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Dining with a sea view  - Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, St Ives, Cornwall

Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling

4.9
4.9
1294 Reviews
£41 and over
British

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 11 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
  • Innovative
Ugly Butterfly, located in the iconic Carbis Bay, just a mile from St Ives in Cornwall, opened in August 2021. In keeping with Adam’s ethos, there’s a strong focus on sustainability.
There’s no such thing as an Ugly Butterfly, in the same way as there’s no such thing as food waste.

The restaurant and bar offers a relaxed experience, with surreal surroundings. We are lucky to
have one of the most beautiful views of the Cornish coast, overlooking the ocean so that guests can
watch the dolphins and seals. The sound of the ocean and the innovative utilisation of our local
ingredients makes guests forget they’re even in the UK.

Our afternoon tea experience takes guests on a journey around Cornwall, celebrating the
best of Cornish produce. The tea itself is grown on the Cornish Tregothnan Estate – the first tea fields in the UK.
Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    £41 and over
  • Cuisines
    British
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–1:30 pm Afternoon Tea Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    01736 805800
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Adam Handling
  • Private party facilities
    Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling lucky to have one of the most beautiful views of the Cornish coast. Our open plan restaurant lends itself to semi-private dining, as well as large private hire events and weddings. No matter the celebration, Ugly Butterfly is the perfect location.
  • Private party contact
    Nick: 01736 805800
  • Neighbourhood
    St Ives
  • Parking details
    Parking is available within and next to the Carbis Bay Estate
  • Public transit
    BY RAIL The nearest station is Carbis Bay on the St Ives branch line. There are frequent regular connecting services to St Erth station (on the London to Penzance main line). From the train station it is only a short walk down the hill to the Estate.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,294 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Cornwall

    Best Overall

  • Cornwall

    Best Food

  • Cornwall

    Best Service

  • Cornwall

    Best Ambience

  • Cornwall

    Best Value

  • Cornwall

    Innovative

  • Cornwall

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Cornwall

    Great for fine wines

  • Cornwall

    Romantic

  • Cornwall

    Great for scenic views

  • Cornwall

    Good for special occasions

  • Cornwall

    Lively

  • West Cornwall

    Best Overall

  • West Cornwall

    Best Food

  • West Cornwall

    Best Service

  • West Cornwall

    Best Ambience

  • West Cornwall

    Best Value

  • West Cornwall

    Good for groups

  • West Cornwall

    Great for fine wines

  • West Cornwall

    Good for special occasions

  • West Cornwall

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • West Cornwall

    Lively

  • West Cornwall

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling offers an extraordinary dining experience with "amazing flavours," "exceptional menu," and "fantastic service." Guests rave about the "breathtaking views" and the restaurant's commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. Perfect for special occasions, this venue guarantees an unforgettable culinary journey.

1,294 Reviews
  1. Fiona

    Cornwall1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous meal. Precise cookery executed to perfection. Intensity and simplicity of flavours letting the quality ingredients sing. Local sourcing,commitment to no waste and charming knowledgeable staff. Best dining experience in a very long time.

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  2. Jane

    Buckinghamshire5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I cannot fault The Ugly Butterfly experience. Its food, location, service, and vibe are top notch. Having been many times, this time I took a friend for afternoon tea and she is also now a big fan! Adam Handling and his team have a special knack of making you feel so welcome - each visit is like coming home, just with far more exciting, innovative food and a far better view! Reccommendation - go the extra course and add the caviar!!

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  3. Alison

    Devon1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Not to be missed. The only place for a special occasion.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sue

    Devon2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely welcome Fantastic view The afternoon tea experience was excellent from start to finish Beautifully presented and fabulous food. A truly memorable experience for a birthday The card and edible candle were a lovely touch I would return and highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Spencer

    Cornwall1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The dining experience we had at the Ugly Butterfly was one of the best we have ever had. The food was unbelievable and the staff were fantastic all night. Nothing was too much trouble which just added to the amazing ambiance of the setting. I could not recommend this venue any higher and the staff and the experience are a credit to the vision to Adam Handling. We will certainly be coming to dine again. Thank-you everyone Spencer Casey

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  6. Terry

    South Wales1 review

    4.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the tasting menu, which was very impressive. The food just keep coming and coming. All the staff were so friendly and their service was impeccable. It was a great experience!

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  7. AlisonB

    Oxford2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Superb from start to finish Passionate young chefs serving excellent visit

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  8. Toran

    Cornwall2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, great view, fantastic food and plenty of it

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  9. Richard

    Cornwall2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The amazing team at the Ugly Butterfly made our dining experience something to remember. The tasting menu was beautifully presented and the most amazing dishes prepared as we watched the chef and his team. Excellent wine pairing was tailored to our tastes. Nothing was too much trouble and we were made to feel very special. Go and try it, you won’t regret it.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Daren

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The most incredible 60th birthday celebration. Thank you Adam and the team for an amazing afternoon

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling is rated 4.9 stars by 1294 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 11 times today
Google Map for Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling

Carbis Bay HotelCarbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2NP

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    St Ives
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–1:30 pm Afternoon Tea Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    £41 and over
  • Cuisines
    British
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking is available within and next to the Carbis Bay Estate
  • Public transit
    BY RAIL The nearest station is Carbis Bay on the St Ives branch line. There are frequent regular connecting services to St Erth station (on the London to Penzance main line). From the train station it is only a short walk down the hill to the Estate.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Adam Handling
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    01736 805800
  • Private party facilities
    Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling lucky to have one of the most beautiful views of the Cornish coast. Our open plan restaurant lends itself to semi-private dining, as well as large private hire events and weddings. No matter the celebration, Ugly Butterfly is the perfect location.
  • Private party contact
    Nick: 01736 805800
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