The 10 best restaurants in Padstow

Padstow is the pearl in the oyster of Cornwall’s north coast and a widely revered foodie destination. The pretty town centre’s charming, characterful narrow streets curve around its stunning working harbour that leads out into the Camel River and Estuary. Perhaps it won’t surprise you that there is an abundance of fabulous places to eat in Padstow, especially seafood.

From Michelin star bistros to cosy pubs in Padstow and dinners out with the children, it can be somewhat difficult to know where to start. But don’t worry, because we’ve got you! Here you’ll find our choice of the finest eateries and restaurants Padstow serves up to visitors and locals, along with pricing details.  

Most of our Padstow restaurants cater to different dietary requirements and tastes, and frequently update their menus, so do check the relevant websites for all the latest info, including dog-friendly restaurants and pubs in Padstow. It should also be noted that a decent portion of the establishments featured, require advance bookings. If you are planning a holiday to Padstow, why not browse our collection of self-catering accommodation in the town today?

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• Best for seafood | The Seafood Restaurant 
• Best for traditional pub grub | The Old Custom House 
• Best for classic French cuisine | St Petroc’s Bistro 
• Best for Michelin, fine dining | Paul Ainsworth at No6 
• Best for relaxed, family dining | Burgers & Fish 
• Best for history as it’s Padstow’s oldest pub | The Golden Lion 
• Best for Italian | Caffè Rojano
• Best for al fresco dining| Greens of Padstow 
• Best for tapas style seafood | Prawn on the Lawn
• Best for harbour views | Pucelli’s

Best for seafood | The Seafood Restaurant

This celebrated, Michelin Star restaurant launched by Rick Stein and his then-wife Jill in 1975, is open daily for lunch and dinner. They offer a three-course, set lunch menu for £30, comprising of Japanese fish cakes, grilled hake and chocolate mousse for dessert. Lobster thermidor, scallops and an Indonesian seafood curry are on the sample menu, along with an array of non-seafood options and there’s even a children’s menu. 

Looking for a little, last-minute luxury? Come spring 2024, champagne and oysters are again to be served in the light and bright (non-bookable) conservatory. For more casual eats, you could dine at Rick Stein’s Café in Padstow or for some quality, Padstow fish and chips. 

Best for traditional pub grub | The Old Custom House 

Photo credit: The Old Custom House

With its recognisable and historical façade, this family-friendly, former customs house located directly opposite the harbour is considered one of the best pubs in Padstow. 

With a warm and tasteful blend of old and new décor, the pub menu offers a tempting and wide-ranging selection of contemporary pub food options, including a children’s menu and Sunday roasts. There’s a worthy selection of locally brewed ales, fine wines and signature cocktails to sample too. 

Best for classic French cuisine | St Petroc’s Bistro

Located in the town centre in one of Padstow’s oldest buildings and a stone’s throw from Rick Stein’s well-seasoned ‘Seafood’ restaurant, you’ll find his intimate, oak-furnished bistro, where classic French cuisine – such as quality steaks and seafood dishes are the flavours of the day – and there’s a children’s menu to boot. Apéritif? 

There’s a lounge and a snug bar, or head to sister-business Ruby’s Bar, which is handily just next door. The bistro also boasts a secret garden, where you may wish to pair a glass of indulgence with a selection of small seafood plates, or you can hire the private dining room for up to 14 of your VIPs.

Best for Michelin, fine dining | Paul Ainsworth at No6

Photo credit: Paul Ainsworth at No6

Paul Ainsworth’s restaurant in Padstow run by Paul and his wife Emma, is a Michelin star, fine-dining establishment, set in a beautiful Georgian townhouse in the town’s heart. Creating modern plates with locally sourced ingredients, it’s open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday. They welcome children over the age of four and there’s a children’s menu upon request. 

The restaurant has two dining areas, including a private space seating up to six people. Menu choices include crapaudine beetroot and smoked eel, and all of the pigeon, salted plum ketchup and black cardamon. The menu is priced per person for the two-and-a-half-hour foodie experience. Or for something else, relax with cocktails and pintxos in CiCi’s Bar above the restaurant – booking is advised. 

Best for relaxed, family dining | Burgers & Fish

With comfy leather booths and an open charcoal grill, this fun and relaxed family-friendly restaurant is renowned for its gourmet charcoal-grilled burgers. 

Fish and chips, lamb ragu, grilled octopus and garden bean burgers are a few of the plates presented on the sample menu and they have a dedicated children’s menu as well. And if you fancy a sweet treat, this Padstow restaurant also serves scrumptious afternoon cream teas and a selection of cakes. 

Best for history as it’s Padstow’s oldest pub | The Golden Lion

Photo credit: The Golden Lion

With the grand title of Padstow’s oldest pub, this traditional and centrally placed pub is also the stable home of the ‘Old Oss’, one of two ‘obby horses’ let loose upon the town with much revelry every May first, in celebration of the ancient Pagan festival of Beltane. 

The pub offers local ales and hearty, home-cooked pub food at its best. From seafood to burgers, soups, plant-based meals and Sunday roasts, there’s something to suit the tastebuds of adults and little ones alike and yes, there is a children’s menu. The Golden Lion has been run by the Rickard family for 30-plus years. 

Best for Italian | Caffè Rojano

Photo credit: Caffe Rojano

Paul and Emma Ainsworth’s lively, Michelin star brasserie serves up a New York-Italian style menu with Brooklyn-inspired pizzas, pasta, burgers and small plates, such as their arancini balls and other delectable morsels, with a range of food choices to suit different diets and preferences. There is also a bambini menu! 

Caffè Rojano stays true to the ethos of original owner, Stanley Rojano, who opened the establishment in 1974. The building homing this Padstow restaurant was built in 1905 and first occupied by Tonkin Bootmakers, who made hand-sewn boots for the fishermen. 

Best for al fresco dining| Greens of Padstow

Photo credit: Greens of Padstow

With sweeping, al fresco views across the estuary and an 18-hole mini golf course thrown into the mix which the kids are sure to love, Greens offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as coffee and cake. 

Greens of Padstow cater to all tastes including little ones. The lunch menu offers a selection of mains, sandwiches and salads and the current dinner menu lists meals such as roasted monkfish, slow-cooked beef short rib and a beetroot tart. 

Best for tapas style seafood | Prawn on the Lawn

Photo credit: Prawn on the Lawn

Seared tuna, Padstow brown crab and seafood orzetto are a few of the dishes presented on the website menu at this Michelin Star bistro. Owned by Rick and Katie Toogood, Prawn on the Lawn was opened in 2015, two years after the pair launched their Islington restaurant of the same name. 

With a cool and breezy vibe, Prawn on the Lawn Padstow serves delicious tapas-style seafood, ‘fish for the table’, oysters and shellfish. Small plates change daily depending on the local catch.

Best for harbour views | Pucelli’s

If you’re looking for Italian restaurants in Padstow, Pucelli’s is a well-loved eatery which prides itself as a welcoming, family restaurant which offers good food and service and value for money. This family business was established in 1983 and you’ll find it located in a prime spot on the first floor, with amazing harbourside views. 

This delightful Padstow restaurant serves brunch, lunch and dinner daily from 10am until late, with a tempting menu of antipasti, pasta and pizza including a children’s menu and various dietary options. Their website says that they don’t take reservations during high season and payment is by card and contactless only.

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Hopefully, we’ve given you a taste of some of Padstow’s best foodie hotspots and maybe even given you an appetite to visit? If so, then we have a wide range of great Cornwall holiday properties, including plenty of dog-friendly accommodation in Padstow.