10 Best Restaurants in Newquay

Red Lion Newquay is an understated and longstanding pub perched above the harbour. It serves up a selection of Cask Marque accredited ales, made-in-house botanical gins that change seasonally, and hearty homemade comfort food with delightful views. Also, it’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) registered. Part of the CAMRA mission is to maintain the excellent quality of local ales, ciders, and perry (pear cider) and protect local pubs as community centres.

The Red Lion Newquay has a welcoming and lively atmosphere, and besides the libation and excellent pub grub, there’s always something happening – from a roaring fire in the fireplace to a game of darts to drinks in the beer garden. The pub also draws a regular crowd with its packed calendar of live music sessions.

The Fish House Fistral is a casual and intimate beachfront restaurant just steps away from the roaring surf. It is located on one of Newquay’s most beautiful beaches, Fistral, which is also the site of major international surfing competitions. Its owner (an avid surfer and renowned chef) has combined his love of seafood and the sea. The result is a cosy and rustic venue that serves up phenomenal entrees that regulars rave about.

The offerings are innovative and fresh and the passion the owner/chef pours into his establishment is evident in both the dishes and the decor. The seasonally changing menu and the daily specials feature dishes that range from Cornish lobster to ribeye steaks to Indian fish curry. Be sure to leave room for dessert as they are equally creative.

Dining at the Smugglers Den Inn is truly a warm and rustic experience in Newquay. The ambience in this 16th-century thatched roof inn is heightened by a traditional bar with a roaring fireplace, rough brick walls, soft lighting and wood furnishings. It’s where you can quench your thirst with local ales and wine and fill your belly with hearty traditional English fare made from local ingredients.

What’s lovely about the Smugglers Den is that there are both indoor and outdoor seating options so you can visit and enjoy the bistro food and ales in any weather. The menu features classic items like beer-battered fish and hand-cut sirloin steaks. There are also selections catering for the vegan and vegetarian crowd.

Box & Barber is a coffee house conveniently situated between the city centre and Fistral Beach. It does a brisk business serving artisan coffee along with a robust and healthy selection of breakfast, lunch and brunch items. Besides as a spot to grab a great cup of joe on the go, they are also famous for their acai bowls, avocado on toast, smoothies, and speciality wellness lattes and teas.

Besides being independently owned, Box & Barber is community-centric. The friendly staff and a chill vibe draw folks from all walks of life to the hot spot – you’ll rub elbows with surfers, families, professionals, locals and dogs (the cafe is pet-friendly).

The Two Clomes is a restaurant in Newquay named after the 2 fireside ovens traditionally used for cooking. Family-friendly and reasonably priced, it serves up generous portions of home-cooked pub-style fare. Plus, they serve up a tasty traditional Sunday roast and feature beer, wine and food specials that revolve around themes – one of their most recent was a popular (and well-attended) Spanish Tapas Fiesta night.

The Two Clomes is an 18th-century free house and is CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) certified. It is also featured on the Atlantic Line Rail Ale Trail. Favoured by both visitors and locals, it serves as more than a spot for drinks and nourishment – it is a beloved anchor in the community, providing a waypoint for comfort.

Lewinnick Lodge in Newquay is set on the rocky and rugged Pentire ledge overlooking the waves of the Atlantic. It features a contemporary and beautifully appointed restaurant and bar where you can enjoy signature entrees, select wines, local ales, and speciality cocktails on a terrace overlooking the ocean. To say that the clifftop views here are spectacular is an understatement.

The menu changes seasonally and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, a children’s section, and a special Sunday lunch. With an emphasis on using Cornish ingredients, simple classic dishes are elevated with a contemporary nod – the delightful food and stunning views make dining here an extraordinary experience.

Butchers Bistro, just steps away from Newquay's Great Western Beach, is a thriving and popular spot for seafood and steaks in Newquay. The decor may be understated and simple, but the food is delicious, and the staff is friendly, professional and accommodating.

To start, order the Cornish scallops in garlic butter and enjoy the sensational homemade lavender bread. For perfectly cooked and tender cuts of meat, the steaks are to die for, especially when paired with a side sauce – consider the highly touted peppercorn. The locally sourced seafood entrees receive kudos for quality and freshness. Prepare to be impressed when you order the seafood marinières, served with toasted lavender bread.

Estrella Morada Bar de Tapas is an eclectic and unassuming tapas bar that faces Porth Beach and features lovely views of Newquay Bay. It’s a go-to for tasty Spanish tapas, excellent sangria and rioja, and cold beer served from a well-provisioned bar. There is outside seating and a pool table and dogs are welcome. Adults love the chill vibe that comes with the 18+ age requirement – if you’ve got the kiddos in tow, there are plenty of other dining options nearby.

There is an excellent selection of tapas – from hot or cold, seafood, meat, and vegetarian, plus salads and appetisers. Standout choices are the vieiras y morcilla (fresh scallops with Spanish black pudding), calamares picantes (squid rings fried in chilli oil) and gambas y chorizo (tiger prawns with Spanish Chorizo).

Cafe Cloud is a colourful Newquay eatery serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. It specialises in regular, gluten-free and vegan baked goods. Both versions of the scones are phenomenal, and the vegan cream tea made with a coconut base is impressive. The luscious waffles topped with ingredients like Cornish ice cream, homemade salted caramel, and crumbled Biscoff cookies are both visually intriguing and creative.

Check out the hearty and filling Cloud English Breakfast selections or enjoy afternoon Cornish tea served in a vintage tea set with homemade scones, Cornish clotted cream and jam, with gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Come hungry and leave satisfied with big portions served by friendly staff or take away any number of their heavenly treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The Secret Garden is a chill beachside restaurant in Newquay with a plant and flower-adorned deck overlooking the sea. Its main offerings are artisan pizzas, charcuterie boards, salads and sides. Its drinks list features organic and biodynamic wines, locally made ales, gins and ciders, and speciality cocktails. As you hang out on the terrace, the staff will bring you a blanket if it gets chilly.

The speciality pizza selections have fun and creative names and are a wonderful mix of complementary ingredients – the Piggys Can Surf is topped off with prawns, pancetta, caramelised onions, mozzarella, rocket and aioli. Equally intriguing is the Fisherman’s Friend, which comes loaded with prawns, smoked salmon, spinach, and mozzarella and finished with rocket, lemon and aioli.