Top 10 Budget Eats in and Around Padstow

Big flavour, small price tag. Here’s where to eat out in Padstow – without forking out a fortune.

Since Rick Stein opened his flagship Seafood Restaurant in Padstow the 1970’s, our home town has grown into a bucket-list destination for food lovers. A culinary hotspot championing the finest ingredients plucked from the surrounding coast and countryside. But it’s not all Michelin stars and multi-course menus.

Beyond the boutique restaurants and big-name chefs, you’ll find a vibrant street food scene, local cafés, pop-ups and beach bars – all dishing out fine food for a fraction of the price.

Here are our top picks for the best budget eats in and around Padstow – tried and tested by the locals (and our Harbour Holidays team). These places keep things simple – think local produce, no fuss, full-on flavour.

1. Ben’s Crib Box Café, Padstow

A local favourite perched on the quayside, Ben’s Crib Box Café is a go-to for tasty, great-value food on the fly. From hearty breakfasts and burritos, to toasties and hot chocolates with all the trimmings, everything’s served from a colourful shack with a side of friendly banter and estuary views. The ‘Meaty B’ burrito is legendary – perfect fuel before or after hitting the coast path to Stepper Point.

2. Embers Woodfired Pizza, Padstow

Pizza. Pasta. Ice cream. What’s not to love? This family-friendly eatery serves up Neapolitan-style pizzas with a Cornish twist – think local ham, West Country cheeses and seafood toppings. Plus there’s the option for gluten-free bases and vegan cheese at no extra cost. If you fancy something other than pizza there’s wood oven fajitas, ribs, chicken wings and king prawns, as well as salads stacked with just-picked Padstow leaves. Don’t miss the sorbets and gelato, handmade by the Padstow Ice Cream Co.

3. The Harbour Inn, Padstow

No bookings, no fuss – just hearty pub grub beside the harbour. Sandwiches under a tenner, scampi and chips for £15.50, and a kids’ menu to keep everyone happy. Add live music and local ales, and you’ve got a no-nonsense meal out that’s much cheaper than most of the sit-down options in Padstow.

4. Trevisker’s Kitchen, nr Padstow

Just outside town, this garden-centre-turned-local-secret is a hit with hungry families and locals. Chef Henk champions Cornwall’s finest produce – from seafood and locally-reared meats, to dairy and veg sourced from farms in view. Whether you fancy piles of warm pancakes served with fresh Cornish coffee, or an afternoon roast with live music in the garden, it’s well worth venturing beyond the bustle of town for food this good – and prices that go easier on the wallet.

5. Rest A While Tea Garden, Hawker’s Cove

If you’re hitting the South West Coast Path from Padstow to Stepper Point, or are staying in one of our cottages at Hawker’s Cove, there are few better locations for just-out-of-the-oven scones with a side of sea views. This tiny tea garden is famous for its cream teas (traditional, savoury, gluten-free and vegan), that will fire you up for the next leg of your hike. Just don’t bank on food or shelter on rainy days – it’s outdoor only and opening hours are weather dependent.

6. Craftworks Secret Garden, Padstow Touring Park

Festival vibes, pine trees and tacos? Hidden away in an orchard just outside town, this seasonal pop-up is all about laid-back street food served from shipping containers. Grab a tipi seat, sip a beer, and tuck into towering burgers, burritos, or fresh bowls and salads under sun or stars.

7. Trevone Beach Café & Bruno’s Bar

Yo-yo between the sea, sand and this beachside gem at Trevone Bay. From full breakfasts to mezze boards, pizzas and small plates, the menu is packed with coastal crowd-pleasers. Soak up the laidback seaside vibe, whether you drop in for coffee and cake, or book a table for sundowners, seasonal platters and live music that rolls on into the night.

8. Chip Ahoy, Padstow

This Padstow local’s favourite is a traditional chippy with steamy windows and fresh fish and chips wrapped in paper. With the smell of hot food and vinegar wafting into the street, it’s hard to walk by this take-away without being tempted by the best value fish and chips in town.

9. The Brunch Spot, Mawgan Porth

No frills, just brilliant breakfast baps dished out of a horse trailer by the village hall in Mawgan Porth. This spot is a post-surf or post-stomp favourite. French toast with bacon, berries and maple syrup is the local legend. Coffee’s strong, banter’s flowing, and wetsuits and dogs are always welcome.

10. The Angry Anchovy, Port Isaac

Nathan Outlaw’s isn’t the only restaurant making waves in Port Isaac. This boho pizzeria is renowned for its affordability, family-friendly atmosphere, and unique personality. Serving up delicious Italian classics with a Cornish twist, there’s even a pizza menu for dogs and a photo wall of four-legged customers. Good food and good vibes at a very friendly price.

Eat and Sleep in Padstow

Book one of our harbour-side cottages or coastal retreats, and enjoy Cornwall’s best bites without blowing the budget.