Short answer: The best pubs in Newquay depend on the view you want. Fort Inn has a big harbour terrace and play areas, the Red Lion has a log burner and live music, and Great Western looks over the sand from Cliff Road. For food, drive to the Two Clomes at Quintrell Downs (4.7 from 1,308 Google reviews). Most are dog friendly.
Newquay is built on a headland, so which pub you pick decides which sea you see. The old streets above the harbour look out over the harbour and bay, Cliff Road faces the open sand, and some of the best locals' pubs are a short drive inland. Here are the best pubs in Newquay, sorted by what you are actually after.
4.3 from 3,730 Google reviews. The Fort sits on Fore Street directly above the harbour, and the big terrace is the draw: reviewers say it looks across the bay towards Watergate Bay and is one of the best places in town to watch the afternoon go by. Sports screens run on the terrace too. Food gets a more lukewarm response ("solid pub grub", "unremarkable" in one review), so come for the position. The CAMRA listing and a local holiday guide both describe indoor and outdoor play areas, and the guide lists a children's menu, which makes it the easy family pick.
4.5 from 2,631 Google reviews. Up North Quay Hill, the Red Lion overlooks the harbour and the distant beaches, has a log burner and a large enclosed beer garden at the back. The CAMRA listing says dogs are welcome everywhere except the restaurant dining area. It is also the pub with the most music: live nights are known for Fridays and Saturdays. One reviewer called it their favourite dog friendly pub in Newquay, and another praised the Sunday roast and the portion sizes. It gets busy, and window seats are the ones to hope for. For other roast options see our guide to the best Sunday roast in Newquay.
4.0 from 1,790 Google reviews. Also on Fore Street, Sailors looks small from the pavement and is much bigger inside, with a split-level deck at the back that has views over the bay (the CAMRA listing mentions it too). Reviewers say dogs are welcome, which cuts both ways: one was unhappy about dogs on chairs near diners, so it suits dog owners better than people who want a quiet dinner. The CAMRA listing notes plenty of live music in the evenings, and it is a late-night pub.
4.3 from 520 Google reviews. This clifftop pub overlooks a stretch of golden sand, with an ocean-view terrace and a garden. The pub's own site says dogs are allowed in most areas (on leads in public areas), and it promotes a Sunday roast. The venue opens at 7:30am, and the site lists a children's play park in the garden. Reviewers mention the dog friendly welcome too. Note the parking: there is no pub car park for visitors, and the site points drinkers to the Tolcarne and Narrowcliff Road pay and display car parks, a 5 to 10 minute walk away. Our Newquay parking guide has the options.
4.8 from 616 Google reviews. Strictly a pizza and cocktail bar rather than a pub, but a few doors along Cliff Road and worth knowing: the back garden has a view over the beach and sea, and reviewers rate the thin crispy pizzas and the house cider. It is a small place and can fill up, so go early or book where you can.
The Fistral Stable (4.4 from 2,332 Google reviews) is the beach pub-style option at Fistral: pizzas, a cider tasting board and a woodburner, with views over the beach. A local guide says dogs are welcome all day, and there is a kids' menu. Next door, Fistral Boardmasters Beach Bar (4.5 from 1,218 Google reviews) has surfboards round the bar, and reviewers describe it as dog friendly, with one praising a hot chocolate on a cold day. Some find the prices high for the portions.
At the other end of town, The Mermaid Inn (4.1 from 2,417 Google reviews) sits right on Porth Beach. Reviewers describe a big outdoor space looking onto the sand, nets over the outside tables to deter seagulls, and a small car park. It is popular, so ring ahead if you are eating in a group.
The Central Inn (4.4 from 2,063 Google reviews) in Central Square is a long-running, lively pub with a large outdoor seating area. Regulars single out the hot plate steaks, and several reviewers praise the staff. A few diners found burgers dry, so it is a pub for company rather than a food destination.
4.7 from 1,308 Google reviews. An 18th-century free house named after the two fireside ovens beside its open fireplace, now with a wood-burning stove. The CAMRA listing notes Sharp's Doom Bar on the pumps, a 50-seat restaurant, and that it is dog friendly. The listing advises booking even in winter and says winter opening hours vary from week to week, so ring on 01637 871163 first. Reviewers rate the Sunday roast, pies and seafood.
4.6 from 769 Google reviews. A proper village pub by the church, best known for a mixed grill that one reviewer described as including steak, burger, sausage, pork loin and lamb chop. It is dog friendly, there is a large outdoor area, and a small car park near the church. There are not many tables inside, so book at busy times if you can.
3.9 from 3,919 Google reviews, and the lowest score here, but you go for the position above Crantock and the coast. Reviewers say it is very dog friendly outside and praise the view, while some call the food pricey. One reviewer says drinks and food are ordered through an app rather than at the bar, so ask when you arrive. It makes a good finish to the Pentire stretch of the coast path: see our best walks near Newquay.
Lewinnick Lodge on Pentire headland (4.5 from 2,689 Google reviews) is a hotel bar and restaurant with a big sea outlook and coast path walks on the doorstep. Some reviewers report slow service on busy evenings, so treat it as a drink with a view unless you have time to spare. For a wider list of places to sit and watch the sun go down, read best sunset spots in Newquay.
Mostly yes. The Red Lion, Great Western, Fort Inn, Two Clomes and Fistral Stable are described as dog friendly on their own site, CAMRA or a local guide, and reviewers say the same of Sailors, Fistral Boardmasters Beach Bar and Farmers Arms. Reviewers describe the Bowgie Inn as dog friendly outside. Rules differ by room and many pubs ask for leads, so check at the door. For beaches, see dog-friendly beaches in Newquay from October.
The Fort Inn, Red Lion, Sailors and Central Inn are all within a few minutes' walk of each other between the station and the harbour, so you can pub-hop on foot. Great Western and Secret Garden are further along Cliff Road, a longer walk or a short taxi. The rest need a car, a taxi or a bus. Our guide to Newquay without a car covers the transport side, and the Newquay town page lists more of what is on.
The Fort Inn on Fore Street has a large terrace above the harbour looking across the bay, and the Great Western on Cliff Road overlooks the sand. The Red Lion on North Quay Hill also looks over the harbour.
Most of the pubs here are dog friendly, including the Red Lion (not in the restaurant area), Great Western (on leads, most areas) and the Two Clomes. Reviewers describe the Bowgie Inn as dog friendly outside only. Check at the door as rules differ by room.
There is no pub car park for visitors. The pub's website points drinkers to the Tolcarne and Narrowcliff Road pay and display car parks, a 5 to 10 minute walk away.
The Fort Inn is described by CAMRA and a local guide as having indoor and outdoor play areas, with a children's menu, and the Great Western has a children's play park in its garden. The Mermaid Inn on Porth Beach has a large outdoor space.
The CAMRA listing advises booking a table even in winter and says winter hours vary from week to week, so phone 01637 871163 before you go.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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