One of the nicest places to eat in Newquay is at the Harbour Hotel.  At the back of the hotel tucked away is The Harbour Restaurant.  During the summer you can sit out on the terrace which overlooks the harbour.  The food is fantastic, lots of fish dishes, the owner Alan Barnett is a delight to talk to and his staff are very friendly and helpful.  The service is prompt and the dishes are reasonably priced.   

At first glance, Newquay's catering appeals to its well publicised Stag & Hen Night Crowd and if you are one of those and want a rowdy food-fest which is fun and will fill you up, try 'Senor Dicks' - a Mexican restaurant you can't miss near to Berties and Buzios at the top end of the town. If you have a bit more cash and would like to sample something a bit less commercial, then try 'Fistral Blu' - it's in an unrivalled spot overlooking Fistral Beach and offers a cool environment for couples or large parties. Any of the fish dishes are great, but there are also good meat options for carnivores. Want something a bit different? try Silks - this is located in the Atlantic Hotel beyond the Red Lion and you would never guess you were in Newquay, very kitsch and decadent surroundings with lovely dishes and seaviews. This is more for couples and small groups, and definitely not for the Stags n Hens. The Headland Hotel is also a top place to eat for couples and small groups, they also have a bistro overlooking Fistral Beach which serves great modern dishes and the more formal restaurant, although not cheap, offers brilliant food with some heavenly wines, the decor needs an update, but the sea vista and culinary concoctions more than make up for it.

Try the Bay Bar at the Bay Hotel, Esplanade Road, which overlooks Fistral Beach, fantastic seafood, lobster, calamari etc. The decor is new and trendy - a bit retro, good atmosphere and music, lethal cocktails if you want them , nice selection of wine - including believe it or not delicious Cornish "champagne".  Nice friendly staff.  Good for couples and small groups, not a stag and hen place, good at sundown.

For excellent food and wine with a fabulous view and modern, funky, beach hut-style decor go to the Windswept Café overlooking the far side of Fistral Beach. Surfers come here in the daytime. Staff are a little too laid back which is a shame as the view and location are stunning. Sunset is a great time to go, especially if it's warm and you can sit out on the terrace. Very atmospheric!

Again, not for the stag and hen crowd, try the new restaurant Pistachio Brasserie which is on The Crescent.  Come in to the top end via the main pedestrian precinct or via the bottom end near the Walkabout bar.  Lovely food which is chosen from a blackboard.  Fish, meat, vegetarian.  White tablecloths.  If you sit by the window you can look out to sea.