Tuck into fish and chips while watching fishing boats that brought the catch ashore. Bite into burgers made from meat reared in the surrounding countryside. Eat oysters overlooking the Camel Estuary where they were harvested. Follow pizza with lip-smacking gelatos and sorbets produced on the premises…
The iconic fishing village turned foodie-haven of Padstow isn’t just a fine-dining destination. There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants where all ages can enjoy the best Cornish cuisine in a casual setting. Here are some of our favourite places to eat out with the kids in Padstow.
An authentic and stylish pizza restaurant, this vibrant Italian caffè serves up Napoletana-style pizzas, fresh pasta and seasonal small plates. Being in the hands of celeb-chef Paul Ainsworth’s, you can expect the finest ingredients from land and sea, in a devilish combo of Italian and Cornish cuisine. Book a table in the 18th century building where local craftsmen once made boots for Padstow’s fishermen. Or take seat in the glass atrium, and enjoy this family-friendly eatery footsteps from the harbour.
Get your chops around gourmet burgers and fish dishes cooked over charcoal, in a fun and upbeat setting beside Padstow harbour. Kids’ eyes will bulge at the burger selection, while grown-ups can indulge in the likes of grilled octopus or local mussels cooked in cider. With a menu built on the freshest local ingredients, topped off by classic brownie sundaes or salted caramel waffles, this could be vying for the title of the best burger bar in Cornwall.
Taking fish and chips to a new level, Stein’s is arguably one of the best chippies in Padstow. As well as local cod, haddock and hake cooked in homemade batter, there are smaller bites such as scampi, tiger prawns and battered oysters. Or try alternatives such as the fish chilli burger and grilled mackerel. All of which can be washed down by Stein’s Chalky’s Bite beers. Arrive early to join the queue for a table, or take your dinner and enjoy it on the quayside.
With pizza, pasta and ice cream at the top of the menu, this fast-food restaurant in the heart of town is a winner for families eating out in Padstow. Stack your pizza with a range of toppings from king prawns to Cornish ham, but save room to gorge on the delicious sorbets and gelatos created in-house by the Padstow Ice Cream Company. Knee-high diners are catered for with half-price, half-size options. While dietary requirements are covered with the option of gluten-free bases, vegan cheese and 14 allergens symbolised on the menu.
Perfect for families looking to sample the taste of Cornwall in a laidback setting, Mussel Box serves classic, local ingredients including Padstow lobster, crab, mackerel and bass. With options such as fish finger sandwiches and burgers, the whole family will love the no-fuss, no-frills menu filled with cracking Cornish produce. With an all-weather seating area by the harbour, a kids menu and being dog-friendly too, this is one of our favourite family-friendly restaurants in the centre of Padstow.
Another location in Stein’s stable just few miles outside of Padstow in the village of St Merryn, The Cornish Arms is a great place to visit on the way back from the beach or after a day out sightseeing. An old Cornish pub revamped with a family-friendly dining area and a huge garden to play in while dinner’s cooking, here you can tuck into everything from traditional British pub grub and Sunday roasts, to local seafood dishes.
Take the family on a ferry ride across the Camel Estuary from Padstow to Rock, and disembark beside this charming waterside gastro-pub that’s been taken over by Paul Ainsworth. With an all-day menu focussing on British classics that champion local produce, you can choose anything from 40-day aged Cornish sirloin to oysters grown on the beds in view. There’s a dedicated ‘Little Sailors’ menu and – of course – an extensive selection of cask ales from Cornwall.
If you’re staying in and around Padstow, escape the crowds at this garden centre turned dining hotspot on the outskirts of town. Serving everything from breakfast and lunch to takeaway dinners, chef Henk showcases the abundance of local produce from seafood and Cornish meats, to eggs and veg sourced from farms in view. Whether you fancy piles of warm pancakes served with fresh Cornish coffee, an afternoon roast with live music in the garden, or an easy and delicious takeaway for tea, this is a fantastic family eatery just a pebble’s throw from the hubbub of Padstow.
How about a casual, alfresco dining experience under the sunset or stars? Head to the Craftworks Secret Garden, located at Padstow Touring Park on the outskirts of town. Craftworks serves simple street food from converted shipping containers set in a secluded garden that was once part of an orchard. Take shelter in a tipi or sit under the pine trees and devour burgers, burritos, tacos and salads in a unique and wild location.
If you and your family love to eat out on holiday, Padstow is the place to be. It’s one of Cornwall’s top foodie destinations with many great places to eat including these delicious family-friendly eateries. So why not book a holiday in Padstow and sample many of these restaurants and cafés with your kids? Begin a search to find holiday homes in the Padstow area that are perfect for family stays.
If you’re looking for other things to do while on holiday in Padstow, see our selection of the best family activities in Cornwall or our guide to the top days out with kids in Cornwall.
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