Chef Adam Handling relocates his acclaimed Cornish restaurant to a stunning new cliff-top location
Newquay, Cornwall – 20 June 2025 — Celebrated chef Adam Handling MBE is bringing his award-winning sustainable restaurant Ugly Butterfly to a new home in Newquay, relocating from its original base in Carbis Bay. The restaurant will officially reopen on 9 July 2025 at the iconic five-star Headland Hotel, overlooking the famous Fistral Beach.
The move comes after the Carbis Bay landlord exercised a break clause, prompting Handling to seek a new location. He praised the Palmers, owners of The Headland Hotel, for offering an ideal new setting and supporting his culinary vision.
The reimagined Ugly Butterfly will feature:
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50 indoor covers, plus seating for 20 on the terrace and 30 in the bar
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A new “4×4” menu format offering four starters and four mains, with dishes such as Cornish tuna with elderflower, local lobster with wagyu, and tandoori cauliflower with lamb
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A more relaxed terrace menu featuring lobster rolls, crab sandwiches, fish and chips with Champagne, and a four-course afternoon tea
Handling said:
“As one door closes, another one opens… this Ugly Butterfly 2.0 is a more fitting home for our most sustainable brand.”
He also confirmed that the full team will move with the restaurant, with travel support provided, and revealed ambitions for Michelin recognition at the new site.
Guests can expect interactive dining with theatre-style food stations showcasing the preparation of each dish, all while enjoying views of the Cornish coastline.
Key Dates:
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Final service at Carbis Bay: 28 June 2025
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Newquay grand opening at The Headland Hotel: 9 July 2025
Ugly Butterfly’s next chapter promises even greater things—fusing sustainability, fine dining, and the best of Cornish produce in one of the county’s most iconic settings.