Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in West Cornwall

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2026

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in West Cornwall? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Argoe

4.9

4.9 (440)

£26 to £40

Seafood

Penzance

About the restaurant

Argoe is a harbourside restaurant in Newlyn, a lively fishing hub that has been shaped by its essential industry for centuries, the perfect setting for a restaurant celebrating produce from the sea.

Our menus take inspiration from the coastal cookery of Europe, simple and humble restaurants showcasing the regional ingredients, famers, fishermen and growers that surround them.

Dishes are served to be shared, with a focus on whole fish cooked on our charcoal grill, alongside a wine list highlighting the regions that shape our menus.

Top review

David

Dined 6 days ago

Fabulous as ever. Our new favourite restaurant. We will be back.

Romano's

4.9

4.9 (57)

£26 to £40

Italian

St Ives

About the restaurant

A Neighbourhood Trattoria, in Carbis Bay, just outside the chaos of St Ives. Family run & neighbourhood focused serving seasonal and traditional, not typical, Italian food. We have a real heart for showcasing a side of Italian cuisine and culture that is often lost amongst what's more frequently seen in the Uk.

Seasonal plates paired with a carefully chosen, full-Italian wine list of over 150 wines (on rotation), daily made homebaked bread and desserts. Community and family at the forefront of how we shape our menus. The style of our service reflects this, multiple plates for the table to share, that come when they're ready, in no set order.

Open for coffee and serving fresh made sandwiches for lunch, six days a week, however we only take reservations for dinner.

Top review

Robert

Dined 6 days ago

Enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and selection of Italian meats and cheeses. Provolone with burnt sugar was a great discovery

Porthminster Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (2875)

£26 to £40

International

St Ives

About the restaurant

Porthminster Kitchen serves up a refreshing, playful take on Cornish cuisine, introducing a menu of smaller plates and lighter options which combine global flavours, fresh local ingredients and creative cooking.

We have stripped out much of what is unnecessary; dairy and gluten take a backseat in favour of fresh and exciting textures and flavours.

Porthminster Kitchen enjoys awe-inspiring panoramic views from its location in the heart of St Ives. From your vantage point above the harbour, escape the hustle and bustle and relax on our sun-drenched terrace, or gaze out from huge windows and take in the 180° view.
We are dog friendly but have limited space for our furry friends please let us know when booking to avoid disappointment.

Top review

JonathanGold

Dined 7 days ago

Fabulous venue over looking the harbour at St Ives. Food was excellent, particularly recommend the Sole and the Sticky Toffee pudding! My 8 year old daughter loved the moules!

Porthminster Beach Café

4.7

4.7 (5241)

£41 and over

Seafood

St Ives

About the restaurant

Nestled beneath the steep slopes of Porthminster Point, right on the beach with unbeatable and uninterrupted views across St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse. Now open all year round for lunch and dinner.
Porthminster Cafe in St Ives is a multi award winning seafood restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The café specialises in Mediterranean and Asian seafood cuisine and is an oasis of taste and visual beauty.
A Holiday in St Ives would not be complete without going to the beach. Here at Porthminster Beach we have one of the cleanest beaches in the South West. We have been given the prestigious Blue Flag Award which guarantees the highest of standards.

Top review

Jenny

Dined 1 day ago

We have visited St Ives several times, and always make a point to visit the Porthminster Cafe! The food is phenomenal and the service is excellent 👌

Porthgwidden Beach Café

4.7

4.7 (2501)

£26 to £40

Fish

St Ives

About the restaurant

Nestled beneath the steep grassy slopes of St Ives “Island”, right on the beach with unbeatable and uninterrupted views across St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse. Now open all year round for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The café specialises in Mediterranean and Asian seafood cuisine and is an oasis of taste and visual beauty. The café is open daily for a selection of patisserie and the finest coffee.

A Holiday in St Ives would not be complete without going to the beach. Here at Porthgwidden Beach we have one of the cleanest beaches in the South West. We have been given the prestigious Blue Flag Award which guarantees the highest of standards.

Top review

Colin

Dined on 26 Oct 2026

Lovely restaurant, amazing views and food, staff were amazing. Would highly recommend.

Reef and Beef St Ives

4.7

4.7 (663)

£26 to £40

Steakhouse

St Ives

About the restaurant

Drawing inspiration from the region’s abundant local produce and fresh seafood, Reef & Beef highlights innovative dishes that marry traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. With a commitment to sustainability and community, we source ingredients from nearby farms and fishermen, ensuring every bite reflects the essence of Cornwall.
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Whether you're a local foodie or a visitor eager to explore, there's no better time to dive into this culinary renaissance. Join Reef & Beef as we embark on a journey through Cornwall’s latest dining experience, each offering a unique taste of the region's gastronomic potential.

Top review

Charllote

Dined on 2 Nov 2026

Amazing food and lovely atmosphere! The scallops starter was delicious, and the ribeye steak was cooked to perfection. Great service from the staff. Definitely recommend Reef & Beef and would happily visit again!

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4.7

4.7 (56)

£41 and over

Seafood

St Ives

About the restaurant

2 Michelin Starred, Chef Tom Sellers’ fourth restaurant opening.
Set above one of Britain’s most beautiful white sand beaches, MOR is shaped by its coastal setting and a drive to explore the natural abundance on its doorstep. Led by Tom Sellers, the restaurant brings bold storytelling to Carbis Bay, celebrating world-class Cornish produce where land meets sea.

Guided by the rhythm of the ocean, a raw bar and charcoal grill frame a menu of hand-dived scallops, day boat fish, ex-dairy beef, and vegetables grown in MOR’s own kitchen garden.

Top review

Keith

Dined 3 days ago

Here I am at MOR restaurant in Carbis bay. Trying there take on a Sunday lunch, Surf & Turf. I can honestly say it's the best £39 I've spent on food. And the loveliest staff. Found my favourite restaurant. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ And an added bonus is the view. Carbis Bay Estate Apparently yesterday when the tide was in there were dolphins 🐬 and Seals 🦭

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Experience

One MOR × Trevethan Gin MORtini Night

Tricky's at The Tolgus Inn

4.6

4.6 (693)

£25 and under

British

Redruth

About the restaurant

Tricky's Restaurant and Bar is a great place to dine. Our large restaurant offers cosy corners for intimate diners as well as space to accommodate large parties. We have created a varied menu to cater for all tastes and budgets. From light lunchtime bites to a hearty three course meal and, there's plenty for the children enjoy as well!

We offer fantastic food, wines, real ales and great service! Combine all these with a warm welcome and you can see why Tricky's is as popular as ever.

We are now open for breakfast Monday - Saturdays mornings between 9-11am.
We also now offer Afternoon Teas Mon - Sat 12-6pm - payment required at time of booking.

When booking please state in the notes if you require seating in our dog friendly lounge area or any specific seating preferences and if we are able to we can seat you accordingly.

Top review

Dianne

Dined on 11 Oct 2026

Excellent service and food. Very friendly and lovely atmosphere.

Harbour Loft - St Michaels Mount

4.5

4.5 (209)

£26 to £40

Afternoon Tea

Marazion

About the restaurant

Afternoon Tea at the Harbour Loft on St Michael’s Mount is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or complete a visit to this enchanting island. Head Chef Marcus Houghton has created a menu inspired by fresh Cornish produce to be enjoyed on our unique island setting, with sea views and the backdrop of the castle to the south.

All weekday and Sunday bookings include complimentary castle admission, making it the perfect way to enjoy more time exploring the island. Please note your booking time is for your table arrival time, castle access is between 10.00-16.00.

When you book, please see the website for information about how to access the island as it varies between walking a cobbled tidal causeway and booking a boat, depending on the tide.

Afternoon Tea is available to book from 12pm with the last reservation at 3.30pm

Polite notice: our restaurant only takes bookings for Afternoon Tea, we do not take pre-payment.

Top review

nigel

Dined on 12 Oct 2026

Service and venue excellent. The high tea was delicious with dainty cakes and savories with beautiful flavours. The scones were a bit dry and would have been better served warm. The English sparkling wine was very good. A very enjoyable experience.

Alverne Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (15)

£25 and under

Modern European

Penzance

About the restaurant

We're a family owned restaurant celebrating 20 years residency, in our much loved town of Penzance.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly with chic decor, focussing on comfort.
Our team have a passion for exciting and trending flavours, specialising in Modern British, European Cuisine with a touch of Asian. Using all local produce including fresh daily fish and seafood from Newlyn Harbour.
Come and have a cocktail on our front facing outside patio area that also dog friendly.
We're a close walk from the sea front and promenade, and local landmarks such as St Michael's Mount and the Minack Theatre. Penzance Dock for the Scillonian is a 15 minute walk from us.

Top review

Harriet

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Fabulous meal with fabulous service. We will return!

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Experience

Christmas Menu

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