In July 2025, world-renowned chef Adam Handling MBE reopened his award-winning restaurant Ugly Butterfly, this time, as Ugly Butterfly 2.0 set within the five-star The Headland hotel in Newquay. Just 18 minutes from its sister gastropub The Tartan Fox, the restaurant is a bold reimagining of its first iteration, continuing its commitment to celebrating the very best of the South West. This time, Handling has taken a more interactive, guest-led approach to luxury dining.
At the heart of Ugly Butterfly is a commitment to sustainable British dining, following a flexible ‘4x4’ format, allowing guests to create their own journey through the region’s produce with four dishes in each section. The intention is to let guests navigate their own way through the rich larder the South West has to offer.
Highlights from the Ugly Butterfly 2.0 menu might include Cornish tuna with preserved truffles and elderflower, a take on Handling's signature lobster wagyu (this time using smaller, sweeter St Ives lobsters), and lamb with tandoori cauliflower and nasturtium. The idea is to break down the traditional limits of fine dining, with food stations so guests can see their dishes prepared, and a little theatricality thrown in for good measure.
Handling's influence also extends to the hotel's gorgeous terrace with a relaxed terrace menu offering up lobster and crab cocktail, fish and chips, and knickerbocker glories among other nostalgic and crowd-pleasing dishes. Afternoon tea also forms part of the Ugly Butterfly revival, offering four courses that put twists on Cornish favourites alongside bubbles from local producers. Alternatively, opt for a glass of Krug Champagne - chef Handling's favourite.
It's located just above Fistral Beach, so expect to see plenty of fish and seafood dishes always with Handling's signature creative interpretation, and keen attention to hyper-seasonal and hyper-local produce.