For a small fishing village at the bottom of a steep valley, the restaurants in Polperro are seriously impressive. We ate in the village for every meal during our stay and never ran out of options – from fresh seafood on the harbour to stonebaked pizza carried back to our apartment in the dark. The challenge isn’t finding somewhere good. It’s choosing.
Here are the best places to eat in Polperro, from the pubs we returned to again and again to the cafés, restaurants and takeaways worth knowing about. Whether you’re after a comforting Cornish pasty on the go, exceptional food for a special occasion, or just a friendly pub with harbour views, this village has it covered.
The pubs
Polperro has four pubs, and between them they cover most of what you’ll want for evening meals. They’re some of the most popular restaurants in Polperro, and one thing to know: none of them take bookings. You turn up, put your name down and wait. Around 7pm tends to be the busiest spell, so aim for 6pm if you want to get a table straightaway – or later if you don’t mind a drink at the bar first.
The Three Pilchards
The oldest pub in Polperro and our favourite. We came here several times and it never disappointed. The burgers are great, the loaded chilli fries are dangerously moreish, and the Three Pilchards gin is worth trying. But what makes it special is the warm welcome – Matt and the team run the place with real care, and you’ll quickly feel like a regular. You’ll also meet Fred, the local dog who comes in with his owner every day and has claimed his spot at the bar.
The rooftop terrace overlooking the harbour is the place to be on a warm evening. There’s a small amount of indoor seating too, and a real fire in cooler months. Excellent service, great atmosphere, harbour views – it’s hard to beat. They don’t take bookings but run a waiting list, so put your name down and enjoy a drink while you wait.
The Blue Peter Inn
Tiny, loud and brilliant. The Blue Peter sits just before the beach by the harbour, and the first thing you’ll notice is how small it is. Don’t worry – there’s extra seating upstairs – and the staff are excellent at getting everyone served and seated, even when it looks impossible.
The fish and chips with mushy peas here are perhaps the best I’ve had in a long time – fresh fish in a really light, crisp batter with no grease. So good we came twice. They also do a strong range of real ales and live music at weekends. It’s regularly listed in the Good Beer Guide, and the menu makes good use of local fish and produce.
The Ship Inn
A friendly pub on Fore Street with a beer garden for warmer evenings and a covered outdoor area when the weather turns. Traditional pub food and a good range of drinks. We caught the Polperro Wreckers singing sea shanties here one evening – the combination of live music, a cold pint and a room full of people joining in was one of the highlights of our trip. They also have live music at weekends during the season. Dog friendly.
Crumplehorn Inn and Mill
Up near the car park at the top of the village, so handy if you’re arriving hungry or want somewhere before the walk down to the harbour. It’s a historic pub and mill with a decent menu, a small garden and a good range of ciders and real ales. Families are well catered for, and it’s a solid option if everywhere down in the village is full, which does happen at peak times.
Restaurants in Polperro
Couch’s Great House Restaurant
I walked past Couch’s Great House Restaurant several times without noticing it – it’s so unassuming from the outside that you’d never guess what’s inside. This is Polperro’s fine dining experience, right in the heart of the village. Executive head chef Richard McGeown trained under some of the country’s most famous names – Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Raymond Blanc – before opening Couch’s in 2004. Under the direction of Richard McGeown, the restaurant has earned a reputation for exceptional food, serving a set menu using the finest ingredients and local produce. It’s the kind of place to book for a special occasion. A word of warning: Couch’s does not permit dogs (with the exception of assistance dogs) or children under the age of seven. Open Tuesday to Saturday evenings in season. Advance booking is essential.
Priscilla’s Restaurant
A small family-run restaurant in the heart of Polperro, specialising in fresh seafood and classic English dishes with vegan options also available. Their Sunday roast dinners are particularly popular with locals and visitors alike. Booking is strongly advised as it fills quickly in summer. Open Friday and Saturday evenings plus Sunday lunch in the quieter months, expanding in season.
OXOX (Noughts and Crosses)
Newly refurbished in late 2024, OXOX is a small restaurant with a curated, homemade menu. We heard great things about the fish. Open Thursday to Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch in season. Dog-friendly, but mention your dog when you book. Pre-booking strongly advised.
Pizza
Turntable Pizzeria
Amazing stonebaked pizza with classic toppings, all made from scratch and cooked in a wood-fired oven right in front of you. There’s a small seating area, but we got takeaway – the boys loved it, and my ham and mushroom was exceptional. They’ve won a Taste of the West gold award, and at £10–12 a pizza it’s brilliant value. No bookings – just turn up. Seasonal opening, usually Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm–9:30pm.
Seafood
Kitty’s Lobster, Crab and Seafood Shack
Right on the quay in Polperro harbour. The dressed crab was amazing – fresh, generous, and exactly what you want sitting by the water. A great option for a relaxed meal in the heart of Polperro.
Cafés and daytime eating
Beyond the pubs and restaurants in Polperro, there’s a good range of cafés for daytime eating – from proper coffee shops to cream tea spots and harbourside lunch stops.
Clements and Hope Coffee Shop
This was right by where we were staying, and we loved it. A family-run coffee shop on Fore Street with a welcoming atmosphere, fantastic speciality coffee (roasted by an award-winning South West roaster) and a great selection of cakes and bakes, including vegan and gluten-free options. The boys loved the Pac-Man arcade table. We stopped in most mornings – it quickly became our ritual. Open year-round, though the menu scales back between November and March.
The House on the Props
One of Polperro’s most iconic buildings, right on the harbour edge with views over the water. It’s a B&B and restaurant in one, with quirky nautical decor made from salvaged shipwreck timbers and rigging. The breakfasts are excellent – think homemade walnut bread, kippers, and a full menu of cooked options. For lunch, the fresh local mussels in garlic, white wine and cream sauce are a standout. They’ve won a Taste of the West gold award for their fish dishes. Open for breakfast and lunch daily all year round, with evening meals in high season.
The Plantation Tea Rooms
A well-established café serving cream teas, homemade cakes and light lunches. One of the more traditional spots in the village – a good choice if you’re after a proper Cornish cream tea with scones, clotted cream and jam. Friendly service and a relaxed pace.
Bean and Scone
A café on The Coombes – the main road from the car park down to the harbour. Handy for a coffee and a cake on the way in or out of the village. A good stopping point if you need refreshment before the walk back up the hill.
Copperleaf Coffee Shop and Bakery
Near the top of the village, close to the Crumplehorn, serving freshly made Cornish pasties, sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks. Mostly takeaway but a useful stop for a quick lunch before or after the walk down to the harbour.
The Harbour Greenhouse Restaurant and Bar
A restaurant and bar in the village serving British food in a relaxed setting. Open for lunch and evening meals, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Dog friendly.
Nanny Duck’s Cornish Kitchen
An ice cream and snack stop on The Coombes, the main walk into the village. Handy for a quick treat on the way past.
Wheelhouse
A harbourside café serving sandwiches, light meals, cakes and hot drinks. The location near the water makes it a pleasant spot for a casual lunch.
Treats and takeaways
Treleavens Cornish Ice Cream
You can’t miss the pink-fronted shop on your way through the village. Treleavens is one of Cornwall’s best-known ice cream makers – they’ve been going since 2002 and produce over 50 flavours using locally sourced Cornish milk. Seriously good ice cream and well worth a stop. They also supply the likes of Rick Stein, so the quality speaks for itself.
The Cornish Chilli Factory
We loved watching them rolling and making pasties in the window – and the creative flavours here go well beyond traditional. As their name suggests, they also make their own chilli sauces, seasonings and condiments, all from their base in Polperro. A great place to pick up something spicy to take home. Open daily, 11am–4pm.
Cones and Scones
Ice cream and freshly baked treats – another good option for something sweet, with a small seating area near the harbour.
The Good Life
Polperro’s deli and off-licence, selling local cheeses, cold meats, pâté, olives, crackers, chutneys and a good selection of drinks, including local wines and beers. We picked up supplies here for a quiet evening in – perfect for assembling a charcuterie board back at the cottage.
Tips for eating out in Polperro
Most of the pubs and restaurants in Polperro don’t take advance bookings – they run a waiting list instead. During busy periods, aim to put your name down by 7-7.30pm. Many of the restaurants and smaller cafés are seasonal, opening from Easter through to October and closing over winter. It’s always worth checking Facebook pages for the latest opening times before you visit, as hours can change. And if you’re planning a special evening at Couch’s, Priscilla’s or OXOX, book well ahead in summer – they’re small and fill up fast.