Cornwall is rapidly becoming the place to find delicious food in restaurants and cafés – but don’t discount the range of delicatessens that are springing up throughout villages and towns – they can offer a range of delicious Cornish produce to perk up your picnic or make self-catering a gourmet experience.

The Digey Foodroom – The Digey, St Ives

Local Cornish produce, but also some Spanish and Italian delicacies to choose from. As well as taking items home to enjoy for dinner, you can sample some of the produce on the premises, as they have a lovely café menu for lunches and breakfasts. There are a couple of shady tables outside on the cobbles where you can sit and relax and watch the people wander by, and even enjoy a glass of Cornish cider as you do so.

View all our holiday cottages in St Ives >

Lavenders – Alverton St, Penzance

Famed for delicious pasties and an extensive cheese selection of 150 local and more exotic cheeses, Lavenders has been in Penzance for many years. There is also a café attached, where you can enjoy home-made quiches, sandwiches and salads, and where many Penzance locals choose to eat. They also stock many other items, including speciality teas and preserves. They even offer a ‘pasties by post’ service; a perfect way to satisfy those pasty cravings once you’re holiday has come to an end. Call 01736 362800 to order.

Cornish Hen Deli – Market Place, Penzance

This deli started out as a stall in local farmers markets, until the amount of people coming back for repeat purchases convinced the owner to set up a deli too. It sells delicious home-made pies and tarts that also cater for those with special dietary requirements. The deli also serves good coffee – so it’s a great place to stop in for a bite of lunch.

View all our cottages in Penzance >

The Corner Deli – Fore Street, Porthleven

Porthleven has a reputation for being foodie heaven – and the Corner Deli does not let the town down. They stock a wide range of cheeses that change seasonally, with guest cheeses that are updated every month. They have their own wood-fired pizza oven for takeaway pizzas for dinner, and a range of lunch items for eating in or taking away for picnicking. If you feel like a spot of complete luxury, the Corner Deli will pack a hamper filled with everything you need for a special lunch, and you can even hire the picnic hamper off them too. Why not indulge yourself and go and explore somewhere lovely for the day, knowing you don’t need to worry about lunch.

View all our cottages in Porthleven >

Where to find them:

Tags: Penzance | Porthleven | St Ives |