Best Restaurants in St Mawes

Nestled on the tranquil Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, St Mawes is a picturesque coastal village that serves not only as a haven for sailing enthusiasts but also as a hidden gem for culinary aficionados. While its cobbled streets and quaint harbourside charm have long drawn holidaymakers in search of peace and beauty, there is a quiet revolution happening in its kitchens. The village is home to a number of exceptional eateries that celebrate the bounties of the Cornish coast. Seafood, naturally, takes centre stage, with menus crafted around the daily catch hauled in by local fishers. A late afternoon stroll down the harbour often teases the appetite with the enticing aromas of pan-seared scallops and grilled lobsters, their briny freshness matched only by the salty sea breeze. The history of dining in St Mawes is steeped in its seafaring past, when hearty, simple fare sustained the working men of the ocean. In recent decades, however, the village has evolved into a destination for refined yet unfussy cuisine that places local, seasonal ingredients at its core. The rise of boutique hotels with in-house gourmet restaurants, alongside long-standing family-run establishments, has elevated its status on the Cornish food map. One cannot ignore the influence of Cornwall's broader culinary renaissance, yet St Mawes retains a distinctive voice — one that speaks through every shellfish stew and clotted cream-topped dessert served. Eating here is not merely about sustenance but about experiencing the very soul of the coast through the plate.