What to eat when you visit Cornwall
FoodCornwall is famous for many things, beautiful scenery, stunning landscapes, brilliant beaches and of course, wonderful food. For those that visit the shores of Kernow, there are a plethora of delicious foods that you can try to offer you a traditional and authentic Cornish experience. This article looks at some of the very best foods to try whilst exploring Cornwall on a wellness break at St Michaels Resort. With quotes and recommendations from Cornish locals and those who have visited the area, let’s tuck into some of the best foodie options.
What to eat when you visit Cornwall:
· Cornish pasty
· Cream tea
· Saffron cake
· Crab sandwich
· Oysters and mussels
You can’t visit Cornwall without trying a Cornish pasty! The true foodie gem of Cornwall and known across the country as the food of the true Cornish. This meat and potato-filled pastry pocket is a wonder and should always be tried warm for an authentic experience. Trying a Cornish pasty is something Elizabeth Dale, blogger and Cornish local at the Cornish Bird Blog highly recommends to anyone visiting the area:
“If there is one particular topic that Cornish people can get really passionate about and debate for hours, it is where to find the best pasty. So, for anyone visiting Cornwall hunting down some of the smaller family-run bakeries, such as Gear Farm Bakery near Manaccan on the Lizard or Pip’s in Penryn and trying what I would consider a ‘real’ homemade pasty is an absolute must.”
Many pasty and bakery shops in Cornwall will also offer a selection of different flavour pasties to suit everyone’s tastes. You will find options like cheese and onion, roast chicken, and lamb, but for those wanting an authentic taste, then beef and potato is the best choice.
A common topic of controversy, the cream tea is a popular food choice in Devon and Cornwall and is one you should definitely try when in the Southwest area. A cream tea is traditionally a pot of tea served with a scone, cream and jam and is the perfect mid-afternoon snack.
Scones are traditionally served sweet with either fruit or plain and are topped with delicious berry jam and Cornish clotted cream. The question is do you put the cream or the jam on first?
Saffron cake or a saffron bun is a traditional Cornish sweet treat and is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. Saffron buns are spiced and contain yeast, dried fruit, and plenty of saffron.
Saffron cake is notorious to Cornwall as it was first introduced and traded in the harbours and markets around many of the Cornish villages and towns. First recorded in the 14th century, saffron was often traded for copper and tin from local mines.
For those looking to seek out this sweet dough will be able to find it in almost every Cornish bakery and should try it alongside a cup of tea or coffee.
Seafood is one of the most common foods in Cornwall due to it being surrounded by wonderful fishing villages and towns, so when visiting the area this is something that needs to be tried. The blog The Wild Flours comments on how delicious Cornish crab can be, saying:
“I still remember the first time I had a crab sandwich, made by my cousin who happens to be married to a Cornish fisherman (another benefit to now living beside the Cornish seaside) It was a very humble, very fresh lunchtime crab sandwich and it was glorious.”
Crab is a delicious and rich seafood and can be served so many ways, from in a sandwich with mayo and salad to in pasta, on a jacket potato or served in a salad. This versatile food is best served freshly caught from the sea that day.
Similarly to crab, mussels and oysters are another food that are commonly served out of Cornish waters and tastes much better when freshly caught. Seafood restaurants like Rick Steins in Padstow offer some of the very best seafood dishes including mouclade of mussels, hot shellfish with parsley and fruits de mer to name just a few.
Oysters and mussels are both commonly found in British waters and are a delicacy that many love. Mussels are traditionally served in a white wine sauce or in past and Oysters can be served with garlic or a squeeze of lemon.
If you’re planning to visit St Michaels Resort soon and want to get a taste of traditional Cornish cuisine, then hopefully this article has given you a little inspiration. For more articles like this, then head to the St Michaels blog.
Eat, drift, feel good
Foodie Spa Days
Delight in delicious ocean-view dining and grab a little Cornish wellness with a healing hydrothermal experience.
Our selection of foodie spa days:
• Relish in bliss with our Twilight Spa Evening including an allocation towards your dinner
• Enjoy a tranquil Saturday afternoon with Afternoon Teatox including afternoon tea
• Experience a revitalising afternoon with our Detox Retox including 2-course Lunch
Find your sanctuary
Coastal Yoga Break
08-11 Jun 25 | 19-22 Sep 25 | 26-29 Sep 25 | 10-13 Nov 25 | From £755 per person
A special group experience with likeminded souls. Explore flexibility and inner wellbeing by the Cornish coast, with the beach a few footsteps away, our award-winning spa available for deep relaxation and our yoga experts ready to guide you through your tailored yoga retreat. Highlights include:
• 3-night stay in our luxury wellness resort
• Daily Cornish breakfast
• Daily guided yoga and meditation sessions
• Dinner on every evening
• 2-hour Hydrothermal Experience
Click below to see your daily itinerary.
Take the plunge
Cornwall Wild Swimming Break
03-06 Oct 2025 | From £809 per person
Invigorate the senses, improve technique and become immersed in the mental and physical benefits of cold water swimming during an unforgettable wild sea swimming retreat at St Michaels.
Your Cornwall Wild Swimming Break inclusions:
• 3-night stay in our luxury wellness resort
• Dinner every night
• Full Cornish breakfast
• Expert sea swim tuition
• Yoga session
• Gyllyngvase SUP experience or St Michaels Spa Hydrothermal Experience
• Complimentary Health Club swim & gym access
February 24
Cornish Cocktail Experience
Fully Booked
Create unique flavour combinations with Knightor Winery.
Combine your favourite flavours to create your own signature blend for a unique and delicious cocktail in this hands-on workshop at St Michaels Resort.
Fri 23 Feb 24
18:30 - 20:00
£35pp
Join our waitlist for any cancellations or for next time, email our crew for more information.
Paddle south Cornwall
Cornwall Paddleboarding Break
27 - 30 June 2025 | From £845 per person
3-night paddleboarding break with The Long Paddle at St Michaels Resort
Hop on the board and cast off from one of the UK's best paddleboarding beaches on the Cornwall Paddleboard Break, led by Brendon Prince from The Long Paddle. Discover secret beaches and hidden coves from the comfort of our luxury beachside Cornish wellness resort, then kick back, relax and take in the surroundings.
Included
• 3-night stay in our luxury wellness resort
• Daily guided paddleboarding sessions plus water safety and sea swimming
• Shore-based coaching sessions
• Beach yoga session
• Daily Cornish breakfast
• Dinner every night
• Nourish grill/bbq on one night
• 2-hour Hydrothermal Experience
• Complimentary Swim & gym Health Club access
Learn about water safety and sea swimming basics and work on your technique with Brendon Prince of The Long Paddle, who has paddled every inch of the British coast. Then wander back up to our Falmouth hotel from the beach, dry off, and enjoy everything the resort has to offer: stretch it off with our yoga team, drift in the spa, and tuck into the best of Cornwall's farms, fields and seas in our ocean-facing restaurants.
3 nights of active wellness
Fitness Boost
04-07 July 2025 | From £890 per person
Unleash your full potential at our Fitness Retreat, where physical transformation meets mental empowerment. Set in a stunning natural environment, this retreat is designed to challenge and inspire you through a combination of high-energy workouts, outdoor adventures, and expert coaching. Whether you're looking to build strength, improve endurance, or kickstart a healthier lifestyle, our fitness programs are tailored for all levels. From sunrise yoga sessions to invigorating hikes and strength training, every activity is crafted to boost your performance and well-being. Recharge with nutritious, balanced meals, and connect with a supportive community that shares your passion for health and fitness. Transform your body, elevate your mindset, and return home stronger and more energized than ever!
Highlights include:
• 3-night stay in our luxury wellness resort
• Daily Cornish breakfast
• Daily guided yoga and meditation sessions
• Dinner on every evening
• 2-hour Hydrothermal Experience
Click below to see your daily itinerary.
Expert-Led
The Wim Hof Break
24-27 Apr 2026 (More details coming soon) | From £955 per person
When you think of the Wim Hof method, you might envisage plunging into icy waters. But that is quite literally the tip of the iceberg, there's so much more to learn about your mind and body on our 4-day journey.
Learn how the power of breathwork, mindfulness and cold water endurance combine to bring about a lasting, positive change in the way we live our lives, under the expert tutelage of Level 2 Wim Hof instructor Cat Paterson.
Your break includes:
• A 3-night stay in a Classic King/Twin Room
• Daily Cornish breakfast
• Introduction to the Wim Hof method
• Wild swimming and ice-cold plunge
• Dinner every night
• 2-hour Hydrothermal Experience on two occasions
• Yoga, breathwork and meditation
September 2024
Energising Arm Balancing and Breathwork Yoga Workshop
A morning retreat led by a qualified Yoga Instructor. Reset and rebalance with a grounding meditation, calming breathwork and an energising yoga flow.
28 Sep
09:00 - 11:00
Health Club Members £14 / Non Members £20
Multiple Dates in 2024
Candle-Lit Therapeutic Yoga & Yoga Nidra
A guided session exploring yoga and new practices by candlelight in this relaxing and unique workshop. Expert yogi Ruth Sandall will lead you through the flow as you focus on your body and movements for two hours of internalised care and concentration.
28 Jan 24
17:00 - 19:00
Health Club Members £20pp / Non Members £25pp
February 25
Yoga For Hips & Lower Back
A yoga session focusing on mobility and flexibility in the hips and lower back, Lauren Bloxham will guide you through a series of moves designed to decrease discomfort, allowing you to practice yoga with ease.
01 Feb 25
10:00 - 12:00
April 2024
Yoga For Cancer
Allow yourself to release control and follow an expert-led yoga practice for a day of well-deserved wellness.
Yogi Lauren Bloxham will lead you through therapeutic and somatic yoga movements, alongside useful anxiety management techniques and a nutritious lunch.
20 Apr 24
10:00 - 16:00
£85
July 2024
Room To Move, Space To Breathe
Explore the beautiful mechanisms of breathing and learn how to shift and optimise breathing patterns for emotional and physical wellbeing in this helpful wellness workshop.
12 Jul 24
16:00 - 18:30
6-Week Somatics Course
Focus on your experience with a series of somatic movements, learning about your body and how it moves as you go.
March 2025
3-Night Holistic Rebalance
28-31 Mar | From £775 per person
Embark on a journey of total well-being, where mind, body, and spirit unite in harmony. Set in the serene, nature-infused sanctuary of St Michaels, this retreat offers a nurturing space for deep relaxation and personal transformation. Through a blend of yoga, meditation, sound healing, and nutritious meals, you'll experience a holistic approach to rejuvenation. Whether you're looking to restore balance, release stress, or elevate your spiritual practice, our expert facilitators provide personalized guidance tailored to your unique needs. Step into a peaceful, supportive environment and leave feeling refreshed, renewed, and deeply connected to yourself and the world around you.
Highlights include:
• Sumptuous coastal accommodation, moments from our sandy Gylly beach
• Daily guided classes (mindfulness, sound bathing, creative writing, foraging, yoga)
• 2-hour Hydrothermal Experience and spa access
• Complimentary Health Club gym & swim
• Dinner on every evening
July 2024
Feel Good 5
Enjoy a 5-day excursion focusing on your health with nurturing movement, activities and time spent taking in the beauty of the coast.
You can expect to experience early morning stretching on the sands of the nearby beaches, strength sessions, coastal runs and yoga practices.
August 2024
Poretti Long Table Dining Experience
Enjoy our subtropical gardens during this unique Poretti Long Table Dining Experience.
02 Aug 24
12:30
£30 per person
September 2025
3-Night Wild Being Escape
New Dates Coming Soon | From £815 per person
Step into the untamed beauty of nature with our Wild Being Break, a transformative experience designed to reconnect you with your primal essence. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, this retreat invites you to disconnect from modern distractions and immerse yourself in the healing rhythms of the wilderness. Through mindful practices you’ll not only rejuvenate your body and mind but also rediscover your innate connection to the Earth. Whether you seek adventure, reflection, or personal growth, St Michaels offers a sanctuary where you can embrace your wild side, find inner balance, and leave feeling recharged by the raw power of nature.
Highlights include:
• Sumptuous coastal accommodation, moments from our sandy Gylly beach
• Daily guided classes and workshops
• 2-hour Hydrothermal Experience and spa access
• Complimentary Health Club gym & swim
• Dinner on every evening