Firebrand Bar & Restaurant
Slathered in garlic and chive butter, the flat iron steak at Firebrand Bar really hits the spot. The 28 day dry aged beef is from nearby Warren’s Butchers, some of the best around. Perfectly chargrilled, the juicy and flavoursome meat is served with skinny fries, rocket salad and a dish of homemade burnt end beans. The menu exceeds expectations: gourmet burgers, fish tacos, seafood chowder, Mexican tapas and daily specials all use top quality ingredients and are cooked beautifully. This may be an American fast food restaurant, but you’ll want to slow down and relish every mouthful. Firebrand Bar and Restaurant opened in November 2014, and is run by the Thomson brothers, Joe (of Firebrand and Penpont Breweries) and Head Chef Eddie. The knowledgable bar staff are only happy to advise on the wide range of real ales and craft beers.

Woods Caf
Like a fairytale cottage, Woods Café is tucked away in the middle of Cardinham Woods. In winter a log fire burns and you can cosy up on the sofas, or bask in sunshine in the garden with its brilliant wooden playground. Lara’s baking is legendary - think salted caramel chocolate cheesecake, banana and Nutella Chelsea buns, Marsala spiced flapjacks, cream-filled Victoria sponge, orange and carrot cake, and perfectly gooey brownies - and her cream teas are definitely worth a detour. Scones are freshly baked each morning and served with lashings of clotted cream, a generous helping of jam, and accompanied by a pot of the local brew, Tregothnan tea. All served on pretty vintage crockery. There are Forestry Commission walking and cycling trails in the woods, so when you’ve worked up an appetite try some of their more hearty dishes, with daily specials including tagines, stews, pulled pork, soups and savoury cream teas. Their homemade sausage rolls are pretty special too.

Strong Adolfos
Fika is a Swedish word meaning coffee, conversation and something sweet, and is part of the philosophy behind Strong Adolfo’s, a café run by John and Mathilda Friström Eldridge on the Atlantic Highway near Wadebridge. Mathilda is the chief baker at Strong Adolfo’s and takes inspiration from traditional Swedish recipes, some handed down from her great-grandmothers, to which she has added her own twist. Traditional Scandinavian flavours of cardamom and cinnamon add warmth to buns and cookies, the chocolate balls (chokladbollen) are heavenly, and her beautiful cakes (many of which are gluten free) change daily. Add to that some great coffees from Origin and you’ve got yourself fika. The menu is vibrant and healthy, with burgers, curries, salads and daily specials. The vegetarian breakfast is delicious; portions are generous and reasonably priced. The café hosts regular art exhibitions, motorcycle meets and vintage vehicle pit stops with weekly pop-up nights in summer. Free wifi and easy location mean it is also popular for business meetings.

The Beach Hut
The original and the best, Watergate Bay’s Extreme Hot Chocolate was invented at The Beach Hut in 1999, and is guaranteed to always hit the spot. The perfect winter warmer or post-surf pick-me-up, the thick Origin hot chocolate is topped with whipped cream, marshmallows and jazzies (a.k.a. chocolate buttons with hundreds and thousands). Mini versions also available for children. This relaxed family-friendly beachside hangout always has a buzz about it. Hunker down inside for a spot of winter storm-watching, or enjoy the sunset from the new covered deck. The Beach Hut is also recommended for Sunday brunch, its consistently good menu of burgers, steaks and shellfish, and keep an eye on the daily-changing fresh fish dishes on the specials board.

Little Plates
Little Plates’ calamari has a panko and almond coating, giving that extra special crunch and flavour. Served with a wedge of lemon and garlicky aioli, this dish is close to perfection. I have been known to order four portions of this. Say no more. Tucked away in a corner of Wadebridge, and conveniently located halfway between Rock and Padstow, Rupert Wilson’s tapas bar is a delight, enjoyed by locals and holidaymakers alike. Pop in for a glass of wine, olives and padron peppers, a little plate, or two, or three, but probably more.

Surf Side Cafe Bar
Opened in 2014, Tristan Stephenson (of Fluid Movement) has brought a little bit of Shoreditch to Polzeath beach. The relaxed beach café sits on the sand, and at high tide it can get a bit exciting. I love the lobster ciabatta roll, packed full of juicy tail and claw meat, with spiced celery, apple and dill seed dressing. Enjoy in the sunshine with double cooked chips, zingy slaw and homemade lemonade. Shades essential. Coffee, cakes and burgers also highly recommended.

Rojano's in the Square
Paul Dodd (ex-Wareing) heads up the kitchen at Paul Ainsworth’s popular Padstow restaurant Rojano’s in the Square. Dubbed by Heston Blumenthal as “the best pizzas outside Italy”, Rojano’s stone-baked sourdough pizzas bases are charred and crisp, topped with homemade pomodoro tomato sauce and mozzarella, and heaped with super fresh ingredients. Alongside the extensive pizza menu you’ll find classic pasta dishes, bruschetta starters and a melt-in-the-mouth Red Ruby pulled short rib burger, all served by some of the loveliest waiting staff around. Don’t miss the daily specials, huge antipasti sharing boards, crunchy yet oozy arancini and baskets of freshly fried calamari. The truffle and parmesan fries are staggeringly good.

Le Bernardin
Everyone knows that Le Bernardin is the best fish-focused restaurant in New York - for good reason. It is. There really isn't much to say about Le Bernardin that hasn't already been said, but it does bear repeating: no other place will transform fish from what it is, to what it is but better. It sounds ridiculously simple and obvious, but Chef Eric Ripert has such a wonderful way with seafood that you'd be remiss to not visit at least once in your life.

15 East Restaurant
Though close to Union Square, 15 East's atmosphere is much more hushed and austere than one might expect. The dining room is well-appointed, but the sushi bar - directly as you enter - is where the action is, and where you want to sit as you watch the masterful chefs prepare each delicate bite for you to savor. Amazingly fresh fish, each piece carefully put together just for you on the spot, each piece will delight and amaze. Even when the main sushi chef isn't around to attend to your needs, his co-chefs know just how to treat each individual fish for maximum flavour. Pro tip: the lunch omakase is much more inexpensive than the dinner one, but still delicious - and a reservation is much easier to get.

Ristorante Morini
Chef Michael White's return to casual fine dining on the Upper East Side is a welcome respite from the slew of mediocre restaurants attempting to do the same. With a focus on coaxing the most flavour from simple ingredients, everything here is presented elegantly and deliciously. A must-visit for those who yearn for the days of the long-gone Convivio.