A seat with a view
- May 1
- 4 min read
Words by Rosie Cattrell
Perched at each end of one of Cornwall’s most vibrant foodie towns, The Greenbank and The Falmouth’s exceptional foodie offering is always paired with a view of the water.
Cornwall is no stranger to exceptional cuisine, and it’s no secret that the county is home to a vast array of producers, chefs and venues that can only be described as remarkable. However, amongst the many foodie faces and places to celebrate in this small corner of the world, I find my gaze frequently drawn to a quietly thriving maritime town on the coast.
Unlike the quaint seaside villages that come alive each summer before slipping back into a quiet winter hibernation, Falmouth stays awake all year. With an historic high street set just in from the coast, and two iconic waterside hotels perched at each end, you only need to take a stroll from one end of town to the other to experience the most enticing seasonal local offering.
Just over the hill at the top of the Old High Street, and with Falmouth’s famous harbour wrapped around it’s front, The Greenbank, as always, offers a seat with a view. Headed up by renowned Head Chef Bobby Southworth, the two AA-Rosette awarded Water’s Edge invites curious diners to sample seasonal menus shaped by the man himself, served with a side of impeccable hospitality by a Trencherman’s 2026 finalist front-of-house team.
For those seeking an opportunity to sample that first delicate combination of flavours, a three-course lunch for £24 allows a perfect introductory insight into the hotel’s relaxed yet refined dining experience. Think fresh seafood plucked from nearby waters, top-quality cuts and indulgent desserts with a panoramic view of the River Fal.
When it comes to a personal tour of the season’s very best offering, Bobby’s sell-out Taste of Cornwall events are unique in the sense that each of the six courses served throughout the evening arrives with Bobby’s expert insight and professional guidance, not to mention the added option of a carefully selected accompanying wine flight. With the next events taking place on 20th August and 29th October in the restaurant’s private Sun Deck, there are only so many seats at the table.
Top: Seasonal food with a harbour view | Above: Sunday roasts and Sea Shanty weekends
Downstairs, with Head Chef Adam Brandreth at the helm, The Working Boat offers more of a relaxed pub atmosphere without compromising on the food offering. From fresh mussels and delicious curries to succulent burgers, steaks and unbeatable Sunday roasts, the pubs weekly specials make space for the kind of evenings that have customers coming back time and time again.
When summer finally finds its way to Falmouth, weekends like the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival bring revellers from near and far to celebrate in this cheerful maritime town. As a key sponsor and a main stage to the events once again from 12th to 14th June, The Greenbank’s own quayside marquee will welcome shanty goers with celebratory sips and a delicious bite to eat, accompanied by uplifting live music to raise a pint to.
At the other end of town, with Pendennis Castle perched in its peripheries, another iconic hotel will also offer a main stage by the sea following last year’s success. As the town around it comes alive, The Falmouth’s gardens and grounds will play host to the nautical sounds of shanty bands from far and wide, all with an endless ocean backdrop. With the clink of glasses and the hum of music muddling the air, this is a weekend for everyone’s diary.
On the weekends when pirates and stripey-shirted sailors aren’t frequenting the streets of Falmouth, this historic seaside hotel remains a famed local foodie focus. Joining The Cornwall Hotel Collection alongside The Greenbank in May 2024, this local icon has undergone some careful restorations, including the Castle View lounge, bar and restaurant.
Now a warm, welcoming space with an astonishing view of the sea, a seat at the table means a culinary experience in good company. With Executive Chef Nick Hodges and Head Chef Tim Pile in the kitchen, a new era for food at The Falmouth has arrived.
Fresh fish and chips comes paired with a chilled glass of fizz every Friday, Sunday roasts with all the trimmings make for cosy afternoons by the sea, and a decadent three-course lunch for £24 finds its place here too. Delicate afternoon teas are always cause for celebration, and the hotel’s cocktail club every Thursday makes a long weekend ever so hard to resist.
For curious culinary minds, tasting evenings are often held in the restaurant, not to mention the ever popular comedy nights that are always accompanied by a carefully curated three-course evening meal. This month’s event takes place on 25th April, an unmissable night for fans of ‘Allo ‘Allo and Fawlty Towers.
Whether seated with the calming movement of Falmouth’s harbour just outside, or led by the allure of the sweeping seafront for a backdrop as you dine, each end of this forever-evolving foodie town promises an exquisite experience through the doors of two of its most iconic hotels.
Head to the hotel websites for more information and to secure your seat at the table, whether you’re booking in for one of the culinary events taking place throughout the year, or making a reservation for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea.
