Restaurants in Falmouth are celebrating after being named in a prestigious restaurant guide.

Now in its 28th edition, AA’s The Restaurant Guide 2022 provides food lovers a reference guide to all the places to dine across the UK. 

Broken down into regions, the book includes a description of each destination along with information on the type of cuisine, price guide, opening times and the all-important AA Rosette Award rating.

Restaurants can be awarded 1 to 5 Rosettes based on a meal visit or visits by one or more hotel and restaurant inspectors.

Falmouth has six entries, among 53 across Cornwall. We have listed all of them below:

AA’s The Restaurant Guide 2022: Falmouth entries

Merchants Manor - Three Rosettes
1 Weston Manor, TR11 4AJ
CUISINE: Modern British
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: "Local suppliers buttress the menus, as does the hard-working wood-fired oven and what emerges is a roster of smartly presented, modern dishes full of precision and inspiration."

Brasserie on the Bay - Two Rosettes
St Michaels Resort, Gyllyngvase Beach, Seafront, TR11 4NB
CUISINE: Modern Mediterranean, British
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: "The kitchen buys materials solely from local producers, and its passion for cooking is palpable in well-executed modern dishes with a hint of the classics."

The Greenbank Hotel - Two Rosettes
Harbourside, TR11 2SR
CUISINE: Modern British
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: "The head chef delivers a please-all roster of classics and modern dishes with Cornish produce as a starting point for his menus."

The Restaurant - The Royal Duchy Hotel - Two Rosettes
The Royal Duchy Hotel, Cliff Road, TR11 4NX
CUISINE: Modern British
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: "Food is assured and purposeful, with a light, skilled touch that reflects the elegance of the restaurant. Modern British with Asian and Mediterranean influences.

Falmouth Hotel - One Rosette
Castle Beach, TR11 4NZ
CUISINE: British
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: "The elegant dining room has sweeping views over the bay and a menu that works its way round the seasonal calendar in both British and
international modes."

Penmorvah Manor - One Rosette
Penjerrick Hill, Budock Water, TR11 5ED
CUISINE: Classic British
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: "The atmosphere is white-linened gentility, the culinary style is modern brasserie, with well turned-out dishes making an impact on both eye and palate.

AA’s The Restaurant Guide 2022: Elsewhere in Cornwall

The county performed extremely well all-round, racking up an impressive total of 53 eateries being recognised for their fine food.

FOUR ROSETTES

Paul Ainsworth at No. 6, Padstow

Padstow Townhouse, 6 Middle Street, PL28 8AP

CUISINE: Modern British

WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: “Defining contemporary cooking in a pint-sized townhouse Padstow is undeniably a shining beacon on the UK’s gastronomic map, and Paul Ainsworth’s townhouse restaurant, tucked down one of the narrow streets, just back from the harbour, has been a major player here since 2005.

“Paul has built a reputation for creating contemporary food focused on the regional produce that makes Cornwall such a culinary destination these days, while a healthy run of TV exposure via the BBC’s The Great British Menu has certainly helped boost his public profile.

“Local scallops are hard to ignore at the best of times, and here they might be served raw and matched with kohlrabi rice and finger lime, or go for another seafood opener that delivers super-fresh, beautifully cured sea bass with vibrant sand shrimp slaw and the umami hit of dried and smoked tuna flakes in katsuobushi mayonnaise.

“Next up, turbot might star in a robust main course showing off the best of Cornish waters, alongside silky mashed potato and onion gravy, while fillet of beef could get a classical treatment with mushroom persillade and sauce bordelaise.

“Ingenious desserts are equally hard to pass by – expect the likes of 75% chocolate ‘vol au vent’ with cep caramel, or the showpiece ‘Fairground Tale’, a true extravaganza built around a bitter chocolate soufflé.”

Outlaw's New Road, Port Isaac

6 New Road, PL29 3SB

CUISINE: Modern British, Seafood

WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: “Named literally for the road it sits on and located proudly at the top end of Port Isaac, this seafood restaurant is Nathan Outlaw's chance to return (after a short spell in London with Spirit at The Goring, cut short by the pandemic) to the cooking he loves.

“Expect simple seafood dishes, exquisitely presented. Immaculately fresh, every fine-tuned dish displays his affinity with the Cornish coasts where his centre of gravity undoubtedly remains.

“Covering lunch and dinner, there are only a handful of tables between the upstairs dining room and the downstairs bar seating, so booking ahead is essential.

“The set seafood menu is your only option, and you might start with raw bass with a pea and mint dressing, followed by a Port Isaac lobster salad, finishing with strawberry and champagne sorbet. You won't be disappointed; the quality is there in every touch – very highly recommended.”

THREE ROSETTES

The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow

Riverside, PL28 8BY

CUISINE: International Seafood

WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: “There’s a sunny conservatory at the front, a roof terrace, views of the harbour, and a bright, friendly, informal air – seaside colours, comfortable seating, and an eclectic selection of modern art.

“Sit at the bar with a drink and you’ll soon be keen to get cracking – literally, if you go for one of the magnificent fruits de mer platters. Otherwise, you could begin with the seared chipirones, beautifully tender squid stuffed with tuna, mackerel, salmon, prawns, ginger and spring onion, before moving on to Indonesian seafood curry, packed with delicious pieces of sea bass and hake, along with prawns and squid.

“A delicate floating island with salted caramel pistachios and Grand Marnier anglaise is the perfect finale.”

Kota Restaurant with Rooms, Porthleven

Harbour Head, TR13 9JA

CUISINE: “Situated on the harbour head by Porthleven's shingle beach and the bay, Kota aims to bring a Pacific Rim seafood ethos to windblown Cornwall.

“Jude Kereama hails from New Zealand and brings the Asian-influenced approach of the southern hemisphere to bear on his set menu, or the seven-course tasting menu (plus veggie version).

“This kicks off with Porthilly oysters, either tempura with baby gem and wasabi tartare, or natural with cucumber and rice wine granita. Next up, a choice between duck breast, beef sirloin, or the ‘Spring Rockpool’ – a vegetable dashi broth with hake, crab raviolo, Cornish mussels, tiger prawn and seaweed.

“A pre-dessert of blood orange cream with rhubarb is followed by either chocolate mousse with chocolate torte, or blue cheese ice cream with poached pear.”

Driftwood, Roseland Peninsula

Rosevine, TR2 5EW

CUISINE: Modern European

WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: “Independently owned, this beach-housestyle hotel stands in seven acres on the Roseland Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Standing above a private cove on the turquoise waters of Gerrans Bay, the restaurant is bright and airy with stunning coastal views.

“There's super attentive service, with staff showing impressive knowledge, including excellent wine recommendations.

“The kitchen team have developed strong links with many local producers, so local materials star on the menu, with expressive seafood dishes a particular strength.

“One way to start is with a terrine of Cornish skate wing and smoked eel with cockle beignets, cucumber, horseradish and dill, followed by roast pheasant with crushed swede and carrot, pearl barley, trompettes and quince.

“To finish try poached apricots with Cornish honey, buttermilk pannacotta, fresh almonds and chamomile.”

Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes

27 Lower Castle Road, TR2 5BH

CUISINE: Mediterranean, Seafood

WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS: “A stunning cliffside location is the setting for this collection of cottages, transformed by Olga Polizzi into a supremely elegant and understated hotel.

“Superb views of the Cornish coast and laidback nautical chic contribute to an atmosphere of refined luxury. The calm, airy restaurant, with its mosaic tiled floor and shell like lighting is classy, with simple table settings and engaging, responsive staff.

“If you’re here in daylight it will be hard to drag yourself away from the views, so give yourself plenty of time for a long lunch.

“The cooking matches the environment with a pleasing simplicity; the uncluttered dishes have a refreshing Mediterranean influence.

“Kick off with a couple of Porthilly oysters or indulge with Exmoor Caviar.

“Follow with turbot with asparagus and hollandaise, a satisfying main course, and you can keep it simple at dessert with the classic Italian affogato using Tresanton's home-made ice cream.”

TWO ROSETTES

  • The Wellington, The Harbour, Boscastle PL35 0AQ
  • New Yard Restaurant, Trelowarren Estate, Mawgan, TR12 6AF
  • Fallowfields, Housel Bay Hotel, Housel Bay, The Lizard TR12 7PG
  • Asquiths Restaurant, 19 North Street, Loswithiel PL22 0EF
  • The Scarlet Hotel, Tredragon Road, Newquay, TR8 4DQ
  • Trevalsa Court Hotel, School Hill, Polstreth, PL26 6TH
  • Mullion Cove Hotel, Mullion, TR12 7EP
  • The Restaurant at Polurrian on the Lizard, Mullion, TR12 7EN
  • The Samphire Restaurant, The Headland Hotel and Spa, Fistral Beach, TR7 1EW
  • The Shore Restaurant, 13-14 Alverton Street, Penzance, TR18 2QP
  • Victoria Inn, Perranuthnoe, TR20 9NP
  • Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, 1 Middle Street, Port Isaac PL29 3RH
  • Talland Bay Hotel, Looe, PL13 2JB
  • The Lugger, Portloe, TR2 5RD
  • Porthminster Beach Restaurant, St Ives, TR26 2EB
  • Ruin Beach Café, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, TR24 0PU
  • The Alverton Hotel, Tregolls Road, Truro, TR1 1ZQ
  • Mannings Hotel, Lemon Street, Truro, TR1 2QB
  • Tabb's Restaurant, 85 Kenwyn Street, Truro, TR1 3BZ
  • The Quarterdeck at The Nare, Carne Beach, Veryan, TR2 5PF
  • Meudon Hotel, Mawnan Smith, TR11 5HT

ONE ROSETTE

  • Trehellas House Hotel & Restaurant, Washaway, Bodmin, PL30 3AD
  • Old Mill Bistro, The Old Mill House, Padstow, PL27 7QT
  • The Herring, Newquay, TR8 4BU
  • Trelawne Hotel, Maenporth Road, Mawnan Smith, TR11 5HT
  • Dune, Esplanade Road, Newquay, TR7 1PT
  • Silks Bistro and Champagne, Atlantic Hotel, Dane Road, Newquay, TR7 1EN
  • The Terrace, The Headland Hotel and Spa, Newquay, TR7 1EW
  • The Restaurant at THE PIG at Harlyn Bay, Harlyn Bay, PL28 8SQ
  • St Petroc's Bistro, 4 New Street, Padstow, PL28 8EA
  • Harris's Restaurant, 46 New Street, Penzance, TR18 2LZ
  • The Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn, TR18 5PR
  • Pilchards, Port Gaverne, Port Isaac, PL29 3SQ
  • Stargazy Inn, The Terrace, Port Isaac, PL29 3SG
  • Kota Kai, Celtic House, The Shipyard, Porthleven, TR13 9JY
  • Carlyon Bay Hotel, Sea Road, Carlyon Bay, PL25 3RD
  • Porthminster Kitchen, Wharf Road, St Ives, TR26 1LG
  • Hooked Restaurant & Bar, Tabernacle Street, Truro, TR1 2EJ
  • The Dining Room Restaurant, The Nare, Carne Beach, Veryan, TR2 5PF

In addition to restaurant listings, the guide includes interviews with some of the most exciting culinary talent in the UK, such as 26-year-old gastronomic prodigy Tom Booton (Dorchester Grill, London W1), Paul Leonard (Forest Side, Grasmere, Cumbria), and Nathan Outlaw (Outlaw’s New Road and Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac, Cornwall).

:: The new Restaurant Guide 2022 is available to buy now priced at £16.99.