The Bowgie Inn in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

This pub has such amazing views and so much potential, we stopped in a very quiet pub on a Sunday afternoon for a drink and snack after a walk but were very quickly ready to go. We were pounced on at the door asking what we wanted, then despite the pub being nearly deserted were told to sit by a table of two families with noisy toddlers. We were then told that we couldn't order with the staff at the table despite there being a number of them or at the bar where there were more staff despite them clearly having multiple tills. We had to order on our phones or on the mcdonalds kiosks. All very odd, like some sort of covid hangover where the owner has decided that they would prefer to not have to speak to the customers, had my children not been so thirsty and tired i would have taken the family elsewhere. The qr code we had to scan wasn't printed properly so that took as while, there is no phone reception so you have to join their wifi which is slow. After registering for their website trying to navigate the order webpage takes time as it hasn't been very well designed or mobile optimised, clunky and again slow. After about 15 minutes i managed to place an order on my phone. A few minutes later before the drinks came a bowl of reheated £5 chips and a handful of sauce sachets, after a few more minutes some tiny cups of tea in glass mugs and some £4 kids drinks. No check back, no upselling, nothing, we would have spent more had it not been so painful. The older generation wont cope with all of this for a cup of tea. Busy carpark but no apparent customers, i should imagine full of tourists in season, this place would stand no chance without the views or against some competition. I honestly don’t remember when i last felt so uncomfortable in a pub, a great example of rip off Cornwall.

We stopped in yesterday on our coastal walk, but didn't have high expectations, or eat a full meal due to the under par reviews - just had some hot snacks and drinks Everything was so surprisingly nice, that we returned today for a Sunday roast and pie dish. About £40 for two full meals and two pints. The portions were great, food excellent, staff were really friendly, the location and ambience were top notch. We had no trouble ordering with the App, it was clear and easy to navigate. The waiter had even taken the trouble to bring us out a taster of a drink we thought we might like, before we committed to it. We will definitely go back. Good quality and value for money in our opinion.

Such a shame! I had a ploughman’s which was so disappointing. It was just way way too much lettuce, 4 slices of tomato and cucumber. A tiny bit of bread and a little bit of cheese. No dressing, for the money it was pretty poor. It’s sadly soulless. You order from a Mac Donald’s style screen or from your phone and they ask to add a tip before you have paid? No idea who I’m tipping, the machine or my phone. Food came out quickly which was great but £38 for a salad, a soup a glass of wine and a soft drink. Over priced and souless. The staff were friendly and the location is stunning. But it’s just like a fast food restaurant, but much more expensive. What a shame. .

just sad service about time owners sell up used be good cornish pub with nice food but sad attempt updated and failed the owners should accept prevouis owner repution done and sell up and give place fresh start

From despising The Bowgie Inn to absolutely loving it (I won't eat here) within a few years. The system of payment should be implemented elsewhere as it's fantastic. People whining about it need to get a bit of a clue, you're stuck in yesteryear! Service is second to none with very polite waiters/waitresses. Dog water & biscuits are brought to your table (outside only, no dogs inside except when walking to & from the outdoor area) Great selection of drinks and one of the best views in Cornwall that no one can knock.

What a shame. We've visited this pub before, and it had character and charm, but now resembles a service station. On arrival, we're told that we had to order online or at one of the screens (like they have in McDonald's), only to then have to walk past the bar to an outside table. After 10 minutes of signing up to their website in order to actually be able to get a drink, we ordered a pint of lager and a pint of cider. Both were around £7 each, and the lager was actually shandy when it eventually arrived after 20 minutes. Had there been any staff around, we would have complained, but that doesn't seem to be an option on their website. Very disappointing. We won't be visiting again, which is a shame, because a pint at the Bowgie was one of our holiday traditions.

All its character is lost, it now looks like the dining area of a holiday park restaurant. Screens/online ordering only … that’s one way to rile customers. It’s a shadow of what it once was , now a clinical plastic clad establishment that is overpriced. ...£6.50 for a 'luxury' hot chocolate (no flake).

Great food. Order off your phone. Quick service. Dog friendly and amazing views over a stunning bay

I've been to this place over the years since aged 9, now 38.. And despite all the locals telling me and my partner to stay clear, I decided to give it a shot.. What a mistake.. It's basically a hollow shell of what it once was. It has no soul and can't seem to make up its mind between being a posh restaurant or a weatherspoons knock-off. The food isn't even as good as weatherspoons, and for the price ranges, I'd expect closer to Miller & Carter. Instead, what you get is basically zero service, staff that greet you for one reason and one reason only, to ask if you know how to use their kiosks to order food like I'm at McDonalds and not some picturesque remote pub/restaurant between two of Cornwalls best beaches. I'll never go back, I consider The Bowgie dead, that is trying to appeal to the posh hotel next door while still grasping at straws with mid food at high prices.

Pretty clinical place. When I walked in it could've been a hotel or hospital foyer. Order through the wall mounted touch screen. Nothing wrong with the drinks but it's not for me. Great location. Great views. Ring go car park, not for me.

Great venue, plus great walks & beach nearby

We visited here as we do most years.I would echo a lot of the other reviews regarding the food and atmosphere. The place has been refurbished but I feel its lost its character now. Ordering from a McDonald's style kiosk is really sad aswell because the service aspect has gone. You can't order a drink at the bar anymore its all online ordering etc. The food wasn't great, I would describe it as average at best. Unfortunately I wouldn't rush to return anytime soon as its just lost its spark now. Don't forget to pay the extortionate car parking prices to have an average experience at this place, really poor that you have to pay to park to use the pub. £70.00 I wish I hadn't spent.

Great views but ridiculously expensive lunch food - £12 for a toastie with no crisps, no chips and just standard sliced bread. Disappointing

Great position and views but self service ordering like Miccky Dees :-(. Awful idea

This restaurant is a must if you enjoy good food with gorgeous sea views! We will visit again when we return to Cornwall

Lovely place with a great view of Crantock beach. When the weather is good there aren't many better views.

Fantastic views , good , value for money food . Friendly , helpful staff . Decent menu choices .

No menu to look at, you have to order at a screen or on your phone, what exactly is the point of going out when you have to do all the work, sit on your phone instead of talking to people and there's no service? Might as well go to Macdonald's. Food is average to poor and atmosphere crap. One of the shitest options in Cornwall I'd say.

Unfortunately the tuna steak was very dry. The salad without dressing =(

Great pint and an awesome view from outside

Stunning location, great food and fast service. What more could you ask!

Only stayed for a drink, but lovely pub with lovely views

We didn't have food but we absolutely loved the pub and the views

Only a quick visit, helpful staff, beautiful view.

Great little spot, lovely environment to be in great views of Crantock and the pub itself it’s well kept and modern. Food was great pub grub and the service was great too. My only minor gripe was that we couldn’t order at the bar itself and had to download the app. Which I found a bit odd as it was quite quiet and the inside bar area was empty.

More modern bar with great seating outside and views than country inn. Clean and professional, very much needed. Proper Job was more fizz than cream but you can’t have everything I suppose.

We found this place by accident after not being able to park at Crantock beach. So glad we did! We went for a swim in the cove and came up for drinks after. We liked it so much wd decided to return that evening for dinner. Ordering was so simple. There was a Fantastic selection for vegetarians and vegans, snd the carnivores were extremely happy to! We sat outside and enjoyed watching the surfers whole we waited for our food. Lovely atmosphere, super service and dogs are welcome to! What an amazing place!

What a beautiful location beautiful views across Crantock Bay stunning. The food and drinks were good the only thing is you got to order on a App or big screen inside.

Stunning views but that's all this place has to offer ! We parked up in the overflow carpark paid over £5 walked up towards the decking area where a gate was wide open walked upto the bar and asked for a pint big mistake apparently as an awful female manager who looked about 20 stormed over to us and said you can't order at the bar if you had walked through the main entrance we would of checked you in. So we walked upto the desk near main door got checked in was given a piece of paper with a app on it to order a drink as we walked back outside the same girl slammed the side gate and said it's "Not difficult to read ! " I later found out that the side gate had a sign on it saying use main entrance we was planning on having drinks and food but we felt so unwelcome that we had one drink and left shocking place.

Beautiful restaurant in fantastic surroundings let down by a fast food production system whilst charging premium prices where a good restaurant would give you the personal service. So orders are only taken by app or touchscreen ( like McDonald's) mains menu was limited which in my personal opinion if the food is top notch no issue, me and my wife ordered the steak , both ordered medium rare , both were what I would call well done , the mushroom cremated, no one asks how your meal is . It has the feel of a fast food restaurant whilst charging premium prices and was easily one of the worst steaks I've had in a while. £75 for two meals and two drinks is expensive, if your going to treat your customers like a fast food restaurant customer at least charge prices accordingly. The views outside stunning though.

Great location, amazing panoramic views al fresco. QR code to place orders. Drinks came two mins after ordering, food five mins later. Would visit again.

Beautiful views. The food was lovely. We felt very welcome and relaxed even with a crazy toddler. The food is excellent value for money.

Very nice modern interior. All order on the app which takes some getting used to. Basic pub grub but nice enough. Good enough selection of beers.

Amazing views and very clean but only option to order by the app is ridiculous, especially when 3/4 bar staff are stood around doing nothing! Such a shame, it’s not the covid era anymore!

The views are amazing 😍 but our meals was not the best burger was all salad and a tiny thin burger changed a lot since we was last there 15 years ago. Not for me so will not be going back again.

Unfortunately The Bowgie Inn has lost ALL the character that made it a must visit, in the past. Food was good and served quickly, however there is no service from the bar as all drinks and food has to be ordered via an app or from sceens on the wall, as per McDonald's. No physical menu, just a "Q" code. Felt more like a conveyor belt restaurant than a pub. Add to this you now have to pay for parking. Great venue but no longer on my list of pubs to visit in Cornwall. Shame

I have been coming to this pub for about 10 years now ever since I have been holidaying in Newquay. On my recent visit I was really disappointed. I have been here since the pub had a makeover which at the time, I didn't particularly like because it changed the atmosphere of the place. However on this visit, there is now a reception desk as you walk in, not a lectern like most places, a full on desk where you are greeted by a member of staff, who was extremely pleasant and asked if we were eating or just having a drink. We were then handed a bar code to take to our table to place our order. However, if you cannot use the bar code, the alternative is a McDonald's style ordering screen located behind the reception desk where you can also place an order. I was shocked. The place completely lacked atmosphere and was like an upmarket McDonald's but twice the price. How many pubs do you know of where uou cannot go to the bar to order a drink. What if you don't have a mobile phone and want to pay in cash!! Such a shame, had so many good times in here but won't be rushing back 😕

Totally awesome! Very busy as you'd expect but the service is outstanding and the food was perfect. Whatever the Bowgie team is doing, keep doing it!!!!

Nice place and drinks, let down by ridiculous convoluted online/qr code ordering system was absolutely unnecessary and unwanted, making a very easy order at the bar and pay scenario a 30min plus ball ache and wait for drinks. If it aint broke dont fix it springs to mind...

JUST SAD RIP OFF, Food microwaved to death no service just computer screen chef air quotes but management was worst try explain no point just give money and go home, watch your cars for parking

Incredible views overlooking Crantock beach. Highly recommended to book outside of the weather is good enough. Dog and child friendly with ample parking.

Lovely views over the beach and cove, all table service that you order at your table online.

Helpful assistants but only being able to order your drinks and food through a screen on a wall like McDonalds is just a no no! Not accepting orders at the bar or through table service means that the place lacks any personality!

We love this place. Excellent location overlooking the sea. Service is fantastic and the food was delicious. Incredibly dog friendly too. We will be back again soon.

Nice pub and good food. Strange ordering system though, made it feel like a McDonald's

Prefer to pay cash but can't here. Can't go to bar to order drinks, got to fiddle ya way through an app or an order screen like mcdonalds , there's drinks that arent on the app,

Beautiful venue, helpful staff, very quick service with the scan, order and pay system. Will be back again.

Excellent food and customer service. Highly recommend

McDonald's style ordering for food and drinks (screen order via phone or site epos), food and service were great and team were keen to accommodate family. Overall was great value and good food despite lacking in atmosphere. Drink orders also via phone was odd.

All self service on machine or app for ordering. Then delivered to table. No real staff interaction. Food was good, hot and served quickly, lovely outlook.

Great food, great place but since when could you not order at the bar. I don't want to order on a touchscreen. I'm not at MacDonalds. Overall the food was great and my macaroni cheese was really delicious. 4/5

The 'McDonald's lite' computer ordering system combined with a nice building reminds me more of a weatherspoons than a good cornish pub. The menu is way over priced, the selection of food is poor, and drinks are really way too expensive. However is a great view and the staff were really friendly. However the upper management/owners appear to have never worked in a bar, well maybe a weatherspoons

Nois nois echo nois walked out, view over sea great

Dreadful McDonalds style touch screen system that’s not wiped down after each use (Extremely unhygienic!). Diners can use their own phone to order using a QR code but I never take a phone into a restaurant. I had the spinach quiche which was very salty and salad. The salad was on a red hot plate with the quiche. Very strange. Did not say anything as it was an 18th birthday dinner but needless to say, I won’t be returning. Staff did not return to check if everything was ok anyway. You have to pay up front when you order so once they have your money, that’s it. The place has a commanding view of the bay which is wonderful.

Delicious meals, for our family of 4, definitely recommend the lasagne. Good service, but bit quiet in the inn Amazing views. Highly recommend a visit

Had a fantastic lunch here, we were a party of 10 + 2 Babies. On arrival we were asked if we wanted drinks before going to our seats, once at our seats I noticed they had a private function room, so asked as we were a large party with a LOT of children "could we use the room" they said this was fine and we could move into the room. As a thank you for the staff's friendliness, I moved the tables myself for us all in the function room and then cleaned up the floor and set the room back as we found it. I would recommend anyone in Newquay or Cornwall to give this place a visit, You will be welcomed, have a fantastic view and fantastic food!

Well worth a visit. Good food. Great views, plenty of car parking too

Had a family meal here on an Sunday and the food was delicious. Service was fast and staff very friendly. Beautiful views of the coast.

Beautiful setting at the top of a hill overlooking the bay, lovely food, great service and good portion sizes!

Such a good find. Was recommended by a family member and didnt disappoint. A great looking pub/restraunt. Really clean and tidy. Plenty of room. Space outside to sit and eat if you wanted. Will be returning on our next family holiday.

We loved our visit here. We walked over from Holywell Bay and stopped here for lunch. The food was delicious and service brilliant. We will definitely visit again next time we are in Cornwall

It's really hard to rate this place now! I have been coming here since I was a little girl. I am 55 this year, however, I still attend festivals, go out dancing and drinking and have an active social life so there is life in the old dog yet (just to put to bed the 'this is progress' remarks). The people are polite and smiley when they bring your drinks and food and when they collect your glasses and dishes. The fact that the ordering is the same as a McDonalds is an absolute shame for me personally, although if you wish to be served at the counter at McDonald's you still have the option, at the Bowgie Inn you don't. I went to get a round of drinks and was told they couldn't serve from the bar! No interaction from the staff. I always tip 20% but could not as there was no personal service, too mechanised for me, sadly, I shall not be returning. The food was good, and the necessary service was there but too detached. This is not the fault of the individuals working there, just the processes that have been put in place.

The Bowgie has become a regular go to as the set up is so good and the view is breathtaking. Food and drinks can be ordered via a mobile app, so all you have to do is sit and enjoy. Today we had the chicken burger and the quiche. Both really tasty. The friendly service is so lovely and very appreciated.

Fantastic location for views of the coast

Great location. Good food. Good rattler. Massive shame there are no physical menu's. Ordering works well but is more suited to fast food and takes away from the dining experience. Old Albion for food next time we are in the area. We will definitely visit again for a drink.

Great setting great staff. A different way to order than normal using the terminals or your phone but once you get hang of that it's perfect. We went 3 nights in a row including euro semis nights and still got treated impeccably

Good pub food spectacular view and friendly helpful staff

I recently had a meal with family and it was a fantastic experience. The restaurant offers breathtaking beach views, creating a serene and picturesque dining atmosphere. The food was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The service was impeccable, with attentive and friendly staff ensuring we had everything we needed. You do either have to order on your phone or at the touch screens yourself. But the staff were there to help if anyone needed help. The service was quick and easy. Our food arrived with 20 minutes of ordering.

Been coming her on and off for 35 years it lost its atmosphere. And it’s like walking into MAC Donald's everything has to be ordered through an app sorry but not for me there’s plenty of nice pubs near by such a shame

Sadly, we didn't stay food on this occasion, but the drinks, service, and view were 5*

Lost its appeal massively Been here from being a kid when the pub was pink the atmosphere was fantastic great views great pub I appreciate things have to modernise somewhat Took us 15 minutes to log in as it was to complicated Tbh I will never go back There are now better pubs I will go to Feel sorry for bar staff Look at trip advisor for a realistic review of the bowgie which gives it a 3 out of 5 In my view that is to much Good bye bowgie

Stopped off for a drink & admire the views 👌

Took 20 minutes to place an order even to get a drink as had to order on phone; annoying , frustrating and why not just let us order face to face! Staff were lovely but no personal service 😢. Part of going out is being able to interact.

Had to order food and drink McDonalds style. When I wanted a second drink I went to the bar where I was told that they could not serve from the bar and that I should go up the stairs behind the bar and order at the machine again! No chance! Shan't be back!

On a sunny day it's a fantastic place to go for drinks and a meal with lovely views of the coast, first class

We used to visit the Bowgie Inn when it was the pink pub for years and it should never have changed. It was a lovely pub and fantastic for families and all that has been taken away by modernising it. We were very disappointed. It had no atmosphere, everything was done via QR code or McDonald's style touch screen, and staff looked bored stiff as they had nothing to do. The drinks were expensive, not a lot of choice for main meals, but the food was nice and filling. The kids meal was 3/4 plate of chips, 1 sausage and small dish of beans. A bit of a joke! We would not return and not be recommending it to others.

Hate the McDonald's style ordering system. Can't even get a drink at the bar.

Very good, but you have to order and pay via the app!

Great views and lovely food with friendly staff

Booked a table no problem.sat outside with a great view over Crantock..Easy order by mobile and well worth the money as the food was delicious..

Not enough parking outside some bays marked out but not enough,most people just dump their cars outside the main entrance. There is a car park immediately below which is owned by west pentire parking which in my opinion if you’re dining at the Bowgie please subsidise the parking fee. Only visited once but won’t return.

Go every year always great meals,good value you must try this restaurant also great views outside.

Saw the parasols out side from the coastal path so as we still had a couple of hours on our parking ticket we thought we would nip in for a drink. The staff were really helpful and friendly and we grabbed a table outside. Ordered drinks by scanning a QR code which was really straightforward. We wasn’t planning on eating there but the food looked delicious so we had a jacket pocket with tuna mayo and the quiche with salad and chips. Both were outstanding. We would definitely visit again.

Sunday let down… The Worse Ploughman’s lunch ever … plate of salad with a block of cheese 🧀 they really need to understand what is a ploughman’s… chicken burgers was good .. roast was standard

Feels like McDonald's have to order from a screen. Ordered Sunday lunch was a case of hunt the food with your plate of gravy. Food was nice when got rid of the sauce Nice view. Great beer. Can't pay cash card only

Lovely modern pub restaurant. Nice staff.

My parents stopped for a drink today and told me how disappointed they were. They arent very tech savvy so found it difficult that the only way to order was via an app. They asked for help and found the service very patronising.

Busy, cliff top pub, after revamp seems to have hundreds of tables. But our main issue was don't like to have to order through QR codes and phones. That process on small phone is painful. But when submitted order came to table very quickly. So good service. But not liking the QR code aspect.

My first visit for a very long time, completely renovated, great job.

Went to see the Poppies and stopped off for a drink, the place is well located looking across to the beach, very modern interior and ordering is either via a QR coded menu or by way of fast food type menus in the bar area so there is virtually no interaction with bar/serving staff apart from when your order arrives at your table, I'm sure that in high summer it's an efficient if somewhat sterile system that will serve the masses of tourists they must get there. However, the staff that greeted us on arrival we very accommodating and explained the ordering process to us, we only had a drink so cannot comment on the food but they had 5 types of non alcoholic cider so us drivers are well catered for.

We have been coming here for many years when out walking the coast path and love the view. However, since Covid, it feels completely devoid of human interaction and does not feel like a pub at all. The ordering system is ridiculous, what's wrong with a menu on a table and a human to talk to! Having said that, the staff who did deliver the food and drink were lovely - just a shame they are not given much chance to interact as it's like a drive thru!

I had the tuna mayo jacket potato with side salad, well if you call a few lettuce leaves and a few slices of onion a salad, very disappointed. The potato and tuna was good value though. Everything had to be order either by qr code or a flat touch screen away from your table, the menu was accessed by the qr code or on the flat screen.....drinks orders also had to be made in this way too.....so no choice of a slight deviation...the only interaction with a human was on arrival and when they fetched your drinks, food and cleared away. We won't be going again. Food and drink service was very quick and the views were amazing.

Nice food, a bit pricey but views location and staff were excellent! Worth a visit.

Visited for a quick drink. This is a large venue and would seat well over 100 people inside and out. A two tier vranda gives stunning views looking out to sea,along the Cornish coast and to some lovely sandy beaches. Parking is free but limited, there is a paid parking facility just below. Food and drinks are ordered on McDonalds like screens and are delivered to your table. I found the staff friendly and helpful.

Very disappointed as I am Coeliac so need Gluten Free food. Only thing Gluten Free was a jacket potato with butter. Will not return until the menu improves.

I expected a quaint seaside pub. What I got was a cross between a McDonalds and a motorway cafe. McDonalds style ordering machines and a cashless service

Wouldn't return. No atmosphere, very clinical. Who the he'll thought a McDonalds type screen system is a good idea for a pub, and drinks are overpriced. Such a shame, but it's obviously all about the income.

Popped in for a quick drink, great setting and helpful staff,will return for the full experience

Lovely food and fantastic views

The all new "Bowgie' inn...scan code to order etc...but in fairness once app loaded the service was pretty quick...we had a couple of drinks and nachos . .very nice ..huge outdoor area for dogs with lovely views towards Crantock. Beach...