Carbis Bay and Lelant Food and Drink

You can find all sorts of wonderful places to eat in Carbis Bay. The Bean Inn is a brilliant veggie and vegan restaurant, and if you like authentic Mediterranean, book a table at the friendly La Casita. Because it wouldn’t be a trip to the seaside without fish and chips, Becks (on the way to Lelant) is the perfect way to end the day. Just above Carbis Bay village, luxury resort Una has a welcoming restaurant and bar that’s open to non-residents, Una Kitchen.

Food down at the Bay itself is dominated by the Carbis Bay Hotel, which owns the beach and its various shops and cafes. Inside the Victorian main hotel building, there’s the elegant Orangery, or try the more informal Beach Club restaurant, which is just above the sands. For a (very) special occasion, book a table at the Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling.

Little Lelant has a great choice of places to eat. Take the road out of the village towards Hayle, and you’ll find two real locals’ favourites: Birdies Bistro and The Old Forge. Birdies overlooks the estuary, and is a great place to spot waterfowl (hence the name) as well as to tuck into fantastic local produce. The courtyard at The Old Forge is the place to dine on a summer evening, with its lively Mediterranean vibe.

If you go in the other direction from Lelant (down the Old Coach Road), you’ll come to Lelant Downs, a mostly rural area dotted with houses, farms and the occasional foodie gem. The 

Lakeside Cabin Cafe is a much-loved spot for lunch or a snack, or pop to the local farm shop, the Veg Box at Splattenridden for excellent local picnic ingredients.

Looking for a cold pint of Rattler on a warm day? The Cornish Arms on the St Ives side of Carbis Bay is a good place for a pitstop. If you’re after a meal, book into gastropub The Gannet, which serves high-end but hearty pub classics.

In Lelant, there’s The Watermill just outside the village, which serves food as well as a good selection of local drinks, and has a nice outdoor space. The Badger Inn is in the centre of the village. Previous happy guests include Virginia Woolf, who must have liked it as she stayed there on several occasion.