The Three Pilchards in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

We just had a fish pie & a classic burger for dinner. Food was super scrummy with the fish pie being outstanding. Highly recommend, and very quick service.

Comida increíble, pedimos pescado y patatas fritas y era delicioso y enorme! Ambiente y servicio increíbles. Sin duda volveré de nuevo. Muchas gracias.

Saludo de una manera muy amable. Se nos explicaron las opciones de asientos y pedidos. Nos dirigimos a la cubierta superior, que tenía unas vistas fabulosas. Aunque no estábamos cenando, las comidas se veían muy bien.

Small late visit to Polperro, we were recommended this restaurant and we were not disappointed. The dishes were very good, friendly atmosphere and very pleasant welcome with a few words in French which are always a pleasure. Thank you for your welcome and your smiles.

A big thanks to Matt & his team for looking after us for Sunday Lunch today. The food was excellent, the service was good (without being pushy) and the atmosphere was lovely. Will definitely be back again (the 2 photos were taken from the top of the beer garden).👏👏👍

Have been many time and have really enjoyed, I was looking forward to the large fish & chips however this time I think they have applied VAT to the fish, so much smaller than any other time I have been. Still fresh & tasty but compared to others I have had nothing to right home about. Had better in a pub in Wales

Really cold place to eat. Had to keep my coat on. Lots of items not available Tried to book for 7 told either 6 or 8. Place empty. Recently visited Tenby in Pembrokeshire. Come on Cornwall pull your socks up. No comparison whatsoever

Best fish and chips ever. Staff wonderful.

We made our way to Polperro, with eating in The Three Pilchards. We arrived 4 adults our dog and our 8week old granddaughter. We were greeted by a lady who informed us we could not come with the pram because of health and safety. We ask why, and she changed her mind and said we could push the pram in the corner and gave us a table. We ordered our food which came out the and service was good but our overall experience was spoilt by the way we were greeted. We will eat elsewhere when next in Polperro.

Called on on our walk from Looe to Polperro, we visited this pub a few years ago and had an excellent meal. This time was no different. We had a warm welcome by the staff, our food ( the Classic Double Cheese Burger with chips) arrived in good time, and as expected, a very tasty meal. The pub is a dog friendly pub with three rules, no barking, no biting, and no begging, so the signs say. We arrived at 12 noon, and it soon became busy, not sure if you can book a table but it may be worth it. A good pint of Off Shore.

Lovely place, great food, we sat by the log burner, friendly staff. Would go again.

We booked a table of 11 on the 16th March. The atmosphere is welcoming and the service was very good. We all opted for the roast which I must admit was exceptional and highly recommended

We popped in for a cup of tea and sit down near fire. Wife loved the toilets they were outside but very clean and new

We popped into this dog friendly pub for a quick pint and a snack. The menu was extensive but we settled on hand cut cheesy chips which did not disappoint. The beer was nice and cold. The atmosphere was lovely, with friendly and attentive staff. The Three Pilchards is the oldest pub in Polperro and I would definitely recommend it.

Able to get a table without booking, very friendly staff and lovely atmosphere.

We all (10) of us had an absolutely, fantastic roast meal yesterday Sunday 23rd February 🥰 the local rock orange gins were amazing too 🤩 the staff couldn’t do enough for us, great atmosphere too. Thank you to you all for our “present” 😉 the 🔥 was roaring, we’ll definitely return to see you again 😍😍

This is just the most amazing place atmosphere,incredibly friendly staff so welcoming the food is always so lovely a great menu with so much choice. Would highly recommend

Visited Polperro and wanted to explore the local businesses. Upon entering the pub it was very inviting and friendly. We sat down and after a couple of minutes were offered a drink and presented with the food menu. The food was delicious and great value for money. Overall it was a pleasurable experience with the manager and staff being very attentive. Would definitely recommend.

Visiting the pub on a cold, windy dark winters night was a lovely experience, stepped into the bar area and was greeted by a dog. Sat down and was given a couple of minutes to get settled before the waiter asked us if we wanted a drink, we also ordered food which was delicious. The staff were very friendly and the manger was very attentive. Hope to dine here again soon.

Lovely spot. Friendly staff and delicious food! The fish and chips were perfect, and the Sauvignon Blanc the perfect accompaniment.

Best Chips I've ever had! Good Beer, and good food. Good value for money and a perfect experience. Will come back for sure.

The Three Pilchards is possibly the greatest public house I've ever been in. From the moment you walk in, you receive the warmest welcome, and made to feel at home. They bring a whole new meaning to Customer Service. Offering a great selection of real ales, fine wines and soft drinks, and a fab cocktail menu, you're spoilt for choice. Now on to the food... I can honestly say, it's beyond what you'd get in a restaurant. The fish and chips is to die for, Rick Stein needs to visit to learn how to do it! Absolutely incredible menu, all cooked to perfection 👌 this truly is what I call a proper, classic, first class pub, and the staff run it better than clockwork. I wouldn't go anywhere else, and once you've been there, neither will you!

Excellent meal tonight. Everything was perfect. Mixture of main menu and Valentines menu.

I went on a weekday afternoon in the winter. Not very busy. Not much atmosphere. Staff were lovely. It's changed since I last went 6 years ago as it's a bit cluttered and doesn't look well organised. It didn't look very traditional, but it used to. It seems more of a restaurant than a pub.

A lovely quaint inn, a beautiful setting serving excellent food, best fish pie around. Dogs are very welcomed by the friendly staff. Would recommend a visit.

We didn't eat, but what a great pub on a winter's walk. Very friendly. The beer choice is narrow as you've only got a choice of Coors beers, but Sharps ales aren't bad.

Visited again after 5 years and the food is as good as we remembered. Plenty of space, well lit and lovely staff. Very good value for money.

Lovely cosy environment, the team were really friendly and helpful and the food was great, with nice selection of drinks. Thanks to the team and chef

Fui con la recomendación de tripadvisor y no se decepcionó en lo más mínimo - pub antiguo hermoso (cuida tu cabeza durante todo! ) , entorno encantador con un hermoso quemador de troncos, personal muy amable y la comida siempre es fenomenal! ¡Una visita obligada!

Good harbour pub. Tasty pub food and helpful, friendly staff in a great location.

Realmente disfruté de mi plato de mariscos, justo lo que me gustaba después de caminar por este pequeño y agradable pueblo portuario. Agradable para obtener algo de la captura local, aparte de los pescados y patatas fritas habituales. Mi pareja también dijo que el pastel de pescado era uno de los mejores que había probado. Buenas cervezas locales también. Todo en un pequeño y encantador edificio atmosférico con techo de vigas bajas. Servicio amable. Bastante ocupado, tuvimos bastante suerte de llegar alrededor de la hora del almuerzo en octubre vacaciones de medio término escolar.

Un gran lugar - típico de la vibra de Polperro. Siempre muy frío y amable. Nuestro cachorro border collie, Florence le encantó! ¡El almuerzo del domingo es genial! ¡Solo llega temprano y entra en la lista! ¡Definitivamente volveré!

Friendly staff, good service, tasty food. Wasn't busy went we went being non holiday and out of season.

Very friendly staff, fantastic food and a welcoming atmosphere. Loved it!

Very old traditional pub by the harbour. We always try to visit when in the area. Food is always good as is the welcome. Can get busy in peak season and you cannot book a table. There are terraces going up the valley sides which is the beer garden and it offers unrivalled views of the village if the weather is good.

Nice atmosphere and nice pint JUST DONT SIT OUTSIDE THIS TIME OFF YEAR THEY TREAT YOU LIKE 2ND CLASS CITZANS DONT BRING YOU DRINKS DONT BRING YOU FOOD ONLY ALLOWED TO ORDER FROM THE TAKEAWAY MENU AND YOU DONT EVEN GET PROPER KNIFES AND FOLKS FISH WAS GREASEY CHIPS DRY TOTAL GARBAGE been here before in peak season and we had service to our table

After reading so many excellent reviews we were looking forward to eating here during our visit to Polperro. Whilst the Service and Atmosphere was really good we felt underwhelmed with the food. I ordered The Steak Pie and the Wife The Fish Pie. The Boys having Burgers off the Kids Menu. By all means not bad but probably not worth what we paid.

We were recommended to dine here and it didn’t disappoint! The service was genuine and friendly! It was an early bite to eat after a busy day exploring! Even at 5.30 pm the place was full, just a short wait for a table. The fish n chips were just delicious. What an absolute delight to eat such delicious fresh fish next to the most beautiful harbour! I’m just pleased I left my husband to tackle the large portion - it was Huge! Can’t recommend enough! Cosy, bustling and a real gem of a place! 🐳⚓️🐟💕

Warm welcome and wonderful food

Very friendly welcome when we went for evening meal. Fish pie was amazing and my husband really enjoyed the scallops and prawns. Puddings were also fantastic. Very cozy, traditional pub and very busy on Friday evening. Highly recommend.

Very friendly welcome when we went for evening meal. Fish pie was amazing and my husband really enjoyed the scallops and prawns. Puddings were also fantastic. Very cozy, traditional pub and very busy on Friday evening. Highly recommend.

Been 3 years since our last visit and the place is still as charming as ever We had a short wait for a table while we had a look around outside Was nice to see the pub full and all the different languages we heard while waiting.We ordered our food which came piping hot glad We only ordered the regular fish not the large lol Just managed to eat it and was very enjoyable Lovely food great atmosphere beautiful surrondings will be back again

What a find, not only the oldest pub in Polperro but it has the friendliest staff. The food was delicious, the service was fabulous and quick. Warm and cosy atmosphere, a wonderful afternoon.

Very nice old inn, tucked away just off the pretty harbour. Friendly and welcoming. Great crab bisque, fantastic fish pie and perfectly cooked salt and pepper squid . Good beer selection. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Great food, super friendly staff.

Excellent! And very touristy. Reservations required on weekends

We only called in for a pint whilst staying in Polperro so can't comment too much. Looks like a nice place and the food that we saw coming out looked decent enough.

Fantastic Staff, fantastic atmosphere, fantastic food and really considerate to the fact that I have to use a scooter, being disabled. Cannot fault this place in any way!

Great atmosphere. Food looked good, while we had only a drink...

Fortunate to get a table as we walked in. Served a good pint of Guinness and a local ale for one of our party (offshore). We ate fish pie (which was huuuuuge and very, very tasty), cajun halloumi burger, fish and chips (medium and was plentiful) and prawns and scallops in garlic sauce. All of these were excellent. Great crispy batter on the fish and the fish was thick and very well cooked. Cajun halloumi burger was well spiced and served with some pickles and a great sauce. The prawns and scallops sounds a little odd but again, was well cooked, succulent and a great accompanying salad. The dish of the day was the fish pie for one that could feed four! Great flavours, lots of filling and perfectly seasoned. Really good value. Atmosphere was great and it's a proper cornish pub! Highly recommend 👌

I do not usually have fish and chips in a pub but given the location, went for it. Fabulous. Would have it again

Nice pub food good staff very friendly

We called in here the other evening for a drink, ended up having food. Service was really good, attentive but not over the top chatty/jokey and dog friendly which is a massive winner for us. The food was so good ! Fish & chips, fish pie and chicken strips. All tasted fresh and just really nice. Can not recommend enough, somewhere we will definitely return too.

Totally love this place. We now make it a tradition to visit for lunch on our last day of hollibobs. We are super lucky as it's our fifth visit this year. Highly recommend the Ploughman's & beef burger!

We come here every year and normally have a super meal but unfortunately this year wasn’t good. I had fish and chips, fish was gorgeous but the chips were awful. They’d been cooked and left, shrivelled and dried up, then were reheated, so when I got them they were very hard and dry. Couldn’t eat then. Did politely tell the waitress.

Cozy atmosphere, very good food and nice wine, dogs welcome, vegetarian options, and a nice crew that is very attentive in the service

Unfortunately, our food was near terrible, halloumi starter was extremely over done, all chips on 3 meals cooked over and in dirty oil, awful taste. Fish pie was lovely. Everyone else's meal was not nice. Expensive for what we had. I wouldn't rush back after being recommended the place.

We had 3 meals 3 Pilchards. within our weeks, stay in Polperro fish pie and fish and chips best we have ever had 10/10. Ploughman meal disappointing. Wines white and red good standard. All the staff were very welcoming and made Rosie feel comfortable. We will be back...

The food was delicious. I had the crab bisque followed by the 5 tiger prawn and 5 scallops. The chips with the latter were superb. Even though they were very busy, service and food were very quick.

Lovely old pub, good selection of local cornish beers, staff are amazing will definitely be coming back.

Love this pub and roof top garden .

Absolute gem of a pub, staff so friendly, food fabulous, lovely atmosphere and dog friendly, a must visit pub in a beautiful village

Very rustic and traditional little pub, great service, fine food, large selection of beer. The fish pie was excellent.

Amazing fish and chips. Food was hot. Service excellent.

A Must-Visit in Polperro: The Three Pilchards Polperro is known for its charming seaside setting and abundance of eateries, but The Three Pilchards truly stands out, particularly in the area of warm hospitality. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted with a genuine welcome and promptly guided on where to sit and when someone would be with us. It’s little touches like this that immediately make you feel at ease. The atmosphere is steeped in character, reminiscent of a time long past. Unlike some places that seem to dress up for the tourist trade, The Three Pilchards feels authentic, with its old-world charm and coastal pub vibe creating a wonderful backdrop for our visit. After a long walk along the coastal path from Looe to Polperro, the locally brewed Offshore beer was a much-needed refreshment. It was crisp, light, and utterly refreshing—the perfect way to relax after taking in the breath-taking views along the trail. The food? Simply superb. I opted for the Stilton & Bacon Burger, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Juicy, packed with flavour, and cooked to perfection, it was exactly what I needed to recharge. The balance of the rich Stilton with the smoky bacon was spot-on, making every bite a real treat. What makes The Three Pilchards even more special is the attentive and friendly staff. They were always on hand to help and seemed genuinely eager to ensure we had the best possible experience. Whether it was offering menu suggestions or simply checking in on how we were enjoying everything, their service added to the welcoming atmosphere. If you’re visiting Polperro, The Three Pilchards should be at the top of your list. Between the exceptional food, refreshing local beers, and the warm, inviting atmosphere, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again. A true gem on the Cornish coast!

People must be easily pleased if they think the food is good,half of the menu was unavailable and what did turn up was at best poor overcooked rubbish

Really delicious food but limited menu for a shipping town. Staff were all lovely with out 1 year old

Outstanding in all aspects. A wonderful pub dating from the early 16th century, and the oldest pub in Polperro. Situated on the harbour quayside. I visited the Three Pilchards twice on my stay in Polperro, because it was soooo über fab the first time. Service was efficient, prompt and professional by friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable staff. Dog friendly pub. Gets very busy. They do not take reservations. Children's menu and vegetarians catered for. The handpulled cask beers were Sharp's Atlantic Pale Ale, Sharp's Doombar, Exeter Brewery's organic Avocet Ale and Sharp's Twin Coast Pale Ale. A sucker for Doombar, it's such a lovely drop, so I had that. Typing this review, I'm now wishing I had tried the organic Avocet. Next time! First visit I had the roasted carrot and coconut soup followed by house salad with olives and beetroot and halloumi fries. There is no pud menu - they don't do desserts. Just as well! The food was beautifully presented, high standard and super tasty. Good portions too. My second visit I opted for the mushroom soup and the beetroot and olive house salad again as it was so delish. I had roasted butternut squash with vegetable ratatouille served with roasted new potatoes. This is a totally splendid pub to dine in with great staff, great ambience and high end, tasty, quality food. Not to be missed! Sure cert very highly recommended.

Great food nice staff and very nice atmosphere! I recommend coming here.

Nice place, quite expensive but the fish and chips were a good size.

Lovely food and wonderful staff, especially Alex 😁

Great food and staff at this cozy pub in the heart of Polperro

Lovely little pub, friendly staff and our waitress was chatty, helpful and we have a lovely chat. Steak pie topped with cheesey mash and veg was delicious, just what we needed after many days of chips! Would recommend to anyone. Also very dog friendly!

The Three Pilchards is a pub restaurant in the dream location of the Quay at Polperro, Cornwall. Whilst being local to Polperro this was the first time we visited this pub and to be honest it was because our favourite pub had stopped serving meals at 3pm. As a party of eight (4 couples) we were not at all disappointed. The pub décor does not have the quaint seaside appeal of other pubs and there is a rooftop terrace for fine weather. The menu was varied enough and I chose the braised steak and ale pie with a cheesy, mashed potato 'crust' and seasonal vegetables (£19.95) with two of our party choosing the battered cod and chips (2 large £19.95 and 1 standard £16.45), and an impressive ploughman's lunch platter (£18.95). The service was fine although some glitches with their wireless ordering system during our visit. The pie was excellent with plenty of steak in it although the accompanying seasonal vegetables was actually a salad garnish and was nothing special. The large cod and chips were huge pieces of succulent cod and cooked to perfection. We were all delighted with our meals and the pub serves Aspall's cider on draught so that is always a bonus. Overall I would say great food but just a little pricey but good quality. I would definitely return for the superb fish and chips, washed down with an Aspall's. Parking in Polperro is always an issue with the principal public parking (privately owned) being at the top of the town and costing £7 for 3 hours or £12 for 6. Whilst this may put time pressures on your visit to Polperro it also ensures that it doesn't get too busy.

Another lovely meal..❤ Thank you to Alex who served us and telling us the history of this beautiful old pub..❤

Well priced, great service Matt and good food, thank you for making us feel welcomed

Can highly recommend the garlic mackerel

Don't let the prices put you off the quality of food you get, and the portion size is completely worth it, I opted for the fish pie, which was absolutely loaded with praws,crayfish,cod and salmon and with the best veiws of the harbourside while enjoy a pint is completely worth it

Second time we’ve been , small and extremely busy but staff do all they can to accommodate you .Fish and chips is amazing, service fantastic , in particular Dan , attentive and professional.

Great views from the garden bar. Lovely food with lots of options. lovely bar staff. Matt was very happy and helpful. Would visit again

We stopped off here as our last stop of a Cornwall road trip visiting Polperro. We walked in hoping for a space outside for a drink. We were greeted on arrival and walked up to the beer garden. WOW! The view from the top is incredible. All seats facing towards the houses and we were blown away by the hospitality of Matt. We even bought a coaster of the pub in a local shop as memory from an artist!! We will be back!

A fantastic meal, catering to our dietary needs. Attentive service and a great location!

We ordered takeaway fish and chips for three people and then went out and sat in the harbour, expecting to wander back and collect the food after 30 minutes. After just 15 minutes, one of the bar staff appeared with our food! What fantastic service! And the food was great too. Thank you 3P’s, we were so impressed. Highly recommend.

Great food, good portion sizes and quick service. Very helpful server called Karen. Didn’t need to wait too long for a table for 6 including kids and a dog.

Our host Karen was amazing! We were told the history of the pub plus provided prompt service for drinks and food. Very friendly service.

Very nice food! Enjoyed every meal. Highly recommend to anyone

Just called for a real ale, felt a bit out of place as we weren't eating.

Absolutely lovely I definitely recommend to everyone.

Food came quicker than expected considering the size of the order (6x persons). The Cajun chicken burger is the best chicken burger I have ever eaten! Would highly highly recommend this pub to anyone looking for a rustic, traditional and delicious experience!

I'd give the service 6 stars if I could. Brilliant food and service. They offer a waiting list when full and we were called to a table within 20 minutes. Very dog friendly

Enjoyed several meals and drinks sessions here during our recent stay in Polperro. Staff extremely helpful and providing excellent service. We sat in the lower outside area which was amazing with fantastic views over the harbour and the whole of Polperro. The food was fantastic and plentiful and of great quality. Would definitely recommend and will return when we are back in town!

Food is very expensive but is of good quality and tastes nice . Fish pie was nice but at £21 pounds it's a lot more

Nestled in the picturesque village of Polperro, right beside the charming quay, lies the oldest pub in the area, a true gem for lovers of fresh seafood. The ambiance, steeped in history, offers a cozy retreat where the sea’s bounty takes center stage. The fish and chips here are nothing short of sublime, featuring a fresh cod fillet that is delicately coated in a golden, crispy batter. The freshness of the fish shines through with every bite, perfectly paired with crisp, fluffy chips that are the ideal balance of texture and taste. The culinary delights continue with their crab bisque, a rich, velvety soup that bursts with the deep, sweet flavors of freshly caught crab, beautifully seasoned to highlight its natural sweetness. It’s a dish that warms the soul and tantalizes the palate. And for those who seek variety, the seafood platter is a must-try, offering a generous selection of the finest, freshest offerings from the sea, each element expertly prepared to showcase its unique flavors. Overall, the food here is outstanding, and we thoroughly enjoyed every dish. If you appreciate your fish and chips made with the freshest ingredients, this is certainly a place not to be missed.

Very good, very well served, good beer. Only positive.

OMG had the cold seafood platter and was blown away. The beetroot and ginger cured cod is to die for one of the best meals I've ever had in my life. If you are in Polperro and you like good food and beer you MUST visit this place

Vegan friendly and beautiful view From the outside you cant see, but the Terrace is outstanding. Benjy and the whole Staff are very friendly. Food takes a while (up to 45min!) several vegan Options available.

Very good pub. Good atmosphere and good meal

Fantastic food. Especially the seafood platter and the ploughman's platter. The staff are friendly and efficient. Good selection of beers & spirits.

We came last night with our two children, one who has additional needs. The staff were brilliant couldn’t be more helpful and polite. A lad who said he had only worked there for 5 weeks served us, he was so polite and made us feel very welcome. My little girl had a few moments of outbursts whilst we were in there, but nobody batted an eyelid or judged. As a Sen mum this is something you really appreciate in an establishment. Food was out of this world! So fresh and massive portions. Our friends in the north could take some lessons from the chef at the three pilchards. We will be back again on our visit next year. Thank you.

A wonderful experience here in Polperro! The service was excellent - especially when you consider how many people they’re serving at any one time. We were super impressed with how organised the team was. Food was fantastic and probably one of the best fish and chip dishes I’ve had. We got lucky with a table that had a stunning view too! Alex who served us was a true gentleman! Would come back here again and again!