7 Beach Cafes in South Cornwall
Beachside eateries and cafes by the sea in south Cornwall
There are so many adventures to be had along the coastal paths of Cornwall. From the rugged splendour of the north coast, with its gleaming swells and lofty sea stacks, to the gentler climes of the south and its estuaries, harbours and golden shores… Cornwall has a path for everyone. Where better to relax, refuel and refresh than a coastal café. Here are ten of our favourite beachside eateries in Cornwall.
1. The Hidden Hut, near Portscatho, Roseland Peninsula
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Smuggled away on the magnificent Roseland Peninsula, The Hidden Hut is a hungry walker’s delight. Serving up a selection of freshly-made lunches, its friendly staff will also happily pack up your snacks to takeaway if you fancy picnicking on the beach. Only local growers and ingredients make it onto the menu and all hot dishes are cooked on the café’s outdoor stove or risen in the baker’s oven…no deep-fat fryers to be found here! Soups, stews, chowders, chillies and spiced dhals are all firm favourites, while summer grills and salads are really popular during the high season. Herbs and vegetables are picked fresh from the café’s allotment, grilled mackerel caught from local waters and beef steaks from the grazing headland herd. Lighter bites include warm toast and seasonal dips (try the homemade hummus), steak pasties and handmade sausage rolls straight from oven.
2. Rock Pool Café, Mousehole
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This dainty café found perched above the sea pool offers up lots of sumptuous options. Its cake menu is of patisserie proportions, traditional cream teas are a roaring trade, while breakfasts and lunch are fresh and tasty. The shimmering channel views are a dreamy canvas for a lazy summer’s day, perfect for a Rock Pool cocktail or two. The café is also available to hire for special occasions. The coastal village of Mousehole lies only a few miles west of Penzance and is famous for its fishing heritage, once the principal fishing port of Mounts Bay.
3. Kynance Café, Lizard Peninsula
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Not far from Cornwall’s most southerly tip, on a blue-sky day there’s nowhere more beautiful than Kynance Cove. Sheltered by grassy bluffs and magnificent serpentine rocks, the white sands, turquoise waters and sea caves could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean were it not for the Cornish cattle grazing in the sloping meadows and the choughs hunting for sand hoppers along the strandline. More recently the cove hit the headlines as one of the locations used during the filming of the BBC One drama Poldark, part of Ross Poldark’s Nampara Estate. Walkers, beach lovers and wild swimmers exploring this exquisite coastal corner will stumble upon the Kynance Café – a perennially popular shoreside eatery boasting a menu packed with hearty options. The café is dedicated to its sustainable ethos, composting its food waste and generating its electricity from its solar roof tiles.
4. She Sells, Mevagissey
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With its narrow, winding streets and picturesque harbour, Mevagissey is a characterful fishing port set on the Roseland Heritage Coast. The She Sells café adjoins a quirky emporium decked out with gifts, cards and tasteful trinkets. On the menu you’ll find crepes, cakes, galettes, bagels and Treleaven ice cream (considered by many to be Cornwall’s most luxurious). Coffee connoisseurs will love this waterside venue, She Sell’s “Coffee Corner” club an instant hit with lovers of the blend and roast.
5. Talland Bay Beach Café
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Between the gruff but majestic headlands of Lantic Bay and the bustling sea town of Looe are the shingles shores of Talland Bay. Here, walkers and sea swimmers can enjoy some of the finest views along the south east Cornish coast as they explore the tracks and trails that hug this precious sweep. Meanwhile, at the beach café… freshly ground cappuccinos, lattes and expressos are only a whisk away, accompanied by a just-baked muffin or a slice from the tray bake. Satisfy your lunchtime hunger pangs with a sandwich or ciabatta made fresh to order, and if the sun is out, treat your sweet tooth to a Roskillys Cornish Ice Cream.
6. Muddy Beach Café, Penryn
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Penryn’s Jubilee Wharf is the location for the Muddy Beach Café, a family-run business with its roots in the town’s first fish n chip shop. With its stylish Scandi design and shabby chic tones, you can’t help but feel right at home as you gaze along the riverbank through the panoramic windows – one of west Cornwall’s most enchanting views. Dogs are welcome here too, in fact there is a special doggy area where dog walkers can relax in the sunshine after their blissful riverbank strolls. The name “Muddy Beach” comes from a local nickname for the shoreline opposite the café, a tranquil spot for the wading birds. Delicious food and a well-travelled wine menu prove an irresistible combination, so whether you’re looking for a quiet corner to read your book, or a lunchtime table for the whole family, the staff at Muddy Beach are at your service.
7. Café Mylor, near Falmouth
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Positioned on the shimmering waters of the Mylor Yacht Harbour, Café Mylor is a much-loved sailors’ haunt with a menu fit for the captain’s table. Barista coffees, breakfasts cooked to order, an ample lunch menu, daily specials and afternoon snacks are all part and parcel of the Café Mylor experience. Another eatery flying the flag for Cornish growers, customers arrive by land and water for a table on the terrace and a far-reaching view of the sparkling harbour and The Carrick Road Estuary. Dog walkers are welcome here, the ideal pitstop along or ending to a myriad of circular walks that weave around the creeks and inlets. Flushing Beach is only a headland stroll away, taking in the scenic views of Trefusis Point and catching the passenger ferry to Falmouth if you so wish.