Seeking out the best vegan restaurants anywhere in the UK can be a challenge. And in Cornwall, where many eateries focus on fresh fish plucked from the surrounding ocean, or prize meat reared in our rolling countryside, it can be difficult to find a place serving plant-based ingredients. However, the vegans in your holiday crew don’t have to settle for side orders.
Here are our top restaurants in Cornwall where vegan dishes aren’t just a second thought but (often) the main feature on a flavour-packed menu – from vegan breakfasts and street food to fancy dinners.
There aren’t any exclusively vegan restaurants in Padstow… yet. However, many eateries not only cater for vegans but place plant-free options at the heart of their menus. Here are some of our local favourites for meat-free dining in this foodie hub.
Our pick of the most vegan-friendly spots in the Padstow area is Duchy Grub, a dinky little restaurant hidden on the Higher Harlyn Park campsite, a few miles out of St Merryn. Here, the chefs source the most flavoursome and sustainable ingredients from the north Cornish coast, and plate them up in dishes that tell a story of the seasons and the surroundings. Unsurprisingly, with much being picked from nature, vegan dishes are a highlight.
Float across the estuary from Padstow to this Michelin-starred restaurant in Rock, that’s been run by a husband-and-wife team since 2010. Again, it’s not exclusively for vegans, but any ingredients that veer from the plant-based menu are sourced sustainably or produced to the highest welfare standards. Whether you opt for a two or three-course set menu, there are vegan options at every step, such as wild garlic arancini, roasted celeriac and coconut sorbet, ensuring that no diner goes hungry at The Dining Room.
If you’re a mixed group of diners looking for the best spot with vegan options in Padstow itself, we’d suggest taking a seat with a view at Greens of Padstow. The varied menu has something for all tastes and appetites, with plenty of vegan and veggie dishes. We love the crispy aubergine curry, or – if you’re after a lighter bite – try the minted broad beans on sourdough.
Home of King Arthur’s Castle, Tintagel is a land steeped in myths and legends. However, when you eat out at Vega, you can dispel the myth that vegan food is bland or boring. On the contrary, here the daily-changing menu is packed with finger-licking, fair trade and organic plant-based ingredients, conjured into delicious dishes from tapas to curries. A percentage of the profits is also donated to animal welfare charities.
If you fancy a day out from Padstow, wind down the coast past Newquay to the surf-lashed sands of Perranporth. Before you hit the beach, fuel up for sandy-toed adventures at the Roots Café, where smoothie bowls, hotpots, home-baked cakes and delish dishes like beetroot wellington, are all 100% plant-based.
Beyond Perranporth, Hayle’s three miles of golden sands beckons beach lovers, surfers, dog walkers and wildlife spotters. And while the quirky little Be Kind caravan might just look like a coffee shack on your way to the beach, it’s a must-stop destination for heart-warming vegan street food. Wake up with a salted caramel oat milk latte, fill up with a vegan BLT, or on a chilly day, warm up with a pot of chickpea and spinach curry.
You’d expect Cornwall’s only city to come up trumps in the vegan department, and it does, with possibly the best 100% vegan restaurant in the county. The Cornish Vegan uses only plant-based ingredients in innovative fusion dishes and platters of guilty pleasures. From truffle fries and deep-fried cauliflower, to lunch bowls and burgers stacked with smoked vegan cheese, seitan and micro greens, all packed with more flavour than many of the non-vegan dishes you can find in the city. And they’re all served with a choice of craft beer, locally-made cider, and small-batch Cornish-roasted coffee.
At The Canteen, food miles are counted in the footsteps it takes to wheelbarrow most of the ingredients used from the nearby Community Roots project. And you can guarantee that any other ingredients are sourced from local and ethical suppliers. What’s more, the dishes made are delectable – from fire-grilled flatbreads and slow-roasted veg, to sticky cinnamon buns fresh from the oven.
Just outside the arty, foodie enclave of St Ives, Carbis Bay is gaining its own gastronomic reputation of late, what with Adam Handling’s Ugly Butterfly championing zero food waste on its golden shores. On the outskirts of the town awaits the delicious vegetarian and vegan haven of The Bean Inn, where globally inspired dishes such as seasonal Buddha bowls, mushroom bourguignon and vegan savoury boards are all packed with local ingredients. You can even get a takeaway in plant-based compostable packaging and set off along the South West Coast Path with your vegan feast.
If you’re exploring the bunting-fluttering streets of maritime Falmouth, pause at this food truck serving takeaway 100% vegan Middle Eastern on The Moor – in the heart of town. Whether you opt for stuffed vine leaves or falafels wrapped in tangy toppings, Fal Falafel will definitely fuel you up for a boat trip, twirl around the art galleries or a stomp around the Pendennis Headland.
The soil-centric Crocadon restaurant is a dream come true for Dan Cox, a former winner of the Roux Scholarship, who bought a 120-acre farm in southeast Cornwall. Within a year of serving up his hyper-seasonal menu led by what’s grown and reared on the land, Crocadon was awarded its first Michelin star. Vegans can focus on the plentiful field-to-fork options, whilst carnivore dining companions can tuck into the finest meats reared on the farm.
This funky little artists’ hangout cum restaurant is committed to serving plant-based food and drinks in a vibrant, orange-walled venue tucked in the narrow streets of Mousehole. As well as tapas nights, Thali feasts and African cuisine, there are all sorts of writing, arts and music nights held in the Orange Café Bar’s cosy ambience. Or, you might just want to pop in for a coffee and vegan cake after a dip in the Mousehole tidal pool.
Harbour Holidays offer a range of coastal cottages in North Cornwall, from where you can explore the foodie delights and finest restaurants in Padstow and beyond.
Need Help?
Call - 01841 533402