The best restaurants in Falmouth, Cornwall

Off to Falmouth for a break? Lucky you! It’s a wonderful seaside town with so much to offer. I’ve visited a few times before and made my way around many of the best places to eat. Here’s my guide to the best restaurants in Falmouth so you can make reservations for your visit.

Falmouth is well known for its foodie scene, as well as for being a holiday hotspot and one of the prettiest and largest harbour towns in Cornwall. As a unique British county with the longest stretch of coastline and countryside, you can expect excellent farm produce and seafood. Whether you prefer a gastropub, a chic restaurant, or a seafood shack, Falmouth has it all. By day, enjoy fish and chips on the beach, and by evening enjoy a delicious seafood dinner in a restaurant by the beautiful harbour. No worries if seafood isn’t your thing – there’s also a bounty of diverse cuisines from Caribbean to Indian, as well as vegan and vegetarian eateries. In this article, I share my pick of the best restaurants in Falmouth.

Quick tips for visiting Falmouth

Get this: self-guided road trip of the Cornwall coast. This tour is flexible and guides you to the most beautiful parts of the coast near Falmouth.

Don’t miss: car hire while exploring Falmouth. You’ll definitely need a car to explore Falmouth and the surrounding areas.

Stay: Find the most affordable hotels in Falmouth on Booking.com.

This article may contain some affiliate links. Do note I’d never recommend anything I wouldn’t truly advise for any of my friends.

Water’s Edge Restaurant, North Parade

A recent finalist for Hotel Restaurant of the Year at the Cornwall Life Food & Drink Awards, the Water’s Edge is one of the best restaurants in Falmouth. Offering relaxed fine dining, the restaurant that’s a part of the Greenbank Hotel also boasts beautiful views over Falmouth harbour. With two AA rosettes, you’ll discover daily changing recommendations as well as a delicious dinner menu. Discover delicious mains including cornfed chicken with pancetta and spinach potatoes, and monkfish curry with saag aloo, rice, crab fritter, and mango. The knowledgable staff are on hand to guide you through the tempting menu and wine list.

Heading to beautiful St Ives in Cornwall? Check out my guide to the best restaurants in St Ives.

The Brig, Arwenack Street

Come to The Brig for delicious, hearty food, big portions, and a fun pirate theme. Perfect for meat lovers, popular dishes include shredded barbecue brisket with smoked tomatoes and hand cut chips, a full rack of barbecue glazed pork ribs, sticky chicken thighs, and coconut and chilli mussels served with herb butter baguette. You can also choose from a number of platters for sharing, which are full of popular mains and served with sides like mac and cheese and homemade coleslaw. The nachos are to die for, too! The Brig also boasts a whopping cocktail menu which helps to make it one of the best restaurants in Falmouth. There’s an impressive range of Caribbean rums to try so be sure to add one to your list.

The Brasserie on the Bay, Gyllyngvase Beach

The Brasserie on the Bay is one of the best restaurants in Falmouth, and also one of the most beautiful. Expect to find floor to ceiling views of gorgeous Gyllyngvase Beach and its sub-tropical gardens while you dine. The beauty of Cornwall is also well reflected in its menu – you’ll discover dishes sourced from local ingredients. You’ll discover a catch of the day on the daily menu, featuring scrumptious fish and seafood. With 2 AA rosettes, you can also expect high quality food and a classy menu. Feast on dishes like wild Cornish sea bass with sprouting broccoli and red pepper, and West Country fillet steak with triple cooked chips and peppercorn sauce. Finish off with a delicious dessert and a bottle of fine wine on the roof terrace.

Cove Restaurant & Bar, Maenporth Beach

One of the harbour town’s more upmarket dining options, the Cove is also one of the best restaurants in Falmouth. While you dine, you can enjoy spectacular views over Falmouth Bay from the Maenporth Beach location. Operating under celebrated Michelin-star chef Michael Caines, you can expect good things from the Cove. All dishes utilise fresh, local ingredients to create top-class seafood. Choose from casual dishes including classic fish and chips, curried monkfish, and lobster thermidor. There’s also an incredible tasting menu that features plates including scallop ceviche, chargrilled beef fillet, and chicken and truffle terrine. To finish, don’t miss the pistachio terrine.

Cribbs, Arwenack Street

Cribbs prides itself on offering tasty Caribbean food and delicious rum from the heart of Falmouth. One of the best restaurants in Falmouth, Cribbs is the creation of Caribbean owner, John, who is originally from St Vincent. He brings with him both Caribbean spirit and delicious plates of authentic food. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere while you choose from the menu. Dishes include Jamaican jerk chicken, calypso salmon poached in coconut cream, and Caribbean lamb curry. The herb baked snapper is a personal favourite, baked in white wine and lemon juice and served with rice and peas. Enjoy some delicious food and sip on a Caribbean Queen cocktail to feel transported away to the Caribbean.

The Shack, Discovery Quay

If you’re after somewhere a little more rustic to enjoy a bite to eat, check out The Shack in Falmouth’s Discovery Quay. It boasts fresh local seafood that you can get a little messy with by eating with your hands. Each day brings different specials, but classics include the Shack Stack Seafood Platter. It features crab, mussels, squid, crevettes, oysters, scallops, skin-on fries, aioli, sweet chilli dip, and bread, and you can add fresh or dressed crab if you wish. Other favourites include fish of the day, mussel and prawn linguine, smoked haddock and bacon chowder, and Cornish fillet steak. If you order the platter on Wednesdays, you even get a free bottle of house wine! As one of the best restaurants in Falmouth, be sure to book ahead.

Star & Garter, High Street

If you’re looking for a spot with relaxed dining but incredible views across Falmouth Harbour towards the Roseland Peninsula, Star and Garter fits the bill nicely. Set in a Georgian townhouse, Star and Garter features an award-winning restaurant. The gastropub serves up modern British cooking, with fresh local fish and meat butchered and cured onsite. On Sunday, you’ll find the infamous Sunday lunch, which is sure to knock your socks off. Mondays have an American twist, with barbecue style meats like wings, ribs, and craft beer. From one of the best restaurants in Falmouth, tuck into tasty dishes like aged hanger steak with watercress bone marrow butter, chips, and onion rings, and chicken schnitzel with garlic butter, aged parmesan, and a bacon frisee salad. It’s a wonderful pub, and no matter what you order – you won’t be disappointed.

Gylly Beach Cafe, Gyllyngvase Beach

Located right on Falmouth’s iconic Gyllyngvase Beach, enjoy incredible panoramic views while you dine at Gylly Beach Cafe. Expect fresh dishes with Cornish roots at this award-winning cafe which is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Falmouth. Kick things off with some small plates including Cornish nduja pate with sourdough crackers or chilled wild tiger king prawns. Moving onto mains, there’s a fish bar which features favourites like St Ives bay scallops, and Mylor crab. Other classics include beer battered white fish, tortellini pasta, and a smoked mackerel toastie. All bread is baked at the bakery next door. It’s the perfect little spot for a relaxing lunch or dinner on the beach.

That’s my guide to the best restaurants in Falmouth! Are there any others you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.