Penzance Restaurants: Places to Eat on the Cornish Coast

Amidst a full day of Cornish beaches, countryside and any number of cultural experiences, be sure to schedule in some time to appreciate one of Cornwall’s greatest achievements – its brimming cuisine. Penzance is no slouch in that department either; read on for some of our highlights, including smuggler’s dens, promenade overlooks, and a restaurant recently voted as the South West’s best.

Pizza Topped with an Ocean View

Gino’s Spaghetti House

For pasta hot off the press, classic pizzas, calamari to start and homemade tiramisu to finish… All washed down by a selection of Italian wines and beers, with a view to savour. Daily specials include plump calzones and monkfish in a creamy sauce. To be sure of a seat on your prom(enade) night, or for a takeaway in a location of your own choosing, give them a call on 01736 350447.

Fish & Chips & Ice Cream & Flake

Fraser's

With one of the nation’s most popular dishes popping up all over the plaice, how does Fraser’s stand out in the chippy universe? By focusing on the little things: sustainable fishing and MSC certifications, gluten-free offerings, vegetarian specials and a vibrant dining layout to serve it all in. If that wasn’t enough extra touches, there is a vast selection of ice cream flavours available, plus a webcam so that you can check out the weather on the seafront before you leave. Or watch boats. Whatever your angle, catch them on the line at 01736 339581 for any large bookings.

A Wonder of the Food World

The Taj Mahal

From the gentle aromatics of a korma to the heady spices of a vindaloo, be welcomed into the mellow stylings of The Taj Mahal Indian & Nepalese Restaurant. In a sweeping menu, staples of Indian cuisine sit alongside rarefied specialties from Himalayan heights – including Lakali Chicken and Sherpa Lamb – with dishes arriving as meticulously presented as a white marble palace. 01736 366631 is the number to call for takeaways, deliveries and bookings.

From Penzance to Paris

Alverne

Dart every which way over Europe; take in the finest croquettes and risottos that France and Italy have to offer, then bring it all home again with ice cream from the local Callestick Farm. Or, open your evening with a Cornish steak from around the corner at St Just – before venturing outwards to a selection of artisanal Spanish cheeses. Wherever you travel within Alverne’s menu, whether at breakfast, lunch or dinner, be assured of high-quality produce and a high level of expertise. Book your flight table today at 01736 366007.

Blacks’ Magic

Blacks of Chapel Street

Making for a perfect stop whilst perusing the centre of town, Blacks of Chapel Street has all the frills of a high-end experience with a cocktail selection for something a little cheekier on the side. With a menu adapted to the seasons, local produce is plucked from the land and sea to create a quintessentially Cornish evening. Reservations can be made online or at 01736 369729.

The Great Cornish Bakehouse

Bakehouse Restaurant

For choice picks from the surf – shellfish bisque, crayfish, lemon sole – to a tasty jus for your turf: red wine & mushroom, garlic & rosemary and blue cheese are just a smattering out of the range of rubs, butters and sauces on offer for your steak. For a sunny lunch, take a courtyard seat beneath a palm tree canopy; in the air of the warmer evenings, fairy lights twinkle beneath the melting glow of a late sunset. For any bookings and enquiries, Bakehouse will be happy to help at 01736 331331.

A Smuggler’s Paradise

The Turk’s Head Inn

Invaded by Jerusalem’s jilted, partially burnt down by the Spaniards and adored by the pirates… The Turk’s Head was once home to a hideout for priests, a cell for drunkards and a (still standing) tunnel for smugglers that leads right down to the harbour. The oldest pub in Penzance has certainly had a mad history since its establishment in 1233, but it hasn’t lost its head when it comes to food – winning numerous accolades along the way. Enjoy lentil curries, confit duck leg and Newlyn’s catch of the day in the old haunt of Cornwall’s infamous. Book tables at 01736 363093, enjoy a few pints and be glad that the drunkard’s cell is no longer in use.

Push the Boat Out

The Boatshed

Set in the former home of Victorian merchants where bargains were made and exotic cargoes were exchanged, The Boatshed now brings in produce from across the West Country and around the harbours to create an eclectic menu for families and couples alike. With its nautical décor and portraits of the mighty ships that graced the shore, the restaurant pays homage to its past whilst keeping with the present; burgers and pizzas jostle alongside a whole host of wares from the sea, including megrim sole, sea bream, seared scallops and plenty more fisherman’s treats. Jump aboard with a reservation online or at 01736 368845.

Landing on Cornwall’s Finest

The Shore

With an eye on ethical responsibility and clean living, The Shore serves a set seafood and vegetable-based menu which is redesigned on a daily basis in accordance with the local growers and the freshest catches. Bruce Rennie is the one-man kitchen behind the restaurant, providing a highly tailored, intimate experience and picking up a lot of attention along the way; The Shore was recently named as the best restaurant in the South West, while Rennie himself has featured in a number of articles by national newspapers. For a rare opportunity in an exclusive setting, it’s best to book as early as possible either online or at 01736 362444.

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