Rachael Brown explores the Cornish city of Truro
The cathedral city of Truro is often dubbed the unofficial ‘capital of Cornwall’. From art galleries to hidden indie gems, it’s a quiet and quaint labyrinth of hidden streets ripe for exploration. Potter around its cobbled lanes, roam its weekly markets, and discover the many shops and eateries that call this city home…
Truro’s Coffee Shops & Delicatessens
Lawrance’s Bakery & Bar
This blush-pink bakery and bar serves a range of cakes, brownies and blondies, along with warm petal-sprinkled pastries and smoothies in various pastel shades (including blue!). Enjoy perfectly poured coffees during the day or head back on an evening for colourful cake-based cocktails. Lawrence’s really is the perfect place for those who love sweet treats.
Pollen
Endearingly known as the ‘thoughtful snackery’, Pollen (below) is a largely plant-based café, offering eco-conscious breakfasts and beverages. It’s a calming spot, perfect for munching on a bagel or catching up with friends over a tasty chai pot. If you can, try to get your hands on one of their popular glazed doughnuts – they fly off the shelves like literal hot cakes.
Lily’s of Truro
The unusual and delicious cruffins – a hybrid of a muffin and a croissant – that crowd the counter at Lily’s of Truro really say something about the place itself; it’s quirky and comforting, yet oh so creative. Lily’s is a great place to stop for vegan cakes, healthy breakfasts and fresh juices after a spot of retail therapy.
Sabzi Deli
Step into Sabzi Deli and you’ll be greeted by rows of fragrant middle eastern dishes that are freshly prepared each day. Started by MasterChef quarter finalist Kate Attlee, this colourful deli is known throughout Truro for its vibrant food and warm service. Kate specialises in Persian delights that are bursting with flavour. So, be prepared to be spoilt for choice when you’re presented with Sabzi’s rainbow-coloured salads, hot lentil dahls and indulgent cakes…
Restaurants in Truro, Cornwall
The Longstore at Lemon Street
Housed in a renovated Georgian townhouse, The Longstore at Lemon Street (above) specialise in big cuts of dry-aged steak, seafood dishes, and a punchy range of bar bites to snack on with your cocktails. It’s a unique blend of city dining with warm and welcoming service to boot.
The Rising Sun
You’ll find lots of fresh Cornish ingredients on the menu at popular local venue The Rising Sun. This award-winning country pub produces high-quality, creative plates, all served in a cosy, convivial atmosphere. What’s more, it’s also dog-friendly.
Hooked!
The talented chefs at this laid-back restaurant and bar revolve their menu around the latest catch from Cornish waters, and are massively popular for it. Expect ingredients like Falmouth scallops, local mussels and Cornish lobster.
The Alverton Hotel
At The Alverton’s award-winning restaurant (below) you’ll savour Cornish-inspired cuisine, served by Head Chef Erkki Mikk. Erkki’s passion for rich local ingredients is evident in his beautifully presented dishes that are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Menus change with the seasons to showcase the very best of the south west. So fuel up on heart-warming classics, unforgettable puddings and inventive culinary creations. Elsewhere, you can sip on hand-crafted cocktails overlooking the gardens, indulge in bottomless gin brunches or make yourself at home by the fire.
Shopping & Experiences in Truro
Uneeka
Independent business Uneeka focuses on locally sourced furniture, antiques and homewares – all ethically selected. Here you can find all the artistic flourishes that give character to a room; we’d recommend putting aside some time for browsing those touches of colour and texture. There’s also a lovely café upstairs (above) that is the perfect pit stop after a day spent shopping.
Truro Cookery School
Truro Cookery School is all about the act of making and sharing food together. Enjoy a relaxed evening learning how to cook with your friends and sip on a glass of fizz whilst you watch expert chefs demo their signature dishes. You’re welcome to bring your own booze and you’ll come away with plenty of new skills – all without having to do any of the washing up!
Hall For Cornwall
Catch everything from international tours and stand up comedy, to orchestral performances at this lively arts venue. The Hall for Cornwall auditorium has recently been transformed to hold over 1000 seats, making it the best place in town to soak up a little culture.
Heseltine Gallery
For an inspiring afternoon, we suggest a trip to Truro’s Heseltine Gallery. Here you can pore over a mixture of paintings, sculpture and mixed media art. The gallery regularly hosts curated exhibitions featuring work from young artists and the local creative community. There’s also an intriguing collection of work from influential artists such as Sir Terry Frost and Cornwall’s very own Jeremy Le Grice.
Lead image: The Alverton Hotel by Arabelle Zhuang. Pollen by Sophia Best, Longstore at Lemon Street by Frankie Thomas. Cathedral Street by Mick Blakey / iStock.com.
Want more ideas for things to see and do in Cornwall? Get your hands on a copy of The Maverick Guide to Cornwall Vol 2.
