Restaurant Nathan Outlaw

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw is located at 6 New Road in Port Isaac, a small fishing village on the north Cornwall coast. Chef Nathan Outlaw built his reputation around seafood, and the restaurant holds two Michelin stars, a rare distinction for a village location far from London. The cooking is devoted to fish and shellfish landed by Cornish boats, with a menu that changes daily according to the catch.

The listing highlights Cornish turbot and a tasting menu. The kitchen serves the fish with restrained sauces, vegetables from nearby growers and finishing touches that amplify the natural flavour rather than mask it. Dishes tend to be precise and light, and the meal builds through several courses of fish prepared in different styles. The wine list is smaller than that of a metropolitan restaurant but is carefully chosen, with a focus on white wines that suit seafood.

The dining room is small and intimate, with an unfussy interior that keeps attention on the plate. Service is warm, knowledgeable and low-key. Dress is smart-casual, and the atmosphere suits special-occasion lunches and dinners with a holiday feel.

The restaurant opens Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations are required well in advance, and summer weekends and school holidays are the hardest times to book. Travelling to Port Isaac takes planning: the village is reached by narrow Cornish roads and public transport is limited, so many diners combine the meal with a stay in the area. Parking in the village is restricted and car parks are at the top of the hill.

Port Isaac is also known as the filming location for the television series Doc Martin, and the surrounding coastline offers walking on the South West Coast Path. The menu is set rather than chosen, so diners with strict dietary requirements should raise them early. The kitchen also draws on seaweed, sea herbs and local vegetables, and the meal makes a memorable centrepiece for a Cornish coastal break.