Alba Restaurant

Alba restaurant in St Ives Cornwall is a critically acclaimed cornish gem.  Having been crowned fish restaurant of the year a few times you know you are in for a treat.  For none fish lovers don’t be deterred the cuisine is fine regardless of your taste.  Alba is situated in what has been an old lifeboat station and even a shop to by all you can imagine from tape to buckets and spades.  Enter the building now and both seem moons away from what is now an elegant and charming eatery.

A selection of starters to wet the appetite are available, they change from time to time but there are some firm favourites on there, one of mine is the ham hock terrine.  The mains are by and large, as with all the menu, made up where possible with local cornish produce and presented to the highest standards.  From local caught fish to the finest cuts of beef, pork and lamb.  The desserts are to die for, again they change regularly but if it is on, try the iced cream sandwiches.  There is also a selection of cornish cheeses for the ones without a sweet tooth.

The wine list has depth and choice and a bottle or glass to suit all budgets.  Other than that you can start the dinner with a cocktail, a spirit and mixer or maybe a local cornish ale?  There is a selection of desert wines, whiskeys, ports and brandy’s.  All in all the selection available on both food and drink is probably one of the best in St Ives.  The service is there to match.  Each time I have been I have seen the staff change as is common with holiday resort staff but the owners definitely command a high standard.

From time to time Alba have been known to do a taster menu, at a £60 premium per person but worth every penny.  A beautiful array of food is on offer across 6 courses and a wine flight to match.  I have only seen it a few times but if it is on don’t miss out.  If you book in advance I would recommend asking for one of the tables in the window upstairs.  You not only get amazing food but wonderful views of your St Ives bay making for a truly enjoyable dining experience.

I can’t recommend Alba highly enough, a personal favourite of mine time after time when I travel to St Ives, if I am lucky enough to go for my birthday this is the restaurant of choice…roll on March 16th.