Top Ten Restaurants in Cornwall for Valentine’s Day
Cornwall + Valentine’s = magic. Think hand-in-hand strolls along beaches and clifftops, followed by fresh, ocean-to-plate dinners in award-winning restaurants. To make it easy, we’ve rounded up ten of our favourite spots to book a table for an unforgettable Valentine’s evening in and around Padstow.
1. Caffé Rojano
Express your ‘amore’ for each other at Padstow’s finest Italian restaurant. Just off the harbour, Caffé Rojano is a warm and welcoming place where romance is always on the menu. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, couples can enjoy seasonal small plates, Napoletana-style pizzas, and fresh pasta dishes that are as delicious as they are memorable.
Caffé Rojano, Padstow
2. Rick Stein’s Café
Laidback, delicious, and Bib Gourmand–awarded, Rick Stein’s Café is a Padstow favourite for an intimate, low-key date. Think fresh local seafood, organic meat from nearby farms, and a three-course à la carte menu for just £34. Surely that’s enough to make you want to linger for lunch of dinner with your lover?
Rick Stein’s Café, Copyright James Ram
3. Paul Ainsworth at Number 6
For gastronomes with a penchant for romance, the Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 is hands-down the hottest address in town. At the heart of Padstow and the Ainsworth stable, renowned chef Paul Ainsworth’s folds bold, seasonal flavours (think Porthilly oysters from the Camel Estuary and fish fresh off the day boats) into an extraordinary dining experience. Book ahead and treat yourselves to a tasting menu made with passion.
Paul Ainsworth at Number 6
4. Prawn on the Lawn
Expect to snuggle up with other guests as well as your partner in this tiny Padstow restaurant. The Prawn on the Lawn is a fish and seafood restaurant with only a handful of tables to serve guests the best of local fish and seafood. It’s a great place to sample oysters and clams, which are regarded as aphrodisiacs.
Prawn on the Lawn
5. The Mariner’s, Rock
Gaze out to the oyster beds at the mouth of the Camel Estuary, while dining on the food of love plucked from the doorstep. It’s not just oysters and freshly landed seafood on the menu of this scenic gastropub nudging the water’s edge; from small plates to hearty Cornish classics, there’s plenty on the menu of this casual venue that extends Paul Ainsworth’s legacy across the estuary from Padstow to Rock. With stunning views and a roaring log fire, The Mariners is the perfect place to fuel up after a romantic coastal stroll to Daymer Bay.
The Mariners, @lateef.photography
6. Burgers and Fish
For something a little more informal, head to Burgers and Fish where lovers can share a meal of gourmet burgers or fresh fish meals cooked over an open charcoal grill. There’s always a fun atmosphere in this Padstow restaurant, where the menu responds daily to the availability of local fish and ingredients. Make it a Valentine’s lunch with your lover and enjoy two courses for £19.95, or three for £24.95 – plus two-for-one cocktails from 12-5pm.
Burgers and Fish, Padstow
7. Cornish Arms
If a cosy pub meal is more your style, the Cornish Arms in St Merryn hits all the right notes. Snuggle up by the fire in this stylish, traditional pub and enjoy a menu that blends classic pub favourites with Rick Stein’s signature dishes — perfect for a relaxed yet memorable Valentine’s feast.
The Cornish Arms. Copyright James Ram
8. The Pickled Chef, Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay
Looking for a spot to fall in love all over again — with each other and the view? The Pickled Chef is worth the detour from Padstow. After a barefoot stroll along the wave-lashed Lusty Glaze cove, settle in and enjoy specials like fresh seafood and steak at one of Britain’s most romantic dining spots.
Lusty Glaze Beach Restaurant.
9. Zachary’s, On the Sea Wall, Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay is another beach known for attracting lovestruck couples. Here, you’ll find Zacry’s Restaurant perched on the sea wall, overlooking one of the best surf beaches in North Cornwall. Spotlighting seasonal produce, from hand-dived scallops to locally-bred pork belly, you can enjoy a three-course menu for that special Valentine’s date.
The view from Zachary’s, Watergate Bay. Copyright Lewis Pinder.
10. Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen
Get cosy in a romantic 15th-century fisherman’s cottage boasting a big foodie reputation. Celeb chef Nathan Outlaw serves up only the freshest fish landed by inshore day boats from his famous Fish Kitchen in the heart of Port Isaac. Make sure you book ahead for a sustainable seafood tasting menu.
Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is in the picturesque Port Isaac.
Looking for Somewhere to Stay in Cornwall for a Valentine’s Break?
Check out our Cottages for Couples and book a romantic retreat in Cornwall for your Valentine’s break. Or get in touch, and we’ll advise on the best cottages and holiday homes for couples in the Padstow area.
