The best dog-friendly restaurants, pubs and cafés in Cornwall

Where to go for Bonios at the bar and lunch with a view

Home to golden beaches, beautiful woodland and plenty of wild open spaces, Cornwall is one of the most dog-friendly holiday destinations in the world. But once the dogs have been walked and it’s time to eat, it can be tricky to know which restaurants will give your four-legged friends a warm welcome. To help you plan your next staycation, we’ve rounded up eight of the best dog-friendly restaurants, pubs and cafés in Cornwall.

West Cornwall

Sandbar, Praa Sands

Welcoming four-legged friends just as warmly as two, this West Cornwall spot combines ocean views with home cooked Mediterranean-style dishes. You’ll find dog-friendly touches from the moment you arrive, with complimentary dog biscuits at the bar and water bowls inside and out for salty-snouted dogs. Plus, with Praa Sands Beach welcoming dogs for most of the year, they can stretch their legs on the sand and be wrapped up warm at the bar in minutes.

Human diners can look forward to a menu of mezze platters, gourmet burgers, flame grilled ciabattas and stonebaked pizza – all made fresh to order. Surfers and seafaring dogs will love stopping by after a morning in the waves, with live music every Sunday lunchtime making it a tempting post-surf refuge.

Where to stay nearby: Compass Point

The Rockpool, Gwithian

© Adam Sargent via The Rockpool

Nestled in the dunes of Gwithian and Godrevy, The Rockpool is a laid back beach café serving top quality fusion food. Beautiful views over the beach make it a lovely spot to eat after a long walk, where dogs will feel instantly at home perched in the window seat.

One of Cornwall’s real ‘do-gooders’, the menu champions ethical, sustainable and local suppliers with every dish. Our highlights are the sticky Asian pork buns and traditional Cornish pasties – which are sure to have puppy dog eyes out in force.

Where to stay nearby: Shun Lee

Scoff Troff Café, St Ives

They say it’s all in a name, and at Scoff Troff Café, there’s no exception. Said to be filled with dog-loving staff, this unique warehouse-style café set up shop on the cobbled streets of St Ives back in 2015 and has been welcoming furry friends ever since. 

For hungry dog walkers, their never-ending menu features everything from Cornish cream teas and hand-stretched pizzas to healthier grazing options like Newlyn crab salad and the signature ‘goodness bowl’. If you’re visiting in the colder months, the café’s decadent hot chocolates promise to soothe weary limbs and sandy paws after blustery walks on Porthminster Beach. You’ll find a tempting cocktail menu when the sun is shining, perfect for sipping with a sleepy dog at your feet.

Where to stay nearby: Shun Lee

North Cornwall

Catch, Mawgan Porth

Set just footsteps from one of Cornwall’s most dog-friendly beaches, Catch Seafood Bar and Grill is a must-visit if you’re staying in Mawgan Porth. Open every day in the summer, seafood lovers, vegetarians and vegans alike will find something enticing on the menu, from fresh Cornish lobster to green olive linguine. 

The restaurant is perched just off the South West Coast Path, so whether you’re popping by for a beachside coffee or passing through for lunch on a longer walk to Watergate Bay, dogs will be in their element. There’s even a lovely decked terrace, where summer evenings are best spent with a spiced mojito or a Catch Negroni in hand.

Where to stay nearby: The Lookout, The Hideout or Prennek House

St Petroc’s Bistro, Padstow 

One of the bigger names amid Cornwall’s foodie scene, St Petroc’s Bistro combines the best of both worlds with its dog-friendly harbourside dining. 

With signature steaks grilled to perfection and a tantalizing wine list, the bistro celebrates Rick Stein’s love of elevated French cooking. Dogs are always welcome in the snug bar and garden, and with the exciting sights, sounds and smells of Padstow Harbour a few pawprints away, you won’t run short of places to explore after lunch. Hawker’s Cove is also just around the coast for dogs who love a good run.

Where to stay nearby: Harbour Walk or Kilden Mor

The Unicorn on the Beach, Porthtowan

© Left: The Unicorn on the Beach via Instagram 

Sat in the centre of this surfer’s paradise on Cornwall’s rugged north coast, The Unicorn on the Beach is an ideal hangout for seafood-lovers. With a menu bursting with freshly caught local produce such as Cornish sole and smoked haddock, sit back and watch the waves lap the shore as you sip on a "Summertime Spritz". There's a designated children’s menu and plenty of outdoor space to rest your paws, so hit the decked dining area for a post-surf lunch. 

Where to stay nearby: Gwelefan

The Atlantic, Polzeath 

© The Atlantic via Instagram

Located on the clifftops above the ever-popular Polzeath Beach, this Italian-inspired eatery is the perfect place to watch the sunset with a cool glass of something sparkling. Choose from a selection of antipasto items including cured salmon, arancini, and buffalo mozzarella before tucking into a 12-inch handmade pizza decorated with all of your favourite toppings.

With the beach lying a stone’s throw away, take to the sand with your four-legged friend before setting off in search of sticks to throw and rockpools to cool off in. Polzeath operates a seasonal dog ban during the summer months, but dogs are welcome after 6pm, making this a lovely spot for pre-dinner walkies.

Where to stay nearby: Sunny Seven 

The Mariners, Rock

Completing our North Cornwall round-up is Paul Ainsworth’s gastro-pub in Rock, as featured in this year's Michelin Guide. Occupying an enviable spot by the water, canine companions are warmly welcomed on the ground floor, where booking is advised to avoid missing out.

With plates like Davidstow vintage rarebit, spicy pork and nduja pasta and oysters caught across the estuary in Porthilly, you’ll be spoilt for choice with fresh, unique flavours. There’s also a great ‘Little Sailors’ menu for children or those with a smaller appetite. 

In this part of Cornwall, there’s plenty to tire out energetic dogs before dinner. Hop across to Padstow on the water taxi, play ball in the shallows or stick to dry land with a walk through the dunes. For a slightly longer stroll from Daymer Bay, the climb up Brea Hill is well worth it for the view when the tide is right.

Where to stay nearby: Trehayl

South Cornwall

Appleton’s, Fowey

After a stint at one of our favourite Cornish vineyards – Trevibban Mill – the Appleton’s team have relocated to Fowey, where charming streets and a much-loved estuary await. With resident pooch Gnocchi leading the charge at the restaurant, well-behaved dogs on leads are always welcome for brunch, lunch and dinner, with the downstairs level being dedicated to diners with dogs. 

Combining the signature flavours of Italy and Cornwall, the Appleton’s menu features salmon sourdough bagels for lunch and Cornish crab linguine come dinnertime. Or if brunch is in order, the peanut butter waffles and maple smoked duck promise to make lazy Sunday mornings extra special.

Where to stay nearby: Daymarker, Lantic Barn and Little Polkerris

The Blue Peter Inn, Polperro

© The Blue Peter Inn and Chensiyuan via Wikimedia

Said to be the place where diners enter as strangers and leave as friends, The Blue Peter Inn occupies a frontline spot by Polperro Harbour. Praised for its locally caught fish and chips, hearty Sunday roast and great local ale, the pub is a must for dog walkers following the coast path in nearby Talland Bay, Looe or Lansallos.

Dogs can cosy up beside the fire while human companions tuck into the fish of the day, or pick up a steaming hot coffee from the takeaway hatch to enjoy out by the water.

Where to stay nearby: Sea Edge

Bewshea’s by the Beach, Downderry 

© Left: Bewshea's by the Beach via Instagram 

A place where tapas and sharing plates wait to be devoured, this family-run bar and restaurant sits in the heart of Downderry. Featuring a spacious conservatory and a large outside dining experience, enjoy views over the ocean while you feast on Moules Mariniere, tempura prawns and freshly caught scallops. 

With steps leading from the restaurant to the water’s edge, take to the beach with your canine companions to burn off your lunches and explore the expansive coast path that runs across the clifftops. 

Where to stay nearby: Amar

Book a dog-friendly holiday

To view our dog-friendly holiday homes in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, click here and start planning an unforgettable stay. For more foodie inspiration, take a look at our guide to the best restaurants in Padstow.

Image credits: The Rockpool images: Adam Sargent | The Blue Peter Inn images: The Blue Peter Inn and Chensiyuan via Wikimedia | St Ives, Mawgan Porth, Hawker's Cove and Fowey/Polruan images: Matt Jessop via Visit Cornwall | The Atlantic via Instagram | Bewshea's by the Beach via Instagram. All other images are our own or from Unsplash.