This casual all-day cafe in St Ives has won the hearts of both locals and tourists thanks to its cheery staff, simple but effective menu and guarantee of an awe-inspiring sunset (on occasion, some diners have even been lucky enough to spot dolphins).
Perfect for balmy summer evenings, Porthmeor Cafe offers alfresco dining thanks to its outdoor terrace, while on cooler nights, you can cosy up inside one of their booths which come equipped with heaters. You might expect a waterside dining destination such as this to be an exclusive affair, but Porthmeor Cafe thankfully welcomes all - witness the ample vegetarian options, dedicated children’s menu and ‘build your own’ breakfast option which is well suited to fussy eaters.
The menu here kicks off with classic breakfast options, when you can mix and match eggs any style on toast with the likes of black pudding, hash browns or grilled halloumi. You can choose to go continental with freshly baked croissants or a stack of buttermilk pancakes, while an assortment of coffees and specialty teas are on hand to help wash it all down, alongside ‘luxury hot chocolates’ crowned with marshmallows and whipped cream.
Come lunch time, Porthmeor’s dedication to local produce becomes apparent. Tuck into the likes of homemade soup served with locally baked bread or Cornish mussels in a blend of white wine, garlic and cream. At dinner, guests can choose between a selection of tapas dishes designed to share or proper mains for one. Tapas options include crab and dill arancini and salt and pepper squid or duck bao buns and chorizo meatballs, while main courses see steak and chips or a Thai red prawn curry.
To round things off, choose from tempting dessert options such as chocolate tart with honeycomb and clotted cream or sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream.