Harbour Moon Inn

The newly reopened restaurant is fantastic. I tried the sardines and plaice, and the new chef really knows what to do with fish. The food was delicious, with garnishes that lift it well beyond ordinary pub fare. There’s a good mix of small plates and mains, plus lovely desserts. Get a table while you still can!

The sardines with green beans changed my mind about what the best thing I’d eaten in Cornwall was. The dish was so light and full of flavour, and honestly the best I’ve ever tried. The mackerel pâté was another of the best I’ve had. We also had a 14-month-old with us, and the lovely front-of-house team were incredibly helpful and couldn’t do enough for us. Someone who knew Chef Charlie had recommended the dedicated restaurant, saying he could cook. We’d passed by a few times before and always avoided the place, but I’m glad we finally went. If you’re in Looe, give it a try. The food is off the charts and the service matches it.

The roast food was plentiful and very good once it finally arrived, but one of our three platters was forgotten, leaving us waiting another half hour. The waitress apologised, though no drink was offered as a goodwill gesture. We came as a group of seven for Sunday lunch at Harbour Moon on 21 December, and were seated at two tables of four with about 30 cm between them. When we asked to push them together, we were told it wasn’t possible because “the bar staff” said no, and then that it was “their rules.” Nobody walked through the gap while we were there, and staff couldn’t explain why the tables had to stay apart. It seemed a needless refusal, and left me feeling the team had forgotten what customer service means or how small gestures shape people’s impressions. The service would put me off returning.

On a chilly, wet November day, we would have liked a hot drink, but they had no milk. Although there were shops across the harbour, nobody offered to go and buy some, which was disappointing. The food was very tasty and nicely presented, and the pub looked out over the harbour as the tide went out. You’d get a good view of the boats coming and going.