Devon and Cornwall's best restaurants for 2022

Must-try menus for your next staycation

If you haven't managed a trip to Devon or Cornwall in the last couple of years, you may have missed out on some great restaurant openings. But fear not – we’re here to inspire your 2022 holiday plans with a round-up of some of the best.

We've handpicked our favourite 2022 newcomers, plus exciting additions at places we know and love. All that’s left to do is take your pick and let our Concierge team book the table…

News from Cornwall

Ugly Butterfly | Carbis Bay, West Cornwall

Why visit? To try the eight-course tasting menu.

Accolades: Owner and head chef Adam Handling received ‘restaurateur of the year’ in 2020’s GQ Food and Drink Awards.

One of Cornwall’s newest and most luxurious restaurants, soak up sea views with an aperitif overlooking Carbis Bay. A mile from St Ives, Ugly Butterfly opened in August 2021 and has been welcoming rave reviews since. 

The menu focuses on sustainable, local food, with ingredients caught by fishermen in St Ives Harbour, or grown fresh on regenerative Cornish farms. To avoid food waste, anything not used in the kitchen is later brought to life in the bar, including oyster shells which the team use to infuse their vodka martini.

According to the brand's latest press release, there’s plenty to look forward to at the restaurant this year: “Guests can enjoy dishes such as ‘Cornish crab, apple, jasmine’, ‘BBQ lobster, carrot, pak choi’ or ‘White chocolate, cucumber, dill’, all of which use Cornish produce, making the trip from field to fork and sea to plate as short as possible.”

Planning a St Ives getaway? Look no further than Shun Lee, a magnificent seafront home sleeping 14 guests and dating back to 1881.

© John Hersey Studio

The Longstore | Truro, mid-Cornwall

Why visit? It’s the sister to the much-loved Charlestown restaurant.

Loved for: Punchy cocktails and Insta-worthy Sunday lunches.

Add this to your list if you’re passing through Truro on your next Cornwall holiday. The new Longstore bar and grill on Lemon Street has been open for brunches, lunches, roasts and evening meals since May 2021. With their original Charlestown restaurant proving popular on the south coast, owners Tom, Mel and John have branched out to win the hearts of diners in North Cornwall. 

The new menu features St Austell Bay mussels and 12 hour roasted pork belly, plus a dark and stormy sticky toffee pudding with ice cream supplied by nearby Callestick Farm. Finish the evening with a cocktail, whether it be a coconut gimlet, melon margarita or Longstore bloody Mary, and you’re in for a treat.

New Yard Restaurant | Helston, West Cornwall

Why visit? For their Friday and Saturday supper clubs.

Accolades: Awarded a Michelin Green Star in 2021.

This restaurant has been part of the Trelowarren Estate for over 600 years, but its latest achievement is what adds it to our list. Now headed up by Caroline and Jeffrey Robinson, New Yard was given a Green Star from Michelin in 2021, an award that celebrates outstanding sustainable restaurants. At New Yard, each menu is guided by the seasons, with all food either foraged on the estate, grown in the walled garden or ethically sourced nearby.

As well as their twice weekly supper clubs (arrival drinks in the courtyard followed by seven tempting courses), there’s a pantry where you can enjoy a more casual lunch or a bite from the bakery. Choose from freshly baked cakes and an afternoon coffee, or opt for one of their wood fired pizzas. 

Events Manager Alex Brier and Co-owner Jeffrey Robinson gave us an insider's view of what's to come: "This year we're hoping to start creating an experience; to not only be relaxed and intimate but to bring more of the estate to the menu. Our walled garden plan for 2022 is immense, both in terms of growing and getting the public inside the walls. We're working with local foragers, bee-keepers and marksmen, to learn how we can employ the resources around us.

We're looking at introducing workshops, a book club and a 'Makers and Growers' market on-site. Life down here on the Lizard Peninsula can be so isolating, with many living in tiny villages or hamlets. I don't think any of us would deny that we could do with a bit more community in our lives right now. We have such a beautiful premises here, it only makes sense to us that we use it."

© Alex Brier

Kuki Kai | Carnon Downs, South Cornwall

Why visit? This TV chef’s latest venture is back on track.

Accolades: Face of the Kota collection, Jude Kereama earned the Trencherman's Award for 'Special Contribution' in 2020. His Porthleven restaurant Kota is one of only three in Cornwall to have been awarded three AA Rosettes.

Originally planned for 2021, this highly anticipated restaurant has seen unfortunate delays due to Covid-19, but is now set to open in April. Taking its name from the Maori word for ‘chef’, Kuki Kai pays homage to Jude’s half Maori, half Chinese Malay heritage.

With a menu comprising mostly small plates and seafood, Kuki Kai will replace Azura at The Valley in Carnon Downs. While the inland location is quite the departure from the brand’s existing Porthleven restaurants, the menus at Kota and Kota Kai will give you an exciting flavour of what’s to come. Think Porthilly oysters, tempura and wasabi tartare and pan-fried hake – Cornish classics reimagined with Jude’s signature Asian-inspired twist.

We’ve heard there are plans for a Kuki wine shop on-site too – pick up a bottle after dinner to remember a sure-to-be-special evening.

Argoe | Newlyn, West Cornwall

Why visit? For fine wine and fresh fish, caught within Mount’s Bay.

In a sentence: Two disused lifeboat cabins brought back to life as a seafood restaurant.

Having opened last June, Newlyn-based Argoe serves seafood from one of Cornwall’s most-loved fishing ports. After transforming two former lifeboat cabins in just six months, the team describe it as “a tribute to our town’s fishing heritage…bringing some of the country’s best produce from the sea to our tables.”

We’ve taken a look at the sample menu – highlights include deep fried squid with aioli, John Dory escabeche and monkfish tail. There’s a lovely wine list too, thanks to a collaboration with Newlyn merchant, Lovetts. Argoe is set to re-open for the 2022 season on Friday 4th February. Indoor tables are available to book, but we recommend the outdoor terrace on good weather days for sparkling views over the water.

Staying nearby? Enjoy dinner at Argoe, then walk along the harbourfront to reach our holiday home, Blue Elvin, within 15 minutes.

© Argoe via Instagram

Source Kitchen | St Ives, West Cornwall 

Why visit? For delicious sharing plates nestled into Cornish streets.

Claim to fame: Appeared on the BBC series ‘Rick Stein’s Cornwall’.

Starting out in March 2020, the team at Source Kitchen were determined not to let the Covid chaos dim their debut. Originally offering a delivery and collection service for chilled meals across St Ives, they’ve now diversified into a café, bar and restaurant that’s a five minute walk from Smeaton’s Pier. 

The sample lunch menu features British burrata, handpicked Cornish crab and whole baked cheeses served with fresh bread, chili jam and onion marmalade. Meanwhile, dinnertime sharing plates include fillet of line-caught pollock and Tregothan Estate venison, perfect if you’re visiting for a special occasion meal.

The Rocket Store | Boscastle, North Cornwall

Why visit? Menus change daily if not hourly, depending on the catch.

In a sentence: A small seafood bar based out of Boscastle Harbour.

Heading over to the north coast, this charming eatery opened in July 2020. With a big focus on sourcing everything locally, expect high quality fish dishes from Cornish waters, just footsteps from the restaurant.

See the blackboard for the catch of the day, then take a seat at the intimate harbourside restaurant to wine and dine in style. As with a lot of Cornwall’s dining spots, The Rocket Store comes alive in the summertime, with coast path walkers meandering down to the harbour for lunch with a view. Our menu favourites include butterflied mackerel, curried Romanesco and sea bream sashimi, but with dishes changing regularly, you’ll need to be quick.

Our holiday home recommendation? A stay at The Yellow Cottage in nearby Trebarwith Strand is just the thing after a lazy seafood dinner. Sit and watch the waves roll in from the garden, or cosy up in front of the fire.

© The Rocket Store via Instagram

The Packet Inn Smokehouse | Rosudgeon, West Cornwall

Why visit? Perfectly placed for exploring nearby Praa Sands and Prussia Cove.

In a sentence: A pub-come-restaurant from the culinary mind of Ben Tunnicliffe.

The Packet opened in September 2020, marketing itself as a Cornish pub for all seasons. The building itself is an old coaching house, set perfectly between Praa Sands to the east, Prussia Cove to the south and Perranuthnoe to the west. 

With a background in relaxed, feel-good food, Ben Tunnicliffe of the Tolcarne Inn heads up the team. Like a lot of restaurants in our list, they make the most of Cornish produce, sourcing meat from the surrounding farms and seafood from Newlyn. Menu-wise, October’s sample lunches were cherry tomato panzanella, beef and ‘nduja rigatoni, and lemon sole with pancetta and smoked almonds.

The Harbourside Refuge | Porthleven, West Cornwall 

Why visit? For a spot on their rooftop terrace and views over Porthleven Harbour.

In a sentence: Family-friendly dining headed up by Michael Caines.

Michelin-star chef Michael Caines has always been a lover of the South West, and his latest restaurant, The Harbourside Refuge in Porthleven, is testament to that. It sits on the same stretch of harbour as Amelies and The Ship Inn, serving dishes inspired by Cornwall. Welcoming guests from Thursday 3rd February, diners can look forward to fresh salad starters, grilled fish mains and traditional desserts, with a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu running alongside. 

Further around the coast, Caines’ Falmouth restaurant – The Cove at Maenporth Beach – also won over the locals when it opened its doors in 2020. Book a table for sea-view cocktails and fancy fish and chips.

Where to stay: Seathrift. Sleeping up to 11 guests, it's a short walk from Porthleven Harbour, or there's a heated outdoor pool if you'd rather relax at home.

© The Harbourside Refuge via Instagram

News from Devon

Barbecue Thirteen | Exmouth, South Devon 

Why visit? In their own words, ‘for the best steaks in town’.

In a sentence: Devon’s fresh new take on barbeque dining.

Having said goodbye to the Manor Hotel on New Year’s Eve, Barbecue Thirteen will open their Exmouth restaurant on The Strand’s café quarter next month. The food will initially comprise barbequed small plates, while they develop a ‘build your mains’ menu, designed to be enjoyed with friends and family.

We asked owner and chef Darren Grice what he’s most excited about ahead of the opening: “We want the restaurant to be a spot where you arrive, can have fresh cooked coal delights and then stay to enjoy cocktails, fine wines and a choice of beers. The kitchen is completely coal cooking, so nowhere to hide. We will source the amazing produce Devon has to offer and then create menus that wow in flavour, cooked over coal. Local fish that’s 48 hours from the sea to the plate, local meat, and local farm shops and suppliers for fruit and veg. Even our desserts are going to come from the coals.”

Set to open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, plus with fine dining supper clubs and live music lined up, we’re excited to see the result. 

Andria | Dartmouth, South Devon 

Why visit? To celebrate a special occasion while on holiday.

Loved for: Refined European menus and excellent service.

Headed up by Paris-born chef Luca Berardino, this restaurant occupies an idyllic spot just behind Dartmouth’s south embankment. Serving small plates for lunch and dinner, as well as great breakfasts and sharing-style Sunday lunches, Andria is headed into its third year since opening in August 2020.

Dishes include spiced Brixham monkfish, Creedy carver duck breast and autumn beets with Beenleigh blue cheese and candied hazelnuts. After giving its staff a much-needed break and its kitchen a new makeover at the start of the year, Andria will open for 2022 service on Monday 17th January. 

© Andria via Instagram

The Lost Kitchen | Chettiscombe, mid-Devon

Why visit? For a warm welcome, whether it’s brunch, lunch or dinner.

Loved for: Simple, seasonal cooking set amongst Devon’s rolling hills. 

Formerly a traditional Linhay and cider barn, The Lost Kitchen opened their revamped feasting barns in spring 2020. Since then, they’ve been serving delicious wood-fired food and using the freshest ingredients to do so.

Not far from Tiverton, there’s plenty on the menu to tempt you – from the Tarantina pizza with mozzarella, capers and olives, to smaller bites like hand dived Devon scallops and the Somerset charcuterie board. There’s also an all day brunch coming soon to 2022 – perfect for lazy weekend dining.

Hoping to stay nearby?  Nightjar is a country-lover’s dream and only half an hour away in Dulverton. Complete with a bubbling hot tub and rustic-luxe interiors, it’s a great base for exploring Exmoor.

Mickeys Beach | Exmouth, South Devon 

Why visit? It’s a great setting to relax with views over the English Channel.

In a sentence: The place to go for a casual dinner after family games on the sand.

The latest Devon installment from previously mentioned chef Michael Caines, Mickeys Beach in Exmouth promises an altogether more laid back affair. Visit for afternoon coffee, stop by for pizza or welcome the sunset with a chilled cocktail in hand – it’s designed to soak up Devon’s slower pace of life.

Meals are cooked over charcoal for a beachside barbeque feel, and Caines’ Café Patisserie Glacerie is on hand next door for French pastries and home-churned gelato after dinner. Well worth a visit on this year’s Devon road trip, Mickeys Beach will be ready to welcome guests from Wednesday 19th January.

© Mickeys Beach via Instagram

And keep an eye out for…

Rockfish in Salcombe, South Devon. With planning submitted, we’re excited to hear more about Mitch Tonks’ latest culinary adventure. If successful, the waterfront restaurant overlooking Batson Creek will welcome 100 tables and open in spring this year.

Feeling inspired?

With restaurant recommendations under your belt, it's time to get in touch with our Concierge team and see how they can make your staycation even more special. It may be making bookings on your behalf or simply arranging the taxis home - say hello on 01208 895570 or at planmystay@perfectstays.co.uk.

Image credits: Ugly Butterfly (including main image) | New Yard | All other images were lifted from the restaurants' Instagram accounts.