Porthmeor Beach Café, St Ives
Menus, Booking Tips & Best Views for 2025
Porthmeor Beach Café is a vibrant beachfront eatery located just below the Tate in St Ives. With a buzzing atmosphere, imaginative cocktails, and alfresco seating right on the sand, Porthmeor Beach Café serves breakfast, lunch, and tapas through to evening dining, all while offering the best sunset in the west, perfect for surf watching, people spotting, and even the occasional dolphin show. build‑your‑own breakfasts, and vegetarian and seafood tapas, all served with unbeatable sunset views over Porthmeor Beach watching the amazing waves crashing ashore.
Why Visit Porthmeor Beach Café?
If you’re looking for one of the best places to eat by the beach in St Ives, look no further. Porthmeor Beach Cafe stands out as a must-visit destination for foodies, families, and beach lovers alike. Here’s why:
Scenic location: perched just below the iconic Tate St Ives, the cafe offers uninterrupted views over Porthmeor Beach, making it one of the most picturesque spots to dine in Cornwall
All-day service: open daily from morning to night (typically 08:30 to 21:30), you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, sunset tapas, or evening drinks - whenever hunger strikes.
Versatile dining options: choose from cosy heated pods (great for couples and groups), stylish indoor seating with panoramic sea views, or the dog-friendly terrace just steps from the sand
Inclusive menu: from fresh Cornish seafood to vegetarian and gluten-free options, the menu is crafted to suit all dietary needs. Enjoy ethically sourced Origin Coffee, seasonal cocktails, and flavourful tapas inspired by Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.
Highly rated: consistently featured in The Good Food Guide, and rated among the top cafes in St Ives on platforms like Google and TripAdvisor.
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a casual beach brunch, or a sunset celebration with friends, Porthmeor Beach Cafe delivers the ultimate Cornwall beach dining experience.
Menus & culinary highlights at Porthmeor Beach Café
The food at Porthmeor Beach Café is more than just delicious, it's a reflection of Cornwall's local produce and vibrant culinary creativity. The menu includes everything from build-your-own breakfasts, freshly squeezed juices, and tapas with a twist, to more contemporary seafood and vegetarian dishes.
Guests rave about the extensive vegetarian and seafood tapas, including small plates inspired by Mediterranean and Asian flavours. All ingredients are locally sourced where possible, and dietary requirements are happily catered for.
The café also features a children’s menu served all day, plus high chairs for families. Whether you’re after Origin Coffee, an afternoon spritz, or a glass of fizz to pair with locally caught fish, this is one of the top all-day dining options in St Ives.
Top tips for visiting Porthmeor Beach Café
1. Book Your Spot Early
Porthmeor Beach Café is one of the most popular beachside restaurants in St Ives, and with good reason. Thanks to its unbeatable views, creative menu, and relaxed coastal atmosphere, the pods and terrace seating areas often fill up, especially during weekends, holidays, and summer evenings.
If you're planning to visit during peak hours (especially around sunset), it's highly recommended to book in advance via their official website or by calling 01736 793 366. This is especially important if you're hoping to dine in the heated sea-view pods, which are incredibly popular for romantic dinners and group outings.
Early booking not only guarantees a table, but it also gives you the option to choose your preferred seating area. For those researching where to eat in St Ives or planning a special meal near Porthmeor Beach, reserving ahead ensures you won’t miss out on one of Cornwall’s top-rated dining experiences.
2. Walk-Ins Are Welcome
While booking ahead is highly recommended, Porthmeor Beach Café understands that some guests prefer spontaneity.
That's why they always hold back a selection of tables for walk-ins, making it a fantastic choice for visitors exploring St Ives without set plans. Walk-in tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and their availability depends largely on weather conditions and daily demand. The terrace and café interior are typically easier to access without a reservation during off-peak times, like mid-morning or weekday afternoons.
If you’re enjoying a beach day and suddenly crave a good meal or great coffee near Porthmeor Beach, this is a top spot to drop in. It's also a good idea to check their live updates on social media or pop in to ask the host about wait times. Whether planned or impromptu, Porthmeor Beach Café offers some of the most flexible dining options in St Ives.
3. Perfect for Sunsets & Surf-Watching
Few places in Cornwall rival the sunset views from Porthmeor Beach Café. Facing directly west, the café’s outdoor terrace and pods provide panoramic vistas across the Atlantic, making it one of the best sunset dining spots in St Ives.
It’s not just about the golden hour glow, visitors often catch glimpses of surfers carving waves, seabirds diving, and even the occasional dolphin sighting. This stunning natural theatre makes every meal feel like an event, whether you're sipping on a local cocktail or nibbling on tapas as the sky turns orange and pink. For photographers, nature lovers, or couples seeking a memorable evening, dining at Porthmeor Beach Café during sunset is a must.
Be sure to book a pod or terrace table in advance to secure the best views. Don’t forget your camera, you’ll want to remember this view long after dessert is over.
4. Ideal for All-Day Dining
One of the biggest draws of Porthmeor Beach Café is its commitment to flexible, all-day dining—making it one of the most accessible and versatile eateries in St Ives. Start your morning with a customisable “build-your-own” breakfast, fresh smoothies or Origin Coffee, and enjoy beachside peace before the crowds arrive. At lunchtime, explore a variety of Mediterranean and Asian-inspired small plates, including vegetarian, vegan, and fresh seafood options, perfect for sharing.
Later in the day, the atmosphere evolves into a more refined but still relaxed dining space with creative sunset tapas, craft cocktails, and a selection of Cornish wines and beers. Whether you're planning a long brunch, a light lunch, or a romantic evening meal, this café adapts effortlessly to your day. Few beach cafes in Cornwall manage to combine menu variety with quality as well as Porthmeor does, all while offering unmatched sea views.
5. Family & Dog Friendly (to an extent)
Porthmeor Beach Café is a great spot for families visiting St Ives, offering a welcoming environment for kids and accommodating facilities like high chairs and a dedicated children’s menu with nutritious and tasty options. The laid-back setting means kids can enjoy a relaxed mealtime while parents take in the views. For those traveling with furry friends, dogs are warmly welcomed on the terrace seating area, though they are not permitted in the pods or indoor spaces, so plan accordingly.
The dog-friendly policy, combined with beachside access, makes it one of the top dog-friendly cafes near Porthmeor Beach. It's ideal for a family lunch after a beach day or an early evening bite with the whole pack. The staff are known to be helpful and understanding when it comes to family needs, making this one of the most inclusive dining spots in the area. Just be mindful of peak times and reserve if you're with a group.
Children’s needs are thoughtfully catered for with an all-day kids' menu and high chairs available upon request. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor terrace but are not permitted in pods or indoor areas, so plan accordingly if you’re dining with a furry friend.
Opening Hours & Booking Tips
Porthmeor Beach Café is open 7 days a week from 08:30 AM to 10:00 PM, making it perfect for early breakfasts, midday lunch breaks, sunset tapas, or dinner by the beach.
To get your perfect table at the perfect time, early booking is strongly advised—especially if you're aiming for the popular heated dining pods or a sunset-view terrace table. Booking can be made through their official website or by calling 01736 793 366.
Prefer to be spontaneous? Walk-in tables are available daily on a first come, first served basis, particularly in the main dining area and terrace.
FAQs About Porthmeor Beach Café
Do I need to book?
Not strictly—walk-ins are accepted daily, but booking is strongly recommended for pods, inside, or terrace during busy times Porthmeor Beach.
What’s on the menu?
Expect build-your-own breakfasts, vegetarian and seafood tapas, fresh juices, children's meals, imaginative cocktails, and coffee by Origin Porthmeor Beach.
When is it open?
Open seven days a week, rough hours from 08:30/09:00 in the morning to 21:00/22:00 for dinner service.
Is Porthmeor Beach Café good for vegetarians and special diets?
Yes! The menu includes a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, plus the team is happy to cater to most dietary needs on request.
Is it child and dog-friendly?
Yes, children are catered for with meals and high chairs; dogs welcome on the terrace only Porthmeor Beach.
How do I book a table?
Visit their official website’s booking widget, book in person, or call 01736 793 366 Porthmeor Beach.
What Do Customers Say? Reviews & Ratings
Porthmeor Beach Café has earned a stellar reputation among both locals and travellers. On Tripadvisor, the restaurant currently holds an impressive 4.6 out of 5 rating, based on more than 3,500 customer reviews. It’s consistently ranked among the Top 10 restaurants in St Ives, placing it alongside other culinary landmarks in the area. Diners praise the sunset views, diverse tapas menu, and the friendly, attentive staff.
You’ll also find glowing reviews on platforms like OpenTable, where it remains a popular choice for seaside dining bookings, and Dishcult, which highlights its creative plates and all-day appeal. For those researching best restaurants near Porthmeor Beach or looking for where to eat near Tate St Ives, these review platforms confirm that Porthmeor Beach Café is a top contender.
Final Thoughts: Why Porthmeor Beach Café Deserves a Spot on Your St Ives Itinerary
Porthmeor Beach Café is far more than just a place to eat—it’s a destination in itself. Blending breathtaking Atlantic views, flexible all-day service, and a menu crafted for all tastes, it offers a rare mix of quality, atmosphere, and location.
Whether you're starting your day with a hearty breakfast, enjoying a light beachside lunch, or sipping cocktails while watching the sun melt into the sea, this café delivers every time. With vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, as well as a children’s menu, it's perfect for couples, families, and solo travellers alike.
To make the most of your visit:
Book ahead if you’re hoping for a pod or sunset dining
Drop in for a walk-in table if you're feeling spontaneous
Pair your meal with visits to Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach, or the coastal trail around The Island
For anyone searching for the best beachfront dining in St Ives, dog-friendly cafes in Cornwall, or simply a scenic spot to relax with great food, Porthmeor Beach Café is the ultimate answer.
