The Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling has relocated to The Headland Hotel in Newquay, reopening on 9 July 2025 as a fine-dining restaurant overlooking Fistral Beach. This review covers the menu formats, prices, and early guest feedback for the new iteration, known as Ugly Butterfly 2.0, drawing on the hotel’s official announcements and trade press.
Last checked: 2026-06-26
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Restaurant Name: Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling · Location: The Headland Hotel, Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall · Cuisine: Fine dining, seafood, afternoon tea · Chef: Adam Handling (Michelin-starred) · Relaunch Date: 9 July 2025 · Contact: reservations@uglybutterfly.co.uk / 01637 839739
How we researched this review
Last checked: 2026-06-26.
Sources reviewed: official property website (The Headland Hotel), official restaurant website (Ugly Butterfly), user review platform (TripAdvisor), social media (Instagram), hotel blog, trade publications (Restaurant Online, The Caterer), and the MICHELIN Guide.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview the chef or staff, or independently verify menu prices. All prices and dates shown are as published by official sources or listed in trade reports as of July 2025.
Ugly Butterfly 2.0 at a glance
- Set within The Headland hotel on Fistral Beach, Newquay, with 50 covers indoors and 20 on the terrace (Restaurant Online)
- Opened 9 July 2025, following the closure of the original Carbis Bay site at the end of June 2025 (The Headland Hotel blog)
- Two formats: an 11-course tasting menu at £175 per person and a 4-course restaurant menu at £120 per person, plus an award-winning afternoon tea (Ugly Butterfly official site)
- Listed in the MICHELIN Guide as a modern British restaurant; Adam Handling has stated he is “gunning for a Michelin star” for the Newquay site (MICHELIN Guide; The Caterer)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Restaurant name | Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling |
| Location | The Headland Hotel, Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1EW |
| Cuisine | Fine dining, seafood, afternoon tea |
| Chef | Adam Handling (Michelin-starred) |
| Relaunch date | 9 July 2025 |
| Contact | reservations@uglybutterfly.co.uk / 01637 839739 |
| Operating days | Tuesday to Saturday year-round; Monday to Saturday during July and August |
Ugly Butterfly Headland Hotel menu: formats and pricing
The menu at Ugly Butterfly 2.0 is structured around two core options, both detailed on the restaurant’s official website. The 11-course tasting menu is priced at £175 per person and includes two optional supplement courses. The 4-course restaurant menu costs £120 per person, also with two optional supplements. Both menus showcase South West England produce and follow Adam Handling’s sustainability ethos, as described by Ugly Butterfly and The Headland Hotel.
The Headland’s blog explains that the new “4×4” format allows guests to choose four courses from four options in each section, replacing the more rigid tasting structure used at the original Carbis Bay site. Trade press from Restaurant Online lists specific dishes such as Cornish tuna with preserved truffles and elderflower, a version of Handling’s signature lobster with wagyu (using St Ives lobster), and lamb with tandoori cauliflower and wasabi leaf.
What is on the Ugly Butterfly Headland Hotel menu?
Beyond the core tasting and restaurant menus, the afternoon tea is a separate experience served in the bar or tea lounge. According to AfternoonTea.co.uk, it is structured as four courses of snacks, savouries, sweets and scones, with items such as Hog’s pudding sausage roll, pea tart, and potato and caviar. The Headland also markets a creative cocktail menu and bar snacks.
Does the menu include a set tasting option?
Yes. The 11-course tasting menu is the fixed progression option, while the 4-course restaurant menu offers a more flexible à-la-carte-style selection. The MICHELIN Guide describes the restaurant as offering “options of a tasting menu or an à la carte that allows either three or four courses,” confirming both formats.
Diners can choose between a shorter, more flexible 4-course dining experience at £120 per person, or a longer 11-course tasting journey at £175 per person, both rooted in Cornish and South West ingredients.
Ugly Butterfly Headland Hotel reviews: what guests say
TripAdvisor reviews for the Newquay location, as of July 2025, generally praise the setting and the quality of the tasting menu. Reviewers highlight the “most beautiful views of Fistral Beach” and the historic Headland Hotel setting, according to the restaurant’s TripAdvisor page. One recent reviewer described the tasting menu as a “fantastic addition to the Headland Hotel,” indicating strong early feedback.
A sample menu posted by a TripAdvisor user lists a Chef’s Menu at £135 per person, featuring courses such as wasted snacks, Cornish golden grains, Newlyn cod with potted mussels, and venison with celeriac and mushroom. This price differs from the official £175 tasting menu, which suggests that pricing may vary by date or that earlier menus had different pricing.
What do TripAdvisor reviewers say about Ugly Butterfly?
Generalizations across reviews are difficult because only a handful of Newquay-location reviews are available at this stage. One reviewer specifically referenced the 11-course tasting menu positively. Reviewers consistently mention the view and the hotel’s architecture as enhancing the dining experience.
Is the restaurant considered high-end or casual?
Multiple sources classify Ugly Butterfly as fine dining. The MICHELIN Guide lists it as a “modern British restaurant,” while The Headland describes it as “Newquay’s first Michelin-star restaurant” in its official materials.
Early reviews confirm the restaurant is perceived as a high-end addition to the Newquay dining scene, with the setting and service matching the fine-dining price point.
Ugly Butterfly Headland Hotel prices: what to expect
Price information is drawn directly from official sources. The 11-course tasting menu is £175 per person; the 4-course restaurant menu is £120 per person. Both menus include optional supplements. The MICHELIN Guide does not list specific prices on its page for the restaurant.
The Headland Hotel offers combined “dine and stay” packages that include a one-night hotel stay with a four-course dinner at Ugly Butterfly (excluding beverages), as noted on its restaurant page.
What is the price range for Ugly Butterfly?
Based on the official website, the range is £120–175 per person for dinner, excluding beverages. The afternoon tea is separately priced, though no exact figure is listed in official sources.
Are there any set menus or special offers?
The 4-course restaurant menu functions as a set menu, while the tasting menu is the longer fixed format. The Headland’s “dine and stay” packages represent the only bundled offer confirmed from official sources.
Guests who prefer a shorter, more flexible meal at a lower price point should select the 4-course menu; those seeking the full tasting progression will pay the premium for the 11-course option.
Ugly Butterfly Headland Hotel opening date and timeline
The restaurant opened at The Headland on 9 July 2025, as announced by The Headland Hotel blog and confirmed by trade publication Restaurant Online. The original Ugly Butterfly at the Carbis Bay Estate near St Ives closed at the end of June 2025 after about four years of trading, following the landlord’s enactment of a break clause in the lease.
Chef Adam Handling posted an Instagram reel on 12 July 2025 showing the opening week of Ugly Butterfly 2.0 at The Headland, confirming the restaurant was operational in early July in line with the announced launch date.
When did Ugly Butterfly open?
The Newquay location opened on 9 July 2025. The original site at Carbis Bay operated for approximately four years, closing at the end of June 2025.
Is there a relaunch planned?
The 9 July 2025 opening is itself the relaunch, referred to by the hotel and trade press as Ugly Butterfly 2.0. Restaurant Online described it as “a new chapter for the restaurant” that “breaks down the traditional boundaries of luxury dining.”
With Adam Handling publicly stating he is “gunning for a Michelin star” for the Newquay site, the restaurant’s early months will be closely followed by the hospitality industry.
Tip for booking
Reservations can be made via the official Ugly Butterfly website or by phone at 01637 839739. The restaurant operates Tuesday to Saturday year-round, with Monday to Saturday hours during July and August. Afternoon tea is served Tuesday to Saturday, typically from 12:00 to 16:00.
Location and how to get there
Ugly Butterfly is located at The Headland Hotel, on Headland Road, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1EW. The hotel sits on the headland above Fistral Beach, approximately one mile from Newquay town centre. For visitors arriving by car, the hotel has on-site parking. Newquay railway station is around a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the hotel.
The MICHELIN Guide highlights that the restaurant “still comes with spectacular views, this time over Fistral Beach thanks to its new home inside the Headland Hotel.”
Timeline: Ugly Butterfly’s journey to Newquay
The restaurant’s move from Carbis Bay to The Headland followed a defined sequence of events, as documented by trade press and the hotel’s own announcements.
- Circa 2021 – June 2025: Ugly Butterfly operated at the Carbis Bay Estate near St Ives for about four years.
- End of June 2025: The original site closed after the landlord enacted a break clause in the lease.
- June 2025: The Headland Hotel announced that Ugly Butterfly 2.0 would open on 9 July 2025.
- 9 July 2025: Ugly Butterfly 2.0 opened at The Headland, Newquay, with a new “4×4” menu format.
- 12 July 2025: Adam Handling posted Instagram content from opening week, confirming the restaurant was operational.
The relocation was executed rapidly, with only a few weeks between the Carbis Bay closure and the Newquay opening, suggesting advance planning between Handling’s team and The Headland.
Pros and cons of Ugly Butterfly at The Headland
Pros
- Spectacular setting with direct views of Fistral Beach from the dining room and terrace.
- Two menu formats (4-course and 11-course tasting) offer flexibility for different budgets and appetites.
- Recognised in the MICHELIN Guide, with the chef publicly pursuing a star for this location.
- Afternoon tea and creative cocktail bar snacks provide additional dining options beyond the main menus.
- Combined “dine and stay” packages available through The Headland Hotel.
Cons
- Limited opening days (Tuesday to Saturday year-round; Monday to Saturday in peak summer).
- Higher price point (£120–175 per person for dinner) may not suit all budgets.
- No independent verification of early reviews yet, as the Newquay location only opened in July 2025.
- Dogs are not permitted, except for service dogs.
- Limited seating: 50 covers indoors and 20 on the terrace, which may restrict availability.
Our pick: who will enjoy Ugly Butterfly most
Based on the menu structure, pricing, and setting, Ugly Butterfly is best suited to fine-dining enthusiasts, seafood lovers, afternoon tea connoisseurs, and visitors to Cornwall seeking a special-occasion meal. The 4-course restaurant menu at £120 per person offers a more accessible entry point than the full tasting menu, while the afternoon tea provides a lighter option for daytime visitors.
The Headland Hotel’s integration of the restaurant into its guest experience — through “dine and stay” packages — makes it a logical choice for hotel guests, while the MICHELIN Guide listing and Adam Handling’s profile will attract destination diners.
“Following a relocation from Carbis Bay, the second iteration of Ugly Butterfly still comes with spectacular views, this time over Fistral Beach thanks to its new home inside the Headland Hotel.”
— MICHELIN Guide inspectors
Frequently asked questions
Is Ugly Butterfly at The Headland Hotel open daily?
No. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday year-round. During July and August, it extends to Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays outside of peak season.
Where is Ugly Butterfly located?
It is inside The Headland Hotel, on Headland Road, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1EW, overlooking Fistral Beach.
Who is the chef behind Ugly Butterfly?
Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling, who also operates other restaurants including Frog by Adam Handling in London.
Can I book a table at Ugly Butterfly online?
Yes. Reservations can be made through the official Ugly Butterfly website (uglybutterfly.co.uk) or by phone at 01637 839739.
Does Ugly Butterfly offer vegetarian or vegan options?
Official sources mention that the menu can accommodate dietary requirements; guests are advised to advise the restaurant at the time of booking. The menu is designed around South West produce and includes vegetable-focused dishes.
Is Ugly Butterfly suitable for children?
The Headland Hotel’s official page does not mention a children’s menu or specific age policies. The fine-dining format and pricing suggest it may not be the best choice for young children.
How do I contact Ugly Butterfly by phone?
The restaurant can be reached at 01637 839739, or by email at reservations@uglybutterfly.co.uk.
What is the best way to get to Ugly Butterfly from Newquay town centre?
The Headland Hotel is about a 15-minute walk from Newquay town centre along the coastal path, or a short taxi ride. On-site parking is available for guests arriving by car.
Sources cited
This article draws on the following verified sources. All URLs were accessed in July 2025.
- The Headland Hotel official page for Ugly Butterfly — opening hours, location, “dine and stay” packages.
- The Headland Hotel blog: Ugly Butterfly 2.0 announcement — relaunch date and “4×4” menu concept.
- Ugly Butterfly official website — menu formats and pricing.
- MICHELIN Guide listing — restaurant style and menu options.
- Restaurant Online: Ugly Butterfly relocation report — Carbis Bay closure, Newquay dishes, and seating numbers.
- The Caterer: Handling’s Michelin ambitions — chef’s statement on seeking a star.
- AfternoonTea.co.uk coverage — afternoon tea format and serving times.
- TripAdvisor reviews for Ugly Butterfly at The Headland — guest feedback and sample menu.
- Adam Handling Instagram reel, 12 July 2025 — visual confirmation of opening week.