Short answer: Christmas Day tables in Padstow are the hardest booking in Cornwall — the handful of restaurants that open take reservations from summer and are full by October. If you've missed it, Christmas Eve lunch and Boxing Day at the pubs are the realistic alternatives, and those book by early December.
This is one of our town-by-town winter guides — the full county picture is in Christmas and New Year in Cornwall 2026.
Padstow's restaurants mostly close on Christmas Day. The ones that have opened in previous years — Rick Stein's The Seafood Restaurant Padstow and its sister St Petroc's Bistro, and one or two of the hotels — run a set Christmas lunch at a set price, one or two sittings, and take bookings from the summer. Deposits are usual. By October they're full. Whether each opens in 2026 is confirmed on their own websites around September; if you want it, ring now.
2026 dates: 2026 Christmas Day openings are confirmed by each restaurant from September; historically full by October. We update this line the moment organisers confirm.
Much easier and, for many families, nicer — the town is lit and busy, everything's open, and lunch at Paul Ainsworth at No6, Rick Stein's Cafe Padstow or the The Golden Lion Padstow feels like Christmas without the Christmas Day premium. Book by the end of November.
The Golden Lion Padstow and The Shipwrights Padstow do lunch; the Old Custom House usually opens. Book by early December — they're the only ones and everyone knows.
Christmas Day set menus in Padstow run well over £100 a head at the top end; service is one sitting from about 12:30. Children's menus are usually available at the hotels, less so at the restaurants. Ask.
See the full Padstow guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Padstow →