Waterside Meadery in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

Always brilliant, an absolute must when visiting PZ. We have been going to the Waterside for 20+ years and remember the Regent Meadery too. Just been three times in one week. So sad that it may close as early as March 2025. If you’re in PZ and thinking of dining there before then, make the most of it. We will miss it when it’s gone. Thanks for Cornish Mead, the Meaderies and all the good times.

Fantastic atmosphere in the bar. We tried the mead as you do and found it very much to our taste. We now must try the restaurant, the food looks delicious.

Was amazing you have to go and try.

I recommend the rough chicken and sparkling cherry bakewell mead.

As a local family that has spent a lot of time (and money) in The Waterside our latest visit with a group of friends really left us questioning whether or not we would go back again. This is not a complaint about the food or the service of the waitresses at all but the owner. We were sat in one of the booths by the till. As a frequent visitor of the Meadery, I remember the days pre-Covid when the booths had netting separating the tables rather than the brown leather(?!) screens. The addition of these and the insistence of keeping them post-Covid has meant that these booths now have less air flow, making them hotter. This was also the case last year when we visited during Golowan - it was uncomfortably warm. During this visit, it was so hot in our booth so we rolled up the brown screen a little. This provided some ventilation. The owner came down and he was so aggressive and rude towards us and as locals we felt that this was unnecessary. He told us we had ruined the screening because we had taken all of the drawing pins out - we hadn’t. We had in fact taken one out. He then stormed off. This ruined our experience at the Meadery and we will not be returning before it is sadly knocked down. What was once our favourite restaurant seems to be a million miles away from how it was in its heyday. If the owner wishes to open up elsewhere then perhaps a course in customer service would not go amiss. The Waterside Meadery will be a huge loss for all of us in Penzance and the surrounding area but the customer service of late will not be!

Things started off well with very attentive service but as the evening went on, and things got busier, it dropped off. The starters were hot and tasted good. I had vegetarian lasagne for the main and it was a crime against food. It was bland and didn't have a single vegetable in it. Desserts were ok but I feel some of them were overpriced. Weird atmosphere but the building is pretty cool. If you like deep fried, bland, beige food then give it ago.

What an excellent place to eat it's a crime it's closing next year.

Very first time eating in a meadery. It was nice but very dark inside for those not expecting this like me. Nice theme inside, you are pretty much showed to your table and that was it really. Appeared to be short staff and waited quite long for service. The food came out fresh and was not bad at all. I found it of nothing special and mostly deep fried. It is one of those places you go to as per your preference one of which I will be putting down as experienced.

Fantastic food and atmosphere 👌 😋

Have just had a meal at this meadary and ordered veggie lasagna, and was given food that was just pasta and sauce out of a jar and there was no fresh veg, please people do not go to this place you would be better off going to Iceland instead

Was looking forward to a great evening out and got far from it food wise, 3 of us , 1 from a different table , ordered vegetable lasagna, on arrival it looked so very cheesless but we continued thinking it would be better inside like lots of healthy veg but alas, I'm afraid it wa mixture of watery tomato sauce and NOT ONE VEGETABLE 😲. Don't waste your evening going there.

Best place to eat with your friends and family 🥰⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Food is always amazing, generous portions, but doesn't compromise on quality. Really enjoyed trying many different flavours of mead! Always a good atmosphere and staff are amazing. Eating out here is the main reason I visit Penzance.

My experience was fantastic - I was greeted warmly and service from all whom I dealt was friendly and accommodating. The food was served very quickly and portions are huge! The BBQ spare ribs are, honestly, some of the best I have had anywhere around the world, the meat so tender and falling off the bone. The place has a great and different theme and I can’t believe that the council wants to knock such a unique place down to build a car park. Surely it has to be one of the standout places of Penzance.

No wonder this place is closing down. We had friends staying with us and wanted to give them the meadery experience. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing one. We were seated quickly at the only table in the whole restaurant with the brightest bulb you've ever seen, no exaggeration you could have got a suntan from it. You wouldn't have it at home let alone a meadery. Straight away this wasn't the atmosphere we were looking to show our friends. Every other table had a bulb more fitting to the restaurant. The whole point of these places is to sit in the dark and eat with your hands. The bulbs were LEDS so we checked they weren't hot (obviously leds don't get hot) and stuck a napkin in the shade so it looked like all the other tables. We couldnt ask to be moved as the place was full. We had been served by a nice waitress who said nothing about it what so ever. She even laughed saying this table is always a bit too bright. Half way through our meal the waitress changes to some useless girl who looked about 16. She had a terrible attitude and looked like we had asked her for a lap dance instead of one of our group asking for a knife and fork. She also ignored requests for sauce with our meal and so our night showing our friends a meadery that was soon to close was becoming a bit of a disaster. THEN the useless waitress could be seen from our table that faced the kitchen pointing and talking about our table. This went on each time she went back to the kitchen. To the point where my friend had to mouth to her "what are you looking at?" It was embarrassing for us in front of our friends and just plain rude. School kid stuff. The manager then comes over and says it's a fire hazard to have the napkin in the shade. We asked her to touch the bulb it's cold, it's an led. She did that and then said it's too risky. Which was laughable. All because this little girl didn't want to be serving tables, she thought she'd cause some trouble. I'd think her nickname is probably Karen the Supergrass at school. We ate our food, which was good, made sure there wasn't a service charge, and left them not a bean as a tip. We would have normally left at least a fiver each for good service so they didn't luck out that evening. Also, how much does a coloured bulb cost? Pennies. So in short we are now glad it's getting bulldozed. We only live up the road, but maybe the attitude was how the are to tourists, which they probably thought we were. They get by on the one time trade I expect as you'd not go there again. My husband said he bets the useless waitress with the bad attitude is related as its family run. All I'd say is the poor parents! An awful person costing you money. I'd stick her out the back where she doesn't have to be polite. I also explained to the manager we had bought our friends here for the meadery experience and why isn't this table like the rest. She just shrugged and said it's always been like it. No apology or anything. Well, maybe spend three quid to make it look like the rest of the place. Come next year it will be in the dirt anyway, so maybe she's saving that £3 for a rainy day. From now on, we will go to the one in Newlyn or St Just. Nice people and way better inside.

The atmosphere of this place is awesome and it really feels like a medieval pub. Staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was plentiful but unfortunately the quality was not as good as the fish was very dry & the meat was only ok in taste.

Great mead, not too loud for a pub.

We went here because it was highly recommended. We walked in right as they were opening and were promptly seated. From that moment on, the service was only responsive (meaning we had to track our server down to get any attention). The mead is the highlight and we indulged. It was STRONG and sweet. I couldn't drink it all, but I think most people would like that. The portions were all ample. I ordered the chicken with salad. It's the worst salad that I've had in England. It was mostly cabbage and the ingredients didn't blend well. There was no dressing. It was just blah. I had to put my bag on the floor because there wasn't enough room for our party in the booth. When I picked it up, it stank. I had to wash it. The lighting is so dim that you can't see the menu or what you are eating. I think the dim lighting may also hide that the place isn't that clean because the table was kind of sticky too. It has a pirate feel, but not really. There are some cheap pirate themed things hanging up, but it doesn't really feel like anything special. The worst part was the check said, "Service not included." Nowhere on the menu, or anywhere else, does it talk about a service charge. I think this was done because we are Americans. This is not standard in England and we did not encounter this anywhere else.

Amazing!! Been coming here since I was a child. Please turn off the radio and play TavernCore or some atmospheric YouTube channel for a pirate ship or medieval tavern to complete the experience. Much love

Nice place, good service and food. Just shame it will be demolished.

Good evening with friends and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Also you get *huge* portions, and the staff are happy to put the leftovers in a container for you to take home.

Warm, welcoming place. Loved the food especially chicken in the rough with garlic mushrooms for starters. Chocolate challenge for dessert. Fantastic service. There were 10 of us and our young waitress was quick, efficient and totally unfazed. She worked so hard. Smiling all the time. All the staff seemed very happy. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and will definitely be back.

A good place to go for a meal and a beer and a drink

Simple food done well.. very quick service

Excellent meal and a great atmosphere 👌

Always a great atmosphere and friendly service here! Portion sizes are massive, brilliant value for money and the mead choices are amazing! Always something new to try each time you visit

Just had the best food of our holiday. Lovely staff so welcoming and friendly. A true holiday highlight. Thank you Esther for your great service x

Visit the Waterside every time I go to Cornwall. Best ribs in the area and great service. The rooftop bar overlooking the harbour is a great way to finish the evening.

No where near to park. Tried over 2 days on the phone to book with no answer. Turned up and was told they could fit us in, drove to car park and walked to meadery to be told no space. We reminded them that they told us 15 nins before they could fit us in. They sat us in horrible seating, no good for me with arthritis in my back so they kindly moved us. This next table had us sat side by side and miserably had us facing a wall. Meal was OK, little choice of salad and staff were quite friendly.

Last minute decision. Menu is a bit limited but interesting. Food was very good and at a good price. Excellent for families as a lot of finger food, and plenty of it. Worth a try.

A very nice dining experience, tasty food, and friendly staff.

Great location, staff so welcoming, food cooked perfectly and no wait, which was great because we were starving. Thank you for a brilliant evening

Been visiting the Waterside Meadery for 16years now. Never had a bad meal or experience. Staff are always happy and friendly and food is always piping hot! Think I’ve burnt my mouth on the mushrooms every time I’ve had them! Mead is always good too. Can’t wait to visit again!

went in this evening for my partners birthday lovely food but the waitress was extremely rude short dark hair a lot of tattoos we asked for a meal without a couple of items as she was allergic then told just to pick it off then rolled her eyes and slamed the plate down there's no excuse for that behavior at all no customer service skills and she was being rude to others too couldn't believe it and then went to pay our bill then she point blank refused to spit our bill really come on! never had such a bad experience at the meadery she really needs training on how to talk too people. we've done nothing but support the waterside meadery and spread the word and sign the petition we feel really disappointed.

The food was very poor, it was extremely greasy and the chicken was only just warm and not at the temperature which is required for it to be safe to eat. The tables were very sticky and probably had not been cleaned since 1970 when this opened. I was invited to a Christmas meal by my friends the table was not large enough and seating was extremely cramped. The staff were very poor I was not offered coffee or a dessert and they could not wait for us to leave. My friend was extremely embarrassed when she was told that dogs were not allowed, when she pointed out this was an Assistance Dog she was told they were not allowed. The staff obviously are very happy to discriminate against people who can't g out without their Assistance Dog. They have no respect for the laws on discrimination. Avoid this place at all costs

Fantastic service, great staff and excellent food, really enjoyed our meal. I can only recommend and will definitely be going back. Big thank you to Waterside and all the staff.

Excellent food,value for money and brilliant staff. Will obviously be returning next time we visit Cornwall.

Excellent food and you get plenty, very reasonable prices cheaper than I thought it would be, customer service was excellent very attentive and pleasant staff,would highly recommend.

We managed to book this last minute which was lucky as it was busy. It’s quite dark and certainly fulfils the premise of a pirate ship! The menu is limited with the starters and mains being the same but different portion sizes, there is not a separate kids menu but again they do smaller portions. The food was brought out really quickly. The kids had melon for starters, I had the prawns and Nathan had the fish fries. For main we chose the chicken in the rough of different portions sizes and the ribs. I was the only one that didn’t finish. The ribs were massive! I was offered a take away bag. Our waitress was outstanding, very friendly and attentive. The mead was also good! Overall we enjoyed the food and the experience.

A bit different, tends to mainly serve meals to be eaten with fingers, is chicken or scampi in the basket but does serve other things, their prawn cocktail is delicious as are the ribs, chicken, and breaded mushrooms, a must visit each time we are in Penzance, already been twice this holiday

The staff were simply lovely, and the range of meads was impressive. We were able to get a table on a busy evening without a booking, which was great. Don't expect fine dining, as they mainly serve huge portions of junk food (which arrived unusually quickly and was not quite in keeping with the tone of the place) and the menu is quite limited (no vegan options when we visited), but if you're starving and fancy a few glasses/pints, it hits the spot.

The friendly staff made us feel really welcome. I would recommend the fish fries, they were delicious 😋. The lady called Emily was so helpful and nice

Gorgeous food! Would definitely recommend, great value for money and something on the menu for everyone. Will definitely return in the future.

Excellent food and drinks great atmosphere and wonderfully friendly owners me and the missus don’t go to Penzance without visiting this place....wolfie and Lorraine xx

Went for a meal tonight for my birthday, me and my partner. The service was amazing, food was quick, hot, and bledy tasty! The best meadery I think I have ever had! The waitress caught on that it was my birthday so before bringing the bill she brought out a cream filled chocolate with a lit candle in. What a lonely touch! Will definitely be back. We live in Redruth and will make a point of driving down the Penzance for this Meadery. Highly recommended! 5/5

Great visit with a large group of bus owners and drivers after the Vintage Bus Running Day! Big portions, very well priced and very quick for food to arrive! Friendly staff and good puddings too! Thanks for a great feed!

Love coming here. Fantastic, friendly staff and great tasting food! Definitely recommend the cherry bakewell mead...yum!

Great menu choice and fantastic food. It was really busy but the service was great, the staff were so friendly and welcoming. We have been going there for years and even though not been in 3 years it was as great as ever.

Lovely service and decent portions, a bit large if anything, but the half size options were just the ticket.

Amazing service and delicious mead! Can’t wait to visit again.

It's always great.. Great food ..atmosphere and service x

Amazing great awsom and amazing staff

Lovely food. Portions are great. Service is excellent

Great place. Food is a bit basic but still tasty, with very large portions. The main reason for going is clearly the mead though and that is fantastic. Really enjoyable evening.

Personale molto gentile e posto stile nave pirata. Cibo da pub ma piatti enormi. Viste Le dosi, e la qualita...

Good service, the chicken was spot on.

Had a takeaway from there tonight 2 small scampi & chips cost nearly £17 both went in the bin,the scampi had a very weird taste & didn't looked cooked it was slimy and grey We've both had an upset stomach tonight

excellent service and excellent food

Lovely local place, 'Chicken in the Rough' is always worth the money!

Brilliant atmosphere good service.

Menu not very good and poor presentation of food, staff not very attentive/responsibly.

What a unique experience. A gem of a place that is part of Newlyn’s cultural history.

As usual great food served with great service. Just allow yourself time to recover from the mead wines as they are a bit moreish!!! Thank you. See you soon!

Nice place to have food in a good location. Been going there for years and its always been the same never had any complaints.

Fantastic food and lots of it! Would have Been a 5 star but wasn't impressed with the tiny bought in plastic containers of garlic mayo. Cheaper and easier to make your own and looks nicer. Great choice of mead.

Very friendly staff, had lovely chicken and chips set in great atmosphere. Never had a bad meal here.

Went last night for my sister's birthday, we had endless mix ups with orders, not enough starters arrived, the waitress was rude when asked about the missing food, we had incorrect drinks brought over, the mains were incorrect also, one waitress even said " you'll just have to have it, we haven't got time to sort it out", the service was incredibly slow, we had to ask for our orders to be taken on more than one occasion. The table was booked in advance and on arrival there was only another couple of small groups, so not busy, the waitresses spent a lot of time chatting together with their backs towards the customers. I feel very disappointed at the service, I have been many times and never had such an experience.

Very disappointing experience. Very small Vegetarian choice and most of the food on offer was fried. I've had a much better time at Meaderies elsewhere

Fantastic food. Chicken is awsome. Staff are friendly and service is 1st class

Great atmosphere, friendly staff.

Good family place to eat, mead wine be careful

Friendly staff, great atmosphere. Been going or over twenty years now the kids love it!

Oh my god!!! The foood!! Will be back!

BEST PLACE EVER! Love the chicken and Blackberry wine! Got Engaged here! LOVE IT. We are regulars. Would highly recommend xx

We have been going to this place for over 30 years and it’s a real favourite of the kids. The only thing that’s changed over the 30 years is you now get cutlery!

Visited after a year's gap. Excellent friendly service and atmospheric décor. Food was standard fare but well cooked and well presented. The chicken was good quality - much better than that offered in most KFC outlets. The wine was reasonably priced and the fruit flavoured mead wines are well worth a try. My only gripe is the early closing time in the kitchen - last orders at 20:30

This place is good for an evening out for the family. Always book a table as it can get busy. The food is piping hot and the portions you get are very good. The staff are all polite and the service is excellent.

Hemos tenido un amigo venido desde Alicante en España durante dos semanas, ella tenía el Waterside Meadery en su "lista". Ahora he vivido en Cornwall durante 20 años y visitó Penzance durante más de 30 años. Por lo tanto, se puede imaginar mi sorpresa al encontrar un restaurante con un ambiente muy agradable y buena comida el nivel justo. Siempre pensé que este lugar era un lugar turístico y no para mí. Yo estaba equivocado. El personal es amable y servicial. Yo no sé, por ejemplo, que el limitado horario de apertura tiene Meadery noche. Yo no sabía esto y uno de mi grupo era que lleguen después de las 8 PM. El cuidado de la cocina abierta para nosotros. . Lo que fue un gran. cosa que hacer. Tuve una buena parte de la empanadas de setas (que recomiendo) y una cerveza que estaba correctamente Worthington sirve. Los otros de mi grupo tenía el pollo y el pescado las rodajas. Todos eran muy agradables. Sí paquete del chip aspecto congelado. Pero estas patatas fritas eran fresco, de buen tamaño y bien.

Tan decepcionado con este meadery - aunque benevolencia sobre de historia y tradición que no excusa que de ser anticuadas y necesitan una buena limpieza.

Fuimos a El waterside meadery para una comida familiar. el personal era excelente y la comida era variada y muy buena.

Best food of all the mederies in the area. Nice group seating areas, feels inclusive yet keeps you privacy. My only real criticism would be the very slow service , waiting staff seem very pushed and unable to check tables regularly leading to long waits for drinks, food also fairly slow and some meals came out slower than others.

Went out for a family meal , table a bit small but restaurant was very full so could not move . Food was quick and very hot , and of good quality . Idea is to eat with your hands so no cutlery , all good fun , it dark in places , but part of the ambiance. Very good value in the end.

An amazing place enjoyed by all ages. We have been visiting here for many many years and it is still as good as ever. A varied menu chicken and chips in the rough ie eating with fingers is very popular especially WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES!! Finger bowls provided. Childrens portions available if required. Portion sizes on the plentiful side so be warned! We visit because of the atmosphere also children choose it for various celebrations birthdays family get togethers as it caters for all ages. A varied menu . Trying the Cornish mead is a must,

Dry and poor quality chicken, dry overcooked fish, cheap frozen chips....very dark and overpriced for what it is. Would not recommend if you want good tasty food.

Just splendid! Immense racks of ribs enough to re-assemble a proper porker. The mead's somewhat more-ish too!

Me and my husband have been coming here for years the place never changes .Very friendly staff always chatty and the food is lovely the only down side is sometimes depending where you are seated it can be a bit dark and you struggle to see the menu but overall we love the place.

Questo locale è poco più di un fast food.. Se entrate sappiate che il menù e' una paginetta con 7/8 portate di antipasto che fanno anche da piatti principali a seconda della porzione desiderata!!! Per cui la scelta è risicatissima e tutte le portate sono fritte, gamberetti, funghi, pollo, pesce.. Puoi scegliete il contorno di patatine o insalata. L'unica cosa non fritta del menu erano una lasagna vegetariana, le costolette o lo sgombro affumicato.. Vedete voi! Per noi molto deludente.

Another of the small chain of Cornish Meaderies, similar to the better-known one in Newlyn. The food is much the same in all of them - huge portions of chicken or scampi with chips and salad. Pretty dark inside, like Newlyn, which young children love. If you have to wait for a table at Waterside you can have a drink in the upstairs bar overlooking the harbour.

Charged 50p extra for asking for more milk for my coffee , what a rip off . You should be ashamed of yourself's . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These people have no knowledge on how to treat customers. Went in with my family to be shunted off a table that was apparently reserved. No sign. Had forgotten my Cristal ball. Tables were dirty. No customers being greeted or served. You should realise pz is full of places to eat so my money is going there. If you like being treated like dirt this is just the place for you.

We recently enjoyed a lovely meal at Waterside Meadery, we have been a few times now and the we received the same warm welcome that we always receive from the staff, the food was delicious and well cooked. We will go back again to Waterside Meadery.

Night out with the wife , good hot food , did not go out hungry , bit crowded , but it is summer , so no surprise there , can be a bit dark in places , staff very good.

Always come here when visiting family, I love the meadery, very friendly staff , they are always polite and acomadating, food is always a plenty and good value for money. I love eating here, the atmosphere is always calm and relaxing. You can't come to Cornwall without visiting a meadery its a must. Highly recommended. 5 star service with a smile.

Blackberry wine, need I say more? I have visited The Meadery twice as my boyfriend's Mum used to go there frequently when she was growing up, and the first time something about made me fall in love. It's so dingy, yet absolutely fabulous. The food is absolutely delicious, so comforting, the staff are so lovely and the mead is incredible. Honestly it has been an absolute highlight of a holiday to Cornwall for two years running and I would recommend this fabulous place to anyone visiting Penzance.

This is a very friendly welcoming restaurant. The staff are excellent - really cheerful and helpful. The food is standard fare but done exceptionally well and great value for money. The interior of the building is really atmospheric catering for large groups and yet having plenty of little alcoves for couples and smaller groups. Well worth trying the various fruit meads on offer.

We were very excited about visiting here as my partner came here a lot as child when he lived in the area. The place itself is very interesting looking in the inside lots of little hide away tables for privacy and he decor just added to the atmosphere. The staff were very friendly and helpful- love the outfits they wore again just added to the experience. The mead was amazing - my first time having any and by God it was strong. Good job we were staying in walking distance. The food was amazing!! Chicken in the rough was delicious!! I couldn't fit any more inside me then my partner wanted desert. It was just how my partner remember it as a child and he was very excited and was extremely happy. Will be returning to the area in the future and definitely coming back to this restaurant.

Has to be an annual visit or two when we come down - food and service always amazing - thank you!!

We tried to call to make sure a table was available but line was constantly engaged so we took a chance and went, it wasn't busy when we arrived and we were seated straight away. Overheard one member of staff saying to the other "is the phone still off the hook..." Oh so that's why the line was constantly engaged now I understand...! Our waitress was really lovely and friendly and attentive, we ordered Chicken in the rough and Scampi, both we had with chips and salad, the food was nice, one gripe for me is the salad had raw mushroom in it, I know people do like this as my husband and son do but I really don't and in my opinion it's not a regular ingredient in a fresh salad.. Not a massive issue tho as I gave it to them, I had choc and nut sundae for pudding which was ok, nothing special. We have also been to the Meadery in Newlyn and we all preferred it to this one as the place is far more in keeping with the theme, also it has a buffet style salad bar which the Waterside doesn't have which was disappointing. To be honest it was quite an expensive meal for what it was, chicken and chips, but saying that the food was nice and our bellys full went we left. Next time we visit we will probably go to the Newlyn restaurant in favour of the Waterside one.

Its very clean with friendly staff, they cannot do more for you, the meal we had was very nice, and I will be going back for more (I hope) next year 2017 for my Holidays with my Family.

The meadery is located on the promenade in Penzance and with in walking distant from the town centre.Easy to make a reservation or even walk in to be seated.The vegetarian option was a lasagne which was really tasty! Packed with flavour and a variety of vegetables.The service was a little on the slow side and seemed to be a little too dark inside the restaurant. Friendly and helpful staff and very reasonable prices