel – with many dishes being cooked over fire – which has been created by both Paul Ainsworth and head chef Mike Probert. The outdoor terrace is a real treat, but is first come first serve.
©James Ram
Location: 4 New Street, Padstow, PL28 8EA
Rick Stein’s French outpost, St Petroc’s Bistro dining might be French inspired, but the menu very much celebrates the finest local Cornish produce. In true Padstow style, this pretty Padstow townhouse is on a steep hill, not far from the harbour. Diners can expect quality Cornish steaks from award-winning Philip Warrens, or the freshest seafood catch. They also have a dog-friendly courtyard, if you’re being joined by a four-legged friend.
Location: 1A The Strand, Padstow PL28 8AJ
A unique Padstow restaurant, it’s quite obvious what they specialise in here. But don’t mistake that for predictable… Burgers & Fish boast a creative menu. If they had you at burgers, you’ll find quality beef from local Cornish farms, to make delicious handmade 100 per cent beef burgers, or if fish is your persuasion the dishes are diverse from sea trout and monkfish to mussels and octopus. A great family-friendly restaurant in Padstow, where dogs can come too.
Location: Harlyn, Padstow PL28 8SQ
The Lobster Shed is the casual under-canvas dining offshoot at The Pig at Harlyn Bay, that’s if tucking into delicious lobster while overlooking a coastal backdrop can be called casual? With a retractable roof and sides, when the sun’s playing ball it’s flooded with Cornish sunshine, or when the elements aren’t on your side – this is Cornwall, after all – all tables are protected. Brilliant fish goes beyond the lobster protagonist, with the squid being exquisite. There’s a dedicated kids menu, and dogs are welcome to join too.
Location: St Issey, Padstow, Wadebridge PL27 7QQ
The Pickwick Inn is situated in St Issey, less than five miles outside of Padstow, and has been welcoming visitors for over forty years. Its fresh, airy reputable Oliver’s Restaurant with a fantastic view is an admired Padstow restaurant thanks to its extensive menu, serving everything from Westcountry oysters to Cornish duck breast poke bowls and heartier burgers and pies. The popular Dickensian style bar with cosy log burner and charming trinkets, is a space where dogs are welcome too, and the same menu runs throughout.
Rebecca Moore
LOCAL EDITOR AND CORNISH AFICIONADO
Rebecca Moore is a seasoned editor and content writer with over a decade of experience, specialising in Cornwall’s unique lifestyle, travel, and culinary scene. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets such as The Sun, Express, and Cosmopolitan. A proud Cornish resident, Rebecca’s authentic insights help readers explore the best of the Duchy.
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