Senara in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

This restaurant is situated in the grounds of Penwith College and is run by young adults ranging in ages from 16-19. My sister and I went for an early Christmas dinner, 3 courses and coffee for £27.50, I was absolutely stunned at the high quality of the food, you could not get better in Michelin starred restaurant, the servers were competent and polite, they all worked very hard and this is after a full day of study. I will definitely be returning very soon. Amazing. This is a hidden gem in Cornwall

Most enjoyable lunch today .. excellent food and service .. particularly enjoyed the cheese dessert superbly presented at the table

Senara never fails to impress the young servers,front of house are friendly and welcoming the young chefs are outstanding,today myself and two friends enjoyed a lovely lunch two of us had beer battered cod the most beautiful white fish and crispy thin batter and one had Celeriac Risotto followed simply the best Sticky Toffee Pudding three very happy diners.

This is fine dining .The college students gaining hand experience in the hospitality industry by providing service / cooking in the college restaurant is a great idea so they can get to know what to do in the real world.Good value for a meal than you eat outside in a restaurant. Mackerel is taste lovely, Stake wing is lovely tasty . The warm bakewell tart is tasty love it. Definitely coming back again.

Lovely food. Grilled mackerel and the Fish and chips is lovely over there. Desert are lovely.

Food taste And reasonable price.Marley did very good with the cheese.

I had a wonderful evening dining at Senara, where the service was fantastic. The students were incredibly knowledgeable, and it was great to see them working with autonomy under staff supervision. The food was skilfully prepared and absolutely delicious—especially the artichokes, which were the best I’ve had in ages, and the beautiful ravioli. We enjoyed the plant-based menu, and the range of themed cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks was impressive, offering something for everyone. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable experience with both great food and attentive service.

Excellent lunch cooked and served by friendly and knowledgeable students. Menu was varied and there is always a vegetarian option. It is difficult to think of another venue locally that can rival Senara. We were made to feel very welcome and will return next month.

Overpriced and underwhelming Used to be a lot better and was reasonably priced many years ago Ridiculously expensive now for what you get Also… Too many non-students front of house

This is the fifth time we have eaten at this restaurant and it just seems to get better and better. The food and service is as good if not better than any five star or Michelin restaurant. Considering the food is cooked by students and front of house is undertaken by students then it makes it unbelievable. Prices so low they could charge much more. Brilliant and everyone so friendly.

Enjoyed the best meal we've had for ages here! Went with friends and all four of us had different dishes, all were delicious! A nice selection of choices, very well cooked and served with a smile. The seafood arancini was packed with quality fish and served with a very tasty smoked hollandaise. The fish main was perfectly cooked and the orange cake was a perfect end. Great bottle of Vinho Verde completed the food very well. Would not hesitate to recommend and we will definitely be back. Thank you :)

Always a pleasure to go to this restaurant. The food is first class and the students and staff are simply the best. The 5 course taster menu never disappoints.

We tried the 5 course tasting menu and it was delicious. The young staff are really anxious to please but are not constantly bothering you with ‘is everything alright’ Each of the 5 courses was beautifully presented with a brief description of what it was. My wife’s sea bream was undercooked by about 1 minute. It was quickly swapped for a fresh plate with absolutely no fuss. The wine list is varied and the house white, a Verdejo from Spain was very good value and pleasant. The restaurant itself is modern with a terrific view over Mounts Bay , easy car parking and overall a really great dining experience, Penzance is very fortunate to have such an excellent restaurant.

We had the lovely Layla today to explain all the delights of the menu to us today. I decided on the Gambos pil pil that was delicious, very garlic with a hint of chilli; followed by Ox cheek, mustard mash and tenderstem broccoli. It was so tender and rich, with silky mash and a red wine jue. I should have stopped at that but couldn't resist the Cranack!! Full of raspberries and whisky cream with a dusting of oats on top, absolutely delicious, accompanied with florentines. We are booked for some more next month, we'll done all of the Senara team.

I’ve been having lunch here with friends for several years and I thought I’d post my first review saying … This is in my opinion one of the best restaurants I’ve had the pleasure of dining in. Over the years I’ve taken a photo of the cuisine they offer which is created by students on vocational courses offered by Penwith College Penzance. The meals are always look stunning and taste delicious. In my opinion they wouldn’t look out of place in a top class restaurant.

We were impressed by the quality of the dishes prepared by the students. Dining at Senara Restaurant is a true privilege. For very affordable prices, you can enjoy dishes worthy of great restaurants. If you are passing through the city and love good food, this is a place you absolutely have to go to. You will not be disappointed!

This was our second visit and just as good as the first. The food was exquisite, perfectly cooked and the table service first class. I have eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the UK from London to Cornwall and Senara is on a par.

Such a wonderful restaurant and a great opportunity for the catering students to learn their skills. Fantastic food and a great price.

We were a table of 7 and we were lucky enough to get a table for the Argoe takeover at Senara. The food was fabulous. Every course was delivered with a smile by our lovely waiting staff with an explanation of the cooking. Everything was shared at the table. We had drinks and a couple of bottles of wine which was recommend and very good value. The takeovers are an affordable way of sampling some of the best restaurant food in the area, coupled with wonderful students serving. A great experience - we will be back.

Students at Senara worked at different level last Friday evening when they were mentored by staff from Adam Handley's 'Ugly Butterfly' restaurant to produce a fabulous banquet. An exquisite menu paired with lovely wines combined with superb service, (nice one Hope), made for a very special anniversary meal. Great to witness the chefs of the future exploring new skills and producing superb flavours. Thanks to everyone at Senara - and for the Ugly Butterfly team for investing time in developing young people.

Our third visit. We went on Friday evening for the 5 course menu and everything was brilliant. A lovely touch was the welcome cocktail and small glass of Cornish elderflower cider. The two young ladies who planned the menu and worked on it together did such an amazing job, they should be very proud of themselves! Everything was worthy of a good London restaurant. Thank you to everyone involved, it was a great evening.

We have just had the most amazing experience at Senara Restaurant @ Penwith College. They were teamed up with Mermaid Alley Penzance. The food was absolutely amazing, the service was fabulous, friendly and efficient. Music and ambiance was great, it felt like we were in a normal restaurant, not a college restaurant. Would highly highly recommend. Well done to the Students and Staff and of course Mermaid Alley.

Absolutely amazing meal with Mermaid Alley at Senara tonight. Very tasty Mauritian food, great service and a lovely atmosphere. Good luck to you all.

My first time at Senara and I wasn't disappointed. The food, courtesy of mackerel Sky, was amazing as always, and the student staff were brilliant. Attentive, knowledgeable and very polite. They'll all go far in the hospitality business I'm sure. Keep up the good work Senara. We will return.

Porthminster cafe crossover event. Delicious food, superb service. Fabulous young people excelling in their chosen field. Highly recommend!!

As always, a very enjoyable evening with an excellent meal.

Haven’t eaten here for quite a while but it was just a perfect meal with very good service. Considering it’s a training restaurant the staff and the food are as good as some of our favourite restaurants, 2 Fore street, Victoria at Perranuthnoe etc. Well done team

The first takeaway of the new academic term It didn't disappoint. The students were very polite, accomodating and efficient. It was Indian takeaway and it was delicious. The Venison Rogan Josh was sublime. The portion sizes were perfect. We are looking forward to their tasting evenings later in the year.

Our second visit to Senara and even better than the first. Firstly such pleasant and helpful young people. Secondly excellent value. Thirdly amazing food. Today we had a beautifully spicy fish goujon taco and a lovely wild mushroom bruschetta. Followed by the freshest fish and chips and a pork and black pudding dish accompanied by a wonderful beetroot dauphinoise - genius idea and so we’ll cooked. Finally a generous portion of pannacotta and the lightest sticky toffee pudding. Thank you to the whole team for such a pleasant experience. We enjoyed it so much that we’ve booked to go back again twice!

This restaurant is exceptional! Went for lunch with a friend. It was the start of academic soft opening cooked by and hosted by L1 students and I must say the food and service was better than many established restaurants I have been to. The staff were nervous but smiling and courteous and eager to please. The food was outstanding. 1 course £5 - 2 courses £8 and 3 courses for £10 We could only manage two courses but wanted everything on the menu. Everything is cooked from fresh and boy could you taste it. We both had hake in gin and tonic batter with chunky chips, homemade tartare sauce and homemade mushy peas and burnt lemon. The little touches are what elevates the food. The lemon posset I had with homemade shortbread was incredible and the gooey brownie with a gorgeous crust, drenched in chocolate sauce and ice cream was also unbelievable. We have requested recipes for both!!! The hospitality industry will only improve with the obvious fastidious training they are receiving and the determination of the students to achieve. What an excellent venue - plus the views are some of the best in cornwall!!!

It is a real privilege to be able to get a table at Senara. You may need to try and book for next academic year now....it's THAT good. You may get lucky with a cancellation.... The lecturers kindly guide and teach the students to create the most amazing dishes. It's really hard to believe from the food that this is a college and not a swanky restaurant. Parking is super easy, right next to the restaurant. Views across the bay are pretty special too. An amazing college course creating amazing food.

Very impressed, excellent value and well prepared food.

This is fine dining with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The concept of the college students gaining first hand experience in the hospitality industry by providing service in the college restaurant is a great idea. The food was excellent and presented professionally with friendly staff.

As always excellent. The young people and instructors produce and serve food to a very high standard. Thanks.

Lovely food and very reasonable.

We came on a Friday night for the set menu dinner experience. The staff/students were all really really great and attentive, there was a young boy there who was not as confident with English yet he was still such a pleasure. All the students would describe their dishes and they were all confident, it was very nice to see how professional they were. The menu was very nice, my dad is allergic to cheese and was accommodated for, which was very good. The trout was replaced with salmon instead which we weren’t bothered about either! Really delicious food, cleaned up most of our plates. The canopies in particular, absolutely divine, my dad is fussy with vegetarian food, however even he polished off that beetroot falafel, absolutely delicious. The homemade cider was very sweet so only to some people’s taste, overall had a lovely experience. If you are looking to have a quick dinner though it’s not the place for you! We dined for around 3 1/2 hours.

Five fantastic courses, served by well educated and friendly staff. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and find it hard to believe that the extremely talented people behind this are at the start of very bright and promising journeys. I can’t wait to come back, keep up the great work.

First class food in a lovely setting. 5 beautifully presented courses which all tasted incredible. We tried dishes we had never had before and each one was a treat! The service was second to none. The students and staff are professional, knowledgeable and friendly. I would not hesitate to recommend Senara and will definitely return.

My wife and I took our twenty one year old grandson for a six course tasting menu.he is a bit of a faddy eater but he loved it he can’t wait to go again excellent meal if you live in the Penzance area you really should give it a go.

Love Senara!! A lovely welcoming atmosphere and the students were very attentive in their service! Delicious birthday lunch having both starters and mains with a little cocktail as treats! Special mention to the crepes prepared at our table!!

Four of us had an excellent lunch at Senara today, Every course was perfection and the service was very good indeed. We will most definitely return!

The whole experience was lovely. The food was amazing. The staff were very helpful and friendly, and the atmosphere was lovely. Initially it was quite cool in the restaurant but it did warm up.

Our first visit but there will definitely be many more. Although the food is prepared and presented by students you'd never know. This was fine dining at its best. We ate at The Ivy in London last week and dare I say this meal was definitely on a par. In addition the service was top notch and as for value for money it can't be beaten. Very highly recommended.

We had the burrito takeaway (one pork & one beef) and it was absolutely fabulous; full of flavour. The food was presented well in the box and was hot. Well done both kitchen & service. Amazing! Please do more Friday night takeaways.

Lovely, different and usual food. Some portions too big eg the pheasant pate and the snacks. Some too small, the miniscule portions of potato with the chicken. It was a wet day and slightly chilly in the restaurant.

Had tried to book via the website after seeing a piece on Spotlight about Senara but didn;t get a reply, ( if you intend to book online don't try on the day like me do it at least a few days previous but expect a date after March, it is very popular) but we went anyway and luckily they were able to accomodate us because they had a no show, (don't understand why people do that what's wrong with an email or phone call to cancel ) and have to say the food was amazing, forgot it was nearly Christmas so the menu was very Christmas themed and good value £20 for two courses and £25 for three, limited menu but four good choices on both starters and mains, the students were waiting on and we had no problems place was busy with a number of Christmas partys but all courses arrived hot and within a reasonable time, Izzie the waitress taking our order explained that the Cod was actually Hake due to it being the only catch available,( so fresh then ) which we both had, I mean it was Friday, licensed as well and the drink prices are reasonable, all in all a very enjoyable meal, High quality restuarant food at pub grub prices, got to be a winner, now have to try the place in Truro, bit closer for us.

Myself and three friends were fortunate enough to book a table at Senara for lunch two of them had never been to the restaurant before and were as impressed by the quality and presentation of the food as I am always. The young servers are a delight Smart,Polite,Knowledgeable and so Friendly.If you have never been do try it you will not be disappointed just remember to book in advance.They also do Take a Way.

We had lunch one day during our time in Cornwall and were well impressed! The restaurant was spotless and bright, young servers were excellent and the food was as good as any top class establishment. Well done, we will be back!

A really excellent restaurant situated at Penwith College. It's a teaching restaurant so the service isn't perfect but the students do a great job and the teachers clearly care about them and work hard to prepare them for jobs in the industry. The food has been excellent each time I've dined at Senara and it really is something of a hidden gem that's worth seeking out. There's also the opportunity to provide feedback in order to help the students learn and develop their skills. Definitely recommended.

A real treat, with treat after treat. I had the gluton free menu. It was excellent. The most succulent chicken and wild mushroom soup.

We were lucky to get a table on the last-but-one day before the summer break and were so glad we did. We chose the mackerel, which came with courgettes in two different forms plus chermoula and dukkha (no, we had no idea either but we...

We read on tripadvisor about this restaurant, and we do like so adventure, so we booked a table for today. The food was really good. Soup, taco's, chicken terriyaki, great desserts, wonderful crew. We loved every minute of it.

Have been many times for the evening service and have loved it every single time. The food is stunning and the service is brilliant. Such a great atmosphere. For a training facility where students are learning the trade the lecturers are doing such a fab...

We had such a lovely lunch. From the appetizers to starters, main and dessert all absolutely first class! The Lobster Prawn Toast was out of this world! Ellie our waitress was lovely and really looked after us, thank you! We can’t wait to come back,...

Really impressive and creative food. I’m quite a picky eater but managed to clean off my plate on every dish. We were well looked after & staff were lovely. Only one star down because apparently the waiting staff don’t get any tips!

Went here for first time this evening and couldn't believe just how amazing it was. Food was spectacular - better than many acclaimed restaurants in Cornwall - and service was excellent. Would recommend highly and we will be back asap too

Excellent fine dining and service, can't believe the value for money

We paid £30 for 6 courses of top quality food, couldn't believe the value for money for such fine dining. Each dish was perfect and the staff were so friendly and accomadating. We will definitely be returning again!

Wonderful no other words are required

Food is good. Tips do not go to the students. Your waiter/waitress gets nothing!

I feel we in Penzance are so lucky to have this gem of a restaurant within close proximity, the quality of food combined with exceptionally good value is unbeatable . Keep up the good work!

Had a wonderful Christmas 🌲☃️ lunch very nice people.

We went on a Friday to have the 6 course taster menu and it was amazing. The students work hard and deliver excellent service. The portions were good and the food was so good that you had to eat it all!! I would definitely recommend...

Food and service was impeccable will certainly visit again next year if we can get in. All 6 courses were well presented and cooked perfectly.

Excellent quality food service price ambiance.... Well done to the young people of this Collage in Penzance

We’ve been trying to get a booking at this restaurant for many years only to find they’re fully booked when we come down on holiday. However we succeeded this year and wasn’t disappointed. An excellent way to teach the students how real life restaurants work...

We joined for lunch, a fantastic meal that is on par with any restaurant we have frequented during our holiday. We enjoyed chicken supreme and beef brisket with lemon posset for dessert and truly enjoyed every mouthful. Well throughout flavours that complement each other. This...

Another fabulous meal at Senara. Wonderful location and views, great ambience. Superb, imaginative menu- beautifully cooked and presented. Charming staff. Highly recommended

Meals well presented as usual. Amy looked after us very well. They will reopen again in September. Tutors and students have coped well during a difficult 15 months.

I spent a lovely night here with my wife. We got lucky enough to get a last minute spot due to some late cancellations. The staff also managed to accommodate some dietary requirement (food intolerance) that I communicated beforehand. The dinner was perfect: the service...

Great food at low price, nice to be served by cookery students.

A lovely evening in a great setting. We had a 6 course set menu and every dish tasted incredible. All served by friendly and professional students. Thank you

So good to see Senara open again. We enjoyed our meals, well presented. Good front of house staff. Our friendly and professional waiter was Louie. Hope to visit again soon.

Senara is wonderful, delicious food, great service, and very reasonably priced. The staff and students are extremely professional and you are given a very warm welcome. Thank you.

Been to this place twice for lunch. Food is superb at a really decent price. Strongly recommended.

Have eaten here many times, never been disappointed. Good choice, meals well presented. Front of house students friendly and helpful. Will book in again soon.

Bearing in mind that this is a learning facility for the catering industry, and that the staff are therefore all learners, we had a very good meal in clean, if basic, surroundings, at a good price. Well worth a visit!

Fabulous! Beautifully presented food and lovely staff. Been meaning to go for ages and wasn’t disappointed.

The standard if the dishes served is outstanding these students are awesome Thank you another family evening thoroughly enjoyed

What a wonderful find The atmosphere was very relaxed friendly and enthusiastic The food was amongst the best that we have found in Cornwall The balance of the food was beautiful as was the attention to detail Clearly all made from local produce with a lot of care Not a place you’d normally consider for lunch but we will most definitely be back Thank you

We normally love eating at Senara, good food and fun watching the students learn. Today was awful; bless them they were clueless, we know the students were trying but the manager/supervisor in the waistcoat who was supposed to be overseeing and teaching them needs the sack. He was unhelpful to guests as well as the students, looked angry and was not helping anything. The guests were instructing the students and looked uncomfortable. Even when I tried to pay, the manager was rude, avoided eye contact and made everyone feel embarrassed. He should not be in this job and has many issues. I would have walked off and not paid had I not been near my guests who were totally embarrassed. There is no hope for these students in their second term or the poor non trading this so called college is giving. I’ve also heard poor reports from establishments hiring from here; you produce useless students. Get your act together or give up!

Great tasting food,very reasonable priced and all done by the students👍👍👍

Lunch at Senara was a delight as always.. Burger was enormous.. Deconstructed cheesecake.. Delicious.. Service.. Ideal.. Many thanks.

My wife and I ate here twice during our stay in Cornwall. The food was absolutely marvellous and the service of a very high standard. What an amazing experience of fine dining with such a polite and enthusiastic team of young people. Massive praise to the staff behind the scenes. Will definitely be booking again when we are down again.

Good food good staff great price

Fantastic place, food and staff are very nice.

Me and my husband visited Senara for a meal and what a great experience! The food was excellent and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We will return soon!!

Very impressed by my visit to Senara restaurant, food was well prepared, and unbeatable price for menu choice.

Really enjoyed Valentine's day lunch in this sunny room with views across to Mount's Bay, served by cheerful, careful trainees, most in their second year.This training restaurant is consistently wonderful. 3 choices for starter, mains and pud. Always a veggie choice included. We had antipasti, veg and meat options, A very good chicken ballontine stuffed with haggis, a cheese course for my dining partner and I had the baked vanilla custard with passion fruit and a scoop of ginger ice-cream.Full wine list. We had three courses each, a total of three drinks, plus two double espressos and with a tip that all came to under forty pounds. Brilliant!

Lovely atmosphere (though it can get a little crowded and noisy), Invariably an unusual/creative menu encouraging you to try something different and at the ridiculously low prices it really isn't the end of the world if you don't like it. At £10 for 3 courses you really can't complain. Staff are lovely and helpful, plentiful easy parking and wheelchair access.

I had seen the restaurant online and booked lunch last Tuesday for ourselves and two friends visiting from Northumberland. After the huge disappointment of our meal the day before at Jamie's Fifteen in Watergate Bay (sorry Jamie), our lunch here was a revelation. Not easy to find, but as soon as we stepped through the door we were made extremely welcome and the service was immaculate all through the meal. As for the food it is definitely fine-dining standard at crazy prices. All four of us had different things to eat and everything was exceptional. I cannot praise this place enough. Every restaurant in the West of England should send their staff here for the experience.All I can say is Wow! We shall return as often as we can.....

Senara is the catering college. The students cook and wait on. The service is very professional and the food is superb and very nicely presented. I had gazpacho, my wife had the Senara antipasti, both delicious. I had a hake main and the fish was cooked perfectly. The other main of pork and dauphinois potatoes,was also voted a hit. Desert was a tasty frangipane tart. A very enjoyable visit.

Booked in here for lunch with my family and what a gem we found. Great choice on the menu, great quality food at a great price.

Our meal at Senara today was delicious as usual , fish cake starter , so many flavours , the mojo chicken also bursting with flavours , finished with dessert of strawberries meringue and cream , superb from start to finish , students service excellent , Also booked for moulin rouge evening on the 6th July , sounds like a great evening , looking forward to it

This is the catering college restaurant. The service is made by students as is the food. At present lunch is served £6 for 2 courses and £8 for 3. The quality of the food and it’s presentation is excellent. I can thoroughly recommend it to everybody. Make a prior booking first to ensure that you get a table. The restaurant is pleasant. There are also small biscuits and cakes on sale at the checkout for a very small fee of around £1 each. Everything is superb value.

First time for brunch at Senara. Although we have been there many times for lunch. They will only be doing brunch a few times a year. Which is why it was very busy there today. really enjoyed the leaf tea.

Went for lunch on Tuesday. I went to see an old friend, and ended up staying for lunch. I had the fish, ribs and crème brulee. Was the best food I have ever tasted in along time. The students have definitely up there standards since the last time I went there. Great service from the students out front as well.

This was my first visit to Senara although I have tried to book a table there before. The restaurant offers a choice of two or three courses and I must say I only intended to have two but the menu was very tempting.

Another great lunch, meals very good and well presented. Our waiter William,was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable about the menu. It is very busy so you do need to book in advance. Will visit again.

Another wonderful meal, well presented. Front of house staff friendly and professional. You do need to book in advance. Look forward to our next visit.