Inn On The Shore — Restaurant in England

An impromptu visit to Downderry's "The Inn on the Shore" while on a Cornish touring holiday was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Externally, it looks like a decent establishment: a veranda overlooks the sea and the bar looks well stocked. Asking for a table for two, we were told they could fit us in. We were sat in an enclosed, indoor area with another two people on another table and several other empty tables, all labelled as reserved. With the sun way past the yard-arm we settled down to enjoy a drink and I asked what dark, Cornish beers were available. The response: a sneered listing of the beers on offer without explanation, should have warned of what was to come. The drinks alone took 20 minutes to arrive during which time we placed the order for starters (both cold) and main-courses (both a variation on fish and chips). During the wait for drinks and food, with time to notice such things, the tired surroundings, sticky tables, failed double-glazing with steamed up panes and increasingly vocal grumbles from the adjacent diners, deepened the sense of foreboding. Finally, one of our fellow customers had had enough and went to complain. They had been waiting an hour for their starters. By this point we'd been waiting 30 minutes for our starters. Eventually, someone came to explain to the other diners that the kitchens were experiencing a rush and that their food was being plated up. Approximately 20 minutes later it arrived. When I finally received my prawn and crayfish cocktail, it was adequate (definitely not worth the close to £7 price-tag) and the accompanying unwashed salad accompanying it was unforgivable. A complaint to the waitress clearly fell on deaf ears as - when the main course finally arrived, the salad that came with that was also unwashed. Not only that, a butter knife had been used to cut it (the tomatoes in the salad were smeared with it), the "large" fish I ordered was approximately the size of three fish-fingers, my companion's fish was over-cooked and very dry and his portion of buttered new potatoes was minuscule. The quality of the service was awful throughout. We complained four times over delays and at no time did anyone have the courtesy to come and address our concerns. Most definitely not worth the money. Fortunately, given the nature of our holiday we'll never have the need to eat in this establishment again. A tired venue which is way past its best with indifferent staff who think that they don't have to really bother, especially if the faces before them aren't regulars. My recommendation to other potential visitors: avoid, keep your hard-earned money for an establishment that can...

Came here for a meal whilst in the area with my partner to celebrate our five year anniversary. Restaurant looked really nice, good view (whilst it was still light outside at least), and our first waitress was really friendly and was happy to answer any questions.

First disappointment was finding that half the drinks menu was incorrect. Menu showed a decent variety of alcohol free drinks, (I’m tee total and my partner was driving), just to be told that’s incorrect and that the bar now only stocks one alcohol free beer. Ended up ordering some soft drinks instead.

Food came out, and it was quite underwhelming. Needed a lot of seasoning. My mash tasted like cheap supermarket microwave mash, my steak and ale pie was okay but nothing overly special. Veg was quite bland and not a lot of variety, was 90% cabbage with a carrot, piece of broccoli and a few slices of leek buried in. Partners pasta was quite plain as well. The dessert was much nicer, I must say.

We finished our drinks, a waiter came over and asked if we wanted anything else. We said no thank you, just the bill. We were sat directly in front of the hosts stand, and the only ones in this section. Several times he went back to the stand, looked directly at us, and then wandered off again. After almost 30 minutes of waiting, we then went up to the host stand to pay after seeing another couple do the same. No apology or acknowledgment that we had been forgotten about.

I went to the bathroom whilst my partner was paying. Walking back to the car I asked what the bill came to and was quite shocked at how high it was given we’d had two of the £19ish set menu meals, and two soft drinks each. Partner went back in to query this, to be told it was a mistake and they hadn’t applied the discount for the meals on the tills. Highly recommend checking your bill over before paying, we had to be refunded to then pay again.

We were going to come back the next day for breakfast, but after the poor service we decided not to. We were in the restaurant for around 2.5hrs - a very long time for a two course meal for two people. Other people who came in after us and had two courses had paid and left way before us.

Definitely will not be returning or...

Ok 5/5/2025 we went back as the location is prefect. the service by a young new girl was excellent, so friendly and welcoming thank you. You made the evening for us. The food was so much improved, my partners meal was excellent. Mine was very good apart from the chips, that seemed to be not that great oven chips, I’d change them, not all of them cooked that well (a shame) a let down as it’s a main ingredient of fish & chips. Maybe it was a one off. We really enjoyed the evening. Thanks

We skipped mentioning allergy as our experience pretty much everywhere in Cornwall has been the same if it’s not mentioned on the menu they aren’t going to be proactive in dealing with your request, so we try to pick what we think we will be ok with.

Allergy sufferers in the UK are increasingly common, with over 20% of the population affected by at least one allergic disorder So most think on this menu could easily be gluten free, egg free, lactose free, nut free. If you like information of how, I’d be happy to provide it. But I have to say it’s a lot better than previously.

Was one star in 2023 Great location. Beautiful views. They seem to not have food on a lot in the day. What ever it’s takings are I could double. Update 2023. So it’s still not improving, if you can any get staff to help you, good luck, if they know anything I’ll be amazed, you will end up talking to a limited chef, that basically can’t offer alternative’s for allergy surfers other than don’t eat anything on the menu with wheat, or lots of other things that might have wheat, including the chips as it’s the same fryers. I have allergy to eggs my partner is celiac so no wheat, so basically eating would be a risk as I’d say they have no clue what’s contaminated, my son’s a head chef and I cook, it’s easy, annoying at times but easy to offer alternatives that are good, not just saying I can do the chicken without the breadcrumbs etc. Wake up it’s 2023 you need to start catering for the customer, lactose free, wheat free, egg free, nut free, it’s basic. Like vegan or vegetarian etc. If you can’t do it You shouldn’t be...