Hidden Cafes In Cornwall
Finding great places to eat is one of the highlights of a Cornish holiday. There is an extra joy in finding a little-known cafe, especially during the busiest months. Over the years, we have found a lot of these wonderful spots and we would like to share our favourites with you.
Here are ten of the best hidden cafes in Cornwall.
The Rockpool Beach Cafe – Gwithian
This laid-back place is right on the sands at beautiful Gwithian. The Rockpool Beach Cafe is set back a bit from the road in the dunes and, if you like your sea views wild and your air very fresh, this is the perfect place.
The Rockpool is famous for being family and dog friendly and the sandy garden is simply the best spot for a post-beach brunch or lunch. Look out for their lively programme of events and music.
Lula Shack – Hayle
Hayle’s North Quay may still be a work-in-progress; however, Lula Shack is complete perfection. You do not often see “Creole” and “Cornish” together on a menu, but the fusion of fresh local produce and spicy Creole and Floridian dishes is *chef’s kiss*.
Keep walking beyond the new builds on the quay and you will come to Lula’s in a remote spot at the end. The views across the estuary are wonderful and the outside area is possibly the most evocative venue for a late-night drink or barbecue that you can imagine.
Scoff Troff Cafe – St Ives
Although located in busy St Ives, Scoff Troff is tucked away from the hustle of Fore Street and the Harbour Front. Focusing on mixing locally sourced ingredients with recipes picked up during the Owner’s frequent travels, this industrial styled cafe is particularly popular with the breakfast crowd serving up delicious Aussie toast, Turkish eggs and Belgian waffle stacks. Do not worry, there is always a Full English on offer!
To put it in their own words: “Whether it’s breakfast with the family before you head to the beach, a lunchtime sandwich with friends, a sharing platter with a glass of wine, a hot chocolate with all the trimmings or just a nice ice cold beer after a long walk with your pooch – we have everything you need at Scoff Troff Cafe!”
The Jam Pot Cafe – Gwithian
This place takes some finding, but it is definitely worth the effort! The Jam Pot is another secret spot nestled among the Gwithian dunes, but at the other end from The Rock Pool. The curious little “jam-pot-shaped” building was once the coastguard lookout, so as you can imagine, the views over the sea are incredible.
Come here for cream teas, toasties and homemade cakes. There’s a large outdoor seating area (dog friendly) or find a snug table by the woodburner on a chilly day. A 2023 refurb will increase the indoor seating area, so you can warm up after a windy-day coastal hike.
The Copper Spoon – Marazion
From the jam pot to the spoon… The Copper Spoon is a small and friendly cafe, deli and takeaway at the “quiet end” of Marazion. Park in one of the town’s main car parks, then keep walking past the shops and galleries until you find this cute little corner cafe.
It serves freshly baked sweet and savoury treats (example: roasted vegetable tarts) made with local produce. If you are veggie or vegan, it’s a really good place to get to know. The Copper Spoon is also a good pitstop during a beach day, if you fancy an ice cream or need a shot of coffee.
The Hidden Hut – Portscatho
The Hidden Hut really is tucked away (it does not even have a phone line – see above), and you can seek it out on the coast path near Porthcurnick Beach. Park at the beach car park, and look out for the set of steps up from the sand. The Hut is not an easy find, but worth it.
Everything is cooked on an outdoor grill and an indoor bakery oven. The menu is small and simple, and based on what is fresh that day. Look out for their famous evening Feast Nights. The Hidden Hut hibernates over winter: see the website for details.
Slice Of Cornwall – Constantine near Falmouth
Constantine may be small, but it has two places in our top ten. Slice Of Cornwall serves brunch and lunch and is also open in the evenings during the season. It has a great outside eating area and is one of those wonderfully welcoming dog-friendly Cornwall cafes.
The brunches will most definitely set you up for the day. If you can, try one of the cafe’s specialties, waffles or baya. These are stone-baked, sourdough flatbreads, which are served with a mouthwatering array of toppings. Don’t forget to add a portion of garlic and rosemary rustic chips.
The Cabin Beach Cafe – Perranuthnoe
The Cabin Beach Cafe is set above the beach at Perranuthnoe and has sweeping sea views. Unusually for a beach cafe, The Cabin is open all year, so make a note of this one if your Cornwall holidays are off-season. It is handily sited along the coast path and welcomes families and dogs.
You can stop here just for a cuppa, but that would be a real shame as there’s a great selection of lunchtime treats and cakes. The Cabin is also licensed: the ideal spot for a glass of something cold on a hot summer day. In the evening, the cafe becomes a bistro, The Tipsy Crab, serving more sophisticated dishes including fresh local seafood.
Potager Garden – Constantine near Falmouth
Like The Lost Gardens Of Heligan, Potager emerged from an overgrown wilderness, in this case a former plant nursery in Constantine. The cafe is housed in a former greenhouse, making it a unique location for some freshly baked cake or a healthy brunch.
Again, this is a great place to know if you are looking for veggie food. The Chef makes the most of having a restaurant in a garden, fruit and vegetables do not come fresher than this. Please check their website for opening hours and check out their programme of evening events and workshops.
Feed – Hayle
Back to Hayle for our final hidden cafe and this street food delight will not disappoint. If you love a cinnamon bun washed down with excellent coffee (that would be most of us, then), search out the Feed kiosk in Hayle.
Then, go and walk it off, because you will definitely want to come back for lunch. Feed serves perfectly prepared street food made from fabulous local ingredients. Try a bagel, salad or hearty soup with sourdough and their homemade sausage rolls are the best thing ever for picnics.
Other Favourite Secret Spots
We also have lots of honourable mentions that we must squeeze in: The Front Room in Penzance, Grounded in Truro, Fat Apples near Porthallow… Some former hidden gems, Birdies Bistro in Lelant, Tremenheere Kitchen near Penzance, Moomaid in Zennor, have quite rightly become destinations in their own right. You might just have to extend your holiday in Cornwall…
Hidden Cafes In Cornwall
The Hidden Hut
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