Belushi's
Burgers, Beats, and Beach Views
newquay
Belushi’s in Newquay is a lively cliff-top bar and restaurant overlooking Towan Beach, offering sweeping ocean views and a fun, beachy vibe.
From thatched smugglers' inns on Bodmin Moor to beach bars with live music on the sand, Cornwall has 19 pubs worth a detour. Here are the best.
Cornwall’s pub scene runs from 13th-century creek-side inns to surf shacks built on the sand. The best Cornish pubs share one thing: they lean into their setting. The Pandora Inn sits on a tidal creek near Falmouth with a floating pontoon for summer pints. The Watering Hole in Perranporth is the only bar in the UK built directly on a beach. Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor has been serving travellers since the 1750s and inspired Daphne du Maurier’s novel of the same name.
Most pubs on this list serve food - several seriously good food - but these are drinking pubs first. Expect local ales from Sharp’s, Skinner’s, and St Austell Brewery, with cider from Cornish Orchards and Healey’s on most bars. Many host live music, especially in summer, and a few (the Bowgie Inn, the Watering Hole) run their own festivals.
Dog-friendly is the default in Cornwall. Most pubs welcome dogs in the bar area, and a handful have dog menus. Check individual listings for details.
Burgers, Beats, and Beach Views
newquay
Belushi’s in Newquay is a lively cliff-top bar and restaurant overlooking Towan Beach, offering sweeping ocean views and a fun, beachy vibe.
The Pub with Crantock's Scenery, No Queues and Unbeatable Views
newquay
The Bowgie Inn is a much-loved cliff-top pub perched on West Pentire Headland near Crantock, just outside Newquay.
Booze and Chips, in the Heart of Newquay
newquay
The Central Inn, known locally as The Central, is a lively and modern pub in the heart of Newquay’s Central Square.
Waves, Beats, and Cold Drinks with Fistral's Sunset
newquay
Boardmasters Beach Bar is a laid-back, surf-inspired bar and kitchen located right on Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall.
Cornwall's Most Famous Smuggling Inn
launceston
The Jamaica Inn, perched high on Bodmin Moor near Launceston, is a legendary 18th-century coaching inn with a history rooted in smuggling and mystery.
Sleep in History, Wake Up to Waves, Wind Down with Ales
newquay
The Merrymoor Inn is a welcoming, family-run bed and breakfast located right by the beach in Mawgan Porth, just north of Newquay in Cornwall.
Simply the Best Place for a Pint in the Heart of City
truro
The Old Ale House in Truro is a beloved, character-filled Cornish pub located in a former draper’s shop on Quay Street.
A Timeless Pub on the Water’s Edge
falmouth
The Pandora Inn is a historic and iconic Cornish pub set on the tranquil banks of Restronguet Creek near Mylor Bridge, just outside Falmouth.
Poughill’s Pub for Pints, People, and Music
bude
The Preston Gate Inn is a welcoming, dog-friendly village pub located in the historic hamlet of Poughill, just a short stroll from Bude.
Lively Nightclub and Pub in Town
newquay
Sailors Arms, a historic establishment in Newquay, combines the charm of a traditional pub with the energy of a modern nightclub.
Traditional Village Pub in a Tranquil Setting
bodmin
The St Kew Inn is a beautifully preserved country pub tucked beside the 15th-century St James’s Church in the peaceful hamlet of St Kew, Cornwall.
Award-winning gastropub in a Georgian townhouse, Falmouth
falmouth
The Star and Garter is a Victorian gastropub at 52 High Street in Falmouth with harbour views and serviced apartments on the upper floors.
Barrel Full of Flavor, Heart Full of Bude.
bude
The Barrel at Bude is a quirky and intimate micropub located in the heart of Bude, Cornwall.
A Cozy Pub with Amazing Views of Mevagissey’s Historic Fishing Port
mevagissey
The Harbour Tavern, also known as The Harbour Fish & Grill by Aaron Janes, is a striking waterside restaurant and bar built directly into the cliffside above Newquay Harbour.
Award-winning family-friendly pub in the heart of Penzance
penzance
The Longboat Inn is a historic and inviting inn located in the heart of Penzance, Cornwall.
The Sunset Pub on the Porth
newquay
The Mermaid Inn is a welcoming, family- and dog-friendly pub located right on the edge of Porth Beach, just outside Newquay in Cornwall.
Great Food. Rich History. Ghostly Tales.
polperro
The Three Pilchards Inn is a historic pub set in the harbor village of Polperro, Cornwall.
Legendary Pints, Lively Nights at Britain's Southernmost Inn
helston
Situated in the quaint village of The Lizard, Cornwall, the southernmost point of mainland Britain, is the ancient and hospitable Top House Inn.
Officially the UK's 'only bar on the beach
perranporth
The Watering Hole, perched directly on the golden sands of Perranporth Beach in Cornwall, is the UK’s only bar built right on the beach - making it a truly iconic and unforgettable coastal venue.
The Home of Live Sport and Cold Pints in the Heart of Newquay
newquay
Walkabout - Newquay is a buzzing Australian-themed sports bar and club located on The Crescent, right on Newquay’s seafront.