Newlyn, August 2026: Newlyn is set to welcome Favorita, a new neighbourhood tapas restaurant opening on 18 September 2026. The brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Henry and Laura Russell, Favorita is inspired by their travels, their love of Mediterranean food and their passion for bringing people together around a table.
Favorita is housed in a former café which Henry and Laura have been busy renovating over the last few months. They have retained some of its informal character while drawing inspiration from the relaxed restaurants and neighbourhood spots the couple have discovered in their travels across Europe.
Henry brings more than 20 years of experience from some of London’s best-known and most respected kitchens, including heading up the passes at Moro and Morito, and working as an innovation chef at Belazu. His cooking is rooted in the food cultures of Spain and the Eastern Mediterranean, with a focus on simple, seasonal ingredients.
Laura spent more than 20 years working as a Set Decorator in film and television before moving into food with Henry. Together, they founded Nourished Minds Cookery, working with charities through food and cookery, before developing Favorita Cookery, running cookery holidays and classes across the continent and in the UK. A love of Cornwall eventually brought Henry and Laura to Newlyn, where they decided to put down roots.
The menu at Favorita is inspired by the tapas bars of southern Spain and flavours from across the Mediterranean, including Turkey and Lebanon. It will be centred around a short, seasonal collection of Mediterranean-inspired small plates, using the best local produce available – including the freshest seafood and fish from Newlyn harbour, just across the road. Expect grilled and fried fish, crispy aubergine, charred meat skewers, fresh flatbreads, and vibrant salads running through the menu. The dishes are designed for sharing, whether it's a quick plate or a long meal with friends.
A selection of wines and sherries will accompany the food as well as cold Andalusian beer on tap music from the couple’s own record collection adds to the homely, laid-back atmosphere. Their aim is to create a welcoming space for both residents and visitors, and a place that feels part of the Newlyn community throughout the year.
Laura explains “Favorita is the next chapter for us and brings together so much of what we love - travelling, cooking, great seasonal produce and a warm welcome. Henry missed being in the kitchen and having the freedom to cook and create, while I have been so excited to bring my creative skills into creating the space. We wanted to share the kind of place we have always loved ourselves and we hope it becomes a valued part of the community."
Favorita has also received a financial grant through the Penzance Town Deal Enterprise Grant scheme, which supports small and medium-sized businesses across Penzance and Newlyn, helping new ventures start and existing businesses grow, while encouraging new employment and stronger local supply chains. The funding has helped Laura and Henry bring their plans for Favorita to life, creating a new independent hospitality business in Newlyn
Sarah Shaw of the Penzance Town Deal Enterprise Fund said “We are so excited to see Favorita open its doors in Newlyn. Favorita is exactly the kind of independent small business the Enterprise Grants were designed to support, bringing a new hospitality offering to the area, making use of an existing premises and creating a welcoming place for both local people and visitors. It is wonderful to see the investment having such impact, and we wish Laura and Henry every success for their launch and beyond.”
ENDS
For further information and images please contact:
Diana Massey
The Massey Partnership
[email protected]
About Favorita
Favorita opens on 18th September 2026
58 The Strand, Newlyn, Cornwall
https://www.instagram.com/favoritanewlyn/
About the UK Government Town Deals programme
Part of the government’s plan for Levelling Up the UK economy and the wider Towns Fund, the Town Deals programme aims to regenerate towns and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. This is through investments in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage and enterprise infrastructure. As of July 2021, DLUHC have offered Town Deals to all 101 places that submitted proposals, committing over £2.35bn of investment across c.700 projects nationwide. See the press releases associated with Town Deals on gov.uk.
About the Penzance Towns Fund
In June 2021, Penzance secured a Town Deal of up to £21.5 million following the successful submission of its Town Investment Plan for a range of regeneration projects across Penzance and Newlyn.
In addition, Penzance is the only town in Cornwall and among 72 places nationally who was awarded £10.5 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund to help the revitalisation of its town centre and high streets.
For more information about Penzance Towns Fund visit:
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/1c3b2ff9/o2aIy2EvtUqXuHRzB8_FwQ?u=http://www.penzancetownfund.co.uk/
Cornwall is the only area invited by the Government to submit proposals for four of its towns: Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro. After conducting extensive public consultations, each Town Deal Board submitted their Town Investment Plan in collaboration with Cornwall Council. As a result, the Government announced in spring 2021, that Cornwall will receive up to £88.7 million from the Town Deals programme.
Cornwall Council is the Lead Authority for the Towns Fund in Cornwall. Cornwall Council supports the governance role of Penzance Town Deal Board and is responsible for administering the Fund on behalf of the Board. For more information visit:
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/12e20aac/y9vnIKhKjkqbhU2eUVUxxQ?u=http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/business-trading-and-licences/economic-development/towns-fund
