The top 100 outdoor dining spots around the UK have been revealed - and three Cornish restaurants have made the final list.
The list was compiled after OpenTable scanned over two million online reviews. It narrowed down the restaurants where Brits love to dine outdoors as the weather gets nicer during the summer months including some top spots in Cornwall.
Riverside restaurants Pandora Inn in Restronguet, The Bank at Bude and well the beachfront Porthminster Beach Café, in St Ives, were all ranked among the best spots to enjoy an alfresco bite to eat, according to the online booking service.
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The top 100 list also highlights which of the establishments are dog-friendly - with all three of the Cornwall restaurants welcoming pet pooches.
Tapas restaurant The Bank at Bude, situated beside the River Neet, or Strat, in Bude, gained the highest rating out of the three on OpenTable, with 4.7 out of five stars - and has also previously featured on the top 100 list in 2022.
The Bank fuses traditional Spanish tapas with local Cornish ingredients for a unique dining experience, and claims to pride itself on its "relaxed and welcoming atmosphere", and providing "a truly unique dining experience, with the quality of food and service at the forefront of everything we do".
Some of the top, five-star reviews for the restaurant on OpenTable describe it as "a hidden gem", and "fantastic in every way", with one customer writing: "If you’re looking for somewhere quirky with a great outlook and a great menu, you can’t go wrong.
"I would suggest you try it out sooner rather than later because this is the sort of place that will soon be so popular you will need to book months in advance to get a reservation."
And another praised their outdoor experience at the restaurant, writing: "Amazing from start to finish. The outdoor pod was lovely and felt secluded, with good decor.
"I liked the format of the ordering. The waiting staff were really friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and plentiful. Thank you, we will be returning!"
Meanwhile, Porthminster Beach Café in St Ives came hot on the heels of The Bank at Bude, with a 4.6-star rating on OpenTable, based on over 4,400 reviews.
With a decked outdoor terrace that overhangs the golden sands, just feet away from the inviting waters of St Ives Bay, it is not hard to see why the seafood-focused restaurant is so well-acclaimed and has been described in reviews as a "fantastic experience", with the views called a "constant marvel".
And while the menu does mainly revolve around seafood, diners are also able to order Heritage Longhorn beef, or even an Indonesian vegetable curry with jasmine rice, for those not partial to fish dishes.
Some of the glowing reviews of Porthminster Beach Café include: "A lovely meal in fantastic surroundings. The staff are friendly and efficient and, if you’re lucky enough to get a window table, the view is stunning."
And another five-star reviewer wrote: "There can't be many other more lovely locations to enjoy time with family & friends. The view across the beach with the sea glinting and the changing colours of the light a constant marvel.
"Suffice to say the entire evening was a joyful occasion, with dining dishes that showcased the bounty of the area in delightful ways. And catering for one of the party with a celiac condition was most appreciated. A heartfelt thanks and sure we will all be back again."
Last but by no means least, gastro-pub Pandora Inn, in Restronguet near Falmouth, completes the trio of Cornwall restaurants on OpenTable's top 100 outdoor dining list.
Garnering an overall rating of 4.2 out of five stars, from 450 reviewers, it is not hard to see why this creekside inn features on the list - as its outdoor seating is placed along the length of a pontoon over the Carrick Roads on the River Fal, making it an idyllic spot to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat when the sun is shining.
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In fact, as well as featuring among the top 10 most booked restaurants in Cornwall, on OpenTable, Pandora Inn was also last year hailed by The Times as having one of the top five riverside pub gardens - in an article which described the dining spot as "the quintessential Cornish pub".
The menu offers something for everyone, whether you're after a light bite such as a sandwich or a baked camembert, or a more hearty dish like fish pie or a garlic and lemon pork loin.
And one OpenTable review reads: "Delicious food with the perfect view. Will be back again soon.", while another added: "Pandora Inn never fails to deliver on a wonderful dining experience."
The full list of OpenTable's top 100 outdoor dining restaurants for 2024 can be found here - including three in Devon, one in Somerset, and one in Bristol.
