Last week, I celebrated my 26th birthday by going out for lunch with my husband, parents, and younger sister. Choosing to go to Birdies Bistro was a no-brainer; here’s why.
Since opening in 2013, Birdies Bistro quickly became one of my favourite restaurants local to Hayle. If you’re familiar with the area, you’ll know that Hayle itself doesn’t have many restaurants to choose from; with locals typically travelling to St Ives for the best choice of eateries. Birdies is a much more convenient location, being approximately a 5-minute drive from the centre of Hayle, on the main road to Lelant. Overlooking the estuary, it’s a secluded and scenic setting; the perfect backdrop for any meal.
Over the years, I’ve been for breakfasts, lunches, and coffee and cake and I have always been impressed with both the quality of food and service offered. However, I must admit that their lunches are my favourite! Throughout the summer, they also open for evening meals. I’ve never been to Birdies for dinner, but it’s on my list of things to do this summer.
It’s always busy at Birdies (which is a great sign!) and last Thursday was no exception. For a midweek lunchtime in January, I was surprised that the restaurant was so full, with few tables remaining when we arrived at 12:30pm. Birdies don’t take bookings for daytime meals, so we were lucky to get a table without waiting! Given the busyness of the restaurant, there was a great, bustling atmosphere and yet the service was still friendly and efficient.
The menu at Birdies Bistro has a great range of options, from delicious main meals to sandwiches and salads, the latter being my current favourite section! I know how it sounds – who would choose a salad at a restaurant? – but they really are something else. On my birthday, I had the Breaded Chicken Salad which contained a breaded chicken steak, feta, red onion, cherry tomatoes and tzatziki. It was a delicious mixture of ingredients and very generously portioned, too. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I could eat that salad every day.
My family all chose different items from the menu, including the Falafel & Beetroot Salad and the Teriyaki Steak Noodles (pictured below). Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal: clean plates all around!
In the past, I’ve had their Fish Finger Focaccia roll, as well as the Chicken and Guacamole Burger. I really feel like you can’t go wrong, whatever you choose! Of course, we’re all being extra careful with our pennies now due to the increase in the cost of living, but I do have to say that considering the quality and quantity of food provided, the prices at Birdies seem fair. To view their full menus, visit their website, here.
Not only is the food and service always top notch, but the décor is clean and cheerful. During the lockdown years, the bistro underwent a large extension and renovation; both indoor and out. It’s now a much smarter, sleek venue, yet even with the significant size increase, the tables are still always full. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder they have become as popular with locals as they are with holidaymakers.
I’m looking forward to the summer when warmer (and, hopefully, drier) weather allows for outdoor dining again. Birdies have a lovely outdoor dining space with both covered and uncovered areas. It’s looking really smart, thanks to a recent renovation project which saw gravel being replaced by paving slabs, not only improving the look of the area, but also its accessibility.
I always enjoy my visits to Birdies Bistro which I why I recommend them so highly. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!
To find out more, visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Disclaimer: All opinions displayed are my own; this is in no way an affiliated or paid advertisement. I’m just a local girl enjoying a local restaurant and wanting to share the experience with others. All photos taken are my own.
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