Here’s our 2023 list of the Best Restaurants in Padstow. Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant is on the bucket list for many.
With Rick Stein’s influence since 1975, Padstow is now inextricably linked with good food. Padstow’s warren of streets is full of interesting cafés, quirky bars and bistros plus a few higher-end restaurants.
As well as being a top leisure destination in Cornwall and England, Padstow is a working fishing port. Take walk around Padstow’s fascinating working harbour and landing time, with its lobster pots and bobbing boats and you’ll be in touch with the reality of the hard work and risks involved in sourcing and preparing our delicious meals.
Time Out UK has Padstow in Cornwall as one of the best staycation destinations – Rick Stein launched his restaurant empire in Padstow in the 1970s and then Gordon Ramsay developed a home across the water in Rock in 2015 which he sold for £ 7.5 million in 2021. Gordon Ramsay’s house sale is believed to be the most expensive ever recorded in Cornwall. If you can’t get a table at one of Padstow’s fine dining establishments listed below, you can always pick up some fish and chips from Rick Stein’s takeaway!
Contents
Best Restaurants in Padstow 2022 List:
| Pucellis Padstow | Italian: Prime location – book balcony view tables for harbour vistas: full-length retractable doors give an alfresco feel. Pucellis proves Padstow is not all about fish menus | 9 South Quay, Padstow PL28 8BL |
| The Old Custom House Padstow | Updated Pub Classics & Specials: One of the best pubs in Padstow. Perfect location – has rooms, local beers, fine wines, classic cocktails and magical harbour views. Lunch menu includes Cornish crab sandwiches and pasties. Evening menus include fresh fish, glazed burgers, and great desserts. Handy 5-minute walk from the Rock Ferry to Paul Ainsworth’s The Mariners and also the Southwest Coast Path | South Quay, Padstow PL28 8BL |
| The Seafood Restaurant Padstow | Rick Stein & Padstow has an international reputation for serving the freshest fish and shellfish including their classics of Lobster Thermidor, Singapore Chilli Crab, and Turbot Hollandaise. The central bar is a great place to watch the chefs at work; or in suitable weather, the upstairs terrace is ideal to dine, soaking up the summer sun whilst taking in the views. | Riverside, Padstow PL28 8BY |
| Prawn on the Lawn Padstow | 2023 8th Jan – 31st Jan: Closed for winter break. The Prawn on the Lawn Padstow town centre venue is open from 1st Feb. | 11 Duke St, Padstow PL28 8AB |
| Mussel Box | Paul Ainsworth – another Padstow Institution: Overlooking the quay, only metres from the harbour, their unique restaurant, opened in 2020, serves fresh local shellfish., Cornish breakfasts and Sunday lunches | The Drang, 11 Broad St, Padstow PL28 8BS |
| Caffe Rojano Padstow | Relaxed restaurant, open 7 days a week 12 noon to 9:30 pm for seasonal small plates, beautiful Neapolitan pizzas and fresh pasta dishes | 9 Mill Square, Padstow PL28 8AE |
| St Edmunds House | Rick Stein’s Hotel with 6 rooms – all designed by Jill Stein: Breakfast is served in Rick Stein’s flagship Seafood Restaurant. Stein’s Café, St Petroc’s Bistro, Stein’s Fish & Chips and Seafood Bar are all located within a five-minute walk, with priority booking. Exclusive rental of St Edmunds House on request | 5 St Edmunds Lane, Padstow PL28 8BZ |
| Embers Pizza Padstow | Rick Stein’s eateries are on your doorstep. Private parking and priority restaurant bookings: Authentic Italian Pizzas: Artisan Neapolitan Pizza, freshly baked in “Big Orange” Embers’ wood-fired oven. Also, leave room for Padstow Ice Cream Company’s desserts | 16 Market Place, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8AL |
| Prospect House | Rick Stein’s property in central Padstow – can be booked for exclusive use or as 4 individual rooms. | Mill Lane, Padstow. PL28 8EA |
| Barnaby’s Padstow | Up the road from sister restaurant Prawn On The Lawn: Dogs accepted but a maximum of 2 at once in the restaurant – inform at time of booking | 22A Duke Street, Padstow, PL28 8AB |
| Rick Stein’s Cafe Padstow | Informal, family- friendly café: Open from mid-morning: classic full English or crushed avocado on toast. Lunch and dinner menus – locally sourced produce and the freshest fish | 10 Middle St, Padstow PL28 8AP |
| Rick Stein Shop Padstow | Next to Rick Stein’s Café: Good for foodies – Souvenirs include bags, mugs, textiles, candles and toiletries. Jill Stein’s interiors Include her range of Cornish-inspired products. Kitchenware includes Rick Stein’s coastal-inspired, Coves of Cornwall kitchen gadgets. | 8 Middle St, Padstow PL28 8AP |
| Burgers and Fish Padstow | Trendy burger and seafood gourmet restaurant in the heart of Padstow. Endorsed by celebrities: Vibrant 70-seat restaurant. Chose from burgers, seafood & meat dishes with craft beer & wine. Good vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options | 1A The Strand, Padstow PL28 8AJ |
| St Petroc’s Bistro Padstow | Rick Stein’s informal bistro near Padstow harbour: Classic French cooking. Enjoy a dry-aged grilled steak or fresh Cornish fish. Perhaps call all in at Rick Stein’s Ruby’s Bar next door for a pre or post-dinner cocktail or local beer | 4 New St, Padstow PL28 8EA |
| Green’s of Padstow | High above Padstow harbour, with panoramic views: Restaurant with terrace, featuring Cornish breakfasts, classic cafe lunch and dinner dishes and drinks – plus fun for all the family – a crazy golf course! | North Quay, Padstow PL28 8AF |
Which venue would most people choose within the Best Restaurants in Padstow List?
Undoubtedly, most people would sample Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow to satisfy their bucket list ambitions. But as you can now see, there is so much more to see and enjoy in Padstow and the surrounding areas……………………
Padstow Hobby Horse Festival
Padstow is well known for its ‘Obby ‘Oss Festival, one of the UK’s oldest celebrations. The festival features two processions making their way around the town, each led by a hobby horse known as ‘Obby ‘Oss.
What is the best time to visit Padstow?
Padstow Hobby Horse Festival always takes place on May Day (May 1) making the start of May a great time to visit Padstow in Cornwall.
Best Restaurants in Padstow – what else is nearby?
A short drive north of Padstow is Port Isaac, of ITV drama Doc Martin fame. Down by the harbour is Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen with a menu of small plates created using the best of the dayboat catch.
In the summer, some of the most popular nearby beaches include Daymer Bay and St George’s Cove, and Padstow’s harbour is filled with pleasure boats and tourists can take a boat trip around the nearby coastline.
At the top of the village, Nathan Outlaw’s Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, scores a full 10/10 in The Good Food Guide.
Or take the enjoyable ferry across to fashionable Rock. The place to eat is The Mariners pub by Paul Ainsworth in partnership with Rock-based Sharp’s Brewery where you should try Porthilly mussels Porthilly oysters, traditional pies, fresh day-boat landed fish and leave room for the dessert menu called…… & Custard
Where to Stay near Padstow
Only a 10-minute drive to the centre of Padstow is The Pig at Harlyn Bay, a 15th-century manor house boutique hotel that is one of the Home Grown Hotels’ most recent openings after a £13 million transformation project. The Pig at Harlyn Bay restaurant either grows or sources everything from within 25 miles. The Pig at Harlyn Bay Bookings and Reservations.