The Brig in Falmouth: Cocktails, Rum and BBQ Everything!

I visited The Brig for the first time a few years ago, and have been excited to return ever since!

Nestled away on Falmouth’s high street, you probably wouldn’t know how to find The Brig if you didn’t know where to look! Marked only by a rustic, swinging sign with skull-and-crossbones outside, the restaurant/rum bar is hidden underground in the basement beneath a photography shop, next to Fat Willy’s.

Once you enter the narrow doorway from the street and make your way down the basement steps, you’re submerged into the dark and moody atmosphere of what feels like the bow of a ship! With wooden struts and floors, netting hanging from the ceiling, maps pinned on the walls and even a couple of portholes, it really feels like you’re below deck on an old pirate ship (hence the name ‘brig’, which was a popular sailboat used for pirates in the 17th century).

The pirate vibe is completed by The Brig’s infamously well-stocked rum bar and enormous choice of cocktails. It is well known throughout Falmouth for its drinks, and we could help but treat ourselves to a few while we were there! This week marks my 24th birthday, and we were visiting The Brig with my mum and sister to celebrate (also very fitting as I share my birthday with ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’!), so we couldn’t not have a rum-fuelled cocktail or two.

The dinner menu looks complicated, but is full of super tasty options for all tastebuds. You can choose any of their main courses as either a ‘small’, ‘medium’ or ‘large’ size, and then there are loads of sides to choose from too. We opted for 2 ‘small’ main courses each, plus four sides and a BBQ veg skillet to share between four of us. But you could also choose a ‘small’ dish to have as a starter, plus a ‘medium’ and a side for your main course, or just one ‘large’ dish and a side – it’s up to you!

They’re big on their BBQ here, which I love. With lots of meat options, as well as seafood and even a few vegan choice too, I was really excited to try a selection of things. Between us, we ordered lamb shoulder, chicken thighs, chicken wings, a rack of ribs, garlic prawns, and one vegan ‘plum duck’ (plus sides). It was a lot of food, and my sister ended up taking a fair few chicken wings home for the cat, but it was all super tasty!

Alex’s favourite was the succulent lamb shoulder, my mum loved the sticky BBQ chicken thighs, but everyone agreed that the winner was my vegan ‘plum duck’!! Surprised? We were all blown away by how accurate the taste and texture was and how it could easily be mistaken for the crispy, sticky shredded duck you get in Chinese duck pancakes. Honestly it was amazing! They also had some vegan ‘chicken’ on the menu too, and I wish I’d tried that now.

From the decor to the menus, I love the theming of The Brig, and the layout/location of it always adds to the atmosphere and makes it a fun experience. It’s only a small restaurant (with maybe 6 tables?) so it always feels really personal and quirky. As I say, the vegan options seriously impressed me too, and I can’t wait to go back to try and totally vegan meal there!

To find out more and book your table, head to The Brig’s website (and remember, there’s also one in Truro as well!).

Interested in more places to eat in Cornwall? Check out all my recommendations!