Hooked on the Rocks

Casual seafood by the beach

Nothing captures the spirit of Cornish summer quite like a dip in its azure waters followed by a plate of lusciously fresh seafood. It’s this very experience that gourmets can enjoy at Hooked on the Rocks, a stone’s throw from the shore of Falmouth’s Swanpool Beach.

Located on the cliffside with views out to sea, it’s the perfect spot for lunch or dinner alfresco. The menu centres around local, sustainably sourced seafood and features the likes of crab and lobster (caught just eight miles down the coast), Falmouth Bay scallops, and daily fish specials from Newlyn market.

If you can’t decide on a single dish, indulge in the hot shellfish platter for two, which features scallops, prawns, cockles, clams and mussels. Other highlights include shell-on wild prawns with ‘nduja butter or whole baked market fish.

A simple wine list focuses on small family-run vineyards practising sustainable viticulture. Alternatively, pair your pick of the day’s seafood with a South West tipple from the likes of Loveday Gin in Falmouth, High Point non-alcoholic spirits, or Sharp’s Brewery beer and cider. There’s a good cocktail list too, which includes a knockout Cornish Negroni.

The Hooked on the Rocks team recently launched a partnership with The National Lobster Hatchery, which helps conserve local lobster populations. For every lobster sold in the restaurant, a donation is made to the Padstow charity.

Trencherman’s tip: Sun shining? Dine on the sea-view terrace, or under the heated awning area on cooler days.

Discover more Trencherman’s restaurants in Cornwall here.