One of the best parts about going to uni in Cornwall has been discovering the unique food spots around Falmouth town. Discovering the places that give you comfort and the places that you’ll visit over and over again with your friends.
Hi! I’m Prisha, a third-year Zoology student (who has now graduated!) at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus. Throughout my time here, I have learnt so much, not just in zoology, but also where to find the best food! So, if you want an idea of where to go, look no further…
Falmouth, only a short bus ride from Penryn Campus, is packed with independent cafés, bakeries and restaurants, each with their own personality. There aren’t many chain eateries here so you’re nearly always supporting a local business. Of course, I will still mention that there is a Pizza Express and a Caffe Nero, but I’m here to tell you about all the other wonderful spots I adore.
Leroy’s – for the best smoothies and the friendliest atmosphere
I discovered Leroy’s in my first year, and I’m still returning all the time. It’s one of those cafés that feels so welcoming the moment you step inside. The greenery all over the walls and ceiling make it look like a woodland paradise and with a perfect view of the sea at the back, it’s a wonderful place to escape for a little while.
Everything feels homemade, their toasties are packed with fillings, and the smoothies are fresh and perfect after a sunny walk around town. My favourite has to be the Raspberry and Biscoff flavour smoothie, it never disappoints. If you’ve got your student card, you can even grab a coffee and a pastry for just £5 anytime, a fabulous student deal!
But the best part? The resident dog, Leroy. If you don’t stop for some food, you’ve got to stop by for a Leroy cuddle!
The Chic Pea – the freshest falafel house
This is the place I go when I’m feeling like I want something delicious, quick and healthy at the same time. Here, you can pick however you want your meal to look like, starting from the base, which can be a salad, pitta or mezze style. You then build from there, adding the fillings. There are 3 varieties of falafel – classic, sweet potato and beetroot. And other options such as pulled jackfruit, halloumi and chicken. It’s always nice to try a new combination every time you visit!
My go-to would be a classic falafel salad box – it’s filled with the crispiest falafel, shredded carrot, red cabbage, lettuce, spinach, hummus, peppers, pickles, tahini and basil oil. The veg is sliced into thin slices, making each bite a perfect one. As well as being so tasty, it’s healthy too and starting at just £7, it’s a great portion size. I’m often able to have it for two meals if I’m not too hungry!
The Food Barn – pastries that are worth the ferry
Located between Flushing and Mylor, you’ve got to take the ferry over from Falmouth Pier to go this fantastic food barn. Either that or it’s just a short drive from both Penryn and Falmouth if you’ve got a car. It’s open every Saturday from 9am-1pm and it’s become a bit of a tradition for me, my crew and the rowing club after Saturday morning rowing sessions. With over 20 stalls coming together every week, they offer local and sustainable produce ranging from meats and cheeses to fresh vegetables and preserves.
But the stall I go especially for is Pavillion Bakery. The pastries are some of the best I’ve ever had, I tell everyone I know. Their almond croissants and cinnamon buns are enormous and there’s always a special pastry that changes every week, that’s what I nearly always go for! My friends have also tried their freshly baked focaccia and breads, claiming ‘it was so good, I ate the whole thing in one go’.
Buying food at The Food Barn is definitely more of a treat than an everyday stop, but the quality is incredible and you can really tell everything is freshly made. Plus, it’s such a cosy atmosphere browsing all the stalls, watching the dogs walk by as you eat your pastry on the benches and smelling the coffees being made. I, for one, have had so many great memories here.
The beach cafés – everything tastes better by the sea
- Gylly Beach café: If you’re celebrating something special – a birthday, finishing exams, or your parents are visiting – Gylly Beach Café is always my recommendation. The menu is definitely on the more expensive side compared to other cafés in Falmouth, but the food matches the price. Everything is beautifully presented, tastes wonderful and sitting outside on a sunny evening almost makes you forget you’re in the UK. Even just a pint with some of their crispy chips or a warm hot chocolate makes going here worthwhile, especially after a cold dip in the sea.
- Swanpool Beach Café: This café comes just after a short coastal walk from Gyllyngvase Beach. My favourite thing to get here is one of their quirky ice creams. There are so many fun options to try, they all come with so many toppings, it’s hard to choose just one! They also serve tasty ciabattas, baps and jacket potatoes, so you can stay at the beach all day long.
- Maenporth Beach Café: If you carry on a little further along the coast path, you reach the beach café at Maenporth. The best memory I’ve had here was on Valentine’s Day last year, when me and a couple friends went for a swim in the freezing winter cold sea and came out shivering. There was no option but to each get a hot chocolate, topped with a generous swirl of cream and choccy toppings! They also always have the best homemade baked goods on offer, it’s so hard to resist. This café is more tucked away than the beaches closer to town, which makes it feel like a hidden gem and a lovely place to escape the busier parts of Falmouth for a few hours.
Fives Cyderhouse – the best doughballs I’ve ever eaten
Fives Cyderhouse is brilliant if you’re looking for somewhere to eat with a group. The massive beer garden at the back provides room for crowds of people. It’s become a bit of a tradition that whenever my family or friends come to visit, I take them here, because their cheesy doughballs are HEAVENLY. Genuinely something I will truly miss now that I’ve finished uni. So, if I had to give any recommendations for eating here, it would be to get their cheesy doughballs. It’s a whole pizza’s worth of dough, smothered in fresh garlic and rosemary butter, chives, herby breadcrumbs and served with a tomato relish. It’s making my mouth water just thinking about it. Plus, their pizzas are pretty amazing too, they have a deal on Mondays and Tuesdays where all pizzas on the menu are just £12.50! They make it vegan too, if you ask.
I wish I could stay longer…
After three years in Falmouth, I still haven’t made it to every café or restaurant on my list, even though I was so confident I would as there’s only one high street to work through! Turns out there’s an endless selection so I can always try something new if I want to.
Whether it’s celebrating the end of exams or stopping for ice cream for after a long walk, there are food spots for every moment. All unique, all delicious, and all within a short distance from wherever you are. So, if you’re coming to study here, I’d definitely recommend making your way through my suggested spots. And you never know, you might just find your own new favourite spot too.