Blue Tomato Cafe, much ‘more than just a cafe’

Don’t be fooled by the ‘cafe and takeaway’ part of the Blue Tomato Cafe name. Sure, it’s as relaxed as a cafe and it’s also a great place to grab a cup of coffee or tea for Rock beach but the lunchtime and evening food is well above the standards of your average cafe.

Like many other holidaymakers we always take a trip or two to the Blue Tomato Cafe when we’re in Cornwall. It’s a great place for some refreshment after a day on the beach or following a trip on the ferry to Padstow. An evening meal never disappoints, not for us anyway. Salt and pepper squid and chips for me please.

The Blue Tomato is kind of the original Rock cafe. It’s been there years and changed very little in that time. It’s hard to capture the atmosphere in words. It’s kind of a cross between a beach cafe and a good value restaurant. It’s very laid back, full of chatter, windswept hair and seaside smiles. Shorts, sandy shoes and thirsty dogs are always welcome. The menu is great and reasonably priced, for the area at least.

Rock beach is very dog friendly throughout the year with great coastal walks to Daymer Bay and on to Polzeath, if you’re feeling energetic. Polzeath beach allows dogs in the winter only. If the tide is out you can walk along the beach all the way from Rock Beach to Daymer Bay. You’re very like to bump into many other dog walkers on your way.

The Blue Tomato Cafe is open later in the summer and gets busy in the evening so make sure you book. In the off season, it closes earlier so best to check on their website.

The cafe is just a short stroll from Rock Quarry Car Park.

The Blue Tomato address is Ferry Point, Rock, Cornwall, PL27 6LD and telephone 01208 863 841

There are one or two other restaurants in Rock.