The Three Pilchards — Restaurant in England

What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said many times before? It is an absolute gem, tucked quietly away on the quayside of Polperro Harbour and soaked in history that literally seeps from every pore! The wooden beamed walls and ceiling hark back to a time when ship building and the construction of houses and businesses went hand in glove. Some tasteful decorative changes have been made, but so much of this pub speaks of it's heritage and the past. The staff of The Three Pilchards could not have been more friendly, or welcoming. Matt, Fiona, Sen and Emily are total naturals when it comes to breaking down that divide between customer and host, so that you're quickly left feeling like a friend. And I know this isn't done out of some act to encourage you to spend money, these are just genuinely nice people, who want their customers to have the best time. The Three Pilchards runs a table service for food AND drink. I'm not sure if this is a leftover from the pandemic, but I wasn't complaining when I could just wave my empty glass to the ever vigilant Sen, or lovely Emily and another pint of Cornwall's finest would appear at my table, delivered by the ever friendly Fiona, or the leading man, Matt, who also will not let your dog go unnoticed, if you have one!! Of course, if the weather is fine, there is also the beer garden, unfortunately not accessible by all, due to extremely steep steps at the rear of the bar, that lead up to the terraced garden, with fantastic views out over the harbour to enjoy while you sip your chosen drink. The beer garden also has a dedicated bar and will take food orders from a reduced menu for dining al fresco!! Drinks on offer include real ales and locally brewed IPA's, a good selection of lagers, if you drink such things, wine and cocktails, plus all the usual spirits and mixers!! You can even buy Three Pilchards merch if the mood takes you and there's a good selection available, from sports bags and hats, to t-shirts and hoodies. Now the food!! Two words - "NEXT LEVEL!" And I'm talking about everything, from the gargantuan fish n chips, (which is so fresh you can taste the sea and so huge, it's served on a plate the size of a small country!!), to the Steak and Ale Pie, with piped mashed potato topping, to the deliciously crunchy Chicken Tenders, coated (I think) in spiced penko crumb and served with the most ridiculously awesome red onion and sweet chilli, house pickle!! I could go on and on about every dish, but some things need to be a journey of self discovery. The dishes that Sam and Ian, the chefs hidden away upstairs, send down, freshly prepared to order, are quite simply, outstanding!! I'm not sure what's going on in that kitchen, but I think it involves a degree of some ancient Cornish magic!! This is just a wonderful place and somewhere I can't wait to return to. For every reason imaginable, The Three Pilchards at Polperro is HIGHLY...

A Must-Visit in Polperro: The Three Pilchards

Polperro is known for its charming seaside setting and abundance of eateries, but The Three Pilchards truly stands out, particularly in the area of warm hospitality. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted with a genuine welcome and promptly guided on where to sit and when someone would be with us. It’s little touches like this that immediately make you feel at ease. The atmosphere is steeped in character, reminiscent of a time long past. Unlike some places that seem to dress up for the tourist trade, The Three Pilchards feels authentic, with its old-world charm and coastal pub vibe creating a wonderful backdrop for our visit.

After a long walk along the coastal path from Looe to Polperro, the locally brewed Offshore beer was a much-needed refreshment. It was crisp, light, and utterly refreshing—the perfect way to relax after taking in the breath-taking views along the trail.

The food? Simply superb. I opted for the Stilton & Bacon Burger, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Juicy, packed with flavour, and cooked to perfection, it was exactly what I needed to recharge. The balance of the rich Stilton with the smoky bacon was spot-on, making every bite a real treat.

What makes The Three Pilchards even more special is the attentive and friendly staff. They were always on hand to help and seemed genuinely eager to ensure we had the best possible experience. Whether it was offering menu suggestions or simply checking in on how we were enjoying everything, their service added to the welcoming atmosphere.

If you’re visiting Polperro, The Three Pilchards should be at the top of your list. Between the exceptional food, refreshing local beers, and the warm, inviting atmosphere, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again. A true gem on the...

The Three Pilchards is a pub restaurant in the dream location of the Quay at Polperro, Cornwall. Whilst being local to Polperro this was the first time we visited this pub and to be honest it was because our favourite pub had stopped serving meals at 3pm. As a party of eight (4 couples) we were not at all disappointed. The pub décor does not have the quaint seaside appeal of other pubs and there is a rooftop terrace for fine weather. The menu was varied enough and I chose the braised steak and ale pie with a cheesy, mashed potato 'crust' and seasonal vegetables (£19.95) with two of our party choosing the battered cod and chips (2 large £19.95 and 1 standard £16.45), and an impressive ploughman's lunch platter (£18.95). The service was fine although some glitches with their wireless ordering system during our visit. The pie was excellent with plenty of steak in it although the accompanying seasonal vegetables was actually a salad garnish and was nothing special. The large cod and chips were huge pieces of succulent cod and cooked to perfection. We were all delighted with our meals and the pub serves Aspall's cider on draught so that is always a bonus. Overall I would say great food but just a little pricey but good quality. I would definitely return for the superb fish and chips, washed down with an Aspall's. Parking in Polperro is always an issue with the principal public parking (privately owned) being at the top of the town and costing £7 for 3 hours or £12 for 6. Whilst this may put time pressures on your visit to Polperro it also ensures that it doesn't...