Whether you live in Cornwall or you are just visiting, you have the opportunity to experience some truly amazing cuisine. There are many wonderful Cornwall restaurants, making the most of the glorious abundance of the region, preparing dishes made with fresh seafood and locally sourced produce.
At the Old Quay House Hotel, our restaurant provides a culinary experience Cornwall visitors and locals alike have come to appreciate as one of the best in the region. Here, we offer exclusive kitchen insights into the mind of our head chef, the methods of our kitchen team, and some of the signature dishes Old Quay House is proud to offer our guests.
What Makes Our Restaurant the Finest Dining Experience in Fowey?
It all starts with our absolutely perfect location. The Old Quay House Hotel is perched dramatically above the water, looking out over the estuary. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and spectacular views of the beautiful estuary, particularly from the outdoor seating on our lovely, waterside terrace- one of the few such venues in Fowey. The ambiance is not stuffy, but fun and exciting, to match the contemporary, creative menu, which turns any outdated notion of uninspired British food on its head.
Our professional, friendly front of house team, together with Head Chef Richard Massey and his incredibly talented kitchen brigade, work their magic to make our guests’ experience unforgettable. Of course, the most important aspect of any restaurant is the food, and our food is spectacular. Only the highest quality seafood, West Country meat, Cornish cheeses, and fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced produce make it onto our menu, and the flavour of each ingredient is enhanced with simple but effective cooking techniques.
When you share a meal with us, the ingredients and flavours speak for themselves, and nothing is overcomplicated or fussy, just mouth-wateringly fresh and delicious. Like every other element of the Old Quay House Hotel, our restaurant is designed to offer you simple elegance and comfortable luxury, in an intimate setting where you can relax and enjoy yourself.
Meet Our Chef
Head Chef Richard Massey is a true professional, having worked in restaurants for many years and honed his culinary skills in some of Scotland’s best Michelin starred establishments.
Since 2016, he has made his home in Fowey, and we are so delighted that he found his way to us.
He describes his style as modern British, taking classic dishes and giving them a modern twist, always using fresh, high quality ingredients.
Join Us for Dinner
Our menu will shift, as seasonal availability changes, but you can rest assured that it will always be delicious, and we will always meet our guests’ needs by offering gluten-free and meatless options. A sample dinner menu might include:
- An Appetiser: Fresh quay bread and salted Cornish butter, meant to whet your appetite with a taste of things to come.
- Starters: Begin your meal with flavourful small dishes, designed to tempt a variety of taste buds. Would you enjoy Cornish Red Gurnard, in a shellfish bisque of mussels and squash, or a Smoked Ham Hock Terrine, with burnt apricot and carrot? Perhaps Smoked Haddock and Leek, with wholegrain mustard and sourdough is more to your liking, or you would prefer to forego meat and fish in favour of Curried Cauliflower with crispy onion and raisins. Whatever you are in the mood to eat, we have dishes to please your palate.
- Mains: Our main dishes might include Spiced Crown Prince Risotto, with crispy sage and tempura broccoli, Cornish Cod with parsnip, crispy kale, hazelnut, and shimeji, Kilhallon Braised Beef Blade, with roast garlic mash and shallot, and Roast Hake, with crown prince squash, chorizo, and brown shrimp. Whatever our creative menu holds, you can be assured that there will be gluten-free and meatless options that are just as delicious.
- Specials: day caught 1/2 lobsters.
- Sides: Varying depending on which fresh local produce is in season, our sides include options like Hand Cut Chips, Spiced Red Cabbage, Buttered New Potatoes, and Cauliflower Cheese.
- Desserts: You will have your choice between tantalizing sweet treats like Dark Chocolate Delice with poached plum and peanut, Caramel Cream with pear and almond, or a selection of local Cornish Cheeses, served with gluten free crackers, chutney, grapes, and apple.
Sundays are Special
Did you know that the tradition of Sunday Roast most likely got its start in the 15th century, when King Henry the VII held the throne and England was a Roman Catholic nation? Catholicism meant people ritually abstained from eating meat on Fridays, and when the fast broke on Sunday, they celebrated by indulging in meat. This beloved custom solidified into permanence in the 19th century, when meat and fuel became affordable. At The Old Quay House, we honour the tradition, with our chefs preparing a Cornish Sunday Roast of the Day, complemented by a selection of seasonal accompaniments. Join us for two courses, resembling this sample menu:
- Red Wine Braised Kilhallon Farm Beef Blade OR Poached and Roast Cornfed Chicken OR Winter Nut Roast
- Served with Roast Potatoes, Cauliflower Cheese, Red Cabbage, Parsnip, Carrots, Bread Sauce, Buttered Kale, Yorkshire Pudding, Red Wine Gravy
- Followed by something sweet like Sticky Toffee Pudding with butterscotch sauce and clotted cream ice cream OR Warm Apple and Plum Crumble with vanilla custard.
Have a Drink with Us
Our drink menu is extensive, featuring fine wines from all over the globe, including red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. We also offer beers and ciders, and spirits that include gin, whiskey and bourbon, vodka, and rum. Liqueurs, sherry, port, and vermouth, cognac, and dessert wines round out our alcoholic beverage menu. We also provide an array of soft drinks and juices, as well as hot beverages that include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and specialty coffees.
Let Us Host Your Special Event
When you need an intimate space for your exclusive use, you will find versatility and tranquillity at The Old Quay House Restaurant. Our space is perfect for a wide range of events and functions, and we are happy to assist you at every step along the way, no matter what your event involves. Do you dream of a romantic Cornwall wedding, in a dreamy spot with a gorgeous view?
The Old Quay House is an amazing option and offers a peaceful setting for your big day, with the Fowey Estuary as your breathtaking backdrop. It is a luxe yet intimate venue, and we can even offer stylish accommodations for up to 26 guests in our 13 bedrooms. Do you need space for a private dinner connected to a special event? We can accommodate you, whether it is a private party, social or charity event, funeral tea, club dinner of luncheon, naming ceremony or Christening, family gathering, company function, engagement party, or any other gathering you can imagine!
Maybe all you need is a relaxed atmosphere in which to conduct an important meeting. We have the space you need. And because we know that no two events are the same, we provide bespoke service, helping you create something truly memorable and meaningful.
A Boutique Hotel with Spectacular Dining
If you are visiting Cornwall, The Old Quay House Hotel is not only the perfect Cornwall dining destination, but also a wonderful place to stay. Nestled in the heart of Fowey, this riverside boutique hotel offers a modern-day bolthole away from life’s stresses and chores. Stay in one of our 13 luxurious bedrooms and you will enjoy not only big comfy beds and every amenity you need for a decadent stay, but also al la carte menus and exquisite estuary views.
Our location is perfect for exploring the quaint, bustling, seaside town of Fowey, enjoying its cafes, boutiques, and galleries, and our restaurant is one of most popular in the area. There, you will enjoy relaxed fine dining, with delectable menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon high tea, and dinner, in a gorgeous setting, where you can watch life on the estuary unfold from your vantage point on the terrace. In a town set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we strive to provide each of our guests with a unique experience.
Once a refuge for sailors, The Old Quay House is deeply connected to the area’s history, and the character of each bedroom is meticulously crafted to tell its own story, in keeping with that rich tradition.
In our Victorian building, you will find friendly staff ready to make your stay comfortable and memorable, and while we cannot accommodate children under the age of 8, we welcome well-behaved, friendly dogs (dependant on availability of dog friendly rooms). For more information about our accommodation, special offers, or our spectacular restaurant, call +44 0172 683 3302, email info@theoldquayhouse.com, or contact us through our website.
