Returned here with family after visiting a couple of months ago. We came for lunch on a beautiful October day and sat outside in one of the converted beach huts wrapped up in cosy blankets. The staff on all three of my visits have been fantastic - helpful, knowledgeable and friendly with toys to entertain the little ones. We had delicious tapas - the haloumi really is amazing and we will be back again soon. There is only one tiny thing I would change - we ordered a children's humous which they usually love but they wouldn't touch as it was bright green. It was delicious but children and green food don't really work (in our house anyway!)
The Truffler
If Stein’s Padstow is the food lovers mecca then St. Ives is unquestionably Cornwall’s cultural capital. Apart from its historical artists colony the town boasts two beautiful beaches at Porthmeor and Porthminster, the latter had the additional attraction of one of Britain’s best seaside cafes. Until recently only Porthminster could claim a café fit to match the location. The Cinderella Porthmeor, with its unique location directly below the famed Tate Gallery, now makes a bid for the tourist catching headlines. We never visit St. Ives without visiting The Tate. Britain and Europe have many superb art galleries but none can match the location of the St. Ives Tate. This former gas works, with its breathtaking views of the rolling surf, stands a scant roads from the golden sands. On a recent visit we were delighted to discover the Porthmeor Café. This little glazed, sun-filled conservatory wonder, was packed on the day we visited offering, as it does, a fascinating view of the ever-changing beach activity below as a continuous side show. We took the first window table to vacate and chose, slightly tongue in cheek, to try the Tapas menu. Our experience of this Spanish speciality in Britain has been dire to date – what a lovely surprise. Priced from £2.50 to £5.95 a portion we settled for chilli squid, spicy prawns, ham & cheese crocquetas and some organic bread with balsamic and olive oil dip and a couple of glasses of inexpensive white wine from the excellent little wine list. We finished with a couple of absolutely perfect espressos. The bill totalled £28.80 and represented the best value for money lunch we have had in many a long British year. St. Ives has become increasingly popular with the southern English townies and the whole of Cornwall is jumping at the moment, amongst the invading hordes there are clearly enough discerning diners to demand more than the usual dodgy British fodder and the town has taken up the challenge. Seasiding Brit style is a low expectation activity (the weather doesn’t help). St Ives looks determined to change all that with the twin stars of Porthmeor and Porthminster cafes leading the way to a new seaside experience. If it rains you can always nip into the Tate.
