Looking for the best restaurants in Truro?
Well, I’ve selflessly been on a deliciously tasty eating spree around the city.
It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it…
You’ll be happy to know there’s a stunning range of restaurants to choose from whether you’re after fine dining, a juicy burger, or crispy fish and chips.
So let’s tuck in.
The Longstore
The Longstore Truro is the place to go for a special occasion, perfect for family get together, romantic dates, or to spoil yourself on a Saturday night.
Located on Lemon Street, it serves locally sourced meat and fish. It’s a cosy yet modern bar and grill open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. As you step in the door you’ll be greeted by the superb friendly staff and guided to your table. (It’s worth booking on busy nights!)
Open the drinks menu to unveil a selection of perfectly crafted cocktails to start the evening (or lunch if you’ve got a lazy afternoon ahead…) Mine’s a negroni thanks.
Take your time to peruse the food menu as everything is delicious. Seafood is fresh off the boat directly from the Cornish coastline. While dry-aged cuts and meats from local butchers are too good to turn down. I’d recommend melt in the mouth scallops and the chateaubriand.
I haven’t been lucky enough to try the brunch menu yet, but it looks just as epic for a stylish Saturday morning.
Hub Box
When I first discovered Hub Box, I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH. I still can’t really, although you gotta slow down after eating your body weight in burgers.
This burger and hot dog joint is popping up all over the South West, so wherever you land in Cornwall you’re likely to be within driving distance of one.
Truro Hub Box is built into an old chapel in the middle of the city. Inside you can sit up stairs or on the ground floor. Plus there’s outdoor decking for warmer days or enjoy the heaters when things are a little chilly.
The menu is down right epic with juicy beef burgers, crispy chicken, veggie and vegan offerings, loaded hit dogs and fries. You won’t be leaving disappointed or hungry. Plus they cater to various allergies too including gluten free burgers and buns!
You can stop by for lunch or dinner or takeaway. On a summer’s day, I often stop by for a drink and bowl of loaded fries in the sun. Coolers, cocktails, and beer are all freshly poured at the bar.
This is your go-to burger joint in Truro… no question.
Truro Tandoori
You’ll smell Truro Tandori before you see it. The haze of garlic and coriander drifts down Lemon Street to draw you into the best curry house around.
I know your local Indian is the best ever, but you’re wrong. Because this is the best curry house I’ve visited in several years up and down the country. The owner and staff are beaming as you walk in the door, all too happy to seat you and hand you a famous oversized menu.
You can pick from all your favourite whether you stick with a good old Chicken Korma or fancy a Lamb Bunha. Sit and enjoy your drink of choice while your dishes are freshly prepared. As soon as the hot plate arrives at the table you’ll know you’re in for a treat with rich sauces, punching flavours, and the most tender meat.
Personally, I’m picking a Seabass Dhansak (which is like meaty bits of fish in a lovely hot lentil sauce, perhaps a rogue choice but a winner.) and a fluffy soft naan bread next time. In fact, Truro Tandori is just around the corner from where I sit. Soooo I’m off for a Saturday night treat.
Tabbs
Tabbs adds a sparkle of fine dining to Truro. It’s been based in the city for over a decade having previously resided nearby in Portreath.
The humble exterior gives nothing away as to the sumptuous dishes inside, you can easily stroll past on Kenwyn Street if you’re not careful. Of course, don’t walk past, head on in, especially for a special evening or a touch of luxury.
This great little restaurant is truly delicious and the hosts always deliver fabulous service. You’ll be seated in a cosy setting and be presented with a refined menu of locally sourced dishes such as Seared Fillet of Beef, Grilled Fillet of Hake, and Seared Medallions of Monkfish. Plus the Sunday Roast is everything you need to cap off a perfect weekend!
You’ll love the elegant fine dining in warm pastel colours, with a sophisticated European menu.
The Thomas Daniell
Time for pub grub. These next two choices on the list do this better than most. I’ll talk about The Thomas Daniell first as it is within walking distance from the centre of Truro.
Set into a Grade 2 Cornish building, it serves freshly cooked food in a warm modern setting. This is one of the first places I ever ate in Truro, and I keep going back for more, especially for a Sunday lunch.
The bar is stoked with a strong choice of beers on tap, wine, and delicious cocktails. While the food menu certainly fills you up with perfectly cooked classics and a selection of inspired creations. The menu changes with the seasons but you’ll regularly see pork belly, burgers, local fish, and seasonal veggies.
What more can I say to get you to check it out? It’s a relaxed and modern pub with real good food.
The Heron Inn
The Heron Inn is a multi award winning pub serving fresh locally sourced food. The gastro menu has all your favourite classics and a number of Cornish twists as the seasons change. Food is served all day from a late breakfast through to dinner.
It’s situated in Malpas just a 5 minute drive from Truro centre. Or a walk along the river, past sunny Corner and up to Malpas. You can’t miss the pub as it sits on the roadside overlooking the river. Choose from locally brewed beers, wines, and cocktails for refreshment after a leafy walk through the countryside.
You can sit inside, on the decking, and on the hillside in the sun.
Tasty grub and a cracking view on a summer’s day.
Piero’s Italian
Truro isn’t blessed with tons of great pizza places, but Piero’s bucks that trend.
If you’re after traditional Italian then this is the place to check out. Classic thin base pizza flavours are waiting to keep all the family happy. Or a bowl of pasta and a glass of white wine goes down a treat for a long lunch. Of course, topped off with a tiramisu for dessert.
It’s easy to access in the heart of the City and gives a welcome break to the nationwide pizza chains that seem to dominate the Italian landscape these days.
Hooked
Hooked Truro brings together fresh locally caught fish dishes with a modern vibe.
The restaurant is a little tucked away on Tabernacle Street opposite Lemon Quay car park. It’s easy to spot with a distinctive wavey roof and porthole windows.
Step inside and grab a table. Then take your time to work through the menu until you find that perfect taste of seafood.
The small tapas dishes mean you can try plenty of flavours. Porthilly oysters to start? Or perhaps Rainbow Trout.
For main dishes, there’s an eclectic choice from Fish and Chips, to Curries, to a full fish platter.
Don’t worry if you’re not a seafood lover, there’s always a steak to get stuck into!
Bodega 18 Tapas Bar
A full sit-down dinner doesn’t always float the boat. That’s where tapas comes to the rescue.
Bodega 18 brings Spanish flair to Truro. Pitch up with friends and family to indulge in small plates and a glass of wine. You’ll instantly feel like you’re on the continent among the wood and tile-clad interior.
Pick and choose meat, veggie, and seafood dishes to compile your perfect set of flavours. Don’t forget to load up on classics like patatas bravas and anchovy tostadas to compliment the bold chorizo, crispy calamari, spicy aubergine, and king prawn gambas. All washed down with a bottle of Spanish red.
Restaurants in Truro
There’s an amazing selection of restaurants in Truro from comforting pub grub, to cornish seafood, to small plate Tapas.
You can’t go wrong with any of the choices above with flavours to suit every palette. Most of them are within a short walk of the city centre or a quick 5 minute drive over to Malpas.
Still not found your perfect spot? Then just take a walk through the compact city until you smell food that draws you in the door. Brunch, lunch, or dinner, there’s a Truro restaurant awaiting you.
Introducing Eliot, the Editor here and Cornwall local with a wanderlust spirit and an insatiable appetite for adventure. With a passion for the great outdoors, he can often be found catching waves on his surfboard, scaling peaks on a hiking trail, or discovering hidden gems in his exploration of Cornwall.