Its white sand surfing beaches, picturesque harbour, cobbled streets and thriving art scene aren’t all St Ives is loved for. From seafood dishes and burgers to Thai tapas and dog-friendly dining, this Cornish haven is well worth a visit. When you get to this beautiful town… you will find yourself asking the big question, where shall we eat? To narrow the options, I’ve handpicked the 8 best restaurants we visited in St Ives…
St Ives has so many wonderful places to eat and drink. We were spoiled for choice and only made it to a few. Planning which food spots you want to try before your trip is recommended, the fear of not booking and waiting on average 90 minutes for a table can be avoided! Having spent a week in St Ives in May 2024, eating out for lunch and dinner most days I thought I would share our favourite spots.
Whether you’re in the mood for fresh-off-the-boat seafood or stoned-baked pizza with breathtaking views, this harbour town is home to some of the best foodie places in Cornwall. We loved St Ives and cannot wait until we return in 2025.
Finding hidden gems, and unique and interesting spots to grab a bite is always a priority. Whether dog-friendly or family friendly we tried them all. Here are our favourite places to eat in the Cornish seaside town of St. Ives…
8 places to eat in St Ives
1. Porthmeor Beach Cafe – located on Porthmeor beach. A favourite of visitors. My personal favourite. Book a pod for sunset, you won’t regret it—the best spot to spend your first night. The tapas and evening menu are good, really good. Unexpectedly George enjoyed the children’s menu which wasn’t online. Dog-friendly in parts.
2. Hub St Ives – located on the Harbour, the RNLI side. You’ll find a laid-back meal with American-inspired burgers, dirty fries and classic cocktails. Hub promises not to disappoint. A dog-friendly spot with superb staff, harbourside views and a terrace. I highly recommend it.
3. ONZO Pizzeria – on the harbourfront of St Ives. The boys went for the pizzas which were on the large side, I enjoyed the meatballs which were so good. A quirky floor-to-ceiling glass building, harbourfront views and a really lovely family vibe.
4. West – located on the West Beach of Porthmeor. The awesome Greek bar opened this year, an addition to the already successful West which hosts a successful pizza bar and cafe serving awesome breakfasts. This was a vibe like no other, situated on the beach, great beer and wine and dog-friendly.
5. Harbour Fish & Chips – a firm favourite, so good and as the name suggests located on the harbourfront. This was the most expensive fish & chips we have ever eaten but my goodness they were good.
6. Talay Thai Kitchen – located in a central point on the harbour, elevated above the street, Talay is a must-visit. In 2024 they added a cocktail lounge for you to enjoy whilst waiting for your table. We voted this our best meal of the holiday! The range of food is incredible, we opted for a blend of tapas and street food.
7. St Ives Bakery – situated at the end of The Digey and Fore Street. A bakery serving up their famous breakfast cruffins (a must try) and traditional Cornish pasties and bread. Perfect for a casual lunch or evening meal. Watch out for the seagulls.
8. Porthminster Beach Cafe – beachside dining with a view. It is an incredible spot overlooking Portminster Beach. Dog friendly with an awesome menu, food and service. Unlike any other restaurant, we tried.
8 places to eat in St Ives
With so many great choices we haven’t been able to try all the restaurants we were recommended on this trip, after our next trip in 2025 I will update this list as we try more places to eat in St. Ives. These are the ones that we love the most.
If you are planning a trip to St Ives this year and looking for recommendations on what to do, where to stay and how to navigate the area, you’ll find inspiration here. If you have any questions, drop a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer. Right, I’m off to start planning our next adventure for George’s big 13th birthday.
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
