The Cornish Arms — Restaurant in England

An excellent choice for traditional terrible British service and very ordinary food. If you shop at Iceland you will love it here. We ordered a selection of starters and mains. The sharing platter was a smorgasbord of deep fried kids party food but without the hats. The onion bhaji was soggier and oilier than the Sea lion we saw in the harbour. The rest of the food was basic, possibly defrosted, and the mash was smashed. It was so bad our dogs wouldn’t eat the bits off the floor. The positive reviews are presumably left by friends of the pub they met at the St Ives Bingo hall. If you want any advice from the staff keep it to asking for a tip at the races, anything but the food. Peas on the side? No way. You’ll have to scrape them off the plate yourself. Fair enough. The only Gastro thing about this pub is the enteritis that may possibly follow shortly afterwards. Enjoy an after meal game of pool? Forget it if you’re not an enthusiastic potential member of weight watchers and not a personal friend of the pub. You’ll never get on. But apart from that it was a cracking night out and...

We have been to St Ives several times and driven, and even walked. past. Something didn't 'grab us' to go in. However, one Sunday in October, we really wanted a roast for dinner. Strange times, as the area can't get staff, and so our initial ideas had limited space/fully booked, or didn't serve roast after ~5pm. The Cornish Arms only serve roast on a Sunday, with two sittings, the last taking orders until 19:30 ... perfect. Not sureI would really call it a gastro pub. The breaded mushrooms were quite solid and couldn't be cut with a knife (but if a problem, as the inside can be scalding hot). That said, the beef was very good. One of the best I have had, but not quite the gastro standard I have had elsewhere. My wife said the Turkey was a bit dry, but I tried some and thought it was fine ... nature of the .. bird. Good portions and very tasty, also good selection of beers and gins. Definitely come back on...

If its the almost genuine Fawlty Towers experience your after, then your in for an absolute treat, and look no further!! From the moment you walk through the door you will be met with snarling surly derision, and remember, the customer is always WRONG!!! Relax or be on edge in the miserable atmosphere. Thrill at the time it takes to get your food, around an hour is quite normal. Dive into the tepid / cold quisine, and enjoy the barrage of obnoxious abuse when complaining, the Landlord does an almost excellent Basil Fawlty impression, saying that they have had plenty of compliments of their service and food only that evening!!! So, to sum up, if you want that Fawlty Towers experience, then this place is an ABSOLUTE MUST ...... if however, you prefer polite professional customer service, and superb food that does not take over an hour to arrive, then I'd strongly suggest you AVOID this place at...