Three Cornwall restaurants named among UK’s best outdoor dining spots

The top 100 places to eat alfresco in the UK have been revealed – and three Cornish restaurants have made the shortlist.

The list was compiled after OpenTable scanned more than two million online reviews. It has narrowed down the restaurants where Brits love to dine alfresco as the weather turns nicer during the summer months, including some top places in Cornwall.

The riverside restaurants Pandora Inn in Restronguet, The Bank at Bude and the seafront Porthminster Beach Café in St Ives were all ranked among the best places to enjoy a meal alfresco, according to the online booking service .

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The top 100 list also highlights which establishments are dog-friendly – with all three restaurants in Cornwall welcoming dogs.

Tapas restaurant The Bank at Bude, next to the River Neet, or Strat, in Bude, has earned the highest rating of the three on OpenTable, with 4.7 out of five stars – and has previously featured on the best list too 100 in 2022.

The bank combines traditional Spanish tapas with local Cornish ingredients for a unique dining experience and claims it prides itself on its “relaxed and welcoming atmosphere” and offers “a truly unique dining experience, with the quality of the food and service at the forefront. everything we do”.

Some of the restaurant’s top five-star reviews on OpenTable describe it as “a hidden gem” and “fantastic in every way,” with one customer writing, “If you’re looking for a quirky place with a great view and menu great, you can’t go wrong.

“I suggest you try it sooner rather than later because this is the kind of place that will soon be so popular that you’ll have to book months in advance to get a reservation.”

And another praised their alfresco experience at the restaurant, writing: “Amazing from start to finish. The outdoor deck was lovely and felt secluded with good decor.

“Loved the ordering format. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and plentiful. Thank you, we will be back!”

Meanwhile, Porthminster Beach Café in St Ives followed The Bank at Bude with a 4.6 star rating on OpenTable based on more than 4,400 reviews.

With an ornate outdoor terrace overlooking the golden sands, just steps from the inviting waters of St Ives Bay, it’s not hard to see why the seafood-focused restaurant is so highly regarded and has been described in reviews as a “fantastic experience”, with the views called a “constant wonder”.

And while the menu primarily revolves around seafood, diners can also order Heritage Longhorn beef or even an Indonesian vegetable curry with jasmine rice for those who aren’t partial to fish dishes .

Some of the glowing reviews of Porthminster Beach Café include: “A delicious meal in a fantastic setting. The staff are friendly and efficient and if you are lucky enough to get a window table the view is amazing.”

And another five-star reviewer wrote: “There can’t be many more beautiful locations to enjoy time with family and friends. The view across the beach with the glistening sea and the changing colors of the light a constant wonder.

“Suffice it to say that the entire evening was a joyful occasion, with dishes that showcased the bounty of the area in delightful ways. And catering for one of the celiac parties was most appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we will definitely be back again.”

Last but not least, gastropub Pandora Inn, in Restronguet, near Falmouth, completes the trio of Cornwall restaurants on OpenTable’s top 100 alfresco restaurants.

With an overall rating of 4.2 out of five stars from 450 reviewers, it’s not hard to see why this creekside inn makes the list—as its outdoor seating is set along the length of a pontoon over Carrick Roads on the River Fal. , making it an idyllic place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat when the sun is shining.

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In fact, as well as appearing among , on OpenTable, the Pandora Inn was also hailed by The Times last year as having one of the top five riverside pub gardens – in an article which described the place as dined as “the quintessential Cornish pub”.

The menu offers something for everyone, whether you’re after a light bite, such as a sandwich or baked camembert, or a more substantial dish, such as fish pie or a lemon garlic pork chop.

And an OpenTable review says: “Delicious food with a perfect view. We’ll be back soon,” while another added: “Pandora Inn never fails to deliver a great dining experience.”

The full list of OpenTable’s 100 best outdoor restaurants for 2024 can be found here – including three in Devon, one in Somerset and one in Bristol.