
Pretty Penzance is the most westerly large town on the British mainland, which makes it a draw for those staying in the West Penwith area of Cornwall. Visitors to Penzance will be on the lookout for some excellent places to eat. Its relative remoteness does not mean you will go hungry through a lack of choice, as there is a restaurant to suit every palate and pocket size.
Penzance has been a popular seaside resort for over a hundred years; with its direct train links to London, it’s always been very accessible. Penzance is also close to some excellent beaches such as its own: Praa Sands, Sennen and others dotted around St Michael’s Bay. You can admire the majesty of St Michael’s Mount or catch a helicopter or ferry to the Isles of Scilly for a day, too.
Meanwhile, let us guide you around some of Penzance’s best restaurants, pubs, takeaways and other places to eat. One of the best ways to get a good idea of Penzance’s eateries is to treat yourself to a stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages. To view our collection of Penzance holiday homes, click on the button below.
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The best Penzance restaurants
We have sought out our favourite independent restaurants in Penzance for you to choose from on your holiday cottage break. From traditional Cornish fare to flavours of the Far East, there is something to please everybody. Looking for more ideas? Read our guide to delicious places to eat in Cornwall.

The best for atmosphere | The Boatshed
The Boatshed is a restaurant and cafe characterised by its clapboard cladding and its bustling dining patio in the summer months. If you love to eat seafood, there is an ocean’s worth of choice on the menu. All kinds of diners frequent this foodie hub from young people to the senior crowd. It’s also dog friendly, as your four-legged buddies can join you for lunch on the patio.
Good to know
- Address: Wharf Road, Penzance TR18 4AA
- Opening times: Food is served every day. Lunch 11.30am–3pm | Dinner 6.30pm–9pm
- Why not try: A seafood platter
- Stay nearby: An Rannji | sleeps 4 + 1 dog

The best for variety | 45 Queen Street
45 Queen Street is a restaurant and bar combined with a delicatessen. With the vibe of a neighbourhood hub, it is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, supper and everything else in between. You can also enjoy amazing coffee and a wall of homemade cakes. It’s a buzzing place where people young and old meet to pass the time of day. It’s modern Penzance at a glance.
Good to know
- Address: 45 Queen Street, Penzance TR18 4BJ
- Opening times: Food is served Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–10pm
- Why not try: The cake of the day
- Stay nearby: Finches | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

The best for Far Eastern flavours | The New Hong Kong
If traditional Cantonese and Chinese dishes are among your favourites, then the New Hong Kong in Penzance is a winner. You can enjoy all-you-can-eat buffet-style meals daily, which makes it a big hit with holidaymakers and locals alike. They also offer a takeaway service, so you can take your food down to the harbour to enjoy on warm evenings or go to your Penzance holiday home instead. For an alternative Chinese restaurant, we’d also recommend the Sea Palace.
Good to know
- Address: 34 Alverton Street, Penzance TR18 2SJ
- Opening times: Food is served Sunday–Thursday, 5pm–11pm | Friday and Saturday, 5pm–11.30
- Why not try: Wonton soup
- Stay nearby: Song of the Sea | sleeps 5

The best for Indian flavours | Taj Mahal Restaurant and Takeaway
Indian cuisine is delicious and present in Penzance thanks to the Taj Mahal Restaurant and Takeaway. Experience spicy dishes made from recipes from provinces the length and breadth of India and Sri Lanka. It’s a heavenly place to dine, whether you hope to eat in or take away. The menu offers such wonders as Sheikh kebab, Lamb Sashik, Bombay Aloo and so much more to inspire you. For an alternative Indian restaurant, we'd also recommend Little India.
Good to know
- Address: 63 Daniel Place, Penzance TR18 4DU
- Opening times: Food is served Sunday–Thursday, 5.30pm–11pm | Friday and Saturday, 5.30pm–10.30pm
- Why not try: Tandoori Trout
- Stay nearby: 26 Chapel Street | sleeps 6

The best for fish and chips | Fraser’s Fish and Chips
You can’t beat a bag of fish and chips on your hols, and whilst there are three to choose from Penzance, we’d single out Fraser’s on this occasion. Its location on the West Prom makes it perfect for evening strolls along the waterfront. Beware of hungry seagulls who love to divebomb unsuspecting chip munchers as they enjoy their takeaway. The fish cakes are divine, don’t miss out. As you can probably guess, this place is busy on a Friday evening.
Good to know
- Address: Western Promenade Road, Penzance TR18 4HH
- Opening times: Food is served Sunday–Thursday, 4.30pm–7.30pm | Friday and Saturday, 12pm–8pm
- Why not try: Chips with curry sauce
- Stay nearby: Tremayne House | sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
The best Penzance pubs
Penzance has always been an excellent place to enjoy some good old-fashioned Cornish pub grub. What’s better than a fish pie and a pint of ale in a friendly pub? Here are a few of our favourite watering holes in town.

The best family-friendly pub | The Longboat Inn
Penzance’s Longboat Inn is a family-friendly pub in the heart of the town. The menus cater to children and senior diners as well as everybody else, with choices to please all tastes. Most of the dishes are made from locally sourced ingredients, and the fresh fish and homemade cakes are exceedingly popular with the clientele. Book ahead for the Sunday carvery.
Good to know
- Address: Market Jew Street, Penzance TR18 2HZ
- Opening times: For information, contact the pub or see the website
- Why not try: A deluxe burger and French fries
- Stay nearby: The Blue House | sleeps 6 + 2 dogs

The best for Cornish fare | The Dolphin Inn
Enjoy a Cornish fish pie and a pint of ale at the cosy Dolphin Inn in Penzance. With fresh fish and shellfish from nearby Newlyn on the menu and a host of meals made with fare from Cornish suppliers, you can tell the staff here take their food seriously. You can also enjoy locally blended gourmet coffees too. It’s a friendly spot to while away some of your time during an evening on your holiday to West Cornwall.
Good to know
- Address: Quay Street, Penzance TR18 4BD
- Opening times: For information, contact the pub or see the website
- Why not try: The array of sandwiches
- Stay nearby: The Flower Box | sleeps 6 + 2 dogs

The best for Cornish food | The Yacht Inn
The Yacht Inn is a lovely Penzance restaurant and bar that specialises in dishes with ingredients from Cornish suppliers. You can enjoy a selection of mouthwatering main dishes in the cosy refurbished bar. There is outdoor seating too on the deck and in the garden area. Be sure to come on a Sunday as carvery is available. For an introduction to Cornish food, read our handy guide.
Good to know
- Address: Green Street, Penzance TR18 4AU
- Opening times: Food is served Monday–Saturday, 5.30pm–8.30pm | Lunch menu from 12pm | Sunday carvery 12.30pm
- Why not try: A Sunday carvery
- Stay nearby: The Old Chapel | sleeps 6
Map of places to eat in Penzance
Find the best pubs and restaurants in Penzance featured in our guide on this handy map.
Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Penzance
Stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages in Penzance. From cosy coastal cottages to historic homes with views of the Cornwall coastline, find your ideal base for exploring this gorgeous part of England. Click on the button below to find your perfect place to stay in Penzance.
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