St Ives is well known for its coastal views and its fishing history, making this one of the best seaside getaways in the county, let alone the country as a whole. The restaurants that have set up shop in the town famously celebrate the coastal culture of the area, serving up fresh and locally-sourced seafood for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.
Below, we’ve compiled a shortlist of some of the best seafood restaurants in the area that are sure to satisfy your tastes and leave you feeling closer and more immersed in St Ives’ culture and history.
Choosing a St Ives seafood restaurant
When it comes to seafood in St Ives, you’re spoiled for choice as the town is famous for celebrating all kinds of fish and crustacean in their meals, creating great new combinations and flavours that makes each restaurant worth a repeat visit.
1. The Mermaid Seafood Restaurant
Lauded as a romantic spot for dining in the afternoon and the evenings, The Mermaid is a cosy and authentic restaurant that serves some of the best seafood in St Ives. The fish is all locally sourced and used to enhance the flavour profile of a wide variety of dishes from the monkfish and tiger prawn Thai curry to the refined Mermaid prawn cocktail.
They use everything from scallops and mussels to seabass, hake and crab meat. Whatever your seafood fancy is, you’re sure to find it in The Mermaid, situated in St Ives old fishing quarter and accompanied by a choice of other meats and poultry.
2. The Beach Restaurant
Situated right on the wharf with relaxing views out across St Ives’ iconic coast, The Beach Restaurant has a sophisticated menu to choose from, with the seafood options complemented by a mouth-watering selection of dishes that include vegetarian and vegan options.
The Beach is known most famously for its fish bar which gives customers a choice of lemon sole, mackerel, king prawns, salmon, hake and seabass. All the fish is locally sourced and cooked to perfection which you can enjoy with a beer, spirit or soft drink of your choice.
3. The Rum and Crab Shack
No visit to St Ives is complete without stopping by the Rum and Crab Shack, another harbourfront eatery which perfectly captures the rich and electric atmosphere of St Ives, complete with live music and DJs at the bar round back.
Aside from the impressive rum collection and their creative signature cocktails, you can also enjoy a fresh menu of crab or lobster as well as their famous land and sea selection. For those of you travelling with friends or family, you can also try one of their sharer meals that serves up a hearty and filling selection of seafood for you to enjoy.
4. Porthminster Beach Cafe
This award-winning St Ives seafood cafe is mere seconds away from Porthminster beach with stunning, summery views out across the sands and the ocean. This is the perfect stop off point before or after some fun in the waves or relaxing on the dunes.
The cafe incorporates the fresh and local seafood into predominantly Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, encouraging you to discover some exciting new tastes and flavours while you bask in the sun. Whether you’re enjoying a monkfish curry or a crab pasta, you’re sure to find something to enjoy here.
5. Silco
A great restaurant for fusion dining from all over Asia and the Middle East, the seafood here brings a slice of diverse culture to St Ives, allowing you to balance out the classic Cornish cuisine of the town with new and exciting flavours that will leave you coming back for more.
With great harbour views and an interesting menu that ranges from Singapore crab fries to a number of dishes of Lebanese origin, Silco will introduce you to food and cultures rarely experienced in this corner of the country, making St Ives a go-to destination for international culture and inspired seafood dishes.
Accommodation near seafood restaurants in Cornwall
Our properties make accessing your favourite seafood restaurants easier than ever, putting your favourite cuisines within walking distance of your cottage or apartment.
Some of our best properties put you within a stone’s throw of the harbour and nearby beaches, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the sea and all the restaurants and cafes that look out over the coast. Crow’s Nest gives you clear views out across the pier and the bay while Slantways is an old fisherman’s cottage making it the perfect choice for immersing yourself in the heart of St Ives.
The aptly named Harbour View looks out over the town towards the harbour and the beach, providing especially stunning views in the summer. Harry’s Hideout meanwhile is a cosy and homely cottage that is just minutes away from Lambeth Beach.
Whatever your choice, you’re sure to find yourselves near one of St Ives’ fish restaurants that is always sure to enhance the coastal experience and give you a taste of a lifestyle you won’t soon forget.
