Dog friendly places to eat in Cornwall

1. Palacio Lounge, Falmouth

A quirky gastro pub in the heart of Falmouth, Palacio Lounge serves food throughout the day, featuring their all-day breakfast menu (complete with American style pancakes) and tapas evening menu. Split over two floors, the downstairs bar and seating areas are dog-friendly. Falmouth’s award-winning coastline lies a short walk through the high street and further up the coast path you’ll find Nansidwell Beach, which is dog-friendly all year round.

The town is renowned for its creativity, with a vibrant art student scene from nearby Falmouth University and this is definitely reflected in the interiors of the eatery. Paintings hang from literally every corner of Palacio Lounge, coupled with extravagant lighting and quirky mismatching tables and chairs.

2. The Copper Spoon, Marazion

St. Michael’s Mount is an iconic landmark in Cornwall, attracting thousands of visitors each year. At low tide, you can walk across the Causeway with your dog to the island and explore the village together. While you’re waiting for the tides to change why not venture into Marazion itself for a luxury hot chocolate and slice of homemade cake?

The Copper Spoon is a cosy café located just up from the church on Fore Street. It’s a five-minute walk down to the beach and you can take your coffee with you thanks to their takeaway service. The Copper Spoon specialises in locally sourced treats, including loose leaf tea from the Tregothnan Estate, Da Bara Bakery cinnamon buns and plenty of gluten-free and vegan options too.

An award-winning quintessential tea room tucked away in the beautiful harbour town of Mevagissey. The team go above and beyond for their canine customers, providing comfy beds for the duration of their visit, homemade treats and plenty of towels on hand to dry them off if they arrive straight from the beach.

Teacup Tearoom’s Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagels are the perfect pick me up after a morning on the coast path. The 3.5 mile stretch from Gorran Haven is certainly not one to miss! Teacup Tearoom is also famous for their cream teas in every flavour and also offer a wide range of cakes, teas, coffees and milkshakes. Just remember to put your jam on your scone first, you are in Cornwall after all!

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If woodland walks are more your thing, you’ll definitely love Wood’s Café in Bodmin! Nestled in the stunning Cardinham Woods, this café offers a wide range of hearty soups, pulled pork sandwiches and their homemade sausage rolls.

There’s nothing better than enjoying a hot chocolate and slice of cake after exploring one of the many family-friendly (and wheelchair accessible!) walking and cycle trails at Cardinham Woods. The café itself is cosy, especially when the fire is on! There’s ample seating outside too, perfect for muddy dogs and for supervising children as they enjoy the play area.

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5. Nauti but Ice, Porthleven

You’ll feel like a child in a sweet shop when you step inside Nauti but Ice in Porthleven, an ice cream parlour and café with almost every flavour imaginable! They also serve ‘proper’ meals throughout the day, including a cooked breakfast, pizzas and delicious handmade cakes.

The walk from Penrose will take you right past Nauti but Ice. It’s a wonderful route around Loe Pool, boasting a variety of coastal and woodland walking. Dogs are also allowed on sections of Porthleven beach year-round if you’d prefer to take your ice cream with you. The rip tides can be unpredictable around this area though, so it’s best to discourage your dog from swimming here.

6. Lily’s of Truro, Truro

Lily’s of Truro is a creative, contemporary café at the top of the hill on Pydar Street. Named after Lily the Border Terrier, its bright pink exterior is hard to miss. The building itself used to be owned by an artist and has been renovated beautifully using an eclectic mix of glass, wood and other textures. Creativity lies at the heart of Lily’s of Truro’s ethos and the team go above and beyond to support local artists. You’ll find modern jewellery and art displays throughout the café, as well as a dedicated hot desk and meeting space upstairs.

The café is perched right in the heart of Truro and makes for the perfect stop off after browsing the shops (many of which are dog-friendly of course!) Trelissick Gardens and its Woodland Walk are a short drive away. If you continue up the hill from Lily’s you’ll eventually discover Idless Woods too. Both are great locations for a run off the lead, with wide gravel paths and a canopy of trees to shelter you throughout the year.

7. Lusty Glaze, Newquay

If you’re looking for laid back dining and beach views, Lusty Glaze in Newquay is the place to be. This vibrant restaurant and bar has exclusive access to its own sandy dog-friendly beach (though they have to be kept on a lead during the summer), complete with rock pools and colourful beach huts. It’s a great place to walk with friends and family before heading inside for a meal.

The restaurant serves a variety of classic seafood, burgers and surf-inspired dishes. They’re always very generous when it comes to chips too! Access to Lusty Glaze is down a steep set of steps but it’s well worth it for the beachside dining experience.

8. Shipwright’s Arms, Helford

Shipwright’s Arms is a relaxing, waterside retreat in the quiet Helford Village on the Lizard Peninsula. It’s a popular place among local gig rowers and recreational sailors with live music and events held throughout the year. A walk through the village will take you back in time, with its traditional quaint cottages and Frenchman’s Creek (which inspired Daphne Du Maurier’s novel of the same name), lying a little further upstream.

Shipwright’s Arms is famous for their alfresco dining in summer, featuring wood-fired pizzas and a local Cornish pint. It’s the perfect way to wind down in the evening, particularly after the Helford Village Regatta. It's a popular annual event that features a range of kayaking, rowing and paddle boarding races. There’s plenty of parking at nearby Helford Passage, though you’ll have to get a ferry across to the pub of course!

9. The Springer Spaniel, Launceston

As the owner of two spaniels myself, how could I leave this one off the list?! The Springer Spaniel is a gastro pub situated in Launceston, between Bodmin Moor, The Tamar Valley (AONB) and Cothele, which are all great locations to explore with any breed.

The Springer Spaniel serves food throughout the day using freshly caught fish from Plymouth, eggs from Cornish Hens and meat from the local butchers. There’ll be no more puppy dog eyes begging under the table for your food, as The Springer Spaniel also has their own dedicated canine menu. If your dog is a fan of roast pork, beef or veggie risotto, you’ll definitely want to take them for a Sunday lunch at the Springer Spaniel.

10. Coombe Barton Inn, Crackington Haven

If you’re looking for a walking challenge, the north coast of Cornwall is the place to explore for a staycation. A seemingly never-ending trail of steep ascents and descents takes you past the sleepy coastal village of Crackington Haven, where you’ll find the Coombe Barton Inn. The sun terrace overlooks Crackington Haven beach, which is dog-friendly from 6pm throughout the year. It’s a wonderful place to watch the sunset at dinner during the summer.

The seasonal menu is developed around locally sourced fish, vegetables and meat and includes traditional meals such as fish and chips, alongside slow-cooked curries and daily specials. If you’re looking for a dog-friendly place to eat after a busy, tourist-filled day in Tintagel, we highly recommend the 25-minute drive to the Coombe Barton Inn.

What’s your favourite dog-friendly place to eat in Cornwall and how did you first discover it?

Author: Hattie Day from pawsandtors.com