The story
Porthminster Beach Café, on Porthminster Beach in St Ives (TR26 2EB), is a modern British seafood restaurant that the Good Food Guide named a Local Gem for 2026.
Executive Chef Michael Smith had led the kitchen for fifteen years by 2018, when he was named Food & Drink Hero at the Cornwall Life awards. A kitchen garden opposite the café supplies vegetables, herbs and salad leaves, and its produce appears on the menu most days.
Fish and seafood lead the menu, with whole Dover sole and shellfish linguine among the dishes to look for. Meat and vegetarian plates are just as considered, such as Indonesian curries or fried halloumi on a tomato and bean cassoulet. Reach the beach by the stepped footpath from the main road, which has no lighting at night, so bring a torch.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
The serene white building on a broad sandy beach with fabulous panoramic views is most directly reached by a stepped footpath that descends from the main road. It is wholly unlit at night. Set your phone to torch, and take care. Fish and seafood are the specialities (whole Dover sole or shellfish linguine, perhaps), with enticing meat and vegetarian options too (Indonesian curries, fried halloumi with tomato and bean cassoulet). A serviceable wine list comes at manageable prices.
Location
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