Anyone who has visited will agree: Port Isaac is the epitome of pretty and picturesque. The seaside fishing village lies on Cornwall’s idyllic north coast, and beyond its Doc Martin ties and exotic vibe, there’s another reason why it’s such a beloved holiday destination – its food.
Nestled between two other Ports (Quin and Gaverne) and jutting out into the Great Atlantic, the fish and seafood menus here are as fresh and local as you can get; and with the stunning rural landscape providing a plethora of other homegrown ingredients, you can take your pick from the area’s top culinary offerings.
Replete with everything from wonderfully traditional pubs to quirky cafés and fine dining restaurants, Port Isaac’s dining scene is certainly something to savour, whether you’re a devout foodie or simply looking for a tasty supper after a day spent walking the stunning north coast.
Here’s a tempting selection for starters...
Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen
Best for: Michelin star seafood
1 Middle Street, Port Isaac PL29 3RH
outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/fish-kitchen
Proud to allow the day’s catch to dictate the set menu, sustainability and quality are the keynotes of Nathan Outlaw’s renowned seafood restaurant. Cooked to order, the dishes not only represent Outlaw’s Michelin starred skill, but are designed to give diners an unparalleled eating experience where flavour comes first.
Inside the quaint 15th-century cottage you’ll find dishes such as smoked mackerel, bass ceviche, and Port Isaac lobster rice balls, as well as a lip-smacking selection of wines to pair with your mouth-watering meal. It’s a real celebration of Cornish ingredients and global cuisine.
Outlaw’s New Road
Best for: Astonishing tasting menus
6 New Road, Port Isaac PL29 3SB
outlaws.co.uk/restaurants/new-road
Ingredients so fresh they know exactly who dived down for the scallops, there’s a reason Outlaw’s New Road is one of the best seafood restaurants in Cornwall. Each dish is carefully crafted to allow for the day’s catch to shine, with a mix of traditional recipes and original techniques creating an unforgettable menu.
At lunch time, you can sit down to a delightful a la carte menu, featuring the likes of lobster risotto (one of the restaurant’s signature dishes) and lemon sole with summer vegetables, while the evening service promises a spectacular tasting menu. Dine on crab with grapefruit and treacle soda, cuttlefish and spelt, and incredible chocolate and cider brandy truffles, all while sipping on a refreshing wine of your choice.
The Mote
Best for: Vegan fish and chips
9 Fore Street, Port Isaac PL29 3RB
the-mote.co.uk
Housed on two floors of a 16th century harbourside building, The Mote offers waterside dining of the most incredible variety. With menus crammed with seasonal, local, and fresh foodstuffs – their lobster is literally caught in waters that lie 20 yards away – taste reigns supreme here.
Tuck into an award-winning fish pie, an unmatched vegan fish and chips, or a 10oz ribeye steak with all the usual trappings (peppercorn sauce is always a must) before sampling sweet delights such as sticky toffee pudding, lemon posset, and Cornish cheese boards, or a cheeky glass of Cornish chocolate wine – after all, when in Cornwall!
The Angry Anchovy
Best for: Pup-friendly pizzas
10 New Road, Port Isaac PL29 3SB
theangryanchovy.co.uk
With laidback, retro vibes and the glittering Atlantic Ocean beyond, it’s safe to say this pizzeria is perfectly placed to cheer up even the angriest of anchovies. Inside the quirky shack, you’ll find a vibrant and welcoming space (that’s totally dog-friendly – just check out the canine customer wall!), ideal for those long summer evenings or a post-swim feed.
Speaking of… If thin, crispy, artisan pizzas are your thing, you are absolutely in the right place. Enjoying a mix of local and Italian ingredients, as well as vegan cheeses and gluten-free bases, there is a pizza here for every taste and occasion, whether you fancy hot and spicy, or something loaded with veg – they even offer pizzas for dogs! Pair your Cornish/Italian pizza with an uber-Cornish gin and tonic and let the good times roll.
The Golden Lion
Best for: Cosy fire and sea views
10 Fore Street, Port Isaac PL29 3RB
thegoldenlionportisaac.co.uk
A traditional, dog-friendly pub through and through, The Golden Lion is a welcoming mix of roaring fires and incredible sea views, giving you every excuse to visit whatever the season. Visit at the weekend to catch some live music, which never fails to turn this cosy local into the beating heart of the village.
If it’s food and drink you’re looking for, the well-stocked bar and farm-fresh menu are ready to ply you with all sorts of local delights, from St Austell ales to Sunday lunches full home-grown trimmings – honey roasted parsnips and cauliflower cheese, anyone? Of course, this pub-tastic menu also serves all the usual favourites for a mid-week feast or Friday night celebration, with the likes of pork belly, beef burgers, and ham, egg and chips promising flavour after flavour.
Chapel Café
Best for: A proper Cornish cream tea
Roscarrock Hill, Port Isaac PL29 3RG
chapel-cafe.square.site
It’s not every day you can settle down for an epic cream tea inside a converted, 19th-century church, but we’re so pleased Chapel Café makes it possible. Dog-friendly and a stone’s throw from the harbour, this charming little café is the perfect spot to sit back and relax, especially when hunger strikes.
Oh yes, from full Cornish breakfasts and award-winning fish finger sandwiches to a delicious cream tea (original, savoury, or gluten free!), the menu here has something for everyone – there’s even puppuccinos for the dogs! Sit back with a mug of tea and a plate of local delights and let the charms of Port Isaac wash over you.
The Ice Cream Parlour
Best for: Creamy cones and pup cups
Fore Street, Port Isaac PL29 3RF
It wouldn’t be a glorious day at one of Cornwall’s most idyllic harbours without an ice cream, would it? And where better to indulge than the wonderful Ice Cream Parlour. While you might recognise the café from Doc Martin – it played the lovely Port Wenn Organics – this Port Isaac institution is the place to be for a cone of the good stuff.
Offering up a range of Roskillys flavours, from classic clotted cream to salted caramel, the sweet-toothed amongst you will be absolutely spoilt for choice. Pick up a cone, a tub, or a doggy ice cream, and enjoy your quintessentially Cornish moment surrounded by the peaceful idylls of the harbour – pure Cornish bliss!
Trevathan Farm Shop & Restaurant
Best for: Farm shop goodies
St Endellion, Port Isaac PL29 3TP
trevathanfarm.com
Just outside of Port Isaac and offering an array of homemade food and local produce, Trevathan Farm Shop has everything you need for a true taste of Cornwall. Stop by the restaurant for a slap-up breakfast or a soul-satisfying lunch – we’re particularly obsessed with the Trevathan Ploughman’s – or opt for the wonderfully classic coffee and a homemade cake.
If you’re planning a picnic on the beautiful north coast, Trevathan’s farm shop has you well and truly covered, with everything from seasonal veg and the farm’s own beef and lamb to homemade jams and locally made clotted cream and ice cream. There’s also a selection of gifts and cards, making this a one-stop-shop for all your Cornish needs.
Port Gaverne Restaurant and Hotel
Best for: A taste of land and sea
Port Gaverne, Port Isaac PL29 3SQ
portgavernehotel.co.uk/dine-with-us
A short stroll round the corner from Port Isaac you’ll find one of Port Gaverne’s premier fine dining spots. Fresh-from-the-farm, foraged-first-thing, and just-landed fare is the order – and menu – of the day at this charming 17th century coastal treasure.
Your taste buds will be royally treated by any of their divine dishes – think Cornish scallops, Scrumpy haddock, and crispy courgette flower accompanied by chive whipped potato or triple-cooked chips. Finish with the fabulous likes of sticky toffee soufflé, Amalfi lemon mille-feuille, or a selection of local cheese – all washed down with a glass of something special.
Excited to taste your way around this idyllic harbourside village? Explore our beautiful cottages in Port Isaac and start planning for your incredible stay on Cornwall’s stunning north coast.
Tags: Port Isaac | Food and Drink |