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There are two things we love a lot – good food, and supporting the local businesses that make South Devon such a special place to visit. We’re truly spoilt for places to eat and drink here, so we’ve rounded up some of our favourites for you to enjoy on your next Devon holiday.
Where to eat out with kids
Eating out with the family is all part of a holiday, and there are some lovely places in South Devon where you can take the kids out for a meal and enjoy it just as much!
The Breakwater Bistro, Brixham
Overlooking the Breakwater Beach in Brixham, this has everyone’s favourite dishes. The kid’s menu is crammed with yummy goodies too and we love the sound of a giant fish finger and chips! You’re also guaranteed a sea view from every table.
Kitchen Sisters Burgers, Torquay
For burger fans, Kitchen Sisters is hard to beat with rave reviews on social media and TripAdvisor. Sometimes a seriously decadent burger and a portion of chips are just what you need after a day at the beach. Check out their ‘Little Burgers’ specially made for little tummies.
Seagrass Restaurant, Salcombe
A casual yet tastefully stylish spot where you and the family can enjoy a relaxed meal any time of the day, with a stunning outlook across South Sands in Salcombe. The Monkfish curry is a highlight, and there’s a separate kid’s menu, plus dogs are welcomed with open arms!
The Ley Arms, near Exeter
The pretty village of Kenn rests on the outskirts of Exeter in its own countryside oasis. This traditional country pub has bags of character, and properly good pub food. The pub offers its own kids menu crammed with delicious mains and desserts, and there’s a pretty walk along the surrounding lanes for afterwards.
Our picks for Italian and Pizza
Fact: holiday calories don’t count. We know very few people who can turn down a beautiful pizza, and there are some cracking places to get your pizza fix around South Devon.
The Creek, Galmpton
The Creek is one of our favourites for pizza. Right beside the water at Galmpton Creek, the vibe is casual, and the pizzas are fab! Authentic sourdough bases and delicious toppings — yum! For a lower-carb option, there are inventive salads, seafood dishes, burgers and Sunday roasts, too.
Amalfi Kitchen, Dartmouth
Amalfi Kitchen brings a taste of the Mediterranean to Dartmouth, with handmade pizzas, fresh pasta and local seafood on the menu. It’s a lovely little restaurant for a relaxed Italian meal, and the seafood dishes are just as tempting.
Emilia, Ashburton
Emilia brings a little taste of Italy to Ashburton, with seasonal Italian cooking, homemade pasta and small plates made for sharing. Set in a former bank, it has an open kitchen and a relaxed, intimate feel, plus a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide.
La Scala, Paignton
La Scala serves traditional Italian cooking, from homemade pasta and rich carbonara to fresh fish and delicious tiramisu. It’s a small, family-run restaurant where the warm welcome is as memorable as the food, with thoughtful touches that make birthdays and anniversaries feel extra special.
Albero, Brixham
Italian food and the coast go hand in hand, and Albero brings a touch of the Med into Brixham Harbour, with gorgeous pizzas as well as pasta and seafood on the menu.
Pizzalogica, Totnes
Totnes is full-on foodie fabulous, and Pizzalogica fits right in. Crispy, crunchy and authentic Italian flavours. Pizzalogica isn’t in the town but sits opposite The Cider Press between Totnes and Dartington, so it’s the perfect pitstop after a countryside walk.
Casa Nostra, Brixham
Casa Nostra is a small, family-run Italian restaurant on Fore Street in Brixham, serving home-cooked pasta, pizza and Italian favourites. Reviews regularly praise the warm welcome, generous portions and homemade ice cream — save room for dessert!
Our favourites for a special meal
Birthdays, anniversaries or simply an excuse to enjoy a really good dinner — South Devon has some lovely restaurants for when you fancy making a bit more of an occasion.
The Elephant, Torquay
One of the best meals we’ve ever had. The Elephant near Torquay harbour still holds a Michelin star as well it should. The atmosphere is the perfect pairing of chic and casual, and the food expertly combines innovation with plain deliciousness.
Kore, Ashburton
Kore is a little different and utterly magical. Settling in the picturesque village of Ashburton with the most fabulous food and décor, professionally-trained chef Sam hosts regular dining events with dishes created from fresh, local produce. Look out for his brunch weekends, seasonal set menus and tasting evenings.
Andria, Dartmouth
If you love discovering restaurants with a bit of a foodie following, Andria is one for your Dartmouth list. It serves modern European dishes and seasonal small plates, and has earned a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide.
La Petite Maison, Brixham
All the French classics done superbly well at this cosy bistro on Middle Street near Brixham Harbour. We think it’s the perfect place for a romantic meal too.
Taylor’s, Dartmouth
Intimate and atmospheric, this long-standing restaurant especially suited to a romantic meal and has views over the harbour and the River Dart from upstairs. The lobster thermidor gets rave reviews but there’s plenty more to try both from the sea and the land.
Our picks for Sunday Lunch
A Sunday roast after a coastal walk? Hard to beat. Whether you prefer a traditional country pub or somewhere close to the sea, there are some lovely places around South Devon for a leisurely Sunday lunch.
The Maltsters Arms, near Totnes
An atmospheric riverside pub in Tuckenhay near Totnes and recently featured in the Trencherman’s Guide. Expect your Sunday lunch here to be rather special, with beautiful seasonal ingredients creating seriously delicious dishes.
The Agricultural Inn, near Exeter
Set in Bramford Speke outside Exeter, this 18th Century pub is a gorgeous place for lunch, with outdoor seating for the warmer months and a fabulous, low-ceiling dining room for the cooler times of the year. Though casual, the food is anything but boring and we’ve had a meal here that blew us away.
The Cott Inn, near Totnes
The Cott Inn is one of our favourites for a traditional pub roast. The food is fantastic, the portions hearty, and the whole experience is simply everything you’d want from a meal out. Book ahead for a busy Sunday.
The Start Bay Inn, Torcross
A lovely local place for good food and the biggest portion of battered fish and chips we’ve ever had! Overlooking the shingle beach at Torcross, with a rather incredible view over Start Bay, we think it’s the perfect spot to settle in for a pub lunch with a view.
The Church House Inn, Paignton
A traditional village pub in Marldon’s countryside on the outskirts of Paignton serving pub classics and a lovely Sunday roast. In winter there are two roaring fires to cosy up next to, with plenty of parking opposite.
The Cricket Inn, Beesands
If you like your Sunday lunch with a sea view, the Cricket Inn is hard to beat for its setting. Take a stroll along Beesands beach, then head in for lunch with the sea just across the road.
Our top spots for seafood
With Brixham’s famous fish market and miles of coastline on our doorstep, seafood deserves a section of its own. From fresh crab and dressed lobster to fish cooked simply and well, there’s plenty here for seafood lovers.
Crab Shed, Salcombe
If you love crab, Crab Shed should be on your Salcombe list. It sits beside the Fish Quay and focuses on locally landed brown crab and shellfish, with the water right in front of you. The crab is the star of the show, so that’s where we’d start.
Beamers, Brixham
You can’t come to Brixham and not try its seafood. Beamers looks over the harbour where most of the fish on its menu is landed. A lovely restaurant with a lovely atmosphere and top-notch British cuisine.
No. 7 Fish Bistro & Wine Bar, Torquay
No. 7 is a ‘must visit’ if you love seafood. Looking down over Torquay Harbour, it’s the perfect setting for fresh, locally caught seafood, cooked expertly. There’s a wine bar upstairs, too, making it a good choice for a leisurely lunch or a longer evening meal.
Britannia at the Beach, Beesands
Britannia at the Beach (affectionately known as ‘The Shack’) is all about simple seafood right by the beach. A local favourite with a cosy vibe, it’s best-known for its crab dishes – served in the restaurant or to take away. Please note that from November, the restaurant only hosts supper nights twice a month throughout the winter.
Rockfish in Brixham, Dartmouth and Torquay
With restaurants dotted around Devon’s coast, Rockfish is a bit of an institution when it comes to fresh fish and sustainability. Owner, Mich Tonks, has been extremely effective in bringing lesser-known fish varieties to his menus in a bid to thwart the overfishing of many well-known species. Expect locally caught seasonal seafood, cooked beautifully.
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