Looe has many restaurants, pubs, cafes and eateries to choose from. Even though most sell local fish, you can eat worldwide cuisine, including authentic Thai food, Italian dishes and Mexican. Here are the best places to eat in Looe.
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For such a small village you will experience excellent local food. The quality is outstanding. Whether you’re nearby or visiting, you’ll have difficulty deciding where to eat, drink and relax. From decent pub grub to fine dining. There are plenty of dog friendly places to eat in Looe, too; I have highlighted these for you.
Top Tip – It can be tricky to get a meal in a restaurant unless you book ahead, especially in peak season. The pubs only take walk-ins. There may also be a queue for takeaway.
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Restaurants in East Looe Cornwall
Coddy Shack
Are you even by the seaside if you don’t have fish and chips? The Coddy Shack is an award-winning restaurant and live music venue. Alongside the traditional offering, there’s Cornish produce, including seared scallops and local mussels. The fish is sourced directly from the boats coming into Looe Harbour.
🐾 Dog-friendly
La Bocca
La Bocca is Looe’s traditional Italian restaurant, found on Market Street, near the beach. It specialises in wood-fired pizzas, hand-stretched to order. There are also starters, pasta dishes, sides and desserts.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Papa Nino
Another Italian is Papa Nino on Higher Market Street. Where you can feast on classic pasta dishes like lasagne, spaghetti Bolognese, carbonara, fettuccine alfredo and cannelloni. Fresh fish and seafood dishes, including lobster thermidor and Dover sole, are also popular.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Pepe’s Tex Mex Kitchen
Visiting off-season, little was open, so we tried Pepe’s Tex Mex Kitchen on Higher Market Street. What a pleasant surprise! I had a fantastic meal here. The small restaurant specialises in Mexican cuisine, including fajitas, chilli, burritos, spicy crab cakes and nachos.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Fisherman’s Arms
The 600-year-old Cornish pub has a great beer garden for the summer and welcoming open fire in the colder months. The Fisherman’s Arms is on Higher Market Street, opposite the Olde Museum and Gaol. On the weekends there is traditional live music. Expect traditional pub food on the menu and roasts on Sunday.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Ocean and Earth Thai Restaurant
The Ocean and Earth Restaurant on Higher Market Street serves authentic Thai food. The extensive menu has all the favourites, such as prawn crackers, spring rolls, Pad Thai, chicken satay, Thai fish cakes, and red or green curry.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Garrison
The Garrison is the pub from the TV show Peaky Blinders. The themed bar is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and evening dinner. It’s one of the alternative places to eat in Looe but with great food. Starters include prawn cocktail, pate and garlic mushrooms. Main meals include steaks and grills, chicken and fish dishes, and a small vegetarian selection.
🐾 Dog-friendly
My last visit was in May 2023; The Garrison was closed but under renovation. Another bar or restaurant will be here in the coming months.
Smugglers Cott
Another of the older buildings in Looe is the Smugglers Cott, built on the famous backstreets in 1420. Found on Middle Market Street, it has served food for over 50 years, specialising in local seafood and prime steaks. It’s also popular for Sunday lunch.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Peking Garden
Peking Garden is a popular Chinese restaurant on Fore Street. It uses locally caught fish, local farm vegetables and local quality meat alongside traditional Chinese ingredients. You can get your favourite dishes like sweet and sour, chow mein, and fried rice or try one of the set menus.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Golden Guinea
In the heart of the town centre on Fore Street is The Golden Guinea, one of the best pubs in Looe serving food. It is an old fisherman’s cottage that dates back 400 years and still has many original features. The menu includes sandwiches, jacket potatoes, burgers and pub classics.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Viceroy Indian Restaurant
The Viceroy Restaurant is on Fore Street, just yards from the Quayside Car Park. They are known for their tandoori grills and Balti dishes, as well as for serving huge portions. You can expect an extensive menu, fast service and excellent value wine.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Ye Olde Salutation Inn
You can’t beat a pub for cheap places to eat in Looe. The Ye Olde Salutation Inn on Fore Street serves delicious freshly made food and large portions. You can expect fish and chips, lamb hotpot, cottage pie, vegetable lasagne or a roast dinner on Sunday. There’s a crackling log fire in the winter, and if you visit in December, the decorations are out of this world.
🐾 Dog-friendly
The Ship Inn
The Ship Inn is located on Fore Street, the very heart of bustling East Looe. A wide range of popular dishes are served at lunch and during the evenings. You could start with a prawn cocktail, nachos or mozzarella sticks, followed by a burger, sausage and mash, scampi, gammon or hunter’s chicken. There’s also regular live music.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Kelly’s of Looe
Kelly’s on Fore Street is a family-run fish and chip restaurant and takeaway on Fore Street. Your chippie tea favourites, cod, haddock, scampi and fishcakes, are on the menu. Chips are available in small, medium or large, and you can add cheese, gravy, mushy peas or curry sauce.
🐾 The tables and chairs outside are dog-friendly
The Black Swan
If you’re looking for places to eat in Looe and a fabulous traditional pub, The Black Swan on Fore Street offers classics such as hunters chicken, curries, burgers and pies. If you’re gluten-free, these options are clearly marked on the menu. It’s also an ideal place for a drink while on holiday.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Fleur Café
Fleur Cafe, on Fore Street, is a traditional café serving hot and cold snacks, breakfasts and cakes. There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options too. If you love quiche, I highly recommend trying them here – they’re all homemade. Perhaps with a cream tea or teacake?
🐾 Dog-friendly
The Courtyard Cafe
At The Courtyard on Fore Street, enjoy a drink and a slice of cake away from the hustle and bustle of the main street. The fish dishes are always highly credited here, including fish and chips, fish finger sandwiches, mussels and seafood chowder. The club sandwich is also pretty epic. There are many vegan choices, including a beetroot falafel wrap, Mediterranean tartlet, sandwiches and soups.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Ben’s Plaice
The takeaway on Barbican Parade offers traditional fish and chips and all the sides like baked beans, mushy peas and gravy. As well as dirty fries, onion rings and a pea fritter. There are also loaded burgers and basket meals at Ben’s Plaice.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Ocean Dragon
If you want a Chinese takeaway, Chinese Dragon on Barbican Parade and the corner of Pendennis Road serving the classics. Alongside Kung Po and Szechuan dishes, there’s roast duck, satay, sweet and sour and Cantonese dishes. You’re bound to find something you like.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Sandwich Bar
My first stop when visiting Looe is The Sandwich Bar on Quay Street for a fresh crab sandwich. Don’t panic if you don’t like fish; other sandwich fillings are available. All are freshly made to order on white or brown bread (which could be better quality, but it’s not the end of the world). There are no tables and chairs, it is takeaway only, but you can find a seat nearby or walk along the harbour and eat it on the beach.
Proper Smashed
The brand-new restaurant, Proper Smashed, opened at the end of April 2023. It serves Cornish artisan burgers and dirty fries on Quay Street.
🐾 To be confirmed
The Fish Market
If you’re looking for quality fish restaurants in Looe, then The Fish Market Bar & Restaurant should be on your list. The menu offers small plates, tapas-style plates, mains, and sharing platters. The menu can be paired with a large selection of wines, cold beers and ciders. As it’s on The Quay, the restaurant has uninterrupted river views.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Bullers Arms
The Bullers Arms, on Buller Street, is well known for its party atmosphere hosting live music and having DJs on the weekend. The traditional Cornish pub has Cornish ales behind the bar and traditional dishes on the menu.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Chennai
If you love spicy food, the Indian fusion restaurant, Chennai, serves traditional dishes like tikka masala, jalfrezi, korma, madras and vindaloo. There’s also a mixed seafood bhuna, a tandoori mixed grill and special house curries. Find it on Buller Street.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Old Sail Loft
I eat in The Old Sail Loft each time I visit. It’s one of my favourite places to eat in Looe. Found on The Quay, near the fish market, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Looe. From steak to fish platters or even a vegan risotto, if you want a sumptuous meal, this is the perfect place for a special occasion.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Old Boat House
Near the beach on Quay Street, The Old Boat House is the perfect spot for lunch. With luxury coffee, cakes, paninis, sandwiches and ice cream. It can be challenging to get a seat outside in the summer, as it is a popular spot.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Restaurants in West Looe
The Sardine Factory
On Quay Road is The Sardine Factory, a Michelin fine dining experience. The restaurant overlooks the harbour, and the menu reflects the ethos of Looe with a passion for local seasonal produce with an abundance of sustainable fish dishes. There are also nibbles, small plates and decadent desserts.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
The Jolly Sailor Inn
The family-run pub is one of the oldest in the UK, established in 1516. It is renowned for being a smuggler’s haven back in the day. The Jolly Sailor Inn is one of the best family restaurants in Looe, with a lunchtime and evening menu. If you want a special offer, there are pizza nights, curry nights, and steak evenings too.
🐾 Dog-friendly
The Harbour Moon
Situated on the quayside, The Harbour Moon has front-row seats that look across the harbour. It serves quality pub food and real ales. You could expect a fish pie, ribeye steak, bean chilli, sausage and mash or mac and cheese on the menu.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Tasty Corner
The Tasty Corner café in West Looe serves all-day breakfasts and local seafood. The ingredients are quality, and the food always comes piping hot. The homemade cakes are the real highlight. Each day there’s something different, from carrot cake to gluten-free brownies or lemon drizzle to giant scones.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Portbyhan Hotel Restaurant
The Portside Brasserie and Terrace is an excellent place to enjoy a drink or eat fresh local Cornish food. The a-la-carte menu is available throughout the day. As it is seasonal, it changes regularly, but you could expect to see seabass, pan-fried chicken, burgers, cottage pie and battered fish and chips. A separate children’s menu is available.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Raffles Brasserie and Bar
Another of the places to eat in Looe is Raffles Bisto at Hannafore Point Hotel and Spa. From the bar and terrace, there are impressive views. There’s soup and starters and sandwiches. On the main menu, you could dig into whole tail scampi, a panko chicken burger, clam and sweetcorn chowder or a classic ploughman’s.
🐾 Dog-friendly
The Sea Kitchen
The Sea Kitchen on Marine Drive is a relaxed restaurant with incredible sea views. It specialises in fresh local fish and shellfish, alongside great steaks, other meat dishes and vegetarian options. The restaurant is open seasonally from April to October but does open for special occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
🐾 The covered outdoor seating is dog-friendly
Other Restaurants in Looe
Talland Bay Hotel
One of the best Looe restaurants with a view is Talland Bay. With seasonal local ingredients, the team source proper Cornish produce, including fresh seafood off the boat, quality meats and West Country dairy products. You can indulge with an afternoon tea, lunch, dinner or a Sunday roast.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Barbican Inn
The Barbican is a brilliant country pub with a log fire, dart board, pool table and Sky sports. Food is served from Thursday to Sunday. Think sandwiches, jacket potatoes, basket meals and homemade classics like steak and ale pie, lasagne, chilli, gammon and steaks. Plus, a children’s menu.
🐾 Dog-friendly
The Globe Inn
The traditional Cornish pub, The Globe Inn, serves home-cooked food daily and a classic Sunday roast at the weekend. Throughout the summer, there are also BBQs on the terrace. There are guest ales and exclusive offerings from Cornish micro-breweries.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Little Barn
Little Barn restaurant is at Great Tree Farm in St Martins. It is a fine-dining British restaurant and steakhouse that also serves quality seafood. There’s a set menu at lunch, which is excellent value at 2 courses for £15, or 3 for £20. The evening menu has starters, main courses, grills, sides and desserts. Throughout the year, there are also tasting menus. If you don’t want food, the terrace has panoramic views of Millendreath Valley and is ideal for a refreshing drink.
UPDATE – Little Barn is temporarily closed due to damage caused by the devastating fire on 2 May 2023.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Looe Golf Club
Lastly, one of the places to eat in Looe is Looe Golf Club. Visitors are welcome, not just golfers. You can enjoy a selection of snacks at the bar or dine in the restaurant serving daily specials and three-course meals. Sunday Lunch is also popular here for £12.95. You can also add on starters and desserts from £3.95.
🐾 Not dog-friendly
Best Restaurants near Looe and Polperro
A 10-minute drive from Looe is the fishing village of Polperro. You will experience excellent local food and fresh fish for such a small village. There are plenty of places to eat in Polperro.
You can’t drive into the village (there is a pay and display car park), meaning you explore on foot. There are also regular buses and local taxi companies (which are dog friendly). For more adventurous people, you can walk along the West Coast Path from Looe and enjoy the incredible sea views. Alongside shops and boat trips, there are many things to do in Polperro.
🐾 The village is incredibly dog friendly, including tourist attractions, pubs and restaurants
Things to do in Looe
The beauty spot has a rich history, fun attractions, activities, beaches and beautiful places to eat. Here fishing boats bob on the water, children test their crab-catching skills on the quayside, and the narrow lanes are packed with quaint local shops and cafes. There are plenty of things to do in Looe that will keep you entertained.
Beyond Paradise
You may recognise Looe as it is where the BBC’s Beyond Paradise is filmed. Shipton Abbot is a fictional town on the Devon coast. However, it is actually Looe in Cornwall. The series follows DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) in the years following their will-they-won’t-they romance in Death in Paradise.
Book a Tour
Embarking on a tour with Viator promises an enriching and hassle-free experience that’s hard to beat. You’re not just booking a tour; it’s an expertly crafted itinerary curated by locals and seasoned travellers, ensuring you uncover the hidden gems and must-see attractions. From walking tours to culinary adventures and everything in between, Viator offers an extensive range of options tailored to diverse interests and budgets.
Places to Stay in Looe
If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book as soon as possible. Prices rise the closer you get to the travel date and are usually displayed per room rather than per person. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.
National Trust Holidays
You can stay in cottages, converted farmhouses and campsites in Looe or Fowey with National Trust Holidays. With countryside views, you’ll have all the facilities and home comforts to hand. Including patio areas or gardens and BBQs to enjoy in warmer weather.
National Trust Promo Code
Get 15% off selected cottages for bookings made and taken by 31 May 2024. Use discount code NTAF.
Cornwall Hideaways
Cornwall Hideaways have a massive selection of luxury holiday homes to make your next staycation perfect. Whether it’s a romantic getaway or a family holiday, there’s plenty to choose from. You’ll be able to find properties with the things on your tick list, including dog-friendly, sea views, walking routes or even a log fire. There are barn conversions, cottages, lofts and manor houses.
Sykes Cottages
Sykes Cottages has over 17,500 holiday cottages to rent across the UK, including in Polperro, Looe and the surrounding areas. There are pet-friendly cottages, large holiday homes and even houses with hot tubs. They’ve been operating for over 30 years, so you know you’re booking is in good hands.
Parkdean Resorts
I have stayed at Looe Bay Holiday Park. You can even walk to Polperro from here; it is all downhill and takes about 60 minutes. I’d recommend booking a taxi to come home to avoid the steep climb. The caravan park and lodges have a children’s play park, indoor swimming pool, tranquil gardens, pub and restaurant. It is a short drive to Polperro.
Plan a Trip with Expedia
Booking a hotel via Expedia is a seamless experience that offers convenience and choice at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide array of cosy boutique hotels to luxurious resorts, tailored to your preferences and budget. Compare prices, read reviews from fellow travellers, and explore amenities, ensuring you find the perfect place to stay for your trip.
Create your Itinerary
Using TripAdvisor when booking a hotel allows you to access a wealth of reviews and ratings from fellow travellers, helping you make an informed decision on where to stay, while also providing recommendations and insights on planning things to do during your trip.
Last Minute Deals
You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price. When booking a hotel, utilising LastMinute enables you to secure fantastic deals on accommodations, ensuring a budget-friendly and spontaneous travel experience.
All of the things to do in Fowey
First things first, Fowey is pronounced Foy, rhyming with joy. I know; I got it wrong too! But now that you know, you can discover everything to do in Fowey. It is a popular spot with holidaymakers, with many tourist attractions, charming narrow lanes, food, drink and nearby beaches.
🐾 Dog-friendly
Things to do in Gunnislake
About 35-minutes from Looe is Gunnislake. It is a picturesque location in the countryside, making it easy to visit many of the local Cornish towns and villages. There are miles of attractions to explore, including Tavistock, Plymouth and Cotehele.
🐾 Dog-friendly
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