Eating out in Falmouth (f) is an MEI favoured restaurant

Lunches are an integral part of all MEI Conferences, where all delegates get together and get to know each other.

We do not have a formal conference dinner, as most delegates like to get away from the conference atmosphere and venue in the evening, either to relax alone, or in small groups.

There are many good restaurants in Falmouth, catering to all tastes, the majority within 15-20 minutes walk from the Falmouth Beach Hotel.

The Falmouth Beach Hotel itself serves good meals in the bar area in the evening, and next door is the St. Michael’s Hotel, where the Flying Fish (Tel: 01326 312707) has seafood, pasta and pizza.

Across the road from the Falmouth Beach Hotel is the Gylly Beach Café and Bar (f), situated on Falmouth’s main beach with an informal, lively atmosphere and occasional live music. Serving a freshly cooked contemporary menu.

One of Falmouth’s most stunningly situated restaurants, overlooking Swanpool Beach, is the busy Three Mackerel (Tel: 01326 311886). The next cove, at Maenporth Beach has probably Falmouth’s best restaurant The Cove (f) (Tel: 01326 251136).

Bookings are essential for both, and although the coast path walks to these restaurants are beautiful in the early evening, you will need to take a taxi for your return after dark.

Walk into town from the Southern (Docks) end and after 10 minutes, you will arrive at Events Square, where the Maritime Museum is situated. The Shed (Tel: 01326 318502) serves the best pizza in town.

Most of the town’s restaurants are on Arwenack Street and its quays. 5 Degrees West (Tel: 01326 311288) on Grove Place just before Arwenack Street is a grillbar, popular with the sailing fraternity, which serves up a burger that would satisfy the biggest of appetites. Pippa’s Steakhouse (f) (Tel: 01326 317477) is an American restaurant with the best steaks in town. The Harbour Lights (Tel: 01326-316934) is a traditional British fish ‘n chips shop, with restaurant and takeaway service. On a warm evening, there is probably nothing better than to take your fish ‘n chips and eat them at nearby Custom House Quay, but beware of the seagulls!

There are two pubs on Custom House Quay serving simple pub meals and good ale - the Chain Locker (f) and the Quayside Inn. Again, great to eat outside here on a warm evening.

If you are looking for something spicy, then Balti Curries (Tel: 01326 317905) is a good Nepalese/Indian restaurant.

Walking up Arwenack street, there is a profusion of good restaurants, Hunkydory (212997) is good but expensive, there is the Warehouse Bistro (Tel: 01326 313001), Clarks Restaurant (Tel: 01326 312678) and Bodenes Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar (f) (Tel: 01326 210759). Blue South (Tel: 01326 212122) is a casual restaurant with a lively bar. Off Arwenack Street, and down the very narrow Quay Street, you will find the best seafood at the popular Seafood Bar (Tel: 01326 315129). Also on Quay Street is The Hut (Tel: 01326 318229).

Continuing up Arwenack Street, there is the Jasmine Garden (Tel: 01326 312566) serving Cantonese food; another seafood restaurant, Bistro de La Mer (Tel : 01326 316509), which is closed Mondays, and the Pipeline (Tel: 01326 312774), which also closes Mondays. Ming’s Garden Restaurant (Tel: 01326 314413) serves Chinese, Malaysian and Thai food. For Japanese food there is Dao (Tel: 01326 210353).

At the far end of town, you reach the steep High Street. Turn left just before High Street, and you will arrive at The Moor, where there is an excellent Nepalese and Indian Restaurant, the Gurkha (f) (Tel: 01326 311483) and also another Indian restaurant, Asha (Tel: 01326 211688).

On the High Street is a Burger King, and Falmouth’s only Italian restaurant, the very lively and popular Da Vinci (f) (312277), as well as Thai food at the Thai Orchid (Tel: 01326 211028). Just off the High Street, in Mulberry Passage, is Pepe’s Restaurant (311212) serving good Mediterranean food.

Continue to the top of the High Street and beyond, and you reach the banks of the River Fal, and the beautiful old Green Bank Hotel (312440) (f). One of the best restaurants in Falmouth, with spectacular views over the River Fal to Flushing. This setting was the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame’s book ‘The Wind in the Willows’.