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Hours
Sun
10:00 - 16:00
Wed
10:00 - 16:00
Thu
10:00 - 16:00
Fri
10:00 - 16:00
Sat
10:00 - 16:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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PRICE RANGE
£1.00 – £8.00
CUISINES
Cafe, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Is this restaurant on the beach?
Details
PRICE RANGE
£1.00 – £8.00
CUISINES
Cafe, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Brunch
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Beach
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4.5
240 reviews
Excellent
186
Very good
40
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Matt D
1 contribution
Jul 2020 • none
We treated ourselves to a post lock down lunch at the new cafe today. Whilst I was entertaining our 20 month old son on the beach my husband asked what I wanted for lunch from the cafe. My response was 'surprise me'. Surprised I was. He arrived back down to the beach with two different toasties for us to share. One of which bacon, brie and chilli jam. Filled with thick bacon, lashings of cheese and a lovely sticky jam which had a little kick. The other, a hummus and red pepper. Who knew hummus could work in a toastie? It was absolutely delicious and something I perhaps wouldn't of chosen myself. We will definitely be back soon.
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giorgia
London4 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
Great Coffee. Friendly staff and owner. The best ever cinnamon buns in this part of the universe (even for cinnamon bun lover). We tried them in the morning and got some more for the next day’s breakfast.
The toasties were also really good, in particular the Brie, bacon and chilly jam one. A shame not to try the curried vegetables pasty, which must be ordered an hour in advance, as they prepare the curry on order.
Written 18 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ste M
Burnham2700 contributions
May 2021 • family
The Thirstea Co. is a National Trust cafe in Porth. Ideally located for either your visit to the nearby Towan Beach or at the start of your coastal path walk around the Roseland Peninsula, the cafe serves a selection of sandwiches, pastries, and cream teas alongside hot and cold drinks. Outside seating is limited the three or four benches which was a little inconvenient when we visited in May 2021 given inside seating was not open, but its close enough to the beach to stroll there for a sit down !
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seth R
Hi,
Thanks for your review. We aren’t a National Trust Cafe, we simply rent the building from the Trust. We’re fully independent of them.
Currently, we’ve made positive decisions to protect our customers and our team, meaning we’re still operating as a take away only and limiting the numbers of seats available in the yard. This is to ensure the yard doesn’t get too crowded, and with hospitality businesses closing down for covid reasons left right and centre we fee vindicated in our decision to remain take away. We also don’t have the staff currently to operate table service indoors as well. But as you say, the beach is a stones throw away!
Written 21 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Meldray
7 contributions
Jul 2020 • couples
Purchased food from Thirstea during a trip to Towan beach.
Both my husband and I were very disappointed in the quality of the food having read other reviews we were expecting much more.
BLT sandwich consisted of two pieces of bread, no butter or mayo, 2 dryed up slices of bacon one slice of tomato and a tiny piece of lettuce for £6.50!! The cake we also bought was dry and also very overpriced.
I completely expect to pay more for somewhere so convenient but I feel the quality should reflect their prices.
On a good note their ice creams are lovely and staff very friendly.
Written 31 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sjtraveller2013
Hi.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am concerned about the experience you appear to have had. We pride ourselves on generous portions, and quality ingredients. The BLT should have been accompanied by homemade slaw and locally grown salad leaves. I’d like to discuss this further so any lapses are addressed with the kitchen team.
Unfortunately due to the nature of our new business (we’ve been open a month) things aren’t always as perfect I would like but we’re learning fast!
With regards our cakes, they are are made daily by myself on the premises.
Please do email info@thethirsteacompany.co.uk with more details of your visit so I can address it with my team.
Many thanks
Written 31 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cestp28
Gloucestershire2 contributions
Apr 2021 • family
We had planned a trip to the beach. I emailed ahead of our visit as my daughter is gluten intolerant and we often struggle to find something for her to eat from cafes that doesn’t leave her disappointed. Seth and his team were wonderful and detailed the menu and options available. Gluten free Cornish pasties and chocolate brownies which we were able to pre order made for one very happy little girl.
The food was all really delicious and the service was impeccable. Thank you so much.
Written 15 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seth R
Hi,
I’m so glad we could help with your requirements. Although we are only a small business with limited resources we do our best to provide for as many people as we can.
Thank you so much 😊
Written 21 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PMBEngland
87 contributions
Jun 2021 • couples
It has changed drastically, no longer a cute vehicle serving delicious food, it's now a purpose built cafe, nothing to write home about. Had a toasted sandwich after it was recommended, cheese and onion relish......it was burnt, it was more onion relish, which was far too sweet, than cheese!!! Husband had a pasty, not exceptional.
All in all very disappointing
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seth R
Hi there!
Whilst we appreciate honest and positive feedback, it’s disheartening to hear of your isolated “disappointing” experience.
As you can see from plenty of other reviews mentioning the top quality toasties and pasties we offer we generally seem to hit the mark, and if there is ever a problem we do our best to rectify it at that time.
I’m sorry you appear to have had a poor experience which, and I’m sure we could have done better.
However,
I have no idea when you visited, and it’s frustrating you didn’t feel you could approach myself or one of our friendly team to make your complaint, at which point we would have probably replaced and refunded your meal, if it was clear there was a problem. That’s our style see, generous and striving to get it right for everyone.
I see from your other reviews you have very high standards, and obviously many many places you’ve visited can’t even nearly reach those standards. For that; I apologise.
I do hope next time you are unsatisfied with a meal, either here (but then let’s me honest, probably not here again), or another small Independant business trying to keep their heads above water in this horrendously challenging time we find ourselves in, you’d feel able to reach out directly and immediately to resolve the issue so the establishment could better learn from any mistakes.
Have a great evening.
Written 27 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Clare P
Penton Mewsey96 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
The food here was lovely. Freshly made sandwiches and tomatoes and delicious cake. All of the staff are friendly. However the absolutely best feature of the cafe is the very theatrical gentleman who entertains with the way he calls out the orders to let you know your order is ready!
It would be lovely if they had a little outpost at St Anthony’s where you could get a drink and cake!
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pathfinder815584
2 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
Whilst I understand that it's difficult at the moment to provide outside seating and tables, it's not too much trouble to do a bit of maintenance on the timber picnic tables under the canopy. The gaps between the boards of the top were full of waste food and the tops looked as though they they had not been cleaned. Certainly they were not cleaned between patrons. Tops had lots of stains and grease. Not what we were expecting Food was OK though.
he
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seth R
Hi,
Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to create a tripadvisor profile to review us. Thank you as well for bringing this to our attention. The issue has since been rectified. It’s been a long and very challenging summer and unfortunately this is something which has been missed. We’ll be using some down time over the winter to address the seating both in terms of restoring what we have, re introducing indoor seating and we’ll be adding to our outdoor provision.
Rest assured this won’t be repeated.
I hope the other parts of your visit were enjoyable.
Many tanks for your review
Written 8 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann H
York2595 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
Situated just off Towan beach this cafe serves hot drinks and food too. We had takeaway coffee although the food looked tasty too. Good Covid guidelines - order inside, go outside to collect from another window. Lovely place,
Written 19 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate W
7 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
Loved the original Thirstea tea van so were excited to see a permanent cafe opening at Towan Beach & it didn't disappoint. Lovely staff & beautiful new building.
Just great to have tea, coffee & cinnamon buns on the beach. We actually returned a second day & treated ourselves to lunch. The toasties were generous (chilli jam is delicious!) & served with a tasty slaw. There were very messy to eat though, so serviettes/wet wipes at hand.
Their GF chocolate brownies made my (coeliac) 4 year old's day! Especially to be reassured seeing them separated from the cakes & sandwiches, next to flapjacks.
Looking forward to sitting in one day too!
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_elainehindson
Kent437 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
After an invigorating circular walk via the cliffs and woodlands, we called in for lunch here. We had some of the best cheese toasties we’ve ever tasted- really generous and delicious. The café is in a great spot close by the National Trust car park at Porth, near Towan beach. Staff are lovely and there’s a good choice of hot/cold lunch options and drinks, plus a tempting array of cakes and ice cream. Order and pay inside, and collect outside at the window, or there’s a couple of tables inside (need to give track & trace details) if you prefer to sit in.
Written 27 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LloydDawn
West Midlands13 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
Great little cafe ideally placed for a stooping off point on a hike around Place. Tasty sandwiches with a nice side salad. Environmentally friendly sandwich box and cutlery. All clean, we sat outside in the sunshine. Toilets are clean.
Written 1 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark P
Potton37 contributions
Sept 2022 • couples
We had planned to stop for lunch while walking the South West Coastal Path and we weren't disappointed. The cafe is just off the path where it passes Towan Beach and is sign posted. The staff were friendly and welcoming. We enjoyed a much needed cold drink from the fridge and delicious Cornish Pasties made locally in St Austell.
Written 2 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bestcornishcat
United Kingdom32456 contributions
Jan 2022 • friends
It’s a friendly and popular place with a real fire which was especially welcome on a cold day. We initially sat outside with our excellent pasties - mine was one of the best cheese pasties I’ve had.
When the cold got too invigorating we adjourned inside where I had a freshly baked, generously sized scone and good, strong espresso.
We bumped into friends and neighbours. I don’t know why we’ve never visited before!
Written 19 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksandra H
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • family
Most delicious and fresh ice creams and cakes (we had a lemon cake and chocolate brownie & blackcurrant ice cream). Highly recommended.
In addition - environmental friendly Company, with compostable food packaging. Supporting a healthy planet.
We are looking forward to going back to this cafe again.
Written 21 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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