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 Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth in Padstow have set up shop here and never left - Cornwall offers a wonderful balance of great lifestyle and great produce.

There was a time not long ago when Cornwall really was the food capital of the country in many ways - Nathan Outlaw’s eponymous two Michelin-starred restaurant was right at the top of its game, and Paul Ainsworth’s Padstow stalwart Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 was also a long-time national treasure. Though Outlaw has since rebooted his flagship restaurant as something slightly more relaxed, he still holds multiple Michelin stars in Cornwall - his two restaurants in Port Isaac are consistently rated amongst the UKs very best.

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 two legendary British chefs - Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw - and a talented newcomer in Crocadon's Dan Cox. 

Outlaw's New Road, Port Isaac

What: Nathan Outlaw’s eponymous two Michelin-starred flagship was once one of the UKs very best restaurants, but it felt the heavy impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent restrictions. As a result, Outlaw rebranded the space at Outlaw’s New Road - the offering is more relaxed than its predecessor, but the food is no less delicious. Lunch and dinner is a seven course set menu - dish titles don’t give much away, but with Outlaw at the helm of the kitchen, you’re in very safe hands.
Where: 6 New Road, Port Isaac, PL29 3SB
Book now: Outlaw's New Road

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

Crocadon, Saltash

What: Big things were expected of former L’Enclume chef Dan Cox when he announced he was leaving to found his own project in Saltash, but Crocadon has been the rare hyped project that totally delivers, entering the SquareMeal Top 100 UK Restaurants list in 2024 and winning a debut Michelin star soon afterwards. Dan’s self-sufficient, 120-acre farm and restaurant is a triumph, serving clever seasonal menus that explore a huge range of techniques.
Where: St Mellion, PL12 6RL
Book now: Crocadon

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.

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

The Mulberry, Falmouth

What: Tucked away on a quiet side street right near Falmouth town centre, The Mulberry has quickly ascended the ranks to become one of Cornwall's busiest restaurants, thanks to some exemplary cooking from a young, talented kitchen team. A huge range of international influence goes into the menu, elevating some outstanding local produce to new highs - on the menu at the time of writing you'll find yuzu and limoncella cured trout, West Country duck with maple swede and black garlic, and native oysters with 'Nduja oil.
Where: 29 High Street, TR11 2AD
Book now: The Mulberry

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.