The story
There are few settings in Cornwall as direct as this: tables placed on the edge of a wide, white-sand beach, with uninterrupted views across St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse. Porthminster Beach Café makes the most of its location, serving a style of British contemporary cooking that is rooted in the local landscape and the daily catch.
Executive Chef Michael Smith has been at the helm here for over fifteen years, earning a reputation as a champion of Cornish produce. In 2018, he was named ‘Food & Drink Hero’ at the Cornwall Life Food & Drink Awards, recognised for his early adoption of foraged ingredients and his commitment to sustainable seafood. The restaurant itself holds a Michelin recommendation, an acknowledgement of the consistent quality found on the plate.
Smith’s kitchen draws heavily from the restaurant’s own kitchen garden, cultivated on waste ground opposite the café. Jim and Julie Horn transformed the plot almost single-handedly, and its herbs, salads and vegetables appear on menus daily. This commitment to home-grown ingredients runs alongside a deep connection to the sea: the team works with local fishermen and has supported causes such as The Fisherman’s Mission.
The restaurant is also a key partner in the annual St Ives Food and Drink Festival, which takes place on the beach itself. Over the years, Smith has collaborated with chefs including Mitch Tonks, Jack Stein and Jose Pizarro for festival dinners, further cementing Porthminster’s role at the centre of Cornwall’s food scene.
Beyond the kitchen, Smith has actively sought out new influences. During a recent trip to South Africa’s Cape winelands, he toured boutique vineyards and cooked at winery restaurants, selecting wines to import directly – many of which are unavailable elsewhere in the UK.
Whether you come for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the experience is defined by the same clarity: exceptional seafood and seasonal produce, served in a relaxed setting that lets the view do much of the work. Porthminster Beach Café is a place where the food and the place feel inseparable.
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The serene white building on a broad sandy beach with fabulous panoramic views is most directly reached by a stepped footpath that descends from the main road. It is wholly unlit at night. Set your phone to torch, and take care. Fish and seafood are the specialities (whole Dover sole or shellfish linguine, perhaps), with enticing meat and vegetarian options too (Indonesian curries, fried halloumi with tomato and bean cassoulet). A serviceable wine list comes at manageable prices.
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