Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

Sophisticated restaurant and bar with amazing panoramic views across the beach. We sat by the huge windows in the bar area and had their home-made ice cream, but the staff were as attentive as if we were having a high-value meal in the dining room. The standards here are exceptional, as seen in details such as the impressive bespoke-designed cutlery and crockery.

It was the best ever a real old English food. It was clever how to make delicious food from any waste food or leftover save.

Nice restaurant, in a nice atmosphere. Unfortunately a bit windy when the windows are open in summer. The food is sometimes a bit too experimental! I prefer to eat oysters raw rather than smoked with whiskey!

We had coffee at the Carbis Bay Deli. Lovely coffee and lemon meringue muffin. Fabulous view sitting outside overlooking the beach.

Is a truly special experience—elegant, imaginative, and effortlessly welcoming. The food is delightful.Plus, the views are simply stunning! It’s definitely a place I’d recommend to anyone looking for a great dining experience in Cornwall.

Took my wife for Afternoon Tea at The Ugly Butterfly on her Birthday, Valentines Day 2025. Atmosphere, service and food were excellent. Tables nicely spaced apart. Unhurried vibe. Innovation with flavours in both food and drinks was evident and staff did a great job of explaining their approach. This was a fine dining experience for sure. Well done team and thanks for looking after us! See you again soon.

Loved this place for a special lunch or high tea. They prepared a full vegan high tea that was very impressive and delicious. Cracking beach views and well informed and expert staff as you would expect.

We had the most amazing afternoon tea this week. Every (every) element was so tasty. The theatre of the tea was a wonderful combination of location and the fantastic knowledge of the waiting staff. A fantastic experience.

Afternoon Tea, with a twist. Delightful and delicious, Staff were informative and talked us through each course. View was stunning, bar area was dog friendly, comfortable, and inviting. Wished I had taken a picture of the tea cosy knitted by Adams mum, it was the little personalised touches that made this experiance and restaurant special.

What an absolutely amazing experience for my Birthday. Stunning location and atmosphere with truly brilliant staff who were all so friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Food was out of this world and the Ugly Butterfly should definitely have a Michelin Star. If you love amazing food and delicious wines, I cannot recommend this place enough. Thank you again to everyone for making my Birthday truly memorable.

My favourite of Adam's restaurants as the location is STUNNING... I couldn't believe I was in England to be honest. The menu here also felt a bit lighter and fresher than Frog which was slightly more suited to our pallets. Food was exceptional, service great and ambience incredible.

Truly special Christmas Eve dinner. We were the only ones there, which we still can’t believe. Everything was incredible start to finish. Very talented culinary team! Thank you for making our holiday very special, we truly appreciate you!

We went for the festive afternoon tea today £45 pp the title does not do this justice way more than just a posh afternoon tea, admittedly it was our anniversary so we splashed out on the bottomless bubbles at £50 a head, Cornish sparkling wine a real treat. Michelin star restaurants can sometimes feel a little condescending but the staff that served us were all lovely will be back for our next big celebration in March. Massive thanks to you all xxx

Wow! This place is phenomenal. We went for afternoon tea. It wasn't just another afternoon tea. The service was faultless. Actually, it was beyond faultless. The food was incredible and when served, it came with a story behind it's conception. Probably one of the best eating experiences I've had.

Visited the venue for a wedding meeting and had lunch in the Butterfly whilst we were there. The food was absolutely delicious and as always the staff were so kind and accommodating even with our dog. We loved watching the seals whilst we ate. The whole estate is beautiful and we wait to get married here!

An unforgettable dinner. When we arrived, it was asked if we wanted the table next to the window, and obviously, we said yes. So, while we waited in the bar for the tabkes to be rearranged, we drank a couple of cocktails, including the bartender signature drink, Negroni. Stratosferico!! Once we entered the main dining room, the view just took my breath away. A massive glass wall with a beach view. Time just flew. We just sat there for 3 or 4 hours, amazed by every single course and its wine pairing. Obviously, the last two to live this magical place. I'm looking forward to visiting The Frog in London!

Outstanding experience. One of the best experiences ever. Food was another level to anything I have experienced before. The staff were very friendly, not pompous, but professional to the core. The setting is as good as it gets, perfect. Cannot wait to return .

We’ve visited the Ugly Butterfly three times now over the past four years with the latest visit in November 2024. The food was stunning and the service excellent every time … which has kept us coming back, and we’ll be back again! We’ve enjoyed their vegan version of their Chef’s menu and on one occasion, dined with another couple who were having the standard option (so they’ll mix and match dietary requirements on the table). Lovely setting and the restaurant is very spacious. We even took the dog on the latest visit and she was welcomed. A great place for a treat or to celebrate something special. Highly recommend it!

Like this place. Stopped whilst walking coastal path from Hayle to St Ives. Great location for a drink en route with great views over Carbis Bay across to godrevy lighthouse. Great spot to people watch over the beach. Very friendly staff and lovely atmosphere ( we visited early in the day) please be aware that prices are set for area/clients this place is aimed at, but drinks were only slightly above average for the area.

We went Ugly buttlerfly in 2023 and only just got around to leaving a review. It was absolutely fantastic, the chicken butter and bread was to die for and the tomato course was my favourite! Also the BBQ lobster was beautiful! Would highly recommend for a special occassion!

Oh wow the food just kept on coming. This was absolutely stunning. Every mouthful exploding with flavours. The pea soup and the lamb were my favourite. Stunning setting, beautiful surroundings. We also paired with the wine tasting course and it did not disappoint. Lovely flavours to compliment each course. This evening was a real treat and if your able to book a table you will not be disappointed

The views are outrageous. The food was very very good and so were the house cocktails. If you are looking for fine dining in Cornwall you can’t really go wrong with the Ugly Butterfly.

What an amazing restaurant. This was our 4th or 5th (6th?) time. We even hosted a large party for rehearsal dinner for our wedding in the past because we wanted to share this incredible place with those we love the most. This time we went for tea. Wow! It did not disappoint. The food - spectacular. The staff - above amazing - always makes us feel welcome and at home. There was so much food, and it was better than I had hoped. And the views? Can’t beat them. Did I mention they are fully sustainable? I can’t say enough good things about this place.

What a fabulous place! I had the immense pleasure of spending a couple of hours having afternoon tea (followed by a delicious cocktail). Everything about the experience was so enjoyable including the staff who are friendly and knowledgeable. Hayley in particular (the maitre d') is fantastic. Our table was next to the window so we could watched seals frolicking very near to the shore. Highly recommend.

As a long-time fan of food shows like Great British Menu and Masterchef, I’ve admired Adam Handling’s talent and eagerly awaited the chance to sample his creations. My daughter and partner, both avid foodies, are huge fans of his and have dined here a few times. They’ve also recently tried his new Cornish venture at the Tartan Fox, but this was my first opportunity to visit—and it was well worth the wait. For my 50th birthday (a milestone that seemed to arrive in the blink of an eye), my family gifted me a voucher for this restaurant. Although we waited a few months after the birthday to visit, as Nathan Outlaw was my actual birthday destination, the dining experience here was every bit as exceptional. I decided to treat my parents, and after some deliberation between afternoon tea or a full dinner, we opted for the afternoon tea—and I’m so glad we did. The location is unbeatable, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of Carbis Bay beach, where a wedding party was having their photos taken below. The setting was picture-perfect. The service was impeccable, with the staff’s attention to detail elevating the experience beyond just a meal. Our server took the time to explain each dish and its provenance, making the entire experience feel like a journey. As each course arrived, the sense of theatre grew, as did the complexity and layers of flavors. Each bite was a small masterpiece, packed with an astonishing depth of taste and texture. The skill involved in crafting these perfectly balanced mouthfuls is simply extraordinary. For me, this experience ranks among the very best. I would easily place it in my top five dining experiences, alongside Nathan Outlaw, Kota, and Kota Kai (incidentally, also Great British Menu alumni). The value is incredible—worth every penny, and frankly, I’d say it’s a bargain at twice the price. Great British Menu).

We had afternoon tea a surprise for my birthday and it was truly amazing, dog friendly and staff were outstanding.

A foodies twist on a classic and it is works so well. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy afternoon tea at Claridge’s, the Savoy and the Ritz and I can honestly say The Ugly Butterfly is up there with the best or better! The difference - The Snacks! Wonderfully crafted savouries with fantastic flavours. The staff were lovely, attentive and knowledgeable on the food and flavours. The decor and ambiance are great and the views, well they are simply fabulous.

2nd visit and all positive... Excellent food served with style but more importantly taste. I don't like 'fussy' food but the presentation is wonderful and also tastes really good. They have introduced a bar menu that is crazy value for money. Highly recommended.

We had high expectations given the reputation and experience of Frog. Unfortunately these weren’t met and given the prices, which made London seem reasonable, we were left with a bitter aftertaste. Put simply, the food wasn’t worth the price tag. Whilst presentation was impeccable, flavours were lacking. For example, the £40 supplement for the sliver of wagyu came over seasoned with salt. Our main server was overly arrogant and pompous and was seen helping prepare deserts without sanitised hands. Their attitude really soured the experience. View of the bay is spectacular. The front of house and bar staff were superb and could not be faulted. Go for the bar.

Fantastic place, food, service. A true master class.

My husband and I stayed in Carbis Bay Hotel and went to the Ugly Butterfly for my birthday meal and what a treat it was! The food was delightful, the staff were incredible and we just had a gorgeous evening. The team work so hard to make your experience enjoyable, would definitely recommend if you are foodies like us!

5* stars as always! We had the most wonderful evening and have continued to speak about it all this week! We have followed Adam’s career since the early days and Frog in London is our go to restaurant for any special events. We booked Ugly Butterfly for my husband’s birthday, travelling down to Cornwall specifically to go here and it did not disappoint! Having the bar to have a drink in pre dinner was lovely, the cocktails and the stories behind them with the no waste approach are so unique. The food, exceptional as always. It’s like theatre! We did the wine pairing and enjoyed the introduction to each wine and why it had been paired with a particular course. Alongside the amazing food, what really makes any of Adam’s restaurants are his incredible team. George particularly, but all members of the team, have this ability to make you feel very special and like the only people in a busy restaurant. Frog will always be our go to as located so closely, but the setting of Ugly Butterfly and the view, gives another experience to the wonderful food and hospitality. We will be making the trip to Cornwall every year now to go and visit! Thank you as always for a wonderful time :)

A beautiful restaurant / bar with stunning views over Carbis bay

Recommend chefs menu with classic pairing. We had one with premium pairing and the classic was better. premium pairing was not worth it as I do not think it was that good

Amazing views, food and service

It was a wonderful dining experience. Knowledgeable staff, high quality ingredients, ethically sourced. Fantastic menu.

Just popped in for a coffee, couldn't have been more welcoming

Michelin star quality without any doubt! So much talent and creativity; it was our 4th time at Ugly Butterfly and it was amazing as always! Starting with fantastic cocktails (we chose the zero percent ones); fantastic food that blew us away, super friendly staff, amazing views… I could not recommend highly enough. Better than any Michelin star restaurants we have been to.

Absolutely fantastic! We had afternoon tea to celebrate our mum’s 60th birthday. They treated us well and made my mum feel very special. The service was excellent - they were very informative about all aspects of the food and drinks. Nothing was too much trouble. The afternoon tea is an absolute bargain for the price; it’s not a typical afternoon tea but felt like an experience. Every sip and bite was delicious. We will definitely be returning. Thank you!

Ugly Butterfly by Chef Adam Handling is a culinary experience unlike any other. You can tell that each and every detail has been meticulously thought out. Upon entering, we received the warmest welcome from reception and were led into the stunning restaurant with the most amazing views. We opted for a relatively new experience they’re offering- the chefs counter- and I’d highly recommend it! Of course the beach view tables are breathtaking as well, but we got that plus a front row seat at witnessing the magic behind the incredible dishes. I’ve eaten at Michelin starred restaurant all around the world and so many of the dishes at Ugly Butterfly were still some of the best I’ve ever had. Already dreaming about our next opportunity to dine here!

Service was great, attentive, friendly and not in your face. Some of the dishes were not quite up to expectations considering the eye-watering cost and reputation. Here are some lowlights: -The gazpacho style soup was really pretty average and something that anyone could put together quickly. -The lobster tails were way too spicy, they really don’t need Tabasco, they were obviously a quality ingredient but drowned out with what tasted like bottled spice. I usually reserve my Tabasco for the blandest of beans on toast. -Over salting. Seems to be a common problem at this class of restaurant. You don’t need to over salt Wagyu beef, there is enough flavour inherently in the meat, and you should definitely taste the jus/sauce before reaching for the salt. -The Chocolate desert tasted like a single, heavy, ganache with little contrast. On a positive note, the cocktails were excellent and had very unique flavours. The mushroom/egg custard amuse bouche was also divine. Perhaps a bit more thought around getting the seasoning and spice levels right and less thoughts on constantly expressing how everything gets used and there is no food waste. Would I go back? No. Should you go? Perhaps if you can tolerate the additional 15% that gets whacked on as a service charge – that’s a little steep considering the cost is so high anyway.

Posh cocktail bar and restaurant overlooking beautiful Carbis Bay. we popped in for a drink when rained off our walk. Lovely environment and great service but premium prices

Surprised that there is no Michelin star for this restaurant, considering the quality of food, environment, service, and ethos of sustainability.

Lovely restaurant on the beach with exceptional views over Carbis bay. Food was excellent as was the service, very friendly and helpful staff. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Upon arrival, the car park attendant was quite skeptical about our intention to dine at the restaurant, making us go through considerable effort to prove it. He initially insisted we pay £20 for parking. Although I didn’t dine in the main restaurant, I enjoyed the bar area, which was lovely. The cocktails and fish and chips were excellent. However, the staff seemed somewhat distracted by the restaurant service. Despite this, everything else was wonderful, and the view was breathtaking! I will definitely return!

We had a spectacular meal at the Ugly Butterfly. The staff were very attentive and knowledgeable. All of the food was well curated and included interesting, seasonal fare. As I’m pregnant, they were very accommodating, explaining things courses that might not be suitable for me, and the non-alcoholic pairing was fabulous, such that I didn’t miss the wine! Our favourite course was the sturgeon, which was an optional extra, and well worth the additional cost!

Gorgeous restaurant, beautiful beach view even though it's on the expensive side but it was worth it. 3 hours of delicious food served by experience staff.

Innovative, creative, sustainable dining. Excellent service, and views. The food is locally sourced, and chef and his staff manage to create dishes which use up every part of the product to create the most innovative, delicious dishes. Presentation of every dish was a work of art. The tasting menu satisfies eye and palate, and is enough to satisfy one's hunger.

We had a cocktail and glass of wine. The setting was amazing with sun reflecting on the sand below. The staff were really great. Knowledgeable and very welcoming and friendly.

Perfection in all areas. Placed directly on the beautiful beach. One can only rave about this. It couldn't be better. HIGH END!

Superb tasting menu lunch today with some well curated wines, with attentive but not intrusive staff thanks Tom and Jay. Spectacular view over the bay afforded by floor to ceiling glass. A definite addition to our now quite long list of Cornish restaurants. Parking on site easy.

Fantastic food, excellent service and stunning views, thank you

What a view! Such a beautiful place with great service, attention to detail, and wonderful food. I highly recommend the fish & chips. Dog-friendly

The whole dinning experience is totally amazing

Rory is the best mixologist and bartender in the UK. Food is excellent, so is the ambience. Prices are somehow extremely reasonable. Perfection honestly.

Absolutely my favourite place. I did their wedding hair. Lovely staff

Best dining experience ever! The view is undoubtedly breathtaking. We had a top friendly and professional service from the team. Food were incredible. Ingredients are of best quality and were matching so well. Surprises came with every dish!! One thing to pick on will be the wagyu and chicken wing being a bit overly salty. It was £500+ for us 2. But given all the lovely things we had, we will definitely be back another time. Love from London x

Could not fault it. Great staff, food was a foodies dream and wine was superb. This is not a cheap night out £135pp but for a really special night it didn’t disappoint. Just at this time of year take sunglasses as it’s bright in the restaurant, though the views are worth it.

Amazing glamorous restaurant but make sure you understand the pricing before you go. The wine pairing and wine list are beyond expensive AND they expect a 15% service charge. Your jaw drops when the bill comes... We had a fabulous evening and congratulate and thank the chef and serving staff very much.

Loved the place, but would enjoy it more if the dinner experience wasn’t stretched for 3 hours. Might be personal, but for my husband and I anything longer than 2 hours is very exhausting. I would suggest shortening the pauses between the courses, because it felt a tad long. First 1,5 hours pass by beautifully, by the end of the second hour you are mentally starting to get ready to go. The third hour you start to wish you would come for a different experience.

I’ve done many Michelin star and high end restaurants and this was one of the best. I was just not a fan of the deserts but I think it’s a matter of preferences (I would have preferred a chocolate desert)

Fantastic place. Fantastic staff. Fantastic food.

My sister and I had a trot along the coastal path from Lelant to Carbis Bay. We looked like women if a certain age, windswept, Sandy and a little worn around the edges. We happened on the Ugly Butterfly and we're a bit tentative to pop out snouts around the door for a bite to eat. Well we couldn't have been more warmly received. Not one note of stuffiness. All the staff were attentive, informative and just wonderful. What a credit to AH. We just had yummy toasted sandwiches and chips, which were dreamy. The only downside was the four cocktails each! We headed back along the coastal path, it poured with rain but we saw SEALS! What a splendid day! Brilliant afternoon at the UB, mainly down to cool, not too serious atmosphere. Perfect! Thank you guys from two sisters, Melanie & Stephanie

If you go for lunch you get a fantastic view to go with the fantastic food. It is a beach side view across the bay if it is daylight. The staff are superb & the food is exceptional. The options to recommend food do not include the new tasting menu options. You will not be disappointed (unless you are limited by dietary options, if you are the staff will discuss this when you ring to book).

This was my partner's and mine second Michelin experience and first structured one. The view during the day is pretty incredible, the path there very cool too if you are on foot too. The food was pretty amazing, accommodating for me as a coeliac, which I really appreciate. I don't want to spoil what the experience includes, so I am not going to go into detail. I think my partner and I felt very impressed with the complexity of favors and of course the presentation is pretty amazing. My many congratulations to the kitchen staff, and the servers and front desk professionals were some of the friendliest and most helpful people I have ever met, thank you all so much, you made our experience and trip very special and I feel incredibly grateful.

Dining at The Ugly Butterfly was absolutely wonderful. It's simultaneously high end and unpretentious in its vibe; with creative and delicious food and well-chosen wine pairings. We added both of the optional extra courses and were happy that we did - especially the beluga caviar on waffle. Our favourite course was probably the scallop, but it had tough competition as they were all fantastic! We also really appreciated the overall no waste theme - which seems to have constrained the creative choices, resulting in interesting but delicious dishes, while also being an important message in sustainability. The restaurant's setting is gorgeous, looking out over the bay, and its tables are arranged to maximise the guests' view. The staff were also exceptional - showing flexibility and understanding on our booking when unexpected constraints came up, but also being lovely and really friendly on the night; and they clearly really cared both about giving their guests a great all-round experience. Of course it's a pricey place, but if you're looking for a meal in Cornwall that deserves a Michelin star, we would highly recommend The Ugly Butterfly!

First time here and we opted for the afternoon tea. It did not disappoint, however the food is an acquired taste for those that are fussy! Service was impeccable and the waiters were very attentive- topping up drinks very often and removing dishes immediately once finished. They presented a great deal of knowledge about what each food item was and in which order the items should be eaten in. We enjoyed it that much we have booked to return again for an evening meal! Well worth the price and the 2 hours journey. Thank you- a well deserved 5 stars all around!

Service was a bit hit and miss, mostly great but if you talk "off script" it quickly shows a lack of depth of understanding around the food or experience in the industry. For example was sat at the back of the restaurant, which is absolutely fine, but I don't need statements around how it's the waiters "favourite table" I've been around, I get it. Best to listen to the speel and move on, the problem is by the time they get the courses to you you have already heard it word for word a good few times from all the tables around you. Not sure there is a solution though. Beer was out of date. Food was genuinely excellent. Easily worth the visit.

We dropped in for a light lunch. The views are wonderful, service was okay but the wait...... A bowl of soup arrived, which looked like the tide had gone out. The burger was delicious. However, 40 minute's wait was to long, especially when your being driven mad by pop music. After 35 min wait, asked the waiter, whether it would be much longer, to which he replied, No. There was no apology, which would have been good customer care. Eaten there before and had much better experience.

AFTERNOON TEA GOOD FRIDAY THE MENU WAS A ALTERNATIVE TO A USUAL AFTERNOON TEA 🫖 WAS OKAY I DONT DO AFTERNOON TEA MUCH THESE DAYS COS IT’S STODGY. WAS LOVELY VIEW WITH FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS WITH JUILEET BALCONY SO YOU CAN STAND AND SEE VIEW IN THE DISTANCE OF CARBIS BAY BEACH.

We had an amazing experience. Food was delicious, staff extremely friendly and well-trained, they made us immediately comfortable since the beginning of our dinner. For each dish we received a detailed description of the preparation and ingredients used, which was very interesting. All curated in all details, well done to all the staff and chefs! Strongly recommended! Also high-level selection of wines & spirits. Worthy if you fancy a great food experience, in a very cool location on the sea!

One of my favourite meals of all time. Great service, friendly staff, gorgeous location and views. And the food was absolutely amazing with stories in each dish!

Unbelievably good food and service.

This was the perfect place to celebrate my sister's 70th birthday! We were warmly welcomed by the wonderful team, who delivered impeccable service, throughout our experience. As we entered, we were literally overwhelmed by the loveliness of the restaurant and the magnificent sea view! The afternoon tea with champagne was exquisite and a very special treat, which we all enjoyed immeasurably. This was a significant life-celebratory moment, which was truly enhanced by this exceptional destination, gorgeous food and wonderfully attentive staff. They couldn't have done more for us and we all absolutely loved it. Thank you all for a very special and memorable afternoon!

Had a great first night in Cornwall coming to this place. Every course I thought this is the one with it only to get trumped by the next one. Really nice drinks as well. Generally the service was very warm and it was easy to have a nice chat etc but at times felt a little too much as it was difficult for my husband and I to finish a conversation. In the pricier end but worth it for the experience. Just wish we would have come before dark so we could have seen the amazing views!

Wow..wow ..wow ! Afternoon tea yesterday was absolutely amazing, from the moment we walked in we were made to feel special. The staff were very attentive, so knowledgeable about the food , wine , atmosphere was lovely. Such a fantastic experience, thank you to all the staff that made our afternoon quite magical

This is an expensive restaurant for normal working class people but save up and do it once in your lifetime. Good is something you will never have tried before, the staff are amazing and beyond welcoming. This is an experience you will enjoy and remember with your loved ones.

Quite simply the best location, the best service, and the best food.

Was it expensive? yes. Did we have a fantastic time and experience? Yes. Was the service the best we have experienced? Yes. From the concept of no waste that flowed through the plates with every dish with the most equisite flavours in every bite to the atmosphere the staff generated. It was the best dinning experience we have ever had. We are both foodies that cook extensively and eat out when ever we find a place that looks to have good food (simple and cheap or fine dinning). The Ugly butterfly is fine dinning at its best without being pretentious. Hats off not only to the chefs but also the Front of house for training all tne staff so we and making our night out a wonderful anniversary. Mirna and Anthony We will be back

Had an incredible meal.Lovely courses start to finish including the snacks. Personal highlights for me were the brill scallops and parfait. The venison was delicious and talking to the sommelier about under appreciated grape varieties we’d experienced that happened to be used as a pairings was lovely. All together I’d recommend.

Felt we had to write a review for this fabulous restaurant. We have just returned home having stayed in St Ives & having Christmas lunch at the Ugly Butterfly. This was our second visit & we were not disappointed with the quality & quantity of the meal. A few requests we asked for happened & we had a superb table by the window & were able to watch inquisitive seals close to the shoreline. The staff were excellent & very attentive & made the whole Christmas Day experience one to remember. A special thank you to your restaurant manager, Tobie, who was a credit to the restaurant. We look forward to visiting again & will continue to recommend to family & Friends. Thanking you all again & hope you all get a well deserved break in the new year.

Our best visit yet and certainly best ever Christmas lunch! Really, very, VERY good! Thank you as always.

Went for Xmas lunch and what a massive pleasant surprise it was Breathtaking food and wine with lovely unpretentious service overlooking a stunning beach I won’t pretend it’s cheap and sadly will be out of reach for many but it’s worth going if only for a very special occasion

What an amazing experience! We had booked the chefs menu with premium wine pairing and knew as soon as we were greeted this was going to be something special. Everyone was so friendly and the setting of the restaurant was beautiful. We had the menu explained to us and were offered a champagne upgrade which we did not want but had to try some champagne anyway! All 7 courses from the chefs menu were cooked to perfection. Each dish was unique and gave something special and incredible. The flavours are just superb and beautiful. I would like to thank our sommelier Stephanie who was friendly and helpful, explains where each wine came from, which was her particular favourite and the flavours of each wine we had. What an incredible experience and I would highly recommend this. We have eaten at some special restaurants all over the world but this absolutely blew us away. We would highly recommend this if you love food and wine like we do! Incredible in every way and we look forward to coming back in the future!

Carefully prepared and very tasty food, I enjoyed the afternoon tea.

What a fantastic meal, staff, ambience and attention to detail. It felt like private dining we were looked after so well. We will most definitely return. Thank you

We visited the ugly duckling last night for our Anniversary, the destination and outlook over Carbis Bay is simply stunning, unfortunately at nighttime we missed out but what was to follow was nothing short of exquisite, having been sat at our table and provided a lovely card from the staff we then proceeded to eat the most incredible food and meal either of us had had the pleasure of enjoying, from the starters to the delicious mince pie to send us off with special mention for the most delicious scallop course all accompanied by fabulous wine, we were treated to an evening of true opulence. The staff were warm and attentive the lead waitress engaging, knowledgeable and put us at ease, the sommelier gave us an education, highly informative and talked us through exactly how the wines complemented the dishes and narrated our evening perfectly, it’s such an experience to be in the presence of such brilliant craft. All in all we have had a beautiful anniversary experience in a very special and gorgeous part of the world, we will be back once we’ve saved enough pennies

We visited the ugly duckling last night for our Anniversary, the destination and outlook over Carbis Bay is simply stunning, unfortunately at nighttime we missed out but what was to follow was nothing short of exquisite, having been sat at our table and provided a lovely card from the staff we then proceeded to eat the most incredible food and meal either of us had had the pleasure of enjoying, from the starters to the delicious mince pie to send us off, with special mention for the most delicious scallop course all accompanied by fabulous wine, we were treated to an evening of true opulence. The staff were warm and attentive the lead waitress engaging, knowledgeable and put us at ease, the sommelier gave us an education, highly informative and talked us through exactly how the wines complemented the dishes and narrated our evening perfectly, it’s such an experience to be in the presence of such brilliant craft. All in all we have had a beautiful anniversary experience in a very special and gorgeous part of the world, we will be back once we’ve saved enough pennies

We went to visit Ugly Butterfly on Saturday 25th November and it’s was the most incredible experience. The Chefs Menu was phenomenal. We haven’t been able to stop talking about the chicken butter and the scallops since we left. The staff were so welcoming and lovely from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. Explaining every dish and drink we had. Thank you so much for such a great experience. ⭐️

Was there working at a fungtion it a very nice plzce with beautiful views

Another fabulous visit to our favourite restaurant. The staff without exception were friendly welcoming and well informed. We chose the tasting menu with paired wine and it was wonderful. The team are working from very early in the morning to prepare everything for the complex dishes. There is a zero waste policy and this is applied in a really creative way. We were seated at the counter and it was fascinating to see the experts in action. We love that Adam also takes on very young staff and provides a superb supportive learning experience to develop skills. It is expensive but we can see why and it is really worth a treat on special occasions. We can’t wait to visit again. Well done and thank you everyone.

Another fabulous visit to The Ugly Butterfly. The staff without exception are friendly and welcoming and well informed. The food is outstanding, the best we have ever eaten. The tasting menu was divine and the chefs very happily adapt dishes to suit preferences/allergies. It is expensive but we can see why. A large team of experts spend many hours preparing delicious food. We were seated at the counter and it was a fabulous experience to watch the team in action. We live in Hampshire but specifically went to stay at the hotel to visit the restaurant again. Absolutely brilliant well done and thank you everyone.

My wife and I enjoyed a delicious Afternoon Tea yesterday in the Ugly Butterfly (by Adam Handling) at Carbis Bay, near St. Ives in Cornwall. The food and presentation were excellent, the location and views simply stunning, and Adam can be justifiably proud of his Michelin Star and of his sustainable efforts to source and maximise local produce. But the main ingredient of his success in this location (for us) is his staff. Everyone we dealt with was equally friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, but Tobie and Beth went above and beyond. They treated us like VIPs, but also like members of the family, and genuinely added to an already excellent visit !! Well Done to them and to Adam and to everyone else. We’ll be back and will be singing your prises far and wide !! Peter Gardner.

Apart from one other table booked for a relatively quick meal we were the only diners. Staff were friendly, professional and helpful throughout the meal. Food was creative and very enjoyable.

Exceptional food and setting. Also good service and a nice choice of background music! I've docked one star because some of the food was sold as "local" when in fact it wasn't. E.g. most of the "local" cheeses were produced outside of Cornwall (mostly Somerset). That was disappointing. It would be nice to see this restaurant fully supporting the local Cornish economy. Otherwise excellent.

Its difficult to find the words to describe the entire experience but it’s one I’ll never forget nor will my tastebuds. It covers all the bodies senses from head to toe leaving you wanting more. Each course (chefs menu) from scallops to lamb it was phenomenal. The settings & staff were fantastic making you feel comfortable & explaining each course with love.

Thoroughly enjoyed this place despite the price tag. Incredible views and service, the food was outstanding, would definitely return after my credit card recovers

Great potential. View is spectacular, as are the drinks. Food had some moments of brilliance. Service needs work.

What an amazing experience, could not fault a thing . Service and food was exceptional. Scallop dish was something incredibly special

Quite an interesting one overall. We were a table of 4 having 7 course tasting with wine pairing. Opening cocktail was one of the best ive ever had, (whiskey and cherries) others agreed that theirs were “peng”. They were also delivered with an excellent flurry by the host who was a good meeter and greeter. The canapés, often the best part of a meal set the tone for most of the food unfortunately. They were all a little under-seasoned, predictable and lacking in luxury, this is in spite of the drama with which they are delivered. The best was a mushroom tart, but still wasn’t really very well considered. The worst was a blue cheese “doughnut” - a choux bun filled with a grainy cheese and no other recognisable flavours or textures. The bread was easily the best course, i quickly ran out excellent bread for the chicken butter and just gleefully ate it off of my knife feeling like an Elizabethan king. After that, the dried and undried tomato with super cold snow didn’t really work as a dish, lacked energy, presentation and inspiration and felt a bit like it was holding the place of a real dish that is usually in that spot. Scallop and turbot were nice, but very small and a just a little lacking in soul and seasoning, the chilli oil on the scallop missed the mark also. Lamb was a really nice dish, but again, unnecessarily small (I’m not an absolute fatty-bum-batty), and after a long description of the dish, we all found that it was very cold. Pre-dessert was good, but again just lacked heart. Desserts were an odd pair. The GBM was fine but had a peculiar over-riding chemical flavour to it and definitely lacked the freshness that it looked like it was going to have. The other dessert was a bit like a feast - but way too cold and frozen very hard, so didn’t really taste of much other than oil and a bitter chocolate. Im not sure if the kitchen were having a rough one, i know its a tough time, or wether they are being held back focusing on zero waste etc, i know im not in a position to say, just lobbing a few uneducated guesses around. But the whole menu was lacking a little everywhere……..Except the chicken butter……..which was perfect. The service was odd, but that made me really like it, certainly not stuffy and Our table host was brilliant in a quirky way. Overall i think i would have given the food 1.5 stars, maybe 2. The wine and the sommelier though were perfect. The pairings, very well considered and excellent variety, delivered with really good knowledge, soul and a sense of humour. Well done drinks team. The bill was pretty hefty for a 1star Michelin, a good chunk of it was booze, which as i said was amazing. This helped to balance the value for money category a little. My three friends found my comments mostly fair. Oh yeah. The closing chocolates were very excellent.