Updated June 2023
Situated on the Southern coast of Cornwall, Falmouth has been named the best place to live in Cornwall and one of top five places to live in the South West (April 2019). The Times described Falmouth as: “a community where you can live, work and enjoy the charms of the Cornish coast all year.”. Falmouth has also been awarded ‘The best coastal town in the UK’ by The Great British High Street Awards 2016.
Shaped and influenced by its strong connection to the sea and combining a fascinating maritime heritage and modern creativity, Falmouth is earning a reputation as one of the South West’s leading cultural and festival destinations. The profusion of cafes, restaurants and speciality food outlets in the town, has been a key factor in helping put Cornwall on the culinary map. With such glowing accolades it seems only right that we should feature where to enjoy afternoon tea and cream tea in Falmouth and the surrounding area.
Cavendish Coffee House
12 Market Street, Falmouth TR11 3AE
Facebook @cavendishcoffeehouse
01326 319438
Celebrating over 30 years of the Cavendish name and brining people together in a friendly atmosphere in the heart of Falmouth.
What people are saying ... What a wonderful cream tea! Friendly and homely atmosphere. The kind of place that reminds you of the good in this world and a place that will leave you smiling for sure.
The Greenbank Hotel
Harbourside, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 2SR
https://www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk/food-and-drink/afternoon-tea-cornwall-falmouth-menu/
01326 312440
Enjoy a cream tea or afternoon tea at this award-winning Water’s Edge restaurant overlooking Falmouth harbour. The classic cream tea includes homemade fruit or plain scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of tea. A scrumptious afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches, scone, jam, clotted cream and a variety of cakes.
What people are saying ... Presentation 10/10, food 10/10, the sandwiches were filled to the brim, the scones were freshly baked with ample cream and jam, the cakes on top were delicious. I would definitely recommend the greenbank.... the best cream tea in Falmouth!
Miss V’s Vintage High Tea
St Just in Roseland, Truro, TR2 5JD
https://missvs.co.uk
F @Miss V’s
If you like to enjoy a good walk and reward yourself with a scrumptious cream tea or afternoon tea, take the St Mawes Ferry from Falmouth to St Mawes and then enjoy the 2 to 3 hour six mile walk from St Mawes to St Just in Roseland situated in the beautiful Roseland Peninsula. Miss V’s Cafe started life as a dream in a tea cup! Tucked away in the sub-tropical gardens of the stunning creekside church of St Just In Roseland. Built in 2018 with indoor and outdoor tables, Miss V’s is now an established favourite for both locals and holidaymakers. Fresh air, fancy cakes and fabulous food are the perfect combination to enjoy a vintage style cream tea or afternoon tea in this pretty location. Ferries run 2 times an hour between Falmouth Prince of Wales Pier/Custom House Quay and St Mawes. Sailings take approximately 20 minutes from Falmouth to St Mawes from where you can start your walk to St Just in Roseland.
What people are saying ... Beautiful cream tea. A lovely big homemade scone, plenty of clotted cream and homemade jam. Lovely setting with nice seating. Could not have been better.
Trebah Kitchen
Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith TR11 5JZ
https://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/eating-and-drinking
01326 252200
Trebah is a 26-acre sub-tropical garden situated above the Helford River. If you are making a visit to Trebah Gardens, be sure to visit the Trebah Kitchen to enjoy a Cornish cream tea surrounded by beautiful lush gardens. The award winning Visitor Centre houses a distinctive restaurant with a Mediterranean-style terrace Enjoy scones, Boddington’s strawberry jam and Rodda’s clotted cream whilst taking in the views.
What people are saying ... Lovely cafe with nice friendly staff and best of all a nicely baked scone with jam and yummy Cornish cream.The perfect end to a wonderful day!
St Michaels Resort
Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth TR11 4NB
https://www.stmichaelsresort.com/dine/afternoon-tea
Enjoy a cream tea or afternoon tea at the relaxed Brasserie on the Bay, overlooking sub-tropical gardens and the stunning Falmouth coastline. Brasserie on the Bay is part of St Michaels Resort and offers traditonal Cornish cream teas as well as mouth watering afternoon teas.
What people are saying ... Rated 4.0 - very good on Trip Advisor
Budock Vean Hotel
Helford Passage, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth TR11 5LG
https://www.budockvean.co.uk/food/afternoon-tea/
01326 250288
The Budock Vean is a 4 star hotel situated on the river, Helford Passage. With a restaurant renowned for amazing food (including a Visit England Breakfast Award). Budock Vean has teamed up with the Tregothnan Estate to provide the authentic Cornish Cream tea. The tea is grown on the Tregothnan Estate, just 17 miles from Budock Vean, and scones and cakes are made to the Pastry Chef’s Grandmother’s secret recipe!
What people are saying ... Lovely cream tea! Visited here for a Cream Tea which was excellent . Scrumptious warm scones, fruit or plain, large bowl of jam and oozes of clotted cream. Great value. Would definitely visit again for a relaxing few hours.
Gylly Beach Cafe
Gylly Beach Cafe, On Gyllyngvase Beach, Cliff Road, Falmouth, TR11 4PA
https://www.gyllybeach.com
01326 312884
Wonderfully positioned on Falmouth’s famous Gyllyngvase Beach, Gylly Café is a unique, stylish and popular eatery. Family-run and award-winning, the café offers a warm welcome, great atmosphere and outstanding service and locally sourced food, served in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
What people are saying ... A great place for a cream tea! It’s always busy in the holiday season, but there has never been a problem for us to find a table, usually in the outside area (which can be covered and heated if the weather is inclement). Service is efficient, and although they have an indicator to say how long the food will take, ours arrived quickly. We had very generous helpings of Cornish cream teas and were able to look across the beach to the sea from our seats. The price is just about right for the privilege of being in an excellent location.
See also our blog on the best places to go for a cream tea further up the South coast around Looe and Polperro.