Inspiration for foodie breaks in Cornwall


Large group of people eating together outside on a long dining table surrounded with a few bottles of wine.

With TV and Michelin-starred chefs opening up new restaurants around the county and a surge of fabulous festivals and supper clubs celebrating the best of Cornish produce, foodie breaks in Cornwall have become increasingly popular over the past few years.

Here are a few ideas to inspire food lovers who want to explore the best that the county has to offer.

1. Book your break around a food festival

Plan your trip to coincide with one of Cornwallโ€™s food festivals and sampling the finest local produce Cornwall has to offer. There are fantastic food festivals around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly throughout the year. Some examples include the March 2017 Driftwood Spars Beer Festival in St Agnes: The Dark, the Light and The Saison, which offers music and beer inspired food as well as the beer itself. Rick Steinโ€™s Cornish Arms at St Merryn also has a Beer and Mussel festival this month. The popular Porthleven Food Festival happens from April 22 to 23. May sees the St Ives Food Festival and in the early summer, around June. Summer sees a host of festivals and carnivals around Cornwall, including the Royal Cornwall Show and the Rock Oyster Festival and September brings the Great Cornish Food Festiva and the Boscastle Food, Arts & Crafts Festival. For a list of events for food lovers around Cornwall check the Visit Cornwall Whatโ€™s On guide for foodies

2. Sign up for a cookery masterclass

Love cooking as well as going out to eat? Why not treat yourselves to a short cookery course? The Padstow Seafood School (part of the Rick Stein empire) has a variety of cookery classes on offer. Despite the name, the focus isnโ€™t just on seafood!

Philleigh Way on the Roseland Peninsula also offer a variety of day-long cookery classes, including baking, foraging and bushcraft cooking.

3. Visit a supper club

An increasing number of pop up supper clubs and feast nights around Cornwall make for memorable evenings. The Hidden Hut at Porthcurnick Beach on the Roseland runs themed feast nights in the spring, summer and autumn. Sign up to the mailing list to find out as soon as tickets are released. Feast nights are very popular, and as numbers a limited, they sell out quickly! Supper clubs and feast nights also take place wonderful venues including Lusty Glaze near Newquay andย  near Truro.

Porthleven Food Festival

4. Enjoy an extra-special picnic

There are some lovely companies around Cornwall who will provide a gourmet picnic for you and suggest some perfect spots for you to enjoy it, including the aptly named Gourmet Picnics in Porthleven and Picnic Cornwall in Falmouth. Favourite picnic spots for us include Trelissick Gardens, Blackhead near St Austell, the lawns at St Mawes Castle and Porthluney beach, but you really are spoiled for choice.

5. Dine in style

Some of the finest restaurants in the county are run by chefs whoโ€™ve become household names. Jamie Oliverโ€™s 15 Cornwall in Watergate Bay, Rick Steinโ€™s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac are all worth splurging on.

6. Donโ€™t forget the pasties

Sometimes, thereโ€™s nothing better than quick and easy food you can eat outdoors with your hands โ€“ think hot, steaming fish and chips on the pier or Cornish pasties. Always a winner. The annual World Pasty Championships are held in March each year at The Eden Project.

7. Book a private chef

If youโ€™d prefer a more intimate affair, try our private chef service. Theyโ€™ll come to your cottage and put together a gourmet meal especially for you โ€“ while you relax and unwind.

8. Forage for your supper

For something completely different, why not give foraging a go? There are loads of edible delights are growing right on your doorstep โ€“ if you know where to look, that is! Emma Gunn from Nevermind the Burdocks runs foraging workshops across Cornwall. You can read more about one of the workshops she did at Bosinver on our blog.

For more suggestions about the best restaurants and cafes in Cornwall, take a look at our dining out page. If youโ€™re looking for something particular, get in touch and weโ€™ll do our best to recommend something that fits the bill.

Self catering cottages for foodie breaks in Cornwall

Tempted? We have a range of cottages which sleep 4-12 people. Whether youโ€™re looking for a romantic short break or an opportunity to get together with family or friends for a long weekend away in Cornwall, weโ€™ve got something to suit.

And if you enjoy whipping up a storm in the kitchen as well as dining out, all our kitchens are fully equipped and have plenty of room for you to work your magicโ€ฆ

Enjoy breakfast in the kitchen at the Farmhouse

Pop your supper in the Aga to cook while you relaxโ€ฆ

Whatโ€™s your favourite foodie experience in Cornwall? Have you discovered any hidden gems or unusual places to eat? Weโ€™d love to hear what you think โ€“ leave a comment below, tweet @ActionNan or post on our Facebook page.

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Action Nan and the rest of the team are always busy writing posts that we think you’ll like – from top tips on where to take the kids, to what’s likely to be going on in the local area when you stay – we’ve got it all in our blog!