Dolphin Inn in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

Good pub nice food friendly staff

We stayed one night pre-Scilly ferry but the room and staff were so delightful and welcoming that we should have stayed a week! Room clean, fresh, spacious, thoughtful little touches (eg fresh milk) and modern (but with local vibe) and great window view. Fresh seafood meal amazing. Accom/restaurant/bar crew were efficient, cheerful and so very friendly. Stay here if you can!! A winner.

Enjoyed dinner here the first night of our stay in Penzance. The atmosphere was great. The servers were very accommodating to my elderly grandparents and attentive to our table. Enjoyed their vegan curried pie immensely. Would return!

It was okay,nothing special, no parking,usual food,wouldn't go back there.

Foods ok staff are friendly, good atmosphere and reasonable prices

Gorgeous food and brillant service. Highly recommend

Wonderful pud, great food, and very friendly staff. A must if you visit Penzance.

Didn't stay in a room but went here a couple of times for dinner or a drink and it's really great. The staff are really friendly and professional without being overbearing, the food (particularly fish and chips) and ales were also excellent. It's a lovely old building with lots of character, and there's a nice outside seating area from which you can see the harbour whilst also feeling cosily tucked away.

Piped in for a quick half before a boat trip, staff friendly, drinks good and lovely location

Excellent hotel for comfort & cleanliness. Staff very attentive & professional (Paris couldn't do enough) - will certainly come back for a longer stay. Vicky & Peter purshouse.

Excellent customer service throughout. A nice atmosphere and the food was top rate.

As always, we had a great stay. The rooms are brilliant, the food is great and the staff are helpful and attentive. We last visited 12 months ago, and they recognised us.

A bit of a disappointment on the food front really. No one had updated the serving staff re what had run out on the menu and the whitebait was about as close to being burned as you can get with fried food. Being told “it’s the type of whitebait, it always comes out like this” was a bit of a stretch, but they were good enough to knock it off the bill.

Popped by for a quick drink. Welcoming and staff offered to find us a larger table than the smaller one we had found ourselves. Interesting looking menu. Ye olde vibe inside, very much reflecting the historical location. One to return to.

Popped in for lunch, was not disappointed, good choice on menu, well worth a visit.

First time eating in the pub. Staff were very welcoming helpful and courteous even going the extra mile. Recommend

The pub is nice but what stands out is the food: typical, fresh, good!

This is a quaint pub on the sea front. It has a nautical theme but is in need of a freshen up - felt very dark/dated. Staff were friendly but the food was so over priced. £18 for mediocre scampi and chips. The salad that came with it looked brown in some places with random blobs of dressing and strangely enough - grapes and the peas were too dry. My son had the haddock and the batter was oily in places and tasted as if it needed changing. Overall - disappointing - sadly. It could be so much more

Perfect central location, cozy and very clean room, great food and super friendly staff!

Great pub in Penzance near the Harbour. Excellent food, try the Rump steak Sizzler! Fabulous. Staff great , friendly, atmosphere really good

lovely pub had a steak cooked beautifully almost melted in my mouth vey nice staff and fast service

Nice pub, good selection of st Austell beer, and very friendly barmaid. A very welcoming pub all round.

Nice little pub, close to the seafront. Had the fish of the day, which was sea bass, with greens, mash potato and lemon and dill butter. Fish was excellently cooked, with buttery mash, and fresh greens, cooked with a crunch, really delicious. Followed by the apple crumble with clotted cream, also very tasty! Would definitely recommend.

Being of the age of ladies who lunch + 1 gentleman we had the privilege of dining with you today 12-14 of us We all chose a different meal ,it was all served in one go the girls who served us were a delight and hats off to the chef You are a credit to Penzance I have been many times before and have never been let down Thank you Dolphin Tavern

Went for a family meal, the food Was nice but I’ve had a lot better there before ! I think the prices for the dishes we had were slightly over priced for what we received. The service was great. The pub was busy and had a lovely atmosphere

Hotel is an old building but had great food and a really friendly barman

Reasonably priced, good quality pub food. I had the sizzler steak with chips which was great. Thought I'd squeeze in a dessert too, so had the crumble, which was a really good size for the price. If you don't want to break the bank, and like a decent size meal go here.

Food review only: Really pleasant and helpful staff. Lovely atmosphere and on brand. Load of indoor seating, good bar choice. Beef brisket was delicious, cracking gravy and trimmings. Fish and chips lovely too. Chips very close to chip shop quality. Peanut tart was a bit dry and nutty even for this nut lover (ha!) but the hilarious wad of Cornish cream helped. Biscoff cheesecake was banging, well done! Happily come here again.

Really friendly staff, great atmosphere with good food and quick service. Can't fault it and looking forward to coming again

Lovely atmosphere, excellent food, great prices and friendly staff. Visited with a friend and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend

The menu here is very attractive, but the execution could be improved. For starters, I had the hoisin pork bites. These are substantial, cooked with delicacy, and have plenty of juicy pork fat. Yum. If you’re looking for a good main dish, the Steak Sizzler is the one to get. It comes theatrically presented on a platter and served with decent chips, which can be enhanced with garlic mayo and vinegar. With your steak you get sautéed peppers of three colours, sautéed onions, and a steak cooked more-or-less medium-rare. It’s not melt-in-your-mouth, and can be tough in places. The Steak Sizzler also requires more flavour, so I’d recommend bringing your own herbs and spices of choice to add to it. The Wait Staff didn’t do a Check Back, and they didn’t give me a Steak Knife. In conclusion, although this is a good place to dine, there are fine-points that do need urgent tweaking. If the management is receptive to this insightful review, I am sure that there is plenty of room for improvement for the Dolphin.

Had food there on Friday probably would not eat there again. Had pie for £18 very dry with burnt lid and says its home made yeah ok no gravy with the pie and the mash potatoes look like they come out of a packet. Payed £20 for few prawns with rice the missus liked it but not worth the money and had calamari as a side wow dreadful. The chef also needs to work on presentation.

Went on spec, landlord fit us in before the very busy quiz night, had a lovely meal excellent starter of calamari and whitebait, followed by steak and fish and chips for my wife - excellent service throughout, would recommend. Ps Boy was it hammering it down with rain when we left 😧☔ Thanks to all 👏🏻🍻

Great location for access to the sea front and the town. Great walks, great rooms, great food and comfy bed whats not to like.

My wife and I stayed at the pub last Friday night. Great room with nice sea view. Spotlessly clean. Nice little touches as well like a selection of quality biscuits and bottled water which often many places don’t provide these days. The bar was also friendly and management and staff seemed right on their game. Very polite and professional but not in an aloof way. The breakfast was superb and again hats off to the cleaning lady who was polishing all the brass and taking real old fashioned pride in her work. We didn’t have lunch or dinner there but it looked very good. The pub is well positioned for Chapel Street and I recommend 45 Queen Street just off Chapel street. We will definitely stay again. Thank you. John & Philippa W

Having visited Penzance many times in the last 50 years this is the first time I've been into The Dolphin. Very atmospheric & spacious. Good range of St Austell ales as can be expected for a tied house. Excellent lunch. Good value for money. Specials board. Those with allergen and dietary requirements are fully catered for with an excellent notation system by each course. Not simply pub grub either. Whitebait, squid and scampi were our choices.

Stayed here for 4 nights over the weekend for the rugby game Glos v Pirates with family taking all 3 rooms. The rooms are spacious, very clean all of which have a view over the opposite harbour. Very friendly helpful staff, the breakfast choice and service spot on. We took at different times lunch and dinner again the food was served fresh tasty and a good standard particularly bearing in mind it was a very busy rugby weekend in Penzance. Definitely we will stay again a most pleasurable stay for a few nights, thank you Richard, Joe and the team!

Stayed at the Dolphin for the weekend just gone and was incredibly impressed! Greeted by the landlord we were checked into our rooms ( V-large, cosy and a lovely view of the harbour ) Quickly had a beer and chat with the staff who were all very attentive and welcoming. Ate 3 meals and each time they were delicious! HIGHLY RECOMEND

Booked here on beer recommendation and should have just had a drink! Food was average at best. Considering the price of starters and mains we expected better. Special sea food chowder was mainly potatoes, bacon and a white fish which we couldn't identify. Tail on scampi, not sure it was. Over priced food and drinks. The mini prosecco was £10. Paid £5.60 in a bar 2 streets away for same thing. Lovely staff but expect there are much better places to eat in Penzance.

Called in The Dolphin Tavern for lunch whilst on holiday in the area. The barmaid (Bethany) was really friendly to everyone who came in, and was very helpful with an elderly lady…. & even went to find me a cushion when she realised I was in pain from a fall earlier in the week… A gorgeous, traditional pub - the beers were lovely & the 2 steaks (1 medium-rare and 1 medium) were cooked to absolute perfection! Huge portions, great beer & a warm and welcoming environment. Highly recommend 😊

Questa sera inizialmente non avevo intenzione di cenare qui, ma alla fine mi sono deciso perché la cucina è sempre aperta, avevo appetito e non potevo aspettare i ristoranti che aprivano più tardivamente. La scelta è stata buona poiché il piatto che ho ordinato, il duo di pesci, era gustoso e saporito. Non sono riuscito a identificare i due pesci che sono arrivati con un contorno di patate lessate e condite e qualche fagiolino. A seguire ho ordinato un budino che era stato riscaldato. a microonde, decisamente meno interessante dei pesci. La Guinnesss fredda è sempre ottima e dissetante e il conto è stato esattamente come ce lo si aspetta in un posto così.

We booked to visit here for pub lunch on my husbands birthday. On a positive, the staff were very welcomg, friendly and knowledgeable. However, I would rate the food as average. The nachos were fab. The macaroni cheese was so cheesy it was inedible. The veggie and steak sizzlers were not served on a big enough plate so the juices were slopping over the rest of food and off the plate., They were average. Additionally, The men’s toilets had no hot water which is something that is a necessity. There were no hot taps. They were blocked off. The pub was very cold too.

Called in for lunch with a friend the meal and customer service was excellent and very reasonably priced have already recommended to my other friends to call in for a meal I had the steak,chips, mushrooms, onion rings peas and blue cheese sauce there was plenty on the plate very filling and was cooked to perfection staff very friendly and chatty would highly recommend you try it you won't be disappointed.

Two pints, two ale and steak pies £47. Too expensive and looked like bought in portions!

Lovely lunch today. The two lady’s on service were incredible, great personalities. Food was great and so was the atmosphere

Came in for a work Christmas meal. Food and service absolutely amazing. Portions are huge, I took half my dessert home! The service was great and staff very friendly and attentive. We will definitely be back soon!

An outstanding pub with fantastic rooms. The team are fabulous and the service is excellent. Great food and the portions are HUGE!!! The room was immaculate and really comfortable. Very highly recommended

We enjoyed fish and chips with curry sauce and mushy peas for supper here one evening while visiting Penzance back in August. Food was delicious. Anyway interesting note: like many Americans I hate mushy peas which seem to be everywhere in the UK. HOWEVER, the mushy peas on our plates that evening were not the neon green, canned ones. I inquired with our waitress and she told me their cook takes pride in growing a lot of the vegetables for the restaurant and the peas were fresh that day from his garden. Talk about a game changer! I never thought I would enjoy mushy peas, but there you have it! The whole meal was excellent. However, I must also mention the cook makes the sticky toffee pudding fresh each day. It was the best I ever had in all of the UK! Service was great and so was the food. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Lunch - a good choice and served quickly. Food was plentiful and all good. Service, from the young lady running the bar, was exceptional, thank you.

Stopped here of an evening for some food, this was my 1st visit here & to Penzance itself. The food was lovely & the staff & service were 1st class. Very polite helpful staff, I would definitely stop here again if I visit Penzance.......

As usual great food and service. We all had a great meal, very attentive, without being in your face, 7 of us had a wonderful time

We stayed one night in The Longships room, with it's views over the bay. It's a large double - well appointed, quiet and comfortable. Staff were, without exception, excellent! Service was not just efficient, but friendly too. We had our evening meal in-house, and then breakfast too - both were superb. I would absolutely recommend The Dolphin Tavern as a place to drink, dine and stay.

Given a warm welcome on arrival and enjoyed a tremendous lunch. Very efficient and attentive staff and dog friendly

Popped in for some food and was not disappointed the food was lovely. We had the whitebait, crispy squid, three fish, and chowder. The only bit that could have been improved was slightly less bacon or even no bacon with the chowder as it made it very salty by the end, and the flavour of the soup on its own was delicious. Staff were fabulous, really friendly and welcoming.

We called in looking for a bed & breakfast, all a bit last minute & were greeted by really friendly staff.Luckily they had a room for us. We ended up having a Sunday roast and then came back later for more drinks. The room was amazing with a sea view and we had a great night sleep. Breakfast was lovely! Would absolutely recommend this place and definitely coming back! Beautiful

As always, The Dolphin Tavern Penzance never fails to please. Food ,service excellent. 5 star .

Lovely meal had the trio of fish cooked to perfection will return great customer service friendly staff.

Great pub really good food, a little more pricey than the average but cracking group of guys and girls that work there

Nice old pub in a great location. Food was nice. Good service

Fantastic place with good food and staff very helpful and pleasant!

A great pub with plenty of cask ales & other drinks available. The food looked amazing...Will have to return!

We enjoyed a good midweek lunch here

If you are in the area. The Dolphin is a must visit. We were there only 6 days in Penzance and we went 3 times. Twice for drinks..Once to eat. Nicest people ever, Beth and Paris. It was really welcoming, and the food was fabulous. You won't go far wrong if you visit... thanks all...xx

We’ve been in the Dolphin several times on previous trips down to Cornwall for holiday, and thought it would be the ideal place to book for a family meal. We had a meal at the Dolphin last night to celebrate my MIL’s 70th birthday, and we couldn’t fault the staff, service or food - everything was great! The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive, with quick service, and accommodating our needs. The food was fresh and tasty! The Newlyn crab and prawn linguine special was delicious! My FIL had the battered cod and chips and he declared it the best fish he’s ever had! A big thank you to the staff working last night (09/10/24) - my MIL had a lovely evening. We’d highly recommend the Dolphin, and we will definitely return when we’re next in Cornwall.

I have not stayed at The Dolphin, but when I visit Penzance I always come here for my evening meal, the staff are brilliant, and so friendly, the food is excellent. I highly recommend this pub for the fantastic food and the atmosphere.

Popped in for a quiet drink with visiting family. Unfortunately we couldn't get away from the pub bore/drunk who proceeded to regale us with questions from the Trivial Pursuit cards on each table. To be honest, we do laugh about it now.

We arrived on the Scillonian III and went straight to The Dolphin for dinner, having pre-booked a table (recommended). We shared a starter of crispy Whitebait, followed by a bowl of the seafood chowder each. Both courses absolutely delicious. Staff very friendly and helpful. The ambience is fantastic, lots of old shipping and fishing knick-knacks on display. Definitely worth a visit.

Fabulous food and atmosphere can't wait to go back

Quaint little pub near Penzance harbour

We dropped in for a pint or two but at £6.40 for a pint of Korev we only had the one. It's a pleasant pub but that's daylight robbery. St Austell pubs used to be reasonably priced but those days appear to be over.

Arrived for a quick drink but because of the most welcoming service, stayed for a delicious dinner. All staff could not have been more helpful. Well done to all at the Dolphin, Penzance.

Recommended by friendly taxi driver. We had the trio of fish and fish of the day (hake). Well presented, hot plates, cooked perfectly and very tasty. Pleasant staff. Thanks for making our day trip very enjoyable.

My husband and I had been really looking forward to dinner at the Dolphin Tavern after having read great reviews. We have nachos to start - the taste was ok but not sure how they couldn’t melt the cheese properly. For main we had beef sizzler and the chicken sizzler. The beef was covered in a thin pepper sauce and the chicken drenched in sweet chilli sauce - neither was exactly sizzling. We left disappointed after expecting great things from previous reviews. Must have had an off night!

Went several times for the great food. Nice atmosphere. Plenty of interesting choice for veges.

Called in for lunch before going on a boat trip. Really nice, clean pub right next to the harbour. Staff were lovely and friendly, and attentive. Wife had crab mac 'n cheese, which she couldn't finish, there was so much of it. I went for crevettes in garlic butter with baguette to soak up the sauce. Both bloody excellent. Really good, local, well prepared food. Couldn't fit any dessert so can't comment on that. About £60 for the 2 of us including couple of drinks each Will certainly come again

friendly and fast service, food is top, I can only recommend

We ate here 2 nights in a row. Couldn't find a place to have dinner on the Sunday before the bank holiday, but the personnel working here have been very helpful and pleasant, eventually keeping tabs when a table would become available. This is one of the best places to dine at in Penzance. Great food, clean establishment, very polite and hospitable staff. Couldn't recommend enough. I had the grilled local fish two nights in a a row and I generally don't even like fish.

Been today as a party of six , sat outside and ordered food at the bar, placed my order and asked if they accept cash , the bartender's response was : ' I can take cash, very unusual, did you print it yourself?' I mean maybe he was trying to make a joke but it wasn't funny to me. I thought local businesses support cash payments, anyway the food was lovely, I had the grilled fish of the day ,the others had lasagne.

Crisps expensive £1.60 a pack Drinks reasonable price, dirty glass with ash in it was served. Wouldn't recommend.

My wife and I had lunch today fab food, great atmosphere . Zoe was a star 🌟

Good food in a quaint English place. Very helpful staff.

Good food and and excellent service

Fantastic food great drink and brilliant staff every time

Called in for lunch as we were in Penzance for an appointment. Had the rump Sizzler's - delicious. Service excellent. Highly recommend.

Really fresh fish and good food. The interior has it owns charm but it's a pub so that's to be expected. The fish and chips were the highlight. I got the trio of fresh fish, it was a bit pricy so just stick to the fish and chips. The mocktails were nice too.

We were staying in Penzance prior to catching the ferry to the Isles of Scilly. We both had fish, the fish of the day, sea bass, and a special which was lemon sole -they were both delicious. The staff were so friendly and accommodating and made a huge fuss of our 2 year old cocker spaniel, as did many of the other clients in the restaurant. Apologies for the barking..! Thank-you for a wonderful start to our holiday.

Just a quick drink in the bar. Great service and a maritime theme

Enjoyed a superb fish and chips meal here. Tad on the pricey sidebut it was a huge portion. Friendly staff. Quality food and beer. They also serve all of the cask St Austel Brewery beers Great location.. Id definately recommend and return.

Very welcoming and helpful staff, good value food.

Had s couple of drinks, lovely staff nice atmosphere food looked good!

Had a few drinks the day before, then ate there today, really nice, will definitely call again when we are down here

Really impressed with the staff friendly and attentive attitude despite being overwhelmed with guests. The food was well above average and was worthy of a good restaurant and not merely a pub. The beetroot cured salmon with mackerel was excellent and portion was generous. Can't rate this pub highly enough

had a meal in here and it was lovely and reasonably priced.

We went here as a walk in for dinner as it has been recommended for us to try. We ofcourse understand they were not able to seat us as we did not have any reservation - perhaps answering their phone may help with this! But to be told rather sarcastically “we are busy here!” and clearly not interested in being helpful by someone who’s job is supposed to be giving customer service! When asked about waiting and roughly how long the wait may usually be for, the answer we got was “I do not know as I cannot tell how long people eat for”. Will be avoiding this place like a plague and would spend money elsewhere.

Lovely cornish pub with great food.

Food was fantastic staff very friendly

Lovely place with amazing views of course. Food and drinks were spot on. Busy, with all indoor tables reserved on a Monday, though we managed to get a table outside.

Very good food and great service. Clear recommendation.

Great options of drink in a very friendly pub. Nice beer garden when the sun is right.

A great meal which catered to all of our family needs. The food was served quickly and by lovely staff. Thoroughly recommend