The Best Restaurants to BYOB in Cornwall and Devon
Thought we had finished our BYOB series after we completed London? Think again. You asked, we listened, and today we bring you our top picks for bringing your own bottle in Cornwall and Devon.
We've handpicked 13 restaurants that we know you'll love - each one is a perfect spot to bring your favourite Marlo bottle and save on that hefty drinks bill. You'll find some well-known, award-winning eateries and some yet to be discovered, all offering either free or low cost corkage. Let us know if you visit any, we'd love to hear your feedback!
Where: Harlyn, Padstow.
BYO Deal: £26 wines and £30 Sparkling wines.
Set near Padstow, the Pig at Harlyn Bay is a 15th-century manor by the beach. Its interiors mix vintage trinkets, velvety sofas, and maritime art, creating a fresh, coastal ambiance. Rooms feature carved four-poster beds and standalone bathtubs, while cosy garden wagons offer kitchen-garden seclusion. The restaurant focuses on home-grown and hyper-local produce, with much sourced from their kitchen gardens and local producers. Menus change with Cornwall's micro seasons, offering a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian options. Highlights include sea bream in cream sauce, crispy pork terrine, and smoked chalk stream trout risotto balls. The Lobster Shed offers wood-oven and charcoal-grilled dishes.
Where: Lewannick.
BYO Deal: Corkage £25 per 750ml.
Coombeshead Farm, a restored dairy farm on the Devon/Cornwall border, is the brainchild of chefs Tom Adams and April Bloomfield. This farmhouse B&B offers a relaxed communal dining experience in Lewannick, nestled between Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. Explore the countryside with circular woodland walks or visit the village pub. The guesthouse, featuring a restaurant and bakery, boasts eclectic second-hand furnishings, local wool blankets, and handmade crockery. The reading room includes an honesty bar with local spirits. The farm practices sustainability, raising Mangalitsa pigs, Hebridean sheep, and bees. Enjoy seasonal menus, fresh cookies, and iced tea on arrival, with meals crafted from farm-grown produce.
Where: Padstow.
BYO Deal: £25 wine, £35 sparkling wine.
Over the years, Rick Stein has significantly boosted tourism and investment in Padstow, creating thousands of jobs and bringing a touch of glamour to its narrow streets. Often dubbed 'Padstein' due to his numerous ventures, this charming Cornish fishing village owes much of its allure to his influence. A highlight of North Cornwall, his renowned Seafood Restaurant boasts a glasshouse front and a central elliptical bar, offering picturesque views across the Estuary towards Rock. Guests can indulge in a variety of seafood classics, enjoying impeccable service and elegant white tablecloths. The jamon and cheese croquettes make a delightful starter, while the French sourdough and sesame walnut bread, served warm with unsalted butter, is irresistible. The hot shellfish dish, seasoned with parsley, chili, olive oil, garlic, and lemon, is simply divine.
Where: Carbis Bay Estate, St Ives.
BYO Deal: £35 per bottle, with a max of 5 bottles per table.
Adam Handling MBE, renowned chef, began his career at Gleneagles, where he was the first-ever apprentice chef, later becoming Fairmont’s youngest Head Chef. Over the years, Adam has accumulated numerous accolades, including Scottish Chef of the Year and Chef of the Year in the Food & Travel Awards. His innovative zero-waste approach, inspired by his travels in Japan, led to the creation of his restaurant, Ugly Butterfly, part of the Adam Handling Restaurant Group founded in 2016.
Ugly Butterfly, located in Carbis Bay, exemplifies Adam’s commitment to sustainability and zero-waste. The restaurant's name symbolises the beauty found in unexpected places, much like transforming food waste into exquisite dishes. The ethos here is simple: there is no such thing as food waste, just like there is no ugly butterfly.
The restaurant offers breathtaking views of the Cornish coast, enhancing the dining experience with its picturesque setting. Adam and his team believe passionately in minimising food waste and sourcing locally, ensuring every dish tells a story of sustainability and excellence. This dedication has made Ugly Butterfly a beacon of responsible dining and a testament to Adam’s culinary vision and ethical practices.
Where: Higher Harlyn Park.
BYO Deal: Corkage £20 per bottle.
Joe runs the kitchen, and Jas manages the front of house at Duchy Grub located just a few miles outside Padstow. Endorsed by locals and acclaimed chef Emily Scott, they specialise in pared-back Cornish seafood and local veggie plates served tapas style. Their 7 bays menu, inspired by the seven bays around Padstow, is legendary. With just 30 seats, booking ahead is essential. Dog-friendly outdoor seating is available at lunchtime. Joe began his career at a vegan café in Cheltenham, The Core, and trained at the White Pepper Chefs Academy in Dorset. He has also worked with Michelin Star chefs, further honing his culinary skills. He moved to Cornwall and worked at an award-winning fish restaurant in Padstow, where he developed a passion for fish and shellfish. Jas’s dedication to customer service guarantees a seamless and enjoyable dining experience, making every visit memorable.
Where: Ferry Point, Rock, Wadebridge.
BYO Deal: Corkage £25 for still wine and £35 for sparkling.
Four Boys Café and Restaurant, located in Rock, offers a delightful culinary experience with a focus on seasonal, fresh ingredients. Opened on April Fool's Day in 2023, the family-owned eatery, managed by George Turner, celebrates the enjoyment of good food. Mornings feature single-origin coffee, breakfast buns, and pastries, while lunch and dinner highlight fresh pasta and grilled fish, perfect for sharing.
George's brother, Alfie, a talented chef, curates the weekly menu, incorporating locally sourced produce from the garden tended by George's girlfriend, Indy. Signature dishes like grilled mackerel and steak frites butty with mustard aioli showcase their creativity. Regular events, such as Sunday lunch with live music, enhance the dining experience.
Situated in a region famed for its culinary scene, Four Boys stands out, offering simple yet delicious meals inspired by the family's love of food.
Where: St Mellion, Saltash.
BYO Deal: £25 per bottle. Please ring ahead and tell the sommelier you plan to bring your own.
A hotspot, this restaurant created a buzz among top chefs in the Southwest, thanks to Dan Cox’s innovative regenerative farming project on the Cornwall/Devon border. Dan Cox, a former chef at L’Enclume, took over a 120-acre farm in St Mellion in 2017, aiming to reconnect food with agriculture. He revitalised the soil, introduced rare livestock breeds, and established a microbrewery and pottery on-site. The restaurant, situated in a renovated cattle barn, opened in February 2023, offering evening tasting menus and Sunday lunches featuring almost exclusively homegrown and home-reared produce served on handmade pottery. Cox, a Roux Scholarship winner, brings experience from his time with the Simon Rogan Group and L’Enclume, where he learned regenerative farming techniques. The tasting menu, available in short and long formats, is a journey through innovative dishes like lion’s mane mushroom, beer-infused pastry, and scallops with honey and dragon chilli sauce. Each dish, meticulously crafted, contrasts bitter, sweet, and acidic flavours, showcasing preserved farm ingredients. Whilst they offer BYO, they actively encourage you trying their range of natural wines, paired with their menu.
Where: Portscatho, Truro.
BYO Deal: FREE.
Nestled along the National Trust coastal path near Portscatho and St Mawes, this charming café is a hidden gem in Cornwall, offering freshly cooked food. During the day, you can enjoy simple seaside fare like pasties, ice cream, and cakes. In the evenings, on selected dates, the café transforms into a venue for rustic feasts featuring the best local, seasonal produce. If you're exploring the south coast around the Roseland Peninsula and Portscatho, be sure to visit this delightful spot. At lunchtime, enjoy delicious goodies at the available tables, with all food and drinks served to take away. Approximately three to four times a month, The Hidden Hut hosts fabulous open-air feasts. These unique, rustic "bring your own plate" events have featured dishes like 'Lobster and Chips,' 'Mackerel Grill,' 'Slow-roasted Spring Lamb,' and 'Sticky Ribs and Pulled Pork.' Although the café isn't licensed, you can bring your own alcohol. These events require booking, as they are ticketed, and joining their mailing list will keep you informed about upcoming feasts. Feast nights run from April to September, while the main café season extends from the end of March to the end of October.
Where: Padstow.
BYO Deal: Corkage £35 a bottle.
Found in the heart of Padstow, Paul Ainsworth at No6 is a Michelin-starred gem housed in a stunning Georgian townhouse. This restaurant excels in modern British cuisine with a strong emphasis on locally sourced Cornish produce. Dishes like the signature 'Crabsticks and Scones' and the seasonally evolving 'Compañero baba' highlight his creative yet classically rooted approach, using only the finest Cornish ingredients. The service is both friendly and knowledgeable, ensuring that every visit is a delightful and unforgettable experience. The restaurant offers two distinct dining spaces. The main dining room provides a fascinating view into the kitchen, allowing diners to watch the culinary team in action. For those seeking a more private experience, the Florence Parker room offers an intimate setting for up to six guests. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner.
Where: Bigbury, Devon.
BYO Deal: Corkage £9 per bottle (during our lunch services only).
Originally an Oyster Farm, lined with rows of oyster purification tanks, the venue was a haven for oyster enthusiasts, who would bring their packed lunches, shuck their own oysters, and savour them with crusty bread and a bottle of wine. The scene was idyllic, with people lounging in deckchairs, soaking in the serene ambiance of the Avon Valley. Today, The Oyster Shack has beautifully evolved from its humble beginnings. The restaurant now features both indoor and outdoor seating, seamlessly blending rustic charm with modern comforts. In winter, the interior exudes cosiness, thanks to a roaring fire that keeps the chill at bay. Come summertime, the dining experience moves outdoors, offering a perfect al fresco setting. The Oyster Shack has managed to preserve its original ethos, creating a space where fresh, locally-sourced oysters are enjoyed in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Whether you're a long-time oyster aficionado or a newcomer to these delectable mollusks, The Oyster Shack promises an unforgettable dining experience steeped in history and charm.
Where: Gittisham, Honiton.
BYO Deal: Corkage £26 wines and £30 Sparkling wines.
Nestled in the picturesque Devonshire countryside, The Pig at Combe is a stellar addition to the esteemed Pig hotel group. This beautifully revamped estate features a standout restaurant open to both hotel guests and the public. Celebrating British Kitchen Garden cuisine, the restaurant boasts a kitchen garden with 12 varieties of mint and pristine grounds adorned with majestic cedar trees and whimsical swings. The Pig at Combe prides itself on three walled gardens that supply fresh, zero-mile produce. Committed to local sourcing, the restaurant features ingredients from Devon's finest suppliers, with a menu rich in local fish, meats, and Devonshire cheeses. Dishes change daily based on the forager's finds and garden harvests. The Pig at Combe offers a culinary journey rooted in fresh, simple flavours, making it a must-visit for food lovers and countryside enthusiasts alike.
Where: Chagford, Newton Abbot.
BYO Deal: Corkage wine £35, sparkling wine £50.
The award-winning restaurant at Gidleigh Park offers an elegant and intimate setting for its decadent menus. Executive Head Chef Chris Eden joined Gidleigh Park in September 2019 from The Driftwood in Cornwall, and brings a produce-led ethos to the kitchen. Awarded a Michelin star in 2012 and a fourth AA rosette in 2018, Chris is known for his adventurous and inventive style. His dishes highlight the seasonal bounty from the hotel's kitchen garden, such as the daily-changing Garden Salad and chutney made from plump summer gooseberries. Chris 's refined technique and honest, unfussy approach to cooking shine through in his contemporary menus, which also pay homage to tradition. By supporting local Devonshire farmers and producers, he ensures that only the finest quality ingredients grace the plates at Gidleigh Park.
Where: Dartmouth.
BYO Deal: Corkage £25.
Since 2008, The Seahorse has been a beloved gathering place for conversation and the enjoyment of local seafood. Founded by Mat Prowse and Mitch Tonks, it builds on the success of their Seahorse & RockFish establishments. Mitch, the founder of FishWorks and a London Restaurateur of the Year award recipient, infuses his passion for seafood into every dish, making it a must-visit for seafood lovers.
This family-built restaurant continues to thrive in Dartmouth and Italy, now run by Mitch’s son, Head Chef Ben Tonks, and General Manager Bronte Story. The Seahorse is renowned for its fresh fish and seasonal ingredients, with a strong emphasis on Italian cookery. Fresh seafood is delivered twice daily from Brixham market, ensuring a constantly evolving menu with the freshest local produce. Specialising in simple, charcoal grilling, The Seahorse also offers pastas, rice, and stews inspired by coastal Mediterranean cuisine.