The Bank at Bude is a tapas and cocktail bar in Bude, Cornwall, set alongside the River Neet at Pethericks Mill. We take inspiration from classic Spanish tapas dishes and put our own twist on them, using a fusion of authentic Spanish produce with local Cornish and West Country ingredients and suppliers — with locally grown produce used as much as possible, with the seasons. We have been trading for more than a decade. The venue is dog-friendly, has five private heated riverside dining pods, and is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1,400+ Tripadvisor reviews, with both an OpenTable Top 100 UK Restaurants award and a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 award.
Book a table online via our reservations page (OpenTable), or call us on 01288 352070. We are open Tuesday to Saturday, with a lunch service on Thursdays and Fridays.
At a glance
Key facts about The Bank at Bude
Type
Tapas & cocktail bar
Ownership
Family-run & independent — owned by James & Roxy
Cuisine
Tapas inspired by Spain, made with Cornish & West Country produce
“Tipsy Tapas” · 90 mins · £45pp cocktails & sangria, £50pp Prosecco (Thu & Fri 12–2:30pm, Sat from 3pm)
Cocktail masterclasses
Saturdays · 1.5–2 hrs · £40pp · min 2 people · call to book
Events & private hire
Seasonal events + private parties · call us
Loyalty club
Powered by OpenTable · welcome drink on sign-up · rewards recur as you visit
Gift vouchers
Digital or physical (powered by Square)
Eat, share, enjoy
Spanish technique meets Cornish ingredients to make some genuinely beautiful tapas — with new specials every week, a relaxed riverside setting, and dining that is designed to be shared.
An evening at The Bank is meant to be an experience: a daring, flavoursome selection of small plates, enjoyed together. Be adventurous — with smaller dishes there is no reason not to try something new.
We are also a proudly family-run, independent local restaurant — owned and run by James and Roxy alongside their family — and those same family values run right through our team, so every guest gets a warm, genuine welcome. The little ones and the dogs are family too: there is a children’s menu for under-9s and a canine menu of natural chews and Scoops dog ice cream.
Little ones welcomeDogs are family
Frequently asked questions
Everything we get asked — answered straight.
What is The Bank at Bude?
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The Bank at Bude is a tapas and cocktail bar in Bude, North Cornwall, trading for more than a decade. We take inspiration from classic Spanish tapas dishes and put our own twist on them, using a fusion of ingredients including authentic Spanish produce alongside local Cornish and West Country ingredients and suppliers — with locally grown produce used as much as possible, with the seasons. Alongside the food you will find cocktails, wines and traditional sangria.
Where is The Bank at Bude?
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Pethericks Mill, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8TF. We sit alongside the River Neet on the southern edge of Bude town centre, right next door to Bude Rugby Club. If you are walking from town, follow the cycle path from the Bude Tourist Information Centre and we are at the end of it. A handy landmark: if you reach the garage across the car park, you have gone a little too far — we are just across the way.
How do I book a table at The Bank at Bude?
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Book online via OpenTable through our Reservations page, or call us directly on 01288 352070. For groups of more than six, please call us.
What are your opening hours?
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Sunday & Monday: closed. Tuesday & Wednesday: 17:00–23:00. Thursday: 12:00–23:00. Friday: 12:00–23:30. Saturday: 15:00–23:30. Lunch service runs Thursday and Friday from 12:00 to 14:30. Last sitting for food is 20:30 Tuesday to Thursday, and 21:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Do you serve lunch?
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Yes — our lunchtime menu runs Thursdays and Fridays from 12:00 to 14:30 with sandwiches, paella for one and a smaller tapas selection. Drinks, hot beverages and desserts are served from 12:00 to 23:00 on those days.
What kind of food do you serve?
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Authentic Spanish tapas with a Cornish twist. The menu features more than 30 small plates across meat, seafood and veggie tapas, plus paella, sides, sandwiches and desserts. Highlights include Slow Cooked Pork Belly, Chorizo & Cheese, Mejillones a la Marinera (mussels in a white wine, garlic & paprika broth), Scallops & Chorizo, and our Sea Bass Bilbaína.
How much does a meal at The Bank at Bude cost?
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Individual tapas plates range from around £4.95 (Spanish olives) to £14.95 (Sea Bass Bilbaína), with most small plates between roughly £6 and £12. Tripadvisor lists the venue in the ££–£££ price range. See the menu page for full current prices.
Are you dog-friendly?
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Yes — we are very dog-friendly. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in our bar and outdoor dining areas, and our riverside pods are especially popular with dog owners. We offer Sir Woofchester’s dog treats alongside Scoops dog ice cream to keep them happy too.
What are the riverside dining pods?
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Five private, heated outdoor pods set alongside the River Neet. Four cosy pods seat up to four guests each — ideal for date night or small groups — while the XL pod welcomes parties of up to seven.
How do I book a dining pod?
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When booking on OpenTable, choose “Private dining pod” as your seating preference. The cosy pods take up to four guests; the XL pod takes up to seven. Pods are in high demand on weekends and during holidays so book ahead.
Do you have vegan and vegetarian options?
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Yes — our Veggie & Vegan section has eight dedicated small plates including Pastel de Mano, Whipped Feta, Crispy Cauli Bites, Buñuelos de Maíz, Pisto, Courgette Fritas, Sautéed Mushrooms and Spanish Bean Pot, plus vegetarian croquettas (mushroom & black pepper, truffle & cheese arancini, cheese & onion chutney) and a veggie paella.
Do you cater for gluten-free or coeliac diners?
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Yes. Many tapas are naturally gluten-free, and we use Dr. Schär rolls for gluten-free bread. As the menu says, please speak with your server about any allergies or intolerances before ordering.
Do you do paella?
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Yes — paella is one of our specialities. You start with a base paella and then add the toppings you fancy, so you can make it your own. The base is saffron-infused rice finished with smoked paprika salt.
What drinks do you serve?
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Spanish, Mediterranean and award-winning wines from around the world, traditional sangria, beer and cocktails. The drinks menu includes classics like the Old Fashioned, our signature Rumpresso Martini (made with Cornish Wreckers Roast coffee), Spanish ports such as Taylors and Pedro Ximénez, plus liqueur coffees and hot drinks.
Is there parking?
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Yes — free off-street parking is available directly outside the restaurant at Pethericks Mill.
How do I find you from the centre of Bude?
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We are at Pethericks Mill, EX23 8TF — alongside the River Neet, just outside the centre of Bude. On foot, follow the cycle path from the Bude Tourist Information Centre and it leads you straight to us. Driving in, look out for Bude Rugby Club — we are right next door. Sat-nav to the postcode is the easiest way, and there is free off-street parking right outside. One tip: if you find yourself at the garage on the far side of the car park, you are almost there — we are just across from it, so keep going rather than turning back.
What awards has The Bank at Bude won?
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The Bank at Bude is an OpenTable Top 100 UK Restaurants 2025 winner, holds an OpenTable Diners’ Choice 2026 award, and holds a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award (won in 2023, 2024 and 2025). It is rated 4.6 out of 5 from more than 1,400 Tripadvisor reviews.
What is your Tripadvisor rating?
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4.6 out of 5 from 1,400+ reviews. We hold a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award, won in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
What is your Google rating?
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The Bank at Bude is rated 4.7 out of 5 from more than 1,000 Google reviews, alongside 4.6 out of 5 from over 1,400 Tripadvisor reviews — among the highest-rated restaurants in Bude.
Is The Bank at Bude good for date night?
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It is a popular date-night spot thanks to the riverside setting, atmospheric interior, private dining pods and tapas-style sharing menu. Book a cosy pod if you want extra privacy.
Is it good for groups, family meals or celebrations?
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Yes — the sharing-plate format is ideal for families and groups, our XL pod takes up to seven people, and the main restaurant can be hired exclusively for larger private parties (call us to discuss).
Do you have a loyalty club?
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Yes — our loyalty club is now fully integrated with OpenTable, so you can book and be rewarded in one place with just the one app. A welcome drink is unlocked the moment you sign up, with your next reward after just two visits. Rewards include a free starter (2 visits), free dessert (3), £10 off (4), a main on us (5), 10% off the bill (6), a complimentary bottle of wine (8) and a special gift (10). Every reward recurs, so you keep unlocking the earlier ones on the way to the bigger ones, and email subscribers also receive birthday and anniversary rewards.
How do I join the loyalty club?
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Sign up through OpenTable using your existing profile — there is no separate app to download. You will get a welcome email straight away, and an email each time a new reward unlocks. The club is powered by OpenTable. See our Loyalty page for full details.
Do you sell gift vouchers?
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Yes — instant digital delivery or a beautifully presented physical card, redeemable against food and drinks. They can be used in full or as part payment, with any remaining balance staying on the voucher, and they never expire — just bring your physical or digital voucher and we will scan it. Powered by Square.
Are you family-friendly with children?
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Yes — the venue is designed with groups, celebrations and families in mind, including well-behaved dogs. We offer children’s meals for under 9s, where they can choose a main such as our haddock goujons, add a chip or potato option plus a veggie, all plated up as a meal to make it a little more familiar if parents prefer. We can also customise certain dishes to be more child-friendly, and take requests ahead of time for special items — we have even made our own chicken nuggets before for fussier little ones. The sharing-plate format works well too, because everyone can try something different.
Do you have a dress code?
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No — we are a relaxed tapas bar. Sandy beachwear during the day and informal smart-casual in the evening are both perfectly welcome.
What is the cancellation policy?
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Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice if your plans change so we can offer your table to someone else. To secure your booking, our reservation partner OpenTable will send you a link requesting a credit card. If you have any issues or concerns with this, please contact the restaurant on 01288 352070.
How long is a table booked for?
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OpenTable will show your booking slot when you reserve. We don’t rush you — we just plan around the next sitting.
Do you take walk-ins?
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We always try to fit walk-ins where space allows, but we get very busy in summer and at weekends. Booking ahead via OpenTable is strongly recommended, especially for the dining pods.
Do you offer takeaway?
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Yes — takeaways can be done at any time of day, lunch or evening. Call us in advance on 01288 352070 to book your slot, or if you would like it as soon as possible we will advise the wait time. All of our menus are available to take away, excluding any alcoholic beverages.
Do you do bottomless brunch?
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Yes — our "Tipsy Tapas" bottomless brunch is 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks served with a selection of our most popular tapas. It is £45 per person for cocktails and sangria, or £50 per person for Prosecco. It runs Thursday and Friday 12–2:30pm, plus Saturdays from 3pm. Book ahead, mention "bottomless brunch" and your chosen package when you reserve, and let us know about any allergens or intolerances.
Do you run cocktail masterclasses?
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Yes — cocktail masterclasses run on Saturdays. Sessions generally last 1.5–2 hours and cost £40 per person, with a minimum of two people. They are fully customisable — call us on 01288 352070 to enquire and book one for your group.
Can I come just for drinks?
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Absolutely — you do not have to eat to visit. We have a full bar of cocktails, Spanish wines, beer and coffee, plus a cosy snug area with heaters and blankets. Walk in or book a table.
What is The Snug?
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The Snug is the comfy bench surround you see as you come in — it replaced our old high-top tables. It is not bookable online and is generally given on a first-come, first-served basis for drinks and/or food.
Does The Bank at Bude support local charities and the community?
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Yes — we donate 5% of every Bank Reef cocktail sold to Bude Sea Pool, sponsor Exercise for Mobility (E4M) classes for older people at the Parkhouse Centre, and back local sport including Kilkhampton FC, Bude Rugby Club and Bude Football Club (we have agreed to sponsor Bude FC’s 1st-team kit for the coming season). We also run a free Easter Sunday egg hunt with 250+ prizes and a free Santa’s grotto that has given away over 100 presents while raising money for Rainbow Trust children’s charity, plus donations to Bude Carnival, the Bude Literary Festival and other local events. See our Community & Giving page for more.
Do you host events and private parties?
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Yes — we run seasonal events such as our annual Easter egg hunt and Christmas party nights, and the venue is available for private hire and celebrations. Call us on 01288 352070 or email hello@thebankatbude.com to discuss a private event, and we will work with you to build a bespoke package.
Is there Wi-Fi?
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Yes — free Wi-Fi is available throughout the restaurant.
How long has The Bank at Bude been open?
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More than a decade. Our team have been bringing Spanish-Cornish tapas to Bude for over ten years, with new specials weekly to keep regulars coming back.
Is The Bank at Bude family-run?
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Yes — The Bank at Bude is a proudly family-run, independent local restaurant, owned and run by James and Roxy alongside their family. Those same family values run right through our team, which is why guests so often tell us the welcome feels warm, genuine and personal. It is one of the things we are most proud of, and it shapes how we look after everyone who comes to see us.
Where do your ingredients come from?
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We import the Spanish essentials — olives, paella rice, chorizo, pimentón and Manchego cheese, to name a few. Local produce we use when it is available includes mussels, scallops, seabass, sardines, haddock, chicken, pork, Cornish sea salt and locally grown vegetables. If an ingredient has to be sourced from further afield, we still use local suppliers and companies — it is just the produce itself that may have come from outside the area, due to the season or other availability factors that can cause supply-chain issues.
Is there an accessibility statement?
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Yes — see our Accessibility page. The Bank has a step-free, wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom and seating, with accessible parking right outside. If you have specific access needs, call ahead on 01288 352070 and we will make sure everything is ready for you.
How do I contact The Bank at Bude?
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Phone: 01288 352070. Email: hello@thebankatbude.com. Address: Pethericks Mill, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8TF. Follow @thebankatbudecornwall on Instagram and TheBankAtBudeCornwall on Facebook.
