Husband and wife team Stewart and Ann Eddy have really stamped their personality on this pink-washed village inn a short drive from Penzance and close to Mount’s Bay. The stone-walled bar is traditional in style with an abundance of maritime and fishing paraphernalia, while tables in the enclosed, south-facing terraced garden are highly prized in summer. For those who don’t fancy the journey home, there are two cosy en-suite double bedrooms which can be booked for overnight stays, while young children and dogs are welcomed with open arms (there are even dog biscuits behind the bar!)
Landlord Stewart trained with Raymond Blanc and Michael Caines and his cooking has garnered much praise, as has his commitment to West Country produce. The menus change seasonally, but you can always expect to find simple, ingredient-led dishes that make the most of Cornwall’s natural larder. To start, try pan seared scallops with spinach puree, crushed peas and chorizo before moving on to a hearty 10 ounce rump steak or loin of Cornish hake with a green vegetable stew. After that, try a classic strawberry trifle or apple and cinnamon treacle tart with vanilla ice cream.
Head to The Victorian Inn on Sundays to take advantage of the good-value set lunch menu. Choose between two or three courses, with the Sunday roasts being the stars of the show - think top rump of Cornish beef with all the trimmings or Cornish lemon sole with a mushroom, leek and chive crust, accompanied by roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables. There is also an over 60s lunch special (three courses for £12.95) which features roasted pork loin with creamy mash and wilted kale, followed by a chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream for pudding.
In the summer, enjoy pints on the sun-trap outdoor terrace, while during the winter months, you can cosy up by the roaring fire.