The best restaurants in St Ives

In a setting that wouldn’t look out of place on a postcard, this cafe offers panoramic views of St Ives Bay, and a menu which runs the gamut from fresh fish dishes to vegetarian options. There's a heated terrace that makes year-round dining possible, too.

Once a Victorian bank, Host is now home to a vibrant restaurant and bar (plus a few luxurious suites upstairs), where you can tuck into seasonal sharing plates, wood-fired pizzas, and an expertly curated wine list. It also serves an epic Sunday roast to round off the week.

Tucked away at the top of the town, this is one of St Ives' best kept secrets. The pared back dining room offers stunning views over the harbour, and the seasonal tapas is really very good. It's also a boutique hotel, so you can stay the night and make it a gastronomic getaway.

Come for the stunning alfresco beachside setting (perfect for watching the sunset with a cocktail) and stay for the menu of lively tapas which champions local produce. The cafe is open all day and has earned a reputation for its enormous 'build your own breakfast’ plates. 

Boasting a stunning terrace with views across the bay, The Loft is popular with locals and visitors alike, and finds its home in the picturesque artist’s quarter of St Ives. The menu is unpretentious yet sophisticated - from seafood linguine to Loft chowder - while a children’s menu and veggie options ensure all feel welcome.

A sibling to the ever-popular Porthminster Beach Cafe, this smart restaurant offers an all-day menu which is underpinned by seasonal, local produce. 180 degree views of the harbour make for the perfect dining backdrop too, and in summer, make sure to bag a seat on its beautiful sun-drenched terrace. 

Unpretentious and fairly priced, this family-run haunt has been thrilling locals and tourists alike since 1957. The accessible, crowd pleasing menu ranges from traditional fish and chips to hearty fish pies, plus indulgent desserts too.

Tretho Lounge is a casual, all-day dining spot with large bifold windows and a lovely outdoor area – this ‘lounge’ gets popular in summer. Weekly deals, kid's menus and a decent gluten-free and vegan offering ensure there’s something for everyone here. Brunch is its main gig though – try the Big Lounge Breakfast.

Take a rustic first floor dining room, buckets of wonderfully fresh crab and 100 different kinds of rum from all over the world, and it seems you have the recipe for an unwaveringly popular restaurant. Live music, DJs and regular happy hours add to the fun of it all. 

That rare restaurant which works for both date nights and family dinners, The Mermaid is a long-standing St Ives staple which impresses with its menu of locally caught fresh seafood and well considered wine list. Bursting with character and charm, you can find this local hero in the old fishing quarter of St Ives.

This steakhouse on Fore Street is nestled right in the heart of St Ives, and just a stone’s throw from the sea if you fancy a post-dinner stroll along the waterfront. Shiny marble floors and gold accents create a glam vibe that’s great for occasions, and while steak and fish are the stars of the show, you'll find veggie and vegan dishes on offer, too.

The Razor Clam is only concerned with one thing - great, fresh seafood classics. If you're looking for a lovely whole lobster with garlic butter, a bit of plaice and chips or a seafood platter to share, this is the place to come. The prices are very reasonable too!

Fashionable sorts will love this intimate restaurant and wine bar hidden amongst St Ives’ pretty back streets. The seasonal, bistro-led menu highlights ingredients from the best sustainable suppliers, while a biodynamic wine list includes daily-changing wines by the glass, plus a selection of exciting, rare bottles you won’t find anywhere else.

Forget sand covered sandwiches! Opt for this beachside restaurant instead, complete with coastal chic interiors, serene views and a menu that champions fresh seafood amongst other British classics. Brunch is served until midday if you want to fuel up before a day at the beach, and dogs are welcome. 

This chippy may have a quirky name, but everything else here is resolutely traditional. Expect a no-frills menu of high-quality fish suppers at reassuringly reasonable prices. Some even hail it as the best fish and chip shop in St Ives, and having been there ourselves, we'd say it's not far off. 

Chef Dorian Janmaat brings vibrant Mediterranean flavours to the Cornish coast with Ardor, an all-occasion restaurant that sits right on the idyllic St Ives coast. Expect fiery cooking straight from the Josper grill. Think feta flatbreads, monkfish skewers and salt cod done right.

Fragrant plates of Thai curries and small sharing starters keep this place packed out in summer when holiday makers crave a change from seafood. With a first floor dining room, there are great views to be had too. Highlights include the Thai-style chargrilled pork, and tangy tamarind duck. 

Allow yourself to be swept up by Harbour Kitchen’s colourful interiors and terrace overlooking the ocean. As for food, seasonally changing dishes make the most of Cornwall’s natural larder, while a more relaxed terrace menu features wood-fired pizzas and cocktails.

Drinks brand Silco has opened its very own bar and kitchen in St Ives – and people love it! Serving vibrant, global tapas dishes and refreshing gin-based cocktails, it’s the perfect spot for a casual bite with friends and family. Complete with unbeatable views and friendly service, this relative newcomer is off to a flying start.

This secluded restaurant nestled just along the coast of St Ives is testament to the premise that if food is good, crowds will come in droves. Expect lovingly made pub grub that's a far cry from your typical pint and pork pie - perhaps hash browns with leeks, rarebit and walnut ketchup, or pork belly with  asparagus and sauce gribiche.

Sometimes you just want a decent steak or a big plate of fish and chips, and it's here that Firehouse Bar & Grill delivers. Rotisserie chicken is another strength of this open-fire restaurant. Bag a seat at one of the windows for great views of the harbour.