What better way to start the morning than with an incredible breakfast built for fuelling a day of epic adventures?

Luckily, Cornwall has a rich seam of fantastic early-opening eateries, offering delectable dishes brimming with locally-sourced ingredients, spectacular sea views and often a dog friendly setting, for the ultimate breakfast experience. So roll out of bed and head for one of these enticing hotspots for a breakfast to remember.

Porthgwidden Café, St Ives

Best for: Spectacular sea views and a buzzing beachy vibe

porthgwiddencafe.co.uk
Porthgwidden Beach, The Island, St Ives TR26 1PL

As the name suggests, this little beauty lies at the entrance to secluded Porthgwidden beach, with iconic views across St Ives bay towards Godrevy Lighthouse. Generally quieter than its sister beaches, this lovely spot, complete with rainbow-coloured beach pods, is a wonderful location to start your day. Light, bright and airy inside, the café offers a menu chock full with delicious local produce, such as Primrose Herd sausages and bacon. After your fill, you can easily while away the rest of the day here,, be it hiring a beach pod for a leisurely afternoon of swimming and sunbathing, or walking along the South West Coastal Path towards Zennor - you can even set out on an exhilarating boat trip!

Little Bay Café, Pentewan

Best for: Cakey breakfasts and a warm welcome

littlebaycornwall.co.uk
33a West End, Pentewan PL26 6BX

Just up the road from Mevagissey and close to The Lost Gardens of Heligan lies this little gem. Dating back 50 years (when it was known as the Thin End Café) and now run by the original owner’s daughter-in-law, we love this bright and cheery café for our morning feast. For breakfast there are hearty filled sausage, bacon, and egg baps on offer, but we reckon a slice of something sweet on top will really set you up for the day. Try their famed Deep River Chocolate Finger or any of their other sweet treats in the display cabinet with a cuppa before heading out and exploring this gorgeous stretch of the south coast or delving into the historic gardens.

The Honey Pot, Penzance

Best for: A great range of breakfasts and a bustling feel

thehoneypotpz.com
5 Parade Street, Penzance TR18 4BU

Tucked away in the heart of Penzance, this quirky spot is always busy with locals in the know. Step inside and you’ll find a cosy space, decked out with vintage honey pots on display and plenty of seating. The menu is jam-packed with goodies, offering big breakfasts for veggies, vegans and meat lovers, as well as stuffed St Ives Bakery ciabattas, croissants and porridge for those after a lighter bite. Their scrumptious coffee comes from Yallah Coffee Roasters, using single-origin coffee that’s produced near Falmouth. Welcoming dogs too, it’s worth booking ahead if you can, especially if you’re a larger party. Afterwards, explore nearby Chapel Street with its lovely shops, Penlee House Gallery & Museum for a look at nautical art or pay a visit to the Art Deco Jubilee Pool for a dip in geothermal and salt water pools.

Potager Garden, near Falmouth

Best for: Amazing veggie choices and creative courses

potagergarden.org
High Cross, Constantine, Falmouth TR11 5RF

Nestled down a quiet country lane, this peaceful spot was once an abandoned plant nursery. Carefully restored, it’s now a haven for workshops and plant-based delights in their vegetarian café, housed across two large greenhouses, along with lots of tables, vegetable beds and a ping pong table! Pop in for breakfast with the likes of eggs Florentine and mushrooms on toast on offer, as well as many beautifully-presented and freshly-baked cakes. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll around the grounds or book yourself on one of their courses, from creating ink and dyes to basket weaving.

Mousehole Deli & Kitchen, Mousehole

Best for: Views of the iconic harbour and deli delights

mouseholedelikitchen.co.uk
North Cliffs, Mousehole TR19 6PH

Enjoying a stunning waterfront view, stop in here for a hearty full Cornish breakfast and watch the picturesque harbour come to life. With a real focus on local produce, the team here works hard to source the finest ingredients to fuel your epic coastal walk. If a fry up isn’t your thing, try the Trewithen yoghurt with granola, fruit and honey, falafel veggie breakfast or smoked haddock with poached eggs and spinach – each utterly delicious! As you can imagine, this favourite with visitors and locals alike gets busy so it’s worth booking if you can. We love to end breakfast with a takeaway coffee and some goodies from the deli (their brownies are incredible) before meandering down to the beach for a paddle.

Box and Barber, Newquay

Best for: A vibrant start to the day and a cool atmosphere

boxandbarber.co
72 – 74 Fore Street, Newquay TR7 1EY

After a veg-packed breakfast that looks as good as it tastes? Whisk yourself off to this dog friendly beauty in Newquay, just down the road from Fistral Beach and Newquay harbour. With a focus on fresh, organic and locally-sourced produce, you can expect everything from acai bowls, fruity smoothies, freshly squeezed juices and breakfast wraps. Or, if you’re looking for a heartier feed, try the Big Box Breakfast that’s brim-full of bacon, sausage and egg as well as a slab of sourdough bread. An excellent way to start your day, whether you’re off to surf or explore the nearby aquarium.

Nauti but Ice, Porthleven

Best for: A dog friendly setting and ice cream for breakfast

nautibutice.co.uk
Commercial Road, Porthleven TR13 9JE

Porthleven has experienced something of a foodie growth spurt in the last ten years. Today, it’s a seriously bustling spot with more than its fair share of award-winning eateries. Nauti has the perfect setting as it’s the last stop before the pier and beach, and with fab views over the harbour, plenty of outdoor seating and a friendly atmosphere, it’s a great spot to come for breakfast – plus dogs are welcome too! Serving Cornwall-based Origin Coffee (located just up the road), De Bara pastries (the cinnamon buns are heavenly) and culinary delights such as crab rarebit or a classic full English breakfast, it’s an excellent start to your day. They also stock a huge range of Roskilly’s ice cream - in Cornwall ice cream is enjoyed whenever the mood strikes, even at breakfast!

Stones Bakery, Falmouth

Best for: Unforgettable pastries and fresh-baked bread

stonesbakedgoods.com
35 High Street, Falmouth TR11 2AF

Step through the doors of Stones and you’re immediately hit with the tempting waft of freshly-baked bread. With large, communal-style wooden tables, a sweeping counter piled high with baked delights and shelves of loaves all made on site, it’s a feast for the senses. Take a moment or two to survey the pastry counter, offering everything from the flakiest of croissants and pain au chocolat to praline and orange swirls. Oh, and their doughnuts are to die for (well, you are on holiday after all!). Their breakfast menu packs a serious punch too; we particularly love the creamy mushrooms on toast, while the coffee is nice and strong. Dog friendly, it’s a great spot for people watching with the pooch, and when you’ve finished, you’ll find a host of shops, beaches, and attractions to explore in Falmouth, or you can pop on a ferry across to St Mawes.

Slice of Cornwall, near Falmouth

Best for: Big appetites and a friendly welcome

sliceofcornwall.com
Trewardreva Mill, Falmouth TR11 5QD

Set in the stunning countryside close to Constantine, this is the place for breakfasts with attitude! Serving brunch, waffles and baya (a kind of fluffy sourdough pillow filled with deliciousness), you’ll need to come with a good appetite. Highlights include Huevos Rancheros and the Full Hash Up (an epic full English breakfast with a vegan version available too). There’s a full drinks menu too, with smoothies offering a fruity blast and their famous hot chocolates proving that there is no such thing as too much cream. For warmer days, there’s a lovely wooden terrace overlooking the treetops where dogs are always welcome. This uber-popular haunt fills up quickly, so make sure to book well in advance. It’s the perfect spot before heading on to explore the Helford River or Falmouth’s many beautiful gardens.

Sunshine Café and Yoga, Penryn

Best for: Wake-me-up breakfasts and finding your flow

sunshinecafeandyoga.co
The J P Building Hill Head, Penryn TR10 8JU

In the heart of Penryn, Sunshine Café is a must for those seeking a moment of peace and R&R when on holiday. Whether you’re a beginner or Vinyasa pro, why not book yourself a morning yoga class? Afterwards, refuel with a wholesome plant-based breakfast, with Sunshine Breakfast Bowls, Groovy Granola, and avocado on toast all on offer, washed down with refreshing juices and a wide selection of teas.  

Cherry Trees Coffee House, Padstow

Best for: Old school charm and big plates

cherry-trees-christmas.myshopify.com
West Quay, Padstow PL28 8AQ

With the likes of Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth lining the streets of Padstow, it can be easy to overlook this characterful coffee shop on the harbour front. Small but packing a mighty punch, Cherry Trees is well worth a pitstop (or three), adding its own flare to the foodie delights of the harbour town. From the traditional Cornish full breakfast and salmon benedict to pancakes and porridge, there’s something for everyone. Should you have a pooch with you, they do offer takeaway so you can scoff your brekkie on a nearby bench overlooking the sea - perfect!

Count House Café

Best for: A true taste of Cornwall

counthousecafe.com
Pendeen, Penzance TR19 7EW

With a ‘buy local, support local’ ethos, a big and beautiful breakfast at Count House Café in Penzance is a true Cornish experience - even the American-style pancakes are made using Trewithen Cornish buttermilk! You have a dizzying choice of morning feasts, from vegan French toast to a full English. But if you’re in for a real foodie experience, we recommend checking out the Count House Breakfast, which combines sausage, bacon, hash browns, eggs, buttermilk pancakes, French toast, and maple syrup for the ultimate way to break your morning fast.

Have we stirred up your appetite? Our list is just a sample of the huge range of amazing eateries to experience an incredible breakfast, so come and stay in one of our holiday cottages in Cornwall to discover them for yourself. Bon appetit!

Tags: Cornwall | Eating out |