Michelin star restaurants in Cornwall: 9 top spots to try

Cornwall has long had a reputation for fantastic food. This far-flung corner of the country has always been popular with holidaymakers in search of a precious bit of British summer, sometimes to the chagrin of Cornish natives. Nowadays, though, tourists don’t just come from far and wide for a sun tan - many are food tourists, jetting their way to Cornwall to tour the county’s top restaurants.

West Country produce is second-to-none - whether it’s fish and seafood from Padstow, Rock or nearby Brixham in Devon, locally grown vegetables, Cornish cheeses, meats and everything in between. Cornwall’s rolling green hills and many rivers and estuaries make it a paradise for great produce, and as a result, chefs from all over the country head down this way to ply their trade, surrounded by some of the best ingredients available. It’s no surprise that trailblazing chefs like Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac and Paul Ainsworth in Padstow have set up shop here and never left - Cornwall offers a wonderful balance of great lifestyle and great produce. Not to mention, of course, the inimitable Rick Stein, whose restaurants here are still packed everyday over the summer. 

So, if you’re looking for restaurants with a Michelin star in Cornwall, you’ve come to the right place. Scroll down for the short-but-sweet list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Cornwall, as well as a few spots that have a Michelin Bib Gourmand - awarded to restaurants that are adjudged to be of excellent quality and good value.

Michelin star restaurants in Cornwall

There are currently four Michelin-starred restaurants in Cornwall, run by a handful of legendary British chefs - Paul Ainsworth, Adam Handling, and Nathan Outlaw.

Ugly Butterfly, Newquay

What: Adam Handling reopened Ugly Butterfly in summer 2025 as Ugly Butterfly 2.0 at The Headland hotel in Newquay, and the move has unleashed the creativity of this magnificent restaurant. Ugly Butterfly is uniquely interactive and guest led with a flexible '4x4' menu, that allows diners to curate their own journey through South West produce, choosing between dishes like Cornish tuna with truffle, St Ives lobster wagyu, and lamb with tandoori cauliflower, prepared with theatrical flair at food stations. Handling also oversees the terrace menu and a reimagined afternoon tea. Overlooking Fistral Beach, the restaurant highlights hyper-seasonal seafood and creative British flavours.
Where: The Headland, TR7 1EW
Book now: Ugly Butterfly

Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac

What: Nathan Outlaw’s second Port Isaac restaurant is slightly more casual than the first, but admittedly since Restaurant Nathan Outlaw became Outlaw’s New Road, there isn’t much to call between these two sites. They both remain very popular - Fish Kitchen is worth a visit for fresh fish and seafood-based cooking from a master, as well as the quaint 15th century fisherman’s cottage that it sits in.
Where: 1 Middle Street, Port Isaac, PL29 3RH
Book now: Outlaw's Fish Kitchen

Paul Ainsworth at No.6, Padstow

What: Another recognisable face for food TV watchers, Paul Ainsworth has been plying his trade in Cornwall for decades now, and Paul Ainsworth at No.6 is rightly lauded as one of the best restaurants in the country. Ainsworth’s signature playful style comes through in dishes like ‘all of the pigeon, umeboshi condiment, pain au chocolat’, and his famous ‘Fairground Tale’ collection of sweets and petit fours, which is heavy on nostalgia. Head to CiCi’s Bar before or after dinner for a little drink, or check out other Ainsworth establishments in the area like Caffe Rojano and The Mariners pub.
Where: 6 Middle Street, Padstow, PL28 8AP
Book now: Paul Ainsworth at No.6

Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Cornwall

Michelin's Bib Gourmand awards were created to recognise great restaurants that didn't reach the standards of a Michelin star, but were offered great food at affordable prices. There are currently four restaurants in Cornwall with Bib Gourmands.

Argoe, Newlyn

What: This breezy seaside restaurant in Newlyn is exactly what you want from a restaurant in Cornwall - ultra-fresh fish and seafood, straight out of the sea, cooked simply and served alongside aperitifs and very drinkable wines on tap. There are meat and vegetable options, but grilled fish is really the standout offering here - there are few places even in Cornwall where you’ll eat such fresh seafood.
Where: The Strand, TR18 5HW
Book now: Argoe

North Street Kitchen, Fowey

What: At the time of writing North Street Kitchen is only open for Friday and Saturday lunch, and two hours on Saturday evening, so the queues to eat at this highly-regarded little bistro are significant. That said, it’s well worth the wait - fresh Cornish seafood is celebrated in simple dishes, which are cooked solo by owner Ethan.
Where: 46 Fore Street, TR18 5JR
Book now: North Street Kitchen

The Sardine Factory, Looe

What: A relative newcomer to Cornwall’s restaurant scene, The Sardine Factory is actually chef Benjamin Palmer’s third restaurant in the area - he also runs the Greedy Goose in Plymouth and Glazebrook House on the edge of Dartmoor. At The Sardine Factory, Palmer and team source the freshest fish and seafood they can lay their hands on each day, and create simple, delicious lunch and dinner menus from an industrial-style restaurant that overlooks the Looe River.
Where: Quay Road West, West Looe, PL13 2BX
Book now: The Sardine Factory

Rick Stein’s Cafe, Padstow

What: Still often referred to as 'Padstein', there's no escaping the incredible influence of Rick Stein in Padstow, as the famous chef has a number of businesses that still do incredible trade throughout the year. The Cafe is another string to the chef's bow, offering a more casual, family-oriented space to eat fresh Cornish seafood, with dishes sticking to tried and tested seafood cookery, albeit with lots of international influence. Expect to see Thai fish cakes, piri piri sardines, steamed mussels in coconut and makrut lime, as well as lots of meat and veggie dishes too.
Where: 10 Middle Street, PL28 8BQ
Book now: Rick Stein’s Cafe

Michelin Green star restaurants in Cornwall

Culture, Falmouth

What: One of the darlings of Falmouth’s rejuvenated dining scene, Culture’s single tasting menu - called The Journey - focuses on hyper-seasonal, low-waste cooking, with each dish shining a light on a local producer or ingredient. Chef Hylton Espey runs the kitchen alongside his partner Petronella, running a distinctive tasting menu. Dishes are paired with a range of old and new world wines, including bottles from some local vineyards.
Where: Custom House Quay, 38B Arwenack Street, TR11 3JF
Book now: Culture

Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

What: Coombeshead Farm chef and founder Tom Adams made Pitt Cue into one of London’s hottest restaurants before decamping to rural Lewannick. Coombeshead has since become an idyllic farm-to-fork guest house and restaurant, combining charming guest rooms and a fantastic menu where almost all the produce is grown and reared on the farm itself. That includes livestock and veg, but also a fully-functioning bakery and beehives.
Where: Coombeshead Farm, PL15 7QQ
Book now: Coombeshead Farm

Planning your ultimate Cornwall food tour? If you're heading to Padstow, take a look at this list of Padstow restaurants and pick out your favourites. Or if you're in need of some guidance, just note down all of the best restaurants in Cornwall and start booking.