For great meals en famille, or a bite to eat as you come off the beach, The Living Space, is a relaxed eaterie housed in the very cool The Hotel. With its lovely views over the surfer's paradise that is Watergate Bay, this is barefoot glam at its best.
To while away an afternoon, bag a sofa or comfy armchair, order some nibbles and take advantage of the free newspapers and board games on offer. Then indulge in the exceptional afternoon tea, or come for brunch or supper - it's open from 9.30am till late.
While many UK seaside restaurants are guilty of being slightly stuffy still and somewhat stuck in the past, the Living Space is fantastically 21st century. It understands that dining with children is often fraught and may include impulsive bolts from the table (and that's just the parents). People linger here - not just for the food - but because it's a sociable place, and that's its attraction.
It is to the Living Space's credit that while we were eating, the following collection of people were seated around us: an elderly couple reading novels, a young man tapping away at a laptop, a group of teenagers in their wetsuits perched around the bar and several families eating in various states of disarray.
The menu has a great selection that will keep everyone happy. From sharing plates - such as the Long Board, which consists of meats and cheeses - to the catch of the day (a must in this part of the world), there is a wide and delicious variety to choose from. The wine list is superb: any restaurant that is chilled out and serves New Zealand Cloudy Bay Sauvignon - perfect with fish - gets my vote.
The Living Space, The Hotel & Extreme Academy, On The Beach, Watergate Bay, Cornwall TR8 4AA; Watergatebay.co.uk/thelivingspace
