Eight of the best restaurants in Penzance to eat out

 An exciting food scene has been emerging in Penzance and the nearby village of Newlyn over the last few years. Our very own patch of west Cornwall is serving up some of the county’s best dishes and there are a wealth of places to choose from. We’ve hunted down the best restaurants in Penzance to experience the heights of Cornish cuisine.

The best restaurants in Penzance to experience local cuisine

As you might expect, the best restaurants in Penzance are making the most of their coastal location. Seafood is top of the list for much of our list of favourite foodie spots but Cornwall is rich in local produce, making for the tastiest ingredients and the best dishes.

Hotel Penzance Restaurant

The first stop on your foodie tour of Penzance should be our highly-acclaimed Garden Bar and Restaurant. Showcasing the very best in local Cornish ingredients in a scenic setting, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the coast, harbour and sparkling sea across Mount’s Bay. The stunning Ivy Chelsea gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a constantly evolving and inventive menu that has maintained our award-winning status for over 10 years.

The Tolcarne Inn

A hop, skip and a jump away from Penzance in Newlyn, The Tolcarne Inn is the passion project of Ben Tuncliffe, former Michelin Star chef of The Abbey, Penzance. Nestled next to the sea wall of one of the UK’s most important fishing ports, this is one of the best restaurants in Penzance for seafood lovers. The evolving menu reflects the seasonal abundance, where the catch of the day is served alongside fresh local produce. With a welcoming atmosphere and a historic maritime pub setting, there are few better places to experience Cornwall’s famous food culture.

The Mexico Inn

On the outer reaches of Penzance, The Mexico Inn serves welcoming, honest pub food in a family-friendly setting. A family venture, the inn is run by couple Amy and Tom who share a focus on uncomplicated, ingredient-driven food in an inviting and warm pub setting. The Mexico Inn itself has been a feature of the local area for over 200 years, and while Mexican food is served, the menu also holds some of the best Cornish cuisine in the county.

The Old Coastguard

A stone’s throw from some of West Cornwall’s best beaches and gardens, this seaside hotel overlooks St Michael’s Mount and the Lizard. The Old Coastguard’s dining room and outside terrace sit atop a tropical garden that winds down to the harbour wall. A stunning, family-friendly setting - and that’s before we get to the cuisine itself. As a coastal eatery, there’s plenty of fish and seafood on the menu but the local beef, poultry and game dishes also shine.

Victoria Inn

In a county full of ancient history, the Victoria Inn holds the honour of being (reputedly) one of the oldest pubs in Cornwall. With a roaring fire to stave off winter’s chill and a south-facing terrace garden to embrace sunnier times, the inn truly has a timeless quality. The menu changes with the seasons and the availability of local produce to keep things, as the team says themselves, ‘tastefully refreshing’.

Shore

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Penzance for a fine dining experience, it has to be Shore. A small and intimate restaurant, Shore only takes bookings as experienced chef Bruce Rennie buys the seafood early each day for the number of guests booked - it doesn’t come fresher than that. Using sophisticated techniques and beautiful presentation, Rennie crafts a small selection of refreshingly inventive dishes for a really indulgent experience.

Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar

If you spot a long queue in the middle of Newlyn, it likely leads to Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar. The small, popular sit-in and takeaway restaurant is well known for large lines of visitors, who come from far and wide to enjoy a range of seafood dishes. Plates are ‘tapas’ style which means you can try a range of dishes, made up of the freshest local seafood and produce. Perfect for discovering your new favourite fish dish.

Argoe

Overlooking Newlyn harbour, Argoe seeks to replicate the experiences of France and Spain’s hyperlocal fishing village restaurants. With anywhere between 7 and 9 species of fish and shellfish on the menu at any one time, Argoe’s menu celebrates fresh, delicious seafood prepared simply using woodfire grills to really add flavour. A restaurant that truly represents the fishing industry, quickly becoming one of the best restaurants in Penzance.

Your foodie tour starts at Hotel Penzance

Centrally situated to easily reach the best of Penzance’s foodie scene, Hotel Penzance is an elegant 4-star townhouse hotel. With warm, welcoming rooms, breathtaking views and an acclaimed restaurant of its own, this is modern comfort with Edwardian elegance. Set back from busy town life, Hotel Penzance is your quiet, refreshing setting to explore West Cornwall.