The Idle Rocks

On our recent visit to Cornwall, we booked into Idle Rocks for Sunday lunch, not having being to St Mawes before, a car ferry ride later and we parked up at the nearby municipal car park, within easy walking distance of the hotel. It must have been a good choice, because the near incessant rain we had experienced since we arrived in Cornwall, was starting to ease and a bright object in the sky was making a rare appearance! Inside Idle Rocks, the restaurant is stunning, a variety of tables that all make full use of the spectacular view across the harbour. There are round tables and long country kitchen type tables for groups, and other more conventional tables for couples. There is even outside seating, but on the day we visited that was only for the very hardy, as rain showers and a myriad of wasps made dining outside taxing.
The menu for Sunday lunch was a relatively concise one, a choice of about four starters, of which we picked two, the saffron infused arancini doused in parmesan was particularly good, and the hummus with celery, cucumber and carrot, was a fresh palate cleanser. The complimentary freshly cooked rolls (including sourdough), with accompanying balsamic and olive oil, was also a nice touch. We rarely eat a traditional roast dinner on a Sunday so unless the other dishes stood out, we were going for the roasts; there were two to choose from, along with a vegetarian risotto, and sardines on toast in the substantial dish part of the main courses, there were lighter bites too. The roast chicken was beautifully cooked, with a spinach reduction sauce, and just the right amount of accompanying roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables, it was just as I hoped it would be. My wife’s roast pork although beautifully cooked and packed with flavour, was just a little too fatty, I know it adds flavour, but it was a little disappointing. We opted remarkably to skip dessert and have coffee in the adjoining lounge to soak in the wonderful views of St Mawes harbour; Idle Rocks is a great place to wile away a few hours.
Opulent surroundings, good food and a stunning view across the harbour, one of the highlights of the holiday; not cheap, but definitely worth it!

If you busy at Mawes (which isn’t a big place!) this hotel is a good place to stop of a coffee or bite to eat-​perfect views over the harbour and surprisingly quiet, so you can watch the world go buy.
I’ve not tried the food, or seen the rooms, but it’s very elegantly decorated.
The children’s playroom is great-​I spent a while in there with my nephew!
Relaxed atmosphere:)