Restaurants in St Ives with sea views

Food and Drink Wednesday 9th February 2022

In the iconic harbourside town of St Ives, the opportunities for eating in front of the ocean are practically as endless as the horizon in front of you. Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, burgers or good old fashioned fried chicken, there’s a restaurant and sea view pairing for you. Or, if you’re just after a refreshing drink, check out some of the best pubs and bars in St Ives here.

Two silhouettes of people eating in a restaurant in St Ives with the view of the beach and sea out the window behind them

Stroll down the cobbled harbourside street (enjoy a preview with our webcam) letting your nose lead the way to a delicious meal or head to one of St Ives’ stunning beaches for some true seaside dining at a beach café, perfect for a refuel after a coastal walk.

Are you ready to feel hunger pangs while getting some serious scenic envy? Let’s take a look at some of the best restaurants in St Ives with beautiful sea views.

Beach Restaurant

Best for: Easy-going vibes

Where: The Wharf TR26 1LG
Website: beachrestaurant.co.uk

A laid table in front of a window that looks out over St Ives harbour

Family-run for over 50 years, Beach Restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere with incredible views out over the harbour and beyond. The menu mirrors the coastal location with a variety of local fish dishes including their renowned New School “Fish and Chips”. Pop in for a light bite with a glass of wine after an energising boat trip or dine the evening away on the beautiful harbour.

Porthminster Café

Best for: Pizza on the beach

Where: Porthminster Beach, Carbis Bay TR26 2EB
Website: porthminstercafe.co.uk

People sat out on the balcony of Portminster Cafe looking out over the beach

There are few things better in life than pizza, prosecco and turquoise waters, which is why it’s hard to resist the call of Porthminster Beach Café. As close to the beach as you can get without getting wet, this beachside café offers incredible surroundings and a menu to match, which has earnt the restaurant an impressive two AA Rosettes. Feast on fresh seafood, garden-grown veg and even ingredients foraged from the Cornish coast.

Hub St Ives

Best for: Award-winning burgers

Where: 4 Wharf Rd TR26 1LF
Website: hub-stives.co.uk

The reflective glass door of Hub St Ives

The birthplace of the now national Hub Box, Hub St Ives is as much a part of the harbourfront as the boats sitting in the water. Award-winning burgers, craft beers and delicious malty milkshakes await inside as this laidback burger and barbeque bar allows you to sit and people-watch in peace. We could easily lose an entire afternoon to this harbourside favourite. It's also one of the many dog-friendly restaurants and pubs in St Ives, which makes it an absolute must for a pup-friendly feast.

TALAY Thai Kitchen

Best for: Tasty Thai tapas

Where: Wharf Rd TR26 1LF
Website: talaythai.kitchen

A selection of Thai dishes with drinks at TALAY Thai Kitchen in St Ives

Talay in Thai actually means both sea view and sea food, making it the perfect name for this harbourside restaurant. All your favourite Thai dishes are on the menu from Pad Thai to a mouth-watering assortment of tapas dishes that deliver plate after plate of fragrant taste. Top it off with uninterrupted views of the water and your experience has lived up to the name Talay.

Firehouse Bar & Grill

Best for: Beachside BBQ

Where: 27 Fore St TR26 1AB
Website: firehousestives.co.uk

A chopping board with chips, steak and salad on at Firehouse Bar and Grill

Whether you want to stroll off the beach for a drink at the town’s best-stocked gin bar or you’re in the mood for food, Firehouse has something for everyone. Chargrilled steaks, chicken, local seafood and a host of veggie options make up the tempting menu, while a variety of specialist gins fill the shelves behind the bar. We are so ready for a G&T as the sun sets over the harbour.

Porthgwidden Beach Café

Best for: Uninterrupted sea views

Where: Porthgwidden Beach TR26 1PL
Website: porthgwiddencafe.co.uk

The white exterior of the Porthgwidden Beach Cafe right next to the beach

Hot chocolates in the winter and refreshing beers in the summer, Porthgwidden Beach Café is perfectly located to refresh during a day soaking up the St Ives coastline. Tuscan-style pizzas and daily specials (as well plenty of cake) are also available to make your beach day truly memorable… and full of food.

The Searoom

Best for: A gin-tastic time

Where: The Wharf TR26 1PG
Website: stivesliquor.co

The interior of The Searoom with cross hatched windows and art on the wall

Where better to sip on a lip-smacking range of Cornish gins than in the town where they’re made! The Searoom is an extension of the Saint Ives Liquor Company and features all of their incredible botanicals alongside a delicious menu of light bites and bar snacks (because who doesn’t love some olives and local bread with a sea view).

The Rum & Crab Shack

Best for: Cornwall’s famous rum

Where: Wharf Rd TR26 1LG
Website: rumandcrabshack.com

A crab shell full of crab on a wooden board

Sea facing and offering seafaring fare, The Rum and Crab Shack is the place to go if you want to dine on Southern-style comfort food while perusing over 100 rums. When dining here, you don’t want to miss out on a cocktail featuring their famous rum, Dead Man’s Fingers, or their new addition to bars everywhere, Stargazy - caramel gin liqueur? Yes, please!

Porthminster Kitchen

Best for: Any meal, any day

Where: Wharf Rd TR26 1LG
Website: porthminster.kitchen

Looking out over the balcony of Portminster Kitchen at the beach and sea

We love a place that can dish up cracking continental breakfasts, light lunches and super suppers as well as a coffee and cake anytime the mood strikes. Whatever time you dine, panoramic sea views will accompany you adding a beautiful backdrop to your meal. On the menu you’ll find a fantastic mix of Cornish cuisine with influences from all over the world including seafood linguine and vegetable curry.

Pedn Olva

Best for: Pub classics on the coast

Where: West Porthminster Beach, Warren TR26 2EA
Website: pednolva.co.uk

A table full of food and wine looking out over the sea at Pedn Olva

With much of the menu going straight from sea and field to plate, the food at Pedn Olva is a superb example of local cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for pub classics such as cod and chips or something a little different like beetroot and goat’s cheese risotto, you won’t be disappointed, especially as you sit down with Porthminster beach in front of you.

The Loft Restaurant and Terrace

Best for: Evenings on the terrace

Where: Norway Lane TR26 1LZ
Website: theloftrestaurantandterrace.co.uk

Steamed mussels and crusty bread at The Loft Restaurant and Terrace

The covered terrace, which is complete with heaters and blankets for the cooler evenings, is the perfect place to dine with the dog in tow. Overlooking the bay and catching the last of the summer sun, you can sit back and unwind as you fill your tummies with freshly caught seafood and farm-grown veg. Just make sure to let them know if you’re bringing the dog as the terrace is weather-dependent.

Caffe Pasta

Best for: Classic Italian cuisine

Where: The Wharf TR26 1PG
Website: caffepasta.co.uk

The sign of Caffe Pasta on the window of their shop with the harbour reflected in the glass

Sourdough pizza, fresh pasta, Tiramisu to finish off… there isn’t a day that goes by where we're not thankful for Italian food. Here in this little modern restaurant on the harbour, you can satiate your cravings with this mouth-watering menu, which you can enjoy inside or out on the harbour front in true Italian style!

Ready to dine your way around St Ives? Check out our beautiful cottages in St Ives now.

Tags: St Ives | Food and Drink | Sea Views |