Visit: 18 June 2025
Price: *
Website: https://paul-ainsworth.co.uk/the-mariners/about/
The Review:
Paul and Emma Ainsworth relaunched The Mariners pub in Rock, Cornwall in May 2019. The menu is designed by Paul and head chef Joe Rozier, and focuses on British classics while championing the best of local Cornish produce. The restaurant covers two floors, and offers stunning views over the Camel Estuary. I have visited before, and you can see my previous review here:
If you are in Padstow you can reach Rock on the small passenger ferry that regularly traverses the estuary. The Mariners is a short walk from the ferry drop-off point in Rock.
On this visit we were seated outside on the first floor balcony overlooking the estuary, with fabulous views. We ordered the Cornish Tamworth sausage and sage Scotch egg served with piccalilli, which was excellent and had a perfectly runny yoke, and the “Hunters Snags” which are Cornish sausages glazed in marmalade and Pommery mustard, which were as good as I remember from my previous visit.
For main courses we ordered the Caesar salad which consisted of dressed baby gem, twelve month aged Parmesan, anchovies, anchovy and roasted garlic dressing, smoked bacon, and St. Ewe’s egg, with croutons. This was very fresh with great flavours. I also ordered the optional fried buttermilk chicken (£12) that was sensational, and an extra that was perfect with the salad.
Our other main was the king prawn cocktail with sherry cured cherry tomatoes, guacamole, Marie rose sauce, dressed baby gem, pickled cucumber, lemon and lime, and grilled sourdough. This was exceptionally tasty, and a visually stunning dish. Both main courses were very good.
The Mariners has a great atmosphere and its very popular. The food and service are very good, and the prices are not too expensive. This was a very relaxed and enjoyable lunch.
The Menus:
The Dessert menu
The Drinks menu
The Food:
Cornish Scotch egg served with piccalilli:
“Hunters Snags” Cornish sausages:
Caesar salad with fried chicken:
King prawn cocktail with Marie rose sauce:
The unusual bowl for the prawn cocktail:
