The Ruin Beach Cafe, Tresco
Capturing Tresco at its most dazzling – set above Raven’s Porth, with the remnants of a smuggler’s cottage woven into its terrace, The Ruin Beach Cafe’s wood-fired oven sits at the centre of it all, turning out crisp pizzas and simply cooked fish designed for sharing. There’s a subtle Mediterranean influence running through the menu, but it’s centred around the islands – seasonal produce, great seafood, and that Tresco light dancing on the water. From coffee and pastries in the morning, to long lunches and sundowners after dinner. This is relaxed, polished, Tresco at its finest.
Website: tresco.co.uk/eating/ruin-cafe
Island Fish, Bryher
The Pender family supplies some of the best restaurants across the islands, and eating at Island Fish is a chance to experience that same quality at its absolute freshest. Three generations head out daily to fish these waters, with the catch brought ashore, cooked and handpicked within hours – lobster, crab and shellfish all expertly prepared. At their café by the quay, it’s kept simple: crab sandwiches, scampi, chowders, or grilled lobster with wedges and coleslaw. Most importantly, it’s all mouthwateringly tasty.
Website: islandfish.co.uk
The Island Bakery, St Martins
You may well smell the baking bread before you find this St Martin’s gem, where everything is made on site each morning. From organic breads and homemade cakes to generously filled rolls and very good traditional Cornish pasties, it’s a perfect stop for picking up lunch or supplies if you’re self-catering. There are thoughtful vegetarian options alongside sausage rolls, tarts, biscuits and great coffee. It’s deservedly popular and worth pre-ordering their locally famous bread in advance. Call in to gather supplies, then head straight down to the white sands and crystal waters of Par Beach.
Website: theislandbakery-stmartins.com
Turks Head, St Agnes
Britain’s most south-westerly pub – and the only one on St Agnes, affectionately known as Aggy – is well worth seeking out for a pint. Set just above Porth Conger, with views across to Gugh and back towards the rest of the archipelago, it occupies an enviable position. The food is notably good given the setting: simple, well-made and satisfying, from burgers and lasagne to a solid children’s menu, with the house beer, Turk’s Ale, more than holding its own. Inside, it’s a clearly-loved jumble of spots to hunker down for the evening; outside, a terrace with unforgettable island views.
