Where to eat in Rock: the six best restaurants, pubs and cafés

A mix of fine dining and beachside favourites

Those planning a foodie road trip to Cornwall this year will find a variety of first-class restaurants, chef-named pubs and charming cafés in Rock, a sought-after village on the north coast. We’ve compiled a list of the top six places to dine at in the area, from tasting menus to fancy fish and chips.

1. The Mariners by Paul Ainsworth

Why we love it: it's the perfect post-beach hangout

Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Rock, The Mariners has earned a fantastic reputation across Cornwall and beyond. Relaunched by Paul and Emma Ainsworth in 2019, it’s set across two floors right by the water, and offers an all-day menu. With Sharp’s Brewery beer on tap, it sits within walking distance from a lot of our Rock holiday homes, so you can leave the car keys at home. 

Meanwhile, foodie favourites include St Austell Bay mussels, St Enodoc asparagus, Porthilly oysters and St Ewe eggs – making it a very Cornish affair. As well as some tempting vegan and veggie dishes, there’s a Little Sailors menu for smaller appetites, and Sunday lunch is served from the first Sunday in October until the last in June. The pub is also dog-friendly on the bottom floor, so you can reward energetic beach walks from Daymer Bay to Rock with Mariners classics like fish and chips, a hearty ploughman’s, or their signature Scotch eggs.

2. The Brasserie and Karrek at St Enodoc Hotel

Why we love it: incredible food in a welcoming setting

Positioned by the water, Trehayl shares the same sparkling views over the water with The Mariners and St Enodoc.

Overlooking the Camel Estuary from its vantage point at the bottom of Rock, the St Enodoc Brasserie is a must-visit if you’re looking for laid back, high-quality food. The a la carte menu features teriyaki mackerel, roast hake and vegan gnocchi, plus a cocktail list championing local brands Tarquin’s and Camel Valley. 

Child and dog-friendly, the restaurant combines fresh, healthy and modern recipes with fantastic views from the suntrap terrace. Be sure to visit in the warmer months and to book well ahead.

Designed to delight fine dining fanatics, the hotel’s Karrek restaurant upstairs opens its doors for an intimate tasting menu every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Awarded three AA Rosettes, Karrek is among Cornwall's best and most pretigious restaurants. Recommended to take three hours and coming in at £65 per person, the six-course tasting menu includes scallops, oyster and mussel risotto, roast duck, Cornish crab, and rhubarb and white chocolate ice cream, followed by coffee and petit fours. Whether you opt for this, or the indulgent nine-course menu, both promise a magical evening.

If you’re visiting during the day, St Enodoc also offer a cream tea and sandwich menu all afternoon, as well as Saturday barbeques from April to September, and Sunday lunches throughout winter. 
 

3. The Dining Room

Why we love it: it's the perfect accompaniment for a stay at Driftwood

Left: The Dining Room | Right: Driftwood

Another of our favourite restaurants in Rock is The Dining Room. Open Tuesday to Saturday, it sits further up in the village and has been loved for its family-run fine dining since 2010. Worthy of a Michelin star in a lot of people's eyes, the sample menu includes rich meat dishes like duck, beef and rabbit, as well as fresh sea bream, homemade bread, a selection of British cheeses and a sweet strawberry sorbet to finish. 

With photography just added, our beautiful new property Driftwood sits a very short walk from The Dining Room, making it perfect for foodie getaways. The latest home to join our Rock collection, ask our Concierge team to book a table on your behalf, after days spent enjoying the beach. 
 

4. The Pityme Inn

Why we love it: dining al fresco in the garden pods

Combining a pub, outdoor kitchen, takeaway and village shop, The Pityme Inn is a popular choice amongst visitors and locals alike. Situated towards the top of Rock and not far from Pentire Drinks and Bluntrock Brewery, it’s a great place to go for family favourites with a Cornish twist. With the menu championing fresh and local produce, highlights include a wild mushroom tagliatelle and an aubergine and coconut curry.

On sunny days, visit The Pityme’s outdoor kitchen for Mexican-inspired street food, and take a seat inside one of their garden pods. Here you can enjoy the laid back feel of a beach hut, complete with blankets and candles for chillier evenings. When it’s time to order, choose from nachos, salad bowls and spicy prawn dishes, to pair with a drink from the cocktail menu. 

For light bites after a day on the water with Camel Ski School or Wavehunters, it doesn’t get better than a chilled glass of rosé, some toasted focaccia and marinated olives as the sun goes down.

5. Fee's Food

Why we love it: everything is cooked fresh with the best ingredients

If picking up fresh pastries for breakfast and crab sandwiches for lunch is your idea of the perfect holiday, a visit to Fee’s Food is a must. Day to day, the counter is filled with everything from chocolate and hazelnut meringues, to bacon and asparagus tarts, and vibrant Caesar salads. 

As well as an on-site café, this middle-of-Rock spot specialises in freshly prepared meals to be cooked at home. For barbeque nights, pick up a selection of monkfish and chorizo skewers or griddled halloumi and vegetables – marinated in fresh herbs and spices. If celebrations are in order, opt for a beautiful birthday cake and a bottle of red, white or sparkling from the cellar. And for seafood lunches in the garden, Fee’s fruit de mer platter promises the freshest fish from local waters. 
 

6. Four Boys Café

Why we love it: fresh local produce and dog-friendly

A new addition to Rock's culinary scene, Four Boys opened in spring 2023 and is the latest venture from the team behind Fee's Food. Head chef Matt Wadsworth is local to the area and champions locally sourced seafood and seasonal produce, with the menu featuring salads and veg grown in the village. 

The all-day café has already received celebrity praise. After paying a visit with his son, Gordon Ramsay claimed that the smash burger here is "to die for". Four Boys accepts walk-ins only and benefits from being dog-friendly.

Just across the road, Ferryside is a spectacular sea-view getaway that boasts sparkling estuary views and mesmerising architecture. Not only does it showcase an unrivalled vista, but the house also features a sunken vitality pool and an underground cinema room. 

Why not make a week of it...

Good food, beautiful beaches and even better company go hand in hand, so why not stay a little longer and book one of our Rock holiday homes to enjoy during your foodie escape. From new favourites like Driftwood, to flagship properties like Trehayl and Lower Cole, our Concierge team are always on hand for restaurant reservations, taxi bookings and private chefs to make your stay truly special. 

Left: Lower Cole | Middle: Trehayl | Right: Driftwood.

Image credits: all images are our own.