Fran’s guidebook
Food scene
Fantastic food made with love overlooking the beach. Always a vegan, veggie option. If you can book a feast night, very hard to do but sublime on a warm evening (and even if it's raining!)
137 locals recommend
The Hidden Hut
Fantastic food made with love overlooking the beach. Always a vegan, veggie option. If you can book a feast night, very hard to do but sublime on a warm evening (and even if it's raining!)
Hidden gem of a cafe on the Lizard. Lots to explore around here and this is the perfect place to fill up either before or after. Quirky and with a lovely outside space.
29 locals recommend
Fat Apples Cafe
Hidden gem of a cafe on the Lizard. Lots to explore around here and this is the perfect place to fill up either before or after. Quirky and with a lovely outside space.
Small local neighbourhood cafe by day (great coffee, breakfasts, lunches) Home cooked take away meals well made, veggie options. Currently on Friday and Saturdays from 5 to 8 serving negroni's and wine. A great start to the weekend.
44 locals recommend
Provedore
43 Trelawney RdSmall local neighbourhood cafe by day (great coffee, breakfasts, lunches) Home cooked take away meals well made, veggie options. Currently on Friday and Saturdays from 5 to 8 serving negroni's and wine. A great start to the weekend.
Great to walk to from Falmouth on the coast path. Takes about 3 hours, can get a bus back. Great food, focusing on fish, always a veggie option and often vegan. Cosy in winter with an open fire, pool table. You can sit outside in the summer and look at the Helford river. Smashing!
132 locals recommend
Ferry Boat Inn
Great to walk to from Falmouth on the coast path. Takes about 3 hours, can get a bus back. Great food, focusing on fish, always a veggie option and often vegan. Cosy in winter with an open fire, pool table. You can sit outside in the summer and look at the Helford river. Smashing!
Situated in the High Street which sometimes people miss is this great bakery. Fantastic bread including epi, baguettes, soda, maltstar etc etc. They make it on the premises, not a plastic bag in sight! Also, cakes, pastries and a cafe serving breakfast lunch and great coffee. Pizza evenings monthly.
65 locals recommend
Stones Bakery
35 High StSituated in the High Street which sometimes people miss is this great bakery. Fantastic bread including epi, baguettes, soda, maltstar etc etc. They make it on the premises, not a plastic bag in sight! Also, cakes, pastries and a cafe serving breakfast lunch and great coffee. Pizza evenings monthly.
Best chip shop in Falmouth. Something for everyone, great sustainable fish, pies, veggie and vegan battered food (wow!). Takeaway and cafe and you can take yours into the excellent pub (The Front) below which serves great ales.
57 locals recommend
Harbour Lights Restaurant
Arwenack StreetBest chip shop in Falmouth. Something for everyone, great sustainable fish, pies, veggie and vegan battered food (wow!). Takeaway and cafe and you can take yours into the excellent pub (The Front) below which serves great ales.
Humble looking burger place that belies the delights within. Don't go here unless you want a massive calorie hit (you're on holiday after all!). Great burgers, chicken, beef, several veggie and vegan options (my meat eating friend always has the Seitan burger, is it vegan? Yes it is, amazing!). Great large portions of home made fries (cajun, sweet potato....) the best beer in Falmouth made by our own Verdant brewery and a good choice of non alcoholic drinks. Great service, no fuss, just great grub. Have a look at the LP covers on the walls, hilarious!
15 locals recommend
The Meat Counter
25 Arwenack StHumble looking burger place that belies the delights within. Don't go here unless you want a massive calorie hit (you're on holiday after all!). Great burgers, chicken, beef, several veggie and vegan options (my meat eating friend always has the Seitan burger, is it vegan? Yes it is, amazing!). Great large portions of home made fries (cajun, sweet potato....) the best beer in Falmouth made by our own Verdant brewery and a good choice of non alcoholic drinks. Great service, no fuss, just great grub. Have a look at the LP covers on the walls, hilarious!
Lovely staff, good food and drink. You can sit outside overlooking the harbour or at the front in the sun.
Windjammer Cafe & Bar
7 Grove PlaceLovely staff, good food and drink. You can sit outside overlooking the harbour or at the front in the sun.
Fuel
Arwenack StreetGreat big breakfasts, meat and veggie.
Bodega 18
Great tapas, meat and vegetarian, many can be made vegan. Nice atmosphere, good wine.
Good food by the water. A couple of tables outside. More fine dining than a quick eat. You will need to book in advance at touristy times. Veggie and Vegan options.
29 locals recommend
INDIDOG Eatery on the Harbour
28a Market StGood food by the water. A couple of tables outside. More fine dining than a quick eat. You will need to book in advance at touristy times. Veggie and Vegan options.
Lovely cafe run by a young couple. Great breakfasts for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Also serves a lovely lunch. I love the homemade baked beans. Good coffee.
23 locals recommend
Good Vibes Cafe
28 Killigrew StLovely cafe run by a young couple. Great breakfasts for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Also serves a lovely lunch. I love the homemade baked beans. Good coffee.
Great place for breakfast and lunch. Lots of outside seating looking at Mylor Harbour. Always busy with people enjoying a hearty breakfast or lunch.
29 locals recommend
Cafe Mylor
Great place for breakfast and lunch. Lots of outside seating looking at Mylor Harbour. Always busy with people enjoying a hearty breakfast or lunch.
Great local market every Saturday 9 to 1. Stalls include veg, meat, pies, fish, bakery, drink, cheeses, hot food and drink. Check their website for live music and events in the evenings.
The Food Barn - Tregew
Tregew RoadGreat local market every Saturday 9 to 1. Stalls include veg, meat, pies, fish, bakery, drink, cheeses, hot food and drink. Check their website for live music and events in the evenings.
Neighbourhoods
Beautiful unspoilt part of the world with lovely beaches (Lankidden, Coverack). Lizard point is beautiful with two cafes and lovely views. So much nice than Land's End! So many lovely places that feel like going back in time.
71 locals recommend
Lizard
Beautiful unspoilt part of the world with lovely beaches (Lankidden, Coverack). Lizard point is beautiful with two cafes and lovely views. So much nice than Land's End! So many lovely places that feel like going back in time.
A lovely place to visit from here, a bit of a schlep but worth it. Beautiful beaches, great shops and cafes. Does get very busy and hard to park. The best way to arrive is by train, the views of the coast are breathtaking. You can get the train from the bottom of the garden to St Ives (change at Truro). It takes 1.5 hours. Or drive to St Erth and get the cute little branch line to St Ives (it takes about 20 minutes). Places to eat: Blas Burgers/Cornish Deli. We have swum with seals in the shallows on Portmeor beach, amazing!
610 locals recommend
St Ives
A lovely place to visit from here, a bit of a schlep but worth it. Beautiful beaches, great shops and cafes. Does get very busy and hard to park. The best way to arrive is by train, the views of the coast are breathtaking. You can get the train from the bottom of the garden to St Ives (change at Truro). It takes 1.5 hours. Or drive to St Erth and get the cute little branch line to St Ives (it takes about 20 minutes). Places to eat: Blas Burgers/Cornish Deli. We have swum with seals in the shallows on Portmeor beach, amazing!
Maybe too far for a day trip but it's a beautiful steep sloped harbour, so lovely lit up at night. Like a 1970's holiday destination, unspoilt. The church hall often has local art and craft sales (I bought a crocheted bag, have I used it? no! but do I love it? yes!)
139 locals recommend
Polperro
Maybe too far for a day trip but it's a beautiful steep sloped harbour, so lovely lit up at night. Like a 1970's holiday destination, unspoilt. The church hall often has local art and craft sales (I bought a crocheted bag, have I used it? no! but do I love it? yes!)
Lovely village, lots of holiday homes but still lively. The best place to watch a storm in bad weather but the sea can be scary and wild, take care. Good places to eat, shops to poke around in. Nice walk along the long stretch of beach to Loe bar, good bird watching.
204 locals recommend
Porthleven
Lovely village, lots of holiday homes but still lively. The best place to watch a storm in bad weather but the sea can be scary and wild, take care. Good places to eat, shops to poke around in. Nice walk along the long stretch of beach to Loe bar, good bird watching.
Good pubs
The Boathouse Pub & Restaurant
Trevethan HillGood pub food, great views, lively atmosphere.
Great locals pub. Always lively and sort of envelops you as you walk in! Open fire, dining room upstairs, great views and large harbourside outside area. St Austell ales, food is good pub grub.
61 locals recommend
Chain Locker
Quay StreetGreat locals pub. Always lively and sort of envelops you as you walk in! Open fire, dining room upstairs, great views and large harbourside outside area. St Austell ales, food is good pub grub.
Amazing views (yes, more amazing views). You would think you were on the cote d'azur on a sunny day (honest!). Great food, lovely historic building, you can sit outside or in. Highly recommended, a bit of a drive away.
41 locals recommend
Shipwright Arms
Amazing views (yes, more amazing views). You would think you were on the cote d'azur on a sunny day (honest!). Great food, lovely historic building, you can sit outside or in. Highly recommended, a bit of a drive away.
Pennycomequick
16 Killigrew StGreat pub with great food and drinks. Cosy snug with open fire.
A local's pub with pub grub and great beer (including the local favourite brewery's Verdant). Outside seating with view over the rooftops to the sea.
20 locals recommend
Seaview Inn
Wodehouse TerraceA local's pub with pub grub and great beer (including the local favourite brewery's Verdant). Outside seating with view over the rooftops to the sea.
Lovely spot overlooking the water and Flushing. On a nice day sit outside and enjoy the view with a cocktail. Pub underneath called the Working Boat serving good pub meals.
Kenneth Graham wrote Wind in the Willows here.
16 locals recommend
Greenbank Bar at The Greenbank Hotel
Lovely spot overlooking the water and Flushing. On a nice day sit outside and enjoy the view with a cocktail. Pub underneath called the Working Boat serving good pub meals.
Kenneth Graham wrote Wind in the Willows here.
Great pub hosting music most nights and also food and excellent beer. Hosts the Wonderfal festival each year showcasing hundreds of local musicians and DJ's.
The Cornish Bank
Great pub hosting music most nights and also food and excellent beer. Hosts the Wonderfal festival each year showcasing hundreds of local musicians and DJ's.
Where the great Verdant beer is brewed and sister venue of the Seafood Bar. You can see into the brewery from the tap room. Pizzas served, gigs, DJ's on occasion, massive screen to watch football or rugby on. Outside seating too which gets the sun.
8 locals recommend
Verdant Brewing Co Ltd
Where the great Verdant beer is brewed and sister venue of the Seafood Bar. You can see into the brewery from the tap room. Pizzas served, gigs, DJ's on occasion, massive screen to watch football or rugby on. Outside seating too which gets the sun.
A beer drinkers pub. You can take your fish and chips in from the upstairs Harbour Lights fish and chip shop. Quiz night Sunday Night. Lots of outside seating facing the sea.
31 locals recommend
The Front
A beer drinkers pub. You can take your fish and chips in from the upstairs Harbour Lights fish and chip shop. Quiz night Sunday Night. Lots of outside seating facing the sea.
Fantastic pub with rooms and great food. Comfortable and cosy and great to eat here after a walk to the real Gurnards Head with its colony of Cornish Choughs. Dramatic coastal scenery.
93 locals recommend
The Gurnards Head
Fantastic pub with rooms and great food. Comfortable and cosy and great to eat here after a walk to the real Gurnards Head with its colony of Cornish Choughs. Dramatic coastal scenery.
Sightseeing
Outdoor theatre cut into the rock overlooking the sea. Amazing, staggering setting. Great shows, rarely cancelled. Has been known to pause performances to watch the dolphins swimming past! Visit Portcurno at the same time and swim from the beautiful beach.
545 locals recommend
The Minack Theatre
Outdoor theatre cut into the rock overlooking the sea. Amazing, staggering setting. Great shows, rarely cancelled. Has been known to pause performances to watch the dolphins swimming past! Visit Portcurno at the same time and swim from the beautiful beach.
Azure blue sea, fantastic views, great swimming. Try and go at low tide because it reveals two beaches. Quite a walk from car part but so worth it.
223 locals recommend
Kynance Cove
Azure blue sea, fantastic views, great swimming. Try and go at low tide because it reveals two beaches. Quite a walk from car part but so worth it.
Hidden gem, described by John Betjeman as the most beautiful garden in England and he's not wrong. Overlooking St Just pool it is truly magical.
27 locals recommend
St. Just in Roseland Church
Hidden gem, described by John Betjeman as the most beautiful garden in England and he's not wrong. Overlooking St Just pool it is truly magical.
If you want a beach that is unspoilt and relatively quiet this is the place for you. Parking and cafe above the beach and a fabulous walk around the headland past St Anthony's lighthouse. Have a look at the beautiful tiny church behind Place Manor. If it's a nice day you could catch the passenger ferry from St Mawes to Place Manor and join the walk there.
24 locals recommend
Towan Beach
If you want a beach that is unspoilt and relatively quiet this is the place for you. Parking and cafe above the beach and a fabulous walk around the headland past St Anthony's lighthouse. Have a look at the beautiful tiny church behind Place Manor. If it's a nice day you could catch the passenger ferry from St Mawes to Place Manor and join the walk there.
Fantastic Iron Age fort, near to Chun Quoit which is 5000 years old. You can see both North and South coasts from here. Lots of other standing stones and stone circles nearby, including Nine Maidens and Men An Tol.
Chun Castle
Fantastic Iron Age fort, near to Chun Quoit which is 5000 years old. You can see both North and South coasts from here. Lots of other standing stones and stone circles nearby, including Nine Maidens and Men An Tol.
A splendid sanctuary for overworked donkeys run by lovely people. There is a big barn with all the donkeys in and fields outside. You can sit in the veggie/vegan cafe and watch the donkeys on the live stream! There is a shop with donkey themed gifts. A great place for a visit a couple.of miles outside Falmouth
18 locals recommend
The Flicka Foundation
A splendid sanctuary for overworked donkeys run by lovely people. There is a big barn with all the donkeys in and fields outside. You can sit in the veggie/vegan cafe and watch the donkeys on the live stream! There is a shop with donkey themed gifts. A great place for a visit a couple.of miles outside Falmouth
City advice
Don't miss
Visit Trebah and Glendurgan.
Great gardens with shop and cafe. Lead to beaches at the bottom. Sub tropical, beautiful. You can drive there or get there by local bus from Falmouth Moor.
Travelling with kids
The Falmouth Library and Art Gallery is great.
A charming, interesting gallery with great exhibitions and kids activities for a rainy day. Lots of automaton, beautiful local art work, great little shop for cards and gifts. Library beneath the art gallery.
Don't miss
Un-rap.
Great no plastic shop selling gifts, toileteries (many local) and gift ideas. Also providing loose goods you weigh out yourself. Peanut butter machine! Also local bread and veg grown locally.
Don't miss
The beaches
Three local beaches Gylly, Swanpool and Castle. All with cafes/ restaurants. Safe bathing with lifeguards on Gylly in the summer. No dogs in Summer from 10am to 6pm. 5 minutes walk to Gylly from our house and Swanpool a further 10 minutes on the coastal path. Plenty of beach towels, games, wetsuits, goggles, nets etc in the utility room for you to take with you.
Don't miss
Wander through town
Wander through town and go in the charity shops! local gift shops, clothes shops, surfing shops. Stop off for coffee or lunch. Make sure you walk up the High Street. The Poly shows films, has gigs and a great shop selling gifts/art by local folk.
Don't miss
Towan Beach near St Anthony's Head
Love this beach, so simple but so beautiful. Reminds me of Robinson Crusoe! Lovely snorkelling round the corner. Beautiful walks round here too. St Anthony church is one of the most beautiful churches I've seen, it was open when we visited. Small and perfectly formed with lovely stained glass windows. A great walk.
Getting around
Open top buses
First bus/Atlantic Coaster, open top buses.
An absolute bargain and a great trip for the family. There is an open top bus that goes round the Falmouth beaches. If you have more time one bus goes round St Ives, Sennen etc and you can hop on and off.