Isles of Scilly for Foodies: the Best Restaurants on the Islands
The Isles of Scilly is up there with one of my favourite places in the world for fresh, straight-out-the-sea cuisine. Combining a sense of ‘Best of British’ with an island flavour all of its own, there’s a ever-increasing, vibrant and compelling food industry here that takes all the aspects of Cornish cooking and jumbles them together with culinary know-how, ingredient expertise and an impressive understanding of seasonality.
There are some fabulous places to spend a lazy lunch or an evening drinking in the slow atmosphere of the islands. Here are my recommendations for some of the best places to eat on the Isles of Scilly.
The New Inn
tresco.co.uk/eating/new-inn
Part of the Tresco furniture for many a year. A traditional pub on Tresco Island that serves up classic pub fare like fish and chips, steak, and burgers. The pub also has a great selection of local ales and ciders, and often has great music nights.
The Crab Shack
hellbay.co.uk/dining-with-us/crab-shack
Fresh seafood caught there and then. The menu changes daily depending on what's been caught, but the crab and lobster are always a hit.
Juliet's Garden Restaurant
julietsgardenrestaurant.co.uk
Some of the best views you’re likely to get in the southwest from a dining table. Make sure you get a spot outside on a warm summer’s evening. Delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Be sure to try the locally caught fish dishes and stare across the ever-changing waters of St Mary’s harbour.
The Ruin Beach Cafe
tresco.co.uk/eating/ruin-cafe
One for when the purse strings feel a little looser, this is seasonal beachfront dining done perfectly. It’s a posh affair, and a celeb or two is never far away during the busy months, but if you don’t mind the somewhat elite holiday club atmosphere this is some of the best food you can get anywhere on the islands.
The Seven Stones Inn
sevenstonesinn.com
A charming, tucked away but popular pub on St Martin’s serving up the family-friendly usuals, with a distinct focus on local ingredients.
Island Fish
islandfish.co.uk
The Pender family have been fishing off these waters for generations, and a visit to Bryher isn’t complete without dropping by to sample their wares. Perching on a sandy bench with a crab sandwich from Island Fish has to be up there with one of my favourite Isles of Scilly experiences.
The Atlantic Inn
atlanticinnscilly.co.uk
This cozy inn on St. Mary's Island serves up good quality family food with a Scilly twist. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and there's often live music in the evenings - there’s a real distinct buzz around the place during the summer months - perfect for a pint or five.
The Island Bakery
theislandbakery-stmartins.com
Known for its delicious pastries and breads, a quiet, peaceful place to while away a morning. They offer light lunches and great coffee, too.
The Turks Head
turksheadscilly.co.uk
This pub on St. Agnes Island has been a local favourite for over 400 years. Quick, easy, family meals to enjoy over a liquid lunch while the sun-kissed kids play on the nearby beaches.
Hell Bay Hotel
hellbay.co.uk/dining-with-us
It’s easy to while away a blissful evening staring out across the most westerly reaches of the Isles of Scilly from the Hell Bay Hotel’s impressively appointed, light and airy dining area. Perfectly balanced, expertly crafted hotel meals - do eat here if you’re staying, but it’s worth a trip in its own right, too.
Of course, this list isn’t by any means exclusive. Let me know if you’d like to see any added here - there are always hidden gems to be found!
More information: visitislesofscilly.com
