West Cornwall’s much-loved Porthleven food festival was a sunny affair this year, bringing delicious street food, live cookery demonstrations and feast nights. The town is famous for its rich fishing history, big winter waves and for being a foodie hotspot. The iconic clock tower overlooking the stone harbour pier is a great place to watch the sunset over the cliffs. Drawing inspiration from Cornwall’s agricultural and nautical heritage, the Porthleven Food Festival has become a highlight of the Cornish calendar, attracting  foodies, chefs, and artisans from across the country.  

The Festival Experience – Getting to the festival

Each year, the Porthleven Food Festival serves up fresh exciting new foods to try, inviting visitors to indulge amidst the stunning backdrop of the Cornish coast.  

The organisers ensure that parking for the festival is easy for all, with several options to get to the event. The park-and-ride system operating from the nearby Helston boating lake is a great choice as it is only a 6-minute ride to the event. Parking is also available at Methleigh Farm on the other side of Porthleven at £10 per car, which includes a park and ride to the centre of the town. Upon arrival at the festival, you are greeted by a hum of activity and the enticing aromas from food stalls lining the streets, offering an impressive array.

The Key Festival Areas 

Chefs Theatre 

On the harbour head sits the Chef’s Theatre, here is where all the action happens. With live cookery, comedy roasts and evening entertainment taking place. This year saw local chefs Jude Kereama from Kota Kai, Jasmine Sharma from Daaku and Sabzi’s Kate Attlee demonstrate exciting dishes.  

Shipyard 

Most of the street food stalls are in the Shipyard Market outdoor area, with a few  that sit on the market side of the harbour too. Exploring your options before you decide what to eat is a fantastic approach. Take a stroll and see what catches your eye – there’s something to suit every taste. The hot food traders are serving from 10 am to 10.30 pm so there is plenty of time. 

Cornwall Food and Drink Marquee 

Cornwall is famous for its fresh produce from pasties to Cornish Yarg. The festival has an entire marquee dedicated to local growers and makers. Here you can try lots of different chutneys, gins, cheeses, sausages and lots more. Exhibitors include Cornish Ketchup, Vicky’s Bread, Cornwall Rock Gin Company, Richard’s Cornish Biltong and many more.

The Net Loft  

In the heart of the bustling harbour, just steps away from the lapping waters, stands the old Net Loft. This rustic venue plays host to the much-anticipated magical feast nights, an event that left taste buds tingling. This year, back by popular demand, guests were served up a sumptuous four-course meal by chef Rupert Cooper, of Philleigh Way Cookery School. As the night progressed, guests sat on long tables, sharing stories and discussing the many flavours of the night. The atmosphere was energetic, with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. 

The Lime Kiln Stage  

For a chilled and uplifting mood, the Lime Kiln Stage is a lovely place to sit and watch the program of folk music. The talented musician Will Keating from the Oggymen curated the Lime Kiln Stage lineup, while local legend Claire Rowley hosted the stage and added an extra dimension of fun with her wit. 

How I spent the day at Porthleven food festival 

With an abundance of choices at the Porthleven Food Festival, it’s tricky to try everything. Luckily, living up the road, I had the chance to explore the festival over the weekend. Starting my day with an oat milk flat white from Origin Coffee, a Porthleven-based coffee roaster, set the perfect tone. Origin Coffee is BCORP certified and a big supporter of local businesses, it offers a tranquil spot for coffee and cake at its cafe on the harbour front. If you are a coffee enthusiast I would recommend walking up the road to their roastery cafe, here you can see all the action and find lots more on offer.

For food, I indulged in a variety of treats, including a duck wrap, bao buns, Thai massaman curry, and a filled bagel. It was a warm sunny day so naturally I had to get a crisp local apple cider and a fresh bubble tea as a refreshing drink.

The Shipyard Market housed a diverse range of local traders, including Panchi, a recent addition to the permanent market offering refreshing bubble teas and freshly rolled ice creams. Their blue passion bubble tea was a great recommendation, bursting with fruity flavour. 

Special festival treats included pistachio-rolled ice cream topped with Turkish delight. Next up was Ced’s bagels, known for their hand-rolled bagels filled with various creative fillings. From satay chicken to the house hummus bagel, Ced’s offers different weekly specials that keep people coming back for more. 

In the Farmer’s Market, you can’t move for choice. I picked up a few things to enjoy at home that took my fancy. A  deep red jar of sweet chilli jam from the Cornish Chillies stall which I have had many times  and a fresh loaf from Vicky’s bakery stall. This area is one of my favourite spots as there are  plenty of food and drinks for you to try.

What’s on the menu? 

The street food area serves up a host of different cuisines: 

• Greek souvlaki 
• Thai curries 
• Burritos  
• Mac & cheese 
• Fresh BBQ  
• Chinese fried noodles and rice dishes
• Cornish pasties
• Burgers and hot sausages 
• Fresh seafood dishes
• Italian meatballs  
• Loaded fries and nachos 
• & many more!

Sustainability and Community 

Beyond its culinary delights, the Porthleven Food Festival is committed to sustainability and supporting local communities. Many vendors proudly display their eco-friendly practices, using compostable serve ware and packaging to minimise waste. By choosing to support ethical and responsible businesses, visitors can enjoy the food with a clear conscience, knowing that they’re contributing to positive change. 

The festival also provides a platform for local growers and makers to showcase their products, helping to foster a sense of community and connection among attendees. From artisanal jams and gins to handcrafted makes and local bakes, there’s a wealth of locally sourced delights to discover at the festival. 

Exploring Porthleven 

For those seeking a break from the festivities, Porthleven offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation. Take a stroll along the harbour, where colourful fishing boats bob gently in the water or venture further afield to discover the long Porthleven beach and scenic coastal walks. Walking is a fantastic way of getting to the festival, you can walk from Helston along the coastal path over Gunwalloe beach. From the coastal path, you enter the town along the beach up to the harbour. With its charming shops and galleries, the town is worth a visit any day of the year.  

Immersing in Culture and Entertainment 

The Porthleven Food Festival isn’t just about food, it’s a celebration of Cornwall’s vibrant culture and entertainment scene. From live music performances to comedy roasts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Local bands like the Porthleven Town Band add to the lively atmosphere, filling the air with beautiful brass and percussion tunes. Whether you’re a fan of a great tribute band or prefer the sounds of the real deal, the festival’s music lineup is sure to delight. This year we saw Beans On Toast take to the stage alongside quality tributes to Abba and Fleetwood Mac.  

Food has a remarkable ability to bring people together, visitors from all over come together to celebrate their shared love of good food.

Whether you’re chatting with fellow food enthusiasts at the Ann’s Pasties demonstration or sharing a meal with newfound friends at The Net Loft’s feast nights, the festival provides countless opportunities to forge connections. 

Supporting Local Artisans 

The Porthleven Food Festival is a showcase for the incredible talents of local artisans and crafters. From handcrafted ceramics and jewellery to unique works of art and photography, the festival’s artisan market offers a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind treasures waiting to be discovered. There is also an opportunity to learn something new with an introduction to speciality coffee with Origin to wine tasting with sommelier Elly Owen. 

Family-Friendly Fun 

The festival is a family-friendly event, with plenty of activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained. From rock climbing and craft workshops to interactive cooking demonstrations and puppet shows. Parents can relax with their little ones as they explore the festival grounds, safe in the knowledge that there’s plenty to keep them occupied. With a village field, play area and child-friendly attractions dotted on the site, it is a lovely family day out.

The Spirit of Community 

At its core, the Porthleven Food Festival celebrates the spirit of community. Whether you’re a seasoned regular or a first-time visitor, the festival welcomes you with open arms, inviting you to join  the festivities and experience the magic. From the passionate vendors who pour their hearts into their creations to the volunteers who work tirelessly to make the event safe, the festival is a testament to the power of community. So come along next year and join us as we celebrate the best  Cornish food and drink at the Porthleven Food Festival.