GREAT PLACES TO EAT IN SOUTH DEVON NOT FAR FROM PITT FARM
We love to eat local with our family and we are spoilt for choice in South Devon with so many fantastic pubs, restaurants and cafes. We have picked out some of our favourite places that you might like to try (we have separated the Fine Dining places and put them here).
The Cricket Inn (Beesands)
Set just behind the sea wall on the South West Coast Path at Beesands the Cricket Inn is a smart friendly pub serving excellent food.
Britannia at the Beach (Beesands)
An intimate fish restaurant with sea views (where you can bring your own booze for a small corkage fee) and a separate takeaway hatch, at Britannia at the Beach you can enjoy the freshest local fish and seafood – everything from a simple fish & chips, Thai Monkfish curry, Start Bay Crab Linguine (you’ll be in Start Bay as you eat it!) and made-to-order fish pie. This is a great place for lunch and can be combined with the coast path walk from Torcross which will let you work up an appetite and then walk it off. Booking essential for an inside table.
The Crabshell Inn (Kingsbridge))
There are always some tables available for lunch-time walk-in at the Crabshell. We love their enormous woodfired pizzas, the amazing burger (with its squid-ink brioche) and the fantastic seafood. Brilliant location on the water in Kingsbridge.
The Beach House (South Milton)
Recognised by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the top 10 beach shacks in the UK, at South Milton Sands there’s the Beach House which is fantastic but always busy – you can book for inside tables but outside tables you just take your chances!
The Start Bay Inn (Torcross)
If your children are expressive (or just loud like ours) you’ll be relieved that a section of this sea-front pub is set aside for families. A great plaice for fish and chips (sorry we can’t resist) with fish-specials (even on a Sunday when the menu stays the same).
The Sloop Inn (Bantham)
A surprisingly large 14th Century pub in the village of Bantham serving great food near to the world class Bantham beach. Huge portions!
The Gastrobus (Bantham)
A beach café on wheels residing in the car park at Bantham beach serving great breakfasts in particular (although the gastrodogs are also highly recommended).
The River Shack (Stoke Gabriel)
Directly on the water in the small village of Stoke Gabriel on the other side of the Dart, the River Shack serves a variety of breakfasts, authentic wood-fired pizzas and fresh fish. Great to combine a visit with a walk along the river with some crabbing in Mill Pool creek.
The Maltsers Arms (Tuckenhay)
With outdoor seating directly on banks of the River Dart, this pub, once owned by cookery legend Ketih Floyd unsurprisingly is great for fish-based dishes. When we visited reservations were not needed for outdoor lunchtime seating (but at arrive opening time if you want to get the best spot).
The Oyster Shack (Bigbury)
Booking is absolutely essential as this very popular place not far from Bigbury. Our guests consistently praise the fresh seafood (in particular the oysters) and laid back atmosphere.
The Lobster Pod (Hope Cove)
By the sand at Hope Cove, The Lobster Pod has four exclusive pods (which look a bit like cable car cabins) in which you can eat lobster (or pizza or other delicious seafood) with a fantastic view of the bay.
The Cove Bar (Hope Cove)
In Conde Nast’s Top 10 UK Beach Bars, is the Cove. With a big emphasis on daily specials, and an award winning array of craft beers, you’re promised a wam welcome and a great atmosphere at The Cove. The Pizzas (numbered rather than named) are pretty good too. We love #4.
Valley View (Loddiswell)
Freshly cooked, homemade, excellent quality local food at this café which adjoins Aune Valley Farm Shop. Everything from a hearty cooked breakfast or eggs benedict to lunchtime sandwiches, burgers, homemade cakes and milkshakes.
The Fortescue Inn (Salcombe)All Posts
We only ever order the crab sandwiches when we visit this historical pub in Salcombe (with a side of fries of course). No doubt other things are equally as good, but we’ve never needed to try.
Dick and Wills (Salcombe)
If you like Salcombe, then you’ll like Dick and Wills Waterside Grill. It’s in a fantastic elevated spot just off Fore Street serving excellent food. Lunch at Dick and Wills makes you feel even more holiday-y (yes we know that’s not a word).
The Seven Stars (Kingsbridge)
A well-located pub in the heart of Kingsbridge and a favourite with locals. Traditional pub food and a relaxed airy feel during the day gives way to a livelier atmosphere as the evening progresses.
Platform 1 (Dartmouth)
A truly unique place for lunch or diner. Located in what used to be the only Railway Station in the UK to never have been served by trains, and with an unrivalled view of the River Dart, Platform 1 specialises in seafood platters, fruits de mer, crab, lobster, mussels and seasonal fish (but also serves amazing steaks, ribs and burgers, and vegetarian dishes too).
Alf Resco (Dartmouth)
Alf’s is reason enough to head to Dartmouth early enough to get a coveted parking spot. Perfect for breakfast, brunch and lunch if you crave a great atmosphere with your coffee.
Rockfish – (Dartmouth, Salcombe, Brixham, Torquay and other places too)
Unlimited chips should be enough to get anyone’s attention. That’s what you get at Rockfish together with same day landed sustainable local fish cooked to order with views out over the water.
The Bear and Blacksmith (Chillington)
Ultra-local yet sophisticated food in a great relaxed setting. The Bear and Blacksmith is a great lunchtime and evening venue. If you’re lucky they may have some Pitt Farm pork on the menu.
Pie Street (Totnes)
Somewhere that just serves pies (with sides, and wine and puddings but mostly pies) isn’t the first place most people would head. But they absolutely should. Pie Street is one of the best places for lunch anywhere in the world and we really do recommend you try it. We did and we’ve been back several times since. There’s no children’s menu.
The Fortescue Arms (East Allington)
Last but not least our local pub. Ideal for traditional pub food with a well-regarded Sunday Roast. Also ideal for when you fancy one too many (as you can leave the car behind and walk – it’s a 20 minute footpath walk from Pitt Farm).