Cafes in Cornwall
Bookmark this page for future travels in Cornwall so you can check if you’re near – or can reroute your journey for – any of these must-visit cafes serving elite coffee and food
Sunshine Cafe & Yoga, Penryn
Nourish body and soul at this dynamic spot devoted to all things feelgood. Comprising a yoga studio, events and workshop space, therapy suite and cafe, visitors can stretch out in a yoga class, feast on wholesome brunch plates at the cafe and be lulled into relaxation with a restorative treatment in the Healing Room – all in one visit.
Of course you don’t need to spend time on the mat to drop into the contemporary cafe, but a Sunshine breakfast bowl and matcha latte does taste that bit more delicious after an awakening vinyasa flow. Post-session or not, discover a calming cafe that’s flooded in soft lighting and oozes bohemian style. The plant-based menu is built around seasonal produce, showcased in the likes of sourdough topped with marinated mushrooms, tamari-roasted seeds and house pesto; deli counter salads; and cakes and bakes. Alongside silky coffees, vibrant juices, lattes and kombuchas feature on the drinks menu.
Fee’s, Rock
A cafe, deli and catering company, Fee’s is a beloved institution in the county.
Founder Fee Turner and team have created a beautiful community space built around impeccable food and drink, which channels on-trend cafe vibes thanks to a clean modern palette, speciality coffee offering and on-point menus.
In the cafe, the team churn out restaurant-quality dishes such as roasted squash caponata with pistachio pesto and buffalo mozzarella, and smoked haddock kedgeree with homemade curry sauce and poached eggs, in addition to more casual (albeit still next-level) cafe fare such as stuffed ciabatta sarnies and homemade cakes, tarts, pastries and loaves.
Be sure to check out the regular supper clubs and the cafe’s spin-off restaurant Four Boys – headed up by Fee’s eldest son George.
Situ, Penryn
Regular readers of Food Lifestyle have likely already experienced the top-tier coffee and flavour-packed dishes at Situ seeing as it made the finals in our reader-voted Food Lifestyle Awards 2024.
Discerning foodies make a beeline for the stylish warehouse concealing the eatery, coffee shop and events space due to its unique culinary offering – co-owner and chef Sham Mulji feeds his Gujarati heritage into produce-led dishes that reflect his modern Indian cooking style. Sham sources spices from India and ingredients from the local coast and countryside to guarantee authentic flavours and freshness, evidenced in compilations such as Masala Machli: Cornish smoked mackerel with spinach masala, wholemeal sourdough, pickles, herbs and leaves.
The elevated cafe food is complemented by speciality coffee brewed via multiple methods (espresso, batch filter, Kalita Wave, Chemex and AeroPress included) as well as traditional masala chai. Time your trip to join one of Situ’s regular supper clubs and events.
Origin Coffee, Porthleven
This celebrated speciality coffee roastery put Cornwall on the coffee map when it launched over 20 years ago. Origin’s high-grade coffee beans are used in hundreds of cafes across the UK and it operates a clutch of specialist cafes in London, Bristol and Edinburgh, and yet you can track its own origins to the small fishing town of Porthleven, where its HQ is housed.
Head to where it all started at Origin Harbour Head to sample fresh and flavoursome brews against a relaxing maritime backdrop. You’ll find yourself spoilt for choice from a monthly menu of own-roasted single-origin coffees available as espresso or filter brews, which can be paired with luscious cakes and bakes.
Origin’s other coffee shop in Porthleven is located in the roastery and is a must for getting closer to the roasting action. While watching the barista expertly prep your brew, get a glimpse of the bronzing alchemy going on behind the scenes via an expanse of glass behind the counter, then savour the sip within the industrial space that’s softened by verdant plants, bright daylight and friendly baristas.
Liberty Coffee, Launceston
You’d be hard pressed to find a cafe in Launceston that has the same dedication to quality brews and bakes as this neighbourhood favourite. It’s why Liberty’s is always chocka with caffeine fiends slurping the fruity house blend and friends catching up as they scoff the signature sausage rolls.
Returning locals are joined by day-trippers who are lured in by the aroma of fresh coffee and impressive latte art skills of the trained baristas. In addition to the house coffee roasted by Kiss The Hippo, there’s also an ever-changing line-up of guest coffees sourced from roasteries across the country. Whether you plump for the house brew or wildcard guest coffee, you can guarantee there will be delicious sustenance to pair with your pick. Everything is made from scratch – from the homity pie to the white chocolate bakewell and courgette and lime cake – and there are plenty of gluten-free options.
Enjoyed discovering five of the best cafes in Cornwall? Check out these must-visit foodie cafes across the South West.
We choose the companies included in our 5 of the best features based on editorial integrity. Occasionally, some inclusions will be handpicked from clients with whom we have a commercial relationship.
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