When you spring out the door to catch the tides, beat the crowds or make the first tracks on the trail, it’s likely that you not only skipped breakfast, but you’ve also worked up a hearty appetite having fun on land or sea. Often too late for the breakfast menu, yet not ready for lunch, we set out to find the best brunch spots across Cornwall.
I mean all-day breakfasts, local produce, wow-factor views and activities on the doorstep. Plate after plate of poached eggs, smashed avo, smoked salmon and blueberry pancakes later, here’s what we’ve come up with.
Whether you’ve been surfing, dipping or dog walking at Fistral, Seaspray beckons sandy-soled beach goers for all-day brunches made to fuel you up for shoreline adventures. Forget your average avo on toast; the Twisted Avo comes with feta, pomegranate and walnuts, while the stuffed breakfast ciabatta takes two to tackle, and the piles of pancakes might beat the biggest appetites. Save room for a sweet treat and second coffee, and linger until the tide turns for your next beach activity.
This little shack on the road to the beach in St Agnes might not stop you in your tracks and strike you as one of Cornwall’s top brunch spots. But stop you should. Whether you’re post-surf, end-of-walk or simply dawdling to the shoreline at Trevaunance Cove, Genki has all the goods you need to fuel you up and put a spring in your step. If you’re heading to the surf, energise with a smoothie bowl. If you’re post surf or stroll, refuel with porridge packed with delicious extras, or waffles topped with the works. All served with coffee from local roasters, Yallah. Dog-friendly with a cute garden setting, Genki is proof that small really is beautiful.
With ancient woodland and the Helford Estuary on the doorstep, you couldn’t pick a more magical slice of Cornwall to tuck into brunch on a riverside ramble. Various tiers of brunch are available throughout the day: you might settle for charred banana bread and a coffee to set you on your merry way, or you might fancy scorched portabello mushrooms with roast hazelnuts. However, I’d recommend the Huevos Rancheros on stone-baked sour baya bread.
Nudging the world’s third deepest harbour where the merchant ships once set sail in Falmouth, Windjammer has struck yet more maritime gold with its delicious brunches served waterside. A fusion of American and British-style dishes are designed to fill up the hungriest sailors, so it’s up to you if you want the full Captain’s spread, a simple ciabatta or waffles topped with syrup and streaky bacon. You’ve got until well into the afternoon to make up your mind, so there’s plenty of time to set sail for the morning or take a dip on one of Falmouth’s beaches, and still be in time to order.
Whether you’ve been getting sandy-toed on the seven bays of St Merryn, or are following the quiver-topped campervans along Cornwall’s Atlantic Highway, this trendy roadside café is a pitstop worth making for brunch infused with the surfing lifestyle and motorcycle culture. And while that might sound like a strange mix, owners John and Mathilda are passionate about both, and Strong Adolfos sits on a popular route with surfers and motorcyclists. Cool vibes and decor aside, the brunch options (some served until 12, others all day) nod to their love of travel with global flavours from sausage butties to Mexicano Brioche.
What long-been one of our top Sunday lunch spots is now also one of our faves for Saturday brunch. The bottom-less brunch menu is made for those of you who’ve had a wild dip at neighbouring Porthpean, been paddleboarding on the doorstep, or are simply moseying around this historic harbour town looking to feed your hangover. Local ingredients are at the heart of the dishes, whether you opt for the smash burger, the hot honey and halloumi brioche, or an Asian sticky beef salad. Espresso Martini with that, anyone?
Andy south coast swells always lure me to Perranuthnoe, where you can watch the waves over brunch at the surf-edge Cabin Beach Café. Whether you’re salty-locked and fresh out of the sea, waiting for the tide to turn, or ditch a dip for a sublime coastal stroll along Mount’s Bay, bask in the garden and soak up the views, while getting your chops around a huge brunch bap washed down with coffee and cake. It’ll keep you going for the next surf or adventure and way into the evening, when the café conveniently turns into a cool little bistro.
You might well prefer the atmospheric harbour or St Mawes to the flagship setting of Indian Queens, but to be honest, once you’re tucking into De Bara’s home-baked wonders, it doesn’t really matter what lies beyond the window. Whether you’ve hopped off the ferry or are salty-locked from a surf on Newquay’s beaches, re-fuel on finger-licking cinnamon buns, sausages from the local Primrose Herd, eggs laid a pebble’s throw away and bread baked that very morning by Da Bara’s master bakers. And however stuffed you are, you’ll no doubt leave with armfuls of the signature sourdough and pantry treats for later.
These are some of our favourites. Where would you recommend for a mid-morning re-fuel? Let us know in the comments below.
