This centrally-located cafe and coffee shop is a snug spot from which to watch the world go by. Sink your teeth into a traditional pasty (a pastry pocket of beef skirt, turnip, potato and onion), a chorizo scotch egg or savoury tart, or get a sugar hit from one of the gluten-free cakes or baklava. While you’re here, browse the shelves for anything from Italian pasta to local artisanal chocolates and homemade marmalade.

After visiting my home county of Cornwall in Penzance, I wanted what all Cornish men yearn for a real Cornish pasty so I bought one from a shop that has been trading for 20/30 years and what I tasted was the biggest disappointment I’ve ever had (total rubbish) disgrace to all Cornish pasties, so the next day I went into the deli called the Cornish Hen and bought another pasty and wow it was the best I’ve ever had in Cornwall so I say to all you people who visit Penzance and want the best pasty going visit the Cornish Hen in Penzance you won’t be disappointed

If you go exploring for a day, be sure to pick up some picnic bits like a traditional Cornish Pasty from The Cornish Hen. Fresh sandwiches, salads, sausage rolls and scotch eggs are all on offer to keep you going and they also stock local products like honey, gin and fudge that you can bring home as gifts (or eat on the train home like I did). I especially enjoyed their Cornish Pasty that I scoffed after some wild swimming led by Magda from Mor Swimmy in Penberth Cove.

We couldn’t resist including a deli in the list of best places to eat in Penzance as nothing beats a freshly made quiche or hot out of the oven pasty. Charming and full of friendly faces, The Cornish Hen has an excellent selection of foods from sandwiches and sausage rolls to tarts, pies and incredibly moreish chocolate brownies. Round your order off with a steaming cup of coffee and you’re good to go for the day.

In far west Cornwall in the heart of the cultural town of Penzance you’ll find this idyllic little delicatessen, The Cornish Hen. As well as delectable goods from producers in Cornwall, the shelves are laden with Spanish and Italian products too. Expect savoury delights like olives, oils and cheeses; sweet treats like cakes, chocolates and preserves; and delicious artisan spirits including Penzance Gin.

Take a stroll down the cobbled streets of Penzance and pop into one of the numerous delis, such as The Cornish Hen, Lavender’s or Rowe’s, for a fresh, handmade pasty to accompany you around the town. If pasties are not for you, the local fishing trade means a quality fish and chip shop is never far away. Pick up a portion and take dinner al-fresco on the beach or the promenade.

This is the kind of gorgeous deli where you pop in for a takeaway coffee and leave with all manner of jars and pots and treats and three different types of cake. They’re closed on Sundays so if you want to stock up on presents for pals and kitchen “essentials”, make sure you pop in on Saturday.

Create your own upmarket hamper at The Cornish Hen and head out into the great outdoors; or bag a window seat and eat in. There’s a tempting selection of pies, pasties and sandwiches, along with deli favourites like olives and cheeses.

For a local deli, it doesn’t get much better than The Cornish Hen in the middle of Penzance, offering the best of Cornwall with a mix of Spanish and Italian products too. You’ll also find coffee, patisserie and pasties galore.

For a hot cup of coffee and homemade pasty, you can't beat the Cornish Hen deli. While here stock up on local produce - Helford Creek apple juice, Roskilly's clotted-cream fudge and Tregothnan Earl Grey tea.

(Pictured) Vineyard and orchard in Penzance producing artisan Cornish wines, ciders and juices. Visit for the shop, tastings and tours, or stock up online.