Maya's Guidebook
Food scene and pubs
Creamiest Cornish vanilla ice cream you’ll probably ever taste. Freshly made everyday - or usually just hours before serving.
35 locals recommend
Jelbert's
9 New RdCreamiest Cornish vanilla ice cream you’ll probably ever taste. Freshly made everyday - or usually just hours before serving.
Curry Corner
68 Chapel StBest Indian takeaway food in Penzance in my opinion.
Great little place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea - really great cakes and soups.. - I really like their lasagna and salad.
39 locals recommend
The Honey Pot
5 Parade StGreat little place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea - really great cakes and soups.. - I really like their lasagna and salad.
The Porthminster cafe serves really tasty food. I’d highly recommend their seafood dishes especially if you like aromatic spices. It also has gorgeous views over the golden sands of Porthminster beach.
236 locals recommend
Porthminster Beach Cafe
The Porthminster cafe serves really tasty food. I’d highly recommend their seafood dishes especially if you like aromatic spices. It also has gorgeous views over the golden sands of Porthminster beach.
If you haven’t tried Cornish wine, here’s your chance. I’m a big fan of Polgoon’s white wine.
32 locals recommend
Polgoon Vineyard
Rosehill MeadowIf you haven’t tried Cornish wine, here’s your chance. I’m a big fan of Polgoon’s white wine.
Mermaid Alley
45 New StReally good vegetarian options. I love their fish cakes.
Great little bar for wine connoisseurs. Open late for aperitifs or digestifs and also serves coffee in the mornings.
27 locals recommend
Lovetts
1 The CoombeGreat little bar for wine connoisseurs. Open late for aperitifs or digestifs and also serves coffee in the mornings.
Worth going just for the view. Great place for a special occasion dinner or to just have a drink in the garden.
76 locals recommend
The Old Coastguard
The ParadeWorth going just for the view. Great place for a special occasion dinner or to just have a drink in the garden.
The Gurnards Head
Big pub with good food and an old Cornish country pub vibe.
Nice food with lots of seafood options. Located beside Mousehole harbour so perfect place for a relaxing meal after the beach.
42 locals recommend
2 Fore Street Restaurant
2 Fore StNice food with lots of seafood options. Located beside Mousehole harbour so perfect place for a relaxing meal after the beach.
Fresh and tasty seafood. Perfect place to chill on a sunny day ☀️
43 locals recommend
The Mussel Shoal
Fresh and tasty seafood. Perfect place to chill on a sunny day ☀️
Fresh and simple seafood straight off the Newlyn fishing boats. Popular choice for seafood lovers - they don’t take bookings so come prepared to queue.
154 locals recommend
Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar
New RoadFresh and simple seafood straight off the Newlyn fishing boats. Popular choice for seafood lovers - they don’t take bookings so come prepared to queue.
Admiral Benbow
46 Chapel StOld ship decor pub. Funky dance nights once a month upstairs.
Best fish and chips in Penzance. Sometimes also serve hake fish as well as haddock and cod.
26 locals recommend
Frasers Fish & Chips
Western Promenade RoadBest fish and chips in Penzance. Sometimes also serve hake fish as well as haddock and cod.
This Newlyn fish & chip shop used to do a variety of fish such as Hake and John Dory. It’s still pretty good but less of a selection and portions not as huge as back in the day. Probably still one of the best fish & chip takeaways in England though, so I highly recommend it..
14 locals recommend
Lewis
2 StrandThis Newlyn fish & chip shop used to do a variety of fish such as Hake and John Dory. It’s still pretty good but less of a selection and portions not as huge as back in the day. Probably still one of the best fish & chip takeaways in England though, so I highly recommend it..
Porthminster Kitchen
Wharf RoadThere aren’t many views as good of this one to enjoy drinks or a meal. They have tables and some comfy chairs to relax in after a swim. Great place to watch the sailing boats and admire St Micheal’s Mount.
107 locals recommend
Godolphin Arms
West EndThere aren’t many views as good of this one to enjoy drinks or a meal. They have tables and some comfy chairs to relax in after a swim. Great place to watch the sailing boats and admire St Micheal’s Mount.
I think this restaurant serves the best Thai food in Penzance. They cook a good Thai green curry. Upstairs seating has sea views and they also do takeaways.
Thai Moon
2 Alexandra RdI think this restaurant serves the best Thai food in Penzance. They cook a good Thai green curry. Upstairs seating has sea views and they also do takeaways.
Great friendly health food shop with staff that really know their herbs and vitamins. It used to have a popular little upstairs cafe. Unfortunately since Covid the café has closed but will hopefully reopen again.
36 locals recommend
Archie Browns
Old Brewery YardGreat friendly health food shop with staff that really know their herbs and vitamins. It used to have a popular little upstairs cafe. Unfortunately since Covid the café has closed but will hopefully reopen again.
Great wine merchant - sells lovely Cornwall wines and other tipples 🍹. Has recently had a revamp and now includes a sushi bar!
Mounts Bay Wine Co
19A Bread StGreat wine merchant - sells lovely Cornwall wines and other tipples 🍹. Has recently had a revamp and now includes a sushi bar!
Seafood restaurant in Newlyn fishing harbour. Not always open so check before arriving.
26 locals recommend
Argoe
Seafood restaurant in Newlyn fishing harbour. Not always open so check before arriving.
Boho country glam style restaurant and hotel in heart of Pz. Nice place to lounge with a cocktail or dine. You’ll probably need to advance book in August.
69 locals recommend
Artist Residence Clubhouse
20 Chapel StBoho country glam style restaurant and hotel in heart of Pz. Nice place to lounge with a cocktail or dine. You’ll probably need to advance book in August.
New bar (although been a bar for years - seen the name, sign and owners change but always a great location (close to old Studio Bar) on Bread St in heart of PZ. Serves tasty tapas and drinks and literally within staggering distance of my listing.
The Crumb
New bar (although been a bar for years - seen the name, sign and owners change but always a great location (close to old Studio Bar) on Bread St in heart of PZ. Serves tasty tapas and drinks and literally within staggering distance of my listing.
Bar and restaurant overlooking the sand and sea.
Top floor restaurant is bright and airy (since it’s new refurb) and serves a delicious traditional menu. I’m a big fan of the chef’s Sunday roasts.
Bar downstairs can be relaxed or hectic depending on the season, weather or amount of alcohol consumed by punters.
24 locals recommend
Sandbar
Bar and restaurant overlooking the sand and sea.
Top floor restaurant is bright and airy (since it’s new refurb) and serves a delicious traditional menu. I’m a big fan of the chef’s Sunday roasts.
Bar downstairs can be relaxed or hectic depending on the season, weather or amount of alcohol consumed by punters.
Warm and friendly cafe to have a cuppa or bite to eat.
Like entering a cosy oasis on a stormy day.
26 locals recommend
Cafe Dog & Rabbit
North RowWarm and friendly cafe to have a cuppa or bite to eat.
Like entering a cosy oasis on a stormy day.
Sightseeing
Jubilee Pool Penzance
Battery RoadMousehole Harbour
21 Commercial RoadSaint Michael's Mount
Penzance Promenade
South West Coast PathMousehole Harbour
21 Commercial RoadInteresting and beautiful working fishing port. Has some good art galleries and places to eat and buy fresh fish.
37 locals recommend
Newlyn Harbour
Interesting and beautiful working fishing port. Has some good art galleries and places to eat and buy fresh fish.
Green and pleasant place to go for a wander and a cuppa - they do good coffee and cake.
Lush plants and shrubs to admire and dog friendly.
42 locals recommend
Trengwainton Garden
Boscathnoe LaneGreen and pleasant place to go for a wander and a cuppa - they do good coffee and cake.
Lush plants and shrubs to admire and dog friendly.
Chapel Street runs from the heart of Penzance down to the sea. Stroll down and pop into the shops and pubs along the way. The Egyptian House sells a local brand called Pure that makes lovely soaps and creams.
The Egyptian House
Chapel StreetChapel Street runs from the heart of Penzance down to the sea. Stroll down and pop into the shops and pubs along the way. The Egyptian House sells a local brand called Pure that makes lovely soaps and creams.
Parks
Tropical garden’s in heart of Penzance. Lovely to wander through or sit and have a picnic on a lazy, sunny day.
38 locals recommend
Morrab Gardens
Morrab RoadTropical garden’s in heart of Penzance. Lovely to wander through or sit and have a picnic on a lazy, sunny day.
Lovely kids play park with big trees to shelter under on hot summer days. Also good spot to kick a football about.
Penlee Park has it’s own outdoor theatre - see website for show details.
10 locals recommend
Penlee Park
Lovely kids play park with big trees to shelter under on hot summer days. Also good spot to kick a football about.
Penlee Park has it’s own outdoor theatre - see website for show details.
Godolphin House & Gardens
Great place to keep young kids entertained.
Animals in the park grounds outside (includes penguins and exotic birds) and a noisy play zone with slides inside. They have some impressive pink flamingos 🦩
134 locals recommend
Paradise Park
16 Trelissick RdGreat place to keep young kids entertained.
Animals in the park grounds outside (includes penguins and exotic birds) and a noisy play zone with slides inside. They have some impressive pink flamingos 🦩
Bit of a drive but doable as a day trip from Penzance. Interesting, fun family day out that’s definitely worth a visit. The canteen restaurant serves healthy cooked food with locally grown veg.
They also host events and concerts so worth checking their website for dates and ticket deals.
Doable by train (then bus) from Penzance if you leave early but check the return bus times to St Austell train station so you don’t get caught out (this happened to us when visiting in November time)
Eden Project
Bit of a drive but doable as a day trip from Penzance. Interesting, fun family day out that’s definitely worth a visit. The canteen restaurant serves healthy cooked food with locally grown veg.
They also host events and concerts so worth checking their website for dates and ticket deals.
Doable by train (then bus) from Penzance if you leave early but check the return bus times to St Austell train station so you don’t get caught out (this happened to us when visiting in November time)
Impressive gardens whole family can enjoy.
Leave early in the morning if doing it as a day trip from West Cornwall as you’ll want a full day to explore and time to relax.
594 locals recommend
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
B3273Impressive gardens whole family can enjoy.
Leave early in the morning if doing it as a day trip from West Cornwall as you’ll want a full day to explore and time to relax.
Museums
PK Porthcurno
Maritime Museum station
Delve down deep into the history of mining in Cornwall. An atmospheric as well as interesting place to visit.
133 locals recommend
Geevor Tin Mine
Delve down deep into the history of mining in Cornwall. An atmospheric as well as interesting place to visit.
Art and play
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
Morrab RoadA great place to explore. Full of interesting sculptures set in beautiful gardens with a great view of St Micheal’s Mount in the far distance.
The restaurant there is good too.
215 locals recommend
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
A great place to explore. Full of interesting sculptures set in beautiful gardens with a great view of St Micheal’s Mount in the far distance.
The restaurant there is good too.
If you want to see beautiful paintings of the Cornish landscape Kurt Jackson’s gallery in St Just is definitely worth visiting. I for one love his big landscape paintings.
14 locals recommend
Jackson Foundation
North RowIf you want to see beautiful paintings of the Cornish landscape Kurt Jackson’s gallery in St Just is definitely worth visiting. I for one love his big landscape paintings.
Tate St. Ives
Great artsy- style cinema. Has a cool dimly lit bar to relax in before your film.
109 locals recommend
Newlyn Filmhouse
23-31 The CoombeGreat artsy- style cinema. Has a cool dimly lit bar to relax in before your film.
Art Deco style cinema showing popular films. It has comfortable seats, recently renovated decor and reasonably priced tickets. 🍿
32 locals recommend
Savoy Penzance Cinema, Bar & Kitchen
16 CausewayheadArt Deco style cinema showing popular films. It has comfortable seats, recently renovated decor and reasonably priced tickets. 🍿
If it’s raining and the kids need to move then Penzance leisure centre is a good place to head. Has a nice sized adult pool and shallow kids pool plus they also have sport courts, exercise classes and activity play sessions.
12 locals recommend
Penzance Leisure Centre
Saint Clare StreetIf it’s raining and the kids need to move then Penzance leisure centre is a good place to head. Has a nice sized adult pool and shallow kids pool plus they also have sport courts, exercise classes and activity play sessions.
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
Barnoon HillWater sports
Sennen cove has lots of surfing lessons. This isn’t the only place but probably best to look on social media for Sennen Surfing for latest info and updates. 🏄🏽♀️ You can find lessons for ladies only, kids only, beginners only and of course mixed lessons.
12 locals recommend
Smart Surf School
Sennen cove has lots of surfing lessons. This isn’t the only place but probably best to look on social media for Sennen Surfing for latest info and updates. 🏄🏽♀️ You can find lessons for ladies only, kids only, beginners only and of course mixed lessons.
If you want to venture off the beach to ride the wind and waves, this is where you can hire the kit. Marazion bay is a hotspot for kite-surfing and windsurfing. On less windy days (and the sea can be perfectly serene and shallow for learners on occasion - check weather and tides) you can hire paddle-boards here. There are also a couple of other paddle-board hire places along the beach in summer.
20 locals recommend
The Hoxton Special - Kitesurf, Paddleboard, Yoga and Coffee
Beach RoadIf you want to venture off the beach to ride the wind and waves, this is where you can hire the kit. Marazion bay is a hotspot for kite-surfing and windsurfing. On less windy days (and the sea can be perfectly serene and shallow for learners on occasion - check weather and tides) you can hire paddle-boards here. There are also a couple of other paddle-board hire places along the beach in summer.
If you’re bored of the beach try this place. Loads of challenging rock climbs and pursuits for kids and adults to get the heart pumping.
15 locals recommend
Via Ferrata Cornwall
HalvassoIf you’re bored of the beach try this place. Loads of challenging rock climbs and pursuits for kids and adults to get the heart pumping.